Zhu Shen sat cross-legged on the big bed in a hotel in Spirit City, circulating his Soul Power for the entire night. When the sky outside began to lighten, he slowly opened his eyes and let out a breath of stale air.
"Awesome!" He clenched his fist, feeling the abundant strength within him. "The Soul Power in Spirit City really is on another level. One night here is worth three days in Nuoding City."
He jumped out of bed and studied himself in the full-length mirror. The man in the reflection had sharp brows and bright, starry eyes. His golden irises shimmered, and even his gray clothes couldn't hide his tall, straight figure.
"Tsk, tsk. Handsome. Really handsome." Zhu Shen stroked his chin. "Bibi Dong, Bibi Dong, don't faint when you see me later."
[ Ding! The host's vanity has reached an all-time high. Hidden reward triggered: Thick skin +10%. ]
Zhu Shen: "...System, are you insulting me?"
[ System notice: The tell-it-like-it-is function has been disabled. ]
Zhu Shen couldn't be bothered with it. He took "Bibi Dong's Love Letter" out of his Storage Soul Tool. It felt smooth and warm in his hand, with a faint fragrance, but there wasn't a single word on it.
"Can this thing really boost her favorability?" Zhu Shen turned it over in his hands. "Bibi Dong's the Pope now, cold and heartless... Well, might as well try. There's nothing to lose." He solemnly tucked the love letter into the pocket closest to his chest.
"Xiao San, are you up?" Zhu Shen knocked on the door next door.
Tang San opened it. His eyes were clear; he'd obviously been awake for a while. "Teacher, your disciple is ready."
"Come on, let's get breakfast. We'll need full stomachs to meet the Pope." Zhu Shen swept a hand through the air and led Tang San downstairs.
Breakfast in Spirit City was every bit as lavish as expected. Zhu Shen ordered a tableful of food. Watching his teacher devour it all like a gale sweeping away clouds, Tang San silently pushed his own fried egg toward him.
"Teacher, take your time."
"Take my time? Time is money." Zhu Shen spoke indistinctly around a stuffed bun. "When we meet the Pope, keep your wits about you and follow my lead. We're here to discuss cooperation, so we need to strike the right pose... Well, mainly, I need to look handsome."
Tang San's mouth twitched. "Understood, teacher."
After breakfast, the two headed for Pope Palace. Spirit City was indeed magnificent, with broad streets and towering buildings. Even the Soul Masters on patrol gave off an imposing aura. Tang San stared in wonder at everything around him, while Zhu Shen held his head high, trying his best to project an air of "I'm strong and handsome."
[ Ding! The host has activated show-off mode. Opportunity mission triggered: The Center of Attention Before Pope Palace. Mission requirement: Attract at least one hundred gazes before entering the main gate of Pope Palace. Reward: Evolution Points +20. ]
Zhu Shen's eyes lit up. Evolution Points! He'd been stuck at 90/100.
"Xiao San, it's time to test your acting skills." Zhu Shen abruptly stopped and turned to Tang San with a serious expression.
Tang San's heart gave a jolt. "Teacher?"
Zhu Shen drew a deep breath and suddenly released his Dragon God Martial Soul! Golden light shot into the sky, and a majestic dragon's shadow circled around him. Two purple and two black Soul Rings blazed with light, and an immense dragon's might instantly swept across half the street.
"Whoa!"
"Look! What kind of Martial Soul is that?"
"Good heavens, two Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings! Who is this?"
"What a powerful pressure!"
Pedestrians and Soul Masters stopped in their tracks. Shocked, curious, and awestruck gazes all converged on Zhu Shen.
Tang San was dumbfounded by the sudden stunt, standing rooted to the spot, at a loss for what to do. Watching his teacher bathed in golden light and striving to maintain the solemn expression of an "unparalleled expert," he felt his cheeks grow warm.
[ Ding! Number of gazes: 127. Congratulations, host! Mission completed: The Center of Attention Before Pope Palace. Reward received: Evolution Points +20. Current Evolution Points: 110/100. Dragon God Bloodline purity can be raised to 21%. Raise it now? ]
"Raise it!" Zhu Shen confirmed at once, overjoyed. A rush of warmth surged through him, and his strength felt even more solid. Satisfied, he recalled his Martial Soul. The golden light and pressure vanished in an instant.
