Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and after a month of trials, Hu Liena had returned to the Martial Soul Holy City.
Inside the Papal Hall, Bibi Dong, dressed in plain white robes, was lowering her gaze as she reviewed the documents in her hand.
"Teacher! I'm back!"
The hall doors creaked open, and a clear, lively voice shattered the tranquility within.
A young woman in silver-gray martial attire hurried in, the edges of her robes still dusted with the traces of her journey, clearly having just returned from outside.
She was exceptionally radiant, with almond-shaped eyes that sparkled like starlight, a delicate, upturned nose, and naturally rosy lips.
As she ran, her high ponytail traced a sharp arc through the air, exuding an aura of vibrant energy.
Recognizing the figure bent over the desk in the hall, the young woman's smile grew even brighter.
She rushed to Bibi Dong in a few strides, spreading her arms to embrace her tightly:
"Teacher, I missed you so much!"
Bibi Dong swayed slightly from the impact, the documents in her hand gently settling on the desk.
She raised a hand, patting the young woman's back with a mix of resignation and indulgence, a soft ripple of warmth stirring in her otherwise calm eyes:
"It's good to have you back. Judging by your appearance, the trials must have been quite fruitful."
Hu Liena nuzzled against her for a moment before lifting her head, tilting her chin up proudly:
"Of course! During this trial, I broke through to level 39. I'm just one step away from becoming a Soul Ancestor!"
Her eyes sparkled, filled with an expression eager for praise.
Bibi Dong observed the fine beads of sweat at her temples and the lingering flush on her cheeks, reaching out to smooth her slightly disheveled hair, her fingertips cool to the touch:
"You've worked hard. Go freshen up and rest for a while. We'll have dinner together tonight."
"Mhmm!"
Hu Liena nodded vigorously before releasing her embrace and skipping toward the exit. At the doorway, she turned back, offering Bibi Dong a sweet smile:
"Wait for me, Teacher!"
After leaving the Papal Hall, Hu Liena walked with light steps, heading straight for the Holy Son Hall, her face brimming with anticipation.
On the platform before the Holy Son Hall, the sunlight was just right.
Su Yu stood there, patiently instructing Xue Na, who was in front of him.
The young girl was intently controlling the flickering arcs of lightning at her fingertips, purple sparks dancing in her palm, occasionally crackling softly when they slipped from her control.
"Focus your mind, feel the resonance between Soul Power and the elements…"
Su Yu's voice was gentle, carrying a tone of patient guidance.
Just then, a clear, playful female voice suddenly erupted in the air:
"Ta-da! The cutest! The prettiest! The most powerful young woman of the Spirit Hall—Hu Liena has arrived!"
With these words, Hu Liena leaped down from the platform's steps.
Her hands clasped behind her back, she tilted her head slightly, a brilliant smile on her face.
But as her bright almond-shaped eyes swept over the two people on the platform, she froze in place. She! Her home had been stolen!
Xue Na, startled by the sudden outburst, let out a small "pop" as the lightning at her fingertips flared out of control. Fortunately, it was not powerful, causing her only to flinch and pull her hand back.
She looked up at the bright and lively young girl before her, her eyes filled with curiosity.
Su Yu also paused his movements, turning his gaze to Hu Liena. A helpless yet gentle smile tugged at the corner of his lips:
"You're back, and still making such a commotion."
Hu Liena pointed a finger at Su Yu, her eyes wide and round, deliberately putting on a pitiful, "broken" expression. Her voice was tinged with grievance:
"You! You, you! Do you have another little sister now? From now on, I won't be your cutest little sister anymore!"
As she spoke, she deliberately sniffled and hummed in a melodramatic tone, mimicking a song:
"Just like the song says, 'Little cabbage, yellow in the field, no one loves me! No one cares!'"
Su Yu couldn't help but laugh at her antics. He raised his hand and ruffled her hair helplessly:
"What nonsense are you talking? Your little mouth is so quick, spitting rhymes—are you trying to take the postgraduate entrance exam?"
Xue Na was also startled by Hu Liena's behavior, thinking it was her arrival that had caused such a reaction between her brother and sister.
At this thought, Xue Na lowered her head dejectedly.
Su Yu naturally noticed the change in Xue Na's mood and picked her up.
"Alright, Xiao Xuena, your sister was just joking. She's not angry."
Hu Liena, too, noticed that Xue Na seemed upset. Oh no, she was just acting—did this little girl really get scared?
Hu Liena quickly dropped her playful act, crouched down, and met Xue Na's eyes at the same level as Su Yu held her. Her voice softened significantly:
"Oh, Xiao Xuena, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was just teasing your brother earlier. I'm not really angry, so don't take it to heart."
She reached out to touch Xue Na's hair but hesitated, afraid of scaring her. Her hand hovered mid-air, her face full of regret:
"It's all my fault. I acted too convincingly and scared you, didn't I? Look, I'm perfectly fine—not angry at all."
Su Yu held Xue Na, gently patting her back, and said to Hu Liena:
"You're always fooling around, but you should pay attention to who you're teasing."
Hu Liena stuck out her tongue, pulled a shiny piece of candy from her pocket, and offered it to Xue Na:
"Look, this is fruit candy I brought back from outside. It's really sweet. Let me make it up to you, okay? Don't be upset, or I'll really feel bad."
Xue Na lifted her head, glanced at Hu Liena's sincere eyes, then looked at Su Yu, and asked softly:
"Really? Sister isn't angry with me?"
"Of course, it's true!" Hu Liena nodded emphatically and pressed the candy into her hand.
"I'm overjoyed that you're here to keep Su Yu company. From now on, we're family. If anyone bullies you, just come to me—I'll protect you."
Xue Na clutched the candy, the gloom on her little face gradually fading. She let out a soft "Mm," and the corners of her lips lifted slightly.
Su Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief and said to Hu Liena, "Alright, don't be so scary from now on."
Hu Liena stood up, brushed the dust off her skirt, and shot Su Yu a glare, though her eyes were smiling:
"It's all your fault. Who told you to suddenly bring back a little sister? I just wasn't prepared."
Then, she turned to Xue Na, her eyes crinkling into a smile:
"Come on, let me show you the treasures I've collected. I'm sure you'll love them!"
"Mm!"
Little Xuena climbed down from Su Yu's embrace and took Hu Liena's hand as they walked toward the Holy Son Hall.
Su Yu watched the heartwarming scene between the two with a doting smile.
It wasn't until the two disappeared that Su Yu realized—wasn't he supposed to be teaching Xuena how to control her Soul Power?
Back when he was teaching Hu Liena, she had been so inconsistent—three days of effort followed by two days of slacking off.
Would this little girl end up leading Xuena astray!
Time flowed quietly by, and in the blink of an eye, six years had passed.
Su Yu's Soul Power had now broken through to level 78, placing him far ahead among the younger generation across the entire continent!