So You're Zhang Yang, Huh

Upon hearing the Pope's arrangements, Sheldon of the Education Committee felt his heart skip a beat. He spoke with caution, "Have those three accompany him? Your Holiness, they have only just reached levels 33 and 34. Is it really..."

Xie Yue, Hu Liena, and Yan were the three most dazzling geniuses at Martial Soul Hall Academy before Zhang Yang enrolled, having broken through to become Soul Elders at the age of thirteen.

Among them, Hu Liena had even been taken on as a personal disciple by Bibi Dong.

However, ever since Zhang Yang had been at the academy for a while, the reputation of these three as geniuses had dimmed significantly.

It was not that they lacked talent, but when compared to Zhang Yang, they suddenly didn't seem quite so exceptional.

Having had their status as geniuses usurped, Sheldon dared not say that there was no resentment in their hearts toward Zhang Yang.

After all, in an organization as vast as Martial Soul Hall, money was needed everywhere, and the resources allocated to geniuses were limited.

For every extra bite Zhang Yang took, the three of them had to take one less.

For every extra portion Zhang Yang consumed, one of the three would have to go hungry.

Therefore, Sheldon's words just now were ostensibly out of concern that the trio could not handle the task of being bodyguards.

In reality, he was secretly afraid that the three would harbor jealousy and use this opportunity to sabotage the soul ring hunt.

While they might not go so far as to commit murder and be done with it, performing some petty, spiteful acts would be quite easy.

For instance, arranging for Zhang Yang to absorb a soul ring with a low age limit.

A 1,000-year soul ring and a limit-breaking 1,760-year soul ring were both purple, but the gap between them was immense.

Furthermore, they could help Zhang Yang hunt a soul beast unsuitable for him, effectively ruining his third soul skill.

Without even needing to rack his brains, Sheldon had already thought of several plans detrimental to Zhang Yang.

Bibi Dong did not catch the subtext in Sheldon's words, assuming he was merely worried about their strength, and added, "It is of no concern. The Pope Palace will dispatch a Title Douluo to accompany them."

Hearing this from Bibi Dong, Sheldon finally set his mind at ease.

With a Title Douluo present, there was no need to worry about Xie Yue, Hu Liena, or Yan playing any tricks.

Of course, if Zhang Yang could still fall into a trap while a Title Douluo was accompanying him, it would only mean that the one plotting against him was not the trio, but the Pope herself.

Regardless, the Education Committee would no longer have to bear the brunt of the Pope's wrath.

With that settled, Sheldon took his leave, leaving Bibi Dong alone in the reception hall.

"Zhang Yang..." Bibi Dong murmured.

The current Zhang Yang had presented Bibi Dong with a difficult dilemma.

As Pope, Bibi Dong had long since made up her mind to groom Hu Liena as the next Pope.

There was no helping it; Hu Liena was simply too similar to Bibi Dong.

An orphan by origin, a beast-type martial soul, and possessed of extraordinary talent.

However, the sudden rise of Zhang Yang had caused ripples in Bibi Dong's plans.

If Zhang Yang's radiance were too blinding, causing Hu Liena to be unable to suppress him during their era, then her eventual succession to the Papacy would become far too difficult.

He must never be allowed to affect Hu Liena's standing, Bibi Dong thought to herself.

She could not suppress or scheme against Zhang Yang; his strength was an asset to Martial Soul Hall.

What Bibi Dong intended to do was to make Zhang Yang voluntarily give up competing with Hu Liena for the position of Pope.

Groom him to become an Adjudicator Elder, or something else entirely.

That way, once Hu Liena succeeded as Pope, Zhang Yang's formidable strength would become a brand-new trump card for Martial Soul Hall.

However, promoting someone to Adjudicator Elder was not something Bibi Dong could decide on her own.

She needed to earn the support of the Consecrated Elder faction.

And the leader of that faction was none other than Qian Daoliu, the father of Qian Xunji.

To promote someone from the Pope's faction to Adjudicator Elder, she would inevitably have to concede an equivalent position to the Consecrated Elder faction.

But what position did Bibi Dong have that she could use to trade with Qian Daoliu?

"This matter requires careful deliberation." Bibi Dong tapped her scepter lightly against the floor, rose, and left the reception hall.

In the dormitory, Zhang Yang was organizing the spoils from his final raid.

Yesterday, Zhang Yang had brought out 8.7 million in his final run, including one red card, one "Bust of Claudius," and one "Reis's Gramophone."

