Ye Renxin's Selfishness

On the journey north, Xing Tian learned more information from Ye Renxin.

The Ye family had already arrived in Heaven Dou City ahead of time to establish a foothold, waiting only for their patriarch, Ye Renxin, to return and take his place.

The reason they chose to settle in Heaven Dou City was that the Heaven Dou Empire prioritized civil governance, and their conduct would not be as overbearing as that of the Star Luo Empire.

Furthermore, Ye Renxin had a friend in Heaven Dou City whom he hadn't seen for many years. This person was extremely powerful; as for who exactly it was, Ye Renxin only said that he would see when the time came.

Naturally, the relationship between Xing Tian and Ye Lingling had also grown much closer.

He learned that Ye Lingling was two years his senior, had inherited the Nine-Heart Begonia martial soul, and possessed an Innate Soul Power close to level nine; her current soul power was already at level 15.

While Xing Tian was unaware, Xiao Xiao and Ye Renxin held a conversation.

Xiao Xiao asked, "Patriarch, this child can cultivate by devouring vengeful spirits. His methods are cruel, and he is prone to becoming a fallen one. It is one thing that you forbade me from eliminating him, but why keep him by your side? If this becomes known to the world, I fear it will damage the reputation of the Ye family."

Ye Renxin retorted with some anger, "A healer only saves lives; how can they kill? Especially saving someone only to kill them later?"

"Lian Xiaotian is not a fallen one now. How can you project the future onto the present and impose things that haven't happened yet upon him?"

"Besides, looking at the situation at the time, those souls were likely vengeful spirits filled with resentment and death energy. From that perspective, he was actually doing a good deed."

"A healer has a benevolent heart. He has nowhere else to go now; how could I not take him in?"

Ye Renxin sighed at length, "Furthermore, this old man has some selfish motives."

"Because of the way the Nine-Heart Begonia is passed down, Lingling's personality has become increasingly reclusive. It is better to have a peer by her side, and since he was discovered and saved by Lingling, he holds a special significance to her."

"Lingling is a healing-type soul master, so her partner must be a powerful battle soul master. Although it is a bit early to discuss this at their age, this old man is advanced in years and must plan ahead. Judging by his previous words and actions, this child is quite excellent."

"Most importantly, he has experienced the shattering of his martial soul, its reconstruction, and a postnatal mutation. He must have unique insights into martial souls, and perhaps one day he will find a way to break the curse of the Nine-Heart Begonia. This would both resolve Lingling's inner conflict and benefit the future generations of the Ye family."

Xiao Xiao said with shame, "The patriarch thinks far ahead for the young lady and the family; Xiao Xiao was reckless."

Ye Renxin waved his hand and said, "It is no matter; you were also thinking of the Ye family's reputation. Your concerns are reasonable. By keeping him by my side, I can guide him and ensure he does not stray onto the wrong path."

"The patriarch is benevolent and kind; Xiao Xiao admires you!"

But Xiao Xiao still had doubts, "But Patriarch, what about Martial Soul Hall? As you said, Martial Soul Hall will surely learn of his situation. A top-tier mutated martial soul, light attribute, Innate Full Soul Power—Martial Soul Hall will not let this go. They will certainly investigate to the end."

"The child's martial soul has undergone earth-shaking changes, but the mantis form remains. I fear they will be suspicious."

"And as you said, that branch hall master must have reported the route. When Martial Soul Hall investigates and finds that we also passed through this area, they will definitely suspect us!"

Ye Renxin chuckled, "Although Martial Soul Hall has acted increasingly aggressively in recent years, they still operate according to rules. The scene was caused by powerful and pure soul power without any signs of martial soul usage; at the very least, it was caused by a power-type Contra. None of us in our group possess such strength. Martial Soul Hall has no concrete evidence and cannot do anything to us!"

"Besides, Lian Xiaotian only agreed to join Martial Soul Hall but has not officially joined; he has no registered files. The Martial Soul Hall personnel who were leading him are all dead, and he was saved by us, so it is logical and reasonable for him to join us."

"What we need to worry about is only his future path, and how to protect him from that mysterious murderer and other forces like Martial Soul Hall before he grows up."

On the other side, the Pope Palace in Martial Soul City.

"Your Holiness, these are the records of children with Innate Soul Power exceeding level five from this year's martial soul awakening tour. Among them, there is even one with Innate Full Soul Power!"

A man whose skin looked as delicate as an infant's, with an enchanting appearance and a voice whose age could not be discerned, respectfully held a stack of documents.

This person was one of the elders of Martial Soul Hall, Chrysanthemum Douluo—Yue Guan.

If not for his Adam's apple, no one would think he was a man.

Beside him was a black shadow, in which a human form could be vaguely discerned.

He was the other elder of Martial Soul Hall, Ghost Douluo Gui Mei.

Gui Mei was known as the most eerie Title Douluo; one could see his ghost shadow but never his soul rings, and apart from the two previous Popes and his partner Yue Guan, no one had ever seen his true face.

The two were respectfully facing the person above them. The person who could make two Title Douluo elders so respectful was naturally the Pope of Martial Soul Hall, Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong was not tall, and her gorgeous gown fit her perfectly from head to toe, shimmering with precious light. The Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown atop her head radiated myriad rays of light. She held a two-meter-long scepter inlaid with countless gemstones.

Her fair skin and near-perfect features made her look so extraordinary. In particular, the invisible nobility and holiness she exuded made one unable to help but feel an urge to prostrate and worship.

Bibi Dong reached out slightly, and the documents in Yue Guan's hands flew toward her.

According to the rules of Martial Soul Hall, those with Innate Soul Power above level five were qualified to study at Martial Soul Hall Academy, and those with Innate Soul Power above level seven could even be cultivated as seed players for the Martial Soul Hall Academy team.

However, Bibi Dong only glanced at the records of those above level seven; as Pope, she did not need to attend to every detail personally. The one she was truly interested in was naturally the child with Innate Full Soul Power that Yue Guan had mentioned.

"Nuoding City, Mantis Village, Lian Xiaotian. A mantis martial soul with a light attribute? The father's martial soul is a common mantis, and the mother's is a sunflower. A mutated martial soul?"

A trace of imperceptible conflict flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes.

At this moment, Yue Guan said, "Your Holiness, the Nuoding City branch hall sent word. The letter says that this child is willing to join Martial Soul Hall. The branch hall master has already set off with him, and the route and itinerary have been reported."

She was slightly angry, "Who allowed him to act on his own authority?"

Yue Guan said with a slight tremor, "Please calm your anger, Your Holiness. The branch hall master likely wanted this child to join Martial Soul Hall as soon as possible so that Martial Soul Hall could gain a genius soul master, which is why he took the liberty to decide."

Bibi Dong's gaze fell on Gui Mei, and she said, "Gui Mei, you make a trip yourself and bring them back according to the reported route."

"Yes!" After a hoarse response from the black shadow, Gui Mei instantly flew out of the Pope Palace, leaving behind only a chilling coldness.

Half a month later, Gui Mei hurried back to the Pope Palace, his tone filled with panic, "Your Holiness, something terrible has happened!"