After the minor interlude involving the Moon Zhang Family, the purple-haired woman resumed quietly reading the report.
"Fairness and justice. Two simple phrases to sum up my decade and more of tireless governance. He does have a little insight." The purple-haired woman smiled, a rare sight.
She lowered her purple eyes and asked, "This visitor from another continent... this foreign guest. What does he want from attending the academy under my hall?"
The cardinal pressed his right palm over the left side of his chest and bowed his head. "Your Holiness, the young foreign guest surnamed Xu is unfamiliar with both the people and the place, so he intends to seek opportunities at our Spirit Hall Academy. Seeing his enthusiasm, I took the liberty of signing my approval."
"Mm." The purple-haired woman withdrew her gaze and returned her attention to the report in her hands.
An ordinary Soul Master would certainly have reacted as though facing a formidable enemy upon encountering a Soul Master from across the sea, but the purple-haired woman did not.
Because she was, publicly, the foremost figure on the continent today.
"The Soul Core Method?!" The purple-haired woman abruptly straightened, surprise flickering in her purple eyes.
It felt rather like finding a rare treasure in some remote backwater.
"With Soul Ring resources so scarce, they developed an ingenious approach like this?"
The curiosity in the purple-haired woman's eyes immediately reached its peak. She ordered at once, "Go. Bring him into the hall immediately."
The cardinal performed a church salute. "Your Holiness, the young foreign guest is just outside, awaiting only your permission for an audience."
The doors to the council hall were pushed open again with a low rumble, revealing a purple-haired boy standing outside.
As the doors opened toward him, Xu Zi knew his request for an audience with the Pope had been approved. He immediately strode forward, arriving beneath the nine steps at the far end of the hall.
Above the steps, before the throne, the purple-haired woman happened to rise, seemingly to express the importance she attached to him.
She was not particularly tall. Her sumptuous ecclesiastical robes, black brocade patterned with gold, outlined the curves of a mature woman. A Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown rested on her head, and a jeweled scepter stood beside the armrest of her seat.
Xu Zi had seen portraits of this purple-haired woman in the Spirit Halls of the major cities, but only now did he see her in person.
Indeed, this woman was the Rakshasa God's inheritor, Slaughter City's eighth Slaughter God, Yu Xiaogang's girlfriend before his previous one, the birth mother of the last Angel God, and the current Pope of Spirit Hall.
-Bibi Dong.
Out of the corner of his eye, Xu Zi spotted the cardinal frantically signaling him with his eyes. Understanding immediately, he followed suit with a church salute. "Your Holiness, I, Xu Zi of the Sun Clan of the Sun Moon Empire, a new student at Spirit Hall Academy, offer you my greetings."
Thump-
The scepter struck the floor. Bibi Dong swept her wide sleeves and uttered two words: "A seat."
A holy guard brought over a chair, and Xu Zi sat down naturally.
Bibi Dong glanced at the report in her hand again. "Xu Zi, correct?"
"How long did your journey from the Sun Moon Continent to our Douluo take?"
Xu Zi converted the Soul Tool Boat's speed into that of an ordinary seagoing vessel and answered in under three seconds. "Three to four months would be needed. Of course, factors such as weather and wind direction at sea are beyond our control, so that estimate is not exact."
"Mm." Bibi Dong nodded to herself, weighing the matter inwardly. How feasible would it be to send an army of Soul Masters to the Sun Moon Continent...?
But she realized that any large-scale troop movement would inevitably have to contend with Sea God Island, so she shelved the idea of overseas expansion for the moment.
"You came to our Spirit Hall Academy to seek high-quality third and fourth rings, correct?" Bibi Dong asked again.
"Yes, Your Holiness." Xu Zi rose, holding up a sheet of writing with both hands. "As a gesture of sincerity, I am willing to offer the Soul Core Method first."
Xu Zi was so accommodating that even Bibi Dong was surprised by his initiative, and she could not help nodding inwardly.
