Chen Li's heart began to race uncontrollably.
Before absorbing it, his greatest hope had only been to obtain a soul ring that the Rumble-Rumble Fruit could accept and break through the shackles of his level.
Upgradeable attributes had completely exceeded even his most optimistic expectations!
What did that mean?
It meant that the high-quality soul rings he forged through the Munch-Munch Fruit were not fixed endpoints, but foundations that could continuously evolve and grow as he acquired more and higher-quality materials, and as his own strength increased!
What if...
What if every soul ring could be like this? What if he gathered all nine soul rings for the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and raised every one of them to unimaginable quality...
Chen Li's breathing quickened slightly as an image involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
One day in the future, he would stand between heaven and earth, the Lightning Martial Soul behind him radiating boundless brilliance. The soul rings around it would no longer be the usual yellow, purple, black, and red, but nine dazzling rings beyond all comprehension—perhaps crimson gold, purple gold, or even bearing divine patterns!
Each one would represent a divine skill that touched the very source of the laws! What kind of spectacle would that be? Even so-called gods would likely have to take notice!
The thought was like wildfire, instantly igniting the deepest ambition in his heart. But he quickly forced down those surging emotions.
"The road must be walked one step at a time," he warned himself softly. His gaze became clear and resolute once more. "My priority now is to stabilize my realm, earn their trust, and then... obtain more soul rings to verify the methods and conditions for upgrading them."
He slowly closed his eyes, no longer indulging in empty fantasies. His breathing gradually became deep and rhythmic.
Soul Power circulated slowly through the newly opened meridians within his body, which had been broadened and strengthened by the thousand-year soul ring's energy. It stabilized his Level 18 realm, repaired the last traces of damage, and continuously deepened his fusion with and understanding of that Purple Soul Ring.
Meditation replaced sleep, as well as pointless fantasies.
The next morning, dawn had barely broken.
Chen Li had already prepared himself. He changed into a fitted dark casual outfit provided by Spirit Hall, looking alert and full of energy, his eyes clear. Only the occasional sharp flash of lightning in his gaze revealed just how different he was from yesterday.
The moment he stepped out of the courtyard gate, he saw Yue Guan's conspicuous red robes standing silently amid the morning mist.
"The timing is perfect. Your Majesty the Pope has half an hour free," Yue Guan said blandly. Without another word, he turned and walked away. "Follow."
"Yes." Chen Li answered and quickly followed.
One before the other, they passed through the somewhat quiet morning streets of Spirit City and headed once more toward the magnificent structure atop the hill—the Palace of the Pope, symbol of the soul master world's highest authority.
Unlike last time, when he had stood there to be judged, Chen Li felt less unease and more calm, along with a faint sense of anticipation. He knew this meeting would determine his position within Spirit Hall and the resources he could obtain.
The enormous gilded doors slowly opened before him. A solemn, imposing aura carrying invisible pressure washed over him. Light streamed through the lofty stained-glass windows inside, forming sacred pillars of light.
Massive pillars silently supported the vaulted ceiling, while the mirror-smooth floor reflected the exquisite murals above.
Chen Li's gaze was irresistibly drawn to the Pope's Throne at the end of the grand hall, atop the raised platform.
Bibi Dong sat upon it.
Today, she still wore her signature ceremonial gown of brilliant gold. It fit her perfectly, outlining breathtakingly flawless curves as it flowed from her shoulders to her feet.
Its surface was embroidered with intricate, sacred patterns in gold and silver thread. More than a hundred red, blue, and gold gemstones were set into it like stars, glittering under the hall's light with a radiance that dazzled the eye yet inspired no dare of desecration.
The Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown on her head was incomparably luxurious, its fine tassels hanging down and swaying lightly as though strange halos of light flowed through them. Her slender, fair hands were folded before her, one gripping the Pope's scepter—a weapon nearly two meters long, crowned with an enormous purple gemstone. Planted against the floor, it silently proclaimed her supreme authority.
Yet the most impossible thing to ignore was her nearly perfect beauty and singular aura.
Her skin was fairer than snow, and her features were so exquisite they seemed carved by a god's own hands. Between her brows lay both a woman's peerless beauty and the majesty and aloofness of one who ruled the world.
Those pale violet eyes looked over calmly, as deep as the stars. They seemed capable of seeing through the deepest secrets of the human heart, while carrying a natural nobility and sanctity that made one unable to resist the urge to submit and worship.
She sat there silently, needing neither word nor gesture to become the absolute center of the entire hall—even of all Spirit City. She was the Pope, its leader, and the most powerful, most mysterious core of this vast soul master empire.
Yue Guan stopped more than a dozen steps from the platform and bowed. "Your Majesty the Pope, Chen Li has arrived."
Chen Li followed closely behind and bowed as well, his voice clear and steady. "Chen Li pays his respects to Your Majesty the Pope."
He raised his head and met those pale violet eyes openly. A faint ripple stirred in his heart, but it quickly settled.
He knew the true test might only be beginning now. And he was no longer the useless cripple of yesterday, capable only of waiting for judgment.
The instant Bibi Dong's gaze fell upon Chen Li, an invisible, intangible force of Soul Power—pure and condensed to the extreme—silently spread out. Like the most precise fiber-optic probe, it gently yet thoroughly scanned him from head to toe, inside and out.
This was not an attack, but an investigation on a higher level. Any disguise or abnormality would find it difficult to remain hidden.
The result of her inspection brought a glimmer of nearly imperceptible surprise to her deep violet eyes.
"Not bad." She finally spoke, her voice clear and cold like an icy spring, betraying little emotion. She sounded as calm as though appraising a newly finished work of art. "It seems you not only resolved the problem of being unable to absorb a soul ring, but also received... an unexpected gift. Let me see it."
"Yes, Your Majesty the Pope." Chen Li held his breath and focused his mind, stirring his thoughts.
Crackle, crackle!
More refined and condensed lightning energy than yesterday burst from the pores across his body, filling the air with static that made the skin tingle faintly.
Then, the blue-white phantom of lightning representing the source of thunder clearly emerged behind him. At its core, a deep, solid Purple Soul Ring slowly pulsed in plain sight. Purple light intertwined with lightning, radiating a naturally formed pressure.
A first soul ring of a thousand years.
Even with Bibi Dong's temperament and knowledge, when this scene—which violated the iron laws of the soul master world—appeared so vividly before her, her pupils still contracted slightly despite herself.
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