Recruitment (Two-in-One)

Spirit City, Pope's Hall.

Creak. The great doors were pushed open by Hall Guardian Knights on either side, and Salas entered with a respectful expression.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Chrysanthemum Douluo in golden armor and Ghost Douluo in black armor standing on either side beneath the steps.

Above the steps sat Bibi Dong, dressed in a purple robe, wearing a Purple Gold crown, and holding a jeweled scepter. Her expression was tranquil, giving away no emotion.

Tap, tap, tap. Salas hurried forward in quick, small steps until he stood directly below the stairs, then respectfully bowed.

"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope."

"You may rise." Bibi Dong slightly raised her delicate hand, her tone calm. "Speak. What is it?"

Maintaining his bowed posture, Salas raised both hands. As Soul Power surged, a stack of documents appeared above his palms.

"Your Holiness the Pope, please review these."

Seeing this, Ghost Douluo strode forward and accepted the documents. His figure then flashed as he arrived below Bibi Dong and respectfully presented them to her.

Bibi Dong's expression did not change. She lifted her fair right hand, lowered her head, opened the documents, and read them calmly.

A moment later, her clear pupils contracted slightly, and her expression became a little more serious. Her gaze swept rapidly across the pages, and she soon finished reading the contents.

Raising her head, she pondered briefly before turning to Chrysanthemum Douluo at the side of the stairs. "Chrysanthemum Elder, take a look as well. See whether you recognize the rare treasure described within."

With that, she flicked a finger and controlled the documents as they floated toward Chrysanthemum Douluo.

"Yes, Your Holiness the Pope." Chrysanthemum Douluo turned and respectfully bowed before reaching out to receive them.

A moment later, his pupils also shrank as he muttered, "This child... isn't he a madman?" When he saw Yang Yunhai drawing lightning into his body, he had been startled. But a few seconds later, his expression suddenly changed, and he read much faster.

"The ability to communicate with Blue Silver Grass... if it can truly be extended to other plants..." His thoughts stirred involuntarily.

Very soon, after reading everything, Chrysanthemum Douluo looked up at Bibi Dong.

"Well?" Bibi Dong asked calmly.

"This bamboo shoot does indeed exist. It is an unparalleled rare treasure known as Ink Jade Divine Bamboo. Its effects mainly act upon Martial Souls. It is said that when Spirit Masters with certain plant-type Martial Souls consume its essence, it can greatly enhance the unyielding aspect of their Martial Souls and enormously increase their combat power." Chrysanthemum Douluo respectfully continued, "However, the one this child encountered should still have been in its early growth stage and had yet to undergo its final sublimation into maturity."

"But even so, if its medicinal power were fully absorbed, allowing a Soul Grandmaster to break through to Soul Elder would be effortless."

"As for Martial Soul Evolution and bodily transformation, while the odds are extremely low, they are not impossible. In this subordinate's estimation, this child's achievement should also be related to the repeated lightning strikes he endured. According to the experiences described in his letter, drawing lightning into the body for cultivation should temper both the body and Martial Soul. Therefore, in this subordinate's view, the changes in this child should be the combined result of the rare treasure's medicinal power and lightning tempering. Under those dual effects, he broke through his shackles in one stroke and achieved transformation and sublimation."

"Leaves bearing pale golden patterns, along with the ability to communicate with the surrounding Blue Silver Grass... Your Holiness the Pope, the quality of this child's Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul has likely now approached the level of the Blue Silver Emperor. Moreover, his Martial Soul possesses the Thunder Attribute and can actively draw lightning for cultivation. His body has also been altered by the medicinal power of the rare treasure, leaving him with an extremely solid foundation. In addition, his first three Spirit Rings were all absorbed beyond his level."

"Your Holiness the Pope, if this child can continue cultivating like this without mishap..."

"In this subordinate's humble opinion, he truly has the Potential to be Titled. His future achievements may not be beneath this subordinate's." He could control, heal, and attack with the Thunder Attribute. To be honest, Chrysanthemum Douluo was somewhat envious.

