Gui Mei heard the form of address and remained expressionless, merely giving a light nod.
Yue Guan, however, froze for a moment.
Grandpa Ju?
He looked at Lu Chen, surprise showing more plainly in his eyes.
This little fellow was quite the friendly sort.
Still, it wasn't unpleasant to hear.
Especially since Lu Chen really was quite lovable, and his voice still carried a child's natural softness. Even someone as particular as Yue Guan would find it hard to dislike him.
Bibi Dong didn't give Yue Guan much time to wonder. She said directly, "His name is Lu Chen. He's my newest disciple."
A look of understanding flashed through Yue Guan's eyes, and he couldn't help glancing at Gui Mei.
No wonder the old ghost hadn't said anything.
His Holiness the Pope had taken on a new disciple—a major event, and he was only finding out now.
Bibi Dong continued, "Today, I'll take him to Star Dou Forest to obtain a Soul Ring. You'll accompany us."
Yue Guan and Gui Mei immediately replied, "Yes."
Gui Mei's voice was low. "Understood."
Yue Guan also said respectfully, "Rest assured, Your Holiness the Pope."
With Bibi Dong's strength, she could easily have taken Lu Chen to Star Dou Forest alone to hunt for a Soul Ring.
Even though Star Dou Forest was full of danger and a place where ordinary Soul Masters faced almost certain death, for a powerhouse like Bibi Dong, as long as she didn't venture into the innermost region, hardly any Soul Beast could truly threaten her.
Besides, Lu Chen was only obtaining his first two Soul Rings.
In theory, there was no need to make such a grand show of force.
But Bibi Dong was, after all, the Pope of Spirit Hall.
She couldn't personally handle everything.
The journey was long, and they would need people to drive the carriage, scout the road, and take care of miscellaneous matters.
With Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo accompanying them, the trip would go smoothly, and Bibi Dong wouldn't have to waste her energy on trivial matters.
Before long, a carriage left Spirit City.
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo took turns driving.
The carriage left Saintess Hall, rolled along Spirit City's broad streets, and headed for the city gates.
It wasn't long before it passed through the gates.
Above them, two figures stood quietly.
They were Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile Douluo.
Both had concealed their auras, and the guards on the gate had no idea they were there.
Qian Daoliu watched the departing carriage calmly, his expression barely changing.
Golden Crocodile Douluo stood beside him, a trace of puzzlement in his eyes.
He couldn't help asking, "Big brother, are we really not going to do anything about that child?"
Qian Daoliu didn't answer right away.
Golden Crocodile Douluo continued, "That child has a divine-grade Martial Soul and Innate Soul Power at level twenty. Now Bibi Dong has taken him under her wing. What if..."
He didn't finish the sentence.
But his meaning was clear enough.
A divine-grade Martial Soul wielder with Innate Soul Power at level twenty was bound to become one of Spirit Hall's most powerful figures.
If someone like that were left entirely in Bibi Dong's hands to raise, who could say whether it might harm the Worship Hall?
Especially since Bibi Dong and the Worship Hall had never been entirely of one mind.
Qian Daoliu gazed into the distance and finally spoke.
"That child has a special ability."
Golden Crocodile Douluo was slightly taken aback.
Qian Daoliu continued, "For now, let him stay with Bibi Dong."
"Notify me when they return."
Golden Crocodile Douluo wanted to ask something else, but Qian Daoliu had no intention of explaining further.
As soon as he finished speaking, Qian Daoliu vanished.
Golden Crocodile Douluo stood where he was, completely baffled.
A special ability?
What kind of special ability could make Big Brother let that child stay by Bibi Dong's side for now?
He thought it over, but still couldn't figure it out.
Since Qian Daoliu had already decided, though, he didn't feel like dwelling on it.
The next moment, Golden Crocodile Douluo's figure turned into a streak of light and left the gate as well.
Meanwhile, the carriage had left Spirit City behind.
Inside the carriage, Bibi Dong sat in the main seat, with Lu Chen sitting not far beside her.
The carriage rolled along smoothly, with barely a hint of a jolt.
Bibi Dong looked at Lu Chen and asked, "Did Nana help you catch up on some basic knowledge yesterday?"
Lu Chen nodded. "Yes. Senior Sister explained the Soul Master ranks, Soul Rings, Soul Beasts, and some basic facts about the continent."
Bibi Dong asked, "Then you should understand how important Soul Rings are to a Soul Master."
Lu Chen answered earnestly, "I do. Soul Rings determine whether a Soul Master can continue to advance, and they also grant Soul Skills."
"If you choose the right Soul Ring, cultivation and combat will both go more smoothly in the future. If you choose poorly, you might waste your Martial Soul's potential."
Bibi Dong nodded slightly.
She continued, "Have you thought about what type of Soul Beasts you want your first two Soul Rings to come from?"
Lu Chen didn't answer at once. He had actually started thinking about the question yesterday.
The nature of the Leugocyte Martial Soul was unusual. It obviously wouldn't do to directly call it the Universe Devourer.
By the standards of Douluo Continent, his Martial Soul looked more like some kind of dragon Soul Beast. Besides, Leugocyte was also known as the Colored Dragon.
Since that was the case, the explanation he gave others should naturally revolve around the "Colored Dragon."
Lu Chen thought for a moment, then answered, "Teacher, my Martial Soul is the Colored Dragon, so I want to absorb Soul Beasts with dragon bloodlines."
A thoughtful look appeared in Bibi Dong's eyes.
"Dragon bloodlines?"
Lu Chen nodded.
"Mm. Since my Martial Soul leans toward dragons, Soul Beasts with dragon bloodlines should suit me better. Soul Rings and Soul Skills I obtain that way should also be more compatible with the Martial Soul itself."
Bibi Dong didn't disagree.
For a dragon-type Martial Soul, choosing a dragon or a Soul Beast with dragon blood as the source of a Soul Ring was indeed a common and sensible approach.
She asked again, "What about the effect of the Soul Skill?"
Lu Chen said, "I want a Soul Skill that enhances me."
Bibi Dong's gaze shifted slightly at that.
"Enhances you?"
Lu Chen nodded. "Yes."
Bibi Dong looked at him, her voice calm but carrying the weight of a test.
"Why do you want that kind of Soul Skill?"
Lu Chen knew Bibi Dong wanted to see how he reasoned, not simply hear an answer.
So he didn't give her a careless reply.
"Teacher, I think ordinary attack-type Soul Skills don't serve much purpose for Soul Masters in the later stages."
Bibi Dong didn't speak, merely signaling for him to continue.
Lu Chen continued, "Low-ranked Soul Masters rely heavily on Soul Skills because their Soul Power and physical strength are both insufficient. A single attack-type Soul Skill can decide the outcome of a battle."
"But at higher ranks, combat becomes more and more complex. If an ordinary attack Soul Skill has only one effect, it's easy to counter with defense, speed, control, or a Soul Skill of a higher level."
"Especially when it comes to the first and second Soul Skills. Their rings are low in age, so their power is limited to begin with. If you choose a purely offensive Soul Skill, it might be useful early on, but later it could become an ability you barely need."
The approval in Bibi Dong's eyes grew more apparent.
Lu Chen continued, "That's why I'd rather have an enhancement-type Soul Skill. As long as it enhances me, it'll remain useful no matter what rank I reach."
"If it can improve my strength, speed, or defense, or enhance my state after Martial Soul Possession, then even when I reach Soul Ancestor, Soul King, or an even higher rank, it won't become completely obsolete."
The carriage fell silent for a moment.
Bibi Dong looked at Lu Chen, clear approval in her eyes.
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