Jiang Hao's Martial Soul Awakening (I)

Spirit City, before the Pope's Palace.

Black-robed Bishop Lotrilata and Jiang Hao stood solemnly before the Pope's Palace.

Upon entering the Pope's Palace, they found it vastly different from its magnificent exterior. Inside was Pure White, not a cold, pale white, but a special sensation filled with Soft Texture.

The floor, pillars, and ceiling were all paved with Translucent White Jade. Fine patterns faintly showed beneath the jade, as though they concealed some secret.

To most people of Spirit Hall, the Pope's Palace was a sacred place they could only gaze upon from afar for their entire lives. For Black-robed Bishop Lotrilata, each visit filled him with reverence and respect for this holy land of Soul Masters. Yet today, he was not here as usual to report to the Pope, but for a special task.

Beside him stood a five- or six-year-old boy, staring at the Pope's Palace in astonishment, unable to speak. This was only natural. Even an Ordinary Person would marvel at something he had never seen before, much less Jiang Hao, who was not even a Soul Master yet but stood in this holy land that most Soul Masters could only dream of reaching—and was about to meet the Pope.

"Bishop Uncle, is this the Pope's Palace? It's so magnificent! It's much bigger than the houses in our village. It must be very comfortable to live here," Jiang Hao said to Black-robed Bishop Lotrilata.

Lotrilata's face darkened. What kind of place is your village? How could it possibly compare to this holy land of Soul Masters? Live in the Pope's Palace? Even I wouldn't dare imagine that.

Lotrilata said expressionlessly, "This is the Pope's Palace. When you meet the Pope later, remain respectful. Remember the etiquette I taught you on the way here. Do not look directly at the Pope. Answer carefully when the Pope speaks to you, and do not offend His Holiness the Pope. Do you understand?"

"Mm, I understand," Jiang Hao replied obediently.

Creak—

With a sound, the great doors of the Pope's Palace slowly opened. The Knights guarding the Pope's Palace nodded at Lotrilata and Jiang Hao.

"You may enter. His Holiness the Pope wishes to see you."

Lotrilata nodded in acknowledgment, then strode calmly into the Pope's Palace. Jiang Hao hurriedly followed beside him.

From the moment they entered the great hall, Lotrilata and Jiang Hao could not help but focus their gazes on the lofty Pope's Throne at the center of the hall, the symbol of the ruler of the continent's greatest power.

It was the back of a man. He was tall but not particularly muscular, dressed in a simple gray robe. His Golden Hair fell behind his back, meticulously combed.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the windows and into the main hall, all of it falling upon him alone. Though his clothing was so plain, merely standing there gave others the urge to worship him.

The man in gray slowly turned around, and the special aura from before suddenly vanished without a trace. He appeared to be only in his thirties or forties, handsome, with a faint smile on his face. His calm, tranquil aura gave people an exceptionally comfortable feeling.

This man in gray was Spirit Hall's strongest expert at present, the current Pope of Spirit Hall, the Level Ninety-nine Limit Douluo, Qian Daoliu.

Black-robed Bishop Lotrilata dropped to one knee and saluted Qian Daoliu. "Your subordinate Lotrilata greets His Holiness the Pope."

Jiang Hao hurriedly copied Lotrilata and saluted Qian Daoliu as well. Perhaps because he was too nervous, his little face was flushed red, and a bead of sweat inadvertently slid down his forehead. Jiang Hao quickly lifted his small hand and wiped his brow. Qian Daoliu found his awkward appearance quite amusing, and his gaze softened considerably.

"Rise," Qian Daoliu said slowly.

"Lotrilata, what brings you here? And what is the matter with this child?" Qian Daoliu asked.

Thus, Black-robed Bishop Lotrilata told Qian Daoliu every detail of what had happened before. He also took a letter from his robes, addressed, "For His Holiness the Pope."

A thoughtful look appeared in Qian Daoliu's eyes, as though he were considering who had sent him the letter. He reached out, accepted it, and opened it.

The moment Qian Daoliu opened the letter, he knew who had written it. He slowly read on.

"Father, by the time you see this letter, I will already be on my way to the City of Slaughter. During my travels, I happened to pass through a village massacred by Evil Soul Masters, where I found Jiang Hao. I had originally planned to send him to the Martial Soul Hall Orphanage, but during our time together, this child displayed remarkable talent."

"I discovered that he possesses a special gift: he has a photographic memory. If Spirit Hall nurtures him properly, he will become another pillar of the organization in the future..."

"Additionally, I wish Father good health. Everything is well with me outside. I will return once my training is complete, and when that time comes, do not be too surprised."

After reading Qian Xunji's letter, Qian Daoliu curled his lip, looking utterly unconcerned. Stinky Kid, don't come back. Just die out there.

"Child, your name is Jiang Hao?" Qian Daoliu asked gently.

"Mm... Actually, I didn't have a name before. Big Brother gave me this one. He hoped that I would cultivate diligently in the future and take control of my own fate," Jiang Hao answered.

At the same time, Jiang Hao could not help thinking, Why does His Holiness the Pope look so much like Big Brother? They both have Golden Hair and tall, upright builds. Could they be from the same family?

Big Brother? Qian Daoliu froze for a moment, then thought that it was probably Qian Xunji.

"Child, you will live in the Pope's Palace from now on. I will have a Maid prepare a room for you. Go on now," Qian Daoliu said.

"Yes, His Holiness the Pope," Jiang Hao replied obediently.

With that, Jiang Hao slowly withdrew from the hall under the Maid's guidance.

A trace of envy flashed through Black-robed Bishop Lotrilata's eyes. Living in the Pope's Palace—what an honor. This boy was truly blessed; his future would be limitless.

"Lotrilata, the Martial Soul Main Hall under your management has been running well, and your work has been thorough. Once you reach Soul Saint, I permit you to be promoted to Red-robed Bishop. Continue working hard," Qian Daoliu said to Black-robed Bishop Lotrilata.

A fiery gleam flashed in Lotrilata's eyes. He was already a Level Sixty-seven Soul Emperor. At most, he would reach Soul Saint in two or three years, and a Red-robed Bishop was already a highly coveted position of real authority within Spirit Hall.

The benefits this would bring were immeasurable. It was not merely an increase in status; Spirit Hall would also provide him with ten percent more cultivation resources than a Black-robed Bishop received. That extra ten percent was not to be underestimated—it would be enough for him to cultivate all the way to Soul Douluo.

Lotrilata cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, His Holiness the Pope. This subordinate will certainly work twice as hard and protect Spirit Hall."

"Enough. You may leave," Qian Daoliu said.

"This subordinate takes his leave," Lotrilata said.

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