His own Martial Soul was lacking precisely in offensive ability.

Brat, this old man has already said all the good things for you. You'd better not disappoint me later. He secretly thought to himself.

His cultivation talent was not poor, and he had the Potential to be Titled. Now, he also possessed a strong interest in rare treasures and exotic plants and wished to study them. His Martial Soul happened to grant him the ability to communicate with Blue Silver Grass, and he intended to further develop it to communicate with other plants.

Whether he might be able to find Immortal Herbs through this sensory ability in the future was another matter. Another matter. Mainly, Chrysanthemum Douluo did not wish to see a pearl buried in dust. When it came to knowledge of rare flowers and exotic plants, he would not yield to anyone. Across the entire continent, he considered himself second; no one dared call themselves first. Who could be more qualified to teach him?

He was getting old. It was time to take a disciple and find an inheritor.

"To receive such praise from Chrysanthemum Elder!?" Salas was slightly startled beside them.

Chrysanthemum Douluo was a level 95 Super Douluo.

His Martial Soul possessed considerable control ability and powerful Thunder Attribute attacks, while his Soul Power also had healing effects. His talent for theoretical research was likewise extremely high. If he could truly grow to Chrysanthemum Douluo's level, he would be even more useful than Chrysanthemum Douluo. If properly nurtured and brought to Spirit City in the future, he could become a powerful assistant to Na Na. With that thought, Bibi Dong nodded slightly and turned toward Ghost Douluo.

"Ghost Elder, make a trip to the Treasure Vault. Take out treasure number thirty-eight from the Soul Tool section and give it to Chrysanthemum Elder."

Then she turned to Chrysanthemum Douluo. "Chrysanthemum Elder, go there personally and conduct another thorough examination of that child's Martial Soul aptitude and abilities. While you are there, bring back all the information regarding his background."

What a coincidence. I was just thinking of going. Chrysanthemum Douluo promptly bowed. "Yes, Your Holiness the Pope."

"You may leave." Bibi Dong nodded slightly and said nothing more.

"This subordinate takes his leave." The three beneath the stairs bowed together, then turned and departed.

Several days later, at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Uncle Chen, how did it go?" Ning Fengzhi could not help asking as he saw Sword Douluo glide closer atop his flying sword.

Sword Douluo shook his head slightly. "There were indeed several mountains in that region matching the conditions. It is still March, so temperatures are lower in the mornings and evenings. If the sun comes out during the day, mist easily forms at dawn and dusk."

"Therefore, Yang Yunhai's experience does fit."

"Unfortunately, we found no rare treasure matching his description. We did see quite a few ordinary bamboo shoots."

"It seems that little fellow truly had good luck." Ning Fengzhi helplessly shook his head as well.

"Also, during the search, our people discovered members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and Spirit Hall." Sword Douluo added, "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan must have gone because Yu Tianheng passed on the news. As for Spirit Hall, they probably learned of it afterward."

"However, Spirit Hall was quite willing to put in the effort this time. Their search area was anything but small."

"Unfortunately, just like us, they found nothing."

"That is nothing unusual. Rare treasures have astonishing effects, after all." Ning Fengzhi's expression remained unchanged. "Since we did not find it, then so be it."

"Fate determines such things. If the opportunity has not arrived, we cannot force it."

At this point, he smiled faintly and continued, "I have already received news regarding that little fellow's background."

"Speaking of which, Yang Yunhai has had quite a difficult life." With a sigh, he continued, "Curiously enough, when the little fellow was born, there was a thunderstorm. The instant he came into the world, the century-old tree before his door was struck by lightning, and even the roof was set ablaze. Had it not been raining heavily at the time, it might have caused a fire."

"Because of this, his relatives and neighbors all believed he was an omen of disaster and abandoned him afterward."

"So that was what happened!" Sword Douluo looked surprised, then shook his head. "Absurd superstition truly harms people."

