First Audience with the Pope

Yue Guan did not answer Dongfang Yu. Instead, he looked around at the others, his expression turning stern. "Everyone stays here. No one is allowed to leave."

"Louis, keep an eye on these people."

Louis understood what was going on. They were sealing off the news. He immediately replied, "Understood."

"Xiao Yu, come!"

Seeing Yue Guan pull him away, Dongfang Yu asked, "Where are we going, Uncle Yue?"

"To see the Pope."

Papal Hall.

Yue Guan and Dongfang Yu stood obediently below, not daring to raise their heads.

Dongfang Yu felt that the Papal Hall was far too imposing, and far too cold. Anyone who entered this place could not help but feel tense and solemn.

Tap—tap!

Hearing those unhurried footsteps, Dongfang Yu grew even more nervous. I'm about to meet Bibi Dong! But I'm not prepared yet!

"Elder Yue, weren't you at the Awakening Hall? Why did you come looking for me in such a hurry?" A pleasant yet dignified female voice sounded from above.

Yue Guan raised his head and said respectfully, "In reply to Your Holiness, I found a genius."

"A genius? Don't tell me it's the child beside you?"

"Yes, Your Holiness," Yue Guan answered.

"Another 'genius' with innate soul power at level six or seven?" the female voice above questioned.

"No, this is a true genius!" Yue Guan said excitedly. He then looked at Dongfang Yu. "Xiao Yu, release your martial soul for His Holiness to see."

Dongfang Yu steadied himself and did not dare look up. Bibi Dong's pressure was simply too overwhelming. "All right, Uncle Yue."

The next moment, Angewomon appeared behind Dongfang Yu once more!

For a moment, the Papal Hall became brighter as well.

"This is... the Six-Winged Angel? No, that's not right!" The female voice above became somewhat incredulous.

"Child, raise your head and tell me. What is your martial soul called?"

At those words, Dongfang Yu slowly raised his head, and a woman's face entered his field of vision.

The woman on the platform was not tall. She wore a magnificent black robe embroidered with golden patterns, a Nine-Curved Purple-Gold Crown upon her head, and held a nearly two-meter-long scepter studded with countless gems. Her fair skin and almost perfect features made her seem utterly extraordinary.

Especially the invisible nobility and holiness radiating from her, which made people unable to resist the urge to kneel in worship.

When Dongfang Yu truly came back to his senses, he realized that the Pope on the platform was astonishingly beautiful. Noble, elegant, serene—every beautiful word seemed applicable to this woman.

"R-Replying to Your Holiness, my martial soul is called... the Holy Maiden." Though Dongfang Yu was inwardly flustered and excited, he had not lost his reason. He dropped the final word from Angewomon's name and added "Holy" before it.

Holy Maiden... It does suit its appearance. I just wonder what connection it has to the Six-Winged Angel, Bibi Dong thought.

Even Bibi Dong, as the Pope, had to admit that this martial soul was beautiful and holy—superior even to the Six-Winged Angel.

But... she hated this aura! It could even be called disgust!

Since they're both angel-type martial souls... perhaps... Bibi Dong sneered inwardly, seemingly having formed an idea.

"Yue Guan, what is this child's soul power?" Though she already had a guess, Bibi Dong still asked.

Yue Guan answered respectfully, "In reply to Your Holiness, level twenty."

"Heh, just as expected." Bibi Dong smiled and looked at Dongfang Yu.

"Child, what is your name?"

Dongfang Yu swallowed and answered, "In reply to Your Holiness, my name is Dongfang Yu."

"Are you willing to take me as your master?" Though it sounded like a question, there was a hint of something more in her tone.

Dongfang Yu did not hesitate. Catching on immediately, he bowed and answered, "This disciple, Dongfang Yu, greets Master."

His speed and decisiveness left Yue Guan, who had been about to urge him, momentarily stunned. Good kid!

"Good. From today onward, you are my, Bibi Dong's, disciple." Bibi Dong smiled in satisfaction, though a trace of coldness still lingered in the depths of her eyes.

After returning to his residence, Dongfang Yu flopped directly onto his bed, patted his chest, and said, "That was close."

Dongfang Yu had understood the hidden meaning in Bibi Dong's words just now. It was killing intent! He had no doubt that if he had refused, his head would have hit the floor the very next second!

Dongfang Yu knew perfectly well what Bibi Dong had experienced and what kind of person she was. She could never possibly like his martial soul. Her decision to accept him as a disciple surely had another purpose. If he did not cooperate, why would she keep a martial soul she despised alive in this world?

Appreciation for talent? Perhaps that might work for someone else, but with his martial soul... there was no way she would spare him merely because she valued talent. Thus, agreeing to become her disciple was the only way to survive.

"She's so beautiful..." Dongfang Yu murmured. Recalling Bibi Dong's face, he still found it breathtaking. This was undoubtedly the most beautiful face he had ever seen in both his lives.

Because he had awakened this martial soul, all of Dongfang Yu's plans had been thrown into disarray. What enjoying himself in Spirit Hall for a few more years? What defecting to Tang San? All of it had been ruined by a single sentence from Bibi Dong.

"What am I supposed to do?" Dongfang Yu frowned. If he dared defect to Tang San, he might not even make it out of Spirit City alive. But muddling along in Spirit Hall would not be easy either!

Only two paths now lay before Dongfang Yu: defect to Tang San, or side with Bibi Dong.

Both led to the same ending. The only difference was dying early or dying late.

"Maybe if I side with Bibi Dong... I might not necessarily die." Dongfang Yu pondered. Bibi Dong might be crazy, but she was not stupid. She was also extremely shrewd! If he tried to play both sides as a double agent, one slip and he would certainly die.

Therefore, he had to choose a side. Wavering between them would still end in death.

"Damn! This is really stumping me. Can't I get some kind of cheat?" Dongfang Yu scratched his head anxiously, feeling utterly irritated.

Half an hour later, as he continued thinking, Dongfang Yu recalled Bibi Dong's face. His heart gradually calmed, and he murmured, "Tang San, sorry, my friend."

Yes, Dongfang Yu had made his decision. He refused to believe that, with his advantage of foresight and his Holy Maiden martial soul, he could not defeat Tang San.

"It's definitely not because Bibi Dong is beautiful, and definitely not because I'm afraid of dying. I'm going to defeat the rebel to follow the will of heaven. This is all for the people..." Dongfang Yu calmly gave himself a perfectly justified reason.

At the same time, Holy Soul Village.

A blue-haired child meditating with his eyes closed opened them. He only felt a gust of cold wind blow against his back, as though it had passed through every barrier and reached straight into his heart.

"Strange. Why would I catch a chill after cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Skill..." He then closed his eyes again and continued meditating.