A few days later...
The carriage damaged during Bibi Dong's breakthrough to Title Douluo had already been repaired. After a long and exhausting journey, Bibi Dong's carriage finally arrived at Spirit City — the legendary fortress nestled between the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires.
At this moment, Ye Qifeng was also within the embrace of Yue Guan as they entered the grand city known across the continent.
As for why he was once again in Yue Guan's arms — naturally, it was to avoid suspicion.
During the journey, Bibi Dong and Ye Qifeng had spent every day together, and she had grown quite fond of the child. During her breakthrough to Title Douluo, the little one had unknowingly helped her in more ways than one. Though the effects seemed to wane after the breakthrough, the bond remained.
She had even thought about adopting him. But whenever she remembered that man...
She couldn't do it. Doing so would only bring harm upon Ye Qifeng.
Every time she recalled that despicable person, Bibi Dong's heart turned colder.
The closer she got to Spirit City, the more chaotic and frigid her emotions became. She hated this city — because he was here.
There was even a terrifying impulse stirring in her heart — the urge to destroy this city entirely.
But Bibi Dong knew she had much to do in the near future and couldn't afford to be distracted by caring for a child.
And so, before they reached Spirit City, she handed Ye Qifeng to Yue Guan with the instruction:
"Take him to the Wuhun Hall Orphanage."
"Yes, Your Holiness," Yue Guan accepted the command. Noticing the trace of reluctance in Bibi Dong's eyes, he added softly, "You can rest assured, Your Holiness. I'll make sure everything is arranged properly with the orphanage."
Soon enough, Yue Guan brought Ye Qifeng to the orphanage located in the western part of Spirit City — the Wuhun Hall Orphanage.
There, he met with the orphanage director, Li Qing, and after explaining the child's background, entrusted Ye Qifeng to their care.
With that done, Yue Guan departed directly for the Pope's Palace to report back.
Bibi Dong, however, did not go to the Pope's Palace.
She couldn't bear to see Qian Xunji — that vile, repulsive man.
Instead, she returned straight to her personal sanctuary: the Holy Maiden's Hall.
She was preparing to obtain the ninth soul ring for her first martial spirit, the Death Spider Emperor.
She had long planned the source of this final soul ring — a hundred-thousand-year-old Death Spider Emperor that dwelled in the Valley of Death.
Once she acquired the ninth ring for her first spirit, it would be time to begin gathering rings for her second martial spirit — the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor.
She had already found a solution to the backlash caused by conflicting twin spirits. She no longer needed to worry about danger when absorbing rings for her second spirit.
In fact, she had already decided — each ring for her second martial spirit would be at least 50,000 years in age. Anything less wouldn't suffice.
And if a hundred-thousand-year-old soul ring could be found — all the better.
Of course, those were rare and incredibly difficult to find. She wasn't in a rush. She would take her time.
Her plan was to gather soul rings over 50,000 years old for the first six rings, and search for hundred-thousand-year soul beasts for the last few.
One year later.
Ye Qifeng had already lived in the orphanage for a full year.
He had grown quite a bit — still adorably chubby and pink-cheeked — but now more mature and composed.
The orphanage's director and teachers were all very fond of him. He was quiet, obedient, and wise beyond his years.
He could walk within months of birth, and by age one, he was already speaking fluently and even learning how to read and write.
According to the orphanage's customs, children without names were usually assigned numbers and would only be officially named after their Martial Spirit awakening.
Ye Qifeng was initially referred to as "Number Seven," but he insisted on reclaiming his original name — Ye Qifeng.
His insistence astonished Director Li Qing and the staff. They thought him a prodigy — almost unnaturally clever.
Still, children in the Douluo Continent often developed intelligence early, so they chalked it up to a rare but possible case of early brilliance.
Today.
Ye Qifeng lay lazily on a lounge chair under the shade of a large tree in the orphanage yard, feeling rather bored.
In his hands was a book about Martial Spirits, borrowed from Director Li Qing, which he read with great interest.
The staff seemed particularly busy today.
From a young caretaker, he overheard that a new group of orphans would be arriving.
Unlike the other children who rushed over in curiosity, Ye Qifeng remained unmoved. He'd seen this happen many times over the past year.
Every month, a group would leave, and another would arrive.
However, babies like him — brought in just after birth — were rare. Most orphans were between the ages of one and five.
From Director Li Qing, Ye Qifeng had learned about the orphanage's background:
"The Douluo Continent is a cruel world — plagued by evil soul masters, violent clashes between soul masters, and the life-and-death struggle between soul beasts and humans. Every year, countless children lose their parents. The Wuhun Hall only has the resources to take in a fraction of them."
"The Wuhun Hall Orphanage was created to house those the Hall rescues and brings back to Spirit City."
"It is fully funded by the Wuhun Hall. Children are cared for until the age of six when they undergo their Martial Spirit Awakening. From there, the Hall assigns them their future paths."
"Those with soul master potential will be admitted to the Wuhun Academy to become part of the Hall's strategic reserve of talent."
"Those without such talent are still assigned jobs in subordinate organizations. They may not become soul masters, but at least they won't have to struggle to survive."
In this, the Wuhun Hall truly acted with compassion — saving many young lives and offering them hope and a future.
Director Li Qing often reminded the children:
"Be grateful. Without the Wuhun Hall, there would be no orphanage, no place to call home, and no chance at a future."
Soon, the new group of orphans arrived and were settled into the dormitory.
Orphanage housing was in shared rooms, though the space was generous. Once a child turned one, they received their own small bed.
Ye Qifeng had moved into the group dormitory a month ago after his first birthday.
His neighbors had all left after awakening their spirits at age six.
But when Ye Qifeng returned to his bed today, he saw new children occupying the nearby beds.
A timid little girl with soft pink-golden short hair sat beside his bed.
Two boys occupied the beds across from his — one with neatly kept black hair, sitting upright, and the other with wild red hair, lounging casually.
The girl looked around three years old, while the boys seemed closer to four.
All three wore plain linen clothes, having not yet changed into the orphanage's standard uniform.
As Ye Qifeng entered, three pairs of eyes turned toward him simultaneously.
"Hi there," he said cheerfully with a smile.
Seeing such a delicately adorable boy suddenly greet them with a childlike voice, the three were momentarily stunned — and simultaneously thought, So cute!
"Oh, hi! I'm Xie Yue. What's your name?" the black-haired boy was the first to respond.
"I'm Ye Qifeng. You can just call me Qifeng."
When Ye Qifeng heard the name, his eyes widened in surprise.
"So the red-haired one must be Yan, and the little girl... Hu Liena?"
His gaze shifted between the red-haired boy and the pink-haired girl.
"The future 'Golden Generation' of Wuhun Hall?"
His guess was quickly confirmed.
"That's Yan — my friend. And this is my sister, Hu Liena," Xie Yue said, following Ye Qifeng's gaze.
"Haha! Nice to meet you!" Yan sat up with a grin.
"Hello..." Hu Liena shyly tugged at her sleeve, her eyes full of curiosity despite her bashfulness.
And so, Ye Qifeng met the three future stars of Wuhun Hall for the first time.
From that day forward, the four of them lived and grew together — forming a close bond that would only deepen over time.