"It truly does. Had someone not happened to pass by and carry him away, that child would likely have died." Ning Fengzhi continued, "The person who took him in was, coincidentally, an active deacon of the Notting City Spirit Hall at the time. His name was Longbow Tai. He was also an orphan, raised in an orphanage. Later, he joined Spirit Hall and became a deacon. After retiring, he returned to the village where the orphanage was located and took up the post of Village Chief."

"At the same time, he was the director of that orphanage. Yang Yunhai could be said to have been raised by him single-handedly."

"Then why did Yang Yunhai not join Spirit Hall directly?" Sword Douluo could not help asking.

"Because his Innate Soul Power was only level 0.5. Thus, although his Martial Soul was mutated, his Martial Soul certificate merely noted the words Blue Silver Grass." Ning Fengzhi replied.

"The precise cause of the mutation is unknown. However, since he has already explained it to Qing He and the three members of the Education Committee at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, there is no need for us to investigate it further."

"But one thing is certain. Because his Innate Soul Power was too low, he was not qualified to enter Spirit Hall's affiliated academy. He could only be sent to Notting City Junior Spirit Master Academy as a work-study student."

"According to the reports, this child cultivated extremely diligently during his time at the academy. For certain reasons, he did not need to help the academy clean in the afternoons. As a result, he had more time to cultivate. Every afternoon, he went to a patch of grass on the Back Mountain covered in Blue Silver Grass to cultivate. It could be considered a natural Simulated Environment. Afterward, he spent two and a half years cultivating his Soul Power to level 10."

"That could be considered diligence making up for shortcomings." Sword Douluo nodded.

"Then things became interesting." Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly. "After breaking through level 10, he returned to the village and asked the Village Chief for help. The Village Chief did indeed help him. I presume he had the child seek assistance from his own Longbow Ao, who served as the captain of a Spirit Hall Patrol Team in the Beginner Soul Hunting Forest. According to the reports, the child received the authorization and entered the Soul Hunting Forest alone."

"Then, seeing that Yang Yunhai's Martial Soul was Blue Silver Grass, Longbow Ao looked down on him and casually found him an ordinary century-old plant-type Soul Beast with poor quality and mediocre age, simply to brush him off?" Sword Douluo could not help interjecting.

"It is also possible that Longbow Ao, as captain, did not personally help with the hunt but assigned another member beneath him." Ning Fengzhi said. "According to the reports, the child remained fairly respectful toward Longbow Tai's family afterward."

"That is possible as well." Sword Douluo offered a different view. "Compared to Longbow Tai, who was the director of the orphanage, Longbow Ao had served in the Patrol Team year-round and might not see Yang Yunhai even once a year. How much affection could he possibly have had for the child?"

"Perhaps that was precisely why Longbow Ao looked down on Yang Yunhai."

"Yet before Longbow Tai, who had watched him grow up, Yang Yunhai always retained a sense of gratitude. That was why he did not reveal his dissatisfaction toward Longbow Ao or Spirit Hall. There is another possibility." Sword Douluo continued.

"That is, when he obtained his First Soul Ring, Yang Yunhai had yet to understand the true nature of his Martial Soul's malignant mutation. After all, he was still young then."

"Only after he understood it later did he recall what had happened with his First Soul Ring, grow dissatisfied with Longbow Ao and Spirit Hall, and cease trusting them."

"That was why, when his Soul Power later broke through level 20, he chose to take the risk of obtaining a Spirit Ring alone."

"Otherwise, considering that he cultivated his Soul Power to level 20 just before graduation, he could be regarded as a minor genius in a small place like Notting City."

"In that case, if he had chosen to join Spirit Hall at the time, then at the very least, Spirit Hall would have had no issue helping him hunt a Soul Beast of the optimal age for his Second Soul Ring. A plant-type Soul Beast of more than seven hundred years was not difficult to hunt, and the Notting City Spirit Hall could have handled it completely."

"That does make sense." Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly.

