Everyone Had a Bright Future

Qian Xunji knew very well that the Upper Three Sects and the Two Great Empires represented the interests of the nobles,

while Spirit Hall's true and greatest source of strength was the countless commoner Soul Masters across the continent.

As long as he kept the lower classes firmly under Spirit Hall's wing, so that commoners knew only the Pope and not the emperor,

then no matter what wars broke out in the future, Spirit Hall would always stand undefeated.

Once these sweeping reform orders went out, the enormous machine that was Spirit Hall sprang into motion at full speed. Though they inevitably touched the interests of some people in high places,

with Qian Xunji's peak ninety-fifth-level cultivation and the full support of the entire Worship Hall, no one even dared breathe too loudly. The orders were carried out with astonishing efficiency.

"The Subversion Points in the system account are down to just nine thousand. How is that supposed to be enough? I need to make some big news and rake in a wave of Subversion Points."

Qian Xunji sat in his study, twirling a gold-trimmed feather quill as he frantically turned over the original story's plot in his mind.

"Bibi Dong is at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Tang Hao is still hammering away at iron... Right, Yu Xiaogang!"

Qian Xunji's eyes lit up. He slapped his thigh and sat bolt upright.

Yu Xiaogang had been tricked into going to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect by Qian Xunji. He was currently steeling himself to publish his astonishing "Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul,"

hoping to make a name for himself in one fell swoop—and even use it to become Bibi Dong's life mentor.

In the original story, Tang San's early theoretical knowledge was all built on Yu Xiaogang's theories, which he had "borrowed" from Spirit Hall's Library Pavilion.

"So you want to be a grandmaster of theory? You want to show off across the continent using your information advantage?"

The villainous smile on Qian Xunji's lips grew increasingly unhinged. "Then this Pope will flip your table before you get the chance. I'll walk your path and leave you nowhere to go."

"Guards!"

At Qian Xunji's command, several chief scholars responsible for Spirit Hall's highest-level historical compilation hurried in.

"Carry out this seat's decree. Immediately gather the highest-grade materials from the Worship Hall and Pope Hall libraries. Combine them with all the Soul Beast files and Martial Soul catalogues Spirit Hall has collected over the past several thousand years, and compile a book for me."

"Call it—<General Theory of Martial Souls: From Beginner to Titled Douluo>."

Qian Xunji began his great academic interception campaign.

"In this book, objectively, thoroughly, and comprehensively list every known type of Martial Soul on the continent, from Tool Martial Souls to Beast Martial Souls, and sort them into categories."

"And the Soul Beast section: list every basic Soul Beast species found in Soul Hunting Forest, their habits, how to identify their age, and which types of Soul Beasts are most likely to grant what Soul Skills when paired with different Martial Souls. Write it all out clearly."

"Most importantly, take that so-called optimal Spirit Ring absorption age ratio,

print it in bold red letters on the title page, and note: 'This is a universal truth distilled through the tireless efforts of generations of Spirit Hall sages.'

"Of course, add that geniuses are exempt from the age limits above."

The scholars were sweating profusely. One of them mustered the courage to ask,

"Your Holiness the Pope, these... these are all secret treasures of Spirit Hall that we never share with outsiders. If we compile them into a book... surely you mean to circulate it among our upper ranks?"

"Circulate it internally, my foot."

Qian Xunji slapped the table and swept his hand out grandly.

"Find the best printers on the continent and have them work day and night. Print ten thousand copies to start."

"Once they're ready, distribute them to every Spirit Hall Branch and every low-, middle-, and high-level Soul Master Academy across the continent. Set the price at three Copper Soul Coins."

The scholars were dumbfounded. Three Copper Soul Coins? That wasn't even enough to buy toilet paper. Was His Holiness planning to use Spirit Hall's treasured knowledge to run a charity for the whole continent?

They had no idea how devious Qian Xunji's plan was.

Once General Theory of Martial Souls was published,

commoner Soul Masters across the continent would have access to the most scientific cultivation methods and Spirit Ring matching techniques. Spirit Hall's reputation would reach an unprecedented peak.

And the most fatal part was that Yu Xiaogang's vaunted "Ten Core Theories," which he planned to use to astonish the world, would instantly become common knowledge,

while some of the theories Yu Xiaogang had deduced himself—incorrect ones—would be torn to shreds by the rigorous General Theory of Martial Souls.

By the time Yu Xiaogang had worked himself up at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and was ready to take the stage and show off,

the disciples below would probably all pull out a copy of General Theory of Martial Souls, which cost just three coins, and stare at him as if he were an idiot.

"That's it? This is what they call a grandmaster? Isn't all this just common knowledge from Spirit Hall's beginner's guide?"

"Ke ke ke... Grandmaster Yu, I'll gladly take your academic career off your hands.

"I hope that wise little buzz cut of yours still has some other brilliant ideas."

After arranging this weapon, powerful enough to upend the academic world of early Douluo Continent, Qian Xunji did not stop there.

If he wanted to wring every last bit of wool from this continent, he couldn't overlook a single bizarre mutant.

"While you're at it, issue the highest-level Talent Recruitment Edict across the continent in the name of Pope Hall."

Qian Xunji stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes gleaming with schemes built around the original story's setting.

"Across the entire continent, it doesn't matter whether they come from a sect or a slum. If, at the age of six, they awaken with Innate Soul Power but don't manifest any Martial Soul at all... recruit every last one of them to Spirit City!"

"Tell them this: 'The trash nobody else wants is wanted by Spirit Hall! Just come, and we'll provide food and lodging, along with the highest-standard training!'"

Everyone acknowledged the order and withdrew. They thought His Holiness might have developed some strange hobby during his seclusion, collecting useless people without Martial Souls, but the Pope's command was absolute truth, so they could only hurry off to carry it out.

Qian Xunji gazed around his empty study and stretched contentedly.

Soul Power, but no Martial Soul?

By the ordinary understanding of Douluo Continent, that was a congenital disability—a peerless waste, even worse than a Trash Martial Soul.

But as a transmigrator, Qian Xunji knew all too well what lay behind it.

What was that called?

A Body Martial Soul.

In the era of Douluo Continent I, the concept of Body Martial Souls had yet to be fully developed. The geniuses who possessed them were highly likely to be dismissed as "freaks with no Martial Soul" and buried before anyone recognized their potential.

With this edict, Qian Xunji was sweeping the continent with a vacuum cleaner, picking up every overlooked bargain.

If he could unearth even a few freaks with top-tier Body Martial Souls from among these "useless people" and give them a little training, then the inherited Martial Souls of the Upper Three Sects would all have to make way for Silver Grade and Gold Grade Body Martial Souls after their Second Awakening.

Qian Xunji walked to the window and picked up a glass of red wine, gazing down at Spirit City, solemn and sacred beneath the sunlight.

Everyone had a bright future...