Time flowed like water, and three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Within those three short days, news had spread throughout Wuhun City like wildfire—Pope Bibi Dong had accepted a new disciple. A male disciple, no less.
And not just any disciple—this child possessed innate full soul power.
The exact nature of his martial soul remained a mystery to outsiders, known only to a select few within Spirit Hall's upper echelons.
Tiandou Empire—Prince's Chambers
In the heart of the Tiandou royal palace, within chambers befitting imperial status, a figure sat reading correspondence by lamplight.
Qian Renxue—disguised flawlessly as Prince Xue Qinghe—held the intelligence report with slender fingers, golden eyes scanning the contents with hawk-like intensity.
So that woman accepted a boy as her disciple.
Her lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Innate full soul power? Hmph. That's nothing compared to me. I have innate level twenty soul power—and a god-level Seraph martial soul."
Though her words dripped with disdain, a faint sourness twisted in her chest. She couldn't help but feel the sting of... what? Jealousy? Resentment?
No. I don't care what she does.
Her eyes continued down the page. "Innate soul power... Black Turtle... defensive-type..."
The moment she finished reading, Qian Renxue stood and walked to a brazier. Without ceremony, she held the letter over the flames, watching as fire consumed the paper until only ash remained.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Elsewhere in Wuhun City
Three young figures moved through the streets with purpose, their Spirit Hall uniforms marking them as elite.
Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan—the so-called Golden Generation—had just completed their latest mission and were returning to headquarters. But the conversation dominating their thoughts wasn't about their success.
"A new junior disciple under His Holiness," Hu Liena mused aloud, her voice carrying that distinctive husky quality that somehow made even casual words sound alluring. "I'm quite curious about this little brother of mine~"
A predatory gleam entered her eyes. Finally, someone beneath me in the hierarchy. Time to assert my authority as senior sister.
Yan, clad in flame-colored armor, spoke up. "The Black Turtle with innate full soul power—defensive-type, right? Think His Holiness will add him to our team?"
Xie Yue, whose silver armor bore red lunar patterns that matched his crimson hair, glanced at his sister. "We're the Golden Generation, after all. According to the intelligence, this kid is only six years old."
"Whatever Teacher decides, I'll follow." Hu Liena waved one hand dismissively. "But still—innate full soul power, defensive turtle-type... his qualifications must be exceptional, or Teacher wouldn't have accepted him."
Though I wasn't born with full soul power myself, she thought with a twinge of envy. My dear little junior brother has that advantage over me. Well then—as his caring senior sister, I'll need to... properly guide him. Discipline him. Maybe bully him just a little.
A wicked smile bloomed across her face.
Xie Yue and Yan, who'd known Hu Liena for years, caught that expression and simultaneously shuddered.
That poor bastard, they thought in unison. He has no idea what's coming.
They didn't dare cross Bibi Dong's authority themselves. But Hu Liena? She was also Bibi Dong's disciple—and this new kid's senior sister. She could get away with things they never could.
May the heavens have mercy on him.
Huang Wei's Courtyard—That Same Morning
In a luxurious pavilion estate assigned to him by Bibi Dong, Huang Wei rose early to the attentive service of several young maids.
They dressed him, prepared his breakfast, attended to his every need with practiced efficiency.
This is the life, he thought contentedly, savoring each bite of his meal.
Then—a sudden chill ran down his spine.
He froze mid-chew, glancing around suspiciously. What was that? There's no cold wind... so why did I just get the creeps?
Shaking off the odd sensation, he set down his chopsticks. "I'm going swimming."
"Yes, Young Master! We'll prepare everything at once!"
Over the past three days, Huang Wei had discovered something incredible through the system: his fastest cultivation method involved soaking in water.
Black Turtles loved water. It was their natural element.
The more water available—the deeper, the wider, the more abundant—the faster his cultivation progressed. Just by submerging himself, he absorbed ambient energy at an accelerated rate.
In only three days, he'd broken through from level thirteen to level fourteen.
When he'd excitedly reported this to Bibi Dong, she'd been simultaneously amazed and exasperated.
She'd originally wanted to relocate him to a residence beside one of Wuhun City's larger lakes. But Huang Wei had refused—he didn't want to leave the safety and comfort of Spirit Hall headquarters. Here, under Bibi Dong's protection, he could live completely carefree.
