In the tea room, sandalwood smoke curled upward.
Aunt Qin's gaze was gentle yet profound, as if she could see through people's hearts. She didn't rush to speak, just quietly observed Lin Mo.
Lin Mo met her gaze calmly, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Please sit, Lin Mo." Aunt Qin's voice was as soft as spring rain, yet carried an undeniable authority.
Lin Mo sat on the cushion across from Aunt Qin as instructed.
"Yajing has told me everything. B-rank aptitude, and creating such phenomena with the elemental stone pillar on your first qi circulation—truly a rare martial arts prodigy." Aunt Qin smiled, personally pouring Lin Mo a cup of clear tea.
The tea was fragrant and pure, smooth on the palate, and actually made the elemental energy in Lin Mo's body more active.
"Hall Master, you're too kind. I was just lucky." Lin Mo said modestly.
"Luck is also part of strength." Aunt Qin neither agreed nor disagreed, then changed the subject. "I asked you here today not only to meet Jiang City's once-in-a-century genius, but also to ask about your plans for your future martial arts path."
Lin Mo's heart stirred. This seemed like... an evaluation?
He pondered for a moment and said earnestly, "I hope to keep growing stronger, explore higher realms of martial arts, and protect the people I care about."
His answer was simple and direct, but came from the heart.
Aunt Qin nodded, a flash of approval in her eyes.
Just then, the little girl Ling Ling, who had been sitting quietly beside Aunt Qin, suddenly spoke in a clear, childish voice: "Big brother, you have... light on you."
Light?
Lin Mo was slightly startled and reflexively looked at himself.
Both Aunt Qin and Qin Yajing showed surprise at her words.
"Ling Ling, what kind of light are you talking about?" Aunt Qin asked gently.
Ling Ling tilted her little head, seeming to struggle with finding the right words. "It's... very bright, very bright light. Brighter than... than Brother Wang Hao's light, just a little bit."
Wang Hao? He'd been here too?
Lin Mo had a flash of understanding. It seemed Prodigy Martial Hall hadn't only invited him.
Aunt Qin's gaze fell on Lin Mo again, with a hint of inquiry. "Lin Mo, Ling Ling is a special child. What she says often has... peculiar meanings. She says you have light on you, and that it's brighter than Wang Hao's—this is quite unexpected."
"Perhaps it's because I'm wearing particularly bright clothes today." Lin Mo joked.
Naturally, he wouldn't reveal his secrets about rebirth and the system.
But Ling Ling pouted in dissatisfaction. "That's not it! The light is inside big brother's body, all sparkly!"
Aunt Qin's eyes flashed, then she smiled. "Alright, Ling Ling, don't be naughty. Lin Mo, our Prodigy Martial Hall is interested in accepting a few registered disciples. Would you be interested?"
Registered disciples?
Lin Mo's heart stirred. Though only registered disciples, being able to access Prodigy Martial Hall's resources and receive Aunt Qin's guidance would absolutely be an incredible opportunity.
However, before he could respond, an unwelcome voice came from outside the tea room.
"Aunt Qin, Sister Yajing, I'm here to see Ling Ling!"
It was Wang Hao!
He'd actually come to Prodigy Martial Hall at this very moment!
Wang Hao strode into the tea room, and when he saw Lin Mo was also there, his expression shifted slightly, but he quickly resumed his arrogant demeanor.
"Well, well, Lin Mo, you're here too? What a coincidence." Wang Hao smiled without warmth.
Aunt Qin frowned slightly but didn't say much.
"Brother Wang Hao!" When Ling Ling saw Wang Hao, her face lit up with happiness. Clearly they'd met before and had a good relationship.
Wang Hao pulled out a beautifully wrapped box of candy from his pocket and handed it to Ling Ling. "Ling Ling, these are 'Starlight Glass Candies' I specially brought you from the capital. They're delicious."
"Wow! Thank you, Brother Wang Hao!" Ling Ling cheered, took the candy box, and eagerly opened it. She picked up a crystal-clear candy and popped it in her mouth, her little face showing pure satisfaction.
Wang Hao glanced smugly at Lin Mo, as if showing off.
Aunt Qin watched this scene with an imperceptible smile in her eyes and said to Lin Mo, "Lin Mo, our Prodigy Martial Hall selects disciples based not only on aptitude, but also on fate. Ling Ling has a special connection to our hall, and her preferences often represent our hall's will."
She paused, then continued, "Now that Wang Hao is here too, why don't we let Ling Ling choose between you two—whoever she favors more will become our Prodigy Martial Hall's registered disciple."
This method of testing...
Lin Mo couldn't help but think of the original story, where the protagonist Yang Cheng became a disciple of Cheng Junyi based on Tang Xingyu's preferences.
How similar!
Wang Hao's face broke into a confident smile. He'd already interacted with Ling Ling several times, bringing her various novel gifts each time, and was convinced he'd won her favor.
And Lin Mo was just arriving for the first time—what could he possibly compete with?
"Ling Ling, tell Aunt Qin, do you like Brother Wang Hao more, or this... Brother Lin Mo?" Wang Hao asked coaxingly, his voice full of confidence.
Ling Ling blinked her bright black eyes, looking at Wang Hao, then at Lin Mo, her little face showing internal conflict.
She licked the candy residue from the corner of her mouth and said quietly, "Brother Wang Hao's candy is really yummy... but..."
She pointed her little finger at Lin Mo. "Big brother's light... is prettier."
At these words, Wang Hao's smile froze instantly.
Aunt Qin and Qin Yajing also showed simultaneous surprise.
"The light... is prettier?" Wang Hao repeated in disbelief. What kind of reason was that?!
"Mm-hmm!" Ling Ling nodded vigorously, saying with certainty, "Big brother's light is warm and comfortable. Brother Wang Hao's light is bright too, but... it's a little blinding."
Lin Mo's heart stirred. Could these "Heavenly Fate Spirit Eyes" really see things ordinary people couldn't? Perhaps the "light" on him referred to the soul qualities brought by his rebirth, or the aura emanating from his "Innate Dao Body"?
"So, Ling Ling, what's your choice?" Aunt Qin asked with a smile.
Without hesitation, Ling Ling ran to Lin Mo's side, grabbed his hand, and looked up at Aunt Qin. "Aunt Qin, I choose Brother Lin Mo!"
Ding!
The system notification sounded in Lin Mo's mind.
[Congratulations, host has successfully gained initial recognition from "Heavenly Fate Spirit Eyes" bearer Ling Ling (favorability reached Friendly)!]
[Mission "A Meeting of Minds" completed!]
[Mission reward: Mental Strength Affinity Dew (small bottle) has been distributed. Use now?]
"No."
Lin Mo thought silently.
Wang Hao looked as if struck by lightning, his face pale, his body swaying as he nearly lost his balance.
He never imagined that all his careful preparation and flattery would lose to some inexplicable "prettier light"!
"Aunt Qin, this... this is too frivolous!" Wang Hao protested unwillingly.
"Frivolous?" Aunt Qin's smile gradually faded, and a powerful aura emanated from her, pressing down on Wang Hao until he could barely breathe. "When did the rules of my Prodigy Martial Hall become yours to question?"
Wang Hao immediately fell silent, not daring to say another word.
Aunt Qin turned to Lin Mo, her face resuming its gentle smile. "Lin Mo, congratulations. From today forward, you are a registered disciple of my Prodigy Martial Hall."