Chapter 19: First Meeting with the Golden Generation
After entering the city, Luo Ling accompanied Bibi Dong back to the Pope's Palace.
Spirit Hall was comprised of three branches—the Pope's Palace, the Elder Hall, and the Worship Hall. Among them, only the Worship Hall remained independent; in all other matters, Bibi Dong's word was law.
As they stepped into the grand hall, a platinum bishop hurried forward to receive them.
"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope!" the man said respectfully, bowing deeply.
Bibi Dong merely nodded, then turned toward Luo Ling. "Arrange accommodations for this child. He is my new disciple."
The bishop's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He turned to glance at Luo Ling, who responded with a polite smile.
"I understand," the bishop replied quickly, lowering his head again.
Normally, to become the Pope's disciple—thus a potential candidate for succession—one had to undergo countless evaluations. Yet this child had appeared suddenly, accepted on the spot. That was unprecedented.
Still, the platinum bishop did not dare question it.
Such was Bibi Dong's authority: aside from the Grand Worship of the Worship Hall, none in Spirit Hall could defy her.
Luo Ling said nothing further. After bidding farewell to Bibi Dong, he followed the bishop to his assigned quarters.
He was given one of the finest residences—naturally, no one would dare neglect the disciple personally chosen by the Pope.
Luo Ling didn't care much about luxury and settled in calmly. Soon, however, word spread throughout Spirit Hall: the Pope had taken a new disciple.
…
The Worship Hall.
In the vast ceremonial chamber, a golden-haired elder knelt before an angelic statue, immersed in silent prayer.
Footsteps echoed from the entrance.
"What is it, Golden Crocodile?" the elder asked softly, eyes still closed.
"Brother, Bibi Dong has returned," replied the towering man known as Golden Crocodile Douluo.
"I know," the elder—Qian Daoliu—answered evenly, opening his eyes at last. His expression did not change.
"She brought back a child," Golden Crocodile Douluo added. "She claims to have accepted him as her disciple."
At that, Qian Daoliu's expression flickered slightly, but he quickly masked it. "Let her be."
"No matter how many disciples she takes, as long as I, Qian Daoliu, still live, Spirit Hall's future will belong to Xiaoxue."
His tone was calm, yet it carried absolute authority.
Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded silently and left, allowing Qian Daoliu to resume his prayer in peace.
…
The next morning, Luo Ling rose at dawn. He had never been one for laziness.
At Notting Academy, he had adhered strictly to his routine. Here, surrounded by Spirit Hall's superior resources, he was even more determined not to waste a single moment.
After settling in the previous night, Bibi Dong hadn't come to check on him—understandable, given her busy schedule.
Luo Ling didn't mind. After dressing neatly, he decided to find Chrysanthemum Douluo to ask for the immortal herb record.
But as soon as he stepped outside, he realized something:
He had absolutely no idea where anything was.
Spirit Hall's headquarters was enormous, and Luo Ling quickly found himself wandering aimlessly through countless corridors.
Eventually, he arrived at a grand building engraved with three golden characters—Library Hall.
His eyes lit up.
Perfect. I've been lacking deep research material on martial souls.
Even now, he hadn't fully unraveled the mysteries of his twin spirits—the Raven Shadow Puppet and the Soul of Desire. His time at Notting Academy had only taught him the basics.
As for Yu Xiaogang's materials… they were mostly centered around the so-called Ten Core Theories, which he found laughably shallow.
Excited, Luo Ling decided to postpone his visit to Chrysanthemum Douluo for later and stepped toward the entrance of the library.
But just as he reached the door, a sharp voice came from behind him.
"Who are you?"
Turning around, Luo Ling found himself facing two boys, each around twelve or thirteen.
One had bright red hair and a bold, fiery temperament. The other, with silver hair and pale skin, was strikingly handsome—eerily resembling Hu Liena.
Luo Ling stared for a few seconds before realization struck.
Evil Moon?
Indeed, the boys before him were none other than the famed members of Spirit Hall's future "Golden Generation": Evil Moon and Yan.
"I'm talking to you—are you deaf?" the red-haired boy snapped.
Luo Ling smiled faintly and apologized. "Sorry, your friend here looks a lot like someone I know. I got distracted."
"Liar!" Yan stepped forward aggressively.
"Enough, Yan." Evil Moon placed a hand on his companion's shoulder, stopping him.
"What? You actually believe him?" Yan said in disbelief, frowning. "Look at his clothes! He's not even one of us from Spirit Hall."
Evil Moon didn't respond. Instead, he turned to Luo Ling and studied him carefully.
"You must be the one Sister Nana mentioned—Little Luo, right?"
"Nana?" Luo Ling blinked, then feigned realization. "Oh, you mean Senior Sister?"
Evil Moon chuckled softly. "Right, I almost forgot—you're also one of Her Holiness's disciples now."
"If the Nana you're talking about is Sister Hu Liena, then yes, that's me," Luo Ling said with a polite nod.
"What are you two talking about?" Yan asked, utterly confused.
"You really don't know?" Evil Moon replied with a hint of amusement. "The Pope just took a new disciple yesterday—this is him."
"What?!" Yan's eyes widened in shock.
Before he could ask further, a familiar cheerful voice rang out.
"Little Brother Luo Ling! There you are!"
Luo Ling turned—only to be tackled into a hug.
"Little Brother Luo Ling, how did you end up here?" Hu Liena asked reproachfully, holding him tightly as though afraid he'd vanish again.
She had tried to visit him earlier that morning, only to find his room empty.
"I was looking for Uncle Chrysanthemum, but Spirit Hall is huge. I got lost and ended up here," Luo Ling explained awkwardly, trying to pry himself free.
"I see! Then I'll take you." Hu Liena smiled sweetly, keeping her arm firmly around his neck. "Besides, Teacher's been looking for you anyway."
"Um, Nana… maybe you should introduce us first?" Evil Moon interrupted dryly, pulling her away with an exasperated sigh.
"Oh, right!" Hu Liena reluctantly released her hold on Luo Ling. Turning to the two boys, she said, "This is Luo Ling, Teacher's new disciple—a one-ring soul master."
Both Evil Moon and Yan gave Luo Ling a long, appraising look—Evil Moon's filled with curiosity, Yan's with barely concealed jealousy.
The reason was obvious.
"I'll have you know," Hu Liena continued proudly, "Little Brother Luo Ling isn't just any ordinary soul master. Even I might not be his match!"
Her eyes sparkled as she added, "He has twin martial souls!"
"Twin martial souls?" Evil Moon and Yan both froze, their expressions changing immediately.
Their eyes now held not just curiosity—but recognition and respect.
(END CHAPTER)
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