A few days later.
Spirit City.
A carriage slowly passed through the city gates and headed into the city along the broad streets.
Lin Feng lifted the carriage curtain and watched the Soul Masters coming and going outside, feeling somewhat wistful.
He had not stayed in Nuoding City for long. After the branch hall reported the results of his awakening, a reply soon arrived, instructing them to send him to Spirit City.
Innate full Soul Power, coupled with the same Soul Devouring Spider Emperor Martial Soul as the Pope, was enough to draw considerable attention from those above.
But Lin Feng had not expected to be told, just as he arrived in Spirit City, that Pope Bibi Dong wanted to meet him in person.
"When you enter the Pope's Hall in a moment, don't wander around or speak out of turn," the Soul Master escorting him instructed earnestly from the seat opposite him.
Lin Feng lowered the curtain and nodded.
"I understand."
The other man thought he was nervous, however, and softened his tone further. "Don't worry. With your talent, His Holiness the Pope might even guide you personally."
Lin Feng smiled without replying.
Guide me?
For the past few days, another Bibi Dong had been guiding him every day.
Before they departed, the green spider in his palm had specifically warned him not to volunteer anything concerning her when he met Pope Bibi Dong of this era.
Otherwise, not only might she disbelieve him, she might very well arrest him and subject him to rigorous interrogation. After all, no one understood her better than she did herself.
Qian Renxue had also reminded him that he absolutely had to keep his Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul hidden.
Naturally, Lin Feng remembered all of these warnings.
After the carriage stopped, he followed his escort out, passed through the guards' inspections along the way, and finally arrived before a towering hall.
"Go inside on your own."
The Soul Master leading him stopped and spoke dispassionately.
Lin Feng glanced up at the slowly opening doors, straightened his clothes, and walked straight inside.
The great hall was quiet.
A woman in luxurious robes sat high above, a scepter standing beside her. As Lin Feng entered, her gaze settled on him.
Lin Feng's steps faltered slightly as he thought:
Bibi Dong.
The actual Pope Bibi Dong of this era.
Although he had prepared himself, the sight of her still made Lin Feng think involuntarily of the green spider in his right hand.
The same person.
One sat up above, while the other had become his Martial Soul.
"You are Lin Feng?" A voice suddenly rang out from the dais, interrupting his thoughts.
"Yes. Greetings, Your Holiness," Lin Feng said, bowing according to the etiquette he had learned before coming.
Pope Bibi Dong raised a hand, indicating that he need not stand on ceremony.
"The Nuoding City branch hall has already reported your circumstances. I hear your Martial Soul is the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor, and you also have innate full Soul Power?"
"Yes."
"Release it. Let me see."
Lin Feng raised his right hand and slowly stirred his Soul Power. Emerald-green light gathered in his palm, soon coalescing into a green spider.
Bibi Dong appeared in the outside world again. Just as she made out her surroundings, she noticed the woman seated on the papal throne above.
Her spider legs paused slightly.
That face.
She could not have known it better.
Yet now, she could only remain in a child's palm in this form.
Lin Feng unobtrusively raised his palm a little higher. Fortunately, this time the spider in his palm did not speak.
Pope Bibi Dong studied it from the dais for a moment, then rose and slowly approached Lin Feng.
As she drew closer, Lin Feng could not help holding his breath, for her gaze remained fixed on his Martial Soul throughout.
"It is indeed the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor." A hint of interest entered Pope Bibi Dong's voice.
This Martial Soul was exceedingly rare. She had initially wondered whether her subordinates had mistaken it, and only now that she had seen it herself was she completely certain.
"What Martial Souls do your parents have?"
"I don't know." Lin Feng shook his head and explained, "I'm an orphan. I grew up on help from the village chief and the villagers. I've never met my parents."
Pope Bibi Dong glanced at him without questioning him further. These circumstances were also recorded in the submitted information.
She looked back at the green spider and, after a moment, asked, "You haven't obtained your first Soul Ring yet, have you?"
"No."
"Then stay in Spirit City for now."
Lin Feng raised his head.
Pope Bibi Dong gave a faint smile before him and said seriously, "No one knows better than I do how to develop a Soul Devouring Spider Emperor. Your talent is also worth nurturing properly."
At this, the spider in Lin Feng's palm suddenly stirred. Pope Bibi Dong paid it no mind, however, and continued:
"Lin Feng, are you willing to take me as your teacher?"
Lin Feng did not answer immediately. Instead, he lowered his gaze and glanced at the green spider in his palm.
With a slight shift of his thoughts, a familiar voice immediately sounded deep in his mind.
Agree.
It was Bibi Dong, who had become his Martial Soul.
Over these past few days together, Lin Feng had discovered that he could communicate with his two Martial Souls through thoughts, without having them speak aloud every time.
However, this communication was also under his control.
Only with his permission could Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue transmit their thoughts to him. If he did not want to listen, he could silence them completely at any time.
Just now, he had taken the initiative to lift the restriction on Bibi Dong.
If you want to become a Titled Douluo as soon as possible, talent and my guidance alone will not suffice. Bibi Dong's voice continued to sound in his mind.
Suitable Soul Rings and Soul Bones, medicinal ingredients to assist your cultivation-which of those doesn't require resources? Where would a child without any backing like you find them?
Becoming her disciple is undoubtedly the best choice.
Lin Feng nodded inwardly as he listened.
She was right about that.
Although Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue had extensive cultivation experience, they were now merely his Martial Souls. They could not conjure cultivation resources out of thin air.
The Pope before him was different.
With her around, he would not have to worry about these matters for a long time, at least.
It seems you're quite willing to have me take her as my teacher, Lin Feng replied inwardly.
Why would I oppose something that benefits you? The green spider rested quietly in his palm, showing nothing unusual on the outside.
Lin Feng hesitated no longer.
In his present circumstances, he had few choices to begin with.
He had awakened the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor, along with innate full Soul Power. It was impossible not to attract Spirit Hall's attention.
Since he was already here, becoming the Pope's direct disciple was better than being just an ordinary student.
Moreover, this was precisely the opportunity he needed.
With that thought, Lin Feng withdrew his Martial Soul, then knelt and respectfully kowtowed to Pope Bibi Dong before him.
"Your disciple, Lin Feng, pays his respects to Teacher!"
Hearing him call her Teacher, Pope Bibi Dong's smile immediately deepened.
"Good, good!"
She personally reached out to help Lin Feng up and carefully examined the child before her. The more she looked, the more satisfied she became.
A top-tier Martial Soul, innate full Soul Power, and an uncomplicated background.
Such a disciple was naturally worth nurturing personally. "From this day onward, you are my disciple."
"Thank you, Teacher." Lin Feng straightened, letting a measure of delight show on his face at the appropriate moment.