Clearing Hurdles and Meeting Hu Liena for the First Time

"The first test, Martial Soul identification!"

"They won't release their Martial Souls, nor will they reveal their soul power."

"Say as much as you can figure out. Did you hear me?"

Yue Guan flicked his right hand, and the ten Spirit Masters in front of him stood in a line. At this moment, it felt like a test specially arranged for Gu Changsheng, with everyone here watching. The other testers were left far behind, none of them expecting the test to come this quickly.

At this moment, Gu Changsheng looked over, and the Myriad Heaven Book unfolded deep within his soul, lines of text gradually emerging:

[Iron-Backed Bear, rank thirty-one.

Cold Water Sparrow, rank thirty-three.

Rock-Armored Turtle, rank forty-one.

Azure Dragon Vine, rank twenty-six.

...]

When he spoke, his performance could be described as utterly stunning, his tone exceptionally steady. After that, he even paused for a few breaths before continuing:

"The first one, a defensive-type beast Spirit Master, soul power above rank thirty.

The second one, avian-type with a water affinity, soul power around rank thirty..."

At first, Yue Guan still wore a skeptical attitude, but he never expected that by the tenth person, Yue Guan's expression had completely changed. Completely correct, utterly accurate, and although some details lacked refinement, the direction and ranks were entirely correct!

"A bit interesting, that's enough! This first trial is considered passed by you. There's no point in continuing the test; this child can indeed see through Martial Souls!"

Yue Guan nodded slowly, then swept his gaze across the other students below the stage, suddenly speaking fiercely:

"In a narrow encounter, the brave prevail. Ability is one aspect, but courage is equally indispensable. The second test is actual combat. Who wants to come and challenge my genius?"

As his voice fell, a boy of about ten suddenly stepped out, flipping into Yue Guan's presence. He was tall and slender, yet his gaze carried utter arrogance.

"Elder, I'll do it!"

This person was named Lin Yan, with a Crimson Flame Leopard Martial Soul, a rank-twenty-two Great Spirit Master.

Seeing the person who had jumped up in front of him, Yue Guan furrowed his brows and said coldly:

"He just awakened, so he has no spirit ring."

Lin Yan immediately replied: "Please supervise, Elder. I won't use my second soul skill."

At this moment, the surrounding students also suddenly stirred up a commotion.

"Lin Yan, you wouldn't be trying to bully a newcomer, would you?"

"That's right, he's innate full soul power, and we don't even know if a book-type Martial Soul can take a claw from you."

Gu Changsheng looked at Lin Yan before him without much fear, because he had already seen right through him.

"I said you're a genius. You stinky brat, do you dare or not?"

Lin Yan sneered as he looked at Gu Changsheng in front of him.

And Gu Changsheng replied calmly.

"I do."

His lips moved slightly, uttering only two words, and it was precisely these two words that made Yue Guan cast a glance at him.

"Are you sure? This brat isn't just a few ranks higher than you!"

"Yes!"

As Gu Changsheng nodded slowly, Yue Guan did not stop him either, merely extending his right hand and shouting loudly: "Stop when a point is reached."

Hearing this, Lin Yan immediately released his Martial Soul, red flames rising fiercely on his body, and the Crimson Flame Leopard possessed him instantly.

Two yellow spirit rings were slowly emerging.

In contrast, Gu Changsheng had only an ancient dark-gold book suspended in his palm, with no spirit ring and no soul skill. This contrasting texture truly seemed rather thin.

Upon closer inspection, it genuinely felt devoid of any sense of threat.

"First soul skill, Crimson Flame Assault!"

Lin Yan gave a low cry, his entire body charging out abruptly with extremely fast speed, his right hand wrapped in flames as it seemed to form a huge palm.

He dashed straight toward Gu Changsheng's shoulder, yet the very instant he began moving, a very clear trajectory unexpectedly surfaced in Gu Changsheng's eyes.

[Attack route: frontal charge.

Flaws and weaknesses: left shoulder sinks prematurely, turning is very slow, can attack the lower path and strike the right side.]

Seeing this, Gu Changsheng stepped out with his right foot, and the heat grazed past the corner of his clothing, missing him completely.

This scene caused Lin Yan's pupils to constrict.

