The Zhu Family, Star Luo Empire.
The Zhu Family's head was currently practicing the Rakshasa Visualization Method, sensing how it differed from an ordinary Meditation Method.
"This cultivation method is surprisingly compatible with the Nether Civet Martial Soul. I wonder how well it matches the White Tiger Martial Soul."
The Dai Family's White Tiger Martial Soul was a strength-type Martial Soul; perhaps it wasn't as compatible with this cultivation method.
"That Yu Xiaogang who published the Martial Soul Theory truly deserves to be called a master of Martial Soul Theory!"
"Our two families' Martial Soul Fusion Skill has always been led by the White Tiger Martial Soul, so outsiders all think the Zhu Family is an appendage of the Dai Family."
"But if the Zhu Family could produce a Titled Douluo, perhaps that situation would improve!"
Unfortunately, how could a single Meditation Method possibly create a Titled Douluo? That could only happen if the person received a divine blessing from the Rakshasa God.
It wasn't just the Zhu Family. Soul Masters on the continent with sinister, yin-attribute Martial Souls all benefited to some extent from this cultivation method.
For example, the Dugu Family, with their Jade Phosphor Snakes; the Yang Family of the Breaking Clan; and Soul Masters from Spirit Hall such as Gui Mei, Pufferfish, and Snake Lance.
The Rakshasa God had left a mark in their hearts, and, without their realizing it, they had begun to believe.
And all that faith pointed toward Rakshasa Bibi Dong's divine soul, allowing her to recover her divine power.
Yu Xiaogang had been riding high lately.
His theory had been well received in the Soul Master World, and his standing in Spirit Hall had risen along with it.
At first, he'd been worried sick. The Rakshasa Meditation Method he'd slipped into his Martial Soul Theory had come from Spirit Hall.
But later, when he noticed that no one had caught on, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Now, many people called him "Grandmaster" when they saw him, and he accepted the title with pleasure.
"I wonder if Father has seen the theory I published. Do those elders regret treating me that way back then?"
"I've made a name for myself in the Soul Master World now. It's time to go see Bibi Dong!" Yu Xiaogang thought.
He still wanted to break through his bottleneck and achieve something on the path of Soul Master cultivation.
But over the past six months, his Soul Power hadn't improved at all. Instead, he'd gotten stuck at rank twenty-eight, one rank lower than before.
This made him even more eager to obtain Spirit Hall's true legacy.
But even after publishing his Martial Soul Theory, the Pope still hadn't received him in person. He could only make his move through Bibi Dong.
He remembered that Bibi Dong was willing to take someone she liked to meet the Pope. That was the opportunity he needed.
"I'm a master of Martial Soul Theory now. That damned Ling Feng shouldn't dare lay a hand on me, should he?"
Thinking this, Yu Xiaogang headed for Spirit Academy, intending to wait there for Ling Feng.
Only by finding Ling Feng would he have a chance to find Bibi Dong.
As Ling Feng left Spirit Academy, he sensed someone watching him.
"Why is it Yu Xiaogang? What a nuisance!" Ling Feng ignored him.
Yu Xiaogang was spreading the Rakshasa God's faith. Who knew whether he'd picked up some ill omen by now?
"Ling Feng, stop right there!" Yu Xiaogang shouted.
Some of the gloom had faded from his face, but he still looked thoroughly down on his luck.
"So it's you. What do you want? Are you trying to Soul Fight me and reclaim your pride?" Ling Feng asked.
Yu Xiaogang shuddered, remembering some unpleasant experiences.
"Who wants to Soul Fight you? Why are you so crude? Is Soul Fighting all you ever think about?" Yu Xiaogang snapped.
"Oh? Then what do you want with me?" Ling Feng asked.
Yu Xiaogang said, "Where exactly have you hidden Bibi Dong? I want to see her!"
Ling Feng was speechless. For most of the past six months, Bibi Dong had been cultivating in seclusion and rarely appeared. Of course Yu Xiaogang hadn't seen her.
"You want to see Bibi Dong? You think you're worthy?" Ling Feng asked.
"Hmph! Bibi Dong likes talented masters of Martial Soul Theory. My theory has spread throughout the Douluo Continent, while you have nothing!"
"You're not worthy of Bibi Dong!" Yu Xiaogang declared.
Ling Feng gave him a scornful smile and immediately released the aura of his Soul Power.
Yu Xiaogang's Soul Power had fallen instead of risen, while Ling Feng's Soul Power and spiritual strength had both grown stronger. How could Yu Xiaogang possibly withstand it?
"You..." Yu Xiaogang's legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground, making a fool of himself once again.
He was a "master of Martial Soul Theory" now. He couldn't believe Ling Feng still dared to treat him like this.
Wasn't he afraid of offending him? What if Yu Xiaogang refused to offer him guidance in the future?
Ling Feng ignored him, stepped over him, and continued up the mountain.
Yu Xiaogang didn't make a sound. Only after Ling Feng had gone some distance did he quietly follow.
Before long, Yu Xiaogang saw a stunning young woman standing on a flight of steps, smiling as she waited for Ling Feng.
"It's Bibi Dong! So Ling Feng really was hiding her!" Yu Xiaogang thought.
He'd never dared get too close. Now that he'd seen Bibi Dong, he hurried after her.
But moments later, he saw the two of them vanish without a trace.
"Damn it!"
Outside Pope Palace.
"Bibi Dong, why did you bring me here?"
Though Ling Feng had never been here before, he knew this was one of the heartlands of Spirit City—a place he had no business visiting.
"Teacher agreed to let you come with me to hunt Soul Beasts, but he wants to meet you first," Bibi Dong said.
Ling Feng was startled and quickly asked, "Bibi Dong, you didn't say anything you shouldn't have in front of His Holiness the Pope, did you?"
"What shouldn't I have said?" Bibi Dong asked, puzzled.
"He's my teacher. Is there anything a teacher and student can't talk about?"
Ling Feng sent his voice to her. "You didn't tell His Holiness the Pope that you like me or anything like that, did you?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Bibi Dong's face turned red. "I'm not speaking to you anymore. Go on, quickly. Teacher won't wait around!"
With that, Bibi Dong turned and left.
Her heart was pounding. So Ling Feng knows I like him? Then why hasn't he responded?
That jerk deserves to be punished harshly by Teacher! Bibi Dong thought.
Seeing her reaction, Ling Feng knew she hadn't told the Pope about it, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good thing Bibi Dong didn't act impulsively. Otherwise, Qian Xunji, that overprotective teacher, might have torn me apart!"
Ling Feng straightened his clothes before stepping into Pope Palace.
Pope Palace was immensely grand. The audience hall alone covered several thousand square meters, yet it looked almost empty.
As Ling Feng entered the hall, he saw a blond man seated on the throne. It had to be Qian Xunji.
Qian Xunji was middle-aged, but looked like a young man. He was quite handsome. The Angel Clan certainly had good genes.
"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope!" Ling Feng placed a hand over his chest and bowed.
"Don't be nervous. I simply wanted to meet you, the master of Martial Soul Theory. You've made a considerable contribution to Spirit Hall."
Qian Xunji's voice was gentle, like that of a modest gentleman.
If Ling Feng hadn't known the story, he really might have been fooled.
"Your Holiness flatters me. I'm a member of Spirit Hall too; this is only what I ought to do!"
"As for the title of Grandmaster, Yu Xiaogang is the true master of Martial Soul Theory."