The cardinal beside him hurriedly accepted the document and ascended the steps to the papal throne.
Bibi Dong picked up this sheet of paper, something capable of changing the continent's balance of power and multiplying the combat strength of the high-ranking Soul Masters under her command severalfold.
At the very top of the page stood the title: Soul Core Condensation and Shaping Method.
As everyone knew-
The "Meditation Method" and the "Soul Core Method."
Both methods held groundbreaking significance in the history of Douluo's Soul Masters.
The former made Soul Power cultivation accessible to the vast ranks of Soul Scholars, while the latter broke the ceiling on future levels imposed by innate Soul Power.
Now this second method, a method said to send the advancement chances of level-89 Soul Douluos soaring, was in her very hands. How could she, Bibi Dong, not be excited?
Mustering every ounce of concentration, Bibi Dong hungrily read the contents of the page-
"Soul Core Condensation and Shaping Method."
"Definition: a soul core is a solid core formed through the extreme compression of one's own attribute-aligned Soul Power. It can greatly improve a Soul Master's chances of successfully reaching level 90 and increase the total amount of Soul Power within their body. Once formed, the soul core can automatically absorb external energy, significantly accelerating a Soul Master's cultivation and Soul Power recovery."
The opening alone delivered four trump cards: improving a Soul Master's chances of becoming a Titled Douluo, increasing their total Soul Power, and accelerating both Soul Power cultivation and recovery.
This undoubtedly drew Bibi Dong in, her purple eyes widening as she refused to miss a single word on the page.
"Traditional ancient method of soul core condensation and shaping: a top-tier Soul Master (Titled Douluo) must first accumulate a large quantity of liquid Soul Power, then form a Soul Power vortex within their dantian, thereby compressing 'liquid Soul Power' into a 'solid soul core.'"
At this point, Bibi Dong could not help furrowing her brows and murmuring, "Isn't this simply an inner core? Still, this notion of a Soul Power vortex is quite novel. It seems it could also improve the success rate of inner core formation."
Below the steps, Xu Zi spoke. "Your Holiness has eyes like a blazing torch. This traditional ancient method was indeed derived from the Titled Douluos' Inner Core Method, but in modern times, we have a 'new method,' entirely derived from the ancient one."
Xu Zi had copied this "new method" directly from the Douluo II era, ten thousand years in the future.
For in the present era, the Sun Moon Continent was also still using the ancient method. It was simply that, compared to the Douluo Continent's Inner Core Method, the Sun Moon Continent was already a whole major version ahead.
The reason might also have been the scarcity of Soul Ring resources, which drove the Sun Moon Continent's Soul Masters to work all manner of wonders with Soul Power and Soul Tools in order to improve their cultivation.
"Mm," Bibi Dong acknowledged, continuing to read down the page.
"New condensation and shaping method: following the ancient method, first stockpile a large quantity of Soul Power, then spin it into a hollow Soul Power vortex (liquid Soul Power at the Titled Douluo level is no longer required)."
At this, Bibi Dong's purple eyes lit up. This new method could be widely disseminated! It could even let Xiaogang break through level 30...
But that thought of hers was destined to come to nothing.
Unaware of this, she continued reading with another hope in her heart-
"Shaping process: introduce a treasure with the same attribute as your own Soul Power and place it within the hollow Soul Power vortex. Use spiritual power to control the Soul Power as it revolves around the treasure, gradually permeating and assimilating it. Throughout this process, spiritual power must be expended to stabilize the Soul Power vortex, completely transforming the treasure into a vessel for Soul Power and forming an embryonic soul core."
As for this external treasure serving as a vessel, the best choice was none other than the Star Luo Spirit Pearl hanging high among the charcoal-black treetops in the herb garden surrounding the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Of course, Xu Zi had not noted this.
"Pour a large quantity of Soul Power into the embryonic soul core, or attach it to its surface, allowing the Soul Power vortex's conversion to complete its formation."
