Chapter 3 Bibi Dong: Xiaoyue, don't be afraid! From now on, I am your family!
Bibi Dong's desire to possess the child grew stronger.
If this child has parents and family, as the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, I should send him back.
But the thought of sending this soft little dumpling away, and never seeing his adorable appearance again, is unbearable.
A strong sense of reluctance welled up in Bibi Dong's heart.
Bibi Dong took a deep breath, suppressing the pounding in her heart, and tried to make her voice sound gentle and harmless as she softly asked:
"Little one, tell your sister, what's your name?"
Where is your home?
"Shall I take you home, sister?"
Upon hearing this, Lan Yue's mind raced.
Take me back?
Where to go back?
Going back to the seabed is definitely out of the question; that old thing, the Deep Sea Demon Whale King, might not have left yet.
As for going to the nearest Poseidon Island...
Lan Yue immediately rejected this option in his mind.
Although he had awakened the passive domain of "Sea God's Concealment," which was said to be difficult for even a god to see through.
But that's only in theory.
Poseidon, the High Priestess of Poseidon Island, was an unparalleled Douluo who cultivated using the power of the Sea God and was virtually invincible on the high seas.
What if my newly transformed small body is exposed to Poseidon and my true form as a soul beast is revealed? Wouldn't that be like going from one wolf's den to another tiger's mouth?
In contrast, this younger version of Bibi Dong, although also a strong person, has clearly not yet grown to the point where she can see through everything at a glance.
Moreover, following the Spirit Hall into the human world is clearly the safest and most reliable way to level up!
Having made up his mind, Lan Yue immediately channeled his inner actor.
Lan Yue frowned slightly, his small hands clutching his head in pain, his once bright eyes instantly becoming confused and empty.
"I...I'm called Lan Yue..."
Lan Yue's voice trembled slightly and was a childish, hoarse tone:
"Home?
I...I can't remember..."
"My head hurts so much..."
Lan Yue shrank back in pain, snuggling closer to Bibi Dong as if seeking refuge:
"It seems like I've been alone since birth... I have no father and no mother..."
"All I remember is... I drifted in the sea for a very, very long time... It was so cold... It was so dark..."
"Waaah... Sister, I have no home..."
Hearing the boy in her arms sobbing intermittently, Bibi Dong's heart trembled violently.
Orphan?
Orphaned?
A fleeting, almost imperceptible hint of joy flashed deep in Bibi Dong's eyes.
Since he's an orphan, that means... he belongs to me?
But this joy was quickly overwhelmed by a profound sense of guilt.
Looking at Lan Yue's trembling little body, Bibi Dong automatically imagined a grand drama unfolding in her mind:
It must be because the Spirit Hall's army was pressing in, and the flames of war affected innocent civilians.
This is what caused the poor child to be stranded at sea, and even lose some of his memory due to excessive fright.
"It's us... who hurt you."
Bibi Dong hugged Lan Yue tightly, her chin resting gently on the top of Lan Yue's soft hair, her eyes slightly red.
Since fate has brought you into this world, and since we have caused you to lose your home...
So...
Bibi Dong's eyes gradually hardened, revealing a unique blend of stubbornness and tenderness.
"Xiaoyue, don't be afraid."
"From today onwards, you are no longer alone."
"I'll take you back to the Spirit Hall. From now on, I'll be your family."
The cardinal on the deck opened his mouth, but then hesitated to speak.
In the end, he swallowed back the words of advice that were on the tip of his tongue.
After all, Her Highness had just suffered a crushing defeat and was in a terrible mood. It was rare for a child to help her distract herself and calm down.
Besides, it's just adopting an orphan. The Spirit Hall is a large and powerful organization, and it doesn't need to worry about making a living.
If this child has some talent, he could be trained to become a Soul Master in the future, which would be a contribution to the Spirit Hall.
Even if he lacks talent, staying in the palace as a servant or handyman can ensure he has enough to eat and wear for the rest of his life.
Thinking of this, everyone tacitly chose to keep quiet, letting Bibi Dong carry the child towards the cabin.
...
Bibi Dong carried Lan Yue back to her private cabin.
The place is exquisitely decorated, isolating it from the outside wind and waves, making it warm and tranquil.
Bibi Dong placed Lan Yue on the soft bed.
She took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped away the water droplets on Lan Yue's face, her movements as gentle as if she were wiping a rare treasure.
Looking at Lan Yue's delicate eyebrows and well-proportioned figure, Bibi Dong suddenly had a thought.
As the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, she has a keen ability to judge human bone age.
The child's size makes him look to be around six years old.
In the Douluo Continent, six years old is a watershed moment that determines one's fate.
"Xiaoyue," Bibi Dong asked softly, a hint of expectation in her eyes, "how old are you this year? Do you remember?"
Lan Yue understood this perfectly.
Bibi Dong's question clearly indicates that she has the idea of awakening his martial soul.
This is exactly what he wanted!
Although he knew he was a twin Blue Silver Emperor with innate full soul power, he still needed to go through the proper channels.
Only then can one legitimately "fleece" the Spirit Hall's cultivation resources.
He possesses twin martial souls and two extreme attributes.
Although the concept of ultimate attributes does not yet exist in Douluo Continent.
But talent cannot be hidden.
Rather than waiting to be hunted down, it's better to join the Spirit Hall with Bibi Dong.
So, Lan Yue immediately blinked his big eyes, pretending to try hard to remember, and then nodded obediently:
"Sister, I remember... I was just over six years old."
"Six years old..."
Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes lit up, and a gentle smile appeared on her lips:
"It's the perfect age to awaken one's martial soul."
"If you can awaken your soul power, even if it's only at level one, I can make you a respected soul master, and you'll never have to suffer again."
She was a decisive person; once she had an idea, she didn't hesitate at all.
Bibi Dong immediately turned around and called out towards the door:
"Come in!"
The cardinal, who had been waiting at the door, immediately pushed it open and entered, bowing respectfully.
"Your Highness, what are your orders?"
"Take out the Awakening Stone and Crystal Ball from your person."
Bibi Dong gave the order in a calm tone.
The cardinal was slightly taken aback.
Awakening on the ship?
So urgent?
But seeing Bibi Dong's unquestionable gaze, he didn't dare to ask any more questions and quickly rummaged through his storage soul tool.
Soon, six jet-black, round awakening stones and a crystal-clear blue sphere used to test innate soul power appeared.
He then respectfully handed them to Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong took the items, waved away the cardinal, and closed the cabin door.
Bibi Dong turned around, arranged the six black awakening stones into a hexagonal array on the ground, and then looked at Lan Yue with encouraging eyes:
"Xiaoyue, come here and stand in the middle."
"Let me take a look and see what kind of martial soul is hidden inside you."
[end of the chapter]