Back within the familiar grandeur of the Spirit Hall, Song Qing made his way directly to Bibi Dong's personal chambers. He offered a respectful bow as he entered, his demeanor as innocent and polite as ever. "Teacher, I have returned from my visit to the orphanage."
Bibi Dong, seated regally on her ornate throne, regarded him with her gentle pink eyes. A subtle smile played on her lips. "Welcome back, Song Qing. I trust your journey was uneventful?"
"Yes, Teacher," Song Qing replied smoothly. "It was good to see everyone again. They are all doing well." He kept his tone light and casual, hoping to avoid any probing questions about his actual activities.
Bibi Dong's gaze then focused on the subtle fluctuations of soul power emanating from him. Her eyes widened almost imperceptibly. "Song Qing," she said, her voice carrying a note of surprise, "your soul power… it has reached Level 28?"
Song Qing offered a modest smile. "Yes, Teacher. I believe my training during the journey was quite effective." He deliberately understated the role of the thousand-year spirit rings he had acquired.
Bibi Dong leaned forward slightly, her interest piqued. "Level 28… in just two weeks since absorbing your spirit rings. Even for someone with Full Innate Soul Power of 20, that is an astonishing rate of progress." She studied him intently, a hint of admiration in her gaze. "Your talent truly is exceptional, Song Qing."
"Thank you for your kind words, Teacher," Song Qing replied humbly. He was pleased that his rapid progress had impressed her, but he also knew he needed to remain grounded and continue his efforts.
Bibi Dong nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression on her face. "You must be fatigued from your journey. Go and get some rest, Song Qing. We will resume your training in a day or two."
"Yes, Teacher. Thank you," Song Qing said, bowing once more before taking his leave.
However, instead of heading straight to his quarters for rest, Song Qing made a detour. He visited one of the storage rooms within the Spirit Hall and gathered a collection of empty ceramic pots of various sizes. He also acquired some nutrient-rich soil.
'Time to put my little secret project into motion,' he thought, a spark of excitement in his eyes. Once he had the pots and soil, he retreated to his private chambers. Carefully, he reached into his spiritual space, where the essence energy he had absorbed from the rare and immortal herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well now resided.
With a gentle surge of his Primordial Life Tree Spirit, he began to manifest tiny, almost invisible seeds – the nascent forms of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Herb, the Blazing Apricot Jiao, and several other unique plants from Dugu Bo's garden. It was a delicate process, requiring precise control over his spirit's energy.
Once he had a small collection of these precious seeds, Song Qing carefully planted them in the pots he had prepared, using the nutrient-rich soil. He arranged the pots neatly within his room, placing them near a window where they could receive natural light.
He then focused his Primordial Life Tree Spirit, gently releasing a faint aura of its energy to nourish the newly planted seeds. He watched with anticipation, hoping to see signs of growth. However, after a few hours, he noticed that the progress was incredibly slow, almost imperceptible.
'It makes sense,' he thought with a sigh. 'This place lacks the unique and potent energies of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Those herbs thrived in that extreme environment.' He wasn't discouraged, though. 'As long as I continue to strengthen my Primordial Life Tree Spirit, I should eventually be able to provide them with enough energy to grow, albeit perhaps at a slower pace.'
He knew he couldn't afford to focus too much on this secret endeavor for now. His primary focus needed to remain on his Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor spirit. It was his main spirit, the one he presented to the world, and he needed to cultivate its abilities to their fullest potential.
For the next few days, Song Qing dedicated himself to his training. He practiced his Abyssal Shadow Dash, honing its speed and precision. He worked on his Shadow Dominion, experimenting with creating more complex and powerful constructs. He also spent time meditating, diligently cultivating his soul power.
He made sure to maintain a balanced routine, incorporating rest and relaxation to avoid overexertion. His body was still young, and he needed to allow it time to adapt to the rapid increase in his soul power.
One afternoon, as Song Qing was resting in his room after a rigorous training session, he heard a gentle knock on his door. He opened it to find Hu Liena standing there, her beautiful face adorned with a warm smile.
"Little Qing! You're back!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine happiness. "I was wondering when you would return. How was your trip to your hometown?"
Song Qing offered her a polite smile. "Senior Sister. It was… as expected. It was good to see everyone again." He kept his answer brief and somewhat vague.
