NOVEL WEB Chapter 782: Pope
After some thought, Ning Fengzhi finally agreed to Dugu Bo's request.
This matter was made public, as long as the disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan did not violate the agreement in the future, it could still gain public favor, so why not do it?
Subsequently, at Dugu Bo's request, a banquet was directly held at the Tiandou Royal Academy, inviting all parties, even the reclusive Haotian Clan, where Tang Yuehua from Yue Xuan came to gather information.
Although the Haotian Clan remained reclusive, every major force was actually very clear that Tang Yuehua from Yue Xuan was the spy of the Haotian Clan in the outside world.
It's just that her martial soul is a variant of the Haotian Hammer into a Ruyi Ring, born without soul power, she's not a soul master, and hence not many people are willing to bother her.
Moreover, Yue Xuan is a place for cultivating noble temperament, with many members of the Tiandou royal family studying there, so people from various sects wouldn't go looking for trouble.
Finding trouble with an ordinary person would only make soul masters seem disgraceful.
If it were a small town, soul masters bullying the local people wouldn't be managed by anyone, but in a royal city like Tiandou City, soul masters bullying those without soul power for no reason would lose face.
Of course, this is relative.
When commoners encounter soul masters, they still have to show respect and make way, otherwise, it would be disrespectful, and if the soul master punishes them, there wouldn't be much repercussion.
As the banquet began, Dugu Bo got straight to the point and made a deal with Ning Fengzhi, and Ning Fengzhi, after obtaining that tulip, took it according to Dugu Bo's suggestion.
In such a public setting, Ning Fengzhi was not afraid that Poison Douluo would harm him.
After refining it, Ning Fengzhi's soul power directly increased by one level, reaching level eighty, and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul also evolved into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Immediately, Ning Fengzhi was overjoyed and in tears.
Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda!
He could break through to Title Douluo!
"This tulip was something I got when I was young, never knowing its use, just found it peculiar, so I kept it, only later did Sun Ming tell me its effects, if anyone else wants it, they can find it themselves, such treasures, how could I possibly have a second one?" Poison Douluo said coldly to the people who gathered around to compliment him.
Even though the medicine garden was tended by Sun Ming, and such tulips might be abundant in the future, but truly witnessing it allowing the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul to evolve, how could he easily let it go?
Though rarity makes things precious, if you want it, bring out conditions comparable to those of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, otherwise forget it!
His soul power is now at level ninety-seven, coupled with the Nine Revolutions Yin-Yang Body, even against a level ninety-nine peerless douluo, he dares to go head-to-head, who is he afraid of?
As for Ning Fengzhi potentially becoming a Title Douluo in the future...
Ha!
If this hypocrite had managed to evolve his martial soul before the age of twenty, perhaps there was a chance to become a peerless douluo, but already in his forties, even if he becomes a Title Douluo in the future, reaching ninety-six levels is the limit.
After the banquet ended, the matter of Ning Fengzhi's martial soul evolution spread through the streets and alleys, attracting much attention.
After all, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda is already a top-tier auxiliary martial soul, now it's become the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, what's the deal?
Martial Soul City.
Martial Soul Main Hall.
Bibi Dong looked at those four books, after understanding their origin, she thought to herself, "At such an age, already becoming a soul king, and might soon reach level sixty, and with such talent…"
"Your Holiness the Pope, this person might become an obstacle in Martial Soul Hall's future plans." Chrysanthemum Douluo said with a dark face, "Why don't Ghost Douluo and I take care of him—"
"If you can defeat the current level ninety-seven Poison Douluo, then go ahead." Bibi Dong said nonchalantly.
"This…"
Chrysanthemum Douluo was momentarily speechless.
Although he and Ghost Douluo are both level ninety-five Title Douluos, and also possess the martial soul fusion skill, but after level ninety-five, each level is a heaven apart, each level can crush a lower level Title Douluo.
If the two of them go to trouble Poison Douluo, that old monster might not give them the chance to use their martial soul fusion skill.
Moreover, it's rumored that Sun Ming was able to defeat Dugu Bo as a soul king—
Perhaps Dugu Bo is not concerned about face, but for the fifth soul ring to absorb a hundred thousand-year soul ring… at least the physical qualities are already at the level of a Title Douluo.
Seeing the two not answer, Bibi Dong didn't blame them much, just thought for a while, then said, "Chrysanthemum Douluo, I heard you have a grudge with Dugu Bo, then from the Martial Soul Hall's treasury, find a snake-type soul bone over fifty thousand years old, send it over to apologize, and invite that Sun Ming genius to visit Martial Soul City, and allow him to browse all the books in the hall."
"The Pope is merciful!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately understood Bibi Dong's aim, to turn hostility into friendship with Dugu Bo, and also make an ally out of Sun Ming.
If he were to join the Martial Soul Hall…
He might become the Saint Heir of Martial Soul Hall.
When Chrysanthemum Douluo, acting as an envoy from the Martial Soul Hall, arrived at the Tiandou Royal Academy, Dugu Bo rushed over immediately. The tense atmosphere eased somewhat after Dugu Bo contributed a snake-type spirit bone over fifty thousand years old.
