In the southwest of the Heaven Dou Empire, a massive carriage sped along the main road leading directly from Balak City to Spirit City.
This broad highway was exceptionally smooth, and the carriage itself was a high-grade model integrated with special shock-absorbing structures. Even at high speeds, the ride remained incredibly steady.
Su Yuntao focused on driving, a smile tugging at his lips whenever he heard the conversation and laughter drifting from the cabin behind him.
They had been on the road from Balak City for some time now; in another ten days or so, they would finally arrive at Spirit City.
Inside the carriage, Ling Xiao lay on a sofa and slowly opened his eyes. He had unintentionally drifted off into a nap. He had to admit, the cabin was exceptionally stable, without the slightest hint of jolting.
It seemed life on the Douluo Continent wasn't as primitive as he had initially thought.
While the existence of Soul Masters restricted the development of society and technology, the human instinct to pursue comfort and convenience remained the same, even in a world governed by powerful individual strength.
After all, while many Soul Masters possessed the ability to fly or move at incredible speeds, most wouldn't rely solely on their own power for long-distance travel unless time was of the essence.
Looking at the boy who had just woken up, Ralph chuckled softly, watching him with the warmth one might show their own grandchild.
"Child, why don't you release your Martial Soul and let this old man have a look?"
Ling Xiao didn't refuse.
He nodded in agreement immediately.
Although his mind was mature and he couldn't truly be viewed as a mere child, this was a fantasy world vastly different from his previous life. Everything was fresh and new to him.
At this moment, he felt like a kid who had just received a new toy, eager to show off his new possession to others.
Ling Xiao extended his right hand.
Dark red light swirled and flickered before a bronze battle axe—massive relative to Ling Xiao's small frame—manifested in a flash of light.
Prepared this time, Ling Xiao gripped the handle tightly with his right arm to steady it, while his left hand supported the broad face of the axe, holding the Martial Soul horizontally for Ralph to inspect.
"So this is your Martial Soul!" Ralph's pupils constricted.
He was shocked by the sheer sense of power radiating from the weapon. Although it was Su Yuntao who had presided over the awakening ceremony, Ralph was technically the first person of high caliber to see the Martial Soul in its full glory.
More importantly, Ralph was powerful and experienced; based on everything he had seen and heard in the world of Soul Masters, he was certain that this boy's Martial Soul was extraordinarily formidable.
It was likely a soul that had never appeared on the Douluo Continent before—at least, he had never heard of it. The moment it was released, it exuded an aura of raw strength and a sharp, piercing edge that left him shaken.
To manifest such a unique presence without even having a Soul Ring attached meant it was at least a top-tier Martial Soul.
Countless thoughts raced through Ralph's mind.
He suppressed his shock and eventually uttered a single sentence: "As expected of Innate Full Soul Power. What a magnificent Martial Soul!"
It was a statement filled with both gratification and awe.
Hearing Ralph's praise, Ling Xiao beamed, his lips curling into a smile like a child receiving a compliment. He truly enjoyed hearing people evaluate his Martial Soul; to him, it was a form of validation.
He hadn't yet received formal training from Spirit Hall, and he had no powerful relatives or friends in this world. Aside from this axe and his Innate Full Soul Power, he truly had nothing else to bolster his confidence.
Full of interest and curiosity regarding the path of a Soul Master, Ling Xiao decided to probe further. While he had a decent understanding of this world from the novels of his past life, he was now living in it, and there were bound to be things he didn't know.
He wasn't arrogant enough to think he understood everything.
Looking at Ralph, he asked, "Grandpa Ralph, could you tell me about some of the powerful Martial Souls and Soul Beasts on the Douluo Continent? I'm very curious about them."
"Haha."
Ralph stroked his white beard, his gaze full of affection.
The scene felt like a grandson pestering his grandfather for stories.
Ling Xiao had great talent and a solid temperament; moreover, he was an orphan raised in the branch hall under Ralph's jurisdiction, making the old man feel a natural kinship with him.
"Speaking of powerful Martial Souls, one must mention the inherited souls of the Seven Sects. Every one of them is incredibly potent."
Ralph began his tale, covering everything from the Seven Sects to the powerhouses of Spirit Hall, as well as the hidden clans and rogue experts he knew of.
As evening fell, while Ralph spoke of famous souls and beasts, Spirit City—located at the border of the two great empires—remained brightly lit. Many people moved in and out of the city gates, and notably, every single one of them was a Soul Master.
Spirit City was a unique place.
Wholly ruled by Spirit Hall, the city guards were comprised entirely of Spirit Hall personnel, and a vast number of both high and low-ranking Soul Masters resided there.
While non-members were not forbidden from living there, only Soul Masters of Soul Grandmaster rank (Rank 20) or higher could apply for residency.
Aside from the commoners who provided basic services and the families of members, the vast majority of the population were Soul Masters.
It was a world belonging to Soul Masters.
Because so many Soul Masters gathered there, Spirit City had become a sacred land for the continent's practitioners—a place that neither the Heaven Dou nor Star Luo Empires could control.
On a towering mountain in the center of Spirit City, a massive complex of palaces sat nestled halfway up the slope.
At the heart of this complex stood a palace so magnificent and grand that it eclipsed all others: the core of Spirit Hall's power, the Pope's Hall.
Inside the hall, several Bishops and high-ranking officials stood below the dais.
Pope Bibi Dong sat upon the highest throne, presiding over a discussion.
Suddenly, a Temple Knight clad in silver plate armor entered. The strong fluctuations of soul power coming from him indicated he was a Soul King of at least Rank 50.
He did not venture deep into the hall; instead, he knelt on one knee near the entrance and said respectfully, "Reporting to Her Holiness the Pope, an urgent letter has arrived from the Main Hall of Balak City."
"Oh? Open it."
Bibi Dong was somewhat surprised.
Had something unexpected happened in Balak City? Using an urgent letter meant that something of extreme importance must have occurred.
At the Pope's gesture, a Bishop standing at the back of the group walked over to the guard, took the letter, and opened it.
A smile quickly spread across his face as he read.
Seeing the Bishop smile so broadly, the others realized it wasn't bad news and felt a sense of relief. They had dealt with quite a few frustrations lately and were in no mood for more trouble.
"Reporting to Her Holiness the Pope! Bishop Ralph of Balak City writes that among the orphans taken in by the branch hall, a youth has awakened with Innate Full Soul Power!"