Qian Renxue immediately put down the book in her hand, slid off the chair, and bowed respectfully.
"Father."
The one who walked in was none other than the previous pope, Chihiro.
In this altered history, Bibi Dong's fate was changed by Ning Lin's appearance, but she did not become entangled with him.
Therefore, Chihiro did not die.
Qian Renxue was not his child with Bibi Dong, but rather the child of another exceptionally talented female soul master. She was the rightful and highly regarded Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall.
"Still reading?"
Qian Xunji walked to his daughter's side, his eyes showing a hint of satisfaction, but also a subtle hint of sternness.
"Have you memorized all of Volume 3 of 'The Essence of Soul Power'?"
"Father, I have memorized everything." Qian Renxue's voice was clear and crisp, but without any emotional fluctuation.
"very good."
Qian Xunji nodded.
"But you must remember that theory is just theory. We angels inherit the power of God, and we must never slacken our efforts."
"For next month's soul power test, I require you to reach level 20. Can you do it?"
Qian Renxue's small body trembled slightly, but she still nodded vigorously.
"Xue'er...can do it."
"Um."
Qian Xunji reached out, wanting to touch her daughter's head, but halfway through, she withdrew her hand and simply patted her shoulder.
"Go, today's meditation session will be doubled."
"Yes, Father."
Qian Renxue turned around, took small steps, and walked towards the other cultivation room. Her small figure looked somewhat lonely.
Her childhood was devoid of playmates, storybooks, and candy.
All that remained was endless training and the pressure of never being able to meet his father's highest expectations.
The world is golden, yet it is also blank.
...
At the same time, outside Wuhun City, in a dilapidated village.
A ragged little boy was sitting on a rock, looking up at the towering spire of Wuhun City.
The boy was about five or six years old, with black hair and black eyes. His body was dirty, but his face was unusually clean.
His eyes were calmer than a child's; his deep pupils reflected this unfamiliar world.
Ninglin.
After his rebirth, he appeared in this village in the body of a child, becoming a nameless orphan.
He didn't rush into action, but quietly observed and adapted to his new identity and the world he had changed.
"Hey, look, that idiot is spacing out again."
Several older children, also orphans, walked over, the one in the lead wearing a malicious smile.
"He's definitely hiding food on him again, find it!"
They swarmed forward.
Ning Lin did not resist.
The small, thin body was quickly pinned to the ground, and after some searching, they found only half a dry, hard piece of black bread.
"Tch, that's all."
The lead child snatched the bread, took a big bite, then, finding the taste unpleasant, threw it on the ground and stomped on it.
"Remember this: from now on, all the food in this territory will be handed over to us!"
After saying that, they left with arrogant expressions.
Ning Lin got up from the ground, dusted himself off, and his face remained expressionless.
He simply bent down, picked up the half-eaten, badly trampled bread, carefully blew off the dirt, and then ate it slowly and earnestly.
Just then, a group of knights dressed in the standard armor of the Spirit Hall rode past from not far away.
"Captain, look at that child."
One of the knights pointed at Ning Lin.
The captain, who was leading the group, reined in his horse and looked over.
The child remained calm and composed despite being bullied by several older children. When his food was taken from him, he simply picked it up and ate it silently. His composure, which was beyond his years, struck the man as odd.
"How's your physical condition?" the captain asked.
A knight who seemed to be an expert in reconnaissance looked closely and shook his head.
"Reporting to the captain, his aptitude is mediocre, or even... very poor."
Upon hearing this, the captain had already lost interest.
But for some reason, when his gaze met the child's eyes again, a slight feeling stirred within him.
What kind of eyes were those?
The ancient well was still, as if it had seen through the ways of the world.
"Never mind."
The captain spoke up as if possessed.
"The Spirit Hall takes in some orphans every year, so one more won't make a difference."
"Take him with you."
And so, Ning Lin was brought into that magnificent Martial Soul City.
His life is about to intersect with another lonely line of fate.
...
Several months later.
The Spirit Hall, the Primary Soul Master Training Institute.
The children housed here are talented commoners like Ning Lin, who were adopted by the Spirit Hall or recruited from various places.
They will receive basic training here, and then their future will be determined based on their talent and performance.
Will you become a glorious Soul Master, or be eliminated and relegated to menial tasks?
"waste!"
A burly instructor kicked Ning Lin to the ground.
"Soul Power Affinity: C-Class Low! Physical Strength: C-Class Low! Mental Strength: C-Class Low!"
"In all my years of teaching, I've never seen such a terrible student!"
"The Spirit Hall's resources are not meant to be wasted on people like you!"
The instructor's voice echoed across the training field, drawing chuckles from the other children around him.
Ning Lin got up from the ground, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and remained silent.
His talent is indeed very poor.
This body's original aptitude is even weaker than that of an ordinary person.
If he hadn't possessed the soul and will of an adult, he probably would have been eliminated by this hellish training long ago.
"There's no food today. Go wash everyone's clothes!" The instructor waved his hand dismissively.
"yes."
Ning Lin responded and silently walked towards the laundry room.
He had long been accustomed to this kind of insult and injustice.
For him, this was merely a period of dormancy.
As long as he can stay, he will have plenty of time and means to change everything.
Outside the laundry room, there is a small garden that is rarely visited.
Ning Lin was carrying a large pile of dirty clothes and was about to go inside when she heard a faint, suppressed sob coming from deep within the garden.
He paused, then walked over curiously.
Behind a cluster of blooming golden roses, a little blonde girl was hugging her knees and crying softly.
It's her.
A thousand feet of snow.
Ning Lin recognized him at a glance.
During this time, he could often see this saintly woman, who was surrounded by admirers, from afar.
High above, detached from worldly affairs.
But at this moment, she was like an abandoned kitten, helpless and aggrieved.
Ning Lin did not step forward immediately.
He simply stood quietly a short distance away, watching her.
Qian Renxue seemed to have cried herself out. She stopped sobbing, took out a thick book from her bosom, flipped through it haphazardly, and muttered to herself.
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