Chapter 11 – Gold Saint Cloth Bestowal
Qian Renxue stood there, her eyes sparkling with wonder as she lowered her head to carefully examine the golden armor now encasing her petite body.
Like a curious little girl discovering a new toy, she couldn't stop touching the unique ram horns of the Aries Gold Cloth, occasionally spinning around to show it off to Lin Beiya—completely forgetting the embarrassing mess she had been just moments ago.
Watching her proudly parade like a little angel showing off her treasure, Lin Beiya couldn't help but smile. His theory had proven correct—the Gold Cloth could indeed be bestowed upon others.
Moreover, he could feel through his connection with Athena's statue that as long as he willed it, the armor would immediately return to the divine statue, no matter who was wearing it.
After a while, Qian Renxue finally grew accustomed to the unfamiliar sensation of the gleaming armor. Her large, crystal-clear eyes gazed up at Lin Beiya, shimmering with unspoken anticipation—she clearly wanted to ask if she could keep it for herself.
But Lin Beiya didn't respond to that look. Instead, his tone grew serious.
"Xiaoxue, try using the combat skill that comes with the Gold Cloth."
"Huh?"
The sudden, intimate nickname caught her off guard. In Spirit Hall, only her grandfather and a few elders ever called her that way. But instead of rejecting it, her cheeks merely flushed pink—she didn't dislike the way it sounded from his lips.
"Combat skill? You mean that barrier you used earlier?"
"That's right," Lin Beiya nodded. "Focus and give it a try."
"Alright."
Closing her still slightly swollen eyes, Qian Renxue took a deep breath and began to attune her mind to the golden armor wrapped around her.
Moments later, her eyes lit up with excitement.
"Beiya! I can feel it—look!"
"Crystal Wall!"
In an instant, a shimmering transparent wall materialized between them—the very same Crystal Wall Lin Beiya had used before. Seeing it with his own eyes confirmed his theory: anyone wearing the Aries Gold Cloth could access its associated combat techniques.
But the experiment didn't last long.
Before Qian Renxue could celebrate her success, Lin Beiya silently summoned the armor back through Athena's divine connection. The golden light withdrew, and in the next moment, the little angel once again stood there in her dust-stained dress. The Crystal Wall vanished along with the armor.
"Eh? Eh?!"
"W—where did it go? My armor—where's my armor?!"
Tears welled up in her golden eyes as she stared at him in disbelief.
"Beiya! The golden battle armor… give it back! I wasn't done wearing it!"
"This isn't the time," he replied calmly. "First, try to see if you can still use the Crystal Wall without it."
"O-Okay… I'll try!"
Her disappointment temporarily forgotten, Qian Renxue shut her eyes again and concentrated hard.
Her delicate face puffed up as she focused with all her might—but no matter how long she tried, the familiar shimmer of the Crystal Wall refused to appear.
"Why isn't it working?" she huffed. "Does that mean the Crystal Wall only works with the armor on?"
"Exactly. The combat skills are bound to the Gold Cloth itself. Maybe if you wear it long enough, you'll eventually comprehend its technique on your own—but right now, it's not possible."
Qian Renxue pouted, glaring at him in frustration. Her expression clearly said: You took it away before I could even figure it out!
"Then what are you waiting for? Give it back already!"
Rolling his eyes, Lin Beiya lightly tapped her outstretched, snow-white hand.
"I haven't even fully studied my own Martial Soul yet. Be patient for a while."
"Ahhh!"
Qian Renxue let out a small cry of protest. To be denied such a beautiful and powerful armor right after experiencing it—it was pure torture.
"Just let me wear it for a few more days!"
Qian Renxue puffed her cheeks, her voice soft yet full of insistence.
"How about this—I'll trade you a Soul Device for it? This necklace was a gift from my grandfather."
She pointed to the pendant hanging from her neck, engraved with the emblem of an angel. Her big, glistening eyes looked up at Lin Beiya with hopeful determination, clearly trying to sway him.
