"Thousands of years ago, some people discovered that by slaughtering and consuming the life essence of ordinary folk, they could rapidly enhance their innate talent and power."
"I know—those are Evil Soul Masters!"
Bibi Dong quickly raised her hand, proudly answering. Her teacher had told her this story many times, so she was quite familiar with it.
After speaking, she even shot a smug look at Gu Han. His earlier performance had made her feel just a little inadequate. Now that the topic had shifted to something she knew, she naturally had to seize the chance to shine. She couldn't afford to be outdone by her junior—after all, she was the senior.
"Mm, Dong'er is absolutely right. Those people are collectively known as Evil Soul Masters," Qian Xunji nodded, then continued.
"This shortcut to cultivation once swept across the entire continent, plunging the world into chaos and suffering."
"But fortunately..."
At this point, a spark of passion ignited in Qian Xunji's gaze.
"Fortunately, our ancestor from Spirit Hall descended like a divine force, sweeping across the land, purging the evil, and eradicating all those twisted soul masters."
"It was because of this that our ancestor became revered by all and ultimately ascended to godhood."
"Gods… there really are gods?" Gu Han asked in awe, playing the part of a wide-eyed student.
Qian Xunji was visibly pleased and nodded proudly. "Yes, gods do exist. And my Angel lineage is the very bloodline passed down by that ancestor."
"In truth, the very purpose of Spirit Hall's existence… is to uphold our ancestor's will and ensure that Evil Soul Masters never again find a foothold on the Douluo Continent!"
Even though Qian Xunji had told this story to Bibi Dong many times before, his voice still surged with pride whenever he reached this part. He could almost see that sacred painting in the Hall of Worship—The Angel Purging Evil—burned into his heart like a symbol of divine duty.
This was the legacy of the Angel Clan. He could tell the story a hundred times and never grow tired of it.
---
"Your Holiness, the Grand Worshiper requests your presence in the Hall of Worship."
At that moment, before Qian Xunji could continue, a black-robed attendant approached, respectfully kneeling on one knee.
Qian Xunji's lips pressed together in slight frustration, his mood interrupted just as he'd been getting fired up. Still, he didn't show any displeasure—after all, it was his father summoning him.
"I understand. I'll head there right away," he said, waving his hand to dismiss the attendant. He then turned back to Bibi Dong and Gu Han.
"That's enough for today. Dong'er, take Xiao Han around and help him get familiar with Spirit Hall's grounds."
Just as Bibi Dong's face lit up with a smile, Qian Xunji's tone abruptly turned stern.
"Remember—no sneaking off to play, understood?"
"Okaaay, I got it, Master…"
Her plan exposed, Bibi Dong lowered her head to stare at her toes, replying in a reluctant tone.
"Don't worry, Master. My senior sister and I will stay within Spirit Hall," Gu Han replied respectfully.
Qian Xunji gave a small nod and turned to leave.
---
Once he was gone, Bibi Dong shed her obedient little-girl demeanor and turned lively again. Grabbing Gu Han's arm, she pulled him along as she ran.
"Come on, junior brother! I'll take you somewhere fun!"
Caught off guard, Gu Han was yanked forward, instinctively following her lead.
There was a light floral scent in the air.
To be honest, in his previous life, Gu Han hadn't exactly been some pure-hearted romantic. But facing a girl like Bibi Dong—who, in this stage of her life, was like a two-dimensional goddess—still left him a bit flustered.
That said, he hadn't forgotten Qian Xunji's warning. Realizing they were about to cross the bounds of Spirit Hall's compound, he quickly stopped in his tracks.
Bibi Dong stumbled forward as she failed to pull him along, nearly falling—until Gu Han caught her just in time.
She landed softly in his arms. Both of them froze. Bibi Dong's cheeks turned a soft pink, and she quickly jumped out of his embrace.
The air grew tense for a moment—awkward and tinged with something unspoken—until Gu Han broke the silence.
"Senior sister, did you forget what Master just said?"
He didn't dwell on the accidental contact but brought the conversation back to Qian Xunji's warning.
Given her father-daughter-like relationship with Qian Xunji, Bibi Dong could afford to misbehave a little. But he wasn't in that position.
It was likely that Qian Xunji had accepted him as a disciple just to push Bibi Dong to take her studies seriously. If Gu Han got caught following her in breaking the rules, it would only hurt the image Qian Xunji had of him.
He had to be cautious. Just because he'd gained favor didn't mean he could act recklessly.
If their roles were reversed—if he were the Master and had a disciple as dear to him as a daughter who refused to cultivate or study—he'd probably tolerate it for a while.
But then, he finds someone with potential, someone who could motivate that precious disciple… only to see that person corrupted instead of inspiring?
Yeah, not a good look.
---
"Oops, sorry, junior brother. I forgot, hehe~"
Bibi Dong gave him a sweet, innocent smile, but the sly twinkle in her eyes was impossible to miss.
"Sigh… Senior sister, weren't you curious about my self-created soul skill? Why don't you take me to your usual training spot? I can show you some simple soul power techniques."
Gu Han could see right through her. Compared to the domineering Empress she'd one day become, the Bibi Dong of now was like a mischievous little pixie—cute and lively on the outside, but sharp and crafty within.
If he didn't find something that interested her, who knew what kind of trouble she'd stir up next?
"Self-created soul skill? That sounds awesome! Come on, follow me!"
As soon as Bibi Dong heard that he was willing to teach her, she lit up with excitement and pulled him deeper into Spirit Hall.
"Whew… finally managed to distract this little gremlin," Gu Han thought, silently breathing a sigh of relief.
Looking at the bright smile on his senior sister's face, Gu Han found it hard to reconcile her with the future ruler of the Spirit Empire.
Everything that followed in her life—meeting Yu Xiaogang, and the monstrous betrayal by Qian Xunji—started here.
Yes, Qian Xunji's future actions were truly despicable. But if Gu Han put himself in his shoes… watching the girl you raised with your own hands, your chosen heir, about to elope with some good-for-nothing from a rival power—and nothing you say works?
He might have snapped even worse.
Still, Bibi Dong's feelings for Yu Xiaogang likely stemmed from her own innocence. Qian Xunji had kept her sheltered for too long, never letting her meet others, treating her like a precious treasure. No wonder she was easy to fool.
But now that Gu Han had appeared in this timeline—and had forged a bond with Spirit Hall—he was determined to change the tragedies that could still be avoided.