Hu Liena stepped into his room, her gaze taking in the simple furnishings. "We missed you in the training hall. It wasn't quite the same without our little prodigy around." She chuckled playfully.
"Senior Sister is too kind," Song Qing replied modestly.
"So," Hu Liena said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, "did you get any stronger during your time away?" She had been incredibly impressed by his soul power level before he left and was eager to see if he had made further progress.
Song Qing nodded. "Yes, Senior Sister. I have reached Soul Power Level 28."
Hu Liena's eyes widened in surprise, just as Bibi Dong's had. "Level 28?! Little Qing, you're improving at an unbelievable rate! I'm still stuck at Level 29! You'll surpass me before you even reach the Spirit Elder ranks!" She feigned exasperation, but there was genuine admiration in her voice.
"Senior Sister is already incredibly powerful," Song Qing said sincerely. "I still have much to learn."
Hu Liena sighed dramatically. "You're always so humble, Little Qing. But it's true. Your talent is just… unfair!" She playfully punched him lightly on the arm. "Tell me, what new tricks have you learned?"
Song Qing smiled. He enjoyed his interactions with Hu Liena. Despite her attempts at intimacy, he found her to be a kind and supportive senior sister. "I have been working on refining my spirit skills, Senior Sister. Perhaps we could spar later, and I could show you?"
Hu Liena's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Spar? I would love that, Little Qing! Let me go finish up my current training, and I'll come find you in the training hall later."
"I look forward to it, Senior Sister," Song Qing replied.
As Hu Liena left his room, Song Qing couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment.
~~
"Alright, Senior Sister, I'm ready when you are!" Song Qing said with a bright smile as they entered the Spirit Hall's training arena. The vast space was mostly empty, save for a few other disciples practicing their forms in the distance.
Hu Liena chuckled, her charming grace already subtly radiating from her as her Charming Fox spirit manifested. A bushy, elegant tail swished gently behind her, and a soft, almost imperceptible allure filled the air. "Don't be so eager, Little Qing. I might just have a few new tricks up my sleeve too, you know." Her voice held a playful lilt, her brown eyes twinkling mischievously.
'Her charm is already working,' Song Qing thought, a faint blush rising to his cheeks. Even at twelve years old, Hu Liena possessed a captivating beauty, and her developing figure was certainly… noticeable. 'I do like her beautiful body, even if it's still growing.' He quickly pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the upcoming spar.
"I look forward to seeing them, Senior Sister," Song Qing replied, his Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor spirit materializing behind him. The shadowy, scaled form exuded a palpable sense of power, and the two deep purple spirit rings around him pulsed with dark energy.
Hu Liena's two yellow spirit rings shimmered into existence around her. "Then let's not keep each other waiting, shall we?" She took a graceful stance, her eyes locked on Song Qing. "I'll let you make the first move, little brother."
Song Qing nodded, his youthful face serious now. He knew Hu Liena's experience as a Control Type Spirit Master made her a formidable opponent, despite his slightly higher raw power in terms of soul ring age. "Thank you, Senior Sister. Then here I come!"
"First Soul Skill: Abyssal Shadow Dash!"
In a burst of speed, Song Qing's figure blurred, and he vanished into the shadows, reappearing almost instantly several meters closer to Hu Liena. The speed was impressive, even to Hu Liena who had witnessed it before.
"Not bad, Little Qing! You're getting faster!" Hu Liena praised, her tail swaying gently. "But you'll have to be quicker than that to catch me!"
"Second Soul Skill: Illusionary Fog!"
Hu Liena's first yellow spirit ring flared, and a thick, swirling fog erupted around her, obscuring her position. The fog wasn't just visual; it also carried a subtle, disorienting effect on one's senses.
'Illusionary Fog again,' Song Qing thought, his senses straining to pierce through the swirling mist. He knew from their previous spars that this fog could conceal her movements and even create illusory duplicates.
"Second Soul Skill: Shadow Dominion!"
Song Qing's second purple spirit ring ignited, and the shadows around him expanded rapidly, tendrils of darkness reaching out into the fog, trying to locate Hu Liena's true position. He could sense the subtle shifts in the air and the faint traces of her spirit energy within the mist.
Suddenly, a flash of pink light erupted from the fog.
"First Soul Skill: Charm!"
