There were no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters!

After successfully obtaining his first soul ring.

Early the next morning.

Lin Hao left the Star Dou Great Forest with his teacher, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Ghost Douluo, heading straight back to Spirit City.

After arriving in Spirit City.

Once they had parted ways with Ghost Douluo, Lin Hao and his teacher returned to the Chrysanthemum Residence. Before they could even sit down, a Grand Cardinal arrived with a message.

"Elder Ju, His Holiness the Pope has issued an order!"

"She heard that you took in a disciple with innate full soul power and the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum martial soul. She would like you to bring your disciple over for her to meet."

Hearing this, Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded in agreement.

"Understood. I'll take Little Hao to see Her Holiness at once."

Beside him, Lin Hao was rather surprised that Bibi Dong wanted to meet him, but his surprise soon turned to delight.

Bibi Dong was the Pope of Spirit Hall. Surely she would give a junior like him something when they met?

Nice! Nice!

Looks like there are more benefits to be had!

Lin Hao was full of anticipation.

Afterward, Lin Hao accompanied his teacher, Chrysanthemum Douluo, to the Pope Hall.

On the way, Chrysanthemum Douluo earnestly cautioned him.

"Little Hao! We'll be meeting Her Holiness shortly."

"Remember, don't speak out of turn. Be careful with your words and actions, and remain respectful. Understand?"

"I understand, Teacher!"

Lin Hao naturally nodded to show that he understood.

Soon, Chrysanthemum Douluo led Lin Hao into the Pope Hall.

They passed through a long corridor and walked between two rows of knights standing guard before a magnificent, glittering hall came into view.

The hall was immensely tall and spacious, with a huge angel painted across its vaulted ceiling.

Gemstones of every color adorned the surrounding walls, sparkling beneath the lights.

At the far end of the hall stood a raised dais, upon which sat an ornate throne.

A woman sat upright on that throne.

"Greetings, Your Holiness!"

As he respectfully bowed alongside his teacher to Bibi Dong, who sat on the throne atop the dais, Lin Hao stole a glance at her from the corner of his eye, inwardly marveling.

He had to admit it!

Bibi Dong might be the great villain of the Douluo Continent, but her face and figure truly left nothing to be desired!

Her tall, graceful figure, her long purple hair cascading down like a waterfall, her magnificent Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown, and her beautiful face, with its exquisite features and air of regal, icy elegance, were truly breathtaking!

No wonder so many people in his previous life had liked her despite her being the great villain.

That presence, those looks-she really had no equal!

Meanwhile, Bibi Dong was also studying Lin Hao.

She found Lin Hao reasonably handsome and respectful, a rather promising young boy.

Bibi Dong nodded slightly, parted her crimson lips, and asked:

"Elder Ju, is this the disciple you took in?"

"Yes, Your Holiness!"

Chrysanthemum Douluo answered respectfully.

"This is my disciple, Lin Hao. Your Holiness may simply call him Little Hao."

"Little Hao possesses the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum martial soul with innate full soul power..."

As Chrysanthemum Douluo introduced Lin Hao, he also adopted a deeply moved expression.

He declared that his opportunity to take in such an outstanding disciple was entirely thanks to the platform Spirit Hall had provided.

And Bibi Dong, as Her Holiness the Pope, was someone to whom he owed boundless gratitude.

With those words, he once again credited Bibi Dong for every kindness he had received.

Beside him, Lin Hao was dumbfounded.

He had never imagined his teacher was so good at flattery. No wonder he could drag the taciturn, cold-tempered Uncle Ghost along with him and become Bibi Dong's right-hand men!

With that emotional intelligence and silver tongue, he had to give him credit!

Bibi Dong was clearly pleased by Chrysanthemum Douluo's words. The corners of her lips curved slightly as she asked.

"Yesterday, did you and Ghost Elder take Little Hao to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain his first soul ring?"

"What is Little Hao's first soul skill? Is it the same as yours?"

Faced with Bibi Dong's questions, Chrysanthemum Douluo looked a little embarrassed, unsure how best to answer.

"Well... Your Holiness, Little Hao is somewhat different from me."

