Martial Soul Hall's Reaction, Hope for Martial Soul Recovery

"What is the meaning of this?"

Gui Mei explained, "I followed the route to a desolate mountain area and discovered two corpses that had been reduced to pulp. Based on the timeline, they should be the branch hall master of Nuoding City! Judging by the traces at the scene, the culprit must be a power-type Spirit Master with a cultivation level of at least Spirit Douluo."

Bibi Dong was furious. She slammed her scepter against the floor, and a massive pressure instantly flooded the entire Pope Palace, leaving Yue Guan and Gui Mei gasping for air, trembling where they stood.

"This is a declaration of war against Martial Soul Hall!"

Yue Guan said, "Your Holiness, please temper your thunderous rage. Investigating the culprit is the priority right now."

"Hmph!" Bibi Dong retracted her pressure and asked Gui Mei, "Gui Mei, do the corpses and the headcount match up?"

Gui Mei hurriedly replied, "Reporting to Your Holiness, that is indeed the most bizarre part. Logically, there should be three corpses: the branch hall master, the carriage driver, and Lian Xiaotian. Yet, one is missing."

"Could it be that someone didn't die and escaped?"

Yue Guan quickly dismissed this speculation: "That shouldn't be possible. Both were reduced to pulp; how could anyone survive? But if there are only two corpses at the scene and no child's body was found, then there is only one possibility: the culprit took the person away?"

Bibi Dong said, "Gui Mei, you spent so much time there, you must have conducted some investigation, right?"

Gui Mei answered, "Yes. Reporting to Your Holiness, I discovered that the Saint of Medicine Ye Renxin passed through that desolate mountain area. The timing was very close, but there was no one in his entourage who met the criteria for the culprit. Moreover, Ye Renxin's group suddenly had an extra boy during the journey, identified as a distant relative, though the exact time of his appearance could not be traced."

"So, Old Ghost, you suspect that the culprit didn't kill the child, and Ye Renxin happened to pass by and rescue him?"

Gui Mei shook his head: "I thought so at first, but I later dismissed that idea. Ye Renxin is only a Spirit Saint. While the healing ability of the Nine-Heart Begonia is peerless across the continent, it cannot resurrect the dead at the Spirit Saint level."

"Furthermore, I saw that child from a distance; he looks different from the report. And as you know, I am extremely sensitive to light-attributed energy, yet I could not sense a shred of light aura from him. Instead, I discovered that his aura is somewhat similar to my own."

Yue Guan said, "So, it wasn't Ye Renxin?"

Bibi Dong made the final call: "Even if it truly was Ye Renxin, this child can no longer be used by us. He must have joined the Ye family, and the Ye family is not easy to provoke. The urgent matter is to dig out that culprit! Otherwise, we will lose more talented individuals in the future."

"As you command, Your Holiness!" X2

A month later, Xing Tian finally arrived at Ye Mansion with Ye Renxin.

Ye Mansion was situated in a quiet corner of Heaven Dou City, but its facade was extraordinary.

Two stone lions stood before the vermilion gates, and a gold-stamped plaque hung above the lintel. Just standing before the entrance, one could smell the faint fragrance of flowers and plants.

When the two gatekeepers saw it was Ye Renxin's carriage, one immediately rushed inside, shouting, "The Family Head has returned!" while the other respectfully stepped forward to lead the carriage into the estate.

The interior of Ye Mansion was even more elegant. Passing through the moon gate of the front courtyard, one entered a courtyard paved with bluestone, where all manner of flowers and plants were cultivated.

Walking further in, pavilions and towers were scattered in an orderly fashion, with exquisite palace lanterns hanging beneath the corridors.

"This is the Ye family's residence in Heaven Dou City, and from now on, it is your home as well." Ye Renxin patted Xing Tian on the shoulder, his tone gentle.

Not long after, everyone in the mansion gathered in the front hall.

There were white-haired clan elders, middle-aged pillars of the family, and some young sprouts around ten years old, all standing in a disciplined manner.