"Come on, Xiao San. Don't just stand there." Zhu Shen patted Tang San, who was still frozen in place, as if he hadn't just set off a flash bomb in the middle of the street.
Tang San silently followed. For the hundred and first time, he sighed inwardly. His teacher's "reliable" phases were getting shorter and shorter.
At last, the two arrived before Pope Palace. Its enormous gates stood solemn and imposing. Two rows of Palace Guard Knights in gleaming silver armor stood at the entrance, their auras steady; every one of them was at least a Soul Ancestor. An elderly man in a Cardinal's robe had been waiting there for some time.
"Master Yu, young Tang San, His Holiness the Pope is waiting inside. Please follow me." The Cardinal was respectful; clearly, he'd already received instructions.
Yu Xiaogang straightened his back, trying to look as proper as possible. "Sorry for the trouble, Cardinal."
They passed through a long corridor lined with red carpet. Exquisite murals and ornate pillars on either side spoke to the deep foundations of Spirit Hall. At last, they were led to an elaborate door carved with an angel.
The Cardinal stopped and bowed slightly. "His Holiness the Pope is inside. Please enter."
The door soundlessly opened inward, revealing a spacious, brightly lit side hall.
Zhu Shen took a deep breath, straightened his collar, and touched the love-letter item tucked against his chest. He lowered his voice and said to Tang San, "Remember. Follow my lead."
Tang San nodded solemnly.
Zhu Shen strode into the side hall first. His gaze was immediately drawn to the figure seated in the place of honor.
A luxurious papal robe, a brilliant Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown, a stunning face, and deep, icy purple eyes that seemed capable of seeing through everything.
It was none other than Pope Bibi Dong.
Zhu Shen's heart betrayed him, quickening for a few beats. He stepped forward and gave the standard Soul Master's salute he'd prepared, keeping his voice as steady as possible.
"Yu Xiaogang of Nuoding City, accompanied by my disciple Tang San, pays his respects to His Holiness the Pope."
Bibi Dong's gaze fell on Zhu Shen. Deep in those icy purple eyes, a faint, indescribable flicker seemed to pass in an instant. Her eyes lingered on his face for a moment before she spoke, her voice cool and authoritative.
"Master Yu, there's no need for formalities. Please sit."
[ Ding! The host has successfully met Bibi Dong. "Bibi Dong's Love Letter" item effect activating... Initial favorability increased slightly. ] All right, based on the provided reference, continue the plot faithfully, preserving the characters' personalities (especially Zhu Shen's vanity, the system-story conventions, and Tang San's helplessness) and the light, humorous, slightly sarcastic style. Continue for 200 Chinese characters and end with a hook:
Zhu Shen sat down as requested, doing his best to maintain Master Yu's proper bearing, though the corner of his eye kept drifting to the dazzling woman in the place of honor. He cleared his throat, ready to pitch the proposed cooperation as planned.
"Your Holiness, I've come here today, despite the imposition, to..."
Before he could finish, the "Bibi Dong's Love Letter" tucked closest to his heart suddenly gave a slight shudder! An indescribable warmth spread through it, and it gave a soft beat as if it were alive.
[ Ding! Warning! Special energy resonance detected! "Bibi Dong's Love Letter" item activity has increased abnormally! ]
Zhu Shen stiffened, nearly springing out of his chair. What was this junk item doing? Wasn't it supposed to just slightly increase her favorability and be done with it? That commotion... Surely she hadn't noticed?
He instinctively clutched his chest, the movement a little too abrupt. Bibi Dong, seated in the place of honor, narrowed her deep, icy purple eyes ever so slightly. Her gaze swept over the spot Zhu Shen was covering, as if it could pass through the cloth and land on the wordless love letter. The jade fingers resting on her armrest curled almost imperceptibly.
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
Tang San keenly noticed his teacher's sudden stiffness and the Pope's nearly imperceptible reaction. Alarm bells rang in his head. Teacher... What kind of trouble had you gotten into now? That "love letter"—was it really just an item? Could it be... alive?!