Slapping Yu Xiaogang's Face, Contracting Bibi Dong

"Xiao Gang, your research into martial soul theory is the most extensive. Can you tell what martial soul he awakened?"

The moment she heard the red-robed bishop's voice, Bibi Dong instinctively turned to ask Yu Xiaogang beside her.

After all, Yu Xiaogang was reputed to be deeply versed in martial soul theory. Whenever they encountered an unknown martial soul, asking him could never be wrong. She had initially been drawn to Yu Xiaogang because of his knowledge, gradually coming into contact with him until she had developed a few unusual feelings for him.

At her words, Yu Xiaogang's expression suddenly froze.

This martial soul... he had never seen it either.

Yu Xiaogang might indeed be skilled in martial soul theory, but the red-robed bishop had overseen martial soul awakenings for years and had Spirit Hall's vast library behind him. If even the red-robed bishop could not recognize Ling Jing's martial soul, how could Yu Xiaogang possibly recognize it?

Yu Xiaogang hemmed and hawed for a long time without being able to say what Ling Jing's martial soul was. Seeing Bibi Dong's expression shift from curiosity to anticipation, then disappointment and suspicion, he could only force himself to speak.

"Although the martial soul's phantom is not particularly clear, judging from the waves of cold air it emits and its mirror-like scales... this child's martial soul should be the relatively rare Ice-Pattern Mirror Beast that lives in the Icebound Forest."

As he continued speaking, Yu Xiaogang's tone gradually became more assured. He even began boasting about himself. "I recognized his martial soul as an Ice-Pattern Mirror Beast because I happened to see a book that recorded this kind of soul beast. Because this soul beast's scales are very beautiful, humans once organized large-scale hunts against them. Gradually, their numbers dwindled. Having such a soul beast as a martial soul is truly rare."

"Xiao Gang, you know so much."

Seeing how certain Yu Xiaogang sounded, Bibi Dong showed a trace of amazement. But the next second, another red-robed bishop, who was not responsible for presiding over the martial soul awakening ceremony, refuted him. "Your Highness, this martial soul cannot possibly be an Ice-Pattern Mirror Beast."

"Although this child's martial soul resembles an Ice-Pattern Mirror Beast somewhat, the Ice-Pattern Mirror Beast's most notable feature is the striking ice pattern on its body. That pattern is also the main basis for judging its cultivation age. Yet I saw no ice pattern on that child's martial soul, so it absolutely cannot be an Ice-Pattern Mirror Beast."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Xiaogang's face instantly reddened.

Perhaps seeing Bibi Dong's slightly furrowed brow, Yu Xiaogang instinctively retorted, "Then tell us, what is his martial soul?"

"This..."

A trace of hesitation flashed across the red-robed bishop's face, but he quickly came to his senses and sneered. "While I cannot be certain what this martial soul is either, at the very least, it definitely is not an Ice-Pattern Mirror Beast!"

"You..."

Yu Xiaogang still wanted to say something, but Bibi Dong stepped forward and chuckled. "Why not simply go ask the child what his martial soul is?"

What could a child who had just awakened his martial soul possibly know?

Could he understand more than a "master" like him, who had immersed himself in martial soul theory for years?

Yu Xiaogang grumbled inwardly, but he wore a faint smile on his face. "Dong'er is right. Let us ask this child exactly what his martial soul is."

Ling Jing naturally heard the argument between Yu Xiaogang and the red-robed bishop.

He could not help sneering inwardly.

His martial soul was no Ice-Pattern Mirror Beast. It was a Mirror Beast!

That was right, the Mirror Beast from the original story—the one that became Oscar's sixth Soul Ring and helped Oscar gain combat ability.

He did not know whether the future master Yu Xiaogang knew of Mirror Beasts. But at least the current Yu Xiaogang knew absolutely nothing!

He clearly did not understand, yet he still shamelessly prattled on... Ling Jing truly admired Yu Xiaogang's thick skin.

"Child, what is your name?"

Bibi Dong walked forward a few steps, her voice gentle and soothing. At this moment, she did not seem like the lofty and unapproachable Saintess of Spirit Hall at all. Instead, she resembled the friendly older sister next door.

"Reporting to Your Highness, my name is Ling Jing."

"Ling Jing..."

Bibi Dong nodded thoughtfully, her smile unchanged. "Do you know what martial soul you awakened?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Ling Jing nodded. "I do. The martial soul I awakened is called a Mirror Beast."

"What? It is actually a Mirror Beast?!"

The red-robed bishop who had argued with Yu Xiaogang earlier cried out in shock, his face full of disbelief. "It really is a Mirror Beast?"

"Your Highness, the Mirror Beast is a special soul beast that lives in the Icebound Forest. It possesses the ability to replicate other soul beasts. Because of this unique ability, many soul beasts are hostile toward Mirror Beasts and even gang up to attack them. Therefore, Mirror Beasts are even rarer than the Ice-Pattern Mirror Beasts Yu Xiaogang mentioned earlier!"

"I never expected such a special and rare soul beast to truly become someone's martial soul!"

