He's Indeed Quite Interesting

Her gaze fell upon Chen Li, calm and unwavering, yet it felt like a tangible weight, as if trying to see through him from the outside in. Her eyes didn't seem to be looking at a living person, but rather evaluating a peculiar artifact that had just been presented, one that might be useful or utterly worthless.

"Reporting to Your Majesty the Pope, yes," Chen Li's reply was concise and clear. "I am indeed from the Dust Family of the Star Luo Empire, their former heir. However, due to my unique Martial Soul, I cannot absorb Soul Rings, so I was disowned by the Dust Family. Now, I have no connection to the Star Luo Dust Family; they'd be glad to be rid of me." Chen Li stated the facts in a steady tone.

"Hmm," Bibi Dong nodded slightly, her gaze shifting to Yue Guan.

Yue Guan spoke at the opportune moment, his voice echoing in the grand hall, "Your Majesty, his situation is indeed rare. Innate Full Soul Power, and a mutated Lightning Martial Soul, its origin is exceptionally pure and domineering. But currently, perhaps the Martial Soul's level is too high? It even... rejects all external Soul Ring energy."

Bibi Dong's gaze returned to Chen Li, the scrutiny deepening. "I naturally trust Elder Yue Guan's judgment. A top-tier mutated Martial Soul, Innate Full Soul Power, yet unable to absorb Soul Rings..."

She paused, her slender fingers, which held the scepter, lightly caressed the cold gem on its shaft. A hint of an unfathomable light flashed in her pale purple eyes.

"The Martial Soul Hall widely recruits talented individuals, but it also has its rules. Even with Elder Yue Guan's recommendation, your qualifications and state of mind must be verified, and it must be confirmed that you truly possess value worth nurturing and a genuine sense of belonging to the Martial Soul Hall."

Her voice was not loud, but it carried an irrefutable power. "Yue Guan says your Martial Soul is very strong, so let me see for myself now, what is so special about this top-tier Martial Soul of yours that cannot affix Soul Rings?"

An invisible pressure, following her words, quietly permeated the air. It wasn't Soul Power pressure, but the majesty of someone in a high position, a direct interrogation of the soul.

She was waiting for Chen Li's response, and for a convincing demonstration.

Chen Li wasted no words. He directly extended his hand, mobilizing the Soul Power within him with all his might.

Zzzzt! Crackle!

The sound of violent electricity erupted! Dazzling blue-white lightning burst from his pores, instantly enveloping him in a constantly flickering ball of electric light. Lightning snakes danced, arcs splashed, and even the smooth obsidian floor beneath his feet was scorched with tiny burn marks by the stray arcs.

Behind him, there was no concrete form, only a mass of constantly twisting, seemingly living, pure lightning!

At times it surged like an enraged dragon, at others it churned like a violent thunder pool, emitting a heart-palpitating destructive aura and extremely pure elemental fluctuations. The air in the entire hall seemed to become dry and charged with static electricity.

Bibi Dong sat on her throne, leaning slightly forward, a hint of surprise flashing in her pale purple eyes.

She had seen countless powerful Martial Souls, but such a pure, almost primordial form of lightning, was indeed a first.

"Very pure... no, extremely pure," Bibi Dong's voice was steady, but her scrutiny was even more intense. "Elder Yue Guan was right. I've seen many Lightning Martial Souls, but one like yours, with almost no impurities... it is indeed special."

She keenly felt that when Chen Li's lightning fully bloomed, a faint tremor occurred deep within her own body, in the origins of both her Death Spider Emperor and Soul Devouring Spider Emperor Martial Souls.

It wasn't fear, but an instinctive wariness when facing a power of equal caliber.

Chen Li willed it, and the lightning around his body receded, condensing in his palm, transforming into a docile but terrifyingly powerful ball of lightning.

"As Your Majesty the Pope has seen, the Martial Soul might be decent. But the problem is, it rejects all Soul Rings, and I cannot obtain Soul Skills or increase my level through normal means," he stated his predicament directly.

Bibi Dong's gaze swept over the ball of lightning. She leaned back in her chair, regaining her composed posture. "The uniqueness and difficulties of a Martial Soul are part of a Soul Master's journey.

Being unable to absorb Soul Rings... although rare, it's not necessarily unsolvable." Her tone carried an inherent confidence. "The Martial Soul Hall has experts specifically researching Martial Soul theory and Soul Ring compatibility. I will arrange for them to work with you and find a solution."

Her tone shifted, and she tapped the ground lightly with her scepter. Her gaze, like a physical entity, fell upon Chen Li's face. "However, before investing resources, there are some things that need to be made clear."

"Your Majesty the Pope, please speak," Chen Li dispersed the lightning in his palm, listening intently.

"You are from the Dust Family of the Star Luo, once the heir of a powerful imperial family," Bibi Dong's voice was unreadable, but each word was clear.

"Since you are joining the Martial Soul Hall, the interests of the Martial Soul Hall must be your highest principle. If, in the future, the will of the Martial Soul Hall requires you to oppose the Star Luo Empire, or even your former family... what will you do?"

The question was sharp and direct, the ultimate test of loyalty.

Chen Li raised his head, his gaze unwavering, calm yet resolute. "Reporting to Your Majesty, from the moment they viewed me as trash and cast me out of my home, the Dust Family and the Star Luo Empire have become the past for me.

My future is tied only to my own choices. If that day ever comes, my stance will be with the Martial Soul Hall, the one that gave me a new opportunity." His answer lacked flowery oaths, but it was more calm and real.

"Very good." Bibi Dong nodded slightly. She wasn't surprised by this answer, nor was she particularly pleased. It was merely an acceptance based on reality. "Remember your words today. Guards..."

A attendant quickly appeared from a side door.

"Take him down to register, add him to the Martial Soul Hall's Soul Master roster, and arrange for him according to... Core Disciple Reserve specifications." Bibi Dong commanded. This specification wasn't the highest, but it exceeded that of ordinary disciples, indicating initial recognition and a certain allocation of resources.

"Then, notify Lor Diarra of the Martial Soul Research Institute and have him assign personnel to be responsible for researching Chen Li's Martial Soul compatibility."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The attendant bowed and accepted the order.

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Pope." Chen Li bowed again, his attitude respectful. He understood that this was just the beginning; the research was both an opportunity and an observation, and 'Reserve' was more of a label. But he needed this platform.

Following the attendant out of the hall, Chen Li's figure disappeared beyond the door.

Silence returned to the hall, leaving only Bibi Dong on her throne and Yue Guan, who was idly playing with a phantom chrysanthemum.

"Your Majesty the Pope," Yue Guan spoke at the opportune moment, knowing Bibi Dong had something to discuss with him.

"He is indeed quite interesting," Bibi Dong's gaze seemed to linger in the direction Chen Li had left. Her voice returned to its absolute calm. "His Martial Soul, its potential might truly be extraordinary as you said. But it's just 'quite interesting'."