By the time the three arrived at Gui Yuan's sleeping quarters, he had already gotten up and washed.
He was sitting in the courtyard, leafing through an illustrated guide to Soul Beasts. Seeing the three enter, he closed the book and stood.
"Morning, First Dad, Second Dad. Morning, Teacher Wang."
Yue Guan answered with a smile, while Gui Mei gave a slight nod.
Wang Mozhu stood beside them, a subtle nervousness on his face.
He looked at Yue Guan and Gui Mei, then at Gui Yuan, and hesitated before speaking. "Your Excellencies, Elder Ju, Ghost Elder, you must have something to discuss with Xiao Yuan?"
"Should I... step outside?"
Yue Guan shook his head. "No need. Stay and listen, but you must keep what you're about to hear confidential."
Wang Mozhu's expression turned solemn. "Understood."
Yue Guan continued, "And listen carefully. What we're about to discuss involves a theory that represents an epoch-making advance for Soul Masters."
"You're one of Spirit Hall's most experienced theoretical grandmasters. You'll be responsible for recording it and subsequently researching whether there are better ways to improve it."
Everything Yue Guan said followed instructions Bibi Dong had given him earlier.
Wang Mozhu ranked first among Spirit Hall's "team of theoretical grandmasters." His knowledge was exceptionally broad, and he was utterly obsessed with theory.
Moreover, he possessed Soul Saint cultivation and considerable strength, giving him a rather distinguished standing within Spirit Hall.
Even some Platinum Bishops at the Soul Douluo level had to take the initiative to greet him.
That was precisely why Bibi Dong had assigned him to teach Gui Yuan.
Even Hu Liena did not receive such treatment.
Of course, that was mainly because Hu Liena's thirst for theoretical knowledge fell far short of Gui Yuan's.
Back then, Gui Yuan had strongly insisted on having a grandmaster who could teach him a great deal of theoretical knowledge-the more capable, the better.
The words "epoch-making theory" immediately perked Wang Mozhu up.
"What theory? Please, Your Excellency, do tell."
Yue Guan sat down beside Gui Yuan. Rather than answering Wang Mozhu, however, he looked at Gui Yuan with a slight smile. "During these past few days in seclusion, your Second Dad and I successfully condensed our Soul Cores."
"Our strength has improved considerably, and your Second Dad has even advanced to Peak Douluo."
Gui Yuan had actually already had his suspicions when the two arrived.
Even so, hearing Yue Guan say it himself, he could not help smiling.
"Congratulations, Second Dad!"
In a rare display, Gui Mei tugged at the corners of his mouth, producing something that passed for a smile. Xiao Yuan's reaction was also within their expectations.
Wang Mozhu had already frozen at the words "Peak Douluo."
He looked at Gui Mei, disbelief in his voice. "Your Excellency Ghost Elder... you've broken through to Level 96?"
Gui Mei nodded.
Wang Mozhu drew in a sharp breath, then recalled what Yue Guan had just said. "Then what is this Soul Core?"
Yue Guan explained the theory behind Soul Cores from beginning to end.
He explained everything clearly, from condensing a Soul Power Cyclone to gradually compressing it into a solid state, and then to the improvements a Soul Core could bring to Soul Power circulation and recovery speed.
Finally, he made a point of adding, "Xiao Yuan proposed this Soul Core theory."
Wang Mozhu abruptly turned to look at Gui Yuan.
He stared as though looking at a monster, making even Gui Yuan feel a little embarrassed.
"You... you proposed it?"
Wang Mozhu murmured, "Xiao Yuan, do you know what this theory means?"
"This is something that could change the entire landscape of the Soul Master World."
Gui Yuan scratched his head. "I was just idly mulling things over when inspiration suddenly struck."
Wang Mozhu sighed with feeling. "Idly mulling things over... and you came up with this? Truly incredible..."
He shook his head, then said seriously, "But from what you've said, condensing a Soul Core carries a certain degree of danger."
"That should be the problem we need to document, research, and resolve, correct?"
Yue Guan nodded. "Yes. In due course, we'll tell you the exact process of condensing a Soul Core, along with the dangers each Titled Douluo encounters while doing so."
"You need to record it, then see whether you can improve it and make condensing a Soul Core a little easier."
"If there's anything else you don't understand, just ask Xiao Yuan."
"We need to report to His Holiness the Pope now."
Yue Guan rose, and Gui Mei stood as well.
Wang Mozhu nodded. "Rest assured, Elders. I'll take this matter seriously."
Yue Guan and Gui Mei turned and walked out.
Inside the Pope's Palace.
Bibi Dong sat in the seat of honor. When she saw the two enter, her gaze swept indifferently over them.
"Did it work?"
Yue Guan nodded. "Your Holiness, we both successfully condensed our Soul Cores. Old Ghost even broke through to Level 96 as a result."
Bibi Dong's brow twitched slightly.
Although her face remained expressionless, she was undoubtedly pleased inwardly.
Condensing a Soul Core can allow a Level 95 Titled Douluo to break through to Peak Douluo... she thought. Xiao Yuan's theory may be even more valuable than I initially estimated.
She looked at Gui Mei. "Since you've also broken through to Level 96, I'll prepare a Soul Bone for you, just as I did for Yue Guan."
Gui Mei was somewhat surprised. "Thank you, Your Holiness."
Bibi Dong waved a hand and was about to dismiss them.
But something suddenly occurred to her, and her gaze lingered on Yue Guan.
"Yue Guan, your older sister's death anniversary should be in half a month, correct?"
Yue Guan stiffened slightly. He had not expected Bibi Dong to mention this.
"When the time comes, I'll give you and Gui Mei a few days off. Take Xiao Yuan with you to pay your respects, and then the two of you can rest as well."
Yue Guan opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but it felt as though something had lodged in his throat, and his nose began to sting.
"Yes, Your Holiness."
He did his utmost to hold his emotions in check, but his voice still wavered slightly at the end.
Bibi Dong said nothing more and merely waved a hand. "All right. You may leave."
Yue Guan and Gui Mei bowed and withdrew from the Pope's Palace.
As they stepped through the palace doors, Gui Mei followed beside him and cast a brief glance at her out of the corner of his eye.
He could tell that Bibi Dong had actually begun showing concern for them, leaving him somewhat "overwhelmed by the favor."
All of this had been brought about by their son.
He truly did not know what to say as the boy's Second Dad.
With Gui Yuan's arrival, his and Yue Guan's circumstances within Spirit Hall were indeed changing little by little.
What Bibi Dong had just said already amounted to an explicit signal.
The two walked down the corridor, Yue Guan's steps much slower than usual.
Gui Mei walked beside him. After a moment of silence, he gently patted Yue Guan's back.
"Are you all right?"
Yue Guan sniffed. "I'm fine. I just... didn't expect Her Holiness to remember, much less bring it up."
Gui Mei said evenly, "It's all because of Xiao Yuan."
Yue Guan smiled. "Yes..."
Gui Mei did not reply. He merely patted him again, very lightly, with a measure of reassurance.
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