Song Qing had returned to the Spirit Hall, the grand architecture a stark contrast to the wildness of the Sunset Forest.
He found himself in the spacious training hall, the echoes of other disciples honing their skills a constant hum in the background.
However, his focus remained solely on the two new abilities granted to him by his spirit rings.
He moved with a quiet intensity, his small frame surprisingly agile.
His first spirit skill, he decided to call it 'Abyssal Shadow Dash'.
It felt like an extension of his will, allowing him to momentarily meld with the shadows, moving at an incredible speed.
He practiced the skill repeatedly, each dash leaving a faint ripple in the air.
The dark energy coalesced around him, propelling him forward in a blur.
He experimented with the range and control, learning to stop and start with precision.
His second spirit skill, 'Shadow Dominion', was more intricate.
It allowed him to manipulate shadows, solidifying them into tangible forms or using them to restrain opponents.
He conjured shadowy tendrils that snaked across the floor, grasping at imaginary targets.
He formed shadowy shields, testing their resilience against phantom attacks.
He remained absorbed in his training, the thrill of his newfound power a quiet satisfaction within him.
His soul power had indeed reached Level 26, a significant leap for a six-year-old.
But Song Qing found himself strangely unfazed.
The spirit beasts he had absorbed were thousand-year-old entities.
Such a rapid increase in power felt almost… expected.
He continued his practice, the movements becoming more fluid and natural with each repetition.
The Abyssal Shadow Dash allowed him to weave through obstacles with effortless grace.
The Shadow Dominion gave him a sense of control over his surroundings, the shadows obeying his silent commands.
He felt a presence approaching, a familiar energy signature that made him pause.
"Little Qing, you're already back?" a melodious voice called out, laced with a playful tone.
Song Qing turned to see Hu Liena entering the training hall, her beauty as captivating as he remembered.
Her long, wavy blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her alluring face.
Her eyes, full of a mischievous sparkle, were fixed on him.
He offered a polite nod. "Senior Sister."
Hu Liena pouted slightly at his formal address. "Still so formal, Little Qing? We're going to be training together, you know. Can't you just call me Liena-jie?"
Song Qing maintained his calm demeanor. "Senior Sister, it is respectful to address you as such."
Hu Liena sighed dramatically, but a smile quickly returned to her lips. "Alright, alright. But you're no fun."
Her gaze then fell upon the faint aura of soul power radiating from him.
Her playful expression shifted to one of genuine surprise. "Wait… Little Qing, what's your soul power level now?"
Song Qing paused his training. "I believe it is Level 26, Senior Sister."
Hu Liena's eyes widened in disbelief. "Level 26?! Already? But… but I'm only at Level 29, and I'm so much older than you!"
She walked closer, her gaze scrutinizing him. "You just absorbed your first two spirit rings yesterday, didn't you? How is this even possible?"
Song Qing offered a neutral shrug. "Perhaps the spirit beasts were of a higher quality."
Hu Liena stared at him, her shock evident. "Higher quality? Both of your first spirit rings were thousand-year-old beasts! That's unheard of! Even I only absorbed a few-hundred-year spirit rings for my first two."
She circled him slowly, her expression a mixture of astonishment and curiosity. "No wonder Teacher took you as a personal disciple. Your talent is simply monstrous."
"Senior Sister is also exceptionally talented," Song Qing replied calmly.
Hu Liena chuckled. "Compared to you? I feel like a snail."
She then adopted a more serious tone. "Tell me about your spirit skills. What abilities did you gain?"
Song Qing nodded and demonstrated the Abyssal Shadow Dash, disappearing in a blur of dark energy and reappearing several meters away.
Hu Liena gasped, her eyes shining with excitement. "So fast! That's an incredible agility skill."
He then showcased Shadow Dominion, forming a shadowy wolf that growled menacingly.
"And you can control shadows?" Hu Liena exclaimed, clearly impressed. "These are both incredibly powerful abilities for your first two spirit rings."
"I am still learning to master them," Song Qing said humbly.
"Well, you're doing a fantastic job so far," Hu Liena praised. "How about a little spar? I'm curious to see how these skills work in a real fight."
Song Qing nodded in agreement. "I would be honored, Senior Sister."
Hu Liena grinned, her competitive spirit ignited. "Alright, Little Qing. Don't hold back!"
They moved to a more open area of the training hall, the other disciples watching with interest.
Hu Liena summoned her Martial Soul, the enchanting and deadly Fox Spirit.
Nine white tails swayed gently behind her, and a captivating aura emanated from her body.
Her two yellow spirit rings glowed softly, indicating her Level 29 soul power.
Song Qing, in turn, manifested his Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor.
The shadowy dragon hovered behind him, its crimson eyes burning with a silent intensity.
His two purple spirit rings pulsed with dark energy.
The spar began, Hu Liena launching a swift attack, her movements fluid and graceful like a fox.
