Seven days later, in Spirit City.
At the city gate, traffic was heavy.
Soul Master from all over the mainland flocked to the area.
There were noble Soul Master dressed in magnificent robes, Spirit Hall warriors clad in armor, and ordinary Soul Master hurrying by.
But whoever it was, would slow down as they approached the city gate, their face showing respect.
"Let's go. Don't look around, stay close to me."
Yu Xiaogang noticed the complex look in Dai Mubai and spoke softly.
Dai Mubai took a deep breath and followed.
At the city gate, the Spirit Hall warriors on duty saw the token in Yu Xiaogang's hand and immediately saluted respectfully, making way for him.
The two passed through the city gate and entered the city.
He led Dai Mubai through the main street, making several turns, until they finally arrived at an area surrounded by high walls.
The wall was three zhang high, and every ten steps there stood a fully armed warrior from the Spirit Hall.
They were clad in silver-white armor, wielded long halberds, and had eyes as sharp as eagles.
Upon seeing the token presented by Yu Xiaogang, the leading soldier nodded slightly.
Yu Xiaogang led Dai Mubai inside the walled compound.
Inside the walls lies a vast complex of buildings.
In the center stands a five-story tower, surrounded by more than a dozen side halls.
The buildings are connected by paths lined with rare flowers and plants, and a faint medicinal fragrance fills the air.
"This is my laboratory."
Yu Xiaogang said as he walked.
" His Holiness the Pope prepared this especially for me. Here, you can get everything you want."
Dai Mubai followed him silently, his gaze sweeping over their surroundings.
Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.
What did he see?
At the entrance of a side hall on the left, several people dressed in white robes were pushing a cart out. The cart was covered with a white cloth.
Under the white cloth, the shape of a person can be vaguely discerned.
But that humanoid figure was too distorted.
The arm that extends out is not a hand, but the sharp claws of some kind of beast.
The legs were also as thick and powerful as a beast's.
As the cart passed by, a gust of wind blew by, lifting a corner of the white cloth.
Dai Mubai saw that face--
It was a young face, probably in his early twenties.
But his eyes were wide open, his pupils completely dilated. Black bloodstains remained at the corners of his mouth, and strange patterns were faintly visible beneath his skin.
The cart was quickly pushed away and disappeared into a distant corner.
Dai Mubai stood there, feeling a chill run through his body.
"You saw it?"
Yu Xiaogang's voice came from behind, calm and without the slightest ripple.
Dai Mubai slowly turned around and stared at him.
"A failed experiment."
Yu Xiaogang said calmly, "Research always has failures. But that's okay. Failed products can be recycled, and valuable components can be extracted for use in the next experiment."
He spoke of it casually, as if he were discussing what to eat that day.
Dai Mubai clenched his fists.
However, the thought of Xiao Yan brought back a deep look of hatred to Dai Mubai's face, and he fell silent.
"Those failures were all voluntary. They wanted power, they wanted to get ahead, they wanted revenge."
They were willing to give anything for the chance to become stronger. Unfortunately, their bodies couldn't withstand it, and they died.
But you're different.
He stared at Dai Mubai. "Your physique is stronger than theirs, your hatred runs deeper, and your will is stronger. That's why you succeeded."
He turned and walked toward the central tower.
"Come with me. His Holiness the Pope wishes to see you."
Dai Mubai stood there, staring at the side hall for a long time.
In the end, he followed them.
On the top floor of the tower, in a spacious room.
Dai Mubai met Bibi Dong once again.
She sat in the main seat, wearing a long black dress and a golden crown.
That face was beautiful and dignified, but those eyes were as cold as ice, as if they could see through everything.
Beside her stood two elderly men dressed in red robes. Their auras were unfathomable, and just their presence made Dai Mubai feel suffocated.
Titled Douluo.
At least Titled Douluo.
Dai Mubai knelt on one knee and bowed his head.
" Dai Mubai greets His Holiness the Pope."
Dai Mubai remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.
Bibi Dong stood up, walked up to Dai Mubai, and looked down at him.
" The Star Luo Imperial Family abandoned you, Xiao Yan crippled you, and this world is full of malice towards you."
But I can give you the power to take revenge.
Dai Mubai raised his head, a hint of hatred flashing in his eyes.
"If you want to become stronger, I'll give you that opportunity."
Bibi Dong continued.
"You want to kill those who hurt you, what's wrong with that? They can be high and mighty, they can be glamorous, why can't you?"
She reached out and lifted Dai Mubai's chin.
Your hatred, your resentment, your anger—these are the most real things.
It's a hundred times more real than those hypocritical morals and false sentiments.
Dai Mubai's breathing became rapid.
Those eyes were cold and deep, as if they could devour everything.
But he did not back down.
Because he saw that beneath that coldness lay the same thing—madness.
Just as crazy as him.
He kowtowed heavily, his forehead touching the ground.
"From this day forward, Dai Mubai is willing to die for His Holiness the Pope!"
Bibi Dong smiled.
That smile was cold and satisfied.
"Very good. Get up."
Dai Mubai stood up and stood with his hands at his sides.
Bibi Dong turned to Yu Xiaogang, a barely perceptible tenderness appearing deep in her eyes.
"I've handed the man over to you. How long will it take for me to see results?"
"Three months," Yu Xiaogang.
"Three months from now, I will present Your Majesty with a perfect weapon."
"Three months..." Bibi Dong nodded.
"Okay, I'll wait for your good news."
She turned and walked towards the door.
As she reached the door, she suddenly stopped and said without turning her head:
" Dai Mubai, remember the choice you made today."
The door opened, and she went out.
The two elderly men in red robes followed them out.
Only Dai Mubai and Yu Xiaogang remained in the room.
Dai Mubai stood there, motionless for Jiujiu.
Yu Xiaogang walked over to him and patted him on the shoulder.
"Let's go. It's time to get to work."
Dai Mubai nodded.
The two left the room and went down the stairs.
Downstairs was a spacious underground chamber.
Inside the secret chamber, the bodies of the Soul Beast in the glass jars seemed to come alive under the dim light.
Three months later.
On the stone platform in the center of the secret chamber, Dai Mubai.
His body has undergone tremendous changes.
Originally, only its right arm and right leg had been mutated, but now its left arm and left leg have also been completely mutated, covered with pitch-black scales.
Fine scales appeared on its chest, back, and even face.
His hands had completely transformed into sharp claws, and his feet into beast claws; he looked like a humanoid Soul Beast.
But he is still alive.
Moreover, he was fully conscious.
He slowly opened his eyes, his vertical pupils gleaming with a cold light.
"How are you feeling?" Yu Xiaogang's voice came from the side.
Dai Mubai sat up and looked down at his body.
He raised his right paw and gently squeezed it.
Click--
The air seemed to be squeezed and exploded, producing a piercing crackling sound.
He jumped off the stone platform, his legs slightly bent, and then suddenly pushed off—
boom!
His body shot out like a cannonball, covering dozens of meters in an instant, and crashed heavily into the wall of the secret room!
The wall, which was strong enough to withstand a full-force attack from Soul Emperor, was actually smashed open and developed a deep crack!
Dai Mubai fell back to the ground from the wall and looked down at his hands.
Then he smiled.
That smile was ferocious and insane.
" Xiao Yan... I'm here..."