If You Won't Bet Like a Wolf or Tiger, Better Not Bet at All

Bibi Dong's voice was very pleasant, like a starving man taking a bite of Osmanthus Cake dipped in honey.

But Lin Hai knew that if he answered poorly, the Osmanthus Cake would turn into a Bone-scraping Blade in an instant.

This seemingly simple question sounded to Lin Hai like a devil's whisper:

"Little one, do you want to become my disciple... or do you want to die?"

Refuse? He had no right to. Hesitate? He had no time for that either.

Almost by reflex, Lin Hai's face instantly filled with the excitement of being flattered by unexpected favor. He bowed deeply. "Disciple Lin Hai greets Teacher!"

The Broad Road lies beneath my feet! he thought.

"Very good." Bibi Dong gave a slight nod.

"Your senior sister Hu Liena often mentions you to me. She says you are exceptionally gifted and memorized eight hundred Martial Soul theory texts backward and forward within a year. Is that true?"

"Reporting to Teacher, I would not dare claim I can recite them backward and forward, but I have indeed committed them all to memory," Lin Hai answered modestly.

"Then—" Bibi Dong abruptly changed the subject, her tone carrying the intent of a test.

"Have you made any plans for your Martial Soul's development direction, as well as the choice of your first two soul rings?"

"As far as I know, your Martial Soul is unprecedented on Douluo Continent. There is no experience to draw upon."

Over the past year, Hu Liena had indeed praised her little brother Lin Hai quite a bit before her teacher.

Things like "photographic memory," "wisdom bordering on demonic," and "theoretical attainments second only to Teacher."

While lavishly praising the boy's talent, she had also subtly flattered her teacher's profound knowledge. Little Fox truly understood the art of speech.

Unfortunately, flattery sometimes required a little luck. Her praise had landed precisely on the most sensitive string in Bibi Dong's heart—

The title "undefeated in theory" belonged, in her heart, only to the man named Yu Xiaogang. Even though some of those theories had long been proven less than "outstanding"...

The result was that, under the excuse that strict teachers produced excellent students, Your Holiness the Pope had trained Little Fox relentlessly.

Still, Bibi Dong remembered the name Lin Hai. Now was the time to test him.

Lin Hai pondered briefly and decided to reveal part of the truth.

"Teacher, my Demon God Martial Soul... is somewhat special. It comes with soul rings of its own, and it can only absorb those inherent soul rings."

As he spoke, a thought stirred in his mind, and he summoned his Martial Soul.

In an instant, that demonic yet ancient, weighty aura spread once more. Ten spheres of light, each radiating a different glow, circled around him.

"These spheres of light are the soul rings that come with my Martial Soul," Lin Hai explained.

"Inherent soul rings?!"

Even someone as knowledgeable as Bibi Dong could not conceal her astonishment.

"Wait, why are there ten?"

She abruptly caught the key detail. A sharp gleam erupted in her phoenix eyes, and her expression instantly became incomparably grave.

Teacher, you finally noticed the crucial point... It's time to show my real skills!

Lin Hai muttered inwardly, though his outward demeanor remained respectful.

"Because the tenth sphere of light is meant for when a soul master reaches Level 100. It is called... a God Ring."

"Your Martial Soul... actually comes with a godhood?!"

For the first time, Bibi Dong's voice visibly trembled, filled with incredulous shock. This news was far too horrifying!

"Uh..." Lin Hai displayed just the right amount of confusion and astonishment, as if he had only just understood it himself. Then he honestly nodded.

"Yes, Teacher. The information fed back by my Martial Soul says that there are no bottlenecks in my cultivation. As long as I accumulate enough power, I can... directly break through to Level 100 and become a God."

He played the part of an ignorant youth who had been enlightened by the information from his Martial Soul.

"No Divine Trial... and you can directly break through to Level 100?!"