How is it possible that he dodged it just like that?

Before he could change his moves, Gu Changsheng curled his right hand straight and stabbed forward, gathering a tiny bit of soul power to accurately strike the position on the right side of Lin Yan's chest.

At this moment, Lin Yan felt his entire body go numb, as if pinned in place by some controlled soul power.

Just as he was still hesitating, Gu Changsheng side-kicked, and with a single bang, Lin Yan collapsed to the ground instantly, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

Lin Yan staggered to his feet, kneeling on one knee as the entire audience fell into absolute silence.

Merely a single exchange, yet a rank-twenty-two Great Spirit Master was knocked to his knees by the newly awakened Gu Changsheng, and he even spat blood?

"No, impossible! I haven't lost! I... haven't lost!"

His complexion flushed crimson instantly, his tone trembling slightly, and his second spirit ring also suddenly lit up at this moment, the flames instantly exploding wildly.

"Enough! Don't lose the match and lose your dignity too. Get lost down there!"

Chrysanthemum Douluo released his soul power in an instant, a single gaze instantly causing Lin Yan before him to not dare move rashly, his body stiffening.

At this moment, his gaze was entirely concentrated on Gu Changsheng, his look extremely serious. Perhaps others only saw him dodge with agility.

Yet he saw it crystal clear: Gu Changsheng did not rely on speed, but instead anticipated the attack route in advance and saw through the Martial Soul and its weaknesses.

"Gu Changsheng, how did you do it?"

Accompanied by a crisp voice, Hu Liena also slowly turned around, her eyes holding a bit more excitement.

Gu Changsheng glanced at her lightly as well, replying indifferently.

"I merely saw the flaws."

"Could it be that everyone has flaws?"

Hu Liena pursued the question.

Gu Changsheng nodded once more.

"As long as there is a Martial Soul, there are operating rules. As long as there are rules, they can be broken."

Hearing this, Hu Liena also froze abruptly, and Chrysanthemum Douluo beside her fell into silence as well.

It was precisely after these words that Yue Guan slowly spoke:

"Gu Changsheng, are you willing to enter the Pope Palace to cultivate?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience was in an uproar.

The Pope Palace was the true core of Spirit Hall; being able to enter the Pope Palace meant having the opportunity in the future to receive personal training from His Holiness the Pope.

If there was anyone whose face was the palest right now, it was probably Lin Yan, who had stepped onto the stage just a moment ago. He had originally wanted to teach the newcomer a lesson, but never expected to become the other party's stepping stone.

"Does entering the Pope Palace have Martial Soul books to read? I mean Martial Soul data and things like that..."

When he asked this question, the people around him once again fell into silence.

What others wanted upon entering the Pope Palace were resources, teachers, and status, but he unexpected wanted data.

Yue Guan didn't even know how many times he had been surprised by now. Perhaps he was getting used to it, so he chuckled softly:

"If His Holiness the Pope agrees, I'm afraid you can have as many as you want."

"Alright, since I agree, I hope the more the better."

It was precisely at this moment that Hu Liena slowly extended her right hand, revealing an indescribable smile.

"From now on, we are fellow disciples. My name is Hu Liena, please advise me!"

Gu Changsheng watched her and also extended his right hand, giving it a gentle shake.

"Gu Changsheng."

"You're very interesting. I feel like you're so mature."

Gu Changsheng looked at the smiling Hu Liena before him and returned a smiling face as well.

"You are too, very interesting!"

It was right at this moment, the instant their palms touched, the Myriad Heaven Book flipped open abruptly.

[Demon Fox Spirit detected.

Spiritual Charm trait detected.

Proceed with deep analysis?]

At this moment, Hu Liena also seemed to sense something, blinking abruptly.

"What are you looking at?"

Gu Changsheng withdrew his hand immediately.

"Oh... nothing..."

Then Yue Guan turned around and pointed toward the Spirit Hall ahead.

"Come with me, perk up, His Holiness the Pope wants to see you right now!"

When Gu Changsheng recovered his wits, he slowly raised his head and discovered that the distant Pope Palace seemed to be exuding a soul power that made his heart shudder.

Bibi Dong, we are finally going to meet...