Su Yu held Xiao Hui in his arms, deliberately raising its front paw and waving it:
"Did you hear that, Xiao Hui? Your mistress has spoken. You better supervise me properly."
Xiao Hui seemed to understand, barking twice at Qian Renxue and wagging its tail happily.
Watching the pair, the heaviness in Qian Renxue's heart from their parting lightened considerably. She took a deep breath and turned to enter the carriage:
"I'm leaving."
The carriage curtain fell, blocking the view from outside.
Su Yu stood in place holding Xiao Hui until the carriage completely disappeared at the end of the road. Then he looked down and poked Xiao Hui's head:
"See, your mistress does care about you. She's just stubborn with her words."
...
Time slipped through their fingers like sand, and half a year passed in the blink of an eye.
Su Yu gradually discovered that Xiao Hui seemed to possess some kind of magic.
Not only had it managed to make Qian Renxue dote on it endlessly, but even the typically aloof Bi Bidong had taken a special liking to it.
These days in the Papal Hall, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Bi Bidong's greatest daily pleasure was stroking Xiao Hui's soft fur.
Blessed by the Pope's favor, Xiao Hui's status within the hall had risen steadily.
It was no longer the little dog that could run around freely as before - it had reached the point where dedicated attendants cared for its daily needs.
One day, Su Yu returned to the Papal Hall at dusk after completing his day's training.
As soon as he stepped through the hall's entrance, a familiar "woof" reached his ears, followed by a gray shadow charging toward him like a small cannonball.
"Hey, my good boy! Come let daddy hold you and see if you've gotten fatter recently!"
Su Yu laughed and spread his arms, steadily catching the pouncing Xiao Hui, the furry bundle settling into his embrace.
He lifted the little fellow up, weighing it in his hands, and deliberately exaggerated with a "tsk":
"Oh, you really have gotten heavier! Looks like your meals have improved again recently!"
Xiao Hui squirmed in his arms, its tail wagging like it had a motor installed.
It licked the back of his hand twice with its tongue, making affectionate whimpering sounds in its throat.
"Where have you been running wild this time?"
Su Yu put Xiao Hui down, scratching under its chin with his fingertips as his gaze swept through the hall. Bi Bidong was sitting in the main seat,
holding a small comb in her hand, having clearly just finished grooming Xiao Hui's fur.
Bi Bidong glanced up at him, her tone calm but lacking its usual cold edge:
"It was chasing butterflies on the lawn in front of the hall earlier and got grass stains all over itself."
As she spoke, she set the comb aside, her gaze resting on Xiao Hui's cheerful form, a hint of softness flashing in her eyes:
"Come here."
Xiao Hui seemed to understand, trotting happily to her feet and rubbing its head against her robe. Bi Bidong reached out and stroked its back.
Watching this scene, Su Yu found it amusing - who would have thought Xiao Hui could possess such charm!
He stepped forward and performed a proper bow: "Teacher, Nana and I have completed today's training."
Bi Bidong made a sound of acknowledgment, her eyes still fixed on Xiao Hui:
"I heard your Martial Soul has made some recent progress?"
"Yes, I fortunately broke through a bottleneck. My Wood Release has become more powerful!"
"Mm, good."
Bi Bidong nodded faintly, her fingertips still gently stroking Xiao Hui's furry head.
The gray fur bundle obediently rubbed against her palm, making soft whimpering sounds in its throat.
She lifted her gaze to Su Yu, her eyes as calm as a deep pool, and spoke slowly:
"Martial Soul Academy holds a Freshman Competition every year. You and Nana are my disciples, and I do not wish to see your names outside the top three."
Her words were not heavy, yet they carried an unquestionable authority.
"Yes, I understand," Su Yu replied with a bow.
She looked out the window, where dusk was deepening. The sharp spire of the Hall of Worship in the distance stood out starkly against the night sky.
Her fingers stroked Xiao Hui's soft fur as she spoke, her tone devoid of emotion:
"Both you and Nana possess superior Martial Souls. What you lack is refinement."
"The Freshman Competition is not just a contest—it is an opportunity for you to recognize your own shortcomings."
"Do not go to Martial Soul Academy these days. I will arrange for someone to guide your training."
"Yes, Teacher!"
"Mm, you may leave."
The next morning—
Su Yu and Hu Liena arrived at the square of the Papal Hall as arranged by Bi Bidong.
As soon as they arrived, they saw a figure standing with his hands clasped behind his back.
Hearing their footsteps, the man slowly turned around.
What met their eyes was a square-jawed face with sharp, rigid lines, slightly furrowed brows, and eyes as keen as an eagle's.
"Your Highness Su Yu, Your Highness Hu Liena, I have been sent by His Holiness the Pope to instruct you!"
"My name is Xiao Yi. My Martial Soul is the Adamantine Wolf King, and I am an eighty-third-level Power Attack System Soul Douluo!"
Taking the opportunity, Su Yu carefully observed Xiao Yi. The man stood as straight as a pine tree.
His black combat outfit outlined his solid muscle lines, and faint scars were visible on his exposed forearms—clear marks left by years of real combat.
His hands, clenched into fists behind his back, had distinct knuckles, exuding an undeniable sense of power.
He did not look old, yet he had cultivated to the level of an eighty-third-level Power Attack System Soul Douluo, with the potential to break through to Titled Douluo in the future.
That Bi Bidong had sent him to guide them showed just how much importance she placed on the Freshman Competition.
Exchanging a glance with Hu Liena, they bowed in unison:
"Greetings, Senior Xiao Yi."
Xiao Yi gave a slight nod, his tone calm yet authoritative:
"No need for formalities. You should be clear about His Holiness the Pope's requirement—in the Freshman Competition, you are only permitted to win, not to lose."
"The Freshman Competition consists of two events."
He paused, holding up two fingers.
"The first is a duo cooperation event, where you seize Command Tokens. The pair with the most tokens at the end will take first place."
"The second is a Soul Master duel. Winners advance, while losers enter the loser's bracket—with only one chance for failure."
"Both assessments are scored based on ranking and performance. The one with the highest overall score will be the Freshman Competition champion."
He shifted his tone, emphasizing: "The first assessment is also called the Wilderness Trial."
"All freshmen must form pairs and enter the designated area within Martial Soul Academy."
"There are two ways to obtain Command Tokens: one is by hunting specified Soul Beasts; the other is by seizing tokens already acquired by other teams."
"The time limit is one day. The pair with the most tokens by the end will be ranked first in this event."
"The two members of the winning team will equally share the points earned."
"Do not worry about life-threatening dangers. There are multiple examiners hidden throughout the assessment area, and they will intervene to protect you if you face fatal peril."
"But remember, once an examiner intervenes, that student will immediately lose their eligibility for the trial."
"In other words, this is not only a test of your Soul Power and coordination, but also a trial of your judgment, courage, and even ruthlessness."
"Starting today, your training will focus on the first assessment, especially dual coordination and practical combat adaptability—is that clear?"
"Understood!"