Deeper Soul Beast Research

Along the way, Hu Liena did not say much, while Chu Hanxiang and Xu Mochen simply followed by her side. Hu Liena led them all the way to a secluded spot.

After confirming that there was no one else around besides the three of them, she took a slight breath and bowed to Xu Mochen. "I am sorry, Little Chen. It was my fault for not intervening in time, which led to your injury. Please forgive Martial Soul Hall. I will have my teacher handle the matter regarding Yan and Qin Ze, so please do not take it to heart."

Seeing this, Chu Hanxiang's jaw nearly dropped! What did she mean by asking Xu Mochen to forgive Martial Soul Hall? This was too insane! Martial Soul Hall was the supreme spirit master power on Douluo Continent! The holy land in the hearts of all spirit masters!

What exactly was Xu Mochen's background? Judging by Sister Nana's words, not only was Xu Mochen not a member of Martial Soul Hall, but even Hu Liena, a disciple of the Pope, had to treat him with such deference? Even the crown princes of the two great empires wouldn't receive such treatment! This world had gone mad!

Xu Mochen merely gave a bitter smile, then put on a "sad and aggrieved" expression as he looked at Hu Liena. "I thought Sister Nana and I were friends, which is why you helped me. I didn't expect it was only because of the background behind me. I truly regarded Sister Nana as a friend, but I never imagined that this is how you see me."

Upon hearing Xu Mochen's words and seeing his "hurt" expression, Hu Liena's heart was suddenly filled with joy and apology. She quickly explained, "Little Brother Chen, don't misunderstand. We are certainly friends. It's just that you were indeed targeted by some dregs within Martial Soul Hall, so I only hope you don't blame the entire organization. After all, the vast majority of people in Martial Soul Hall are kind."

Hearing this, the disappointment on Xu Mochen's face vanished. He nodded earnestly and said, "Sister Nana, please rest assured. I certainly know that there are many good people in Martial Soul Hall, just like you and Sister Chu."

After saying this, he glanced at the astonished Chu Hanxiang. Although she hadn't reacted yet, she immediately nodded as well. "That's right, Little Brother Chen. Although I don't know your origins, please believe that both Sister Nana and I are very willing to be your friends."

Hearing this, Xu Mochen's eyes lit up. He smiled and said, "Then I am relieved. Sister Nana, Sister Chu, you don't need to worry about my identity; just treat me as your younger brother! I will also treat you both as my own elder sisters."

Just like that, the relationship between the three took a step forward, and Xu Mochen took this opportunity to further expand his connections within Martial Soul Hall. Of course, he was well aware that Yan and Qin Ze would not let him off so easily, and if Yan relied solely on the power of his martial soul, it would be difficult to defeat him.

However, Xu Mochen was not particularly worried, as he still had other trump cards he hadn't used. If he were to unleash them, he would not fear even if Yan and his lackeys attacked together. His confidence stemmed from the series of Soul Guidance Weapon equipment tailored for him by Kong Dehan before he left, as well as the special potions prepared by Cang Ming! But since he came to Douluo Continent to improve his martial soul strength, he would not reveal these methods unless it was a critical moment.

The afternoon classes were relatively simple. Today's afternoon session was a cultural course taught by a middle-aged female teacher at the Spirit Douluo level named Fang Yun. She had an oval face, long purple hair like a waterfall, and wore square-rimmed glasses, giving her the air of a scholar.

The content covered in this class was merely knowledge regarding spirit beasts. After all, basic cultivation systems—such as optimal spirit ring ratios, martial soul classification, and knowledge of spirit rings, spirit bones, and domains—had already been taught in the introductory classes. Still, Xu Mochen felt a sense of boredom as he listened.

It had to be said that Douluo Continent's research on spirit beasts was indeed lagging behind. The teacher's lecture was nothing more than reciting the names, appearances, methods of determining cultivation age, habits, and weaknesses of various spirit beasts.

While the teaching content seemed comprehensive, it was actually superficial. Not only was it incomplete, but it also failed to touch upon the core essence of the subject.

For example, what were the specific structures of these spirit beasts' organs, and what abilities did different organs provide? Why did spirit beasts possess these innate abilities? Why were their weaknesses located in those specific areas?

There was no deep investigation into basic principles from a biological perspective. They knew the "what" but not the "why." While this knowledge was sufficient for basic spirit masters to hunt for spirit rings, it was clearly inadequate for deeper research and development.

No wonder the gap in research was so vast despite both Douluo Continent and Sun Moon Continent having developed for ten thousand years! Sun Moon Continent could rely on biological dissection to understand the internal principles of spirit beast biology, using that research to create various genetic potions and bionic Soul Tools, and even using it to explore and understand nature! Meanwhile, Douluo Continent remained stuck at the most basic stage of hunting spirit beasts to obtain spirit rings for cultivation!