Upon seeing Sun Ming conversing with Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of the Tiandou royal family, Chrysanthemum Douluo was momentarily unsure how to speak.
"Xiao Ming, this fellow is Chrysanthemum Douluo," Dugu Bo noticed the awkward atmosphere but still spoke to break the tension.
"Greetings, Chrysanthemum Douluo."
Sun Ming stood up and cupped his fist, yet didn't bow like others might.
If it were someone else, Chrysanthemum Douluo would likely chastise them for being disrespectful; however, Sun Ming's demeanor struck him as refreshingly unconventional.
Besides, he had released a bit of pressure, but Sun Ming remained unfazed, his aura entirely integrated, repelling the pressure like water flowing over pebbles.
This alone was akin to a self-created soul skill.
Remarkable!
"Young friend Sun Ming, no need to be so courteous. Only after living so many years did I realize there could be a genius like you," Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled like a chrysanthemum, praising Sun Ming.
"It's merely about observing more, learning more, thinking more, contemplating more, and practicing more," Sun Ming replied without any arrogance.
"You're too humble... On behalf of the Martial Soul Hall's Pope, I invite you to visit Martial Soul City. The Pope also instructed that you may freely browse the books in the hall," Chrysanthemum Douluo finally conveyed the purpose of his visit after some conversation with Sun Ming.
"The books within the Martial Soul Hall?" Sun Ming's eyes brightened, "There's no reason not to. If I gain anything, I'll definitely present it to the Martial Soul Hall first, but I'm unsure if the Pope would allow me to publish my findings freely?"
"That... would require consulting the Pope."
Chrysanthemum Douluo had also perused the four books by Sun Ming, finding them to be very practical, much more so than the exaggerated "Ten Great Theories" organized by Yu Xiaogang. Moreover, according to the Martial Soul Hall's research, many civilian spirit masters who followed the Martial Soul Strengthening Theory by adding spirit rings indeed caused their martial souls to evolve toward greater strength.
Sacrificing one or two generations to strengthen martial souls so that future offspring would possess powerful martial souls was truly astonishing.
More importantly, the theory of Soul Power Circulation provided a new distinction between level ten soul power and innate full spirit power.
In the "Martial Soul and Soul Power Cultivation Theory," multiple methods for cultivating soul power for common martial souls were proposed. Many martial soul owners with corresponding or similar martial souls tried these methods and found that they truly accelerated their cultivation speed, even rivaling those with innate full spirit power.
This realization led most people to understand that the traditional meditation method for martial soul cultivation was really too rudimentary, while the various self-created martial soul cultivation methods shared by Sun Ming seemed to herald a new era.
Furthermore, as long as one could confirm that a child's martial soul would surely inherit from themselves, they could settle down to cultivate, making it likely that the awakened martial soul's quality would improve.
Not to mention that the innate soul power that comes with martial soul quality, the soul power cultivated oneself, would nourish the martial soul, undoubtedly enhancing its quality.
However, this method of propagation also had its problems.
The judgement of martial soul quality could only rely on the senses of the strong, since soul power can now be cultivated using various soul power circulation methods. It is foreseeable that in fifty or a hundred years, the number of so-called "innate full spirit power" individuals will greatly increase.
Why would it take so long?
Because calming children under the age of six to cultivate is too difficult. Even for the Martial Soul Hall, it would probably take decades of attempts to devise a comprehensive plan.
"Naturally, it requires the Pope's consent," Sun Ming expressed understanding, and after refining a "Medical Discourse" book over the next half-month, he set off for Martial Soul City with Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Dugu Bo naturally followed, bringing along Dugu Yan to broaden her horizons.
Moreover, titled Douluo above level ninety-five have the privilege of leaving their name and life achievements in the Offering Hall, so that countless years after their death, people would still remember them.
This reputation, Dugu Bo thought, should be preserved.
After a month of fast travel, the group finally arrived in Martial Soul City.
Compared to Tiandou City, it was even more magnificent and prosperous, but Sun Ming examined the murals on the city walls, learning about the history of the Martial Soul Hall's founding.
Upon entering the city, the group headed straight to the Pontiff Hall to meet the Pope.
In the vast palace, though resplendent in gold and jade, it was cold and deserted with not many people, while only the Pope sat alone on the Pope's chair, independent of worldly matters.
Though incredibly distinguished, there was an air of self-admiration about it.
And in Sun Ming's eyes, the Pope's aura seemed somewhat chaotic and dark.
"Truly a young hero."
The Pope smiled slightly, tone gentle, "Would you be willing to join the Martial Soul Hall?"
"Thank you for the high regard, Your Majesty, but first, I have yet to understand the Martial Soul Hall, and second, upon our first meeting, you wish for me to join. It makes me feel as if the Martial Soul Hall has other intentions," Sun Ming openly expressed his feelings.
Bibi Dong chuckled lightly, "Someone as outstanding as you would naturally draw interest from any reasonable person... However, now it seems I've been a bit too impatient."
Sun Ming nodded, "I too may have been abrupt, but there's something I don't know if I should say. The Pope's soul power... it's somewhat chaotic. Although based on my perception it seems around level ninety-eight, it feels a bit unstable, which could greatly affect your mind over time."