Bibi Dong's majestic voice echoed through the training hall, clear and carrying despite the distance. "Song Qing, come see me in my chambers."
Song Qing, who was still slightly flustered from the unexpected turn his spar with Hu Liena had taken, bowed politely to his senior sister. "I apologize, Senior Sister. It seems Teacher wants to see me."
Hu Liena simply winked, her amusement still evident in her eyes. "Go on, Little Qing. Don't keep the Pope waiting. And maybe try to keep your hands to yourself next time," she teased with a playful grin.
Song Qing's face flushed slightly again as he hurried out of the training hall, making his way towards Bibi Dong's personal chambers. He wondered why his teacher had summoned him so suddenly. Had she been watching their spar?
He arrived at her chambers and bowed respectfully as he entered. Bibi Dong was seated on her throne, her gaze sharp and perceptive. "Song Qing," she began, her voice calm but with an underlying hint of authority, "I noticed you were sparring with Liena. I had instructed you to rest after your journey."
Song Qing quickly formulated his response, wanting to avoid any displeasure from his teacher. "Teacher, I apologize if I disobeyed your instructions. However, after resting for a day, I felt quite energetic. Senior Sister Liena was also eager to spar, and I felt that a light session would actually help me recover and reacclimate to training." He offered a sincere look. "I would never intentionally disregard your orders, Teacher. I simply felt that my body was ready for some light activity."
Bibi Dong's sharp gaze softened slightly. She studied his expression, and seeing the genuine sincerity in his eyes, she nodded slowly. "Very well, Song Qing. Your reasoning is acceptable. It seems you have a good understanding of your own body." A faint smile touched her lips. "However, do try to follow my instructions more closely in the future."
"Yes, Teacher. I understand," Song Qing replied, relieved that he had managed to appease her.
Then, Bibi Dong's expression shifted, a hint of amusement entering her gentle pink eyes. "I also observed a rather… bold move on your part during your spar with Liena."
Song Qing's face instantly turned a shade of bright red. He knew exactly what she was referring to. "Teacher! That was a complete accident!" he stammered, his voice filled with embarrassment. "Senior Sister Liena surprised me, and I… I lost my balance for a moment. It was unintentional, and I assure you it won't happen again." He felt his ears burning with shame.
Bibi Dong chuckled softly, a rare and melodious sound. "Don't be so flustered, Song Qing. Such things can happen during a spar, especially when facing a charming opponent like Liena." She paused, a thoughtful look on her face. "Besides, I doubt Liena minded it too much. She seemed quite… amused."
Song Qing peeked up at his teacher, still feeling mortified. "But Teacher…"
Bibi Dong waved her hand dismissively. "Enough about that. It seems you are indeed feeling well, despite your journey. In that case," her gaze turned serious once more, "I believe it is time to begin your proper instruction."
Song Qing's embarrassment faded, replaced by a surge of excitement. He had been eagerly awaiting Bibi Dong's personal tutelage.
"For the next week," Bibi Dong continued, "I will personally oversee your training. We will delve deeper into the intricacies of your Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor spirit and further develop your soul skills."
"Thank you, Teacher! I am ready to learn everything you can teach me!" Song Qing exclaimed, his voice filled with anticipation.
And so began a week of intense and personalized training under the direct guidance of the Pope of the Spirit Hall. Every morning, Song Qing would meet with Bibi Dong in her private training chamber. She began by assessing his current understanding of his Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor spirit, delving into its origins, its strengths, and its potential weaknesses.
Bibi Dong explained the importance of understanding one's own spirit on a fundamental level, emphasizing the connection between the spirit, the soul power, and the physical body. She guided him through advanced meditation techniques designed to enhance his control over his spirit and his soul energy.
She then moved on to his soul skills. She analyzed his Abyssal Shadow Dash and Shadow Dominion, pointing out areas where he could improve their efficiency, speed, and power. She taught him subtle techniques for channeling his soul power more effectively, allowing him to unleash his skills with greater impact while conserving his energy.
Song Qing was a diligent and eager student, absorbing every word his teacher spoke like a sponge. He practiced tirelessly, pushing his limits under Bibi Dong's watchful eye. What truly shocked Bibi Dong, however, was Song Qing's incredible comprehension and innate talent.
No matter how complex the concept or how intricate the technique, Song Qing seemed to grasp it almost instantly. He could replicate advanced maneuvers after only a few demonstrations, and his understanding of spirit power manipulation often surpassed even her expectations for someone of his age.
'His comprehension is terrifyingly fast,' Bibi Dong thought one afternoon as Song Qing flawlessly executed a complex shadow manipulation technique she had just shown him. 'Even for a prodigy with Full Innate Soul Power, this is beyond exceptional.'
She had taught countless disciples over the years, but none had ever displayed such an innate understanding and rapid mastery of spirit power. It was as if Song Qing possessed an inherent connection to the very fabric of spirit energy.
She found herself increasingly fascinated by him, observing his every move, analyzing his every question. His insights were often surprisingly profound, showing a level of understanding that belied his tender years.
'He truly is a monster of talent,' she mused one evening, watching him meditate with an almost unnerving stillness. 'His future potential… it is indeed limitless.'
During their training sessions, Bibi Dong also began to introduce Song Qing to more advanced concepts of spirit master combat. She taught him about anticipating an opponent's moves, exploiting their weaknesses, and utilizing the environment to his advantage. She emphasized the importance of strategy and adaptability in battle.
She even sparred with him herself on occasion, albeit holding back a significant portion of her power. Even then, Song Qing's agility and his clever use of his shadow skills often surprised her, forcing her to exert more effort than she initially anticipated.
As the week progressed, Bibi Dong found herself increasingly impressed and even a little awed by her young disciple.
Song Qing was not just talented; he possessed a rare combination of intelligence, dedication, and an almost instinctive understanding of spirit power.
She knew that he was destined for greatness, and she felt a growing sense of responsibility to nurture his extraordinary potential.
~~
During that same week, while Song Qing was immersed in his intensive training sessions with Bibi Dong, Hu Liena found herself reflecting deeply on her recent spar with the little prodigy. Despite the playful nature of their interactions, the spar had left her with a lingering sense of… something. It wasn't frustration, nor was it defeat. It was more like a subtle nudge, a gentle reminder of the untapped potential within her own Charming Fox spirit.
'Little Qing has gotten so strong, so quickly,' she thought during one of her evening meditation sessions. The image of his Abyssal Demonic Dragon Emperor spirit, those deep purple rings radiating power, flashed in her mind. She knew her own spirit, while unique and potent in its own way, relied more on finesse and control rather than raw power at this stage.
'Perhaps I've been too focused on the charm aspect,' she mused, her bushy tail twitching slightly as she sat in a lotus position. The Charming Fox spirit was known for its alluring grace and its ability to manipulate emotions, but she felt there was a deeper essence to it, something she hadn't fully grasped yet.
She closed her eyes, focusing her inner senses on her connection with her spirit. She recalled the feeling of her spirit during the spar, the subtle ways it had reacted to Song Qing's attacks, the instinctive movements and illusions it had conjured. She thought about the nature of a fox – its cunning, its agility, its ability to blend seamlessly into its surroundings.
'Charm is just one facet,' she realized, a spark of understanding igniting within her mind. 'It's about more than just making people like you. It's about captivating their attention, controlling their perceptions, weaving illusions that feel utterly real.'
As she delved deeper into this line of thought, a new sensation began to well up within her. It was a feeling of profound connection to her Charming Fox spirit, an understanding that went beyond the surface level. It was as if she could finally see the intricate tapestry of her spirit's being, the subtle threads of charm, illusion, and agility all interwoven into a powerful whole.
A wave of warmth washed over her, and she felt her soul power stirring, resonating with this newfound clarity. It was as if a dam within her had suddenly broken, allowing her spiritual energy to flow freely and powerfully.
Her eyes snapped open, and she could feel it – a distinct shift in her very being. The soul power that had been stagnant at Level 29 had finally broken through. She could feel the vibrant energy coursing through her meridians, stronger and more refined than ever before.
'Level 30!' she thought, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. The breakthrough had come unexpectedly, a direct result of her introspection and deeper understanding of her Charming Fox spirit.
Reaching Soul Power Level 30 was a significant milestone for any Spirit Master, but for Hu Liena, at the tender age of twelve, it was an extraordinary achievement. It meant that her third spirit ring would elevate her to the rank of Soul Elder, a testament to her exceptional talent and dedication.
'A Soul Elder at twelve…' she thought, a sense of pride swelling in her chest. She knew that even within the elite ranks of the Spirit Hall, this was considered incredibly fast progress. She had always been considered a prodigy, but this breakthrough felt different, more profound. It wasn't just about raw power; it was about a deeper connection to her spirit.
She couldn't wait to tell her teacher and to show Little Qing her progress. She had a feeling their next spar would be even more interesting. This newfound understanding of her Charming Fox spirit had unlocked a new level of confidence within her, and she was eager to explore the full extent of her abilities.