The Pope's Gaze

As Gu You explored the secrets of Soul Power with his two little companions.

In Spirit City, at the editorial office of Martial Soul Daily.

"This is way too strange. What does it mean that a Tool Martial Soul can increase its power through maintenance and oiling after being used? Is the person who submitted this really a Soul Master? How could they say something like that?"

A middle-aged man with disheveled hair and severe dark circles scratched his head, then threw the paper in his hand into the trash.

"Ha, Lao Zhang, what strange submission did you find this time?" Behind the middle-aged man, another young man holding a stack of papers asked.

Lao Zhang scratched his head, his expression verging on madness. "You have no idea what strange things I've read today. Frog Martial Soul Soul Skill Selection Suggestions, Flight Speed Statistics of Flying Soul Beasts, and Flying Methods in Storm Rift. Especially the last one. Flying in Storm Rift is practically suicide."

Lao Zhang finished ranting and, as if resigned to his fate, picked up the next stack of papers.

"Let's see... New Method of Soul Master Type Classification and Changes in Soul Master Team Tactics After the New Classification. Another submission from some daydreamer."

Lao Zhang shook his head and took a sip of strong tea. Although he did not want to read it, his professional ethics made him decide to skim through the article before throwing it away.

Three hours later, Lao Zhang suddenly stood up and hurried toward the editor-in-chief's office.

Without even knocking, Lao Zhang pushed open the door and said to the editor-in-chief, who was reviewing manuscripts, "Chief Editor, you have to read this! I dare say this article will definitely change the entire Soul Master world!"

The editor-in-chief looked up, placed the article in his hand on the desk, removed his glasses, and said, "Lao Zhang, don't be so anxious. Come over and tell me about it slowly."

Lao Zhang walked to the editor-in-chief's desk and sat down, then handed over the article he was holding.

"Chief Editor, I recommend making this article our front-page feature next month. All of its viewpoints are incredibly novel, and I believe they're feasible."

The editor-in-chief accepted the paper Lao Zhang handed him and saw the title: New Method of Soul Master Type Classification and Changes in Soul Master Team Tactics After the New Classification.

"Haha, that's quite an ambitious title. For Lao Zhang, who's been an editor for more than twenty years, to say it belongs on the front page... Now I really want to see what makes it so exceptional."

Another two hours passed. The editor-in-chief, immersed in the article, finally returned to his senses. He pinched the bridge of his nose and saw that Lao Zhang was still waiting for his reaction.

"You were right, Lao Zhang. This article really could change the Soul Master world. The author is Gu You?!"

The editor-in-chief removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes before putting them back on and carefully examining the signature. It really was the name Ghost Douluo had told him to immediately report to the Pope upon seeing.

"The location... Right, the location. Could it be there? Lao Zhang, where was this article sent from?"

Lao Zhang thought for a moment. "I think it was from the Heaven Dou Empire. Nuoding City. Yes, it was sent from the Spirit Hall in Nuoding City, within the Heaven Dou Empire."

After Lao Zhang finished speaking, he saw the editor-in-chief put the article into his Storage Soul Tool and hurriedly prepare to leave.

Before leaving, the editor-in-chief suddenly remembered something. He turned and said to Lao Zhang, "Lao Zhang, remember this: you didn't see this article today. You know nothing."

"But the front page..." Lao Zhang did not understand what was happening.

The editor-in-chief lowered his voice. "The people above want this article."

Hearing that, Lao Zhang immediately became serious and nodded solemnly.

When he saw Lao Zhang nod, the editor-in-chief hurried toward Martial Soul Mountain, intending to deliver the item in his hands to the Pope as quickly as possible.

Martial Soul Mountain, inside Pope's Palace.

Bibi Dong sat upright on her throne, listening to her subordinates report on the work of Spirit Halls in various regions. Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo stood on either side.

"Bring the hall master of Suotuo City back to Spirit City for trial. Have the vice hall master act in their place until the new hall master arrives. You may leave."

"Yes." After hearing Bibi Dong's arrangements, the subordinate immediately turned and left to relay the Pope's orders.

"Report." A guard in silver-white armor entered the main hall. "Your Holiness, the editor-in-chief of Martial Soul Daily is waiting outside. He says the item you instructed us to watch for has arrived."

Bibi Dong thought for a moment, recalling the letter from more than a month ago.

She waved her hand and said, "Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo stay. Everyone else, leave for now. Let him in."

"Yes." "Yes." "Yes."

Soon, only Bibi Dong and the two Title Douluo remained in the hall. The editor-in-chief of Martial Soul Daily entered quickly with his head lowered, carrying the stack of articles by Gu You.

When he reached five meters before the throne, the editor-in-chief dropped to his knees with a thud. He did not dare raise his head, instead lifting the articles high with both hands. "Your Holiness, the item you mentioned has arrived."

"Mm. Bring it up," Bibi Dong said indifferently.

"Yes." Ghost Douluo acknowledged her. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before the editor-in-chief, picked up the articles without even looking at them, and handed them to Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong glanced at the title, a trace of a smile appearing at the corner of her mouth. "Your target is quite ambitious. I just wonder whether your talent is enough to support it."

She then began reading. The editor-in-chief knelt there without daring to move. Even when sweat ran down his face, he did not dare wipe it away.

After finishing the article, Bibi Dong fell into thought for a while.

"Gui Mei."

"Yes."

"Take this to the leader of this year's Spirit Hall Team. Have him conduct experiments according to the ideas inside and submit a detailed report to me." As she spoke, Bibi Dong handed the articles to Ghost Douluo, Gui Mei. "Pay attention to confidentiality."

Ghost Douluo accepted them and replied, "Yes," before leaving the main hall.

"You're the editor-in-chief of Martial Soul Daily, right?"

Hearing Bibi Dong's voice, the editor-in-chief shuddered and hurriedly replied, "Yes, Your Holiness. What are your instructions?"

"You should have read it, right? What did you think?"

The editor-in-chief considered his words before deciding to speak honestly. "I believe this article could change the Soul Master world's understanding of the direction of Martial Soul development. It offers better criteria for choosing a development path. It also has great guiding significance for Soul Master team formation."

"Not bad." Bibi Dong gave the editor-in-chief an approving glance, though he did not see it at all because he did not dare raise his head. "Publish this article after the Martial Soul Tournament concludes next year. Do not reveal the address. Otherwise..."

Cold sweat poured down the editor-in-chief's back. Although Bibi Dong did not say it outright, he knew she was referring to the author's address. He could only lower his head and say, "Yes. I'll keep my subordinates in check and guarantee that it won't be leaked."

"Very good." Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction. "You may leave. Reward him with a thousand Gold Soul Coins."

Bibi Dong understood the value of combining kindness with authority. After frightening the man, she immediately gave him a little sweetness. The editor-in-chief left the hall, thanking her profusely, and went to collect his reward.

After the editor-in-chief left, Bibi Dong said, "Yue Guan, how is that child?"

"Everything is normal. Her cultivation is progressing very smoothly, and the effects of her Soul Skill suit her very well." Yue Guan answered with his head lowered.

"Take her to observe the team's training camp and let her read that article."

"Yes." Chrysanthemum Douluo lowered his head and acknowledged the order.

Is this chapter too padded? I feel like I didn't quite manage to handle this part. Please vote, bookmark, and cast a monthly ticket. Please, I'm begging you. (kneels)