"Red, Bust of Claudius"

"Value: 1,392,878"

"Artistic Collection"

"1.09KG, 2*3 grid"

"A bust created by a famous artist of Asara, modeled after the ancient Roman Emperor Claudius."

"Red Collection Special Effect: Unlocks group queue function; allows setting of teammate types, which are brought into the map after matching."

"Note: Pairing with the red collection [Reis's Gramophone] yields better results."

"Red, Reis's Gramophone"

"Value: 1,282,036"

"Crafted Collectible"

"2.5KG, 2*3 slots"

"This melody is timeless, etched into the hearts of all who hear it."

"Red Collectible Special Effect: Unlocks the Friend List, allows recording of Spirit Master data, generates realistic digital Spirit Master models, and enables data importing into teammate settings."

Zhang Yang had already seen the special effects of these two veteran red-tier items last night.

It was obvious they were meant to be used in tandem.

It had been too late yesterday, so Zhang Yang had simply placed them in the Collection Room and enabled the effects without studying them properly. Now, he could finally put them to the test.

First was the effect of the [Claudius Bust].

"[Claudius Bust], Display Stand Level 1. Attribute: Allows basic configuration of teammate types."

On the standby interface, Zhang Yang noticed six "+" signs had appeared next to his own avatar.

Zhang Yang tapped one of the "+" signs, and a new interface popped up.

"Please configure your teammate type."

"Gender: Male/Female"

"Age: [Please enter]"

"Spirit Power: [Please enter] (25~35)"

"Spirit Type: Tool Spirit/Beast Spirit"

"Spirit Master Type: Power Attack/Agility Attack/Control/Defense/Support/Food"

"[Random Generation] [Save Teammate] [Data Import]"

"Saved Teammate Types: None"

Zhang Yang tried generating a few teammates, only to find that the resulting data was entirely unremarkable.

Average spirits, average spirit skills, and average attack power.

They were nothing more than a Roadside Stray.

They might suffice as fodder to draw aggro, but they were far from being teammates capable of seamless coordination.

"The Level 1 [Claudius Bust] effect is absolute trash."

Zhang Yang turned his attention to the [Reis's Gramophone].

"[Reis's Gramophone], Display Stand Level 1. Attribute: Allows adding existing Spirit Masters as friends and recording basic data."

In the bottom right corner of the standby interface, a "Friend List" option had appeared. He tapped it, but it was completely empty.

"Tch, can't research this yet." Zhang Yang shook his head and closed the system interface.

In the afternoon.

"Knock, knock-knock."

The dormitory door was rapped. Zhang Yang opened his eyes: "Who is it?"

"Zhang Yang, it's me." It was the voice of Teacher Dewey.

Hearing this, Zhang Yang rose helplessly and walked out of the bedroom to open the door: "Sorry, Teacher Dewey, I was just practicing in my bedroom."

Dewey didn't step inside, a warm smile on his face: "No wonder you progress so quickly; this level of diligence is something your classmates simply cannot match."

Zhang Yang chuckled, not taking the bait: "Please come in and sit, Teacher, let me pour you some water."

"No need, Zhang Yang. Come downstairs with me; there are a few people I want to introduce to you."

"Hm? Who?" Zhang Yang asked, puzzled.

"You'll know once I introduce you in a moment," Dewey said.

Following behind Dewey, Zhang Yang walked into the living room. The first thing he saw was a head of dazzling, fiery red short hair.

Hearing movement, the three people sitting on the sofa stood up one after another, looking toward the stairs.

Then, Zhang Yang was captivated by a beautiful face.

It was the only woman among the three, sporting lovely shoulder-length golden-pink hair, her features bearing a slight resemblance to the man beside her.

At first glance, the girl didn't seem particularly stunning, but upon closer inspection, one could sense a unique, alluring charm about her.

"Zhang Yang, let me introduce you: Xie Yue, Hu Liena, Yan."

Zhang Yang had a sudden realization.

Naturally, Zhang Yang knew who these three were. After all, he had been attending Martial Soul Hall Academy for two years; how could he not have heard of them?

The genius squad of Martial Soul Hall Academy, hailed as the most talented Spirit Masters to emerge in eighteen years.

Among them, Hu Liena stood out even further as the personal disciple of the Pope, her reputation unmatched.

Just as Zhang Yang was sizing them up, the one with the short red hair, Yan, suddenly spoke: "So you're Zhang Yang?"

Yan's tone was sharp, his unfriendly attitude plain to see.

Zhang Yang raised an eyebrow: "Do you have some advice for me, Senior?"