Su Yu dodged her attacks, unable to hide the amusement in his eyes as he watched her pout with frustration.
"That's because your training isn't solid enough. You can't blame others."
Though his words were teasing, he deliberately softened his movements and slowed his pace, clearly going easy on her.
The time it takes for an incense stick to burn passed in the blink of an eye, yet the figures on the arena continued to weave around each other.
Hu Liena's every strike was effortlessly evaded by Su Yu.
His steps appeared unhurried, yet he always managed to sidestep her onslaught.
Hu Liena leaned forward, hands on her knees, breathing heavily. The stray strands of hair at her forehead were damp with sweat, clinging to her flushed cheeks.
She glared at Su Yu, who remained composed and unruffled on the other side, feeling both irritated and helpless—after all this time, she hadn't even managed to touch the hem of his clothes, let alone land a hit. Instead, she was the one on the verge of collapse from exhaustion.
"Hmph, I'm done fighting!"
Hu Liena stamped her foot, her voice carrying a hint of a whine, as if she were sulking.
"I admit defeat!"
Without waiting for the referee's announcement, she turned and sprinted toward the edge of the arena, leaping down nimbly and landing steadily on the ground.
As she landed, she couldn't resist shooting a glare back at Su Yu, her eyes flashing with a trace of petulance.
Watching her storm off the stage, Su Yu's smile deepened. He followed suit, jumping down from the arena and quickly catching up to her.
"Why run off in such a hurry?" He handed her a clean handkerchief. "Wipe your sweat. Be careful not to catch a cold."
Hu Liena turned her face away but still reached out to take the handkerchief, swiping it haphazardly across her face.
"It's all your fault for always dodging me! It's no fun at all!"
"Alright, alright, my mistake."
Su Yu humored her, pulling a bottle of water from his Storage Soul Tool and offering it to her.
"Have some water and rest for a bit."
Meanwhile, the referee stepped forward to announce the result. "Su Yu wins! The champion of this Freshman Competition is Su Yu!"
"Next, we invite His Holiness the Pope to present the award to Student Su Yu!"
The referee's voice echoed across the martial arena, declaring the final outcome.
The crowd below erupted instantly, cheers and applause surging like a tidal wave. Countless eyes focused on Su Yu, filled with admiration and awe.
On the high platform, Bi Bidong rose slowly, her opulent Pope's Robe shimmering with a dark golden hue in the setting sun.
Though she did not intentionally release any pressure, an aura of undeniable authority surrounded her, making it difficult for others to meet her gaze.
She descended the platform step by step, holding an exquisite brocade box in her hand.
Su Yu stepped forward, bowing slightly in respect. "Your Holiness."
Bi Bidong raised her hand, signaling for him to rise. Her gaze lingered on him for a moment, carrying a trace of imperceptible approval.
"Xiao Yu, your performance in this Freshman Competition was excellent. You have not disappointed my expectations."
She opened the brocade box, revealing a medal nestled inside.
The centerpiece of the medal was the Spirit Hall's Six-Winged Angel Emblem, bordered by delicate golden patterns that emitted a gentle glow.
"This is the 'Rising Star Medal,' symbolizing the Spirit Hall's recognition of promising new talents."
Bi Bidong took out the medal and personally pinned it to Su Yu's chest.
"Remember, honor is a starting point, not an endpoint. From here on, you must remain grounded and strive for continuous improvement."
"Yes, your disciple will remember your teachings."
Hu Liena stood to the side, gazing at the medal on Su Yu's chest with sincere delight in her eyes, giving his arm a firm pat:
"Brother Su Yu, congratulations!"
Bi Bidong turned her gaze to Hu Liena, her tone softening slightly:
"Nana, your performance this time was also remarkable. Though you placed second, your rapid progress is evident to all."
Hu Liena promptly bowed: "Thank you for your praise, Teacher! I will continue to work hard!"
Meanwhile, the cheers from below the stage grew increasingly fervent, with countless freshmen looking up at the three figures on stage, their eyes filled with admiration.
The judge announced loudly: "Let us once again congratulate Su Yu for winning the Freshman Competition! May all freshmen achieve great success at Spirit Hall and scale new heights!"
...
Three years passed swiftly after the Freshman Competition.
A year ago, Su Yu had already broken through to the twentieth level. His second Soul Ring was a three-thousand-year ring.
After absorbing this Soul Ring, his Sharingan evolved to the Two Tomoe stage.
His Wood Release regenerative abilities were exceptionally potent. After Bi Bidong's assessment, it was confirmed that Su Yu's current strength was no weaker than an ordinary Soul Ancestor.
Now, Su Yu's Soul Power had reached the twenty-sixth level. Hu Liena had also broken through to the twentieth level recently and was now a Great Soul Master!
In the Papal Hall, flickering candlelight cast shadows across Bi Bidong's figure as she sat upright on her throne.
She lifted her eyes to Su Yu striding in, scanning him briefly before sensing that the Soul Power surrounding him had become more condensed and steady compared to when he left.
"Teacher, I'm back!"
"Xiao Yu, this training expedition must have brought you considerable gains!"
"Yes, Teacher. I feel my Soul Power has become more refined!"
"Good. Xiao Yu, regarding Spirit Hall's future development, do you have any insights?"
Su Yu looked at Bi Bidong thoughtfully for a moment before speaking:
"Teacher, our Spirit Hall's strength is steadily rising. To unify the continent, we must recruit all available talents!"
"Then tell me, which talents should we recruit?"
"Teacher, the Three Upper Sects share close ties. Even if the Clear Sky Sect remains reclusive, neither the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School nor the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would submit to our Spirit Hall."
"We should start with the Four Lower Sects. First, we must prioritize winning over the Nine Heart Begonia Sect—their formidable recovery abilities are a tremendous asset in warfare!"
"Secondly, the Elephant Armor Sect has long expressed interest in aligning with us, so we can recruit them as well!"
"However, I believe the talent we should most urgently recruit right now is Dugu Bo!"
Upon hearing this, Bi Bidong's finger-tapping on the armrest paused slightly, a flicker of surprise in her profound eyes:
"Dugu Bo? That Poison Douluo who just broke through to Titled Douluo?"
"Yes, Teacher!"
"Our Spirit Hall already possesses eighty percent of the continent's Titled Douluo. There's no need to recruit more!"
"Teacher, Dugu Bo is different from other Titled Douluo. Though he recently broke through, his strength should not be underestimated!"
"Oh?"
"Teacher, if we aim to unify the continent in the future, conflict with Heaven Dou and Star Luo is inevitable!"
"While Dugu Bo's combat power may not rank high among Titled Douluo, his mastery of poison would be an extraordinary weapon in warfare!"
Bi Bidong sat upright on her throne, fingertips gently stroking the armrest, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes at his words:
"You make a valid point. Dugu Bo's poison techniques would indeed be a strategic marvel on the battlefield."
"However, that old eccentric has a perverse temperament and is extremely solitary—he won't be easily recruited."
"Your disciple understands, Teacher. Dugu Bo's residence is in Heaven Dou City. Please grant me permission to go to Heaven Dou City!"
"Your disciple is eighty percent confident that Dugu Bo can be recruited into Spirit Hall!"
Bi Bidong nodded slightly, her fingertips pausing on the armrest:
"Good. Then who do you plan to bring with you?"