Bibi Dong, the Four Swords of Zhu Xian

Ye Xunhuan's heart leaped with joy. His second martial soul was here already?

Looking at the series of martial souls that appeared before him, visible only to him, Ye Xunhuan was almost overwhelmed.

It had to be said, all three options were tempting, but there was no question that option one was the first to be ruled out.

The martial souls of those Titled Douluo at Jialing Pass could be considered decent, and some were even ultimate martial souls, but compared to the god-tier martial soul in option two, they were worlds apart.

What truly made Ye Xunhuan hesitate was option three.

A quarter fragment of a mysterious martial soul.

"System, what is this mysterious martial soul?" Ye Xunhuan asked directly.

"Unable to disclose!" the system's cold, emotionless voice replied.

"666."

Just as Ye Xunhuan was about to continue bargaining with the system, Ling Yuan had finished speaking with the knight before the hall.

"By order of Her Holiness the Pope, Elder Ling Yuan is summoned into the hall!"

The knight's loud shout interrupted Ye Xunhuan's thoughts.

Fine, business first.

He would sign in after entering. He could think about the second martial soul later; the system was not going anywhere.

Ling Yuan adjusted her robes, then turned back and said in a low voice, "Once we're inside, don't look around. Don't stare directly into the Pope's eyes. When replying, say 'In reply to Your Holiness the Pope' first. Don't interrupt the Pope while she speaks. When kneeling, place your right knee on the ground, keep your left knee bent, and press your right fist to your chest—understand?"

"Understood, sis... Elder Ling Yuan."

Ling Yuan shot him a glare before turning and stepping through the golden doors.

Sign in! Ye Xunhuan silently thought.

"Congratulations, host. The second martial soul, three options choose one, has been placed in the system space."

Nodding in satisfaction, Ye Xunhuan began looking around the hall.

The interior of the Pope's Palace was even more magnificent than its exterior.

The dome was absurdly high; merely looking up at it made his neck ache.

The walls and ceiling were covered in murals of the Six-Winged Angel. Golden candlesticks stood in two rows along the corridor, their flickering flames casting the entire hall in the likeness of a Christian cathedral.

Ye Xunhuan followed Ling Yuan down the corridor, their footsteps echoing through the vast, empty hall.

At the end of the corridor, above nine white jade steps, stood a towering throne of pure gold.

Reclining lazily upon it was a peerless beauty—none other than the current Pope, Bibi Dong.

At that moment, she was casually flipping through a spirit master certificate.

"Your subordinate Ling Yuan greets Your Holiness the Pope." Seeing that they were close enough, Ling Yuan hurriedly dropped to one knee.

Ye Xunhuan glanced at her and followed suit, kneeling on one knee. "This commoner, Ye Xunhuan, greets Your Holiness the Pope."

Bibi Dong looked at Ye Xunhuan with interest. A trace of curiosity, rarely seen in her placid pink eyes, surfaced as she said gently, "Rise."

"Thank you, Your Holiness the Pope!" the two said in unison.

As they rose, Ye Xunhuan finally saw Bibi Dong's face clearly.

At that sight, he nearly lost his composure.

No matter how vividly the original work described her, it could not compare to seeing her in person.

He was smitten at a single glance. What an exquisite face.

Her skin was as pale and smooth as rendered jade, and every movement she made radiated holiness and nobility.

Her pinkish-purple phoenix eyes seemed brimming with tender feeling, their gaze flowing in a way that awakened a desire to protect her from the depths of one's heart.

She wore a nine-curved purple-gold crown, held a two-meter staff inlaid with gemstones, and was draped in a resplendent purple-and-gold robe.

Her sacred aura blended with the majesty of one in power, and her imposing presence made people instinctively want to kneel in worship.

She was far more beautiful than the twisted face she had worn after being corrupted by the Rakshasa God's power during the battle of Jialing Pass.

Suddenly, Ye Xunhuan recalled Bibi Dong's tragic life. His gaze softened further. He wanted to protect the woman before him and make sure the rest of her life would not be so bitter.

That was right! He was just a horny bastard!

