First Meeting Bibi Dong

Yuan Gang's defeat came as a great surprise to many present.

Because beforehand, many had believed that Yuan Gang was certain to win this battle. With his weakness exposed, Liu Xinghan would only be mercilessly defeated by Yuan Gang.

But who would have thought that Liu Xinghan actually had another martial soul.

The legendary Twin Martial Souls had appeared right before their eyes.

Defeated by Liu Xinghan, who possessed Twin Martial Souls, Yuan Gang's loss seemed only natural...

Yet most people did not know that Liu Xinghan's Sword of Blazing Fire was not a Twin Martial Soul.

There were several reasons why he had been able to defeat Yuan Gang so easily.

First, as an outstanding Rank 2 Soul Tool, the Sword of Blazing Fire's power was truly extraordinary.

Second, although Liu Xinghan possessed only Level 15 Soul Power, his Soul Power was exceptionally pure. It was no weaker than that of an ordinary Two-Ring Great Spirit Master and was enough to unleash the Sword of Blazing Fire's power.

Third, Liu Xinghan's physique was simply too strong.

He had first taken a Body Refining Pill, then soaked in a body-refining medicinal bath. His physical condition was incredibly formidable; both his strength and instantaneous explosive power were not the least bit inferior to those of an Assault Type Two-Ring Great Spirit Master in Martial Soul Possession.

This was also one of the reasons he had been able to swiftly pursue Yuan Gang and defeat him before Yuan Gang could react.

"Liu Xinghan wins."

The referee announced the result of the match.

At the same time, a figure appeared on the Battle Stage as if out of nowhere.

When the referee saw the newcomer, he immediately bowed. "Vice Dean."

Liu Xinghan looked toward the newcomer and was somewhat surprised as well.

He recognized him. This was the Vice Dean of Spirit Academy who had nearly captured his Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear when he had first arrived at Spirit Academy.

"Liu Xinghan, come with me." The Vice Dean looked at Liu Xinghan with an odd expression.

"Alright." Liu Xinghan nodded. He knew the other party had most likely come because of the Soul Tool he had just used.

Following the Vice Dean, he arrived at his office.

The Vice Dean looked at him and asked, "Liu Xinghan, that sword just now wasn't your martial soul, was it?"

Having witnessed the entire battle, he was extremely curious about what exactly that Sword of Blazing Fire was—a thing that resembled a martial soul, yet did not seem to be one.

Liu Xinghan nodded. "It really wasn't a martial soul."

The Vice Dean asked in confusion, "If it wasn't a martial soul, then what was it? As far as I know, ordinary weapons don't possess the special ability to channel Soul Power."

This was also why weapons were not popular on Douluo Continent.

Liu Xinghan hesitated for a moment before deciding to tell the truth. "Vice Dean, do you know about Soul Tools?"

The Vice Dean was momentarily stunned. "Storage Soul Tools? Of course I know them."

Liu Xinghan shook his head. "Not Storage Soul Tools. Attack Soul Tools."

"Attack Soul Tools?"

The Vice Dean frowned, then sharply inhaled.

The contents of an ancient book he had long forgotten gradually became clear in his mind.

On Douluo Continent ten thousand years ago, Soul Tools had not been like they were now, limited to Storage Soul Tools. Back then, Soul Tools came in all kinds of forms and possessed every sort of function, including attack, defense, and speed.

Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, the methods of making Soul Tools had gradually vanished into the passage of time.

No Soul Engineers capable of crafting Soul Tools had appeared on the continent since.

"You're saying that was an attack-type Soul Tool?" the Vice Dean asked in shock.

Liu Xinghan nodded. "More precisely, it is a close-combat Rank 2 Soul Tool called the Sword of Blazing Fire."

"Sword of Blazing Fire. What a fine name."

The Vice Dean muttered to himself. Then his eyes lit up, and he said eagerly, "Could you let me have a look at that sword? This is the first time in my life I've seen an attack-type Soul Tool."

Liu Xinghan nodded. "Of course."

As he spoke, he took the sword from his Storage Soul Tool and handed it to the Vice Dean.

The Vice Dean reached out and accepted it, holding it with an utterly fascinated expression as he examined it closely.

A moment later, he tried channeling Soul Power into it. Immediately, blazing flames erupted from the Sword of Blazing Fire, its power countless times greater than when Liu Xinghan wielded it.

After all, the Vice Dean was a Soul Douluo. His Soul Power was not something a mere One-Ring Spirit Master like Liu Xinghan could compare to.

It was like a car: only with a good engine would it have power and be able to run fast.

Soul Power was precisely the source of a Soul Tool's might.

Liu Xinghan glanced at it and was about to warn him when he suddenly heard a crack from the Sword of Blazing Fire. Cracks then appeared across its blade.

The Vice Dean came back to his senses and quickly withdrew his Soul Power.

"This..."

The Vice Dean stared blankly at the Sword of Blazing Fire, now covered in cracks, then looked at Liu Xinghan.

Liu Xinghan said speechlessly, "Vice Dean, you're an Eight-ring Soul Douluo. This Sword of Blazing Fire is only a Rank 2 Soul Tool; it can't withstand Soul Power at the Soul Douluo level."

By Liu Xinghan's estimation, to withstand the Soul Power of an expert at the Soul Douluo level without suffering damage, it would require at least a Rank 6 Soul Tool.

Of course, this was only a guess.

He was merely a humble Rank 2 Soul Tool Master for now. That realm was still far beyond him.

The Vice Dean became anxious. "Is there any way to salvage it? Such a precious Soul Tool was damaged by my carelessness. What a sin."

Seeing the apology on the Vice Dean's face, Liu Xinghan shook his head indifferently. "It's fine. Don't take it to heart. If it's a Soul Tool of this level, I can forge as many as I want."

The Vice Dean froze for a moment. Staring at Liu Xinghan, he asked in disbelief, "As many as you want? Liu Xinghan, are you saying that you can forge offensive Soul Tools?"

Liu Xinghan nodded modestly. "I know a little."

He did not deny it, because the Pope already intended to take him as a disciple and had informed the Vice Dean to arrange for him to participate in the Second Year Combat Test.

With that connection, he was not afraid that the Vice Dean would covet his Soul Tool techniques and do anything detrimental to him.

Upon hearing this, a look of wild joy immediately surfaced on the Vice Dean's aged face. He grabbed Liu Xinghan and said, "Come with me."

Liu Xinghan asked in confusion, "Vice Dean, where are we going?"

The Vice Dean said, "This matter is of great importance. Come with me at once to see His Holiness the Pope!"

"See the Pope!"

Liu Xinghan's heart stirred. Letting the Vice Dean pull him along, he hurried toward the Papal Palace.

So I'll finally get to meet Bibi Dong, the legendary Pope of Spirit Hall...

Along the way, the Vice Dean asked Liu Xinghan all sorts of questions about Soul Tools. He also asked where Liu Xinghan had learned this technology, which had long been lost on the continent.

Liu Xinghan only said that it had been taught to him by an expert. Through their conversation, he also learned the Vice Dean's name: Ouyang Zhuo.

The two arrived outside the Papal Palace.

Even as the Vice Dean of Spirit Academy, Ouyang Zhuo needed to announce his presence before seeing the Pope. Only after receiving a summons from Bibi Dong, the Pope, could he enter the Papal Palace.

"Quickly report to His Holiness the Pope that this old man has brought Liu Xinghan and seeks an audience on an urgent matter," Ouyang Zhuo said anxiously to the Golden Armored Guard protecting the gates of the Papal Palace.