Papal Palace, Qian Xunji

"Senior Yue Guan, have you heard of Whale Rubber?"

"Hmm, naturally. It's the stuff those nobles use to enhance their performance in bed. Why are you asking about it, boy?"

"Could it be..."

Yue Guan stared at Gu Han suspiciously, secretly puzzled. He looked like an upright gentleman, yet he turned out to be that kind of person.

Sigh, the morals of the world are declining, and people's hearts are no longer what they used to be...

"Uh, Senior, you've misunderstood."

Seeing Yue Guan staring at him with that look, Gu Han realized that he had been misunderstood. He quickly waved his hands and explained, "I discovered another use for Whale Rubber."

"Oh? What use?"

Yue Guan immediately became interested. On the way here, he had heard that this child liked to spend his time in the library, and that his understanding of Martial Soul theory surpassed that of many academy teachers.

Now that he heard Gu Han say that Whale Rubber had another use, his curiosity was immediately piqued.

"By sheer coincidence, I discovered that Whale Rubber can improve a Spirit Master's physique, allowing them to absorb Spirit Rings with higher age limits. It can also enhance a Spirit Master's talent. Although the effect is extremely slight, it does genuinely exist."

"The reason I was able to reach Level 23 at 12 Years Old despite having only Innate Level 5 Soul Power was partly thanks to Whale Rubber."

"Oh? Such a thing actually exists?"

Yue Guan raised his eyebrows and immediately grew serious. Staring at Gu Han, he asked, "Who else have you told about this besides me?"

Gu Han smiled. "Senior, naturally, I'm the only one who knows about this."

"Then why are you telling me?"

"Because I want to use this secret to obtain more resources for myself."

Gu Han did not hold back at all and laid everything out plainly. That way, he could avoid wasting time on pointless talk.

"Interesting. You're quite honest, boy. I like that."

Yue Guan nodded when he heard this. The boy was straightforward, and he had not doubted Gu Han's words.

Before coming here, His Holiness the Pope had no intention of meeting Gu Han personally. He had merely ordered Yue Guan to bring the child back to Spirit City and send him to Martial Soul Academy.

Gu Han had probably realized that, as a mere genius, he was not yet qualified for a personal audience with His Holiness the Pope.

So he intended to use Yue Guan's mouth to tell the Pope about this matter.

"All right. You've tested this Whale Rubber yourself, so I assume there won't be any problems. I won't ask how you plan to use it. I'll take you directly to meet His Holiness the Pope. You can tell him yourself."

"Thank you, Senior Yue Guan."

Gu Han was somewhat surprised, but he still pretended to be delighted and offered his thanks.

Because Dragon City was located in a remote region, the two of them spent a full three days traveling before successfully returning to Spirit City.

"Boy, don't be nervous when you meet His Holiness the Pope later. And don't forget the basic etiquette I taught you on the way."

As they walked toward the Papal Palace, Yue Guan still reminded Gu Han once more. He was afraid that the young man, carried away by youthful pride, would offend His Holiness the Pope. If that happened, Yue Guan would not be able to protect him.

"Thank you for your concern, Senior. I understand."

Gu Han nodded. Naturally, he would not act like the Shrek Seven Devils in the original story and make a special case of himself. Those fellows had the protagonist's halo, along with Bibi Dong's lingering feelings for Yu Xiaogang, which was why they had escaped disaster.

Besides, the person he was meeting this time was not Bibi Dong, but Qian Xunji. Who knew what kind of personality the man had? If Gu Han, a mere child, offended him with his arrogance, he might be slapped to death.

He was a genius, yes, but he was not yet a powerhouse.

Only the strong had the right to be arrogant. If a genius who had yet to mature acted arrogantly before one who had already matured, he would merely be courting death.

He still had to show the respect that was due.

Spirit City consisted of six thick city walls, forming a massive city. Each wall bore a powerful Martial Soul.

Inside the city stood two towering and luxurious palaces at its very center.

They were the Papal Palace and Douluo Hall.

As for the Worship Hall and Hall of Elders, they were located far behind the Papal Palace. Ordinary people could neither see nor reach them.

