The morning light in the east dyed half the sky red, but the sun was nowhere to be seen.
The cold wind seeped into her skin through her collar and cuffs. Hu Liena shrank her neck and couldn't help but cup her hands and breathe into her palms to absorb the little bit of warmth.
Xie Yue saw this and could only silently move closer to his sister, subtly blocking the wind from blowing directly towards them, like two young animals huddling together for warmth.
Since their parents went to the distant border and died on the battlefield, the brother and sister have been living a difficult life.
Even if their parents are Soul Masters, or even members of the Imperial Army, the families of soldiers who died on the battlefield for their country, regardless of whether the soldiers were Soul Masters or not, can receive a Soul Coin subsidy on their behalf.
However... the embezzlement of the bereaved family allowance is common in all countries. Especially for families who have lost their parents and have no elders or support, the possibility of receiving this Soul Coin allowance is almost zero. Without the Soul Coin allowance, the siblings can only rely on the sympathy of their fellow villagers and start helping with farm work at a young age, essentially growing up on the charity of others.
"Waaah—"
The long, drawn-out sound of horns spread clearly across Holy Soul Square as it drew nearer.
The children, chattering about their martial spirits or family backgrounds, suddenly fell silent, like geese being choked.
A guard clad in mithril armor stepped out from his post, channeling his soul power into his voice, which then amplified its sound.
"Children, line up in three rows and follow me in an orderly fashion. We are about to proceed to the sacred Papal Palace to awaken your martial spirits."
The guard's voice was full of respect when the Papal Palace was mentioned.
As soon as he finished speaking, footsteps echoed again in the once quiet square.
The child dressed in fine clothes stood confidently at the front, while the other children hesitated. The children from ordinary families waited for the children from wealthy families to stand in front and behind them before quietly joining the ranks behind them.
Then there are children from impoverished families, and finally, those who have come here to gamble their fate, like the orphans Xie Yue and Hu Liena.
An invisible polarization has emerged.
However, not all of them are clearly layered.
The guard nodded inwardly and continued, "Everyone, keep half a meter apart and follow me into the arena in an orderly fashion!"
The already lined-up troops suddenly began to retreat in waves, like waves of sensors.
Hu Liena, who was at the back of the line, was walking back a little too fast. Before she knew it, she felt as if the heel of her shoe had stepped on someone.
Not wanting to cause trouble here, Hu Liena's expression changed slightly. She hurriedly turned her head and whispered an apology to the people behind her in line, but when her gaze fell on the ground, she froze.
They were a pair of light purple cotton shoes that looked expensive, made of high-quality material, but there was a curved black mark on them.
Oh no!
Hu Liena's heart skipped a beat. She stiffly raised her head and met a pair of clear, pale purple eyes.
"It's okay."
A girl who looked as delicate and cute as the dolls they had placed in the toy store when they were queuing to enter the city winked at her playfully, her wispy bangs fluttering gently in the breeze.
She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she thought she saw a glimpse of gold in the wispy strands of hair, which was quickly obscured by the falling strands.
"It seems we should leave now, it's time to turn around."
The girl reminded her softly, her tone devoid of anger at having her shoes dirtied or contempt.
Hu Liena was stunned for a moment, looking at the girl in front of her who was wearing a light blue pleated skirt, with waist-length silver-white hair and snow-white skin.
The other person's skin was snow-white and delicate, and even up close, there were no flaws. She was clearly a pampered noblewoman.
Can...
How could a girl from such a seemingly privileged background be standing behind these orphans?
Hu Liena turned around after being quietly reminded by the unfamiliar girl, pursed her lips, kept her doubts to herself, and started walking to catch up with the group in front of her.
The atmosphere among the children grew heavier as they drew closer to the solemn and majestic Papal Palace. Many children breathed softly, afraid that their breathing would be too loud and cause them to be disrespectful in front of the palace.
Until another long horn sounded, and they followed the unfamiliar paladin knights into the sacred and majestic Papal Palace.
The spacious and bright hall, with gilded accents and platinum as the main color, exudes a sacred and majestic aura.
In the center of the main hall, as in previous years, there were two hexagonal magic arrays made of black crystals on the left and right sides. Further to the side were two soul power crystal balls for testing innate soul power levels.
Three cardinals stood respectfully and silently to one side, their heads bowed.
Apart from the six paladins stationed on either side of the red carpet inside the temple, no additional seating was provided for guests.
A solemn and dignified atmosphere permeated the air. On the ascending jade-colored steps, Bibi Dong, dressed in a shimmering gold dress and wearing a nine-curved purple-gold gemstone crown, sat on the papal throne, which symbolized the supreme authority of the Spirit Hall, holding a two-meter-long gemstone scepter.
Just three steps below the papal throne, two men with deep, imposing presence stood on either side.
The man on the left has slightly effeminate features. He wears a bright red cloak, which only titled Douluo elders are qualified to wear, and it is covered with gold and silver patterns. He also wears a moon-white Soul Master outfit, and a fist-sized, gleaming golden gem is pinned to his chest.
The man standing on the right was dressed in a dark purple Soul Master outfit, and also wore a bright red cloak covered with gold and silver patterns. He had a thin and pale face, with strange, ink-like patterns growing on the side of his face, and a fist-sized black gem on his chest.
They are the two elders in charge of punishments in the Hall of Elders of the Spirit Hall, and also titled Douluo—Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei.
Ghostly figure crossed his arms and scrutinized the new batch of children about to undergo their Martial Soul Awakening. His gaze lingered for a moment on Qian Yuelong, who stood at the back of the line, before he narrowed his eyes slightly and sent a telepathic message to his colleague on his left, asking:
'That silver-haired, purple-eyed girl, is she the divine child?'
This was the first time Gui Mei had met Qian Yuelong.
Yue Guan's gaze seemingly casually swept over the children, then he glanced at the stern-faced Bibi Dong, giving a barely perceptible nod: 'It's her.'
On the other side, Qian Yuelong, whose number of important figures in the hall could be counted on one hand, felt as if she had been pierced by several gazes the moment she stepped into the hall: "..."
She knew that even with a different outfit, she would still stand out.
This is what it means to be pierced through by gazes in every sense of the word.
Despite her inner turmoil, Qian Yuelong maintained a calm and dignified demeanor on her face.
And the essential brainwashing motivational speech before the awakening of a martial spirit is about to begin.
This year, however, it wasn't the cardinals giving speeches; instead, it was Pope Bibidon who delivered the address.
—A side note—
Does anyone know the fantasy of silver hair and purple eyes?
It'll be the second watch of the night, muah~
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