Facing the Pontiff and Receiving a Reward

Compared to Spirit City, where ordinary citizens lived on the outskirts, the Pontiff's Palace at the heart of Spirit Hall was even more magnificent and sacred.

A towering statue of the Six-Winged Angel stood before the main gates of the Pontiff's Palace. Even after a thousand years, time had left no mottled traces upon the holy statue. Its graceful female figure and righteous expression remained lifelike.

Under Bibi Dong's introduction, Ye Wen soon met the master of this city.

The current Angel Douluo, Qian Xunji, a Level 95 Super Douluo.

After a Titled Douluo reached Level 95, every further level became exceptionally difficult to advance.

It mainly depended on one's comprehension of one's own Martial Soul.

Even with Spirit Hall's vast resources, this Pontiff remained stuck at Level 95 without progress. No wonder so many netizens in later generations mocked Qian Xunji as trash. Otherwise, he would not have coveted Bibi Dong's talent and wanted her to bear him children.

But as the saying went, the plot demanded it. Who really knew what this man, reduced to background material in the story, had truly been thinking?

At the very least, in Ye Wen's eyes, Qian Xunji did have a handsome face. His gentle smile and short golden hair made him seem especially approachable.

If Ye Wen had not known that Qian Xunji would later do something like the Chamber Douluo incident, his impression of him might have remained that of a harmless Pontiff.

"So you are Ye Wen. Just as Dong'er said, you are indeed a talented young man. I never expected someone so young to come up with such a theory," Qian Xunji said gently.

Though he disliked kneeling, the other man was, after all, the foremost Pontiff on the continent. A true man knew when to yield and when to stand tall, so Ye Wen dropped to one knee and saluted him.

"Your Holiness flatters me. The fact that this theory could come to light was mainly due to luck," Ye Wen said modestly.

Qian Xunji had no intention of making things difficult for such a humble Ye Wen. Instead, he spoke softly.

"Hehe, rise. Luck is also a kind of strength. May I see the complete theory?"

"Of course."

Ye Wen then took out the three booklets he had long since bound and handed them to Bibi Dong, who passed them on to Qian Xunji.

Qian Xunji accepted Ye Wen's works and opened them, letting out a surprised sound. Written on the three booklets were:

"The Path of a Soul Ancestor," "Detailed Explanation of Martial Souls," and "Treatise on the Origin of Martial Souls."

Wasn't there supposed to be only the Soul Ring absorption theory? Why were there three books? Without showing it, Qian Xunji glanced at Bibi Dong. Bibi Dong merely shook her head, indicating that she did not know either.

Judging by the thickness of the three works, there was certainly a great deal of content within them, so Qian Xunji directly asked Ye Wen.

"Young friend, could you explain the contents of these three books to me?"

Having long prepared for this, Ye Wen immediately replied, "In reply to Your Holiness, these three books are the result of my years of painstaking research into Martial Souls. The Soul Ring absorption theory is merely one part of them, and I have included it in The Path of a Soul Ancestor. It contains my insights from cultivating all the way to the Soul Ancestor realm, as well as a detailed explanation of the Soul Ring absorption theory.

"As for Treatise on the Origin of Martial Souls and Detailed Explanation of Martial Souls, they are compilations based on my deeper understanding of Martial Souls themselves.

"They include classifications of Martial Soul types and grades, as well as the special reactions that occur to Martial Souls after obtaining Soul Rings. Their main purpose is to help Soul Masters better understand their own Martial Souls and thus aid their cultivation."

As he listened to Ye Wen's lengthy explanation, Qian Xunji began flipping through the works in his hands. The light in his eyes grew ever brighter. Much of the content was common knowledge, but after Ye Wen's systematic summaries, many previously obscure issues became easily resolved.

"Brilliant," Qian Xunji praised. "As expected of a genius capable of solving such a difficult problem as determining Soul Ring absorption limits.

"The Martial Soul classifications you describe are indeed incisive. Simply dividing Martial Souls into Tool Martial Souls and Beast Martial Souls is far too crude. Take the Angel Martial Soul inherited by Spirit Hall, for example. How could it possibly be mentioned in the same breath as beasts? The ultimate god-grade Martial Souls you describe are truly marvelous.

"And with such a systematic classification, not only can Soul Masters understand how their Martial Souls should be cultivated, it also solves the major problems encountered at crucial moments in cultivation.

"May Spirit Hall keep these three works of yours? You may name any request you have."

After showering him with praise, Qian Xunji finally revealed his true intentions. Indeed, the value of these three works far exceeded Ye Wen's expectations. Especially for lower-level Soul Masters, Qian Xunji could not wait to use the methods within to train Spirit Hall's grassroots personnel.

Ye Wen bowed slightly. "Your Holiness, I seek nothing else in coming to Spirit Hall. I merely hope that, through your hand, these three theories of mine can spread throughout the continent, allowing commoner Soul Masters at the bottom to cultivate more effectively and avoid dying in cultivation because of ignorance."

Hearing Ye Wen's words, Qian Xunji, who had been immersed in joy, looked seriously at the commoner-born Soul Master before him.

"Do you understand the consequences of saying that?!"

