Chapter 9: Yan's Hostility

"Brother Wu, will they tell us?" On the way, Qiangu Changkong asked with some nervousness.

In the Primary Soul Master Academy section, bringing up their names would surely make many people give them face, but this was the Advanced Spirit Master Academy section, and their names were of no use here.

Wu Qi shook his head, "Try to ask for as much information as possible."

The high-level officials of the palace strictly forbade revealing the situation of Death Canyon to the younger generation, but they did not forbid the younger generation from asking each other.

In recent years, the only ones who had entered Death Canyon, survived, and were still in Wuhun Cheng were Hu Liena and the other two.

Moreover, Bibi Dong had never been one to follow the rules; she must have told Hu Liena and the others quite a bit of intelligence.

If the other party refused to speak, they would be flying blind for a short time upon entering Death Canyon, but once they figured out the situation, the mission could still proceed.

At most, it would just be a waste of some time.

But if they could finish the training early, why drag it out?

Inside the Mimicry Training Ground.

Yan was constantly hovering around Hu Liena, causing the latter no small amount of annoyance.

"Yan, aren't you going to train? The teacher has more tasks for us later; if you mess them up, you know the consequences!"

Hu Liena's face was full of impatience.

This guy Yan was like a clingy pest; whenever they were executing missions, he would often find excuses to stay by her side.

Now that the mission was over and they had returned to the academy, this guy was still haunting her like a ghost.

Hu Liena certainly understood the other party's intentions, but unfortunately, she was a fan of good looks, and Yan's appearance was truly nothing to write home about.

Xie Yue stood to the side and helplessly pulled at Yan, "Let's train first; there will be plenty of time to interact with Nana later."

Disturbed by this, Hu Liena lost interest in training and turned to leave the training ground.

If not for the life-and-death friendship she shared with Yan, she would have long since made him disappear from her sight.

"Nana, wait for me." Yan still wanted to chase after her.

Xie Yue held him back and sighed, "Nana is under a lot of pressure being a disciple of the Pope. Can you stop adding to the trouble, please?"

Outside the Mimicry Training Ground, after Yan's voice faded, Hu Liena felt the whole world had become quiet.

She stretched, and her peripheral vision caught someone walking toward her in the distance.

Wu Qi was now twelve years old by traditional reckoning; thanks to his cultivation as a Soul Elder, he currently looked no different from a youth of sixteen or seventeen.

The unique temperament of his Qingluan Spirit added an extra touch of handsomeness to his dashing face.

Hu Liena was stunned as she watched; apart from her brother, this was the first time she had seen such a handsome young man, and that unique temperament deeply attracted her.

Noticing her gaze, Wu Qi took the opportunity to walk up and initiate a greeting, "Excuse me, are you Senior Sister Hu Liena?"

Hu Liena responded blankly, then immediately asked, "Junior brother, are you a new student? I don't seem to have seen you before."

Qiangu Changkong added, "Senior Sister Hu Liena, we have something to discuss with you. Is it convenient for you?"

For the sake of Wu Qi's face, Hu Liena did not refuse their invitation, but instead responded enthusiastically, "I have time, but I can't be delayed too long; I have training coming up."

Saying this, she followed behind Wu Qi and walked toward a pavilion within the academy.

At the entrance of the Mimicry Training Ground, Yan sauntered out. Seeing Hu Liena leave with Wu Qi and the others, he was immediately displeased, "Damn it, who the hell is this kid! Daring to snatch Nana!"

He was extremely furious.

Being "lectured" by Xie Yue, only to have his home stolen—who could he reason with about this?

Unable to bear it any longer, Yan followed them with a gloomy expression.

Xie Yue let out a long sigh, "Today's training is a wash."

To prevent Yan from doing something stupid, he had no choice but to follow.

All three of Hu Liena's group had been to Death Canyon, and there was a reason Wu Qi chose her specifically.

Xie Yue was steady in his actions, and since he came from the Elder Palace, he certainly wouldn't say much.

As for Yan, he was a pure fool; what was there to talk about with someone like that?

On the first day of his apprenticeship, Qingluan Douluo had told him that those with talent but no brains were destined not to go far on the path of cultivation.

With that temperament of Yan's, if not for the help of Hu Liena and Xie Yue, he would have died on the path of cultivation long ago.

And this fool didn't even realize it, thinking he could protect Hu Liena's safety.

Hu Liena had her fair share of flaws too, and she would play a part in the future destruction of the Spirit Hall.

But for now, Hu Liena had not yet developed a "love-struck brain," so she was worth discussing serious matters with.

In the pavilion, Wu Qi and Hu Liena sat opposite each other, while Qiangu Changkong stood to the side.

It had to be said that he was cut out for social maneuvering; Wu Qi originally didn't want to bother with him, but since the guy knew how to handle things, he tacitly allowed him to stay by his side.

Wu Qi did not beat around the bush and said bluntly, "Senior Sister Hu Liena, we are about to enter Death Canyon for training. We have heard of the Golden Generation's exploits and have come specifically to ask you about the situation in Death Canyon."

Hu Liena was taken aback for a moment.

If someone from the Pope Palace were about to enter Death Canyon for training, she would certainly have known about it in advance given her status.

Now, since there was no word from the Pope Palace, it proved that the other party was not from the Pope Palace.

Yet, the other party knew of the Golden Generation's reputation, so their background must be significant.

Considering Wu Qi's appearance, she did not feel any resentment, but instead asked about their identities, "Junior brothers, won't you introduce yourselves?"

Qiangu Changkong chuckled and replied, "Senior sister, my grandfather is Elder Thousand Armies, and this Wu Qi, Brother Wu, is a disciple of the Third Grandfather."

Hu Liena thought to herself, *As expected. *

She had long heard of the conflict between the Pope Palace and the Elder Palace.

As a disciple of Bibi Dong, she was certainly on the side of the Pope Palace.

However, they were all juniors; there was no need, nor did she want, to get involved in the grievances between the elders.

"Hmm." After pondering for a few seconds, she spoke: "Regarding Death Canyon, you had best discard all your current conjectures; it is not what you think it is."

The source of danger in Death Canyon is not Soul Beasts or the environment, but people!

A thousand years ago, it was a place where the Spirit Hall exiled criminals, and over time, many tribes emerged within it.

Geniuses in the tribes with Innate Soul Power exceeding level seven would be directly pardoned and brought back to the continent.

The people in the tribes know that the Spirit Hall sends people inside for training, and these training geniuses are their primary targets for hunting.

As she spoke, Hu Liena's gaze swept around, and she whispered: "The rule the Spirit Hall set for that place is that if you kill a genius who has entered for training, you can be pardoned and return to the continent."

"Therefore, you must absolutely not reveal that you are there for training, otherwise you will encounter endless pursuit."

"That is all I can say; analyze specific problems as they arise, and just make your responses based on the missions you draw."

Wu Qi was inwardly shocked.

What Hu Liena said was definitely a secret that only the upper echelons could know; his previous guess was indeed correct.

"Many thanks, Senior Sister. This is a gift from Brother Wu and me for you."

Qiangu Changkong grinned as he took a small box out of his Soul Guidance Device.

A small box has great appeal to girls.

In the distance, Yan saw this scene and was so anxious he was jumping up and down.

If one were to say he was stupid, he knew what kind of gift should be inside a small box given to a girl.

If one were to say he was not stupid, his behavior was truly like that of a fool.

He ran over furiously, cursing: "You two pretty boys, I'll fight you to the death!"

(End of chapter)