Seeing Ye Renxin sit in the main seat and Ye Lingling stand to his right, they all bowed in unison: "Family Head!"

Ye Renxin nodded, signaled for everyone to sit, and after gesturing for Xing Tian to stand on his other side, he introduced him to the group.

"This child is named Xing Tian; you may call him Xiaotian. He is a distant relative I have brought back. His talent is even above Lingling's. From now on, he will reside in the mansion. I expect you all to look after him well and ensure he is not neglected."

Aside from the children, the hearts of everyone in the hall were stirred with shock.

Ye Renxin had first placed Xing Tian in a position essentially equal to Ye Lingling, then emphasized his talent; anyone with a modicum of intelligence understood the implication.

Several clan elders were the first to respond: "Rest assured, Family Head, we will certainly take good care of Young Master Xiaotian."

The others followed suit, introducing themselves, their gazes toward Xing Tian filled with newfound curiosity and respect.

Xing Tian felt both warmed and startled inside.

He was warmed because Ye Renxin had not only taken him in but also granted him such a high status; he would keep this kindness in his heart.

He was startled because, aside from some servants, almost everyone in the Ye Mansion was present, yet he did not see Ye Lingling's parents.

Were they away from Heaven Dou City on urgent business? Or was there another reason?

Xing Tian pursed his lips, ultimately deciding not to ask.

This was the Ye family's private business. Even if Ye Renxin had given him a high status, he was ultimately an outsider and should not pry.

After dinner, Ye Renxin called Xing Tian to his study alone. "Xiaotian, tomorrow the mansion will host a banquet to entertain an honored guest."

Xing Tian immediately guessed who this guest was: "Is it the powerful old friend you mentioned on the road?"

Ye Renxin smiled: "Indeed. Your Mantis Martial Soul has just re-condensed and undergone a mutation completely opposite to its original attributes. It is extremely unstable. Once you begin cultivating, there is a risk of the martial soul shattering, which is why I forbade you from cultivating it along the way."

"My knowledge is limited, and I do not know how to proceed. But this friend of mine is well-versed and experienced; perhaps he can guide you in resolving this problem."

Xing Tian's heart skipped a beat. He had previously discovered that the internal energy he cultivated seemed capable of being converted into spirit power, and the laws of cultivation in this world were quite peculiar.

Every time spirit power reached a multiple of ten, a spirit ring had to be added, or the level could not be broken through. This made it difficult for his internal energy to grow.

Although the level of the Nine Deaths Reincarnation Evil Art depended primarily on experiencing death tribulations and returning from the dead, it required a high foundation of internal power, likely needing several years of accumulation before he could attempt the second death tribulation.

While he had discovered another power awakening within his body—which also seemed to be a martial soul that could be cultivated—he had only displayed the Mantis Martial Soul in front of Ye Renxin.

Even though Ye Renxin was his savior, Xing Tian would not reveal everything; this was a form of indirect protection for the Ye family.

Due to the influence of the Nine Deaths Reincarnation Evil Art, his Mantis Martial Soul had no light attributes after re-condensing, and his own appearance and aura had changed, so he was not afraid of being targeted by the Clear Sky Douluo.

Therefore, the Mantis Martial Soul remained the primary choice for cultivation, and Xing Tian urgently needed to resolve its instability.

"Grandpa Ye, please tell me who this VIP is and how I should interact with him?"

Ye Renxin put away his smile, turning somewhat serious. "His name is Dugu Bo, a Titled Douluo with the title 'Jade Phosphorus'!"

"It really is a Titled Douluo!"

Although Xing Tian had already guessed that the old friend in the imperial capital whom the Saint of Medicine Ye Renxin wished to rely on could only be a Titled Douluo, he still couldn't help but be shocked when he heard Ye Renxin confirm it with his own ears.

The vast majority of people would never see a Titled Douluo in their entire lives, yet at only six years old, he was about to meet his second one. He truly didn't know whether this was fortunate or unfortunate.