However, neither woman noticed the change in Ye Xunhuan's expression. Ling Yuan was reporting everything that had happened on their journey.

This included Golden Bear Village being massacred by Tang Hao, Ye Xunhuan awakening an ancient ferocious beast martial soul and obtaining a first Spirit Ring that surpassed the theoretical limits of spirit masters, as well as encountering Tang San, a twin martial soul owner, and his teacher Yu Xiaogang in the Star Dou Forest.

When Yu Xiaogang's name was mentioned, Ye Xunhuan could clearly sense Bibi Dong's aura become somewhat unnatural. She had not reacted this way even upon hearing about a twin martial soul.

It seemed Bibi Dong truly loved Yu Xiaogang deeply.

But it did not matter. Stealing another man's woman was what he did best.

Heh heh heh, Yu Xiaogang. Since you were willing to let such a gorgeous woman go, don't blame this young master for making his move.

"Elder Ling Yuan truly has good luck. You went out once and came back with such a treasure." There was a hint of envy in Bibi Dong's voice. "Little one, release your martial soul and let me see it."

With a thought from Ye Xunhuan, soul power surged forth, and the Behemoth martial soul instantly possessed him. Surging bloodline power filled the entire hall in an instant, while Ye Xunhuan's body grew noticeably taller.

A deep yellow Spirit Ring lit up beneath his feet.

"A legendary ferocious beast martial soul. This aura is already no weaker than the Six-Winged Angel inherited by the Qian family, and its first Spirit Ring has even broken the eight-hundred-year theoretical limit for spirit masters." A flash of amazement crossed Bibi Dong's eyes. Although Ling Yuan had already reported it to her, seeing it herself was still shocking.

She had already made up her mind.

"What a fine prospect. Put it away."

"Gui Mei!"

Whoosh!

An eerie black wind swept through the hall, blinding Ye Xunhuan for a moment. When he opened his eyes, a thin figure in black robes was already kneeling on one knee before Bibi Dong.

"Your Holiness the Pope." Gui Mei's hoarse, icy voice rang out.

Bibi Dong pointed at Ye Xunhuan. "Ling Yuan, I intend to send this little one to the Spirit Hall Junior Spirit Master Academy. If he wins the academy's annual selection competition in three months, he will receive the same treatment as Nana. Do you have any objections?"

Joy filled Ling Yuan's heart. Would that not mean becoming the Pope's direct disciple?

She did not show the slightest excitement. Instead, she cupped her hands slightly and replied respectfully, "This subordinate has none."

Gui Mei, who had been listening from the side, was startled and could not help muttering inwardly.

Is Her Holiness the Pope taking another disciple? Is this boy really that talented?

But the oldest students in the junior academy are already eleven years old, and quite a few are two-ring Great Spirit Masters. Is Ling Yuan really that confident?

"Very well. Then go with Elder Gui." Bibi Dong casually issued her dismissal.

"Yes!" Gui Mei nodded respectfully.

He then led the two of them out of the Pope's Palace.

As soon as they left the Pope's Palace, Ling Yuan took her leave first.

Having just returned to Martial Soul City, she needed to visit her residence first.

"Xunhuan, go with Elder Gui first. Your sister has some matters to handle."

Ye Xunhuan nodded obediently. "All right, sis."

Ling Yuan turned to give Gui Mei a few more instructions, then summoned her martial soul and flew away.

Only after Ling Yuan vanished from sight did Ye Xunhuan withdraw his gaze and silently follow behind Gui Mei.

It was not because he was too sad to speak. He was bargaining with the system.

"System, can't you really reveal even a little information about the mysterious martial soul? How about this: tell me one characteristic, and I'll guess the rest myself."

The system fell silent for a while before, unexpectedly, giving him a reply.

"Four."

A name exploded in his mind. Terror swept through his entire body, and a chill rose from the soles of his feet straight to the top of his head.

No wonder.

No wonder a mere quarter fragment could stand alongside a god-tier martial soul as one of the system reward options.

No wonder the fragment was divided into four pieces.

In Ye Xunhuan's understanding, there was one and only one thing that met those conditions.

The Four Swords of Zhu Xian!