Ye Wen calmly met Qian Xunji's gaze. "Naturally, but I do not regret it. I come from humble origins, so I understand the hardships lower-level Soul Masters face in cultivation.

"Moreover, my talent is limited as well. When I awakened my Martial Soul, my Innate Soul Power was only Level 4. The cultivation I possess today is entirely due to fortunate coincidences.

"But I know there are many Soul Masters among the common people who are more talented than I am. Yet with my own strength, finding and nurturing them would be nothing but a fantasy. Therefore, I hope these books can help them better clear the path toward becoming strong.

"And I believe that Spirit Hall, which has always taken the protection of commoner Soul Masters as its duty, will support my approach."

"If you contributed these theories solely to Spirit Hall, then with the nurturing of Spirit Hall's heavenly treasures, you might even reach the realm of Soul Saint. Do you not want that?"

"I do." Ye Wen nodded solemnly before continuing, "But I want more. I want my name to endure through the ages, never to die.

"Even if I become a Soul Saint, after a hundred years I will still be nothing more than a handful of dirt. But so long as these three theories of mine continue to be passed down, my name will forever be remembered in the history of Soul Masters, achieving another kind of immortality. What I seek is not fame for one lifetime, but fame for ten thousand—lifetimes!"

Qian Xunji stared at Ye Wen with blazing eyes, marveling inwardly.

As a member of a family that had produced a god, he naturally knew how difficult it was to become one. Yet this little fellow with only four Soul Rings wanted to achieve immortality in this manner. In a sense, he had stumbled upon the right path. Qian Xunji could only marvel at the brilliance of his ideas.

Unfortunately, he would never reach the Titled Douluo realm in his life, much less become a god. That was a field only Limit Douluo were qualified to touch.

For an instant, Qian Xunji even wanted to seize the naming rights to these three works. But he soon dismissed the thought. As a descendant of a god, he possessed the pride of one.

Meanwhile, Ye Wen was watching Qian Xunji closely as well. If Qian Xunji showed any ill intent, Ye Wen would not mind giving him a Space Shockwave and taking him hostage.

The reason he had exposed such thoughts was because Ye Wen wanted to establish a persona: that of an arrogant scholar. Only with such a persona would it be easier to make his next request.

"Hehe." A gentle smile hung on Qian Xunji's lips.

"Not seeking to contend for one lifetime, but contending for ten thousand lifetimes. It has been many years since I last saw a young man like you.

"There is no problem with helping you spread these three theories across the continent. But you have made such a contribution for commoners. To leave merit unrewarded would also violate Spirit Hall's principles.

"Speak, boy. I can grant you one wish within my power."

It worked. Ye Wen relaxed.

Coming to Spirit Hall for help in order to raise his status had always been a risky move, but it was also the quickest way to see results. After all, Spirit Hall's status on the continent was second to none.

His high-profile promotion of his theories at the hotel had also been premeditated.

Only by exposing them in public like this could he prevent Spirit Hall from swallowing the fruits of his labor.

And if his theories were truly swallowed under such circumstances, the other two great empires would not mind smearing Spirit Hall. Accusations such as monopolizing a commoner Soul Master's theories would surely be hurled at them like a typhoon. After all, Spirit Hall had only recently disgusted them with the human trafficking incident.

Yet Ye Wen remained calm on the surface, wearing an expression of deep contemplation.

Bibi Dong, standing nearby, looked at Ye Wen with undisguised affection. A young girl in love, she was a top-tier genius who had found no one among her peers capable of matching her. But toward a top-tier genius like Ye Wen, the pure and untouched girl truly felt her heart stir.

After some time, Ye Wen seemed to have finally made up his mind. He then spoke solemnly.

"May I ask Your Holiness to discuss with the two great empires the possibility of granting me a plot of land near the sea at the border between them, so that I may establish a neutral advanced Soul Master Academy? And ensure that neither empire wages war within the grounds of my academy.

"I wish to continue my Martial Soul research there.

"However, I imagine the two great empires will not easily yield on matters of territory. Therefore, I can promise that any improved theories I develop in the future will be made public without reservation to every force on the continent."

Hearing this request, Qian Xunji raised a brow. He had considered that Ye Wen might ask for heavenly treasures to improve his aptitude, or perhaps vast wealth. He had never expected Ye Wen to want to establish a neutral advanced Soul Master Academy.

But recalling Ye Wen's words about not contending for one lifetime but contending for ten thousand lifetimes, Qian Xunji understood. At such a young age, he was full of drive. It made sense that he wanted to research more theories beneficial to Soul Masters and leave his name in history.

Still, Ye Wen's added condition made Qian Xunji feel somewhat as if Ye Wen looked down on the authority of the Pontiff. Could he not secure a tiny plot of land on the border of the two great empires?!

To display the dignity of a Pontiff, Qian Xunji straightened himself and spoke solemnly.

"A mere plot of land is naturally something I can secure for you. Besides that, do you have any specific requirements for the land?"

"Preferably near the western sea."

It would make escaping easier if trouble arose later. Sea God Island lay in the southwestern seas of the Douluo Continent.

"That can be arranged. Return and await news. Once I have reached an agreement with the two great empires, I will notify you. For now, remain in Spirit City. You may leave. Dong'er, see our guest out."