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**
"Between us, Master and disciple, there is no need for such formalities," Mu Chen said, looking at Ling Xiao calmly with a gratified smile.
"Besides, when I decided to take you as my disciple, it was partly due to your extraordinary Martial Soul aptitude, and partly because I felt a great sense of fate between us. In fact, there are three bonds of fate."
"Three bonds of fate?" Ling Xiao was surprised to hear this.
"Your Martial Soul is the same as mine; not only are they both Heavy-type Tool Martial Souls, but they are also both axe-types. This is the first bond," Mu Chen said slowly.
"Secondly, I remember when we first met, you said you wanted to challenge the Clear Sky Sect in the future to seize the title of the world's number one Tool Martial Soul. Heh, that is the second bond. When I was young, I once had the exact same thought as you."
"Oh?" Ling Xiao couldn't help but be astonished.
He hadn't expected his master to be the same in his youth.
"And there is one final bond." At this point, Mu Chen paused, a hint of sorrow surfacing in his eyes.
"I hope that in the future, you can act on my behalf to complete something I can no longer do, to make up for my life's regret. This matter does not contradict what you wish to do; in fact, they share a common path. This is the third bond."
Hearing this, Ling Xiao's expression turned solemn. He said seriously, "Master, whatever you wish for me to do, I will certainly accomplish it. I would go through fire and water without hesitation."
A sudden, brilliant light seemed to radiate from Mu Chen's eyes as he spoke with gravity, "I hope that in the future, you can represent me to challenge the Clear Sky Sect—and defeat them."
"This!" Ling Xiao was stunned.
He hadn't expected the "matter" his master referred to would be this. Suddenly, he recalled several past instances where he distinctly felt that his master seemed exceptionally well-informed regarding the Clear Sky Sect.
He had found it strange at the time, but hadn't pushed for answers. Now, he couldn't help but speculate. Could it be that his master shared a deep-seated grievance with the Clear Sky Sect?
Mu Chen offered no extra explanation, merely stating plainly, "I hope that when you go there in the future, you go both for yourself and on my behalf."
Observing his master's expression, Ling Xiao sensed a level of earnestness he had never seen before, along with a tragic desolation hidden beneath that calm exterior.
With a solemn face, he declared, "Rest assured, Master. In the future, I will definitely defeat the Clear Sky Sect for you and settle your regrets."
Nodding, Mu Chen felt quite comforted.
"In that case, even if I were to die this moment, I would have no more regrets in this life."
Hearing Mu Chen's words, Ling Xiao's heart could not find peace. He asked with concern, "Master, do you have a grudge against the Clear Sky Sect? Are the injuries on your body also because of them?"
Shaking his head, Mu Chen did not say more.
He turned his body slightly, gazing into the distance at something unknown, "Xiao'er, I will tell you these things in the future, but now is not the time. Once your cultivation progresses further, I will tell you everything."
"Mhm." Seeing that his master was unwilling to speak further, Ling Xiao did not press him.
However, he made a firm resolution in his heart to cultivate even harder and increase his strength.
Previously, challenging the Clear Sky Sect was his own personal business—a goal to forge the reputation of the 'World's Number One' for his Profound Sky Axe on his path to becoming a peerless powerhouse.
But now, this was no longer just his business.
He carried the expectations and regrets of his master on his shoulders. He could not lose; he absolutely had to defeat the Clear Sky Sect.
After saying this, Mu Chen fell silent, seemingly reminiscing about the past.
A moment later, he suddenly spoke up, "Now that you have completed your tempering in the Mystic Trace Canyon and reached the level of a Soul Ancestor, you have surely met the Pope's requirements."
"For the coming period, no special lessons will be arranged for you. You only need to cultivate peacefully at the Academy and prepare for the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament in four years."
"You no longer need to follow the Academy's other instructors for lessons; there is nothing left in the Academy worth your time to learn. You shall focus your cultivation here. It so happens that your Ox Demon Force Fist has yet to reach Great Mastery."
"While your Tiger Demon Bone-Refining Fist and Seven Injuries Fist have only just reached the Initial Mastery stage. Use this period to practice them all to Great Mastery under my guidance."
Pressing his lips together, a flicker of resolve flashed in Ling Xiao's eyes.
He suddenly bowed to Mu Chen and said, "Master, please forgive your disciple for being unable to follow the planned cultivation this time. I wish to go abroad to handle a certain matter. It will take approximately one year. After that year, I will surely return to focus entirely on my cultivation."
"Oh?"
Mu Chen did not grow angry upon hearing this, but he was quite puzzled.
This was the first time such a situation had occurred since Ling Xiao joined his lineage.
He then asked, "What is it you wish to do?"
Lifting his head to look at Mu Chen, Ling Xiao voiced the thoughts in his heart.
"It is like this... and like that..."
"So that's how it is."
Mu Chen nodded after listening, contemplating for a moment.
"It seems you have been planning this for many years. Even if I were to dissuade you, you likely wouldn't give up. Since that is the case, go ahead and do it."
"Disciple thanks Master!"
"However, once you set this in motion, you will need Spirit Hall to take action. Thus, it is not as simple as it appears on the surface; for Spirit Hall itself, there are both pros and cons. Have you mentioned this to the Pope, and has she agreed?"
Ling Xiao shook his head.
"I have not yet proposed this to Her Holiness the Pope; she is unaware of it."
His tone then became exceptionally firm.
"However, I am seventy percent certain that Her Holiness will agree to my proposal. Nevertheless, should Her Holiness disagree at that time, I would like to ask Master to step forward. Perhaps, for Master's sake, Her Holiness might change her mind."
"You..." Mu Chen couldn't help but chuckle.
"Fine then, go do what you must. When you need me, I will step in."
"Thank you, Master!" Ling Xiao's face lit up with joy—partly because of Mu Chen's approval, and partly because he could finally execute a plan he had been brooding over for so long.
"This tempering in the Mystic Trace Canyon was quite arduous for you. For an ordinary Soul Master, a day there feels like a year."
"You struggled there for a full year with your mind constantly wound tight. Now that you have just returned, do not rush into cultivation. Rest for a few days first. Once your mind has truly stabilized, then devote yourself to your practice."
"Yes. Disciple takes his leave."
"Mhm."
Watching Ling Xiao's departing figure, Mu Chen couldn't help but mutter to himself, "It seems a series of changes is about to stir within the world of Soul Masters."
Meanwhile, having returned to the Pope's Palace, Hu Liena finally saw Pope Bibi Dong as she had wished. For Hu Liena, the person she was closest to in this world—aside from her brother Xie Yue—was her master, Bibi Dong. How could she not be excited?
For Bibi Dong, Hu Liena was also the person she cared for most. Sending Hu Liena to the Death Canyon for tempering was a decision she had only made after long deliberation and hardening her heart.
Now that Hu Liena had not only passed successfully but returned safely, she was naturally happy and relieved. However, as the Pope, she had to maintain her majesty and could not express it as overtly as Hu Liena.
After bathing and changing into clean clothes, Hu Liena engaged in an intimate conversation with Bibi Dong in her chambers, recounting the events she had encountered in the Death Canyon. Her originally tense mind gradually began to settle under Bibi Dong's company.
**
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