Step Forward

The grand entrance of the Martial Spirit Hall's envoy was heralded by a subtle yet palpable shift in the atmosphere. Qing Chen stepped outside to find a majestic, gilded carriage parked at the elder's residence. From it emerged a man with an unmistakable air of grace and authority. Dressed in flowing robes adorned with golden chrysanthemum patterns, his aura exuded elegance and power. This was Yue Guan, the Chrysanthemum Douluo, one of the titled Douluos of the Martial Spirit Hall.

Yue Guan's gaze fell on Qing Chen, and his golden eyes glimmered with intrigue. There was something about this young man that was profoundly compelling. A faint smile played at Yue Guan's lips as he took a step forward, his presence both commanding and oddly warm.

"You must be Qing Chen," Yue Guan said, his voice like silk. "The elder's letter spoke highly of you, but I didn't expect… this."

The elder, standing nearby, beamed with pride. "Yes, Master Yue Guan. This is Qing Chen, a prodigy unlike any we've seen before."

Qing Chen inclined his head slightly, offering a polite greeting. "Greetings, Master Yue Guan."

Yue Guan chuckled softly. "Oh, drop the formalities. Someone as promising as you should call me Uncle Yue. No need to be distant."

Qing Chen raised an eyebrow, surprised by the warmth in Yue Guan's tone. "As you wish… Uncle Yue."

The titled Douluo's smile deepened. There was something magnetic about Qing Chen—his voice, his demeanor, his mere presence. Yue Guan found himself drawn not just to the boy's talent but to an allure that was almost otherworldly. He couldn't help but feel that this young man would one day shape the course of the Martial Spirit Hall.

As they boarded the carriage, Yue Guan turned to Qing Chen. "You know, the Pope herself, Bibi Dong, has taken a keen interest in you. It's not every day she sends someone like me to personally escort a young talent. She must see great potential in you."

Qing Chen's eyes lit up at the mention of Bibi Dong. "The Pope… interested in me?" He couldn't hide his curiosity. If Bibi Dong had her eyes on him, it meant his destiny was intertwined with the very top echelons of the Martial Spirit Hall. The thought sent a thrill through him.

Yue Guan nodded, a touch of amusement in his gaze. "Oh, yes. Bibi Dong rarely shows such interest in anyone. Consider it an honor. And if you play your cards right, you might just secure a place of great importance in her eyes—and her plans."

As the carriage rolled forward, Qing Chen's thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of a new tab in his system interface. A soft chime echoed in his mind, and a translucent screen unfolded before his eyes.

[New Feature Unlocked: Daily Missions]

Complete tasks each day to earn rewards that enhance your abilities, resources, and progress toward your goals.

[Today's Mission: Charm Your Way to a Heart]

Objective: Use your charisma to win someone's heart.

Reward: ??? (Depends on the number of people)

Qing Chen's lips curled into a sly smile. "Charm someone's heart, huh?" he murmured, his voice laced with amusement.

The system's monotonous voice chimed in. "Master, regarding the mission to charm someone heart it simply means to make the other person have a relationship score with you above 51. With that before you start your daily mission I would like to introduce you to the system latest update"

Relationship:

1 - 10: Hostile (dislike / despises)

11 - 20 : Wary (cautios about your motives)

21 - 30: Neutral (no particular feeling both positve ot negative)

31 - 40: Curios (Start to notice)

41 - 50: Friendly (trust in you)

51 - 60: Admirable (high admiration towards you)

61 - 70: Importance (view you as an important part of their life)

71 - 80: Devoted (emotionally attached, trust deeply and protective)

81 - 90: Romantic (deep emtional feeling and openly express their feelings)

91 - 100: Lovestruck (They would do anything for you, and their devotion to you knows no bounds)

'That's interesting' QIng Chen said in his mind

"Warning! Master, this relationship system applies only to female characters. Male characters will not be included in this list. To add a female character to the list, you must first meet them."

Upon hearing the system's warning, Qing Chen immediately dismissed the thought of using Yue Guan for his purposes. Since he had already met Yue Guan, he had initially planned to manipulate him for the mission, but now he realized that was no longer an option.

Now, Qing Chen's only viable choices were Bibi Dong or Hu Liena. Both were appealing in their own ways. He was certain that if he established a high relationship with Bibi Dong, Hu Liena would naturally follow suit. However, increasing his relationship with Bibi Dong to 51 was a challenge. His charisma wasn't as strong yet, as he only possessed the King Succubus bloodline without any soul rings, limiting the full extent of his powers.

Then there was the mission reward. The system mentioned that rewards would be based on the number of people he charmed. This meant he could charm multiple people, doubling the rewards.

With that in mind, Qing Chen asked the system for advice: "Should I charm both Bibi Dong and Hu Liena first, or should I acquire my first soul ring first?"

The system responded promptly: "Master, in my opinion, it is better to charm both of them first, then acquire your first soul ring. By doing so, you'll be able to obtain a stronger soul skill, as Bibi Dong has shown interest in you. This means she will likely provide you with the best quality soul ring."

After considering the system's explanation, Qing Chen nodded in agreement. He decided to focus on charming Bibi Dong and Hu Liena first. Once he succeeded in doing so, he would then proceed to acquire his first soul ring. More importantly, he planned on becoming Bibi Dong's disciple, which would undoubtedly help secure his place in her favor.