There was no need to say much about the Papal Palace. It was where successive Popes governed.

Douluo Hall, meanwhile, was the most sacred place on the continent, where the memorial tablets of successive Titled Douluo were enshrined. Even the Pope could not enter Douluo Hall before his death.

It was universally recognized by all Spirit Masters on the continent as a holy land. In their hearts, it held an even higher status than the Papal Palace.

The Papal Palace was the most magnificent building on the continent. Just standing before it was enough to evoke a deep sense of shock.

The Papal Palace stood atop ninety-nine steps. Directly before the main hall was a statue of an angel—the Six-Winged Angel, the most symbolic representation of Spirit Hall.

Yue Guan pushed open the doors of the Papal Palace and respectfully walked inside with Gu Han.

At the very top of the hall, a handsome, golden-haired man sat lazily yet imposingly upon the Papal Throne. He lowered his gaze slightly toward the two people below but did not speak first.

"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope."

Gu Han followed Yue Guan, placing one hand over his chest and kneeling on one knee.

"Mm. There's no need for such formalities."

Qian Xunji's voice seemed to carry its own resonance, giving others a natural sense of oppression.

"Thank you, Your Holiness the Pope."

Only then did the two of them stand up.

"Yue Guan, this child must be the one you were supposed to bring here. Didn't I tell you to enroll him?"

"What brings you to my Papal Palace?"

Qian Xunji stood Up, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked down the steps. His golden eyes fixed on Gu Han, making every hair on Gu Han's body stand on end.

Yue Guan did not dare meet his gaze. Keeping his head lowered, he repeated everything Gu Han had told him.

"Oh? Interesting. I didn't expect you to have such an ability, boy."

Qian Xunji raised his brows slightly. He placed a hand on Gu Han's shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Mm. Your physique is indeed stronger than that of an ordinary Soul Grandmaster. You even possess the physique of a high-level Soul Elder. Not bad. You weren't lying."

"Thank you for your praise, Your Holiness the Pope. I was merely lucky enough to discover it."

Qian Xunji sized up Gu Han and said, "I heard that you like studying Martial Soul theory?"

"It's merely a small hobby." Gu Han answered honestly.

Qian Xunji nodded. The child was fairly modest, and his talent was impressive. With Whale Rubber making up for his shortcomings, his talent was no weaker than that of Spirit Masters with Innate Soul Power Levels Seven or Eight.

Combined with his own hard work, he was indeed a promising talent.

Furthermore, the child was eager to learn. Keeping him by his side might even influence Xiao Dong.

Whenever he thought of his disciple, Qian Xunji felt a headache coming on. Xiao Dong's talent was truly rare in a century, but she was not fond of studying. Every time she opened a book, she looked as if she were about to fall asleep, and nothing he said helped.

Perhaps having a studious playmate would motivate Xiao Dong a little.

With that thought, Qian Xunji asked, "I intend to take you as my student. Are you willing?"

Gu Han's eyes widened in surprise. Even Yue Guan was shaken. His Holiness the Pope had actually taken the initiative to offer to accept this child as his disciple.

Qian Xunji was very pleased by Gu Han's expression. A playful smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

"What? You're unwilling?"

"No, Teacher! This disciple pays respects to you!" Gu Han immediately recovered and performed the ceremony of acknowledging a teacher.

No matter how monstrous Qian Xunji's future actions might be, that did not change the fact that he was currently the biggest backer in the world. Naturally, Gu Han would not refuse.

Besides, Qian Xunji had taken the initiative to bring it up, and Yue Guan was watching from the side.

If Gu Han openly refused and embarrassed him, would he not die horribly?

"Mm, not bad. From now on, you're my student. You also have a Senior Sister. Get settled in today, and tomorrow I'll introduce the two of you."

Qian Xunji was very satisfied with Gu Han's attitude. His tone softened considerably, and even the way he addressed him changed.

"Yue Guan, help Xiao Han get settled in the Papal Palace. Afterward, you can return and rest."

"Yes, Your Holiness the Pope."

Yue Guan bowed slightly and led Gu Han out of the main hall.