Meeting Salas

About half an hour later, in front of Spirit Hall.

"Worthy of being the Spirit Hall Temple. It really is imposing." Yang Yunhai looked up at the lofty, majestic building in the distance and could not help sighing before striding toward it.

"Stop right there!" Before he reached the entrance, a guard stepped forward from the side and raised a hand to block him.

"Hello, I just made a breakthrough. I'm here to have my Soul Power Level reassessed," Yang Yunhai said politely.

A boy? Surprise flashed through the guard's eyes, but it quickly vanished. He nodded slightly. "In that case, go on in. There's a signboard by the inner entrance. Just follow the directions."

Sigh, with looks like mine, I really draw attention everywhere I go. Yang Yunhai silently grumbled. At such a young age, having a flat chest was perfectly normal, so facial features were the primary standard for judging one's gender. That was precisely why he was so easily mistaken for a pretty little girl.

And a valiant, dashing little beauty at that.

Thinking back on the absurdly high number of heads he had turned along the way, the hotel attendant from before had seemed comparatively more professional. Her expression had been impeccably controlled, and she had not been dazzled by his looks. With that thought, he cupped his hands slightly.

"Thank you for telling me, big brother."

With that, he strode toward the entrance.

"Damn, it's huge! No wonder they needed a signboard." After entering the main hall and glancing around, Yang Yunhai was slightly startled. It was genuinely spacious, easily over a thousand square meters by his estimate, and exquisitely decorated as well. Near the entrance on the right stood a tall signboard marked with directional symbols.

After thinking for a moment, Yang Yunhai headed straight for the Testing Hall, where Spirit Masters had their Soul Power Levels assessed.

The instant he entered, he sensed something. The Soul Power within his body seemed to be drawn by some force, pulsing faintly in a peculiar rhythm. Looking around, he saw that the surrounding walls were embedded with numerous black gemstones, just like those he had seen in the Spirit Hall of Notting City when testing his Soul Power. However, the ones here appeared clearer and more translucent. Clearly, the materials here were of a higher grade.

"Little sister, are you here to test your Soul Power?" While he was looking around, a voice called out from the right.

Little sister. Yang Yunhai immediately snapped back to his senses, and his eyelid twitched involuntarily. Turning his head, he saw a Beautiful Young Woman around thirty wearing a Spirit Hall uniform. She had seductive peach-blossom eyes, a beauty mark beneath her fiery red lips, a willow-slender waist, and long legs that seemed to begin beneath it.

"Worthy of being a temple." In that instant, he gained a new understanding of the unique status of Heaven Dou City's Spirit Hall Temple.

She's a little flat, though. Not enough to shake my Dao heart. Yang Yunhai nodded slightly and said politely, "Yes, beautiful sister."

"So you're a handsome little brother!" Surprise flashed through the Beautiful Young Woman's eyes before she covered her lips and laughed charmingly.

As she spoke, she picked up a purple Crystal Ball from the counter, pushed open the side door, and walked with small, graceful steps toward the center of the hall, where special patterns were marked on the floor.

As she walked, she said, "Come here, little brother. Big sister will test your Soul Power Level for you."

"Sorry to trouble you, beautiful sister." Yang Yunhai nodded and quickly followed.

Once Yang Yunhai stopped before her, she smiled in the soft, velvety voice unique to mature women. "Little brother, release your Martial Soul and Spirit Rings."

"Alright." Yang Yunhai nodded and immediately released his Martial Soul and Spirit Rings.

"Three-ringed Soul Elder!?" The Beautiful Young Woman's expression changed at once. As an experienced employee responsible for testing Spirit Masters' Soul Power at Spirit Hall, she had seen too many young Spirit Masters to count. She had long since become able to roughly judge their ages through observation.

Yet this boy, at such a young age, had already broken through to Soul Elder. In all her memories, she had only seen such a thing a few times.

"This Martial Soul... a vine?" she could not help asking. What kind of vine Martial Soul could cultivate so quickly? She could not understand it.

Yang Yunhai shook his head slightly. "No, this is Blue Silver Grass."

"How is that possible? Since when did Blue Silver Grass Martial Souls cultivate this quickly?" The Beautiful Young Woman was startled again.

"My Blue Silver Grass isn't ordinary Common Blue Silver Grass." Yang Yunhai smiled.

"It really doesn't resemble ordinary Common Blue Silver Grass. It looks more like some sort of vine, and those thorns look quite sharp. It must be a mutated Martial Soul." The Beautiful Young Woman smiled slightly as she raised her fair right hand holding the Crystal Ball and voiced her guess.

"Beautiful sister is so smart. You figured it out at a glance." Yang Yunhai immediately nodded.

"You're so young, but your mouth is already so sweet. You must have charmed quite a few little girls." The Beautiful Young Woman's smile deepened. She held the Crystal Ball before Yang Yunhai and nodded. "Come, little brother. Put your hand on it and let's test your Soul Power Level."

Yang Yunhai immediately nodded and did as she said.

Then the Beautiful Young Woman's worldview was struck once again, and an incredulous expression appeared on her attractive face.