In the distance, Qian Daoliu—who had been secretly watching the two from afar—felt his eyelid twitch violently. His granddaughter was trying to bribe someone with something he gave her. This little girl was going to be the death of him!
But Lin Beiya remained unmoved by the little angel's temptation. He casually raised his hand and waved the ring on his finger.
"No need. I already have a Soul Guidance Device—and funnily enough, it was also a gift from your grandfather."
"Lin Beiya!"
Qian Renxue stomped her foot, glaring at him in frustration when her plan failed.
Seeing her pout like that, Lin Beiya could only sigh helplessly.
"Alright, alright. Give me a few days to study it properly first. Once I'm done, I'll definitely let you wear it again. Besides…" He smiled faintly, "If my guess is right, my second soul skill will unlock another Gold Saint Cloth. Wouldn't it be better if we each had one?"
"Re–really?!"
Her anger vanished instantly, her golden eyes lighting up with excitement.
"If there'll be two sets, then that's perfect!" she said cheerfully. "What are you waiting for, then? Go train! The sooner you reach your next breakthrough, the sooner we can both wear Gold Saint Cloths!"
She even pushed him toward the exit like an overenthusiastic coach, making Lin Beiya chuckle in exasperation.
"Please, Young Miss… I haven't even had lunch yet!"
He'd slept in until noon and hadn't even had time to wake up properly before Qian Renxue dragged him out to the training grounds. Now his stomach was practically roaring in protest.
Besides, reaching the level of a Soul Grandmaster isn't something that can be achieved overnight.
Fortunately, Qian Renxue soon realized how ridiculous her own urgency sounded. She coughed awkwardly and said, "Ahem… fine, go eat first. But don't slack off on your cultivation! This young lady will reach Soul Elder soon enough—then I'll smash through that annoying Crystal Wall of yours!"
"Sure, sure. Miss Xiaoxue is the best. How about this—I'll research the Gold Cloth at night, and you can wear it during the day, alright?"
"Really?!"
Her face lit up again. The deal sounded too good to refuse.
"You say that like I'd win a prize for lying to you," Lin Beiya teased. "Alright, I'm off to eat. You'll be training in swordsmanship this afternoon, right? Let's meet at the garden pavilion tomorrow morning."
"Fine! But if you dare oversleep again, I'll—!"
She stopped mid-sentence, realizing she wasn't strong enough to actually punish him anymore. The words got stuck in her throat, and she could only glare awkwardly.
Lin Beiya's grin widened. "You'll what?"
"Ugh! Just go eat already—you're so annoying!"
Her pride wouldn't allow her to say, 'I'll tell my grandfather to beat you up! Instead,' she shooed him away with both hands like swatting a fly. But deep down, she clenched her fists—determined to one day defeat Lin Beiya with her own strength.
---
After a late lunch, Lin Beiya returned to his room and began meditating. Whether it was unlocking more Gold Saint Cloths or mastering the ultimate Techniques, soul power was the key.
Today's experiment had shown him just how terrifying his Athena Statue Martial Soul truly was. If his theory proved right, he could one day form a one-man army—commanding twelve Gold Cloth Saints all by himself.
Still, one question lingered in his mind: could a soul master wearing a Gold Saint Cloth still use their original martial soul and soul skills?
He decided to test that with Qian Renxue tomorrow. If a Gold Saint Cloth user could access both their own soul skills and the Gold Saint Cloth's battle techniques, its potential would skyrocket.
Besides, he hadn't forgotten about his childhood friend from the orphanage—Shi Nuo, the chubby boy whose martial soul was the Vigorous Demon Bull.
If his next Gold Saint Cloth was truly the Taurus Gold Cloth, then…
A faint smile appeared on Lin Beiya's lips. With renewed motivation, he immersed himself in meditation.
Under the ten percent cultivation speed bonus granted by the Gold Saint Cloth, his soul power steadily grew stronger.
He didn't stop until deep into the night, finally allowing his mind to drift into sleep—ready to face a new day.
—
End of Chapter