Song Qing utilized his Abyssal Shadow Dash to evade her attacks, his speed surprising even Hu Liena.
He weaved through her strikes, the dark energy propelling him with incredible agility.
He then used Shadow Dominion to create shadowy obstacles, forcing Hu Liena to change her tactics.
The shadowy wolves he conjured snapped at her, keeping her on the defensive.
Hu Liena, despite her higher soul power, found herself struggling to land a direct hit.
Song Qing's agility and the unpredictable nature of his shadow manipulation made him a difficult opponent.
She used her first spirit skill, Entangling Tail, sending her tails towards Song Qing like flexible whips.
Song Qing reacted quickly, using Abyssal Shadow Dash to create distance and then countering with sharp shadowy claws formed by Shadow Dominion.
The spar continued for a while, both sides testing each other's abilities.
Hu Liena was genuinely surprised by Song Qing's skill.
For someone who had just acquired his spirit rings, his control and application of his abilities were remarkable.
Eventually, Hu Liena called a halt to the spar, a wide smile on her face.
"You're amazing, Little Qing!" she exclaimed. "I can't believe how strong you've become in such a short time."
Song Qing simply nodded, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Thank you, Senior Sister."
Their occasional spars became a regular occurrence in the training hall.
Soon, other young talents within the Spirit Hall also took notice of the prodigious junior disciple of the Pope.
Among them were Xie Yue, a charismatic young man with a powerful Tool Spirit known as the Moon Blade.
His Martial Soul manifested as two crescent-shaped blades, imbued with a silvery light.
He was known for his sharp attacks and intricate blade techniques.
And then there was Yan, a fiery and ambitious youth whose Beast Spirit was the Flame Lord.
His body would be enveloped in intense flames, granting him immense offensive power.
Both Xie Yue and Yan were considered top talents within the younger generation of the Spirit Hall.
They were initially curious about this six-year-old boy who had become a personal disciple of the Pope alongside their Senior Sister Hu Liena.
Their curiosity soon turned to astonishment as they witnessed Song Qing's training and occasional spars.
They would often join in, eager to test their own skills against this seemingly unassuming child.
Xie Yue's Moon Blades were swift and deadly, his attacks relentless.
But Song Qing's Abyssal Shadow Dash allowed him to evade the sharp edges with surprising ease.
His Shadow Dominion proved to be a formidable defense against Xie Yue's offensive maneuvers.
The shadowy constructs could block and parry the Moon Blades, much to Xie Yue's frustration.
Yan's fiery attacks were powerful and explosive, capable of melting steel.
But Song Qing's control over shadows allowed him to create barriers and diversions, often catching Yan off guard.
The dark energy of his Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor seemed to possess a natural resistance to flames.
What truly shocked Xie Yue and Yan, even more than Song Qing's skill, was the age and quality of his spirit rings.
They knew that absorbing thousand-year-old spirit rings for the first two was practically unheard of.
Even their own spirit rings, acquired with the guidance of seasoned Spirit Hall masters, were nowhere near that level.
They had initially viewed Song Qing with a mixture of curiosity and perhaps a hint of condescension.
But after witnessing his power firsthand, their perception had completely changed.
They now understood why the Pope, who had only ever taken Hu Liena as her personal disciple, had chosen to take Song Qing under her wing as well.
His talent was undeniable, his potential seemingly limitless.
They often discussed Song Qing's abilities amongst themselves, their voices filled with awe and a touch of disbelief.
"Did you see how he dodged Xie Yue's Crescent Moon Slash?" Yan would exclaim, his fiery hair flickering with excitement. "He moved like a ghost!"
"And those shadow constructs," Xie Yue would add, his silver eyes narrowed in thought. "They're so versatile. He can attack and defend with them simultaneously."
Hu Liena would often join their conversations, a proud smile on her face. "I told you he was amazing. He's going to surpass us all in no time."
She still tried to address Song Qing with more intimacy, calling him "Little Qing" or "Qing'er" whenever she had the chance.
But Song Qing would always respond with a polite and respectful "Senior Sister," much to her playful annoyance.
Despite his quiet demeanor and formal address, Song Qing was slowly but surely earning the respect and admiration of his fellow disciples.
They recognized the immense talent that resided within the small frame of the Pope's youngest disciple.
The training hall had become his sanctuary, a place where he could hone his skills and explore the depths of his newfound power.
He continued to train diligently, focusing on mastering his Abyssal Shadow Dash and Shadow Dominion.
He experimented with different applications of his spirit skills, pushing his limits and discovering new possibilities.
He knew that the path ahead was long and filled with challenges.
The world of Spirit Masters was one of constant struggle and competition.
But with the guidance of Bibi Dong and the unwavering support (and playful teasing) of his Senior Sister and fellow disciples, Song Qing felt a growing sense of confidence.