Two days later, the Shrek Academy teachers and students had returned to Heaven Dou City, all except for Yu Xiaogang, who traveled to Spirit City alone.
In his opinion, his theory about letting Ma Hongjun absorb an Ice-attribute soul ring was fundamentally correct. The reason the martial soul developed problems was likely due to an incorrect choice of soul beast, or perhaps the age of the ring was too high or too low.
Unfortunately, he only had one disciple with this specific condition and no more experimental subjects to help him refine his theory.
To salvage the situation and cultivate Ma Hongjun into a true Fire Phoenix Soul Master, he could only place his hopes on Spirit Hall and try to find a solution through Bibi Dong.
Outside the Supreme Pontiff's Palace.
The towering structure was majestic and solemn. The white jade steps were spotless, and the palace knights, clad in bright silver armor, had sharp eyes and a palpable murderous aura.
Yu Xiaogang straightened his robes, feeling a little uneasy, and walked straight toward the main entrance.
Just then, a cold rebuke rang out.
"Halt! This is the Supreme Pontiff's Palace, a restricted area. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed near!"
Several guards approached, their sharp spears crossing to block Yu Xiaogang's path.
Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath. He slightly raised his chin and straightened his back, maintaining the demeanor of a theoretical grandmaster. He said calmly, "I am Yu Xiaogang. In the Soul Master world, I am respectfully addressed as 'Grandmaster.' I have urgent business to discuss with His Holiness the Pope."
"Grandmaster?"
The guard captain sized him up, completely unfamiliar with the man. The man's confidence seemed unwarranted for someone with such weak soul power fluctuations.
"Do you have an Elder Token or a Warrant?"
"No."
"Since you don't have a token, leave immediately. His Holiness the Pope's status is extremely high; you can't just see her as you please!"
The guard captain waved his hand dismissively.
As a guard, he absolutely could not allow an unidentified individual to enter the Supreme Pontiff's Palace; otherwise, he would certainly be held responsible if anything went wrong.
Faced with the guards' attempts to drive him away, Yu Xiaogang felt a deep bitterness in his heart.
As the "Grandmaster" of martial soul theory, he couldn't even handle a few guards. It was truly a case of a scholar encountering a soldier, reason was useless against brute force.
His lofty ambitions remained unfulfilled, and he was being blocked at the door, a true tragedy of talent unrecognized.
Just as he was almost in despair, a soft, feminine voice came from afar.
"What's all this commotion?"
Immediately, a figure flashed into view, clad in golden armor with a bewitching face, it was the Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, the one Lin Mu had beaten up previously.
After several months of recuperation, his injuries had fully healed.
However, that battle had left him with considerable psychological trauma. Every time he recalled it, he trembled with fear.
His gaze shifted, sweeping over Yu Xiaogang, who was being stopped by the guards. A hint of astonishment flashed in his eyes.
As a veteran Elder of Spirit Hall, he naturally recognized Yu Xiaogang. Although the man was much more weathered and worn, his innate arrogance remained undiminished.
Yue Guan had quite a few impressions of this guy: clearly a complete waste in terms of cultivation, yet possessing a morbid arrogance.
And yet, His Holiness the Pope couldn't seem to forget him.
"Why do I feel like you look familiar? Oh, it's the Grandmaster." The Chrysanthemum Douluo waved his hand, signaling the surrounding guards to step back, and continued, "What brings you to the Supreme Pontiff's Palace?"
Yu Xiaogang was, after all, the Pope's old lover. Yue Guan didn't want to overstep and risk punishment later.
After much deliberation following his defeat, Yue Guan had finally understood the meaning behind Lin Mu's words.
As a Titled Douluo, he risked his life for Bibi Dong but gained little in return, not even a soul bone to replace his losses. He might as well look out for himself more.
With his Martial Soul Fusion Technique with Old Ghost, even if Bibi Dong fell from power, he would still have a secure place in Spirit Hall.
"Your Excellency Chrysanthemum Douluo, I want to see Bibi Dong!"
Yu Xiaogang cried out anxiously, grasping at the straw offered to him.
Hearing this, the Chrysanthemum Douluo frowned. Calling the Pope by her name outside the Palace was extremely disrespectful.
But then he thought, 'This guy has a complicated history with the Pope. Why should I bother intervening?'
"Follow me."
Having made up his mind, the Chrysanthemum Douluo beckoned to Yu Xiaogang and turned to walk toward the inner palace.
Yu Xiaogang followed closely behind. With an Elder leading the way, no one dared to stop him, and they entered the Supreme Pontiff's Palace smoothly.
Upon entering the main hall, Yu Xiaogang was momentarily stunned by the magnificent decorations but quickly composed himself, looking up at the high Supreme Pontiff's throne.
On the throne, Bibi Dong leaned languidly, clad in a resplendent purple robe inlaid with gold, wearing a nine-curved purple-gold crown and holding her scepter.
Her beauty was breathtaking; time seemed to have left no trace on her face, instead adding to her unparalleled majesty and nobility.
Looking at his stunning first love, Yu Xiaogang felt a complex mix of emotions.
If he hadn't left back then, if he had chosen to stay, he wouldn't have ended up in such a state, nor would he have engaged in that complicated affair with his cousin.
These past few nights, he had often dreamt of the failures of his past, tormenting him like a nightmare.
This was why he wanted to train Ma Hongjun into a true Fire Phoenix Soul Master, a desire stronger than ever before, to prove his worth.
At that moment, Bibi Dong also noticed Yu Xiaogang below. A fleeting hint of surprise flashed in her beautiful eyes.
The next moment, she slowly spoke. "It's truly unexpected that you would take the initiative to come see me."
Her voice was gentle and melodious, yet devoid of any emotional fluctuation, startling Yu Xiaogang from his thoughts.
He forcibly suppressed the pain in his heart, raised his eyes to look at Bibi Dong, his gaze filled with tenderness, and asked in a weathered tone, "How have you been all these years?"
Faced with his gesture of goodwill, Bibi Dong was first taken aback, then a faint, mocking smile appeared on her exquisite face.
"As the Pope of Spirit Hall, I hold a high position and great power, above all others. Even the emperors of the two great empires must show me deference."
She paused, then gently raised the hand holding her scepter, her posture elegant and dignified. "What do you think could possibly be wrong with my life?"
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang immediately dropped the formalities and slowly said, "Bibi Dong, I want to ask you for a favor."
"Oh? Yu Xiaogang, I never imagined that someone as proud as you would ever ask me for a favor."
A strange light flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes, as if recalling memories from the past. Her tone softened slightly as she said, "Tell me."
"I have a disciple who possesses a mutated Evil Fire Phoenix Spirit. I originally wanted to help him remove the impurities of the Evil Fire and train him to become a true Fire Phoenix Soul Master."
As he said this, a look of pain appeared on Yu Xiaogang's face.
Bibi Dong frowned slightly at this but didn't seem to care much. She assumed that something must have gone wrong in the process, which was why he had come to beg for help.
After a brief pause, Yu Xiaogang continued, "A few days ago, I chose an Ice-attribute soul beast for my disciple, hoping to neutralize the impurities. But a problem arose when he absorbed the soul ring. I tried everything to save his life, but unexpectedly, it left a severe side effect: he can no longer use his Phoenix Flame at all."