Then Sword Douluo raised a brow and smiled. "I'd wager Spirit Hall is regretting it to death right now."

"At level 31, he defeated a level 39 opponent, and that opponent was the direct heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Anyone who is not a fool can guess that Yang Yunhai's talent after his Martial Soul Evolution is anything but ordinary."

"Unfortunately, it is already too late."

"Now that he is eating and drinking well at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, why would he easily join Spirit Hall?"

"Still, I have a feeling Spirit Hall will never give up. They will definitely find another chance to persuade him."

"For example, when Yang Yunhai goes to receive his next Spirit Master allowance." He paused, then continued, "Fengzhi, tell me, if Salas personally steps in, will that little fellow yield? For example, by bringing up Longbow Tai and his Biological Parents."

Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly. "There is no need to speculate. We will know when he comes out of Spirit Hall next time."

"Or we can find an opportunity to meet that little fellow ourselves."

"True." Sword Douluo nodded, walked to a seat at the side, picked up the teapot beside it, and began making tea.

"There is one more matter." Ning Fengzhi turned his head and smiled slightly. "Uncle Chen, guess who else our disciples learned about during this trip to Notting City?"

"Who?" Sword Douluo could not help asking.

"Yu Xiaogang, as well as his newly accepted disciple, Tang San. His Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, yet his Innate Soul Power is level 10." Ning Fengzhi narrowed his eyes slightly. "And Tang San's father is named Tang Hao. He is a blacksmith by trade."

"!?" Sword Douluo was instantly shocked and leaned forward. "Tang San... is he the Tang San currently at Shrek Academy, Rongrong's teammate?"

"That is correct." Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly.

"A blacksmith..." Sword Douluo murmured, then sighed. "I never expected him to have a child. No wonder there has been no news of him in the Spirit Master world for so many years."

"Ah, it truly is unexpected." Ning Fengzhi sighed as well. "To think that the mighty Clear Sky..."

Tap, tap, tap... Footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door.

The two immediately fell silent.

"Reporting to Sect Master, the Crown Prince has arrived."

"It seems Qing He has received the news as well." Ning Fengzhi smiled slightly and called out, "Quickly invite him in."

"Yes!" A voice answered from outside, and the footsteps quickly retreated.

Not long afterward, "Xue Qinghe," dressed in formal attire, slowly entered the hall.

"Your student greets Teacher and Elder Chen."

"No need for formalities." Ning Fengzhi stood from his seat with a smile. "Qing He, what brings you to your teacher today?"

"I wish to invite Teacher to meet the little brother Yang Yunhai whom I mentioned before, and to lend your student some support." Qian Renxue said politely. "Your student has already investigated little brother Yang Yunhai's background, but his circumstances are rather unusual."

"Oh? In what way are they unusual?" Ning Fengzhi asked.

"The person who raised him was once a Spirit Hall deacon and has deep ties to Spirit Hall." Qian Renxue replied.

Ning Fengzhi's mind turned quickly. In an instant, he understood that "Xue Qinghe" wanted to use him to deter Spirit Hall and show how highly the imperial family valued Yang Yunhai, lest Spirit Hall do something excessive in order to recruit him.

With that thought, he nodded slightly and smiled. "In that case, your teacher will accompany you on this trip."

Helping his own student recruit Yang Yunhai was better than letting Spirit Hall steal him away.

Besides, Ning Fengzhi had also wanted to meet Yang Yunhai.

"Your student thanks Teacher." Qian Renxue said respectfully.

"Teacher, please. Your student has already prepared a carriage outside." As she spoke, she slightly turned her body aside.

"Haha, it seems you truly value that little fellow, Qing He." Ning Fengzhi laughed and stepped forward.

"Such a Heaven's Chosen is naturally worth your student's effort. Father is also very fond of him and specifically instructed your student to pay him more attention." Qian Renxue remained respectful as she followed at his side.

"He is indeed worth it." Ning Fengzhi nodded with a smile.

He strode toward the door.