By this point, she had essentially finished reading the Soul Core Condensation and Shaping Method, but Bibi Dong was left with doubts-or rather, unwillingness to accept it.
For both the ancient and new shaping methods stated that the person condensing the core must possess sufficient Soul Power and spiritual power.
Just how much was "sufficient"?
Could it be disseminated among those below Soul Douluo?
Bibi Dong frowned again and turned over the paper with questions in her mind, finding the few lines of warnings on its reverse.
"Restrictions of the New Soul Core Condensation and Shaping Method-"
"Mandatory condition one: Soul Power reserves must reach the level of a high-ranking Soul Master (Soul Saint level) or above. The more substantial a Soul Master's Soul Power, the higher the quality of the soul core they condense;"
"Mandatory condition two: spiritual power assists in controlling Soul Power and determines the success or failure of condensation and shaping. It is recommended that a Soul Master's spiritual power be fully mature and capable of withstanding the intensity of 'Soul Shock' before deciding whether to condense a soul core."
Soul Shock here referred to the impact on a Soul Master's soul caused by the lingering resentment of a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast within its Soul Ring during absorption, thereby triggering tremors on the spiritual level.
The theoretical circles of the Douluo Continent collectively termed this phenomenon of spiritual tremors "Soul Shock."
Those capable of withstanding Soul Shock had to be Soul Masters above level 50, because after reaching level 50 and receiving the nourishment and baptism of their previous four rings, a Soul Master's spiritual faculties were approaching maturity, and their spiritual strength could generally withstand the impact of a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast's resentment.
Of course, that meant generally, not universally.
First, a considerable number of Five-Ring Soul Kings still had a purple thousand-year ring as their fifth Soul Ring. Second, some spiritual-type Soul Masters already possessed the spiritual strength of other types of level-50 Soul Masters when their Soul Power was only in the thirties or forties.
"The spiritual power requirement is at least level 50? And the Soul Power requirement starts at Seven-Ring Soul Sage? This..."
Bibi Dong's brows knitted deeply. Not only had her idea of helping her old lover break through the shackles of level 30 fallen apart, but her planned dissemination of the Soul Core Method among the Soul Master legions under her command had also run aground on these restrictions.
The final few sentences on the paper extinguished even her idea of forcing trials to disseminate it.
"Extreme caution: during soul core condensation and shaping, insufficient spiritual power may cause Soul Power to run out of control and the soul core to undergo fission. Should such problems occur, the consequences range from severe injury and paralysis to death by bodily explosion. It is recommended that someone with higher cultivation than your own stand guard during soul core condensation and shaping, intervening before your spiritual power is exhausted to disperse all Soul Power within your body and cut open your dantian to remove the embryonic soul core."
"Ah..." Bibi Dong closed her purple eyes and curled her fingers inward. Purple, dark-attribute Soul Power surged from her palm, reducing the entire sheet bearing the Soul Core Condensation and Shaping Method to ash.
Opening her purple eyes, Bibi Dong looked down and asked the cardinal, "Who else knows about the Soul Core Method besides the three people here?"
The cardinal knew what answer was required. Bowing, he said, "Your Holiness, aside from the three of us, only the director of admissions at Spirit Hall Academy knows. He is currently a high-ranking seven-ring Soul Saint."
"A Soul Saint?" Bibi Dong rested the outside of her knuckles against her face while her other hand rubbed the large jewel atop her scepter, seemingly weighing her choices.
Xu Zi knew that, having discovered the Soul Core Method could only be used by high-ranking Soul Masters rather than disseminated widely, Bibi Dong was considering eliminating the other people who knew to keep the matter secret for now.
The cardinal spoke up for the man at the opportune moment. "But rest assured, Your Holiness. He is someone selected by our hall and can be trusted."
