Bibi Dong's Conjecture

Gui Mei?

Ye Xuan had expected that the person coming wouldn't be an ordinary individual, but he never imagined it would be the person Bibi Dong trusted most.

Gui Mei and Yue Guan were like the two fierce guardians flanking Bibi Dong.

Individually, their strength was not to be underestimated, and their combined martial soul fusion skill was nothing short of monstrous. Gui Mei's personal strength, however, was a cut above Yue Guan's.

For Bibi Dong to send him personally, it seemed she placed significant importance on this strange man.

Ye Xuan cupped his hands and said, "So it is Ghost Douluo himself. May I ask what business the Pope has for sending you to find me?"

"Sading, you may withdraw." Gui Mei waved a hand at Bishop Sading, who immediately retreated at high speed.

Once Sading had left, Ye Xuan invited Gui Mei to sit to one side.

Zhu Zhuqing had already returned to her own room.

Since a Title Douluo from Spirit Hall had arrived, she certainly could not stay to listen in on their discussion.

After taking his seat, Gui Mei spoke bluntly, "According to Sading's report, Young Master Ye only possesses 20th-level soul power, yet you were able to kill a Soul Emperor. Might you allow me to witness this for myself?"

"20th level was when I first submitted my mission to Spirit Hall; I have since reached the 30th level," Ye Xuan replied.

"30th level? That is of little consequence. I wish to know what means you use to face an enemy without invoking your martial soul." As Gui Mei finished speaking, his eerie, hollow eyes locked onto Ye Xuan, as if he were ready to strike at any moment.

"So, Ghost Douluo wishes to test my level. In that case, I shall make a fool of myself." Ye Xuan finished speaking and lightly raised his hand. In an instant, a leaf flew from a branch in the distance, hurtling directly toward Ghost Douluo.

The sudden attack caused a chill to run down Ghost Douluo's spine. He hurriedly dodged, transforming into a ghostly shadow to evade the leaf.

As the leaf flew back to stand before Ye Xuan, he reached out, clamping it between his index and middle fingers. "Ghost Douluo, shall we continue?"

Ghost Douluo's expression shifted in shock. Based on that single move, he was certain that even a Soul Douluo would have been killed instantly.

If a mere leaf possessed such power, how terrifying would Ye Xuan be if he were truly serious? He dared not even imagine it.

"Young Master Ye's methods are unfathomable. To test you further would make Spirit Hall appear insincere. These are the items you requested; let us now discuss the real business." As he spoke, Ghost Douluo produced a soul tool from his hand and slid it across to Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan saw at a glance that it was a spatial soul tool.

Since Ghost Douluo said it was what he needed, it likely contained various books.

Ye Xuan did not rush to check it, and Ghost Douluo walked back to take his seat.

He spoke directly: "Spirit Hall lacks experts in this region, so our control is weak, and we have little knowledge of the inner Star Dou Great Forest. We hope that Young Master Ye will monitor the Star Dou Great Forest for us here. If you discover the aura of a 100,000-year soul beast, please record it; it will be of use to Spirit Hall in the future."

Ghost Douluo's words left Ye Xuan somewhat surprised.

He naturally understood Spirit Hall's goal. Since they intended to hunt 100,000-year soul beasts, gathering information on them was of paramount importance.

However, even ordinary Title Douluos could not easily gather such intelligence.

Spirit Hall was entrusting this task to him—he wondered if they truly trusted him, or if they simply felt that since he wasn't one of their own, his death would be of no consequence?

"Ghost Douluo, 100,000-year soul beasts do not appear so easily. You know better than anyone how dangerous it is to enter the Star Dou Great Forest to search for them. Putting aside whether I am capable of such a feat, do you think I should risk my life for these things?" Ye Xuan countered.

"Young Master Ye, there is no need to rush. Spirit Hall does not require you to enter the Star Dou Great Forest to search. You only need to remain here; if you sense any fluctuations, record them. If you can track the origin of a 100,000-year soul beast's aura should it reach the outer perimeter, that would be even better," Ghost Douluo said.

"Is that all?" Ye Xuan's expression darkened slightly. Why did this task feel too simple?

Seeing Ye Xuan's skepticism, Ghost Douluo lowered his voice. "Young Master Ye, there is actually nothing to hide. Spirit Hall has received intelligence suggesting that a 100,000-year soul beast will appear here in Soto City—likely a soul beast that has taken human form."

"What? A soul beast in human form? Interesting. Rest assured, Ghost Douluo, I will keep an eye out," Ye Xuan said.

"Then I leave this to you, Young Master Ye. If you have any information, you may have Sading send it directly to Spirit Hall. Of course, if you are willing to visit Spirit City yourself, we would welcome you even more," Ghost Douluo said.

"Very well!" Ye Xuan nodded.

"Young Master Ye, I have delivered my message and brought the books you requested. I hope you will honor our agreement. I shall take my leave." With that, Ghost Douluo stood up to depart.

Ye Xuan did not ask him to stay, instead watching him leave.

Once Ghost Douluo was far away, Ye Xuan's expression turned serious.

How did Spirit Hall obtain this information? Things have changed—what brought about this change?

Although Spirit Hall had always been searching for 100,000-year soul beasts, they shouldn't have been able to notice Xiao Wu so early on.

And here in Soto City, the only 100,000-year soul beast was Xiao Wu, wasn't it?

Ye Xuan then opened the soul tool and found that it was indeed filled with various books related to martial souls.

He took one out and began to read it carefully.

The next day!

Zhu Zhuqing came to Ye Xuan's side and asked, puzzled, "Brother Ye, what did that Title Douluo want with you yesterday?"

"They want me to keep watch here and inform them if there is any news of a 100,000-year soul beast," Ye Xuan said.

"A 100,000-year soul beast? Do they want you to go into the Star Dou Great Forest to find it?"

"No, I only need to keep watch here in Soto City."

"But how could there be a 100,000-year soul beast here?"

Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but wonder if the people from Spirit Hall had lost their minds.

"Pay them no mind; we shall continue living our lives as we please," Ye Xuan said.

He had already unlocked one layer of the rule-based seals, granting him the strength to put up a fight even if faced with a siege by Spirit Hall.

Furthermore, by continuing his research into martial spirits here while simultaneously comprehending his own sword path, he could keep growing stronger. Even if Spirit Hall truly harbored some conspiracy, he had nothing to fear.

Over the next few days.

Ye Xuan studied these books with great focus.

At first, the books Ye Xuan read seemed perfectly fine.

But later on, he discovered that some of them were problematic, as if they had been deliberately altered.

If not for his current deep understanding of martial spirits, he feared he would never have noticed the places where they had been tampered with.

These things were nothing but traps.

Not long after.

Spirit Hall.

Upon returning to Spirit Hall, Gui Mei rushed to see Pope Bibi Dong at the first opportunity.

Gui Mei said respectfully, "Your Holiness, that Ye Xuan truly possesses formidable strength without needing to use a martial spirit."

"Could he be a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in human form?" Bibi Dong asked.