"In Spirit Hall, any child with an Innate Soul Power of Rank 9 or higher must ascend to the Pope Hall to meet the Pope before they are sent to the Spirit Hall Academy," Ling Yuan said casually.
"Two years ago, two boys arrived with Rank 9 Innate Soul Power. And just recently, a girl arrived who—like you—was born with Innate Full Soul Power. She has already been taken in as a personal disciple by Her Holiness."
Hearing Ling Yuan's words, Ling Xiao's heart skipped a beat, his mind racing.
Two boys with Rank 9 two years ago, and a girl with Innate Full Soul Power recently who became Bibi Dong's disciple?
This sounded exactly like the backstory for Hu Liena's group. The first two might not necessarily be Yan and Xie Yue, but the girl mentioned was undoubtedly Hu Liena. After all, Bibi Dong only ever had one disciple.
This means Hu Liena and I must have awakened our martial souls in the same year, she just arrived a bit earlier than I did.
The thought made Ling Xiao secretly elated.
Hu Liena was roughly four years older than Tang San, which meant Tang San was currently only two years old.
Although Tang Hao was likely nearby protecting him, making it impossible for Ling Xiao to interfere with Tang San yet, having a four-year head start in awakening was a massive advantage.
Based on his current trajectory, he would likely join the Golden Generation and become their comrade. Except this time, the "Golden Generation" would consist of four people.
I'll have my own group of genius companions, Ling Xiao thought with satisfaction.
In his view, aside from Tang San and Oscar, the talent of the other Shrek Seven Devils wasn't necessarily superior to Hu Liena's group—and even geniuses like Feng Xiaotian, Shui Bing'er, or Huo Wu might not be able to surpass them.
The only reason the Shrek Seven Devils could compete on the same stage despite being four or five years younger was that they consumed Immortal Herbs.
As a result, their soul power was artificially boosted in a short time, greatly accelerating their path to becoming Rank 40 Soul Ancestors.
Without those herbs, the Shrek Seven Devils wouldn't have even made it to the finals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.
As for their eventual victory, Ling Xiao attributed it to a combination of "plot armor" and the fact that Tang San's hidden weapons were far too unpredictable for the people of the Douluo Continent.
But this time, with him in the picture, things wouldn't necessarily go the same way. He understood the lethality of Tang San's hidden weapons better than anyone in this world.
Despite the storm of thoughts in his mind, Ling Xiao's expression remained calm.
Ling Yuan had no idea her simple comment had triggered such a deep analysis from the child. After a while, seeing that Ling Xiao had rested enough, she led him upward once more.
These long, white jade steps were no small challenge for Ling Xiao.
He had to stop and rest a total of four times before finally reaching the top near noon. As his foot landed on the final step and he stepped onto the vast plaza in front of the Pope Hall, he couldn't help but gasp.
"My god... finally finished. That nearly killed me."
Ling Yuan still looked perfectly composed.
To her, this climb was no more taxing than a casual stroll.
She looked at Ling Xiao and nodded.
"Not bad. Not long ago, that little girl rested five times to finish these steps; you did it in four. But don't get arrogant. Among the four of you, the one who took the least time and rested only three times was a boy with Rank 9 Innate Soul Power. Your physical constitution still needs work."
Ling Xiao didn't argue.
Resting one less time than a little girl was hardly something to brag about.
As for the one who only rested three times, it was likely Yan. His Flame Lord was a top-tier beast martial soul, and even without possessing it, the passive physical boost it provided would be superior to that of a tool martial soul user.
It was only natural for him to have a better result.
Ling Xiao looked up.
Directly ahead stood a magnificent, colossal palace built with a pillar-style structure. At the very top was a giant statue of a woman with flowing hair and open arms, as if embracing the entire world.
Her meticulously carved face radiated an aura of holiness and compassion.
That must be the Six-Winged Angel martial soul statue, Ling Xiao thought.
But why is it a female image, and where are the six wings?
He surveyed his surroundings.
The Pope Hall covered a staggering amount of ground; he guessed there must be many auxiliary halls inside. Surrounding the main hall were several other palace-like buildings, though none were as grand as the Pope Hall itself.
Soul Master guards were everywhere, and their cultivation and strength were undoubtedly higher than those at the foot of the mountain. What amazed Ling Xiao even more was looking out from the plaza toward the horizon.
It was a literal sea of clouds.
This mountain was so high that even the midpoint had pierced through the cloud layer, with several distant peaks poking out like islands in a white ocean.
It was a sight that inspired a sense of soaring ambition.
Ling Xiao couldn't help but whisper a line of poetry: "One day I shall climb the highest peak, to see all other mountains dwarfed below!"
While Ling Xiao was admiring the sea of clouds, inside a room in the back of the Pope Hall, Bibi Dong sat at a desk dressed in her majestic papal robes. She was flipping through a book when she suddenly sensed a small figure approaching.
A faint smile touched her lips, and her bored mood lightened.
"Nana, since you're here, come in."
As soon as she spoke, a young girl in a white dress pushed open the door and walked in.
The girl was striking, with orange-gold hair. Though she was still just a child, it was clear she would grow into an extraordinary beauty. Her white dress was embroidered with gold trim, giving her a regal air, and she radiated a naturally charming aura.
This was Hu Liena, who had arrived at Spirit Hall not long ago and had already obtained her first soul ring.
She stepped forward and bowed.
"Disciple greets Master."
"No need for such formality," Bibi Dong said gently.
"When it's just the two of us, you can relax."
Hu Liena stepped closer and asked, "Master, when... when can I go to study at the Spirit Hall Academy?"
"What, do you miss your brother?" Bibi Dong asked playfully.
"Mm. Nana hasn't seen her brother in two years. I really miss him." Hu Liena looked at Bibi Dong with clear, wide eyes.
To her, this Pope who had taken her in was like a mother.
Seeing the longing in Hu Liena's eyes, Bibi Dong reached out and stroked the girl's head. "Don't worry, it will be soon."
"Remember the boy I told you about a few days ago? The one who, like you, has Innate Full Soul Power? Once he arrives and obtains his first soul ring, the two of you will go to the Spirit Hall Academy together. Then, you'll see your brother."
"Then when will he get here?" Hu Liena asked impatiently, as if blaming the stranger for being slow.
"Soon, soon," Bibi Dong said.
Suddenly, she sensed something and heard a familiar voice from outside.
"Your Holiness, the person has arrived."
"Hehe, Nana, look," Bibi Dong chuckled softly.
"He's here. Why don't you go take a look at him first? I'll be out in a moment."