"Very well. Suspend him from his position for now and transfer him here for a period of confidential instruction. We will discuss the rest later." Bibi Dong lightly tapped the throne's armrest, settling her decree.
"Yes." Having received his orders, the cardinal withdrew, disappearing beyond the council hall doors as they opened and closed.
The enormous hall instantly fell silent.
Afternoon sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows, falling on Xu Zi and drawing out a long shadow.
Bibi Dong sat in the shadows above the steps, studying the figure below with her purple eyes.
"Your initiative in offering the Soul Core Method deserves a reward."
Bibi Dong broke the silence first. "Tell me. What reward do you want?"
With the "shadow of being silenced" dispelled, Xu Zi released a nervous breath.
"Thank you, Your Holiness."
This moment was precisely why he had come to Spirit Hall and openly declared his origins. He answered without hesitation, "This student asks for little. I only wish for two high-quality dragon beasts for my third and fourth Soul Rings, and finally, one Dragon Scale Fruit. Nothing more."
"Do you have particular Soul Beasts in mind for your third and fourth rings?" Bibi Dong wasted no time and continued questioning him.
"Yes!" Xu Zi answered decisively. "The Soul Beast this student desires for his third ring is within the Holy City's jurisdiction. Specifically, it belongs to an overlord-level Soul Beast species in the Golden Forest, called..."
"The Golden Crocodile."
"Oh?" Bibi Dong raised a brow and asked with some surprise, "I thought you wanted a dragon-type Soul Beast for your third ring. I did not expect it to be that Golden Crocodile."
"But let me warn you in advance. All Soul Beasts in the core region of the Golden Forest are private property of the family to which the Elder Hall's Second Worship belongs."
"I can obtain a Golden Crocodile for you, but I cannot guarantee that you will not face inexplicable targeting at the academy afterward."
"Thank you for the warning, Your Holiness." Xu Zi showed no fear. "Since this student knows that the Golden Forest has Golden Crocodiles, naturally, I have looked into how this matter involves the Golden Crocodile Family Clan. Since I dare make this request of you now, I have long since prepared myself."
He was determined to obtain a Golden Crocodile. He had kept his Soul Power cultivation at level 30 for so long without obtaining a ring precisely because he was waiting for a top-tier Soul Ring like the Golden Crocodile's, one that would greatly increase his physical strength.
Only then would his body be strong enough to withstand possession by the Purple Brilliant Heaven Destroying Dragon.
"As long as you understand that."
Bibi Dong descended the steps and came before Xu Zi, continuing, "What Soul Beast do you want for your fourth ring? And what is that Dragon Scale Fruit? Present both now."
"Thank you, Your Holiness." Xu Zi rose from his seat. A faint Soul Tool light shone between his fingers, and he presented two annotated illustrations on his palms.
"Your Holiness, these are the things I desire: the Tyrant Dragon Soul Beast and the Dragon Scale Fruit."
Bibi Dong reached out and accepted the two drawings.
The first drawing depicted a "strange dragon." It stood upright on two legs, yet its forelimbs were incredibly short. Its enormous head alone accounted for a quarter of its entire body, and gray-black armored scales covered its whole surface. It looked both savage and bizarre.
It was none other than the Unyielding Soul Spirit Tang Wulin had tamed in the Douluo III era-the Tyrant Dragon.
To keep you readers from worrying about whether obtaining the Soul Core Method will make Bibi Dong's strength skyrocket, causing her to launch the continental war and become a god ahead of time.
Your author is here to give you a shot of reassurance:
First, if Bibi Dong really uses the Soul Core Method to shape a soul core, not only will it fail to hasten her progress toward godhood, it will actually slow her down, and she may even lose the Rakshasa inheritance.
Because becoming a god requires condensing a Divine Core, and the Rakshasa God's inheritance must contain a Rakshasa Divine Core shaping method. If Bibi Dong uses a mortal Soul Core Method, she will instead add a major extra step and slow her own pace toward godhood.