The classmates beside him were listening with great interest. Although Xu Mochen felt speechless, he considered that Douluo Continent had many species of spirit beasts that did not exist in the Sun Moon Empire. He decided to get a general understanding in class, then find an opportunity to check the Martial Soul Hall library. If the information there wasn't comprehensive enough, he would have to try to obtain spirit beast samples on Douluo Continent to take back for research.

When the class ended, Hu Liena noticed a Cardinal at the Spirit Saint level approaching them. He informed them that the Pope had heard about the morning's events and requested that Hu Liena and Xu Mochen come to the Pope Palace immediately.

Hu Liena had naturally anticipated this. She had Chu Hanxiang leave first, then boarded a prepared carriage with Xu Mochen, heading toward the Pope Palace under the Cardinal's guidance. Along the way, Hu Liena was slightly nervous, while Xu Mochen simply gave her a reassuring look before closing his eyes to rest.

Before long, the carriage arrived at the entrance of Martial Soul Hall. As they walked to the gates of the Pope Palace, the guards immediately recognized Hu Liena and respectfully shouted, "Greetings, Lady Hu Liena," before slowly opening the great doors.

The administrative hall of the Pope Palace was empty, but Hu Liena clearly knew where Bibi Dong was. She led Xu Mochen deep into the palace, winding through corridors and climbing several flights of stairs.

Hu Liena held her token as they moved; the clergy they passed bowed to her, and the guards let them through. Finally, she brought Xu Mochen to a door on the top floor of the Pope Palace.

Hu Liena knocked and said respectfully, "Teacher, your disciple Hu Liena has brought Xu Mochen." A moment later, a calm voice responded from within: "Come in, the door is unlocked."

Only then did Hu Liena breathe a sigh of relief and push the door open. As it swung wide, a room filled with antique charm appeared before Xu Mochen: shelves neatly stacked with books, oil paintings, and maps adorned the walls. Crystal lamps hung from the ceiling, and the room was filled with colorful glass windows, potted plants, and strange, curious models.

At the far end of the room stood a grand, high-quality wooden desk, neatly piled with files, stationery, and decorations. Behind the desk, Bibi Dong, dressed in her white papal robes, was busy reviewing documents.

When Bibi Dong looked up and saw Hu Liena and Xu Mochen, she set aside her work and rose from her desk. She pointed kindly toward the luxurious sofas on the side and said, "Nana and Little Chen are here. Come, sit down. There is no one else here, so there is no need for formalities."

Hu Liena and Xu Mochen did not decline and sat politely on the sofa. Bibi Dong sat on the opposite side, her eyes devoid of the majesty she had displayed in the Pope Palace the day before, replaced instead by the warmth of an elder. If not for Xu Mochen's keen ability to sense energy, he would never have linked the inheritor of the Rakshasa God with the kind-looking woman before him.

Bibi Dong first asked with concern, "Little Chen—I hope I may call you that—how was your day? I heard you had some unpleasantness with some students. I heard about the events this morning. I must say, although Martial Soul Hall has grown much larger than before, it is inevitable that some people with ill intentions will appear. Rest assured, I will notify the relevant personnel to handle this matter; I will not let you suffer any grievances."

"No, no, Your Holiness, you are too kind. I only had a small friction with my classmates. Besides, learning is never a smooth journey; encountering some difficulties is inevitable, and I will certainly not hold a grudge against Martial Soul Hall because of it."

Xu Mochen waved his hands, putting on a look of being flattered. "Moreover, I have met many friends, like Hu Liena and Chu Hanxiang. They are very kind and friendly to me. Honestly, I really like the atmosphere at the Spirit Hall Academy. After all, conflict between spirit masters is inevitable, and I am here to train, not to enjoy myself, right?"

Of course, while Xu Mochen was performing humility on the surface, he was secretly taking the opportunity to siphon the Rakshasa God's divinity from Bibi Dong! He wished the conversation could drag on as long as possible.

Bibi Dong, unaware of his actions, smiled gently. "That is good. Rest assured, during your time studying here, treat this place as your home. If you have any questions or needs, you can come directly to me. If I am not here, you can also go to the Elder Hall and find Chrysanthemum Douluo or Ghost Douluo."

With that, Bibi Dong took a six-sided token from her storage ring and handed it to Xu Mochen. "You can use this token to come directly to the Pope Palace to find me, or take it to the Elder Hall and tell the guards you are looking for Elder Chrysanthemum or Elder Ghost; they will notify them for you."

Xu Mochen thanked her and took the token, examining it closely. He noticed that it was quite different from the "Six-Sided Martial Soul Elder Token" described in the original work; for instance, it did not feature the Seven Kill Sword, chrysanthemum, or ghost motifs.

Combining the original descriptions with the information he possessed, he realized the six sides depicted a dark golden Clear Sky Hammer, a seven-colored Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon head with blue lightning, a holy sword with golden wings, a trident with blue fins, and a magic sword with blood-colored spirits!

Seeing these six patterns, Xu Mochen instantly associated them with the six major powers: Clear Sky Sect, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, Martial Soul Hall, Sea God Island, and the Capital of Killing!