"It's actually level 32!"

Shouldn't it have been level 31?

The vast pool of experience in her mind told her that even if a Spirit Master absorbed a Spirit Ring at the optimal age, they would generally only rise by one level.

Out of professional courtesy, she suppressed the urge to ask what type of Soul Beast Yang Yunhai's Third Soul Ring came from. Smiling, she said, "Little brother, I never expected you to be such a genius. I've worked here for so many years, but this is the first time I've seen someone as impressive as you."

"Little brother, would you like to join our Spirit Hall? There are plenty of benefits." She immediately threw him a flirtatious glance and extended an olive branch.

"Uh, I joined when I was six." Yang Yunhai scratched his head.

"Then why are you here?" The Beautiful Young Woman's expression immediately turned puzzled.

At such an age, to have cultivated to this level, Yang Yunhai's Innate Soul Power could not possibly have been low in her opinion. A genius Spirit Master like him should, by all reason, have been admitted directly into the Spirit Hall Exclusive Soul Master Academy, or even sent straight to Spirit City for focused training. He should have had dedicated mentors to hunt Soul Beasts for his Spirit Rings. Why would he come alone to Heaven Dou City's Spirit Hall Temple to test his Soul Power Level?

"Because of some special circumstances." Yang Yunhai smiled, withdrew his hand, and added, "It involves confidential matters, so beautiful sister, it would be best if you did not ask too much. And please do not tell anyone what we discussed today."

"Also, please report to Bishop Salas that I have an important matter to report. I believe I should now be qualified to request an audience with the Bishop."

"By the way, I just turned six."

"!" The Beautiful Young Woman's expression changed instantly. Even those of the same age could differ greatly, after all, since a year had twelve months.

Breaking through to level 32 at the beginning of the year and breaking through to level 32 at the end of the year were entirely different matters. Thinking of that, her expression became even more solemn as she nodded. "Of course!"

Setting everything else aside, his age and Soul Power Level alone qualified him to request a private audience with the Bishop.

Why had Spirit Hall continued to grow stronger? It was because of its emphasis on the talented young generation of Spirit Masters. Even a Platinum Bishop at a temple had to follow that principle. After all, even if Spirit Hall employees reached the rank of Bishop, they still needed to constantly accumulate contributions if they wanted to obtain more cultivation resources rewarded by Pope's Hall and advance further along the path of a Spirit Master.

And discovering talented Spirit Masters with potential was one of the assessment criteria.

"Little brother, wait here for a moment. I'll report this immediately." With that, she turned and hurried out through the main doors.

Not long afterward, in Salas's Office, knock, knock, knock—the door was rapped.

"Reporting to Lord Bishop, this subordinate has an urgent matter to report."

"Come in." Salas, who was seated at his desk sampling red wine, replied casually.

Creak. The door opened, and the Beautiful Young Woman hurried inside. She bowed slightly in salute and said respectfully, "Reporting to Lord Bishop, a young Spirit Master outside just came here after making a breakthrough to test his Soul Power. His Martial Soul is a mutated Blue Silver Grass, his Soul Power is level 32, and he has only just turned six."

"Hmm?" Salas abruptly sat upright, his cold gaze fixed on the Beautiful Young Woman. "Are you certain?"

"This subordinate is certain!" The Beautiful Young Woman nodded solemnly. "This subordinate personally tested that young man's Soul Power Level, so there can be no mistake. As for his exact age, he specifically told this subordinate after requesting an audience with you, saying that he had an important matter to report. He also told me not to reveal our conversation to anyone. Additionally, according to him, he joined Spirit Hall when he was six."

"As for why he did not enroll in the Spirit Hall Exclusive Soul Master Academy, he said there were special reasons."

Special reasons? Salas's expression also turned grave. Though he still did not fully understand the situation, reaching level 32 at such a young age was simply monstrous talent.

Yet instead of staying at the Spirit Hall Exclusive Soul Master Academy or even Spirit City, he had been left outside. No matter how he looked at it, there was something unusual about this matter, and Salas could not help but treat it cautiously.

With that thought, his sharp gaze swept toward the Beautiful Young Woman.

Only when she instinctively lowered her head did he speak.

"Go invite him up. Also, starting today, your position will be raised by one rank. I will assign someone else to take over the work of testing Spirit Masters' Soul Power Levels after some time. However, remember this: the Soul Power Level that young man tested at Spirit Hall today was level 31, not level 32. After the test, he declined Spirit Hall's invitation and left. Do you understand?"

"This subordinate understands." The Beautiful Young Woman hurriedly bowed in salute, then backed out and closed the door before fleeing away at a quick pace.

Not long afterward, led by the Beautiful Young Woman, Yang Yunhai arrived outside Salas's Office.

"Come in." Before he could knock, Salas's voice came from within.

"Go in." The Beautiful Young Woman turned and gestured for Yang Yunhai to enter alone.

"Beautiful sister, thank you for your help today." Yang Yunhai turned and smiled. Under the Beautiful Young Woman's smiling gaze, he pushed open the door and entered.

