Yin Zhang and Su Yuntao exchanged glances. Su Yuntao looked somewhat restrained.
"Xiao Zhang, go on in. Her Majesty the Supreme Pontiff has been waiting for you," Su Yuntao whispered.
Yin Zhang nodded slightly, gently pushed the door open, and stepped inside.
Creak—
The moment he entered, Yin Zhang noticed Ma Xiunuo standing against the wall in a corner.
Just as he was about to greet him, Ma Xiunuo gave him a subtle look, signaling him not to speak.
Yin Zhang understood at once and turned his gaze toward the woman seated behind the desk.
His eyes lit up instantly.
This woman's presence and temperament were truly captivating.
Of course, Yin Zhang knew very well who she was—Bibi Dong. After only a brief glance, he quickly shifted his gaze to the two figures standing beside her: Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.
He immediately spoke respectfully.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Supreme Pontiff, and greetings to the two Elders."
Bibi Dong looked at Yin Zhang. The interest in her eyes and the faint curve of her lips revealed her current mood.
A few days ago in the Star Dou Great Forest, although the smaller Soft Bone Rabbit had managed to escape, she had still successfully filled her ninth spirit ring slot.
With a powerful Soul Skill and a spirit bone to show for it, her mood was naturally quite good.
Seeing Yin Zhang standing with his head lowered, calm and respectful, Bibi Dong let out a soft chuckle.
"Alright, stand normally. I'm not some man-eating beast."
But you are a giant spider…
Yin Zhang couldn't help muttering inwardly.
"Your appearance is decent," Bibi Dong said lightly. Her gaze lingered for a few seconds on the golden bead necklace around Yin Zhang's neck before she continued, "Introduce yourself."
"My name is Yin Zhang. I've lived in Holy Spirit Village since I was a child. I'm ten years old this year. My Martial Soul is Charizard, and my soul power is Rank 28."
Yin Zhang's calm and composed demeanor caused Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo to look at him with newfound respect.
"Mm, not bad at all."
Bibi Dong nodded slightly, though inwardly, waves were crashing through her heart.
She had been mentally prepared, but hearing it directly from Yin Zhang himself was still shocking.
"Release your Martial Soul and spirit rings. Let the two Elders and me take a good look."
"Martial Soul—Possession!"
Yin Zhang summoned his Martial Soul, and flames instantly surged through the room.
Crimson dragon horns emerged, enormous fleshy wings spread from his back, and dragon claws, a dragon tail, and dense dragon scales covered his entire body.
At this moment, Yin Zhang no longer looked human.
Beneath his feet, two spirit rings—one yellow and one purple—slowly rotated.
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo cried out in unison.
"A thousand-year second ring!"
"And that first spirit ring—its color is so deep. It must be close to a thousand years as well!"
The two exchanged glances, both seeing the same shock in each other's eyes.
Bibi Dong also rose from her seat, her expression solemn.
A thousand-year second ring, with a first ring nearly a thousand years old.
For a moment, suspicion flickered in her heart—but it vanished just as quickly.
Such an outstanding talent had to be firmly grasped by Spirit Hall.
"Yin Zhang," Bibi Dong said, her voice steady, "you are excellent—far more excellent than I expected. Are you willing to join Spirit Hall?"
Just as Yin Zhang was about to answer, a familiar prompt sounded in his mind.
[Detected that the host is facing a choice regarding joining Spirit Hall. Triggered options are as follows:]
[Option One: Values follow appearances. Joining Spirit Hall is nothing more than for its many beauties. Refuse resolutely and carve your own path. Reward: One rank of soul power.]
[Option Two: Spirit Hall is currently the optimal choice. Refusing now may lead to forced measures. Choose to join Spirit Hall and become a disciple of the Supreme Pontiff or an Enshrined Douluo. Reward: Spirit Ring Age Promotion Card (Five Hundred Years).]
[Option Three: Do not join Spirit Hall yet. There are still several years before graduating from Nuoding Academy. Decide after graduation. Reward: Spirit Theory Mastery.]
Yin Zhang quickly scanned the options.
The most valuable rewards were clearly the first and second choices.
One offered a rank of soul power; the other offered a five-hundred-year spirit ring age promotion card that could be used selectively.
There was no hesitation.
Joining Spirit Hall was exactly what he had planned from the beginning.
I choose the second option.
[Congratulations to the host for a successful selection. Reward: Spirit Ring Age Promotion Card (Five Hundred Years) has been stored in the warehouse. You may check personal attributes at any time.]
[Host]: Yin Zhang
[Age]: 10
[Martial Soul]: Charizard
[Soul Power]: 28
[Spirit Rings]: Yellow, Purple
[Spirit Abilities]: Dragon Claw, Double Team, Azure Flame Shield, Flamethrower, Fire Dragon Evasion Kill, Dragon Tail
[Spirit Bone]: None
[Warehouse]: Spirit Ring Age Promotion Card (Five Hundred Years)
"Reporting to Your Majesty the Supreme Pontiff," Yin Zhang said firmly, "I am willing!"
Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good."
"Do you have any other matters to attend to?" she continued. "If you wish to return to your village and inform your grandfather, one of the two Elders can escort you. Once you return, we'll head back to Spirit City together."
Go back to say goodbye to Grandpa Jack?
In Yin Zhang's mind, images flashed of being escorted back to the village by Chrysanthemum Douluo or Ghost Douluo—only to run straight into Tang Hao.
A fierce battle would erupt. Neither Elder would be able to withstand Tang Hao's explosive strength.
They'd either be smashed to death outright, or killed while desperately trying to escape with him.
After transmigrating for less than ten years, he'd be beaten to death before his life had even truly begun.
[Detected that the host is facing a choice regarding returning to the village. Triggered options are as follows:]
[Option One: Tang Hao is still in the village. Bringing Chrysanthemum Douluo or Ghost Douluo back now would be suicidal. Follow Bibi Dong to Spirit City, cultivate diligently, and return home in glory later. Reward: One rank of soul power.]
[Option Two: Tang Hao is still…]
Yin Zhang's eyes brightened.
So this was the power of a main character from the original story?
He'd only just met her, and two choice prompts had already been triggered.
Without hesitation, he chose the first option.
However, worried that an immediate breakthrough in soul power might attract suspicion, he asked silently,
System, can this one rank of soul power be stored in the warehouse like the spirit ring age promotion card?
[Affirmative. Congratulations to the host for a successful selection. Reward: One-Rank Soul Power Boost Card has been stored in the warehouse. You may check personal attributes at any time.]
Yin Zhang shook his head and replied to Bibi Dong,
"No, Your Majesty the Supreme Pontiff. I won't return. I'll follow you directly."
"Why?" Bibi Dong asked, slightly surprised.
From the information she had, Yin Zhang was very filial. Yet now he wasn't even willing to see the grandfather who raised him?
Yin Zhang explained calmly,
"Your Majesty, I'm worried that if Grandpa Jack and I meet again, I won't be able to bring myself to leave. I don't wish to delay your schedule, or that of the two Elders."
Only then did Bibi Dong nod in approval.
"Since you're unwilling to return, so be it. The two Elders and I will set off this afternoon. You may return to the academy once to settle your affairs, then come back here."
Yin Zhang nodded slightly.
"Understood, Your Majesty."