Chapter 23: Living with Hu Liena
Back in the council hall, Luo Ling could feel the shift in everyone's attitude toward him after the battle.
Yan and Xie Yue looked at him with fear. The Title Douluo showed cautious respect. Only Hu Liena was different—her eyes still sparkled with boundless admiration, almost glowing with stars.
Luo Ling knew full well why. Even if his control lasted only a minute, it was still horrifying.
At the level of a Title Douluo, being incapacitated for sixty seconds during battle would mean certain death—many times over.
"Now, does anyone still object to appointing Luo Ling as Holy Son?"
From the dais, Bibi Dong scanned the hall.
No one spoke. Even Qian Daoliu merely closed his eyes, pretending to meditate.
"In that case," Bibi Dong declared with satisfaction, "Luo Ling shall be officially appointed as the Holy Son of Spirit Hall!"
She paused, her tone turning serious. "However, I want everyone to keep his martial soul talent secret. When he appears publicly, he will display only a single martial soul. And when he obtains future rings, ensure the ring fusion is never exposed. We cannot allow other factions any weakness to exploit."
Luo Ling nodded without complaint. Becoming Spirit Hall's Holy Son was already a tremendous honor. "I'll follow Teacher's arrangements completely."
With that, the matter was settled.
Preparations began: an official decree, creation of the Holy Son insignia.
One by one, the Title Douluo departed the hall.
Qian Daoliu was the last to leave. He approached Luo Ling slowly, sizing him up.
Silver hair, crimson eyes, remarkable looks, extraordinary talent—everything about the boy screamed perfection.
He'd make a fine grandson-in-law, Qian Daoliu mused privately.
He didn't voice the thought, merely smiled faintly, patting Luo Ling's shoulder meaningfully.
"Boy, you should visit the Worship Hall sometime. I am Qian Daoliu, the Grand Worship. Anything Bibi Dong can't teach you—I can," he said warmly.
"Qian Daoliu! Don't go too far!" Bibi Dong snapped instantly, fury brimming at seeing her disciple nearly snatched again.
Qian Daoliu chuckled and slipped away before she could continue, his figure vanishing into thin air.
Once he left, Bibi Dong finally exhaled her frustration. Her bright eyes turned toward Luo Ling.
"Luo Ling, that old fox loves schemes. Stay away from him, understand?"
Luo Ling grinned and nodded. With Bibi Dong's warning, agreeing was the obvious choice—no reason to provoke her temper.
"Good." She smiled faintly and turned to Ghost Douluo. "Elder Ghost, please take him to his new residence."
"Yes, Your Holiness." Ghost Douluo stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Holy Son, if you'll follow me."
"Thank you, Uncle Ghost," Luo Ling said with a warm smile.
The elder blinked at the honorific, then his expression softened. Saying nothing further, he led Luo Ling out of the council hall.
…
After they departed, silence reclaimed the chamber.
Seated upon the Pope's throne, Bibi Dong finalized the decree and stamped it with her personal seal.
She called out to Chrysanthemum Douluo, who had remained behind. "Elder Ju, deliver this decree throughout Spirit Hall. Bring a Holy Son insignia for Luo Ling."
She handed him a scroll, then added solemnly, "After you do that, I have another task for you."
"Your Holiness, your command," Chrysanthemum Douluo said, kneeling.
Bibi Dong's expression turned uncertain, her lips trembling ever so slightly before she spoke.
"I want you to investigate… Yu Xiaogang. We already know he's in Notting City, but I need everything—his whereabouts before arriving there, what he's been doing these past years."
Her voice was quiet but strained.
Ever since Luo Ling's words, his insinuations about Yu Xiaogang's hypocrisy had haunted her thoughts. Her disappointment had grown beyond measure—but she needed proof.
Chrysanthemum Douluo stiffened slightly, then bowed lower. "Understood. I'll uncover everything he's done."
"Good. You may go. And don't forget to deliver the Holy Son token to Luo Ling."
"Yes, Your Holiness." Chrysanthemum Douluo rose and disappeared into the shadows.
…
Meanwhile, Ghost Douluo led Luo Ling toward another palace beside the Pope's Hall—a residence reserved for Spirit Hall's Holy Son and Saintess across generations.
Once, Bibi Dong herself had lived there.
At the entrance, Luo Ling was greeted by the sight of Hu Liena eagerly peeking out, flanked by Yan and Xie Yue.
When she saw Luo Ling, her face lit up with delight.
"Little Brother Luo!" she cried, rushing forward and hugging his arm tightly.
"Senior Sister? You're here?" Luo Ling asked, surprised.
"Hehe, of course! I'm the Saintess—well, a candidate Saintess for now!" she said with a teasing grin.
That reminder made Luo Ling recall the original story—where Hu Liena would become Saintess only after surviving the City of Slaughter.
"Elder Ghost! Let me show Little Brother Luo around," Hu Liena said, turning to Ghost Douluo.
"Then I'll leave him in your care," the elder replied and departed.
"We'll be going too," said Xie Yue and Yan hastily.
Neither lingered—they practically fled the place, as if escaping a ghost.
Their fear amused Luo Ling. Evidently, their recent defeat still haunted them.
Smiling faintly, Luo Ling followed Hu Liena inside the residence.
Beyond the gate lay a wide courtyard leading into a spacious hall.
Contrary to expectations, the palace was elegant but not excessively lavish—functional, yet refined.
Beyond the hall sat a building reminiscent of a courtyard mansion, though designed in a more Western style.
"There are five rooms total," Hu Liena explained, pointing around. "Two were used by Teacher, and one is mine. The other three are extra guest chambers."
She hesitated briefly, cheeks reddening. "Luo Ling… why don't you stay in the one next to mine?"
Luo Ling found no reason to refuse and simply nodded, heading toward the indicated room.
As they walked, the two chatted casually while helping organize his things.
Working together, they finished quickly—after all, teamwork between a man and a woman was smooth by nature.
After these days together, Luo Ling's perception of Hu Liena had shifted.
In the original tale, Hu Liena had been a foolish romantic—utterly blinded by Tang San, betraying Spirit Hall for love.
Such a woman was foolish indeed—but when that foolishness was directed toward him, it didn't seem so bad.
After all, she was undeniably beautiful. With her fox-like martial soul and beast transformation—ears and tail included—her charm was unique.
Once they finished cleaning, Hu Liena reluctantly prepared to leave, aware of the need for propriety.
After a soft goodbye full of reluctance, she departed for her own quarters.
Luo Ling watched her go… then quietly began his cultivation.
(END CHAPTER)
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