Ambition

"Phew... It seemed Soul Kings weren't all created equal. Those cannon-fodder nobodies who only got a passing mention were NPCs with a realm but no real combat ability. They weren't even as strong as that Evil Soul Master who'd blocked the entrance to Novice Village."

Things had gone far more smoothly than expected. After training with Qian Daoliu, he'd originally planned to get some real combat practice. For safety's sake, he'd even asked Gui Mei to hide nearby and protect him. It seemed he'd worried for nothing. Before summoning his Martial Soul, Miles, whose body had been ravaged by wine and women, was only slightly stronger than an ordinary person.

"I am the Holy Son of Spirit Hall. From this moment on, I will temporarily assume all authority over this Martial Soul Branch Hall!"

With the Holy Son Token, the transfer of power had been even simpler than defeating Miles. After taking control of the Martial Soul Branch Hall, Feng Xinglie immediately ordered that Miles's crimes be publicized throughout the city and that he be executed in three days. A higher-ranking official could crush a lower one with a finger. Facing the Holy Son who'd come all the way from Spirit City, no one dared plead on Miles's behalf. After three days of public outrage had been whipped up, Feng Xinglie personally escorted Miles to the execution grounds, with Gui Mei accompanying him.

"Citizens, I am the newly appointed Holy Son of Spirit Hall. I sincerely apologize to you all. Through our negligence, a parasite like Miles was allowed to prey on Gengxin City for so long. Today, before the witnesseship of a Spirit Hall elder, His Excellency Ghost Douluo Gui Mei, I will personally cut off this beast's head to make amends!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Feng Xinglie wasted no time. Amid the crowd's astonished cheers, he swung his blade and struck off Miles's head for all to see.

"Everyone, rest assured. This matter isn't over yet!"

Raising the bloodstained steel blade high, Feng Xinglie shouted:

"Miles could never have thrown his weight around like this all by himself. In the name of the Holy Son of Spirit Hall, I swear that I will expose the entire Black Industry Chain. Not one of Miles's accomplices will escape justice!"

As the cheers grew louder and louder, the citizens of Gengxin City, who'd endured oppression for years, wept with excitement and shouted, "Long live the Holy Son!" Gui Mei watched Feng Xinglie win over the people and assumed they'd use this opportunity to invite the Blacksmith Association to join them. Yet by the time they left Gengxin City, Feng Xinglie still hadn't made another move.

"Your Highness, did we really travel all the way to the Star Luo Empire just to execute one parasite?"

Unable to hold back any longer, Gui Mei finally asked as they rode in the carriage back to Spirit City.

"Heh, of course not. Why would Elder Ghost make such a long journey for a mere Miles? He's just the bait. Just wait and see. Before long, this continent will be swept up in a wave of change."

"The entire continent?!"

Gui Mei was stunned.

Though he'd seen some of Feng Xinglie's methods, Gui Mei would never believe that he could influence the entire Douluo Continent. He assumed it was just a child's boastful bluster after getting carried away.

Several days later, the two returned with a large sum of money. It not only filled the shortfall in the Soul Master Subsidy, but left enough Gold Soul Coins for all of Spirit City to spend lavishly for a while. When they met with Bibi Dong to receive their rewards, they could see the clear satisfaction on her face.

"I never expected the Holy Son to be so capable. A mere ten thousand Gold Soul Coins brought in such a return. This is a great accomplishment indeed. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

At this, Feng Xinglie quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"Thank you for your generosity, Your Holiness the Pope. In truth, the Martial Soul Chamber of Commerce owes its establishment largely to the prestige of Spirit Hall itself. And..."

As he spoke, Feng Xinglie suddenly raised a hand and pointed at Gui Mei beside him.

"...And to Elder Ghost's generous support. Without Elder Ghost standing guard, how could those merchants have taken a child like me seriously? Many negotiations also went smoothly thanks to Elder Ghost mediating. Only with his backing could I borrow his authority to give orders. I ask Your Holiness the Pope to judge fairly: Elder Ghost was the greatest contributor to this operation."

"Oh?"

Bibi Dong turned to Gui Mei, whose face was blank with confusion.

"I never knew Elder Ghost had a talent for business. You've certainly kept that hidden."

Gui Mei's mind was full of questions. He'd merely gone along on the trip and stood beside Feng Xinglie watching the show. How had he become the main contributor?

"Uh... You flatter me, Your Holiness the Pope."

Bibi Dong had known Gui Mei for many years and understood his abilities better than anyone. But since Feng Xinglie had spoken up, she naturally had to show him some consideration in public.

"As I recall, Elder Ghost still hasn't completed his set of Soul Bones. In that case, go to the Treasury later and choose any Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone as your reward."

"Yes! Thank you, Your Holiness the Pope!"

A Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone! It was a priceless treasure, an important resource for any of the great sects. Yet she'd awarded one so casually, even letting him choose it himself. The enormous windfall from the heavens left Gui Mei reeling, while even Yue Guan, standing at Bibi Dong's side, was green with envy.

What he didn't know was that, to Bibi Dong, a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone, no matter how precious, was just an ornament if left unused. Better to reward one of her subordinates than let someone else benefit from it later. It would both boost their strength and deepen their loyalty. Most importantly, the Soul Bone belonged to Spirit Hall, not to her personally. Besides, the achievement really had been substantial. Compared with Feng Xinglie, whose allegiance was unclear, rewarding Gui Mei, who was loyal to her, would clearly yield greater returns. Still, if she wanted Feng Xinglie to keep working for her, she had to give him an appropriate reward too.

"And what about the Holy Son? What reward do you want?"

This time, Feng Xinglie didn't decline. He answered directly:

"Your Holiness the Pope, I've been somewhat lost in my cultivation lately and would like to draw on Spirit Hall's books to enrich my theoretical knowledge."

"Theory..."

Hearing that word, Bibi Dong seemed to sink into her memories and softly repeated it. When she came back to herself and looked at Feng Xinglie again, there was a hint of something different in her eyes.

"In that case, the Library will be fully open to you. You may read any of its books, from the first floor to the top."

"Thank you, Your Holiness the Pope!"

It seemed like a reward of little consequence, but it was indispensable. Though Feng Xinglie knew all about the opportunities on the Douluo Continent, he couldn't exactly say he was a transmigrator and that was how he knew, could he? The Library was what would let him conjure up all that valuable information from thin air.

"What? It isn't in the books? Then I'll just make it up. There are so many books—who could guarantee I'd read every single one?"

With his goal accomplished, it was time to move on to the next step.

"Your Holiness the Pope, I have another important matter to report."

"What is it?"

Bibi Dong was taken aback, wondering what sort of trouble Feng Xinglie was about to stir up this time.

"On our way back to Spirit Hall, I took it upon myself to execute Bishop Miles of Gengxin City. I also promised the local residents that I would round up all of Miles's accomplices."

"I've heard about this. Since you made that promise, you may take full responsibility for seeing it through."

Bibi Dong was unexpectedly generous about the matter. She didn't even question why Miles had been killed. Perhaps in her eyes, a mere Soul King wasn't worth paying any attention to.