Chapter 12: Preparing for Enrollment
The progress of Lin Beiya's cultivation was nothing short of delightful. When he had just finished absorbing his soul ring, his soul power had reached rank 12 and a half. After several days of non-stop training since returning, he had quietly approached the threshold of rank 13. By his estimation, another week or so of effort would allow him to break through naturally.
After waking up and finishing the breakfast delivered by the maid, Lin Beiya made his way toward the garden pavilion.
As soon as he got close, he saw Qian Renxue craning her neck, looking around expectantly. Lin Beiya couldn't help but chuckle and wave.
"You're up pretty early every day, huh?"
"Hmph! You think everyone's like you, lazybones?"
Shrugging, Lin Beiya didn't mind the little nickname. Instead, he brought up the matter that had been on his mind.
"Do you know how to apply for admission to the Spirit Academy?"
"Huh? Why do you want to go there? If you'd like, I can ask my grandpa to find you a private tutor."
Lin Beiya politely declined her offer. Seeing her expression dim slightly, he quickly explained,
"I made a promise to a friend from the orphanage — we agreed to enroll at the Spirit Academy together. The Grand Worship, your grandfather, has already approved it."
"I see… How talented is this friend of yours?"
From her tone, Lin Beiya could tell that the little angel was already thinking of giving his chubby friend special treatment, so he quickly waved his hands.
"Better not. Shi Nuo's talent isn't bad, but he's definitely not qualified to enter the Douluo Hall. No need to trouble your grandfather."
"I'm just going there to attend classes anyway. I'll still live here in Douluo Hall."
"Alright then. I'll tell Grandpa to arrange someone to escort you for registration."
Hearing that, Qian Renxue stopped pressing. Since Lin Beiya wouldn't be living at the academy, and it was only a short trip—a few dozen minutes' walk between Douluo Hall and Spirit Academy—there was no real issue.
"Then I'll trouble you, Miss Qian."
"Pfft!"
Hearing him go back to calling her "Miss Qian" instead of "Xiaoxue" made her pout a little. Yesterday, he had said it so naturally, too.
Having been single his whole previous life, Lin Beiya completely failed to notice her dissatisfaction. Still, since he owed her a favor, he decided to offer something in return.
He summoned the Athena Statue—which transformed into a golden beam of light that soared into the sky—and in the next moment, the Aries Gold Cloth appeared before them.
As expected, the sight of the golden ram made the little angel forget her earlier sulkiness. Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Can I wear it now?"
"Of course. I brought it out just for you. Just return it to me tonight."
"Awesome! I'll wear it and show Grandpa!"
Infusing the armor with her soul power, Qian Renxue was soon clad in the Aries Gold Cloth. She looked down to admire the radiant armor, nodding with satisfaction.
Seeing her about to dash off toward the Angel Temple, Lin Beiya quickly stopped her. He still had something to confirm.
"Wait, Xiaoxue — try using your Six Winged Angel Martial Soul while wearing the Gold Cloth."
"Oh? Alright, I'll give it a try."
Closing her eyes, Qian Renxue began to communicate with her martial soul.
In the next instant, three pairs of golden wings spread out behind her gleaming armor, and two yellow soul rings slowly rose beneath her feet.
Lin Beiya finally exhaled in relief.
If wearing the Gold Cloth had restricted the use of one's original martial soul, that would've been a huge limitation. Thankfully, it wasn't an issue.
"I can use my martial soul just fine! It looks like this armor's boosts and battle techniques are entirely additional."
Her tone was full of awe and curiosity—and Lin Beiya couldn't help but grin in satisfaction.
"I'll go talk to Grandpa about your enrollment."
"Thanks a lot."
"You're welcome! Just consider it the rental fee for borrowing the Gold Cloth!"
Watching the little angel rush off toward the Angel Temple in a hurry, Lin Beiya could only shake his head helplessly. 'You're not in a rush to help me… You just want to show off that armor, don't you?'
With the Gold Cloth gleaming on her body, Qian Renxue ran with light, rhythmic steps—her movements crisp and graceful. The servants nearby couldn't help but stop what they were doing and watch her in awe.
Upon entering the temple, she immediately spotted the old man seated cross-legged on the dais, eyes closed in meditation.
"Grandpa! Grandpa!"
Qian Daoliu had already sensed his granddaughter's approach. He opened his eyes with a warm smile—but the next instant, his expression froze in shock.
Before him stood not just his granddaughter… but a golden-armored angel!
"This is… Beiya's armor? You can actually wear it?"
"That's right! And not only that—look, Grandpa!"
Qian Renxue was clearly very pleased with her grandfather's reaction. She proudly raised her hand, summoning a crystal wall of light before him. The old man's jaw dropped in disbelief.
"You can even use his battle techniques?"
"Mm-hmm! Even Starlight Annihilation! Though… once I remove the armor, I can't use them anymore."
Her tone carried a hint of disappointment. The Gold Cloth was incredible—but unfortunately, it wasn't truly hers. She had to return it to Lin Beiya by nightfall.
Still, he did say that as his cultivation advanced, new Gold Cloths would appear. Since they were friends, keeping one set for herself in the long run wasn't too much to ask… right?
That thought immediately chased away her gloomy expression.
Qian Daoliu, however, paid little attention to her changing moods. His mind was already racing—reassessing the importance of this boy named Lin Beiya.
If the Gold Cloth could only be used by its creator, then Lin Beiya would merely be a talented child worth nurturing.
But now? The fact that he could grant others the power to wear and wield it changed everything.
One man, an entire army.
Those four words echoed in Qian Daoliu's mind. And not just any army—a legion made up of high-level Soul Masters.
He already knew the Gold Cloth boosted all attributes by ten percent, which on the surface didn't seem earth-shattering. But he wasn't naïve enough to believe that the boost would remain that low as Lin Beiya grew stronger.
"Xiaoxue," he said thoughtfully, "you should get along well with Lin Beiya. When the time comes for you to take over Spirit Hall, he'll be one of your strongest pillars of support."
"Take over Spirit Hall? But Dad's still young and healthy! Why would I think about that now?"
Qian Renxue pouted in confusion. Indeed, her father Qian Xunji hadn't exactly brought Spirit Hall to unprecedented glory, but he was doing a decent enough job—no major blunders, no crises. She'd never once thought about inheriting his position.
Qian Daoliu could only shake his head helplessly at her carefree attitude. She was still too young; it was far too early to discuss such matters.
"Alright, let's leave that for the future. I'll handle Beiya's enrollment personally. Just tell him to find the principal of the Junior Spirit Academy."
"Okay, Grandpa! I'll go tell him right now!"
The little angel turned and bolted out of the temple like a gust of wind. Qian Daoliu watched her go, sighing softly.
When will this girl finally grow into a proper successor of the Angel God?
As for Lin Beiya's decision to enroll at the Spirit Academy, Qian Daoliu understood his intentions clearly—and didn't disapprove in the slightest.
In his eyes, this showed that Lin Beiya was someone loyal, someone who valued promises and relationships.
Such a person could be cultivated without fear—he wouldn't turn into an ungrateful traitor like that woman.
Yes, he was thinking of a certain "Saintess" of Spirit Hall—the one who had recently returned from that cursed place, reeking of malice so intense it could send ordinary people stumbling just from her presence.
He didn't know what to do with her anymore…
—
End of Chapter