"I follow the power attack system, but Little Hao believes that, as an Immortal Grade medicinal herb, the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum has extraordinary medicinal properties and is a supreme Food System martial soul. He felt that the path of a Food System soul master would be better, and he successfully persuaded me."

"Therefore, I agreed to let Little Hao develop along the Food System path, and I helped him obtain a four-hundred-year-old spirit gathering grass so that he could absorb its soul ring."

"Little Hao's first soul skill creates a Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum with the effects of spirit gathering grass."

"What!"

At those words, Bibi Dong froze, unmistakable astonishment flashing through her phoenix eyes.

She had never expected Lin Hao to choose the Food System path.

Her delicate brows immediately knitted together.

Originally, she had thought that Lin Hao, with his innate full soul power and Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum martial soul, possessed even greater potential than Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan.

Under Chrysanthemum Douluo's tutelage, he might one day surpass rank ninety-five and become a powerful power attack system Super Douluo.

That was why she had decided to summon him for a look.

Yet she had never expected Lin Hao to take the Food System path.

Although Food System soul masters were highly useful, and would be tremendously valuable if they became Titled Douluos.

A Food System soul master without combat ability could only serve in logistics, no matter how important he was.

Bibi Dong immediately began to think less highly of Lin Hao.

But as Pope, she naturally would not display her disappointment too openly. She still forced a smile onto her face and offered a pretense of reassurance.

"Being a Food System soul master is good, too."

"A Food System Titled Douluo has never appeared on this continent. With Little Hao's innate full soul power, following the Food System path might allow him to become the first. That would be quite good!"

Although Bibi Dong's words were reassuring.

Both Chrysanthemum Douluo and Lin Hao could tell that her initially appreciative attitude had turned cold at once. Even her concern seemed false, giving her an air of insincerity.

This left Lin Hao somewhat displeased.

He still had innate full soul power, after all. He had merely chosen the Food System path.

Did her attitude have to change so obviously just because she heard he was a Food System soul master?

Who said Food System soul masters necessarily lacked combat ability?

One day, he would prove it to the continent—so what if he was Food System?

There were no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters!

After learning that Lin Hao had chosen the Food System path.

Bibi Dong's attitude grew noticeably colder. After a few more casual remarks and some inconsequential questions about Lin Hao's age and where he lived, she waved a hand and spoke.

"Elder Ju, stay. I have a task for you."

"As for Little Hao, you may return first."

Hearing this, Chrysanthemum Douluo hurriedly gave Lin Hao a meaningful look.

Lin Hao understood at once and bowed.

"Your disciple takes his leave."

With that, he turned and left the Pope Hall.

The moment he stepped out of the hall, Lin Hao could not help curling his lip, feeling rather annoyed.

He had never expected Bibi Dong to change her tune so quickly!

And as the illustrious Pope, she had summoned a junior like him without even giving him a meeting gift. She was far too stingy!

Or had she decided he was unimportant after learning he had chosen the Food System path?

Even if she had prepared a gift, had she decided not to give it to him?

Lin Hao felt the former was more likely.

After all, in the original story, his teacher, Chrysanthemum Douluo, had been utterly loyal to Bibi Dong, following all her orders.

Despite being a distinguished elder, he still had to handle all manner of dirty, exhausting work.

In the end, right up until Tang San killed him, he had never even managed to get a single Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone.

That alone showed just how stingy Bibi Dong was!

And to think he had been hoping to reap some benefits!

Lin Hao shook his head helplessly and started down the mountain path, intending to return to the Chrysanthemum Residence.

But he had not gone far.

Behind the hill where the Pope Hall and Douluo Hall stood, three figures approached him along the path ahead.

Lin Hao looked up and paused slightly.

One of the three was a girl in a long golden dress, with short golden hair, exquisite features, and a charming, alluring appearance.

Another was a slender, handsome boy with short silver hair tipped in red.

The last was a well-built boy in a tight red outfit, with short red hair, red eyes, and a heroic-looking face.

Although he did not know them, Lin Hao recognized them at a glance.

These had to be Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.

Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives!