Return to Martial Soul Hall

"Don't be afraid, little one. It doesn't matter if you missed the awakening ceremony. Just head into the Martial Soul Hall and look for Deacon Lu Renjia; he will assist you." With that, the guard stepped aside and gestured for "Qin Heng" to enter.

Upon hearing that name, "Qin Heng" nearly lost his composure. Fortunately, his mental fortitude was strong enough that he managed to keep from laughing out loud.

"Qin Heng" politely thanked the guard and walked into the hall, quickly locating the aforementioned Deacon Lu Renjia.

It was easy, as the man was currently in the middle of awakening the martial souls of several children, and "Qin Heng" spotted him the moment he walked in.

After greeting the deacon and receiving permission, "Qin Heng" took his place at the end of the line.

There were six children ahead of him, one of whom actually awakened a food-type steamed bun martial soul, though unfortunately, his Innate Soul Power was only rank one.

Soon it was "Qin Heng's" turn. He stepped into the awakening array and went through the motions, finally using his soul power to make his eyes glow faintly, indicating that his martial soul was an eye.

"A martial soul eye? Another trash soul. Come, let's test your Innate Soul Power."

"Qin Heng" placed his hand on the crystal ball and deliberately suppressed his soul power output, allowing the ball to glow with only three levels of light.

"Eh? A trash eye martial soul actually has rank three Innate Soul Power? What is your name, child? Where are you from?"

"My name is Huo Yuhao, and I'm from Notting City," "Qin Heng" lied casually.

"Your home is in Notting City? Then how did you end up in Suotuo City?"

"My father made some money in business, so the whole family moved here."

"I see." As he spoke, Lu Renjia had already written out the martial soul certificate and handed it to "Qin Heng," informing him that he was qualified to become a soul master and could use the certificate to enroll in a junior soul master academy.

Watching Qin Heng leave, Lu Renjia sighed and muttered, "Rank three Innate Soul Power—if he had awakened a decent martial soul, he might have been worth recruiting or investing in, but a trash eye soul? Forget it! Besides, the kid said his family moved here after making money, so he surely has the funds to pay for the academy."

With the certificate in hand, "Qin Heng" headed straight for the junior soul master academy; he had already spotted the Suotuo City Junior Soul Master Academy on his way to the Martial Soul Hall.

"Qin Heng" presented his certificate, and after the gatekeeper confirmed it was in order, he was immediately let through. The guard kindly reminded "Qin Heng" that this year's enrollment had closed three months ago and the first-year classes had long since begun, so if he wanted to transfer in, he would need to find the academy director.

The guard's attitude was quite amiable, which Qin Heng felt was how it should be. The gatekeeper at the Notting City Junior Soul Master Academy must have had a screw loose; any child coming to register at a junior academy was a potential future soul master.

Anyone with a functioning brain wouldn't offend such people. As for the possibility of the certificate being fake? That was none of his business—wouldn't the academy teachers check it?

"Qin Heng" asked a few students for directions and quickly found the administrative office. After knocking and entering, he handed his martial soul certificate to the man sitting at the main desk.

"Teacher, I just awakened my martial soul today. Deacon Lu of the Martial Soul Hall said I could come here to study."

Upon hearing this, the man took the certificate, glanced at it, and said, "This year's enrollment period has already passed. However, considering you have rank three Innate Soul Power, I can make an exception and arrange your admission, but..."

"Qin Heng" immediately pulled out a money bag, took out five Gold Soul Coins, and handed them over, saying with an excited expression, "Thank you, teacher..."

"There's no need for that. I am a Soul Elder; I don't care about your pocket change. What I mean is that since you're enrolling now, the academy won't repeat the lessons you've missed. You'll have to rely on self-study. If you can't read, I advise you to come back next year."

"Teacher, I can read."

"That's good then. For the first two months, the academy focused on teaching meditation techniques and literacy. By that count, you've only missed a month of curriculum. If you spend more time in the library reading, you should be able to make up for it. By the way, do you want to be a work-study student or a self-funded student?"

"I'll go with self-funded. I heard work-study students share a dormitory with many others, and I prefer some peace and quiet."

The teacher nodded and went to make the arrangements.

Half an hour later, the paperwork was finished. "Qin Heng" paid 20 Gold Soul Coins, received a school uniform and a set of bedding, and after the teacher told him the location and room number of his dormitory and handed him a key, he was left to his own devices.

Fortunately, the student dorms were easy to find. "Qin Heng" quickly located his room; since he had paid, he naturally had a single room.

And so, "Qin Heng" officially began his studies at the Suotuo City Junior Soul Master Academy.

Meanwhile, at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

Guang Ling Douluo received a message from Qian Daoliu, ordering him to send Qin Heng back to Martial Soul City.

Guang Ling Douluo did not hesitate to carry out Qian Daoliu's command, immediately sending Qin Heng back to Martial Soul City.

Unexpectedly, the moment Qin Heng entered Martial Soul City, he was intercepted by Yue Guan. Gui Mei and Guang Ling Douluo exchanged some words via sound transmission, and in the end, Guang Ling Douluo did not intervene.

Yue Guan escorted Qin Heng at high speed all the way to the Pope Palace, then gave him a meaningful look.

Seeing this, Qin Heng felt his heart pounding.

"Your Holiness, the person has arrived." Upon entering the Pope Palace, Yue Guan bowed and spoke.

Qin Heng looked up at Bibi Dong, who was sitting on the papal throne. She wore the Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown and a luxurious pale purple robe, her temperament cold and noble, yet her brow was creased with clear dissatisfaction.

This is bad, Qin Heng thought. Bibi Dong's expression is all wrong!

"Qin Heng, I heard you created a brand-new cultivation method you call a technique?" Bibi Dong's voice echoed through the Pope Palace.

"Yes, Your Holiness."

"And you intend to make this cultivation method public?"

This time, Qin Heng only nodded.

"Do you realize that this act is no different from aiding the enemy?"

"Your Holiness, I do not think so. I believe my actions are breaking the monopoly of the old powers. Those sects and clans rely on accumulations from many years ago, improving meditation techniques generation after generation. Thanks to these high-level techniques, children with the same aptitude in those sects clearly cultivate much faster.

My technique, even in its simplified form, is faster than the meditation techniques of those sects. Once it spreads, they will have no choice but to cultivate my technique just like any other ordinary soul master, and their advantage in cultivation speed will cease to exist."

"And what of my Martial Soul Hall? Are we not the same?" Bibi Dong questioned.

"Naturally, it is different. Those who are truly loyal to my martial soul can cultivate a better, more complete version of the technique. The version I intend to spread is missing the core parts; it is not the best one."

"Oh? Is that so? Then why is the version I received also the simplified one? Why is it that only those in the Worship Hall can cultivate the complete technique? Does this mean I, as the Pope, am not loyal enough to the Martial Soul Hall?"

Qin Heng's expression stiffened upon hearing this. He finally realized what was happening: Bibi Dong's anger was nine times out of ten because Qian Daoliu was "acting up" again. Adhering to his self-righteous, gentlemanly style, he had insisted on getting his own approval before handing the technique over to Bibi Dong.

Qin Heng's back was drenched in cold sweat. Isn't this just setting me up for disaster?