Men Really Were All the Same, No Matter Their Age

Night fell.

Spirit Hall, the Pope's Bedchamber, side hall.

On the bed beneath the black curtains, Lin Tian sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began absorbing the energy drifting between heaven and earth, then converting it into Soul Power.

That was how cultivation worked in the Douluo World. If a Soul Master wanted to raise his Soul Power Level, he could only accumulate Soul Power through meditation.

There was no help for it. The value of this fantasy-world sewer kept rising.

After all, not every flat-shovel head could come up with the Soul Skill Blue Silver Entanglement.

It was late at night. Lin Tian slowly opened his eyes, a glint of cold light shining in their dark depths.

He exhaled a breath of stale air. It seemed he'd have to talk to his mother, the Pope, as soon as possible. The Pope Palace's side hall was far too desolate; it really wasn't suitable for cultivating Soul Power.

If he could, Lin Tian wanted to move into his mother's bedchamber.

The spiritual energy there was abundant, which would surely help him raise his Soul Power Level.

Even if he couldn't sleep in His Holiness the Pope's bed, sleeping in a corner of her bedchamber would still be pretty nice.

"His Highness the Holy Son, are you awake? His Holiness the Pope asks you to come over. She has something to tell you."

A gentle woman's voice suddenly sounded outside the side hall. Lin Tian knew it was his mother's maid, his big sister Ziwei.

"Sister Ziwei, wait a moment. I'll get dressed and come out."

Lin Tian answered, then put on his clothes and shoes before following Sister Ziwei to the Papal Hall.

Pope Palace, the council chamber.

"His Holiness the Pope, His Highness the Holy Son has arrived."

Standing outside the hall, the maid Ziwei called respectfully into the room. Lin Tian waited outside as well. Today, all the Spirit Hall elders and bishops had gathered. Without being summoned, he absolutely couldn't barge in.

Although he had been appointed the Holy Son of Spirit Hall, he still had to obey its rules.

"Come in."

A gentle woman's voice came from inside the Pope Palace. Lin Tian entered the hall.

At that moment, Bibi Dong was dressed in a pink gown and looked exceedingly young. Her skin was even more delicate than that of girls sixteen or seventeen, and her exquisite face was adorned with elegant makeup. Every frown and smile of hers stirred an inexplicable desire in those who saw her.

When she saw Lin Tian enter, Bibi Dong rose and walked over on her long, shapely legs.

"Lin Tian, I've issued the Pope Token. From today on, you will be my personal disciple, and I will teach you how to cultivate Soul Power. To the elders and bishops of Spirit Hall, seeing you will be like seeing me!"

After speaking, Bibi Dong took Lin Tian's little hand and, under the gazes of the elders and bishops, led him step by step toward the papal throne.

"Everyone, from today on, Lin Tian is officially the Holy Son of Spirit Hall. Everything he says and does represents me, Bibi Dong. Do your utmost to assist him and bring glory to Spirit Hall!"

After Bibi Dong's impassioned speech, the elders and Platinum Bishops standing in the hall dropped to one knee and pledged their loyalty to His Highness the Holy Son.

"Everyone, I entrust His Highness the Holy Son's path as a Soul Master to your care!"

On the raised platform, Bibi Dong bowed deeply to everyone present. It had nothing to do with the dignity of Her Holiness the Pope; it was a mother's love for her child.

After the oath of loyalty, the elders and Platinum Bishops departed. The vast hall of the Pope Palace was once again left with only Bibi Dong and Lin Tian.

Looking at the little child before her, Bibi Dong drew him close and said with an indulgent smile:

"Lin Tian, your mother has done everything she can to pave the way for you. During the time ahead, you must cultivate diligently and try to become a Soul King as soon as possible."

After she spoke, two blushes rose on Bibi Dong's cheeks. It was clear she meant something by it.

Lin Tian blinked, and quickly understood what his mother meant by becoming a Soul King as soon as possible.

Not long ago, his mother had personally promised him that once he became a Soul King, he could sleep in her redwood bed.

Now that she'd brought it up again, Lin Tian couldn't help feeling tempted.

"Don't worry, Mother. I'll work twice as hard and try to become a Soul King as soon as possible."

Lin Tian nodded, secretly resolving to reach the Soul King realm as quickly as he could.

After all, his mother's bed was soft and fragrant. What little boy wouldn't like it?

Before they knew it, the night had grown deep.

The bright moon hung in the sky, and flying Soul Beasts occasionally streaked across the air above Spirit Hall with a howl.

Cool moonlight spilled over the earth, like the Milky Way hanging upside down, making it feel as if one stood beneath the stars.

All living things gradually settled into slumber, preparing for a new day.

In the side hall of the Pope's Bedchamber, Lin Tian's small child's body couldn't withstand the fatigue of the journey. He was fast asleep, sprawled over Bibi Dong's shoulder.

Perhaps because he was sleeping so soundly, he had his head resting on his mother's fragrant shoulder, letting out a faint snore.

A few drops of drool fell from his lips as he murmured in his sleep, soaking through Bibi Dong's fur robe.

Soon, a graceful figure arrived at the side hall where Lin Tian lived, borne on a gust of fragrance.

Hearing the noise, the maid on night duty hurried to her feet to check. When she saw that Her Holiness the Pope had arrived in person, she quickly bowed.

Bibi Dong waved her hand and made a shushing gesture, then carefully laid the child on her shoulder down on the bed.

So many things had happened today. The little fellow was truly exhausted.

After carefully covering him with a quilt, Bibi Dong turned to leave.

Who could have known that, just then, the little boy who had been asleep on the bed would suddenly grab her sleeve and mumble "Mom" in his sleep.

Hearing Lin Tian call out, Bibi Dong blushed and hurriedly waved the maids away.

This little fellow was getting more and more outrageous. How could he treat his mother so fiercely in his dreams?

She wanted to pull her sleeve out of his grasp, but she was afraid that tugging would wake the little demon king.

With no other choice, Bibi Dong sat down sideways on the bed where Lin Tian was sleeping, then gently stroked the little boy's cheek with her soft hand.

After a short while, the furrow in Lin Tian's brow gradually smoothed out, and his snoring started again.

Bibi Dong stroked Lin Tian's cheek with extraordinary gentleness. The fragrance of gardenias mingled with her natural scent, bringing Lin Tian, deep in sleep, a sense of comfort he had never known before.

Perhaps because he was sleeping so soundly, the little one on the bed turned over and wrapped his arms around his mother's slender waist.

"Honestly, you can't even sleep without causing trouble."

Bibi Dong chided him, then carefully wriggled free of Lin Tian's embrace.

All that fussing brought another blush to Bibi Dong's face, and even her swanlike neck turned crimson.

Men really were all the same, no matter their age!