This red-robed bishop... knew his stuff.

Ling Jing had thought he would have to spend a lot of time explaining or demonstrate his abilities to prove it, but this red-robed bishop had actually explained everything about Mirror Beasts himself.

"Hah, I told you this child's martial soul could not possibly be an Ice-Pattern Mirror Beast! I truly do not know how you had the nerve to so brazenly conclude that this child possessed an Ice-Pattern Mirror Beast martial soul."

Today's martial soul awakening at the orphanage had originally been a perfect opportunity for Her Highness the Saintess to win hearts and display her grace. Yet Yu Xiaogang had shamelessly requested to accompany her.

The red-robed bishop, who had long found Yu Xiaogang irritating, had finally found his chance and thoroughly mocked him.

Listening to the red-robed bishop's ridicule, Yu Xiaogang's face alternated between green and white.

What Yu Xiaogang found even harder to accept was that, faced with the red-robed bishop's mockery, Bibi Dong merely frowned and stopped the man from saying anything further. She had no intention whatsoever of reprimanding him!

Previously, whenever others mocked him, Bibi Dong would always stand boldly in front of him and fiercely rebuke them!

This contrast was truly difficult for Yu Xiaogang to accept.

If this child had not awakened such a rare martial soul, how could he have lost face in front of Bibi Dong? How could he have given the red-robed bishop an opportunity to mock him?

Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth, his fists tightening slightly as he looked at Ling Jing with a hint of hostility in his eyes.

Dude, your knowledge is lacking, yet you insist on pretending to know everything. Someone exposes you and mocks you for it, and somehow that is my fault?

Then I really ought to show you what I can do.

Do you even know what a Soul Contract is?

You will be my first contract target!

Become my Pokémon, Bibi Dong!

Ling Jing directly chose to form a contract with Bibi Dong in his mind—this was the most overbearing aspect of the Mirror Contract System.

Forming a contract with another soul master required neither the other party's blood nor their consent.

He only needed to decide in his mind to form a contract with them, and the contract would be completed automatically.

In an instant, a strange sensation welled up in Ling Jing's heart. It felt... as though he knew Bibi Dong's martial souls inside and out, as if he could display Bibi Dong's strength at the age of six in the very next second.

Moreover, if he wished, he could immediately release the poisons of the Death Spider Emperor and Soul Devouring Spider Emperor.

He had already obtained the intensely poisonous traits of Bibi Dong's two great martial souls.

"Your Highness."

The red-robed bishop presiding over the martial soul ceremony stepped forward and spoke in a lowered voice. "This martial soul awakening has actually produced Innate Full Soul Power. The other children with Soul Power are easy enough to handle; we can simply send them to Spirit Hall Junior Academy. But this child with Innate Full Soul Power..."

Bibi Dong did not answer immediately. She merely smiled at Ling Jing, even crouching down halfway to look directly into his silver-white eyes.

For some reason, she felt an inexplicable sense of closeness from Ling Jing, as though she were seeing herself from many years ago, just before her teacher brought her back to Spirit Hall.

Bibi Dong's voice became even gentler. "Child, are you willing to join Spirit Hall? If you are, I will report to my teacher—the current Pope—and ask him to accept you as his disciple."

At her words, Yu Xiaogang's expression changed slightly.

Was this the treatment afforded to someone with talent?

For Innate Full Soul Power, even Dong'er would personally report to the Pope and ask him to accept the child as a disciple!

Damn it!

Yu Xiaogang once again hated his own talent in his heart.

Why could his Innate Soul Power not have been a little higher?

Even if he did not have Innate Full Soul Power, if he had merely possessed Innate Soul Power at rank five, he would not still be only a Soul Grandmaster now!

Noticing the subtle change that had quietly occurred in Bibi Dong's attitude, Ling Jing was overwhelmed with emotion.

This Soul Contract was really useful!

As for whether he should join Spirit Hall...

Even if he had not formed a contract with Bibi Dong, and even if the Pope would not accept him as a disciple, he would still be willing to join Spirit Hall.

After all, the only reason he had been able to live peacefully without worrying about food and clothing until now was entirely due to the subsidies provided by Spirit Hall.

He would not think that because his parents had died during Spirit Hall law enforcement, it was only natural for Spirit Hall to support him.

"I am willing."

Ling Jing paused slightly before immediately adding, "Your junior brother Ling Jing greets Senior Sister."

Senior Sister?

A strange feeling immediately arose in Bibi Dong's heart, and a smile unconsciously appeared at the corners of her lips. "You little brat, you are quite clever. I only said I would report to my teacher and ask him to accept you as a disciple. I did not say he would definitely accept you."

Though she said that, the affection in Bibi Dong's tone was impossible to miss.

Damn it!

Damn it all!

Ever since I identified that child's martial soul incorrectly, Dong'er has not even looked at me!

This will not do!

Realizing that his standing in Bibi Dong's heart had slipped somewhat, Yu Xiaogang immediately spoke up. "With His Holiness the Pope's guidance, this child will surely have limitless prospects in the future!"