So Bibi Dong had done the next best thing: she'd ordered workers to excavate all the unused vacant land surrounding his courtyard and convert it into an enormous artificial lake. The project would take half a month to complete.
Until then, Huang Wei made do with the smaller ornamental pool in his courtyard garden.
But the water wasn't his only source of power. Sunlight—absorbing solar energy—also contributed to his growth. Even ambient spiritual particles in the air gradually strengthened him.
At this rate, I'll hit level fifteen in just a few more days.
The potential issue of unstable foundations from rapid cultivation? Completely irrelevant for a Black Turtle. His martial soul's inherent nature solved that problem automatically.
Life is good.
Chapter 11: The Golden Generation of Spirit Hall
Pope's Palace—Main Hall
Three figures strode through the grand entrance, their footsteps echoing against polished marble.
"Teacher!" the lead figure called out.
"Your Holiness!" the two behind her added in unison.
The leader was unmistakably a woman—Hu Liena.
She possessed flowing golden hair that caught the light like spun silk, and a figure that could only be described as dangerously perfect. Her features bore a striking resemblance to Xie Yue beside her—clearly siblings—but her eyes held the predatory gleam of a wolf preparing to strike.
At first glance, she seemed merely pretty. But look closer, and a strange, intoxicating charm radiated from her very presence—something that drew the eye and refused to let go.
Her voice carried that signature husky quality, rough around the edges in a way that somehow made it more alluring.
When she activated her martial soul, a large, fluffy fox tail would emerge, and her beauty would intensify tenfold.
To her right stood her brother, Xie Yue—clad in silver armor decorated with crimson moon-like patterns. His red hair matched hers in vivid intensity, proclaiming his wild, untamed nature.
On the left was Yan, wearing flame-colored armor that matched his temperament perfectly. Hot-headed and impulsive by nature, he had one notable weakness: he was hopelessly, pathetically in love with Hu Liena.
The eternal simp, as some might call him. Licking the boot until nothing remains.
Upon the Supreme Throne sat Bibi Dong, her presence dominating the hall despite her relaxed posture. Yue Guan and Gui Mei were absent—off handling their own assignments unless summoned for matters of significance.
"Your mission is complete," Bibi Dong stated, her voice cool and measured. "And I see your cultivation has improved as well. Excellent work."
She paused, letting the praise settle, then continued. "However, I'm making a change to your team composition. A new member will be joining you."
Her eyes glinted with something like amusement. "I suspect you've already heard the rumors on your way back. You know who I'm referring to."
Hu Liena exchanged glances with Xie Yue and Yan before stepping forward. "Teacher... is the fourth member your new disciple? The one with innate full soul power? My little junior brother?"
"Correct." Bibi Dong nodded once. "His name is Huang Wei. His current cultivation has reached level fourteen, and his defensive capabilities are—at present—essentially invincible below Soul Elder rank. Even Soul Elders would find breaking through his defenses... challenging."
The three younger disciples froze.
"WHAT?!"
"That's—that's impossible! A defensive spirit that powerful?!"
"Not even the Basalt martial soul has that kind of—"
Bibi Dong raised one elegant hand, silencing their outburst. "Had I not tested it personally, I too would have found it difficult to believe. But I verified it myself. His capabilities are genuine."
Hu Liena's mind raced. "Teacher, the reports said he's only six years old—just awakened his martial soul, just obtained his first soul ring. Is that true?"
Yan and Xie Yue leaned forward, equally eager for the answer.
"Yes." Bibi Dong's confirmation was matter-of-fact. "Three days ago, immediately after absorbing his first soul ring, his soul power jumped directly to level thirteen. The soul ring itself was four hundred fifty years old."
All three disciples sucked in sharp breaths.
"Four hundred fifty years?! That's twenty-seven years beyond the theoretical first ring limit!"
Even their own first soul rings had stayed within the 423-year safe threshold.
"Indeed." Bibi Dong allowed herself a small smile of satisfaction. "He broke the conventional limit and set a new record. Quite the achievement."
Xie Yue spoke up. "Your Holiness, where is he now?"
"In the villa district behind the Pope's Palace." Bibi Dong rose from her throne with fluid grace. "He's likely... 'practicing' at this moment. Come—I'll take you to meet him."
