The Pope's Hall, within the Martial Soul Hall, was the most sacred place aside from the Douluo Hall, the Offering Hall, and the Elders' Hall.
As the residence of the Pope of the Martial Soul Hall, it had always been heavily guarded, and no outsider could approach it.
But today, a strange man, with only 29th-level soul power,not yet at the Soul Master level,came to the Pope's Hall relying solely on an elder's token.
With a rumble, the door opened and then closed.
Inside the Pope's Hall, there was now another figure: tall and thin, with a stiff expression. This was none other than Yu Xiaogang from Shrek Academy.
Upon seeing Yu Xiaogang, Bibi Dong, seated on the throne, tensed for a moment, then relaxed, her gaze softening as she said:
"Xiaogang, long time no see!"
Yu Xiaogang nodded and replied:
"Your Holiness, long time no see."
Bibi Dong was momentarily stunned, then after a pause, spoke again, her voice calm:
"Elder Yu, you went so far as to use your token to see me. What is the purpose of this visit?"
Yu Xiaogang looked at Bibi Dong on the throne, dressed in a luxurious purple-gold robe, still as beautiful as ever. He silently apologized in his heart before speaking:
"My research has hit a bottleneck, so I came to seek guidance from Your Holiness. As for soul master talent, it is determined first by the martial soul, then by innate soul power. In addition, there is a special talent: twin martial souls.
"But twin martial souls are both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that if the first martial soul is cultivated to an extremely high level, the first spirit ring of the second martial soul can start at a ten-thousand-year spirit ring.
"However, cultivating two martial souls simultaneously often leads to attribute conflicts. Soon after adding spirit rings to the second martial soul, the soul master may explode and die.
"I want to know how this problem should be solved. Across the entire continent, if anyone can solve this puzzle, I believe it can only be Your Holiness."
Yu Xiaogang had come to see Bibi Dong for this matter. Seeing Wang Li and Dugu Yan's performance during the day made him anxious.
His disciple had extraordinary talent, possessing twin martial souls, which were extremely rare. Yet the talent was inferior to a mutated Blue Silver Grass with third-level innate soul power. Yu Xiaogang could not swallow this frustration.
At this, Bibi Dong sneered:
"So there are still things Elder Yu does not know. Given your deep research on martial souls, this should not be difficult for you."
Yu Xiaogang felt a sting in his heart and spoke desolately:
"I am after all just a 29th-level Great Soul Master. Even though I know millions of martial souls and thousands of spirit beasts, there is knowledge I still cannot reach."
Seeing Yu Xiaogang's melancholy, Bibi Dong finally softened:
"Elder Yu, you should know this: plant martial souls can absorb animal spirit rings, and animal martial souls can absorb plant spirit rings. There is no attribute conflict in this process.
"A 10th-level soul warrior cannot absorb a thousand-year spirit ring. Do you know why?"
A flash of insight ran through Yu Xiaogang's mind. He understood everything and blurted out:
"Body strength. Even the strength of a Title Douluo cannot withstand the addition of eighteen spirit rings. Beyond ten spirit rings, it is a realm beyond the reach of soul masters."
Approval flickered in Bibi Dong's eyes:
"As expected of the top master in theory. Beyond ten spirit rings is the Realm of the Gods. Soul masters are still human; they cannot touch that realm."
Yu Xiaogang's heart burned with excitement, and even his stiff face revealed an awkward smile:
"Today I have witnessed the truth. Thank you, Your Holiness!"
After speaking, Yu Xiaogang turned and left.
Bibi Dong opened her mouth but did not speak to stop him. Yet the hatred and pain in her heart, suppressed endlessly, grew ever more fierce, wanting to burn everything in the world.
…
Meanwhile, at Shrek Academy's residence:
Tang San knelt on the ground before a scruffy, disheveled man. Although tall, he looked like a beggar in every way.
Lowering his head, Tang San spoke with a mix of despair and excitement:
"Father!"
Tang Hao looked at Tang San, frowning deeply. He saw no traces of himself, no traces of A Yin. He saw despair, cowardice, lack of courage, lack of fighting spirit…
Could this really be his child?
Yet with his Hao Tian Hammer and A Yin's Blue Silver Grass,twin martial souls,there was no possibility of fraud.
In a deep voice, Tang Hao commanded:
"Stand up, like a man. How can you lose a match and lose all courage?"
Tang San immediately stood, but his weary expression remained. Deep down, he believed he was incapable. This could not be changed with a few words.
Tang Hao took a deep breath, frowning even more. With the mighty Hao Tian Hammer in his hands, his nature seemed weak, like the Blue Silver Grass. Yet the boy from earlier today had transformed into a strength-type soul master.
How had the master trained him?
He could not leave him here any longer, or he would be ruined. He had to help him regain courage and fighting spirit.
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang returned. Seeing Tang Hao, he was slightly shocked but quickly accepted it.
Tang Hao nodded and said in a low voice:
"Master, I am taking Xiao San. He needs special training."
Yu Xiaogang felt regretful but did not stop him. Instead, he said:
"The issue of spirit ring addition for the second martial soul in twin martial souls is due to body strength. Beyond ten spirit rings, it is the Realm of the Gods. Ordinary soul masters cannot surpass it."
A gleam appeared in Tang Hao's eyes. His impression of Yu Xiaogang improved; indeed, a master is a master,his theoretical research was unmatched.
Nodding in understanding, Tang Hao lifted Tang San and leapt into the air.
In midair, Tang San, seeing Tang Hao could fly, exclaimed excitedly:
"Father, let's go to the Star Dou Forest. Xiao Wu was captured by the Titan Ape. Her life is in danger. Father, please help me save her!"
Tang Hao glanced at him and said:
"Xiao Wu is the transformed form of a hundred-thousand-year-old Soft-Boned Rabbit. Returning to the Star Dou Forest is like going home. Are you still looking for her?"
Tang San was stunned, completely stunned, but finally nodded:
"I want to."
A look of relief appeared in Tang Hao's eyes. This was still his bloodline. As long as love is deep enough, it does not matter if the other is a plant or a rabbit. Men of the Tang family fear no worldly judgment.
Tang Hao said:
"I will help you regain your fighting spirit and courage. Stop practicing Blue Silver Grass for now. Focus on the Hao Tian Hammer. The chaotic cloak hammer technique I taught you: when you can strike all eighty-one times, your courage and fighting spirit will return. Then I will take you deep into the Star Dou Forest."
Tang San hesitated. Eighty-one strikes… could he do it?
As Tang Hao departed with Tang San, his aura could not be hidden. Bibi Dong quickly flew out of the hall, her gaze sharp and expression icy.
Yet in the end, all she could do was offer a bitter smile:
"Your disciple is Tang San. Tang San. Tang Hao. Twin martial souls. You are not at a bottleneck in martial soul research. You have hidden this from me so painfully, so painfully!"
In an instant, Yue Guan and Ghost Spirit arrived beside Bibi Dong:
"Your Holiness, it is Tang Hao's aura…"
Bibi Dong returned to her usual composure and commanded with authority:
"The sinner who killed my master, the previous Pope, Tang Hao, has dared to come to Martial Soul City. How audacious, utterly detestable!
"Spread my order across the continent: hunt Tang Hao. Report immediately upon sight. This man is my mortal enemy. I will personally kill him to avenge my master. No mistakes!"
Yue Guan and Ghost Spirit replied:
"Yes, Your Holiness!"
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