Chapter 12 Playmates
"Jiang Bai..."
Qian Daoliu repeated the name, nodded, and agreed quite readily.
"Alright, Grandfather knows. This small matter, I can give you a result by tomorrow."
"Hehe, thank you, Grandfather! Grandfather is the best!"
Qian Renxue’s face immediately blossomed into a smile.
Afterwards, the grandfather and granddaughter chatted about daily life for a while under the porch.
Until the night grew deeper and Qian Renxue couldn’t help but let out a small yawn, Qian Daoliu said gently, "Alright, it’s getting late, Xue’er, rest early. Grandfather should head back too."
"Goodnight, Grandfather!"
Qian Renxue waved goodbye obediently.
Watching his granddaughter walk into the villa and close the door, Qian Daoliu withdrew his gaze.
The affection on his face slowly faded, and he returned to that unfathomable calmness.
His silver figure flashed slightly, and he seemed to melt into the night, disappearing from sight.
...
Enshrinement Hall.
The interior of the main hall was vast and high, the dome seeming to connect with the starry sky.
At the deepest point, a tall statue of the Seraphim, carved entirely from some kind of jade, stood majestically.
The statue’s face was compassionate yet majestic, holding a holy sword, emitting a holy and vast pressure that made one involuntarily feel awe and submission.
Qian Daoliu’s figure appeared silently in front of the statue.
He did not look at the statue, but instead stood with his back to the entrance of the hall, hands behind his back, his gaze seeming to pierce through the hall walls.
His voice was not loud, but it echoed clearly in the silent, vast hall, carrying an unquestionable majesty.
"Someone, go and investigate a new student at the Spirit Academy named Jiang Bai. I want to know all his information."
"Yes!"
In the shadows of the hall’s corner, a deep, hoarse, and emotionless male voice immediately sounded, and then that shadow twisted slightly before returning to calm, as if no one had ever existed there.
After giving the order, Qian Daoliu slowly walked to the only prayer mat in front of the statue, lifted the hem of his white robe, and knelt down with a pious and solemn posture.
He put his hands together, closed his eyes, and began to pray.
About an hour later, steady and powerful footsteps broke the silence.
A figure, exceptionally burly and sturdy, like an iron tower, strode into the Enshrinement Hall.
He looked to be in his fifties or sixties, his face as firm as rock, and there was a heavy and thick Aura about him as he walked.
It was the second Elder of the Enshrinement Hall, a level 98 attack system Titled Douluo, Gold Crocodile Douluo!
After Gold Crocodile Douluo entered the hall, he first stopped, faced the huge statue of the Angel God, and bowed solemnly and deeply.
After the ritual, he turned to Qian Daoliu, who was still kneeling on the prayer mat, and called out respectfully, "Big Brother."
His voice was deep and thick, like rumbling thunder.
Qian Daoliu slowly opened his eyes, did not stand up, but slightly turned his head: "Investigated clearly?"
"Mm."
Gold Crocodile Douluo responded, stepped forward, and handed over a not-too-thick paper file in his hand. "This kid’s background is a bit interesting."
Qian Daoliu took the file but did not open it immediately, only looking up at Gold Crocodile Douluo.
Gold Crocodile Douluo knew his Big Brother’s habits and began to dictate the key information directly, his voice echoing deeply in the hall.
"Jiang Bai, six years and three months old, registered place of origin: Heaven Dou Empire, Balak Kingdom, Niuma Village."
"Awakened Spirit three months ago, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Innate Soul Power, level nine."
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"
A clear ripple finally flashed in Qian Daoliu’s calm eyes.
The number one support Tool Spirit in the world appearing on a child in a border village was in itself extremely unusual.
"It is indeed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
Gold Crocodile Douluo affirmed, a hint of amusement appearing on his face.
"The intelligence department cross-referenced information on direct and collateral Disciples who have left or gone missing from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for various reasons over the past decade."
"It can be basically confirmed that his biological father has a ninety percent chance of being that Ning Fengping who was once a laughingstock within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Ning Fengping?"
Qian Daoliu had no impression of this name.
"Yes. About seven or eight years ago, because Ning Fengping insisted on marrying an ordinary woman, he met with strong opposition from the Sect Elders and eventually chose to voluntarily leave the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, eloping with that woman, and his whereabouts are unknown."
Why does this plot seem a bit familiar?
Gold Crocodile Douluo continued, "The intelligence says Jiang Bai’s father hasn’t been around since he was young, and his mother also passed away a year ago. Due to the long time passed and the remote location, many details can no longer be... definitively verified."
Qian Daoliu listened silently, his fingers unconsciously brushing the edge of the file in his hand.
A Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Disciple who betrayed the Sect for love, life or death unknown, leaving behind an orphan... it does make logical sense.
"Are you sure he currently has no connection or contact with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
Qian Daoliu asked the most critical question.
A wandering Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Genius; if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect found out, they would never give up easily.
It must be ensured that this child’s heart is currently with Spirit Hall, or at least that he is not a nail planted by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Currently, there is no evidence to suggest any connection exists."
Gold Crocodile Douluo answered very affirmatively.
"After Jiang Bai’s Spirit awakened, it was directly reported and taken over by the local branch, the process was strict, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect should not be aware of it yet, at least they haven’t taken any actions that we have monitored."
