Master, What's Your Surname?

The Holy Maiden casually picked Su Yan up, tucked him under her arm, and left the main hall of Martial Soul Hall.

Behind the main hall lay the training grounds, where both the Holy Maiden and the Pope could enjoy the highest standard of private training facilities.

Inside the spacious training ground, Su Yan was dropped to the floor. The Holy Maiden stood beside him: "If you pass my assessment, you'll become my third disciple."

"Why me?" Su Yan asked.

All the way here, Su Yan had been thinking—Martial Soul Hall had only ever had one Holy Maiden, the love-struck Hu Liena, but this domineering, decisive woman before him definitely wasn't her.

Eight pitch-black spider legs slowly grew from the Holy Maiden's back, all pointing at Su Yan.

"I'm a Beast Soul Master; I can't teach a Tool Soul Master."

"Besides, there's a little brat with a Plant Soul."

"So, Holy Maiden, is that why you won't take me as a disciple?" Tang Chi pursed his lips, his clenched fist slowly loosening.

His soul was of higher quality, his Innate Soul Power stronger—losing only on soul type was something he could accept.

"Exactly right. You dodged a bullet," Yue Guan said, casually forming a table from a sea of chrysanthemums and handing it to Su Yuntao.

"A bullet?" Tang Chi didn't understand what he meant.

Yue Guan just smiled and said nothing.

Little one, the Holy Maiden's training method isn't something just anyone can endure.

Hopefully, before the hall master arrives, Su Yan can hold on.

Good luck, Su Yan.

"Don't be afraid. Charge straight at the spider legs!"

Eight spider legs sprouted from the Holy Maiden's back, their bases sharp as spikes, gleaming with an emerald light as they stabbed viciously toward Su Yan.

Su Yan leaped to the side. His coarse cloth robe was already covered in cuts, and his body bore many bloody gashes.

Every single strike just now was no joke—they were lethal attacks meant to kill.

Su Yan had no doubt that if he hadn't dodged, those eight sharp spider legs would have pierced straight through his small body.

"Don't be afraid!" The Holy Maiden stared at him with blazing eyes as the spider legs crept closer inch by inch. "For a Beast Soul Master, the first thing to overcome is the fear of facing danger head-on."

Su Yan fell silent.

Holy Maiden, maybe you should take a look at the seven soul rings floating around you before you say that.

Watching her approach step by step, a tangible killing intent surrounded the area, leaving no escape.

"Forget it—if I die, I die!" Su Yan roared, and flames erupted from his body. "Fire Wolf, possess!"

His body swelled rapidly, the blazing fire driving away the gloom around him. He stomped hard on the ground and shot toward the Holy Maiden like an arrow.

"Excellent!" The Holy Maiden's blood-red eyes lit up. "Death Spider Emperor, possess! "

Her body was covered in pitch-black bone armor, and from the waist down, she transformed into a massive spider body. The eight spider legs that had originally extended from her back grew even thicker, replacing the position of her slender legs.

Two yellow, two purple, three black—seven soul rings floated in the air.

Su Yan could see that all seven soul rings were glowing.

Cheating!

Fighting a Soul Soldier with not even one ring, and she was using soul skills—all seven of them!

Darkness enveloped the entire training ground. A sudden chill crept up behind Su Yan, and even the flames lost their warmth here.

A wave of deathly aura rushed toward him. On both sides, the wails of ten thousand vengeful spirits echoed, while behind him came an incongruous scene of birdsong and floral fragrance.

One step forward—death.

One step left or right—hell.

One step back—the mortal world.

Su Yan instinctively wanted to retreat, but the three words the Holy Maiden kept repeating flashed through his mind.

Don't be afraid.

He stopped, staring at the pitch-black path ahead.

"Don't be afraid." Su Yan took a deep breath and lifted his heavy foot to step forward.

Under that step, the darkness shattered into pieces, and light pierced through from all directions.

"Qualified!" The Holy Maiden leaped out from the shadows. "Bi's Training Method, First Method—Courage Training Method—complete!"

