Heading to Heavenly Dou City

Inside the Pope's Hall, Bibi Dong gazed at Xiao Chen, a faint impulse stirring deep within her—she almost wished she could test their tacit understanding with him right then and there.

But as the Pope, she simply couldn't bring herself to lower her dignity.

Moreover, Xiao Chen's level was too low; the vast gap in Spirit Power between them meant that executing a Martial Soul Fusion could very well harm him.

So Bibi Dong set the thought aside.

From that day onward, however, Xiao Chen's daily cultivation routine gained a fixed task.

As long as he was in Martial Soul City, he had to sit with Bibi Dong every day, focusing their minds together in meditation for an hour.

"Xiao Chen, you can start slowly building tacit understanding with Xie Yue and Yan; but remember, unless it's a life-or-death crisis, never reveal to outsiders the secret that you can form Martial Soul Fusion Skills with multiple people."

Bibi Dong's expression was grave as she spoke in a low, earnest tone.

"I understand, Teacher." Xiao Chen naturally knew the importance of this.

Bibi Dong then turned her gaze to Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo. "From now on, your task, both elders, is to follow Xiao Chen and make sure nothing happens to him!"

"Yes, Pope!" Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo replied in unison.

Bibi Dong had originally only planned to have Chrysanthemum Douluo protect Xiao Chen in secret, but now she felt that Xiao Chen didn't need to undergo deliberate trials at all.

As long as Xiao Chen could grow up safely and smoothly, without any setbacks, he would surely reshape the entire landscape of the Douluo Continent—and even influence the Divine Realm.

She was even starting to regret letting Xiao Chen go with Hu Liena and the others to participate in Spirit Fights across the major cities of the two empires.

"But if I forcibly keep Xiao Chen in Martial Soul Hall, it might shackle his nature and affect his state of mind; besides, these past few days, Xiao Chen has gotten along very well with Nana and the others. Letting him travel to more places, witness the myriad facets of the world, and experience the warmth and coldness of human relationships—perhaps that will better nurture his mental growth!" Bibi Dong mused silently.

With that thought, Bibi Dong spoke up: "Xiao Chen, what do you think—is it better to stay in Martial Soul Hall and cultivate with focus, or to travel and train outside?"

Bibi Dong still wanted to hear Xiao Chen's opinion.

Hu Liena watched Bibi Dong, noticing that ever since Xiao Chen had arrived at Martial Soul Hall, the cold, distant, and aloof aura that had always surrounded Bibi Dong had faded considerably.

In the past, Bibi Dong never wavered on her decisions; she would never have asked for someone else's opinion on such a trivial matter.

"But now, Teacher gives me an especially warm feeling; perhaps she has always been gentle at heart, but burdened by the lofty position of Pope and countless constraints, she had no choice but to maintain that cold, proud, and unapproachable demeanor all year round." Hu Liena thought to herself.

Hu Liena secretly cherished this gentle and approachable version of Bibi Dong.

She had become an orphan at a very young age, drifting aimlessly with Xie Yue, never knowing the warmth of family.

When she entered Martial Soul Hall, it was Bibi Dong who carefully nurtured her, sheltered her under her wings, gave her protection, and offered her support.

Though she was often strict, it was always for her own good.

In her heart, Bibi Dong was no longer just a teacher imparting knowledge and skills—she was more like a mother, a closest kin.

As Hu Liena pondered, Xiao Chen replied, "Teacher, in my view, there's not much difference between staying in Martial Soul Hall to cultivate with focus or traveling outside to train. But I do want to go out into the world, to walk around and see things."

"Good!" Bibi Dong's lips curled into a faint smile as she nodded gently in approval. "Elder Chrysanthemum and Elder Ghost will follow you. You don't mind that, do you?"

"Of course not." Xiao Chen said with a bright, cheerful laugh.

Three days later, Chrysanthemum Douluo changed into a refined and proper steward's outfit, bought a luxurious carriage, and led Xiao Chen, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan as they quietly left Martial Soul City.

Ghost Douluo did not appear in person to accompany them; he lurked in the shadows, silently trailing behind the group.

After leaving Martial Soul City, Xiao Chen and his party headed south, with their initial target set on Heavenly Dou City.

Chrysanthemum Douluo deliberately let Xiao Chen choose the route. As soon as Xiao Chen got the map, his eyes locked onto the location of the Sunset Forest.

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was right there in the Sunset Forest—a must-visit spot for any transmigrator—so Xiao Chen naturally wanted to see it.

Thus, the first stop of this journey was Xilu City, south of Martial Soul City. From there, they would cross the Hagen Dazs Kingdom and the Silves Kingdom before entering the Sunset Forest.

After leaving the Sunset Forest, Xiao Chen also wanted to make a trip to Jialing Pass—this was the main battlefield of the final decisive war. Since it was along the way, he naturally wanted to take a look.

Inside the carriage, Xiao Chen pretended to meditate while his consciousness entered the System Space.

"System, I should be able to use heavenly treasures and earthly rarities directly, right? It's not like with Spirit Rings, where there's an age limit, is it?" Xiao Chen asked.

"Host, you seem to have gotten smarter!" the System Spirit teased in a cheeky tone.

Xiao Chen was speechless. He had been thinking about grabbing a few heavenly treasures to speed up his Martial Soul Evolution, but it seemed he had been overthinking it!

"Host, don't always wear such a sour face. What heavenly treasures and earthly rarities exist in this world? The things you're thinking of are, at best, just wild weeds with a bit of spiritual energy!" the System Spirit continued.

Xiao Chen's eyes lit up at this. "So you have something better here?"

"Of course!" the System Spirit said with great pride, and with that, it showed Xiao Chen.

The System Spirit waved its little hand, and a treasure vault menu appeared before Xiao Chen.

It even specifically marked which heavenly treasures suited whom.

For example, those suited for Hu Liena—Celestial Fox Immortal Lotus, Moon Illusion Heart-Calming Grass...

Those suited for Xie Yue—Immortal-Slaying Jade Flower, Starfall Blade Heart Fruit...

Those suited for Yan—Blaze Fire Crimson Lotus, Holy Fire Ganoderma...

Even the heavenly treasures suited for Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were listed.

"Wait, how come they're all for others? What about mine?" Xiao Chen asked in confusion.

System: "They're just external objects, Host. You don't need them at all!"

Xiao Chen: "..."

"System, I suspect you're targeting me!"

System: "Host, don't go slandering This System!"

Xiao Chen was utterly defeated. He really had no way to deal with this damn system.

"So how do I obtain these treasures?" Xiao Chen asked.

Although he couldn't refine these Immortal-grade Spiritual Materials himself, they would be perfect as gifts for Hu Liena and the others.

Xiao Chen understood clearly that any treasure produced by the system, once used, was essentially a ticket to break through the shackles of this world's rules.

The System Spirit smiled and said: "It's simple, Host. As long as you can perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with them, you'll obtain the corresponding treasure. The higher your compatibility, the better the quality of the treasure you get!"

"So I can choose a treasure for Hu Liena now?" Xiao Chen said.

"You can!" The System Spirit nodded. "But have you thought about how to give it to her?"

Xiao Chen pondered for a moment, then smiled and said: "It seems I have no choice but to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!"

The weeds there were useless to Xiao Chen, but they happened to be the perfect excuse.

If he ever took out rare fruits or exotic treasures later, he could simply claim they came from there. It would be perfectly logical and wouldn't arouse suspicion.