Bibi Dong's voice sank as she repeated those words that overturned all common sense. Turbulent waves surged within the depths of her violet eyes.

"That's right," Lin Hai continued to answer honestly.

"...Very good."

Bibi Dong suppressed the shock in her heart and swiftly regained the Pope's majesty.

"Then is the order of your ten soul rings fixed? Do you have any indications of their soul skill effects?"

"I have some sense of the general direction of the soul skills. They cover many aspects, including attack, defense, healing, control, and more," Lin Hai answered cautiously.

"But the specific effects of the soul skills will likely only become fully clear after the soul rings are attached."

"An all-round soul master?" Bibi Dong accurately grasped the key point.

Lin Hai nodded.

"Also, my soul rings have no specific age limit. The power of their soul skills will increase in tandem with my own level."

"Most importantly, at the same level, no matter what order I attach the soul rings in, the final effects of the soul skills... will be the same."

He had thrown out a trait that would drive any soul master mad—growth-type soul rings!

Since he had made his choice, he might as well go all in.

If he would not bet like a wolf or tiger, he might as well not bet at all. And once he bet, he had to be as fierce as a wolf and tiger.

"..." Bibi Dong fell silent for several breaths, seemingly digesting this relentless stream of astonishing information. In the end, she made her decision.

"Good! In that case, you will decide the order in which to attach your soul rings."

"Afterward, you will enter Martial Soul Academy's Advanced Class with Nana. All resources needed for cultivation will be delivered to your residence."

Her voice suddenly became incomparably stern, carrying an unquestionable pressure.

"Remember this! Everything concerning your Martial Soul, especially its inherent soul rings, the God Ring, and the fact that you have no bottlenecks, must never be mentioned to a second person!"

"Those who should know, I will inform myself!"

"Yes, Teacher! This disciple understands!" Lin Hai replied solemnly.

Bibi Dong seemed to remember something, and her tone softened slightly.

"By the way, Nana said that you once told her of a person named Sweeping Monk."

"This person's Martial Soul combined attack, defense, and healing, and his strength was unfathomable... Is he someone you know?"

Upon hearing that, Lin Hai nearly choked on his saliva. He stared blankly for quite a while before recovering.

"Reporting... reporting to Teacher! This person was made up by this disciple. It was merely a small... small hope for my own future development."

"So that is how it is..."

The trace of interest that had just appeared in Bibi Dong's eyes vanished at once. Somewhat disappointed, she waved her hand.

"Your Martial Soul is also suited for comprehensive development. I hope that in the future, you can reach such heights. Attend me!"

Are they going to drag me out?

Lin Hai instinctively mocked inwardly.

A guard entered in response, bowed, and saluted. "Your Holiness the Pope!"

"Lin Hai is a new disciple of mine. Order someone to immediately prepare the side hall of Saintess Hall and arrange for him to move in," Bibi Dong commanded.

Saintess Hall had always been Bibi Dong's private residence in Spirit City. As for the Pope's Palace, which symbolized power? Unless necessary, she was unwilling to remain there even a moment longer.

No matter how iron-blooded a woman appeared on the surface, her heart was ultimately not as cold as this grand hall...

"As you command!" the guard accepted the order.

After Lin Hai left with the guard, only Bibi Dong remained within the empty, imposing Pope's Palace.

She stood before the throne, her violet eyes gazing toward the dark red sea of clouds that had yet to disperse beyond the hall. She sank into a long silence.

Everything she had heard just now was far too earth-shattering!

A Martial Soul whose might could crush the Six-winged Angel, which came with soul rings and a God Ring, rejected external objects, possessed its own godhood, required no Divine Trial, and could directly reach Level 100.

A Martial Soul with all-purpose soul skills, growth potential, and the ability to absorb soul rings as it pleased...

What... has happened to this world?

Even Your Holiness the Pope, who had controlled Spirit Hall for many years and weathered countless storms, could not calm the turmoil in her heart for a long time.