"Little Wei... would you be willing to become my disciple?"
Huang Wei's heart leaped. Yes! This is exactly what I was hoping for!
Playing it cool on the outside while internally celebrating, he maintained his composure. This was perfect. He had a defensive turtle martial soul—his future would be comfortable, safe, easy. Once he was established and familiar with the system, he could coast through life.
That's all I want. Freedom. Comfort. A life where I can actually breathe.
He already had his martial soul. He already had the Black Turtle. He'd awakened the Turtle Longevity talent.
Sure, joining Spirit Hall and becoming Bibi Dong's disciple meant he'd inevitably become enemies with Tang San and his group. But honestly?
Not a problem.
He had the system. Once his defense reached certain thresholds, he could literally reflect attacks back at opponents. That so-called invincible Clear Sky Hammer? He'd make it destroy itself.
With me here, Spirit Hall WILL rule the continent in this timeline.
He'd live his long, comfortable life and change some destinies along the way. Win-win.
Without hesitation, Huang Wei clasped his hands and bowed deeply. "I do, Teacher! I would be honored!"
"Excellent." Satisfaction radiated from Bibi Dong like warmth from a hearth. "From this moment forward, you are my second direct disciple."
She produced something from her soul tool—a necklace crafted from crimson crystal that seemed to glow with internal light. She held it out to him, the gems catching the sunlight like captured fire.
"This is a gift from your teacher—your formal acceptance present. It's called the Crimson Crystal Chain. It's a storage-type soul tool containing thirty cubic meters of space. I've also placed some cultivation resources inside for your use."
Huang Wei's eyes went wide. "Thank you, Teacher!"
A soul tool! An actual storage soul tool! Those were incredibly valuable—most soul masters went their entire lives without owning one.
He took it reverently, admiring the way the red crystals seemed almost alive, pulsing gently. He slipped it over his head, and it settled perfectly against his chest—the weight comfortable, the fit ideal.
Bibi Dong smiled, clearly pleased with his reaction.
She turned to address the assembled crowd. "You may all return to your duties. I will personally escort Little Wei to the Star Dou Forest to hunt his first soul ring."
Her gaze shifted to Salas. "Handle Su Yuntao's reward and promotion."
"As you command, Your Holiness!" Everyone bowed in unison.
A luxurious carriage departed shortly after, bound for the Star Dou Forest.
Inside sat only two passengers—Huang Wei and Bibi Dong.
Behind them, Yue Guan and Gui Mei returned to the Pope's Palace to handle other matters.
Meanwhile, Salas produced an official certificate and raised his voice for all to hear: "Su Yuntao—for awakening a soul master with innate full soul power, demonstrating exceptional merit, His Holiness the Pope hereby promotes you from White Deacon to the position of Branch Elder! Additionally, you are awarded one hundred thousand gold soul coins! May you continue to serve Spirit Hall with distinction!"
The entire hall erupted.
Envy. Shock. Excitement.
Su Yuntao himself looked ready to cry tears of joy, the pain in his recently-healed arm completely forgotten. "Yes, sir! Thank you, Your Holiness! I will dedicate myself to Spirit Hall with all my strength!"
One hundred thousand gold soul coins... innate soul power is THIS valuable?
A stray thought crossed his mind. Wait. Wasn't there another child in Holy Soul Village who also had innate full soul power? That Tang San kid with the Blue Silver Grass martial soul?
But Blue Silver Grass was worthless trash. And the boy had refused to join Spirit Hall anyway. Su Yuntao had simply filed a routine report and moved on.
No comparison to Little Wei's Black Turtle. Not even close.
Inside the moving carriage, Huang Wei felt a sudden warmth spread through his body.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing the mission.]
[Reward: Anti-Damage Reflection Enhancement + Turtle Shell Reinforcement. Distribution complete.]
The heat intensified for a moment—not painful, but powerful—then faded just as quickly.
When it passed, Huang Wei felt different. Harder. Denser. Like his entire body had been tempered in a forge.
Yes! He clenched his fist experimentally, feeling the increased solidity. This is exactly what I needed.
Now he was burning with curiosity. What level of soul master could my current defense withstand? What would it take to actually hurt me?
Bibi Dong's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Little Wei, have you considered which direction you want your martial soul to develop?"
Huang Wei adopted a humble expression. "I don't know much about these things, Teacher. With your knowledge and experience, which path do you think would suit my martial soul best?"
Bibi Dong's expression softened—the cold, imposing Pope replaced by something closer to a patient mentor. Almost... motherly.
