After the lesson, Hu Liena bounced out first.
Only Bibi Dong and Ling Xiao remained in the quiet room.
Bibi Dong looked at the boy before her and asked gently,
"Ling Xiao, I noticed that at the Orphanage, you only read some basic books on Soul Master theory. Is that right?"
Ling Xiao nodded.
"Yes. The books I could access before were limited, so I only read the basics."
Ling Xiao knew that theoretical knowledge was his weak point at the moment.
"Mm. It's good that you recognize your shortcomings."
Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction.
"Talent is certainly important on the path of a Soul Master, but a solid theoretical foundation is what lets you go far."
"How many geniuses have chosen the wrong Soul Ring because their theoretical knowledge was lacking, ultimately ruining their futures?"
"I've already made arrangements for you."
"Elder Mo Chen of the Spirit Hall Library is a leading authority on Soul Master theory in the Spirit Hall. He has spent his life studying Soul Master theory, Martial Soul traits, and Soul Beast knowledge. He is widely respected."
"From now on, go to the Library Pavilion every morning and study theory with Elder Mo Chen. He has already agreed to take you on as an unofficial disciple."
Ling Xiao was delighted. He hurriedly bowed.
"Thank you for going to all this trouble, Master! I'll study hard and won't disappoint you."
"Go on. Get some rest. Tomorrow morning, go to the Library Pavilion and pay your respects to Elder Mo Chen."
Bibi Dong waved him away, pleased with how he had conducted himself.
Ling Xiao bowed once more, then turned and left the quiet room.
Over the next week, Ling Xiao immersed himself in a sea of Soul Master theory.
Every day, before dawn, he rose to cultivate his Soul Power.
In the morning, he went to the Library Pavilion on time to pay his respects to Elder Mo Chen and attend his lessons.
Elder Mo Chen was an old man with a full head of white hair and beard. He was rigid and meticulous, and rarely smiled.
When he first met Ling Xiao, he assumed the boy was simply a talented disciple personally taught by the Pope. He fulfilled his duty, but didn't pay him much attention.
It wasn't long before Ling Xiao's aptitude for learning astonished him.
Ling Xiao's powerful mental strength gave him a photographic memory.
Other children needed a whole month to learn basic Soul Master theory.
Ling Xiao needed only half a day to memorize it all. He could even apply what he'd learned to new situations and offer insights of his own.
That week, Hu Liena ran to Qinghui Hall almost every day.
At first, she'd wanted to tease her aloof little junior brother and get back at him for tattling on her the last time.
But every time she arrived, she found Ling Xiao either bent over a book at his desk or meditating on a cushion.
He was never free to pay attention to her.
She could make faces right beside him, and he wouldn't even notice.
Early that morning, Ling Xiao had just finished his training and was sitting at his desk, leafing through the book Detailed Analysis of Continental Sects and Forces that Elder Mo Chen had given him.
"Bang!"
The hall door suddenly flew open.
Hu Liena rushed in and raised her chin at him.
"Little junior brother, stop reading! Master's waiting for you in the main hall. She wants you to come right away!"
Ling Xiao set down his book and raised an eyebrow.
"Did Master say what it's about?"
"What else would it be?"
Hu Liena leaned close, grinning.
"Your first Soul Ring, of course! Your Soul Power's been stuck at level ten, so Master must be ready to choose a Soul Ring for you!"
A knowing look flashed through Ling Xiao's eyes.
He had been waiting for this day for a long time.
He stood and straightened his robe, then gave Hu Liena a slight nod.
"Let's go, Senior Sister. We shouldn't keep Master waiting."
The two walked out of Qinghui Hall side by side, heading toward the Pope's Main Hall.
On the white jade steps of the Pope's Main Hall,
Ling Xiao and Hu Liena climbed side by side.
Hu Liena walked beside him, muttering all the way.
"Little junior brother, when you talk to Master about your Soul Ring, listen to her advice."
"Master definitely knows everything there is to know about Soul Beasts and Soul Rings."
Ling Xiao kept walking and glanced at her, answering calmly.
"I know. Thanks for the reminder, Senior Sister."
As they spoke, the two entered the Pope's Main Hall.
The hall was vast and solemn, its vaulted ceiling supported by twelve towering white jade pillars carved with angelic patterns.
Bibi Dong sat on the Pope's throne at the far end.
Her purple-and-gold robe flowed down around her, and an imposing aura surrounded her.
Hearing their footsteps, she raised her head and spoke calmly.
"You're here? Sit."
Ling Xiao and Hu Liena bowed together, then took seats on either side.
Hu Liena couldn't help asking,
"Master, did you call Little Junior Brother here because you're going to find his first Soul Ring?"
"You certainly have a knack for getting information."
Bibi Dong shot her an exasperated glance.
Then her gaze shifted to Ling Xiao, and she asked in an even tone,
"Ling Xiao, you've studied Soul Master theory with Elder Mo Chen for a week. I imagine you've formed your own ideas about how Soul Rings should complement Martial Souls."
"What plans have you made for your first Soul Ring?"
Rather than making the decision for him, she asked what he had in mind first.
She wanted to see whether her disciple had thought things through, and she also wanted to respect his own choice.
At her question, Ling Xiao stood.
"Master, I've already made up my mind."
"In the early stages of my journey as a Soul Master, I plan to follow a control-focused path."
"Once my Soul Power reaches a higher level, I'll consider making up for my lack of offensive power."
"For my First Soul Skill, I want a purely control-type ability."
He did have a desire to deal damage, too, and planned to make up for it with physical training, but he didn't mention that now.
"Oh?"
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Tell me why."
"Why do you want to focus on control?"
Hu Liena was taken aback, too.
She had assumed Ling Xiao would choose a Power Attack skill.
His Fruit Tree Martial Soul was a top-tier Plant-type Martial Soul, suited to both power attacks and control. By conventional wisdom, the Power Attack System had greater combat strength.
Under their gaze, Ling Xiao remained composed and calmly explained his plans.
"Master, I believe Plant-type Martial Souls have a natural advantage in control."
"Whether it's binding roots, restraining thorns, or mental control, all of those abilities are highly compatible with my Martial Soul."
"Control-type Soul Skills will let me make the most of my mental strength. Not many Soul Masters of the same level will be able to resist them."
The hall fell silent for a moment after he finished speaking.
Bibi Dong looked at the boy before her, her eyes full of admiration.
She had thought that, however exceptional Ling Xiao's talent was, he was still just a child and would have little idea what he wanted for his future.
She hadn't expected him to have such a clear plan already.
"Good. You've put it well."
Bibi Dong nodded slowly, her voice full of approval.
"Elder Mo Chen came to see me yesterday and praised you as a once-in-a-century genius. At the time, I thought he was exaggerating."
"Now I see that I underestimated you."
"You're right. Plant-type Martial Souls excel at both power attacks and control."
"Your Fruit Tree Martial Soul has tremendous vitality and great compatibility with Soul Power. Following a control-focused path is a fine choice."
"Since you've decided to pursue a control-oriented path, we'll need to plan carefully when choosing the Soul Beast for your first Soul Ring."
Bibi Dong lightly tapped the armrest of her throne, considering which Soul Beast to hunt.
"There's a limit to what a first Soul Ring can withstand."
"We should prioritize Soul Beasts around four hundred years old."
"As for attributes, there are two types to prioritize."
"One is a Plant-type Soul Beast with abilities like restraint, paralysis, or toxin suppression. It'll have the greatest compatibility with your Martial Soul, so there'll be no rejection during absorption, and your Soul Skill's power can be maximized."
"The other is a Soul Beast with mental abilities, one skilled in mental interference, charm, or mental control."
At this, she glanced at Ling Xiao and added,
"Your mental strength is far beyond that of children your age, even stronger than that of an ordinary Soul Grandmaster."
"A Soul Ring from a mental-type Soul Beast might suit you even better."
Ling Xiao's heart stirred. He bowed and replied,
"I'll follow your arrangements, Master."
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