Golden Generation

Spirit City, in the Hall of the Pope.

Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan stood proudly at the base of the grand Hall.

Today was the moment they would be awarded the highest honor of the Spirit Hall.

To receive such a prestigious medal at such a young age made them more than deserving of the title "Golden Generation" of the Spirit Hall.

The "Golden Generation" of Spirit Hall was a team of seven individuals, but Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan were the most outstanding of the group and its core leaders.

Even at this moment, no one doubted that the Golden Generation would become the future pillars of Spirit Hall.

Thus, the majority of Spirit Hall's resources would be directed toward them.

For Xie Yue and Yan, it was their first time entering the Pope's Hall to meet Bibi Dong, and both were filled with excitement, like victorious roosters strutting proudly.

"The three of you have managed to break through to the rank of Soul King before the age of twenty-five. You are destined to be the pillars of Spirit Hall's future."

Hearing these words, the trio couldn't help but smile. However, a thought quickly crept into their minds, causing their smiles to fade, leaving them pale.

Breaking through to the rank of Soul King before the age of twenty-five was indeed impressive. Among the talents they knew, there was no one who could compare.

But...

As they thought of the person in Heaven Dou City, anxiety filled their hearts, making them feel like they were sitting on pins and needles.

That person, not even sixteen years old, had already reached the rank of Soul King!

And her soul rings were two purple and three black...

Sometimes, the gap between individuals was larger than the gap between humans and animals.

They were geniuses among geniuses, but that person was a monster among monsters!

And that was information from more than a year ago. No one knew just how powerful she had become now.

"Teacher, we..." Hu Liena furrowed her brows, wanting to say something but hesitated.

In this timeline, during the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, they hadn't been arrogant or boastful, unlike in the original timeline.

Instead, they had been cautious, treading carefully, for they knew that the world was full of heroes, as numerous as fish swimming across the river.

Even before Hu Liena could finish her sentence, Bibi Dong already understood her concern.

"I have met that girl. Her strength is indeed beyond your reach," Bibi Dong said bluntly. She didn't sugarcoat it or offer false hope that as long as they worked hard, they could surpass the other.

She understood talent better than anyone.

The truth was, if you were fast in one step, you would continue to be fast in every step thereafter.

Tang Hao, who had broken through to the rank of Titled Douluo at forty-four, was fast, wasn't he?

He was hailed as the youngest Titled Douluo in the history of Douluo Continent. Tang Hao was undoubtedly exceptional.

But who knew that Bibi Dong herself had already become a Titled Douluo in her early thirties?

That was the difference in talent.

When she had already reached level ninety-eight or ninety-nine, Tang Hao was still struggling at level ninety-five.

As soon as Bibi Dong spoke, Hu Liena and the others lowered their heads, feeling disheartened.

If even Bibi Dong acknowledged the other's superiority, what else could they do? They had no choice but to accept reality.

"However, in a team battle, they may not necessarily be your match."

Bibi Dong wasn't entirely certain, which is why she used the word "may."

Spirit Hall had already learned of the transfer of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Royal Battle Team to Team Two, with disciples from the Body Sect filling in the vacant spots.

However, after more than a year, no members from the Body Sect had yet appeared in the Royal Battle Team.

When the younger generation of the Body Sect joined, the highest-ranked among them was barely over level thirty, most of them were still in their twenties.

Even if they grew rapidly over the course of a year, there had to be limits, right?

The Spirit Hall battle team, on the other hand, consisted of members all over level forty-five, with three Soul Kings among them.

Even if their individual combat strength wasn't as formidable as Xiao Wu and her companions, what if they all attacked at once?

Moreover, Hu Liena and Xie Yue possessed a martial soul fusion technique!

Suddenly, a strange expression crossed Bibi Dong's face as if she remembered something.

She had originally planned to secure some "resources" for Hu Liena—specifically, the spiritual wisdom head soul bone that was over 50,000 years old.

Just in time for today's medal ceremony, Bibi Dong intended to reward Hu Liena with that spirit bone.

However, the spirit bone wasn't her personal possession—it was part of the Spirit Hall's heritage. To bestow it, she needed the approval of the Elders.

When she brought it up, the Elders collectively shook their heads, arguing that Hu Liena hadn't made significant contributions to merit it.

Of course, Bibi Dong wasn't asking for just one spirit bone—she was asking for three, intending to also reward Xie Yue and Yan. In this case, Xie Yue and Yan would simply be along for the ride.

Eventually, Bibi Dong decided to make these three spirit bones the grand prize for the champion of this year's All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, allowing Hu Liena and her team to claim them by merit.

The Elders were initially inclined to agree until someone mentioned that Xiao Feilian would also be competing in this year's tournament...

At that, the Elders fell silent. If they went through with this, wouldn't they essentially be handing the three spirit bones over to someone else?

Just as they were about to reject the proposal again, the voice from the worship hall—the one from that revered figure—spoke up.

"Let it be so. The three spirit bones will be the champion's reward."

"???"

Not only were the Elders shocked, but even Bibi Dong was dumbfounded. She hadn't seriously considered the potential involvement of the Body Sect in the tournament.

When the Elders mentioned Xiao Feilian, she herself hesitated!

No one could have predicted that the old codger, Qian Daoliu, would actually agree to this arrangement!

"The final round of the tournament will be held in Spirit City," Qian Daoliu concluded before his voice fell silent.

He rarely left Spirit City unless it was of utmost importance, but it seemed he was curious to meet a certain "peer," which is why he made this unexpected decision.

Normally, the final stage of the tournament was supposed to be held near the border between the two great empires, with Spirit Hall acting as a neutral party. But moving the venue to Spirit City was, after all, just a matter of saying the word for Spirit Hall.

Thinking about the spirit bone, Bibi Dong was frustrated to the point of wanting to curse!

Wouldn't it be simpler to just directly give the bones to Hu Liena and her team?

After all, they were all members of Spirit Hall, and the bones could be reclaimed later if needed.

But instead, they had to compete for it, and what if they lost?

The chances of that happening were not insignificant—far from it!

Bibi Dong didn't express any of this out loud. She didn't want to burden Hu Liena... no, to be precise, she didn't want to burden Hu Liena alone.

Yes, she didn't care much about Xie Yue or Yan.

Her only concern was Hu Liena, whom she didn't want to pressure unnecessarily.

Even if Hu Liena were to betray Spirit Hall, betray her, Bibi Dong could still forgive her.

She poured all the love she had for her own daughter into Hu Liena, without reservation.

It wasn't that she didn't love Qian Renxue; she simply couldn't bring herself to love the Qian Renxue who possessed the Angelic Spirit, the one who carried the bloodline of Qian Xunji.

Had Qian Renxue been born with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit, Bibi Dong might have loved her unconditionally.

But Qian Renxue's very existence was a mistake in Bibi Dong's eyes.

Despite everything, Bibi Dong's words gave Hu Liena and the others a glimmer of hope, a renewed spark in their eyes.

"Pope (Teacher), we will give our all to defend the honor of Spirit Hall!"

Bibi Dong: "..."

She was bent on destroying Spirit Hall, yet these youngsters were determined to uphold its honor. Their goals were diametrically opposed to hers.

---

Meanwhile, in Heaven Dou City, outside Moon Pavilion.

Zhongli, Paimon, and Du Siji stood at the entrance of the renowned Moon Pavilion.