From fear pushed to its extreme, courage to face death was born.

Su Yan smiled in relief.

Deep in his subconscious, a voice urged him forward, forward—as if retreating even half a step would leave him with nothing.

Thankfully, he had won.

Suddenly, his vision went white. His soul power was completely depleted. The Fire Wolf released its possession, and Su Yan collapsed forward with a dull thud.

The moment he fell, he landed in a cold, firm embrace. The scent of mimosa brushed against the tip of his nose.

The Holy Maiden's expression softened considerably. She gently patted Su Yan's back. "The newly added Courage Training Method has decent results."

Before long, Su Yan woke from his faint.

He hadn't passed out from fear—it was a "hunger" faint, a collapse from soul power exhaustion.

"You're awake." The Holy Maiden leaned in, her exquisite, flawless face magnifying in Su Yan's eyes. It made Su Yan's cheeks flush red, and he instinctively moved a little farther away.

"Not bad. You're the first little one to experience the Courage Training Method, and I'm satisfied with the results." The Holy Maiden casually swept her hand across her waist, and another belt materialized out of thin air. "Here, this belt is for you. Consider it a meeting gift. It's not too valuable. Tomorrow at the Auction, I'll prepare a proper apprenticeship gift."

"Thank you, Holy Maiden." Su Yan took the belt, only to immediately receive a sharp flick on the forehead.

"Call me Master!"

"Master." Su Yan asked curiously, "Didn't the two senior disciples before me go through the Courage Training Method?"

"Hmph, don't get me started." The Holy Maiden sat on the ground, arms crossed. "This training method was newly added because your Senior Brother was too cowardly. As for your Second Senior Sister..."

The Holy Maiden let out a deep sigh. "It's a long story. I'll tell you later."

Su Yan understood. So the suffering he'd endured was Senior Brother's fault. That taste of despair—he'd definitely find time to make him experience it himself!

He rested a little longer, fiddling with the belt his master had given him.

The belt's main body was made of silk, embroidered with the Martial Soul Hall's emblem—a crown. Four red gems were evenly set into it, sparkling and quite beautiful.

Su Yan stood up and fastened the belt. Such an ornate belt wrapped around his half-naked body looked a bit mismatched.

"Master, what is this?"

"This belt is a Soul Tool. Each red gem contains one cubic meter of space. You can freely store and retrieve items using soul power."

Su Yan's delight was written all over his face. And you call this not valuable.

Space tools were always a hot commodity for travelers across all planes—an essential item for journeys, adventures, and cultivation.

The Holy Maiden glanced at Su Yan's half-naked body and casually pulled out a brand-new Martial Soul Hall special training suit. "This set of clothes is for you. It's the latest design from those people in the Elder Hall. It has enough elasticity to ensure it won't burst during Martial Soul Possession."

"Thank you, Master." Su Yan grabbed the belt, hugged the clothes, and ducked into a side room. In no time, he changed into the outfit and fastened the belt.

As expected of new clothes—soft and refreshing, perfectly hugging every inch of his skin without any stifling sensation.

"Fire Wolf, possess." Su Yan's body suddenly expanded, and the clothes expanded with it. Though the shape stretched irregularly, there was no sign of tearing at all.

He moved around a bit, throwing punches and kicks, and felt no restraint whatsoever.

Great clothes!

He withdrew his Martial Soul and trotted back to the Holy Maiden.

The Holy Maiden's eyes lit up, and she nodded in satisfaction.

Indeed, clothes make the man. With the new outfit, Su Yan looked much sharper, his face glowing with vitality.

"Next, I'll teach you the basics of a soul master's cultivation." The Holy Maiden pulled over a table and sat on one side.

Su Yan hopped onto a stool and sat on the other side, quickly saying, "Wait, Master, I don't even know your name yet."

The Holy Maiden curled her crimson lips, her beautiful eyes narrowing into crescent moons. "My name is Bibi Dong."

Su Yan sucked in a breath.

It really was Bibi Dong. The future Pope, Bibi Dong!