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly, satisfied with this result.
A clean background, outstanding talent, simple history; for now, it seems to be an unpolished gem worth carving, and there are no hidden dangers for the time being.
Gold Crocodile Douluo finished his report, looked at the deep-in-thought Qian Daoliu, and couldn’t help but ask.
"Big Brother, why did you suddenly think to investigate this child? Although his talent is good, it seems... it’s not enough for you to personally inquire about him, right?"
Qian Daoliu did not hide it and simply recounted what he had seen by the lake in the evening.
After hearing this, Gold Crocodile Douluo’s rugged brows moved, and after a moment of contemplation, he said in a muffled voice.
"So that’s how it is. This kid... has quite a bit of nerve, and he’s fairly thoughtful."
"If there is indeed no problem with his background, and his talent is acceptable... having him be a playmate for Xue’er in the academy to relieve her loneliness isn’t impossible."
He spoke quite directly.
In his view, a level nine Innate Soul Power Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Spirit Master might become a good support in the future.
But the main "value" now might be to allow the Young Lord, who has been lonely and lacked friends since childhood, to have more normal social interactions.
"Playmate..."
Qian Daoliu repeated the word in a low voice, light flowing in his deep eyes.
Xue’er has been strictly trained since she was young and carries heavy responsibilities; those around her are mostly people who fear her status or have ulterior motives, and she has almost no real friends of the same age who are not mixed with interests.
This might also be one of the sources of certain paranoia and loneliness in her personality.
This Jiang Bai seems to have a relatively pure Heart-Nature, at least based on current observations; his background is clean, and his talent... is also not bad.
Perhaps, this really could be an opportunity? To let Xue’er experience what it feels like to get along with "ordinary people"?
Risks certainly exist.
It needs continuous observation to ensure this Jiang Bai will not have a bad influence on Xue’er or be used by other forces.
After weighing it for a moment, Qian Daoliu made a decision.
He looked at Gold Crocodile Douluo and said in a deep voice: "Very well. Send a copy of the intelligence to Xue’er later. As for the rest... do not interfere for now, let nature take its course."
"Yes, Big Brother."
Gold Crocodile Douluo accepted the order, having no objections to Qian Daoliu’s decision.
He bowed respectfully to the Angel God statue again, then turned and walked out of the Enshrinement Hall with heavy steps to carry out the subsequent matters.
The hall returned to silence.
Qian Daoliu remained kneeling on the prayer mat, his gaze cast back toward the towering and holy Angel God statue before him.
The statue’s compassionate gaze seemed to cover the entire hall, and also covered the kneeling believer.
He slowly closed his eyes and put his hands together.
The statue was silent, the eternal lamp flickered.
...
Time passed, and a month slipped away quietly.
Jiang Bai’s life this past month was a simple three-point line: dormitory, classroom, and the practice spot in the back mountain.
At night, he would also enter a state of meditation, using it to replace most of his sleep.
He didn’t completely abstain from sleep; when his Spirit was truly exhausted to the point of affecting meditation efficiency, he would sleep.
This intensity of Cultivation, bordering on that of an ascetic monk, made his roommates Yan and Xie Yue go from initial surprise to gradually becoming dumbfounded, and even somewhat unable to understand.
That afternoon, Jiang Bai, as usual, prepared to head to the back mountain.
"Hey, I say Jiang Bai," Yan finally couldn’t hold it back and said to Jiang Bai.
"Do you have to be this intense? This month, I haven’t seen you stay in the dorm in the afternoon! You’re basically meditating at night too, are you not tired?"
His tone carried clear confusion, even a hint of "are you a masochist, you guy" meaning.
Jiang Bai stopped, turned around, his face showing no particular expression, and just answered calmly.
"What’s wrong with that? I just want to Breakthrough faster and become stronger."
"Become stronger?"
Yan seemed to have heard some interesting joke, scoffed, jumped off the bed, walked a few steps to Jiang Bai’s side, and carelessly draped his arm over Jiang Bai’s slightly thin shoulder.
Carrying a hint of disapproval.
"I’m telling you, Jiang Bai, you have to face reality. Your Spirit is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, the world’s number one support Tool Spirit, that’s correct, but you’re just a support!"
He deliberately emphasized the word "support".
"Support Spirit Masters need stable Soul Power supply, precise skill release, and reliable teammates. What’s the difference if you Cultivate a little faster or slower? Anyway, you don’t need to charge to the front during battle."
Yan continued his "high-minded theory".
"Besides, who doesn’t know the shackle of your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda? Level 79! This is a Spirit limitation, at most you’ll reach the Spirit Saint Realm!"
"No matter how fast you Cultivate now, if you get stuck at level 79 in the future, isn’t it all a waste of effort? Why force yourself so hard? Enjoy the academy life, isn’t it better to take it slow?"
Xie Yue, who was on the side, although still taciturn, raised his cold eyes to look at Jiang Bai at this moment and rarely chimed in.
"Indeed. Jiang Bai, we are roommates. If there is a battle in the future, Yan and I will protect you. The value of a Support Spirit Master lies in the team; there is no need to be so... obsessed with individual Cultivation speed."