On the way north, Xing Tian learned more from Ye Renxin.
The Ye Family had already arrived in Heaven Dou City and put down roots, waiting only for their family head, Ye Renxin, to return.
They had chosen to settle in Heaven Dou City because the Heaven Dou Empire valued civil governance and was not as overbearing in its ways as the Star Luo Empire.
Moreover, Ye Renxin had a longtime friend in Heaven Dou City whom he had not seen in many years. The other person was extremely powerful, but Ye Renxin only said they would meet in due time.
Of course, Xing Tian and Ye Lingling had also grown much closer.
He learned that Ye Lingling was two years older than him, had inherited the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul, and possessed Innate Soul Power close to level nine. Her Soul Power had already reached level fifteen.
While Xing Tian was unaware, Xiao Xiao and Ye Renxin had a conversation.
Xiao Xiao asked, "Family Head, this child can devour vengeful spirits to cultivate. His methods are cruel, and he could easily become one of the Fallen Ones. I can understand you forbidding me from eliminating him, but why keep him by your side? If the world finds out, it could damage the Ye Family's reputation."
Ye Renxin retorted angrily, "A physician's duty is to save lives. How could we kill people? And after saving them first, no less?"
"Xiao Tian isn't a Fallen One now. How can you judge him for what he might become in the future and pin something that hasn't happened on him?"
"Besides, judging from the situation at the time, those spirits must have been vengeful wraiths filled with resentment and death energy. From that perspective, he was actually doing a good deed."
"A physician should have a compassionate heart. He has nowhere to go right now. How could I refuse to take him in?"
Ye Renxin sighed deeply. "Besides, I have some selfish motives of my own."
"Because of her Martial Soul inheritance, Lingling has grown more and more withdrawn. It would be better for her to have someone her own age by her side. She was the one who found and rescued him, so he holds a special meaning for her."
"Lingling is also a Healing Type Soul Master, and her partner must be a powerful Battle Soul Master. It's a little early to be talking about this at their age, but I'm getting on in years and have to plan ahead. Judging by his words and conduct earlier, the boy seems quite decent."
"Most importantly, he's experienced his Martial Soul shattering, its reformation, and its postnatal mutation in succession. He must have a unique understanding of Martial Souls. Perhaps one day he'll find a way to break the curse of the Nine Heart Begonia Martial Soul. That would free Lingling from her emotional burden and benefit the Ye Family's descendants."
Xiao Xiao said in shame, "You've thought so far ahead for the young lady and the family, Family Head. I was rash."
Ye Renxin waved a hand. "It's all right. You were concerned for the Ye Family's reputation. Your worries are reasonable, too. Keeping him by my side will also let me guide him and keep him from straying down the wrong path."
"The Family Head is benevolent. Xiao Xiao admires you!"
But Xiao Xiao still had his doubts. "But, Family Head, what about Spirit Hall? You said yourself that Spirit Hall will certainly learn about his circumstances. A top-tier Mutated Martial Soul, light attribute, Innate Full Soul Power—Spirit Hall won't let him go. They'll investigate everything thoroughly."
"The boy's Martial Soul has changed beyond recognition, but its mantis shape remains. They may well grow suspicious."
"And as you said, the branch hall master will report the route they took. When Spirit Hall follows up and discovers that we passed through the same area, they'll surely suspect us!"
Ye Renxin chuckled. "Spirit Hall has grown increasingly forceful in recent years, but at least it still follows the rules. The scene was caused by powerful, pure Soul Power, with no sign of anyone using a Martial Soul. It must have been the work of at least a Soul Douluo specializing in strength. There's no one like that among our group. Spirit Hall has no proof, so it can't do anything to us!"
"Besides, Xiao Tian only agreed to join Spirit Hall. He hasn't officially joined yet, and his name hasn't been entered into their records. The Spirit Hall personnel escorting him are all dead, and he was rescued by us. It's perfectly reasonable for him to join our family instead."
"What we need to worry about is only his future, and how to protect him from that mysterious killer, Spirit Hall, and other forces until he's strong enough to protect himself."
Meanwhile, at Pope Palace in Spirit City.
"Your Holiness, these are the records for the children whose Innate Soul Power exceeded level five during this year's Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony. One of them even has Innate Full Soul Power!"
A man with baby-smooth skin, an enchanting face, and a voice that gave no hint of his age respectfully held out a stack of documents.
He was none other than Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, one of Spirit Hall's elders.
Were it not for his Adam's apple, no one would have thought he was a man.
Beside him stood a shadow, within which a human shape could just barely be made out.
This was Gui Mei, another of Spirit Hall's elders, Ghost Douluo.
Gui Mei was known as the strangest of the Titled Douluo. People saw only a ghostly shadow, never his Soul Rings. Apart from the two most recent Popes and his partner, Yue Guan, no one had ever seen his true face.
The two stood facing the dais, their manner respectful. The person who could command such reverence from two Titled Douluo elders was naturally Bibi Dong, the Pope of Spirit Hall.
Bibi Dong was not tall. Her splendid ceremonial robes fit her perfectly from head to toe, glittering with precious light. The Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown atop her head shone brilliantly. In her hand, she held a two-meter-long scepter inlaid with countless gems.
Her fair skin and nearly flawless features made her seem utterly extraordinary. Most striking was the invisible aura of nobility and divinity that emanated from her, compelling people to prostrate themselves in worship.
Bibi Dong reached out slightly, and the documents in Yue Guan's hands flew to her.
According to Spirit Hall's rules, anyone with Innate Soul Power above level five qualified to study at Spirit Hall Academy. Those above level seven could even be groomed as seed candidates for the Spirit Hall Academy Team.
However, Bibi Dong only looked over the records for those above level seven. As Pope, she had no need to attend to every matter personally. The child Yue Guan had mentioned with Innate Full Soul Power was the one who truly interested her.
"Nuoding City's Mantis Village, Lian Xiaotian. A light-attribute Mantis Martial Soul? His father has an ordinary Mantis Martial Soul, and his mother has a Sunflower Martial Soul. A Mutated Martial Soul?"
A flicker of tangled emotion passed through Bibi Dong's eyes, too faint to detect.
Just then, Yue Guan said, "Your Holiness, the Nuoding City branch hall sent word. The message says the child is willing to join Spirit Hall. The branch hall master has already set out with him, and their route and itinerary have been reported."
She grew slightly angry. "Who told him he could act on his own?"
Yue Guan said nervously, "Please calm your anger, Your Holiness. The branch hall master likely wanted the child to join Spirit Hall as soon as possible, so Spirit Hall could gain a talented Soul Master. That must be why he took it upon himself to act."
Bibi Dong's gaze fell on Gui Mei. "Gui Mei, go there yourself and bring them back along the reported route."
"Yes!" Gui Mei's hoarse reply came from within the shadow. Then he shot out of Pope Palace in an instant, leaving only a bone-deep chill behind.
Half a month later, Gui Mei hurried back to Pope Palace, his voice tinged with alarm. "Your Holiness, something terrible has happened!"
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