"For the Turtle Clan, the most prominent feature is always the shell. Your turtle shell possesses terrifying defensive capabilities—you witnessed that yourself. Before even obtaining your first soul ring, you easily withstood Su Yuntao's attack despite him using level twenty-six soul power. Not only did you resist it completely, you inflicted reverse damage severe enough to break his arm."
She met his eyes directly. "Therefore, I recommend you pursue a path focused entirely on defense and counterattack reflection. Make yourself an impenetrable fortress that destroys anyone foolish enough to strike you."
That's... exactly what I was planning anyway, Huang Wei thought, suppressing a grin.
Aloud, he said, "Understood, Teacher. Then... should we look for a turtle-type soul beast? Since my martial soul is also a turtle, wouldn't absorption be smoother with a similar species?"
Let fate guide them toward turtle soul beasts. Easy. Natural. Perfect.
Bibi Dong nodded approvingly. "Precisely. We'll seek out turtle-type spirit beasts for your soul rings."
The carriage rolled onward, eating up the distance between Notting City and the Star Dou Forest with remarkable speed.
I could have gone to the Soul Hunting Forest, Bibi Dong mused internally, but that location has far too limited variety. For Little Wei's first ring, we need options.
She sorted through her mental catalog of spirit beasts. Turtle-type... defensive capabilities... appropriate age range...
Her eyes brightened. The Thornmail Earth Turtle. Perfect.
Soon enough, the carriage arrived at the edge of the Star Dou Forest.
The massive woodland sprawled before them—ancient trees reaching toward the sky, the air thick with soul beast auras and the scent of wild growth. This was one of the most dangerous locations on the continent... and one of the richest in resources.
They disembarked quickly.
"Stay close to me at all times," Bibi Dong said softly, her tone brooking no argument.
"Yes, Teacher. I understand." Huang Wei nodded obediently.
He followed behind her, and despite the seriousness of the situation, his eyes kept drifting to... well...
Those legs. So long. So perfectly shaped. The way she moves is mesmerizing...
His gaze traced the elegant curve of her waist, the sway of her hips—
Focus! he mentally slapped himself. She's your teacher now! Show some respect!
But he was a transmigrator with two lifetimes of male instincts. Sue him for having eyes.
Before he realized it, they'd stepped into the outer regions of the Star Dou Forest.
Immediately, Bibi Dong's aura flared—Titled Douluo-level soul power exploding outward in a controlled wave. Every spirit beast within range felt the pressure and fled, not daring to approach.
She led them deeper with purpose, heading toward the rocky terrain layers where earth-attribute beasts congregated.
With a Titled Douluo clearing the path, the journey was absurdly smooth. Not a single soul beast dared show itself.
After reaching the appropriate zone, Bibi Dong restrained her aura and expanded her spiritual sense, scanning the surroundings with precision.
"Little Wei, wait here for your teacher. I'll return shortly."
She raised her gem-studded scepter and tapped the air once. A barrier of shimmering energy enveloped Huang Wei, protecting him from all sides.
Then she vanished—movement technique so fast it seemed like teleportation.
Huang Wei immediately summoned his martial soul. The Black Turtle appeared above him, majestic and imposing. Emerald armor covered his body, his presence radiating Turtle Dominance.
Defense.
The massive turtle shell materialized, encasing him completely.
Just in case. Better safe than sorry.
Bibi Dong reappeared at the base of a rocky valley, her spiritual sense locking onto a target almost immediately.
There—a Thornmail Earth Turtle, casually foraging for food among the stones.
She observed it carefully, judging its cultivation age with practiced eyes.
Four hundred fifty years...
Her brow furrowed slightly. The theoretical maximum a soul master can absorb for their first ring is four hundred twenty-three years. This one exceeds that by twenty-seven years.
Normally, that would be disqualifying. Attempting to absorb a soul ring beyond one's limits could result in death or permanent damage.
But...
"Little Wei's martial soul is the Black Turtle," she murmured to herself. "His defensive capabilities are extraordinary. His bloodline must be powerful—far above average. He has natural compatibility with turtle-type beasts..."
Her eyes narrowed with determination. "Perhaps he can break the conventional limits. If he can't handle it, I'll find another. But if he can... he'll start his journey with an advantage few others possess."
She would give her disciple the opportunity to challenge himself.
Of course, I'll ask if he's willing first.
Her Titled Douluo aura erupted without warning, pressing down on the Thornmail Earth Turtle like the weight of a mountain.
The creature, which had been peacefully searching for food, froze in terror. Its instincts screamed PREDATOR—
It tried to flee—
Too late.
A surge of soul power struck it precisely, knocking it unconscious in a single blow.
Bibi Dong lifted the creature effortlessly and began her return journey.
Little Wei will decide. But I have faith in his potential.