In a small room within the Spirit Hall, a short-haired boy with blue hair, rather ordinary features, fair skin, and standing nearly 1.2 meters tall was exercising, doing push-ups.
"Han'er, it's time to eat."
A warm voice called out.
"Oh, I'm coming."
He ran to the washroom, wiped himself with a dry towel, changed clothes, and walked toward the dining area.
His mother, Bibi Dong, was already waiting for him at the table. Aunt Han sat beside her with a gentle smile.
Bibi Dong stroked his hair and asked, "Were you exercising again?"
"Of course. The books say that a Soul Master could explode and die if their body can't withstand the pressure of a spirit ring. This means the stronger the body, the longer one can endure while absorbing higher-level spirit rings. I want to keep strengthening myself so that I can reach the second purple ring, achieve the awe-inspiring four-black-ring configuration, show everyone what a great son you have, and win glory for you," Bibi Han said with a determined expression.
"Good child, I believe in you. Now eat—these are all your favorites."
Seeing the delicious food laid out before him, Bibi Han swallowed hard, picked up his chopsticks, and said, "Dinner is ready."
For someone his age to be able to do so many push-ups, this kind of delicious food played a big part.
"Mom, could you give me the token for the upper floor of the Scripture Pavilion?"
"Why?"
Bibi Dong didn't want Bibi Han to go to the top floor because there were things there she disliked.
"Because I've finished reading almost everything else, and only the very top floor remains. Will you let me go, Mother?"
Bibi Dong thought for a moment, then handed him the token.
"Thank you, Mother."
"Let's eat."
Mornings spent training, afternoons reading—this was basically how Bibi Han spent his days. The reason he could read so many books was because, ever since coming to this world, he had photographic memory.
When Bibi Dong first heard about it, she had been shocked. As everyone knew, the greater one's talent, the stronger their learning ability and memory. But photographic memory—something even Bibi Dong herself couldn't do—was rare. Only one true genius in cognitive ability had ever possessed such a gift.
Watching Bibi Han back as he left, Bibi Dong's face was full of worry. She murmured to herself:
"Xaio Han… if you really encounter that man, you'll have to rely on yourself. Even if your talent is extraordinary, with my current strength… I still won't be able to protect you."
After climbing six flights of stairs, Bibi Han arrived at the seventh and top floor. The Scripture Pavilion had seven levels, each containing books of corresponding value. The first floor was open to anyone from Spirit City and contained only the most basic materials. Higher floors required corresponding permissions.
Among them, the seventh floor was completely off-limits to anyone who wasn't the Pope or a high-ranking member of the Spirit Hall
Originally, the Holy Son, Holy Maiden, and Elders of the Elder Hall could enter as well. But for certain reasons, the Holy Son and Holy Maiden were now forbidden, and even elders of equal status were not allowed in without a special token.
When he reached the door to the seventh floor, two powerful Contra guards stood there.
It was just one door, but guarded by two Contras—proof of how important this place was to the Spirit Hall. One had to understand that even the Hall's Knights were Soul Kings.
A cold, emotionless voice came from their mouths.
"Token."
Bibi Han held out the token, which shimmered in his palm.
The two guards stepped aside.
As he stepped into the seventh floor, a small room, Bibi Han immediately felt a sense of weight. There were no heavenly treasures, no soul bones—but to the Spirit Hall, what lay here was beyond comparison to those things: historical records.
There weren't many books, but each one bore the marks of time.
At the front hung a huge painting, taking up a quarter of the entire room. Its title: "The Holy Angel's Battle Against Evil".
It depicted a six-winged angel, breathtakingly beautiful, her entire form like a Valkyrie. She wielded a sword, pinning down an ugly, bloodthirsty, and brutal Evil Soul Master beneath her.
Bibi Han picked up a book to read—a worn, ancient tome titled "The History of the Spirit Hall". It recorded the date and year of the Hall's founding—tens of thousands of years ago.
Tens of thousands of years ago, evil soul masters ran rampant across the Douluo Continent, and the people suffered greatly. At that time, a woman with six wings on her back appeared. Her eyes were filled with compassion for the world, yet she was terrifyingly strong. Alone, with one sword, she swept through countless evil soul masters, and in the end, founded the Spirit Hall.
Heroes from all walks of life gathered together to destroy the evil soul masters and end their chaos.
When she slew the Great Elder of the Evil Soul Masters—a terrifying Rank 99 Limit Douluo—everyone on the continent revered the Angel God, who then broke through to Rank 100 and ascended to Godhood. She left the Spirit Hall behind to continue suppressing evil soul masters and maintaining peace.
Closing the book, Bibi Han fell silent. He realized that the history of the Spirit Hall even surpassed that of the two Great empire. No wonder people said that the empires had always underestimated the influence of the gods while jealously guarding the supremacy of imperial power.
After reading the original records, he truly understood how despicable the nobility of the two empires could be. Bibi Han gave a mocking smile.
"Hmph, they think Imperial power is supreme? One day, I'll show them what true supremacy means."
"Little friend, how are you finding that book?"
A kindly voice spoke. Only then did Bibi Han notice an elderly man in his sixties beside him, wearing a plain gray robe and bearing a gentle expression.
"It's been very enlightening," Bibi Han replied.
He had no idea who this old man was—his mother had told him nothing about the conditions for entering here—so he assumed the man must be important.
The old man seemed intrigued and asked, "And what have you learned?"
Bibi Han thought for a moment, then spoke frankly.
The old man nodded. "Indeed, evil soul masters do exist, and their numbers never truly end. Their lust for power and twisted hearts lead them to corruption."
"Grandfather," Bibi Han asked, "if a soul master is constantly bullied, could they become an evil soul master?"
The old man replied, "It is possible. If oppression twists their heart, drives them to pursue power, and leads them astray—they could indeed become one."
Bibi Han had never met Du Er, but he'd heard people talk about him. Evil soul master Du Er wreaked havoc, and commoners suffered. Rather than the Shrek Academy faction, the strongest power of the Spirit Hall—dozens of titled Douluo—would fight against the Sun and Moon Continent, but they could not kill the evil soul master. After all, they were willing to send people to protect Tang Wutong, but not to contribute to the people of the continent. In the eyes of the nobility, the people were worth less than dogs.
Bibi Han narrowed his eyes. "I understand."
The words carried two meanings.
After that, the elder and the youth continued to talk until dusk.
"It's almost time for dinner, Grandfather. I'll be going now."
The old man smiled, watching Bibihan's departing figure, and then vanished.