Hu Liena's first yellow spirit ring activated again, and a beam of pure charm shot towards Song Qing. The beam carried a potent seductive energy, designed to momentarily entrance and disorient its target.
Song Qing, anticipating this move from their previous encounters, had already prepared himself mentally. He focused his will, resisting the alluring pull of the charm. However, even with his mental fortitude, he felt a slight hesitation, a momentary lapse in his concentration.
Taking advantage of this brief opening, a shadowy figure emerged from the fog – Hu Liena, moving with the agility of a fox. She lunged towards Song Qing, her sharp claws aimed at his vital points.
Song Qing reacted quickly, his Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor spirit roaring silently behind him as he channeled his soul power.
"First Soul Skill: Abyssal Shadow Dash!"
He vanished again, reappearing behind Hu Liena just as her claws reached his previous position. He extended his hand, aiming for her back.
Hu Liena, with her superior experience, seemed to anticipate his counter-attack. Just as his hand was about to make contact, her body twisted in an impossible angle, her bushy tail whipping around to strike at Song Qing.
"Not so fast, little brother!" she giggled, her voice laced with playful triumph.
Song Qing was forced to retreat, narrowly avoiding her tail. He landed a few meters away, his eyes narrowed in concentration. 'She's good,' he thought. 'Her control over her spirit and her experience are definitely making up for the difference in soul ring age.'
Hu Liena emerged from the dissipating fog, her charming smile still in place. "You almost had me there, Little Qing! You've definitely gotten stronger!" She then subtly swayed her hips, her gaze locking onto his, a deliberate attempt to distract him.
Song Qing felt a familiar warmth spread through him. He couldn't deny that he was attracted to her, even with the age difference. He took a deep breath and focused on the spar. 'Stay focused, Song Qing,' he chided himself. 'She's trying to distract you.'
He decided to take a more direct approach.
"Second Soul Skill: Shadow Dominion!"
The shadows around the arena intensified, becoming almost tangible. They writhed and pulsed, forming sharp spikes and tendrils that shot towards Hu Liena from all directions.
Hu Liena's expression turned serious. She knew the power of Song Qing's Shadow Dominion.
"Second Soul Skill: Illusionary Fog!"
The fog reappeared, this time even thicker and more disorienting. The shadowy tendrils slammed into the mist, some dissipating, others seemingly passing through illusory images of Hu Liena.
Suddenly, Song Qing sensed a presence directly in front of him. Before he could react, Hu Liena appeared, her charming aura intensified.
"First Soul Skill: Charm!"
The pink light washed over Song Qing, and this time, the effect was stronger. He felt a genuine pull, a desire to simply stop fighting and bask in her alluring presence.
Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, Hu Liena moved swiftly, her hands reaching out towards him. In a move that surprised both of them, Song Qing, still slightly dazed by the charm, instinctively reached out as well. His hand landed squarely on Hu Liena's plump chest, his small fingers wrapping around the soft mound.
Hu Liena gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. A blush bloomed on her cheeks, but a wide smile quickly followed. "Oh my!" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of shock and amusement.
Song Qing, realizing what he had done, snapped out of the charm's influence. His face flushed crimson with embarrassment. "S-Senior Sister! I-I'm so sorry!" he stammered, quickly retracting his hand.
Hu Liena simply giggled, her chest heaving slightly. "Don't worry about it, Little Qing," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You certainly are… bold for your age."
Despite her playful tone, Song Qing could sense a flicker of genuine surprise in her eyes. He had definitely caught her off guard.
They both took a moment to regain their composure. The unexpected physical contact had momentarily broken the flow of their spar.
Hu Liena cleared her throat, her charming smile returning. "Alright, Little Qing. Let's continue, shall we? But try to keep your hands to yourself this time, okay?"
Song Qing nodded quickly, his face still slightly red. "Yes, Senior Sister! I apologize again."
They resumed their spar, both a little more cautious now.
Hu Liena continued to utilize her Illusionary Fog and Charm, while Song Qing relied on the speed of his Abyssal Shadow Dash and the offensive power of his Shadow Dominion.
The fight remained evenly matched, a testament to Hu Liena's skill and experience despite Song Qing's raw power.
They traded blows, narrowly avoiding each other's attacks, their soul energies clashing in silent bursts of power.
The spar continued for quite some time, neither able to gain a decisive advantage, until Bibi Dong's voice echoed through the training hall, calling for Song Qing.