Chapter 12: Someone Beat Me to It, an Audience with the Grand Consecrator

“Mm.”
Tang Niannian nodded and placed her hand in Yue Guan’s palm.
Yue Guan grasped her hand and, with a pull, held her close in his embrace.
Before long, Yue Guan set Tang Niannian down outside the Martial Soul Hall.
The grandeur of the Martial Soul Hall was even more vivid and tangible than she had imagined.
She marveled at the vast area it occupied, wondering how much it would cost to build another Martial Soul Hall.
If it cost a billion, she might as well just build another one herself.
“Senior Douluo Ju, may I ask how much this fountain cost?”
“Senior Douluo Ju, how much did this stone carving cost?”
“Senior Douluo Ju, what about this gate?”
“Senior Douluo Ju, may I ask…”
Along the way, Tang Niannian kept asking about the costs—sometimes this, sometimes that. At first, Yue Guan thought she was simply interested in these things and answered accordingly. But as her questions broadened, she even inquired about the Martial Soul Hall’s annual expenses.
Yue Guan was utterly baffled. He wasn’t in charge of finances; how could he possibly know the hall’s yearly budget?
Yet, he was curious as to why Tang Niannian asked these questions.
Just as he was about to voice his doubts, a familiar face suddenly appeared before him.
“Lord Sixth Sacrificer.”
Yue Guan bowed respectfully but felt a twinge of nervousness.
Those in the Sacrificer Hall rarely left their domain—it was unusual.
He recalled that he hadn’t done anything particularly wrong.
The Sixth Sacrificer, Qian Jun Douluo, wielded the Black Dragon Staff, had a black bun hairstyle, gray-blue eyes with a scar over his right eye, a handsome face, tall stature, donned golden armor, a purple sacrificial robe, and a purple headscarf, marking his sacrificial status.
Qian Jun ignored Yue Guan and fixed his gaze on Tang Niannian. “The Great Sacrificer wants to see this child.”
His voice was calm, not consulting Yue Guan but rather issuing a notification.
Yue Guan’s expression stiffened.
What?
Intercepting someone in front of the Pope’s Hall?
He would be scolded to death by the Pope!
Out of responsibility, Yue Guan didn’t immediately let Qian Jun take Tang Niannian away. Smiling awkwardly, he tried to reason, “Sixth Sacrificer, His Holiness the Pope also wants to see this child…”
“Let the Great Sacrificer decide when to see her.”
Qian Jun dismissed him outright, then raised his hand and drew Tang Niannian behind Yue Guan toward himself.
“Hey…”
Yue Guan wanted to stop him but was powerless; he could only watch as Tang Niannian was taken away by Qian Jun.
“This is bad.”
He was about to face a storm.

*

Sacrificer Hall
Within the solemn and imposing hall, Qian Daoliu stood with his back straight. Tall but not muscular, he wore a simple gray robe, his long golden hair neatly tied back. His calm and serene aura gave off a deeply comforting feeling.
After Qian Jun brought Tang Niannian in, he withdrew, and before she could ask what was happening, a gentle voice echoed in her ears.
“Don’t be afraid, child. I am the Adjudicator Elder of the Martial Soul Hall and also the Great Sacrificer. I heard you awakened twin martial souls and that your innate soul power even exceeds level ten. May I see your martial souls and conduct a soul power test?”
In moments, Qian Daoliu appeared before Tang Niannian, crouching down with a faint smile on his handsome face.
He appeared to be only in his thirties or forties, utterly betraying the fact that he was actually over a hundred years old.
Tang Niannian met his gentle golden eyes and felt a momentary daze.
“Okay, okay.” She timidly nodded, stepping back a few paces instinctively as if her body was reacting on its own.
Qian Daoliu noticed her small gesture and believed she was still a little afraid inside.
But it was only natural for such a young child to be scared.
He stood and explained the soul power test to Tang Niannian.
“Don’t be nervous. Relax. I won’t hurt you.”
With Qian Daoliu’s reassurance, Tang Niannian relaxed her body.
Suddenly, a surge of soul power burst forth from her, and at the same time, a Blue Silver Grass and a Yata Mirror appeared palm to palm on her left and right hands.
Qian Daoliu’s expression remained unchanged. He then tested her soul power.
As expected, innate level twenty.
Blue Silver Grass?
Yata Mirror?
He furrowed his brow. Blue Silver Grass was considered a worthless martial soul. How could it appear alongside the Yata Mirror?
After testing her soul power, he retracted his own and taught Tang Niannian how to withdraw her martial souls.

“What's your name?” Qian Daoliu asked.
“Niannian. My name is Niannian.” Tang Niannian answered, still a bit shy.
Qian Daoliu nodded. “A good name.”
He reached out and gently patted her head, asking softly, “Niannian, would you like to join the Martial Soul Hall?”
Well, it was indeed about joining the Martial Soul Hall.
Tang Niannian didn’t hesitate. “I want to! Grandpa, I want to become an outstanding soul master!”
On this continent, the Martial Soul Hall had the best resources. Tang Niannian was no fool—why would she pass up such an opportunity to attend the Nottingham Academy instead?
Divine Gold.
Moreover, if she wanted to establish her own Martial Soul Hall, she needed to understand this one.
As the saying goes, know yourself and your enemy, and you will win every battle.
Spending money requires finding the wealthy.
“Good, Niannian. Ambitious!” Qian Daoliu smiled with satisfaction.
Suddenly, he thought of something and added, “Niannian, Grandpa will find a master to teach you, alright?”
“Okay, okay! But Grandpa, can’t you be my master?” Tang Niannian tilted her head, blinking her big eyes adorably.
Her sweet demeanor reminded Qian Daoliu of a young Qian Renxue.
His fondness for Tang Niannian grew.
Qian Daoliu smiled and explained gently, “Grandpa is a bit out of strength. Niannian, your martial soul, the Yata Mirror, is a light-element martial soul. Fortunately, Old Five also has a light-element martial soul. He’s lively and a bit mischievous—having him as your master will probably make things easier for you.
I’ve already sent someone to notify him. From today on, you belong to the Sacrificer Hall. If anyone from the Pope’s Hall comes looking for you, you may go if you want, or not go if you don’t. Everything is up to you.”
Tang Niannian had never been so favored. She felt dazed, almost unreal.
Tears welled in her eyes; this was perhaps the first affection she had received in six years since crossing over.
“Thank you, Grandpa!”
She concealed her emotional loss with a bright smile, feeling warmth spread through her.
Qian Daoliu stroked her head, his eyes full of kindness.
“Where is my disciple? Where is my disciple?”