Three years later.
Night Qifeng had now lived at the orphanage for four years.
He had grown to just over a meter tall. Although the baby fat on his face hadn't faded much, giving him a chubby, doll-like appearance, he looked delicate and exquisitely carved—like a porcelain figurine.
His features had started to show hints of future handsomeness.
There was a subtle, unique aura that always lingered around him—gentle and soothing, as if imbued with a kind of quiet magic that made people instinctively want to be near him.
Hu Liena, in particular, was deeply drawn to that aura.
She adored that gentle presence Night Qifeng carried. Every time she was near him, her mood would lift unconsciously. It fascinated her.
As a result, Hu Liena always sought to stay by Night Qifeng's side, no longer trailing her brother Xie Yue around like she used to.
Xie Yue, who doted on his sister immensely, felt rather jealous about this for a long time and harbored some quiet resentment toward Night Qifeng.
However, being naturally composed, Xie Yue never let it show.
Ever since their parents had died in an accident, Xie Yue had taken on the role of both brother and guardian. To him, his little sister was his entire world.
For her, he was willing to sacrifice anything—even his life.
So, a little discomfort was nothing to him.
In his heart, as long as Hu Liena was happy, it was enough.
Besides, he had also developed a fondness for Night Qifeng, that doll-like boy.
Night Qifeng possessed an indescribable quality—quiet, serene, and pure. He was bright and clever, and his photographic memory when reading astounded not only Xie Yue and Yan, but Hu Liena as well.
Xie Yue had noticed the changes in his sister.
Over the three years she spent with Night Qifeng, she had become significantly more cheerful and optimistic—no longer the timid, soft-spoken little girl she once was.
He used to worry that her overly gentle nature might lead to her being taken advantage of in the future.
Now, those worries were gone.
And so, Xie Yue's resentment toward Night Qifeng had faded, and he eventually let things be.
Still, whenever Hu Liena visited Night Qifeng, Xie Yue and Yan would tag along like loyal attendants.
Today.
It was the annual day of Martial Soul Awakening.
Hu Liena, who had just turned six, was about to face one of the most important moments in her life—
The Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony.
Early that morning, the orphanage director and teachers were already bustling with activity.
They had prepared brand-new clothes for every child turning six who was about to undergo the awakening ceremony.
Hu Liena was already dressed in a fresh pink-and-yellow dress.
"Xiaofeng, how do I look?"
She twirled in front of Night Qifeng with a bright smile, eyes gleaming playfully.
"You look beautiful. Nana, you were born beautiful—you're clearly destined to become a true beauty."
Night Qifeng replied with sincere admiration, nodding in approval.
Hu Liena beamed with joy at his words.
From Night Qifeng's perspective, the six-year-old Hu Liena already had striking features—delicate and refined. Her pink-violet eyes sparkled with brilliance. Her neck was long and graceful, and her short, soft pink-gold hair framed her face naturally, giving her an indescribable charm.
Even at her young age, her figure was elegant and upright—clearly the makings of a stunning beauty.
Soon after, Xie Yue and Yan arrived at the orphanage.
The two had undergone their Martial Soul Awakening the previous year, and it had caused quite a stir.
Both of them had awakened top-tier martial souls.
Xie Yue inherited the Moon Blade, an inherited tool soul from his father, while Yan awakened a rare beast-type soul—Flame Lord.
What's more, both had been born with innate soul power at Rank 9.
They were exceptional prodigies—geniuses among geniuses.
Both were taken in as personal disciples by two Title Douluo elders and were directly admitted into the elite class at the Wuhun Hall Advanced Academy, receiving vast resources for cultivation.
Two extraordinary talents emerging from the orphanage made Director Li Qing and the teachers beam with pride.
Over the past year, Night Qifeng frequently heard them showering the two with praise.
After joining the academy, Xie Yue and Yan moved out of the orphanage. They lived and studied at the academy, returning only about once a week.
Today, however, both came back to the orphanage for Hu Liena's awakening.
"Brother, Yan, why are you here? Don't you have class?"
Hu Liena ran to Xie Yue, grabbing his hand affectionately.
"How could I miss Nana's awakening ceremony?" Xie Yue gently patted her head, his voice full of warmth.
"Haha, don't worry. Nana, we both took leave today—just to accompany you," Yan chimed in with a smile.
"Oh, right! Qifeng—here are some books I borrowed from the academy library. Thought you'd like them."
Xie Yue pulled a few books from his robes and handed them to Night Qifeng.
"Oh! I almost forgot—I brought some too," said Yan as he took out a few more books.
"I thought you two only had eyes for Nana and forgot I even existed. Thanks."
Night Qifeng chuckled and accepted the books without hesitation.
This wasn't the first time they had brought him reading material.
"No need to be polite," Yan said, grinning as he gave Night Qifeng a hearty slap on the shoulder, nearly knocking him over.
Night Qifeng loved reading. After finishing every book in the orphanage's small collection, he had no other way to get new ones. It had been troubling him for a while.
Thankfully, Xie Yue and Yan understood. After joining the academy, they always brought him a few books from the library during their visits.
"Brother, can you tell me what the Martial Soul Awakening is like?"
Hu Liena blinked her large eyes at Xie Yue curiously.
When Xie Yue and Yan had their awakenings, she had been too young and wasn't allowed to leave the orphanage to watch.
"Alright, I'll explain briefly."
Xie Yue stroked her hair gently and said:
"The awakening ceremony is carried out by an official from the Wuhun Hall—usually a Soul Master or above in rank."
"But since Wuhun City is the sacred ground of soul masters, the ceremony here is overseen by a Platinum Bishop at the Soul Douluo level."
"Since our orphanage is in the west district, the ceremony will be held at the Western Spirit Temple."
"There's a special awakening formation—you just need to stand in the center. The bishop will inject soul power into the array to awaken your martial soul."
"After that, there's a test with a soul power crystal to determine your innate soul power."
"As long as you possess innate soul power, you can become a soul master."
"Then Wuhun Hall will issue you an official Soul Master Certificate, which you'll need to enroll in the academy."
"The ceremony is actually quite simple. Just follow the bishop's instructions, and you'll be fine."
"I see… I wonder what my martial soul will be? I really hope I can become a soul master, like you and Yan…"
Hu Liena's pink-violet eyes sparkled with anticipation and nervousness.
"Don't worry, Nana. I'm sure you'll become a soul master. Maybe your talent will surpass your brother's."
Night Qifeng smiled mysteriously.
"Really? That would be amazing! Then I could go to the same academy as my brother!"
Hu Liena's eyes lit up with joy.
"You absolutely can."
Night Qifeng nodded with certainty.
"Qifeng is right. You don't need to worry, Nana. Martial souls are usually inherited from parents. Since we're siblings, and I could become a soul master, so can you. I believe in you," Xie Yue said with conviction.
"Exactly!" Yan echoed confidently.
At that moment, the director's voice called everyone to gather downstairs.
The group quickly headed down.
Including Hu Liena, more than twenty children who had just turned six were preparing to undergo the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony.
Led by the director and several teachers, they would travel to the Western Spirit Temple, two blocks away.
Night Qifeng, being only four, couldn't go with them.
He could only walk them to the orphanage gate, waving as Hu Liena turned back again and again, reluctant to part. It seemed he wouldn't see her for a while.
Though he was a little disappointed not to witness her awakening himself...
He wasn't worried at all.
After all, Hu Liena was about to awaken a top-tier martial soul—Demonic Fox, with innate full soul power.
And very soon, she would be taken as a disciple by the Holy Maiden, Bibi Dong.