Chapter 7: The Elders’ Hall, the Seventh Sacrificial Exorcist Douluo!

Chapter 7: The Elders' Hall, Seventh Elder Demon-Subduing Douluo!

Xu Yan did not answer, merely watching her with intense vigilance. Bibidong cherished Hu Liena deeply, and since Hu Liena had instructed her to cultivate him well, she would not harm him.

"You need not look at me with such wariness. Rest assured, I will not kill you." Bibidong rose to her feet, the crisp sound of her footsteps echoing on the stairs. She descended, holding her scepter, and came to stand beside Xu Yan. Her red lips parted slightly as she said in a gentle voice, "Release your martial soul and let me see."

Xu Yan did not refuse. With a single grasp of his hand, the Ruyi Jingu Bang appeared in his grip. Bibidong looked at the staff in his hand—exquisitely crafted, with subtle patterns etched upon it—and asked, "A staff, a tool-type martial soul. What is its name?"

"Reporting to the Pope, it is called the Dinghai Shenzhen, also known as the Ruyi Jingu Bang," Xu Yan replied.

"Dinghai Shenzhen... Ruyi Jingu Bang. I never imagined that someone of your age would awaken such a tool-type martial soul." Bibidong seemed quite satisfied.

"Release your soul power and let me see," she said to him softly.

Xu Yan released his soul power. In Bibidong’s eyes, the aura was like a flickering candle flame competing with the brilliance of the moon. The disparity was far too great.

"Your soul power is too weak," Bibidong shook her head. Xu Yan remained silent.

A moment later, Bibidong returned to stand before him. Gazing into his eyes, she asked, "Do you wish to become stronger?"

Xu Yan pondered for a moment, then met her gaze directly and replied, "I do."

"With your current soul power level, the fact that you were able to injure Xie Yue is beyond imagination. It seems your potential is vast," Bibidong stated. "The Seventh Elder of the Spirit Hall possesses a martial soul similar to yours. You may go to him for training. This will also help you improve your strength."

Xu Yan hesitated before saying, "Your Holiness the Pope, I wish to be your disciple!"

Bibidong appeared slightly surprised. She looked back at him and smiled, "To become my disciple, one must possess exceptional talent. Do you?"

Hearing this, Xu Yan pondered, thinking to himself that with his Invincible System, he certainly possessed heaven-defying talent! In truth, he didn't care much about being a disciple; he simply coveted her beauty.

"I will prove that I possess such talent!" Xu Yan said calmly.

Bibidong covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "If the Holy Maiden were to hear you say that, she would not be pleased."

Xu Yan replied, "Water flows downwards, and people strive for the heights. What I seek is the status of a normal person, not that of a lowly, base servant."

"Having such backbone is good. However, this world is such that if you are too weak, you have no dignity as a normal person," Bibidong said. "Go now. I will wait for the day you become strong enough to be my disciple, and I shall let you enjoy the supreme glory that the Spirit Hall can bestow upon you!"

Xu Yan nodded and slowly retreated. Watching him leave, a faint smile lingered on Bibidong’s face, her eyes holding a deeper, unreadable meaning.

As he walked out of the hall, he saw Xie Yue, Yan, and a few others nearby, all glaring at him with palpable displeasure. Xu Yan said nothing and, without meeting their eyes, walked straight away. Chrysanthemum Douluo, having heard the Pope’s orders, slowly followed behind him.

"The Pope actually didn't punish him?" Yan muttered viciously.

"All of you, come inside," the voice of Bibidong echoed from within.

Meanwhile, Yue Guan, the Chrysanthemum Douluo, followed at Xu Yan’s side. "You truly have good fortune, having the Holy Maiden as your backing, and even the Pope regards you so highly," Chrysanthemum Douluo said nonchalantly.

"Elder, please do not mock me. I am merely a lowly servant," Xu Yan replied calmly.

"That man’s temper is not good. If you go to him for training, I fear you will suffer," Chrysanthemum Douluo said, changing the subject.

"I know, but as long as it helps me cultivate, I can endure any hardship," Xu Yan replied coolly. Thinking of Yan’s detestable face, he genuinely wanted to go back and beat him up. But there was nothing to be done for now; he would have to wait until he had improved his skills before coming back to deal with him.

"Then I wish you good luck," Chrysanthemum Douluo chuckled, covering his mouth with a gesture that felt somewhat unsettling. However, after spending enough time together, one naturally grew accustomed to it.

Under the guidance of Chrysanthemum Douluo, Xu Yan arrived at the Elders' Hall, a place where many elders and high-ranking members cultivated. Xu Yan followed quietly until they reached the exterior of a great hall.

"This is the domain of the Seventh Elder of the Spirit Hall," Chrysanthemum Douluo said.

Xu Yan nodded, looking into the hall.

"Demon-Subduing Douluo, this fellow’s martial soul is quite similar to yours. The Pope has ordered me to bring him to you. You must teach him well, but remember to show some mercy. If you beat him to death, the Holy Maiden will come to settle the score with you," Chrysanthemum Douluo couldn't help but add.

There was no sound from within. Unfazed, Chrysanthemum Douluo said to Xu Yan, "Go on in, Xu Yan. Take care of yourself."

"Thank you, Elder," Xu Yan bowed slightly. Chrysanthemum Douluo then took his leave.

Xu Yan pushed open the hall doors, hearing a creaking sound. Once inside, the hall seemed incredibly dim. After he had taken only a few steps, the doors slammed shut behind him, giving him a start.

He considered activating his Tenseigan to assess the situation, but from the darkness nearby, a burly man walked toward him, hands resting casually on a staff. Xu Yan mused that this must be the Demon-Subduing Douluo, one of the seven great elders of the Spirit Hall, a level 96 peak Douluo whose martial soul was the Panlong Staff.

"This junior greets the Elder," Xu Yan bowed slightly.

Demon-Subduing Douluo looked at Xu Yan—thin and slight, nothing more than a naive, immature child in his eyes.

"What is this? Little brat, you are so weak that I fear I could kill you with a single finger," Demon-Subduing Douluo sneered.

"I ask for the Elder’s guidance, and hope you will show mercy," Xu Yan said.

Demon-Subduing Douluo grinned, "Kid, I prefer it when people call me Demon-Subduing Douluo."

"Understood, Elder!"

"You..." Demon-Subduing Douluo shook his head helplessly, then grinned. "Since you've been sent to serve as my sparring partner, I shall teach you a thing or two. Release your martial soul."

Xu Yan immediately released his soul, and the Ruyi Jingu Bang appeared in his hand. Demon-Subduing Douluo looked at the staff in Xu Yan's hand, then at his own Panlong Staff, and asked, "This staff of yours—compared to my Panlong Staff, which is more powerful?"

"Naturally, the Ruyi Jingu Bang in my hand is more powerful," Xu Yan replied bluntly.

Demon-Subduing Douluo chuckled upon hearing this. "Is that so?" He reached out to take it.

Xu Yan did not let go.

"Let me take a look. Let go," said the Demon-Subduing Douluo.

"I cannot let go," Xu Yan thought to himself, *You won't be able to lift it.*

"Why not?" Demon-Subduing Douluo frowned slightly.

"You cannot lift it!" Xu Yan replied with an innocent, harmless smile.