Under Bibi Dong's guidance, the group soon arrived at a spacious courtyard estate.
What greeted them was... unexpected.
In a small ornamental pond, a young boy floated lazily on his back—a piece of grass dangling from his mouth like some kind of countryside vagabond. His hands were folded behind his head, legs crossed casually. He stared up at the blue sky and drifting white clouds with an expression of supreme contentment.
A massive spectral Black Turtle hovered above him, its presence majestic yet serene.
Surrounding the pool, several pretty maids stood at attention—one feeding him sliced fruit, another fanning him gently, all serving his every whim with practiced devotion.
The picture of indolence.
Hu Liena's eye twitched violently. The corner of her mouth pulled into something between a grimace and a snarl.
"He's just a lazy pervert!" she hissed under her breath. "Look at him—lounging around, getting waited on hand and foot like some kind of young master!"
But Bibi Dong's expression was thoughtful rather than disapproving.
While Hu Liena and the others might not have noticed—their cultivation insufficient to perceive it—she could see clearly: wisps of energy gathered from all directions. From the water, from beneath the surface, from the very air itself—streams of spiritual essence flowed continuously toward the Black Turtle's shell, absorbed in an endless cycle.
Remarkable. His martial soul cultivates autonomously, even while he's completely relaxed.
She'd never witnessed such a phenomenon before.
"Teacher," Hu Liena said eagerly, "should I go teach him a lesson? He's not practicing at all—he's just being lazy!"
As his senior sister, she felt it was her duty to discipline her wayward junior brother. For his own good, naturally.
Bibi Dong shook her head. "He may appear lazy, but his martial soul tells a different story. You three lack the cultivation to perceive it, but I can see energy gathering constantly around that turtle. Moreover, Little Wei's soul power is already beginning to loosen—he'll likely break through to level fifteen within days."
"IMPOSSIBLE!"
"His martial soul cultivates by itself?!"
"That's—that's completely—"
All three Golden Generation members stood frozen, jaws hanging open, eyes wide as saucers. They looked like they'd just witnessed a ghost perform a musical number.
"Yes." Bibi Dong's confirmation was simple and absolute.
She softened her voice. "Little Wei."
Her tone toward her direct disciples was always gentler—warm, even. Especially toward Huang Wei, whose potential she recognized clearly. At his growth rate, he'd reach level twenty within half a year. Possibly less.
He deserved her investment and care.
Meanwhile, in the pool, Huang Wei was whistling tunelessly to himself, eyes closed, thoroughly enjoying the maid's fruit service—
His mouth opened for the next bite—
Nothing came.
His eyes snapped open. "Hey, where's my fruit?"
His expression shifted to mild annoyance as he looked at the maids, only to find them standing rigid as statues, all facing the same direction with expressions of profound respect.
"YOUR HOLINESS, POPE BIBI DONG!" they chorused, bowing deeply in unison.
Then Huang Wei heard that familiar voice calling his name.
Oh shit.
Terror jolted through him like lightning.
Oh crap. Sister Dong caught me slacking off.
Huang Wei's brain kicked into overdrive. No wonder the maids had frozen like that—the boss had arrived.
He turned his head and spotted Bibi Dong immediately. But she wasn't alone. Three others followed behind her.
Wait. I recognize them.
Golden hair, predatory eyes, distinctive features—this had to be the Golden Generation. Hu Liena, his so-called senior sister from this cheap new life. Her brother Xie Yue. And that simp Yan.
Ah yes, poor Yan, Huang Wei thought with amusement. Licks the boot until nothing's left, and in the end, she falls for that loser Tang San instead. What a waste.
But as long as he was here in this timeline, Tang San and his crew were destined to be enemies. He'd make damn sure they never succeeded.
A sudden thought struck him like lightning. Hold on—next to Tang San is Xiao Wu, that 100,000-year-old Soft Bone Rabbit in human disguise. If I tell Sister Dong about this, she'd definitely send people to capture her. And Xiao Wu is one of Tang San's biggest power-ups...
His mind raced. If I cut that off early, who knows how much the plot will change?
A slow, wicked grin spread across his face.
Now that sounds fun.
He'd find the right moment to drop that information on Bibi Dong. After all, if they were already destined to be enemies, he might as well make it impossible for Tang San to rise.