Taking Bibi Dong as Master

"The Age of Gods was an era when gods existed, an era when gods and humans coexisted."

The instant she heard Wu Ling speak, Bibi Dong nearly rose from her seat in shock.

Because 99 percent of people now believed gods were fictional, imagined by mankind. Yet experts at her level understood that gods truly existed. Even she herself was walking such a path.

But Wu Ling, a child from the countryside, had stated the existence of gods so decisively. Bibi Dong could not help but wonder whether there really had been an era where gods and humans coexisted.

Though she was shocked inside, Bibi Dong had experienced much in life and revealed none of it, simply continuing to listen to Wu Ling's explanation.

"According to the information, the Age of Gods was roughly divided into three stages.

"The first stage was known as the Age of Barbarism. In that era, the gods flourished while humanity was weak.

"At the time, humans had only just emerged from their primitive, raw-meat-eating days and begun building tribes. They gradually developed the concept of a 'nation.'

"The gods, meanwhile, were born of heaven and earth. Every god represented part of the world's laws.

"With their immense power, the gods walked the world, while humans were no more than their playthings—favored when the gods were pleased, punished with divine wrath when they were angered.

"A thousand years passed like this. Human nations had largely taken shape, and among those many nations, the strongest and most ambitious king turned his gaze toward the gods.

"One reason was that he did not want any other being standing above him. The other was that he coveted the gods' infinite lifespans.

"In the end, a god with no natural enemies, long grown idle through complacency, was... killed by human schemes!

"With the death of the first god, the great war between humanity and the gods began. The king who had sparked the war received the punishment he deserved. Not only did he fail to gain the immortality he sought, but his nation was destroyed because of him.

"But the wheels of war had already begun to turn, and the march of the age could no longer be stopped.

"And so, the Age of Gods entered its second stage, known as the Age of Heroes!

"At first, the gods suppressed humanity with their overwhelming strength. Some humans who favored the gods also defected to their side.

"But humans had good and evil, and gods had kindness and malice. Perhaps the gods had simply lived too long and become too bored, feeling that crushing something as interesting as war would make it less fun. Thus, some gods chose to join humanity's side instead.

"As people from both sides defected, the scales gradually balanced. The war continued for several years, and after those years, a turning point emerged.

"By observing the gods' battles, some gifted humans created martial arts belonging to humanity.

"By studying the gods' power, some exceptionally intelligent humans created magic belonging to humanity.

"By learning the gods' techniques, some extraordinarily talented humans created culture belonging to humanity.

"And so, the scales of war tipped.

"During that period, countless people who made achievements in martial arts, magic, and culture, reaching realms ordinary people could never attain, had their names recorded in history and their own legends passed down. Later generations called them heroes.

"So, Your Holiness the Pope, do you now understand what kind of people I mean by heroes?"

"..."

When he received no answer from Bibi Dong, Wu Ling cautiously raised his head and discovered that she was still immersed in shock.

The story Wu Ling had told was simply too earth-shaking. It was not as though Bibi Dong had not considered that he might be making it up, but how could a "six-year-old" child possibly fabricate such an epic tale?

Thus, aside from information transmitted through his Martial Soul, Bibi Dong could think of no other possibility.

Suddenly, Bibi Dong came back to herself. "Wait, what happened afterward? You've only spoken of the second stage. What about the third stage?

"Why is the world where gods and humans coexisted now left with only humans? Why were such important records never preserved? And why do we have no impression of those people at all?"

Bibi Dong displayed behavior somewhat unfitting for her position, but it made her seem less stern and more lively. Her charm only increased.

It made sense. Bibi Dong pursued powerful strength wholeheartedly, and a fervent thirst for knowledge was an important factor. Now that she knew such a piece of history had existed in this world, how could she not be excited?

Faced with Bibi Dong's questions, Wu Ling scratched his head in distress.

"Your Holiness, forgive my incompetence. My power is limited, so I cannot obtain all the information. The part I just told you is all I know."

Bibi Dong instantly suppressed the intense desire in her heart. She was someone with a strong sense of the bigger picture, and she would not completely trust Wu Ling simply because of a story.

"Not enough. Your story alone is not enough to convince me.

"Didn't you say your Martial Soul's ability was to summon those heroes to possess you? Then show me your first Spirit Skill. I will only believe you after I confirm it personally."

"Yes."

After responding, Wu Ling stood up. He summoned his Martial Soul, causing his sole Spirit Ring to light up. Another phantom appeared at the center of the Heroic Spirit Disk.

Looking at that phantom, Bibi Dong muttered, "Could that be..."

As he merged with the phantom, Wu Ling's body grew slightly taller. A lock of his hair turned a deep blue, and his entire bearing became completely different from before.

Unafraid of exposing his abilities, Wu Ling boldly explained to Bibi Dong, "Your Holiness the Pope, my first Spirit Ring summons a swordsman. He devoted his entire life to the sword, and in the end, his swordsmanship even reached the realm of gods."

As Wu Ling spoke, he drew his longsword and assumed a stance.

"At that swordsman's peak, he could slash three times. But because my own foundation is insufficient, I can barely manage two slashes now.

"So... please excuse my poor showing—Swallow Reversal!!!"

As Wu Ling unleashed the technique, Bibi Dong watched his every movement with complete focus.

Several seconds later, Wu Ling sheathed his sword, and Bibi Dong fell silent.

Simply put, that technique allowed the same person to appear in two different places at the same moment. Of course, that was not the most important part. If that were all it did, certain clone abilities could accomplish the same thing.

The most important thing was that Wu Ling's move had been pure technique, without even the slightest trace of Soul Power mixed into it.

Even if she attempted it herself, even with the power of a Title Douluo, she feared it would be difficult to replicate that move.

Such a technique could never possibly appear in a Soul Master focused on Spirit Rings. Because of this, Bibi Dong became certain that the previous era had truly existed!

Bibi Dong used Soul Power to undo Gui Mei's five-senses seal, then said, "Gui Mei."

"Your subordinate is here."

"Pass down the order. From today onward, Wu Ling will be my disciple."

"Yes."

After saying that, Gui Mei discreetly winked at Wu Ling. Wu Ling understood and hurriedly offered his thanks.

"Thank you, Your Holiness the Pope!"

"Hm?" Bibi Dong gave a faint sound of surprise upon hearing Wu Ling's form of address.

"Thank you, Master!"

Only after Wu Ling changed his address did Bibi Dong nod in satisfaction.

"Mm, not bad."