The moment he stepped inside, Salas, who had already risen from behind his desk to greet him, swept his gaze over him. As an old hand in the world, and having been informed of Yang Yunhai's gender beforehand, Salas's expression did not change. He merely nodded slightly and pointed to the sofa beside them.

"Sit." His voice was slightly hoarse, revealing no emotion.

"Thank you, Bishop." Yang Yunhai cupped his hands slightly. As he took a paper packet and his Spirit Master certificate from his robe, he walked over and sat on one side of the sofa.

Salas followed and sat on the sofa opposite him, separated from Yang Yunhai by half a tea table.

"Lord Bishop, please take a look. It records my story, as well as the information I wish to report to you. All the reasons are within." Yang Yunhai handed over the paper packet and the Spirit Master certificate, then continued, "The other one is my Spirit Master certificate."

"To be honest with you, Bishop, just over half a month ago, my Soul Power was only level 21, not yet level 22."

"???" Salas could no longer remain calm. His expression shifted slightly as he frowned and accepted the paper packet, tearing it open.

Without the slightest delay, he placed the torn paper seal on the table and began reading.

"Struck by lightning, awakened Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, Innate Soul Power of 0.5... guessed that I should not have been able to awaken Soul Power at all." At this point, his brows furrowed even more deeply. But when he read that Yang Yunhai had tried cultivating through Lightning Attraction, his expression changed at once, and an evaluation rose in his heart. This child must be insane! Drawing heavenly lightning into his body was something even a high-ranking Soul Douluo like him would not dare attempt.

Then he read how Yang Yunhai had joined Notting City Junior Spirit Master Academy after recovering from his injuries, cultivated diligently and trained his body, secretly used Lightning Infusion during thunderstorms, and eventually broke through to level 10 before proposing the Cross-Level Soul Ring Absorption Theory.

His expression immediately turned solemn.

The speed at which he read abruptly increased as well.

"I never expected this child to possess such awareness." When he read the contents of Yang Yunhai's conversation with Longbow Tai, Salas could not help sighing inwardly.

"He actually succeeded! His First Soul Ring was nearly five hundred years old. His Second Soul Ring exceeded nine hundred and fifty years." When he read that Yang Yunhai had successfully absorbed his Second Soul Ring, Salas's eyes carried disbelief—and even a trace of excitement.

He had no doubt that if Yang Yunhai's Cross-Level Soul Ring Absorption Theory could be fully perfected, it would be of immense significance to Spirit Hall. In the near future, it would bring Spirit Hall a qualitative leap and further widen the gap between Spirit Hall and the other powers.

Most importantly, his descendants would be able to benefit from it as well.

With that thought, he continued reading.

Soon, he read that Yang Yunhai had greatly increased his strength after consuming a Bamboo Shoot Essence, that his Martial Soul had even evolved, his body had undergone a complete transformation, and he had awakened a special sensory ability.

Salas could not help being secretly shocked.

"There is actually such a wondrous treasure in this world!?"

He did not doubt the truthfulness of what Yang Yunhai had written.

First, factoring in the time required to travel by carriage from the Star Dou Great Forest to Heaven Dou City, as well as the time he would need to hunt Soul Beasts alone, Yang Yunhai's Soul Power had risen from level 21 to level 30 in only a few days.

That point was absolutely impossible to fake.

After all, the exact time Yang Yunhai had broken through to Soul Grandmaster could be verified with a simple investigation.

Longbow Tai, Chang Gong Ao, and Ma Xiunuo could all be questioned.

His Second Soul Skill was Drain. Since it had been tested and recorded, then before his Martial Soul evolved, it surely could only absorb Soul Power. How could he go from level 21 to level 30 in a few days, then absorb a Spirit Ring across levels? Even if he searched for Spirit Masters to kill, or killed Soul Beasts and devoured them, he could not possibly find enough in only a few days, much less successfully kill them and hide away to absorb them.

Spirit Hall had records of Evil Soul Masters who cultivated by devouring Spirit Masters, increasing both their physical strength and cultivation. It was not as though Salas had never read them.

Even if Spirit Masters were delivered alive before him for him to absorb, it would not be possible so quickly. The body needed time to adapt as well.

If one could truly keep absorbing and keep growing stronger, this continent would already belong to Evil Soul Masters.

Therefore, it was fundamentally unrealistic for Yang Yunhai to have rapidly increased his Soul Power through cultivation by devouring others.

In comparison, the possibility that he had consumed a rare treasure was clearly far more credible, especially since Yang Yunhai had described the bamboo shoot so clearly.

"Such a shocking theory, with successful precedents already established, must be reported to Spirit City no matter what. As for whether that bamboo shoot truly exists, the Pope can decide when the time comes. Chrysanthemum Elder loves flowers, plants, and rare treasures, and his Martial Soul is also a flower. Perhaps he recognizes it." With that thought, he continued reading the letter.

Until he finished reading the final conjecture Yang Yunhai had written.

PS: I originally wanted to finish this entire plot segment in one go, but I could not stop coughing. Every cough makes the muscles in my chest hurt, and I do not have much strength either. It's a little over four thousand words, barely enough for two short chapters, so I can only post it first.