For the next four days, Heaven Dou City became Song Qing's temporary abode as he spent time with Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan. He even had the chance to see Dugu Bo's son, Dugu Xin, who was indeed looking much healthier and seemed to have gained some muscle mass, a testament to the removal of the poison's lingering effects.
Dugu Yan, eager to utilize her newfound spirit bone, underwent the absorption process under her grandfather's watchful eyes. It took a full day, but when she emerged, her eyes held a sharper, more perceptive glint.
"Little Qing, guess what!" she exclaimed excitedly, grabbing his hands. "My first skill from the skull bone is called 'Phantom Sight'! It enhances my senses so much! I can see things so clearly now, even in the dark, and Grandpa says it will even allow me to see through illusions and any kind of concealment!"
"That's amazing, Sister Yan!" Song Qing genuinely congratulated her. "It will be so useful for you!"
"And the second one is even cooler!" she continued, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "It's called 'Venomous Shadow Strike'! It allows me to infuse my attacks with a special kind of shadow poison. It's not like the poison from my Jade Phosphor Serpent; it's more… insidious. It attacks the soul and causes a terrifyingly realistic nightmare in the target's mind! Grandpa says it's incredibly rare and powerful!"
"Wow, Sister Yan! Those are both incredible abilities! You've become so much stronger!" Song Qing's eyes sparkled with admiration.
The next few days were filled with Dugu Yan's endless chatter as she recounted her experiences at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. She had made many friends and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying her time there. She told Song Qing stories about her classmates, her teachers, and the various adventures she had gotten into, her enthusiasm infectious.
"Oh, Little Qing," she said one afternoon as they strolled through a bustling marketplace, "your birthday is coming up in a few months, isn't it? I've already started thinking about what to get you! It has to be something really special, just for you!"
Song Qing blushed slightly at her thoughtfulness. "You don't have to get me anything, Sister Yan. Just spending time with you and Senior Dugu Bo is gift enough."
"Nonsense!" she declared, playfully poking his cheek. "You're our little hero! We have to spoil you!" She then spotted a vendor selling intricately carved wooden toys and dragged Song Qing over, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she considered potential gifts. Dugu Bo trailed behind them, a silent observer of their cheerful interactions.
After four days of pleasant companionship, it was time for Song Qing to return to Martial Soul City. He bid farewell to Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, promising to visit again soon. With a powerful flap of his Silver-Winged Dragonbone Wings, he soared into the sky, leaving the Heaven Dou City behind.
The journey back was swift. The increased soul power recovery rate of his Primordial Life Tree Spirit, now boosted by its third soul ring, was noticeable. He felt less fatigued during his flight and could maintain higher speeds for longer durations. By evening, the imposing silhouette of Martial Soul City rose in the distance.
'I still have two more days before I need to report back,' Song Qing thought as he landed discreetly outside the city walls. He decided to make the most of this extra time.
Donning a simple disguise – a hooded cloak that obscured his features – Song Qing spent the next two days exploring the vast and bustling Martial Soul City. He marveled at the grandeur of the Spirit Hall's main complex and wandered through the vibrant marketplaces, observing the diverse array of spirit tools, herbs, and other goods. He even indulged in some of the local street food, enjoying the unfamiliar flavors.
More importantly, he spent time Browse through the various shops, searching for the perfect gifts for his teacher and his senior sister. For Hu Liena, he found a beautiful silver hairpin shaped like a miniature fox, its eyes inlaid with sparkling amethyst gems that reminded him of her own.
For Bibi Dong, he spent a long time contemplating. He wanted to get her something truly special, something that would show his appreciation. He finally settled on a small, intricately carved wooden music box. It was made of a rare, fragrant wood and played a soft, melancholic melody that he somehow felt resonated with the powerful but often solitary figure of his teacher.
With his gifts carefully wrapped and tucked away, Song Qing returned to the Spirit Hall on the evening of the sixth day, just as he had promised Bibi Dong. He went straight to her chambers, bowing respectfully as he entered.
"Teacher, I have returned," he announced, his voice cheerful. "I had a lot of fun in the city this past week." He consciously kept his soul power veiled at Level 34, the level at which he had left.
Bibi Dong looked up from her work, her gaze scrutinizing. "Welcome back, Song Qing. I trust you enjoyed your time."
"I did, Teacher, very much," Song Qing replied, his eyes bright. He then stepped forward and presented the small, wrapped music box to her. "I also brought you a little something, Teacher."
Bibi Dong's brow furrowed slightly in surprise. She rarely received gifts, and certainly not from her young disciples. "What is this, Song Qing?" she asked, her voice holding a hint of curiosity.
Song Qing looked up at her, his innocent eyes filled with sincerity. "Teacher, you work so hard, and you're always teaching me and taking care of me. I just wanted to give you something that might bring you a little bit of peace and happiness. The melody is very calming, and I thought… maybe you could listen to it when you're tired or just want to relax." He spoke with a simple, heartfelt earnestness that was difficult to ignore.
A flicker of something akin to surprise, and perhaps even… tenderness, crossed Bibi Dong's usually stoic features. She looked at the small wooden box in her hands, then back at the earnest young boy standing before her. His words, though simple, carried a weight of genuine affection that touched a chord within her, a part of her that she usually kept tightly locked away.
A soft sigh escaped her lips, and a rare, gentle smile touched the corners of her mouth. She reached out and gently ruffled his hair. "Thank you, Qing'er," she said softly, using his given name with a tenderness she rarely displayed. "This is… very thoughtful of you." She accepted the gift, her gaze lingering on Song Qing with a newfound warmth.
~~
A few days after his return and the exchange of the music box with Bibi Dong, Song Qing began to notice a subtle, almost imperceptible presence whenever he was outside his personal chamber. His passive sensing ability, while having a vast range in the open wilderness like the Sunset Forest, was somewhat limited within the dense confines of Martial Soul City and the Spirit Hall. However, he was still sensitive enough to pick up the faint but distinct aura of a Titled Douluo tailing him discreetly.
'Hmm, who could that be?' he wondered, his brow furrowing slightly as he walked through one of the Spirit Hall's many corridors. He couldn't pinpoint the exact individual, but the sheer power level was unmistakable. It was someone strong, someone at the very pinnacle of the Spirit Master world.
He felt a momentary flicker of annoyance. He valued his privacy and didn't particularly enjoy the idea of being constantly watched.
However, he quickly reasoned out the likely cause. The timing coincided with his return from his 'city trip' and the gift he had given Bibi Dong.
It was likely his teacher, concerned for his safety, had assigned a powerful protector to keep a silent watch over him.
'She must be worried,' he thought, a sense of warmth spreading through him despite his initial irritation. His prestige within the Spirit Hall and, by extension, the world, was indeed growing rapidly. A six-year-old Soul Grandmaster with a five-thousand-year spirit ring and an external spirit bone was an unprecedented phenomenon. It was only logical that Bibi Dong would take extra precautions to safeguard him from any potential threats.
He noticed that the watchful presence would always fade away as soon as he entered his personal chamber. It seemed the Titled Douluo's instructions were simply to ensure his safety while he was out and about within the Spirit Hall. Once he was within the secure confines of his own room, the surveillance ceased.
'Well, I suppose it's for my own good,' Song Qing conceded with a sigh. He couldn't really complain about having a Titled Douluo as a secret bodyguard. It certainly spoke volumes about Bibi Dong's concern for his well-being.
True to his assumption, ever since his return, Bibi Dong had been spending even more time with Song Qing, personally guiding his training. However, the focus had shifted somewhat. While she still oversaw his soul power cultivation and the refinement of his existing skills, she now dedicated a significant portion of their sessions to imparting her vast knowledge of the Spirit Master world.
"Qing'er," she would say, her voice calm and authoritative, "now that your foundation is becoming more solid, it is crucial that you understand the intricacies of our world. You need to know about the various spirit beast populations, their habitats, their strengths, and their weaknesses."
She would then delve into detailed descriptions of different spirit beasts, often showing him meticulously illustrated scrolls and sharing anecdotes from her own extensive experience as a powerful Spirit Master and the Pope of the Spirit Hall. She spoke of the dangers lurking in the deeper regions of spirit beast forests, the territorial nature of high-level beasts, and the rare and powerful beings that could pose a threat even to Titled Douluo.
"Remember, Qing'er," she emphasized one afternoon as she showed him a depiction of a fearsome ten-thousand-year-old Titan Ape, "knowledge is a weapon in itself. Understanding your enemy, whether it be a human Spirit Master or a powerful spirit beast, will give you a crucial advantage in any confrontation."
She also began to focus more on teaching him how to effectively utilize his growing arsenal of skills. They would spend hours in the training hall, with Bibi Dong demonstrating advanced techniques and strategies, showing him how to combine his Abyssal Shadow Dash with his Abyssal Draconic Claw, how to use Shadow Dominion to its full potential, and how to integrate his Silver-Winged Dragonbone Wings into his combat style.
"Your Abyssal Draconic Claw is a formidable offensive weapon, Qing'er," she explained during one session. "But you must learn to use it with precision and timing. Combine it with the speed and unpredictability of your Abyssal Shadow Dash to catch your opponents off guard."
She would spar with him herself, holding back a significant portion of her immense power but still providing him with a challenging and invaluable learning experience. She would point out his weaknesses, suggest improvements to his techniques, and praise his rapid progress.
"Your comprehension is truly astounding, Qing'er," she admitted one day after he flawlessly executed a complex aerial maneuver she had just shown him. "You learn at an incredible pace. You have the potential to surpass even my achievements one day."
Such praise from Bibi Dong, a woman not known for her easy compliments, filled Song Qing with a sense of pride and further fueled his determination to become stronger. He eagerly absorbed every piece of knowledge she imparted, every technique she demonstrated.
Their lessons also extended beyond combat skills. Bibi Dong began to teach him about the history of the Spirit Hall, the intricate political landscape of the Douluo Continent, the relationships between the various kingdoms and sects, and the hidden dangers and opportunities that lay ahead.
"As the Holy Son, Qing'er," she explained, "you will one day hold a position of great influence. It is essential that you understand the complexities of the world and the responsibilities that will come with your power."
Song Qing listened attentively, realizing the depth of his teacher's wisdom and the importance of the knowledge she was sharing. He knew that becoming a powerful Spirit Master was only one part of his journey. He also needed to be knowledgeable, strategic, and politically astute if he wanted to truly shape the future.
These regular teachings from Bibi Dong became a cornerstone of Song Qing's life in the Spirit Hall. He cherished these moments with his teacher, recognizing the immense value of her guidance. He felt a growing bond with her, a sense of deep respect and gratitude for her unwavering support and the personal attention she lavished upon his development.