Pope's Attention

The subsequent awakenings were few, though quite a few promising talents appeared, including one with Innate Soul Power at level 9.5.

Hu Liena's older brother, Xie Yue.

However, with Hu Liena's brilliance before them and Su Chen dominating the entire event, everyone had become somewhat numb. Even a once-in-a-century genius with Innate Soul Power at level 9.5 failed to stir much excitement in their hearts.

The later ones with level seven or eight fared even worse, with practically no one discussing them.

This left a certain red-haired youth even more indignant. Especially when he saw that a certain girl's gaze had never left Su Chen, his fists clenched even tighter.

When Su Chen came out, the crowd outside was still buzzing with discussion, talking about nothing more than him, Xie Yue, Hu Liena, and speculation about his martial soul.

Ignoring the burning gazes fixed upon him, he searched for something. Then, in the next instant, the youth frowned.

"Ah Chen is my, Su Xiao's, son. How could I not understand him?"

The middle-aged man with graying temples glared angrily at the people before him.

"Keep bragging. At your age, you're only a Soul King—how could you possibly have a son like that?"

Several people shot him disdainful looks. "Stop dreaming. He must be the son of some Elder Hall elder. If he were your son, I'd call you Dad too."

"Dad."

The white-haired youth who had pushed through the crowd glanced indifferently at the man. Ignoring the latter's face turning liver-colored, he gave a slight bow, his gaze softening as he looked at the middle-aged man.

At first, Su Chen had been somewhat resistant toward this adoptive father. After all, he had been an orphan in both lives. No one had ever cared for him so meticulously, giving everything for him.

Coming to Spirit Hall for his awakening had been something the middle-aged man before him had secured only after exhausting every possible effort, using his father's promise and his own chance at promotion in exchange. It was simply because he believed his son could astonish everyone, earn the higher-ups' favor, and receive a better education.

How much ridicule and abuse he had endured along the way was impossible to say. Yet whenever he faced the youth, he always wore a smiling expression.

To Su Chen, who had grown accustomed to maximizing benefits, this was a foolish thing to do.

Yet the person doing it had done it entirely for him.

How could that not move him?

The middle-aged man nodded excitedly.

They had traveled all the way from a border city, and Su Xiao had barely slept properly these past few days. Now that the martial soul had awakened, the huge weight in his heart had finally lifted. If not for his Soul King physique, he would have collapsed onto the ground already.

His son truly was a genius!

The first in the Su Family's generations to possess Innate Full Soul Power!!

Truly... truly...

The more Su Xiao thought about it, the more his nose stung and his eyes grew sore.

I can't cry. I can't embarrass my son. My son will become a Titled Douluo one day.

Seeing that Su Xiao had nearly reached the limits of his body and desperately needed rest and food, Su Chen could not be bothered to argue with that man.

The man also realized that he had made a fool of himself and slunk away with his companions.

Just as the two were about to leave under everyone's watchful eyes, a youthful, angry shout suddenly rang out.

"Su Chen, wait!!"

The red-haired youth aggressively blocked Su Chen's path, raising his fist and staring at him intently. "Hey, do you dare fight me?"

The sudden commotion drew the attention of the boys and girls who were steadily coming out, and they all turned curious looks in their direction.

The blonde girl hurried out. The moment she saw Su Chen, her beautiful eyes lit up. Just as she was about to say something to him, she saw the red-haired youth blocking his way. She immediately understood what was happening, her delicate brows knitting together as she said angrily, "Yan!!"

Then, with a slight headache, she turned and apologized, "Su... Su Chen, sorry. His mind may not be very clear today."

The white-haired youth nodded and continued walking.

He had known about Yan and Hu Liena's entanglement from the original story, and he understood why Yan had stopped him.

But Su Chen had no interest in involving himself in the disputes of these half-grown children.

"You coward, don't tell me you don't dare?"

However, Yan, consumed by anger, did not intend to let Su Chen leave just like that. Hu Liena's completely different attitude toward Su Chen made the jealousy in his heart blaze even hotter.

He gritted his teeth and blocked Su Chen again. "If you don't dare, then you...!"

The red-haired youth's words abruptly stopped.

At some point, a strange-looking "dagger" had already been pressed against his throat.

"You..."

Yan swallowed with difficulty. The icy metal and sharp sting raised a large patch of goosebumps along his neck.

His calves trembled slightly as he stared at the indifference within the white-haired youth's black eyes.

This guy has killed people. He's killed many people!!!

Yan had seen such eyes before. Soul masters who had returned from the battlefield in Spirit Hall had possessed such eyes as well.

But compared to Su Chen, they still retained emotional fluctuations that could be called "human."

The white-haired youth before him had none.

"Move."

Subconsciously stepping aside at Su Chen's words, Yan found the "dagger" at his throat vanish instantly. He gasped for breath, staring fearfully at the two figures' backs.

That guy...

Everything had happened too quickly. Before anyone could react, Su Chen had already walked far away.

No one had expected Su Chen to use a weapon without the slightest hesitation, nor did they understand when he had taken it out.

The boys and girls swallowed and exchanged looks.

Without even discussing it, they all made up their minds: they absolutely could not provoke Su Chen lightly.

Hu Liena stared blankly at Su Chen's retreating back, slowly drawing a breath before glaring angrily at Yan. "If you ever affect someone else over something like this again, we'll never be friends again!!"

"No, I..."

Yan tried to explain himself miserably, but Hu Liena gave him no chance at all. She turned and left.

Leaving behind only a dejected figure.

All of this was witnessed by several pairs of eyes and reported to someone.

"One with Innate Full Soul Power, two at level 9.5, and several above level seven. Truly remarkable."

A lazy yet cool voice echoed through the vast hall. The Awakening Elder and several others stood respectfully below, not daring to look at the peerlessly beautiful figure upon the platform.

"Congratulations, Your Holiness the Pope. Over the next ten years, these children will surely become the backbone of Spirit Hall. Whether Su Chen, Xie Yue, Hu Liena, or Yan, all are exceptional seedlings with outstanding talent."

"Su Chen in particular not only possesses Innate Full Soul Power, but also a peculiar martial soul capable of exerting a slight abnormal suppression on our Soul Power. If properly nurtured, his future achievements may perhaps..."

After considering it, the Awakening Elder stated firmly, "At the very least, his achievements will not fall below those of the Worship Hall's offerings!"

"Hmph, his talent is decent, but his heart is far too ruthless. It was merely a verbal dispute, yet he threatened another's life. So eager to fight and so ruthless—his future achievements likely will not be very great."

Someone spoke in opposition. He had a favorable impression of Yan, so naturally, his impression of Su Chen was somewhat poor.

"That is not true. The world of soul masters has always been one where the weak are prey to the strong. It is no children's game. Those who hesitate and waver have long since died. I rather like this child's personality."

"No, no. I think that little girl is quite good, as is Xie Yue."

The people in the hall began arguing.

"Enough."

But in the next second, that cool and lazy voice rang out. Two words instantly drowned out every other sound.

A powerful aura suppressed the entire hall. Everyone fell silent as if chilled, their hearts surging like turbulent waves.

They had not expected His Holiness the Pope's strength to have increased again.

How old was she...

"Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, one week from now, take these little geniuses to Star Dou Forest. The rest of you may leave as well."

"We obey the Pope's command."

Soft and ethereal voices answered.

Once everyone had departed, only that peerlessly beautiful figure remained within the empty hall.

"Su Chen..."

Slender jade fingers tapped upon a portrait, lightly tracing an arc as her beautiful eyes met the black eyes beneath white hair.

"How interesting."