"Grandpa Ralph, how do you know all this in such detail?"
Ling Xiao asked, pushing his stray thoughts aside.
A flicker of nostalgia appeared on Ralph's aged face as he smiled.
"That's because when I was young, I was the captain of an independent Soul Master team. Back then, I hadn't joined Spirit Hall yet. Instead, I formed a team with some friends to adventure and earn money in various Soul Hunting Forests."
"It's just that, later on... Sigh."
As he reached the end, Ralph couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Ling Xiao was truly surprised.
He never imagined that a Bishop like Ralph had led an independent team in his youth.
No wonder he understood them so well.
However, from that final sigh, it wasn't hard to guess that the team's ending hadn't been a happy one. Otherwise, he wouldn't have given up his status as an independent Soul Master to join Spirit Hall and spend so many years stationed in Balak City.
Ling Xiao fell silent, and Ralph, seemingly stirred by the memory, stared out at the passing Soul Master groups in a daze, lost in thought for a long time.
After some time, the carriage finally reached the heart of Spirit City—the base of the mountain where the Pope Hall sat. Looking at the Soul Master guards at the foot of the mountain, Su Yuntao's eyes turned solemn.
It was truly the core of Spirit Hall; even the lowest-ranking guards at the mountain's base were at least Rank 30 Soul Elders, while the captains were all above Rank 40 Soul Ancestors.
As for the defensive strength of the Pope Hall itself, it was beyond his imagination.
"Lord Bishop, we have arrived."
Su Yuntao's voice snapped Ralph back to reality.
Realizing they had reached their destination, Ralph regained his usual calm. He looked at Ling Xiao and said kindly, "Mm. Ling Xiao, follow me off the carriage."
Ling Xiao nodded excitedly and leaped down.
Looking up at the peak before him, he felt like letting out a roar. His journey as a Soul Master was truly, officially beginning.
The three were about to head to the main gates to announce their arrival to the Pope Hall when, after only a few steps, a stunningly beautiful woman emerged from the gates.
It was the Platinum Bishop, Ling Yuan.
Ling Yuan's beautiful eyes locked onto Ling Xiao. With her level of cultivation, she could naturally sense that this child's soul power was exactly Rank 10. This was the youth with Innate Full Soul Power she had been waiting for.
Ralph recognized her the moment she appeared.
As a veteran Cardinal Bishop within the organization, he was well aware of Ling Yuan's status as a Platinum Bishop and knew she served as a trusted envoy for the Pope.
Her personal arrival made her purpose clear.
"All good things must come to an end. Child, the person sent to collect you is here; it's time for us to go."
Ralph looked at Ling Xiao, his voice full of pride but tinged with a hint of reluctance.
"Grandpa Ralph, Master Su Yuntao, we will definitely meet again in the future," Ling Xiao said with a serious expression.
"Ling Xiao, you must work hard in your cultivation and become a powerful Soul Master."
"I've awakened the martial souls of so many children, but your talent is the highest. I believe you will make me proud," Su Yuntao encouraged him, showing no hint of jealousy or resentment toward Ling Xiao's talent.
Ling Yuan stepped up to the group.
Ralph hurried to salute her, saying, "Greetings, Lady Ling Yuan. This is the youth with Innate Full Soul Power. I have brought him as requested."
Beside him, Su Yuntao followed suit with a respectful bow.
"Very good, Ralph. Her Holiness the Pope will remember your contribution. You may return to Balak City now."
A melodious voice rang out. Ling Yuan stopped paying attention to Ralph and turned to Ling Xiao with a smile.
"As for you, little guy, come with me to see Her Holiness."
Ling Xiao was startled.
He hadn't expected to meet the Pope, Bibi Dong, the moment he arrived. He had assumed he would be sent straight to study at the Spirit Hall Academy—at least until he reached a high enough rank or was selected for the Academy's battle team.
It seemed he had underestimated how much Spirit Hall valued those with exceptional talent. Watching Ralph and Su Yuntao's departing figures, Ling Xiao gave a heavy nod and followed Ling Yuan toward the mountain path.
The journey from the base to the Pope Hall involved a massive set of stairs.
He estimated there were at least several hundred, if not a thousand steps, winding around the mountain several times. The destination was the Pope Hall at the mid-point. The stairs were a milky white—simple, yet elegant.
As he climbed step by step, passing a Soul Master guard stationed every hundred meters, Ling Xiao couldn't help but marvel at the terrifying number of Soul Masters Spirit Hall commanded.
In Spirit City, being a Soul Master felt like a common profession; there were so many of them that it almost detracted from the usual sense of them being the most noble profession on the continent.
The rhythmic tap-tap of footsteps echoed as the stairs stretched upward.
Ling Yuan led the way, her figure swaying gracefully.
Her black, tight-fitting leather armor traced a mature and alluring silhouette. Walking behind her, Ling Xiao happened to catch a glimpse of this heart-pounding dynamic view, causing his heart to skip a beat and his breathing to hitch slightly.
He wasn't actually a six-year-old child, after all. Seeing such an eye-catching scene, he couldn't help but feel a bit awkward and uneasy. He quickly turned his head to look elsewhere to distract himself.
Hehe, this little guy is quite shy for his age, Ling Yuan teased inwardly, having sensed the change in Ling Xiao's demeanor through her mental power.
They walked for a while longer.
Even with soul power in his body, Ling Xiao began to feel exhausted.
His legs were sore and aching, and his breathing grew heavy. Ling Yuan looked at his worn-out state and let out a light chuckle.
"Can't keep going? Let's rest here for a moment before we continue upward."
Hearing her words, Ling Xiao felt like he'd heard the most beautiful sound in the world.
He immediately sat down, found a comfortable position, and began rubbing his aching legs. He felt a small spark of resentment in his heart—making a normal adult walk this many steps was one thing, but making a child do it was too much.
Even with Rank 10 soul power, he couldn't take it. Besides, walking was too slow. This unnamed beautiful Soul Master was a Platinum Bishop; by his guess, she had to be at least a Soul Saint.
Though he didn't know her martial soul or if she could fly, she could have easily carried him up in no time. As if hearing the silent grumbling in his mind, Ling Yuan smiled playfully.
"Little guy, are you wondering why I didn't just fly you up instead of making you walk?"
Ling Xiao's eyes widened.
He hadn't expected her to hit the nail on the head.
Was this a soul skill?
Fortunately, her next words cleared his doubts.
"Are you surprised? The other children who came here before you had the exact same thought. It's not strange at all."
Ling Yuan continued, "Furthermore, flying is generally forbidden within Spirit City—especially on this mountain where the Pope Hall and the Douluo Consecration Hall are located. Anyone flying over Spirit City is seen as provoking Spirit Hall. Naturally, I couldn't fly you up."
Ling Xiao wasn't too surprised about the no-fly zone; he hadn't seen anyone in the sky since arriving, and Soul Masters with flight abilities were relatively rare anyway.
What truly surprised him was the other information she revealed. There were other youths who had ascended to the Pope Hall before him? Who were they?
Looking at Ling Yuan, who stood beside him like a warm older sister without a hint of an expert's intimidating aura, Ling Xiao asked respectfully, "Lord Bishop, you mentioned other children came here? They are...?"