Chapter 1: Reluctant Discipleship

Chapter 1: Reluctant Discipleship

"So, it's you? The prodigy with innate full soul power yet unable to summon a martial soul?"

Pope Bibi Dong frowned, scrutinizing the little guy in front of her, who kept his head down.

Wang Si thought he could remain calm in front of Her Holiness, but only when he stood before her did he understand the true extent of her presence.

It was like being at work and daydreaming about slacking off under the boss's nose, imagining the thrill and tension of it all.

But when the boss actually showed up, there was only one thought in your mind: obey and work hard.

"Yes, Your Holiness. After repeated confirmations by the Deacons of the Martial Soul Temple, it can be confirmed that I have innate full soul power.

However, my martial soul...no matter how many methods I've tried, I just can't summon it."

Wang Si kept his head down and extended his hand, trying to summon his martial soul by manipulating his soul power.

However, all the onlookers could sense was the soul power coursing through Wang Si's body; he was indeed attempting to summon his martial soul.

Witnessing this, Pope Bibi Dong furrowed her brows. She had heard of this situation before; it seemed to be a type of martial soul mutation.

"What about your parents? What are their martial souls?"

Pope Bibi Dong wanted to learn more about Wang Si's parental background, as it might provide clues to her suspicions.

Before Wang Si could answer, the Deacon from the Martial Soul Temple who had brought him here quickly handed over a document to Pope Bibi Dong and spoke first.

"His father was a Soul Saint who followed the previous Pope. He sacrificed himself in the battle against a hundred-thousand-year soul beast that the previous Pope hunted.

His mother used to be a 43rd-level Soul Ancestor. She also sacrificed herself in a battle against fallen soul masters. After that, the Martial Soul Temple has been taking care of this child."

Seeing the Deacon's haste and urgency, Pope Bibi Dong's brows furrowed deeper. It seemed like he was trying to conceal something, and his reaction was intriguing.

She glanced at the two documents in her hand and casually tossed them back to the Deacon, who caught them with a puzzled expression.

Ignoring his confusion, Pope Bibi Dong stepped closer to the child. She examined his clothes and small hands, her brows knitting together in disapproval.

The clothes were brand new, almost suspiciously so, as if they had just been purchased, and the creases on the collar were still crisp and untouched.

As for his hands, while they were clean, there were calluses on his palms, suggesting manual labor.

Pope Bibi Dong had a pretty good idea of what this child had been through.

Once, someone had told her that if a soul master's physical fitness was lacking and their nutrition inadequate, their martial soul was highly likely to mutate.

Initially, Pope Bibi Dong had been curious about the nature of Wang Si's mutation, but now, seeing his condition, she understood.

Someone had likely embezzled the funds that the Martial Soul Temple provided for orphans, especially in the case of Wang Si, whose parents—a Soul Ancestor and a Soul Saint—had both sacrificed themselves for the Temple, entitling their child to a substantial sum of consolation money.

What had started as the discovery of a prodigy—a child with innate full soul power but unable to summon a martial soul—had now uncovered potential internal issues within the Martial Soul Temple.

These old guards of the Temple seemed to have strong objections to her leadership. While she could overlook their subtle schemes, this blatant attempt was intriguing.

Were they no longer trying to hide their actions?

Pope Bibi Dong withdrew her gaze from Wang Si and turned her attention to the surrounding Martial Soul Temple officials with a look of interest.

Then, she noticed something very interesting: a significant number of Martial Soul Temple members, especially the elders, wore mysterious smiles once they realized that Pope Bibi Dong had caught on to their scheme.

It was as if they were saying: "You're an incompetent Pope. Under your watch, in this very Martial Soul City, such an incident has occurred. You might as well step down and let someone else take your place."

How intriguing!

Pope Bibi Dong retracted her gaze from the Temple officials and turned back to Wang Si. She extended her hand and placed it on top of the boy's head.

Wang Si, his head still being ruffled, looked up in surprise, then delight. Here was a chance to attach himself to the Pope herself! He seized the opportunity without hesitation and bowed respectfully.

"Your Holiness, I am willing to be your disciple."

Wang Si's swift action startled those in the room who had been preparing to object, and the faces of those who had anticipated the Pope's intentions fell.

Without sparing a glance at the trembling boy before her, Pope Bibi Dong surveyed the room, taking in the fascinating expressions on the faces of the Martial Soul Temple members.

"Let's go. As my disciple, there are some matters I wish to discuss with you."

Pope Bibi Dong grasped Wang Si's shoulder and lifted him up before turning gracefully and striding out, leaving only her departing figure for the onlookers.

......

In the Pope's Palace, Pope Bibi Dong sat upon her throne, idly twirling the staff of office in her hands as she glanced down at the nervous little figure standing below. Her interest seemed to wane.

"Little one, do you truly wish to be my disciple, or did you agree in front of the others simply to save face for me, your Pope?"

Hearing these words, Wang Si immediately understood the Pope's implication. She seemed to be offering him a chance to back out gracefully in front of the others.

Now, she seemed to be having second thoughts.

But he was just a six-year-old child, and a child his age shouldn't be expected to understand such complexities.

So, he bowed once more, but this time, feeling a little guilty, he kept his head lowered.

"Your Holiness, I truly wish to be your disciple."

At this, Pope Bibi Dong's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and she realized that the boy before her was not one of the cunning old elders of the Martial Soul Temple.

Clearing her throat, she prepared to be more direct, but Wang Si, still with his head lowered, continued.

"However, I understand that as a waste of a soul master who cannot even summon a martial soul, I am not qualified to be your disciple."

At the word "waste," Pope Bibi Dong's eyebrows arched in amusement, and her expression turned unusually solemn.

"So, do you intend to give up this position?"

As she asked this, Pope Bibi Dong found herself hoping that the boy would stay.

Hearing the Pope's blunt suggestion that he relinquish his status as her disciple, Wang Si nervously swallowed.

He was truly anxious now. Hadn't he made it clear that he wanted to stay? Why did she seem to be pushing him away?

"It would be my utmost honor to be your disciple, Your Holiness, and I would not give up this opportunity lightly.

However, I am also aware that the disciple of the Pope must be an individual of exceptional talent and character..."

Pope Bibi Dong nodded slightly, her gaze appraising the boy who reminded her of an old friend.

"Since you understand the kind of person I seek, you should withdraw, shouldn't you?"

As she spoke, Pope Bibi Dong unconsciously exuded an aura befitting her high position.

Wang Si was just an ordinary person; how could he withstand such pressure? Yet, he gritted his teeth and persevered.

"Your Holiness, although I lack a martial soul, I possess innate full soul power. While this may not be remarkable within the Martial Soul Temple, I am confident that other factions would value me highly."

At this point, he abandoned all pretense of innocence and directly expressed his thoughts: he could be a spy in another faction.

Hearing this, Pope Bibi Dong chuckled softly and shook her head.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end