The bewildered Blue Silver Emperor

The Blue Silver Emperor's expression shifted. After so many years in human form, she had naturally heard of Spirit Hall's Pope.

"I never thought Spirit Hall would uncover my identity so quickly. I suppose this is fate." Ah Yin glanced around. She could tell that everyone beside Qian Xunji was formidable. They were all Titled Douluo.

And she had never expected five Titled Douluo to come at once. At her current strength as a Soul King, escape was out of the question. Taking even one step would be an achievement.

"So His Holiness the Pope has come in person, bringing four Titled Douluo to find a woman on her own," Ah Yin said softly, her tone even. "I'm honored."

Qian Xunji did not take offense at her coldness. Instead, he smiled. "Miss Blue Silver, since learning of your existence not long ago, I've put all of Spirit Hall's intelligence resources to work finding you."

"Fortunately, heaven favored Spirit Hall. After a few days, we finally found you."

"Hmph. My Soul Ring and Soul Bone must be quite tempting to you." Knowing her identity had been exposed, Blue Silver's voice turned cold.

Qian Xunji understood why she sounded that way and did not mind.

It was like five burly men with guns surrounding a child. Who wouldn't panic?

"You needn't be nervous." Qian Xunji looked at her and spoke gently. "You took human form after a hundred thousand years as the Blue Silver Emperor and began cultivating anew. You've traveled among human towns and villages, doing good deeds, hoping to find a way past the limits of a Soul Beast."

"And I'm here to invite you to join Spirit Hall."

"Invite me to join Spirit Hall? Since when are you so kind?" Blue Silver clearly did not believe him.

Qian Xunji smiled. "Believe it or not, as Pope, I'm here on Spirit Hall's behalf with a sincere offer. You could think of it as a trade. But I am certainly not here for your Soul Ring or Soul Bone."

"To be honest, a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring and Soul Bone are tempting. But compared with Spirit Hall's survival, they mean nothing."

"So come with me. You must know Spirit Hall isn't the only power in the human world with Titled Douluo. Other factions have them too. You need time to cultivate, and Spirit Hall can give you a place safe enough to do that."

Ah Yin paused.

Spirit Hall's survival?

She studied Qian Xunji, searching his face for some sign of deception. But his sharply defined features showed only openness and sincerity.

"Spirit Hall is at the height of its power, the foremost Soul Master faction on the continent. What threat could there be to its survival?" A hint of mockery entered Ah Yin's voice. "For all I know, you plan to take me back and sacrifice me to one of your descendants someday."

Qian Xunji smiled. "It seems I haven't done enough to convince you. Let me show you something. This is the Angel Codex, left to Spirit Hall by the Angel God. Read it, then decide whether you believe me."

Ah Yin hesitated, then took it and unfolded it.

The writing on the silk was ancient and obscure, but with her experience, she had little trouble reading it.

The further she read, the more solemn her expression became.

Its contents were more detailed than the memories passed down to her. Along with the path of growth for a Soul Beast that had taken human form, it described a way to cultivate by merging a Soul Beast's essence with human Soul Power.

"How do you have something like this?" Ah Yin looked up. Her voice held a tremor she was struggling to suppress.

"Spirit Hall has stood for ten thousand years. We have some knowledge to show for it," Qian Xunji said. "But this path requires resources and a safe place to cultivate."

"Even after taking human form and starting over, you're still a Soul Beast at heart. Cultivation will only grow harder as you advance. You need someone powerful enough to protect you on that path. You can't do it alone."

Blue Silver returned the silk to Qian Xunji. "Fine. I might go back with you, but first you must answer one question."

"Go ahead." Qian Xunji put the silk away.

"You said you only learned of my existence recently," Ah Yin said gravely. "How did you suddenly find out about me? Why use Spirit Hall's entire intelligence network to look for me?"

Qian Xunji smiled. "I knew you'd ask. Before I met him, I didn't even know there was a Soul Beast called the Blue Silver Emperor on this continent."

"And after so many years among humans, you must know that we consider Blue Silver Grass a useless Martial Soul."

Ah Yin pressed him. "Him? Who is he?"

"I can only tell you this about him," Qian Xunji replied. "He knows about you, about me, and about everyone's fate. He even knows that a Soft Bone Rabbit named Ah Rou, a Soul Beast like you, is in the Star Dou Great Forest right now."

"He was the one who told me you existed, and that Spirit Hall's survival was tied to you."

Ah Yin looked up and fixed Qian Xunji with an intense stare. "Who is he? Where did he come from? How does he know about my fate?"

Qian Xunji gave a mysterious smile. "I can't tell you any more. If you want to know your fate, you can go to Spirit Hall and ask him yourself."

"Oh, and he's an ordinary man. An ordinary man without even a Martial Soul."

Ah Yin froze.

An ordinary man without even a Martial Soul knew the fate of everyone on Douluo Continent?

"Are you joking?" She stared at Qian Xunji, searching his face for any sign that he was.

Qian Xunji met her gaze calmly. "Would I, the Pope of Spirit Hall, bring four Titled Douluo all this way just to joke with you?"

Ah Yin asked again, "If I refuse to go back with you now, will you take me by force?"

Instead of answering, Qian Xunji took out a token. "This is the Pope's Token. If you change your mind, you can find me at Spirit Hall in Spirit City whenever you like."

"But I wouldn't advise waiting. Before long, you may meet someone. After that, your tragic fate will begin."

Qian Xunji tossed the Pope's Token to the Blue Silver Emperor. "Yue Guan, Gui Mei, let's go back."

With that, Qian Xunji turned and led the others away without the slightest hesitation, leaving the Blue Silver Emperor staring after them in confusion.

Ah Yin stood where she was, clutching the Pope's Token as Qian Xunji and his companions receded into the distance.

Five Titled Douluo had come, then left just like that.

No threats. No coercion. Not even a harsh word.

This was nothing like the Spirit Hall she had heard about.

During her years in the human world, she had heard countless rumors about Spirit Hall.

It was domineering and ruthless: submit and prosper, resist and perish.

But the Qian Xunji she had met today was calm and forthright, with an ease she had never expected.

Apart from the looks in the eyes of the two at the back, neither Qian Xunji nor Yue Guan nor Gui Mei had looked at her with any greed for a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

Could I have misjudged them? Ah Yin lowered her gaze to the Pope's Token in her hand. Its angelic pattern glimmered faintly in the setting sun. Do a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring and Soul Bone truly mean so little to Spirit Hall?

And who in the world is that man?!

Once they had left the town, Qian Jun asked, plainly baffled, "Your Holiness, we're just leaving? She's a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast."

Jiang Mo immediately added, "Exactly. The five of us are Titled Douluo, and we spent a whole day coming here for nothing?"