Chapter 2: Pope Qian Xunji, Twin Martial Souls Bibi Dong
The man leading the group was dressed in the robes of the Pope, with golden hair draped over his shoulders, a handsome face, and a majestic temperament; he was none other than the current Pope, Qian Xunji.
His steps were steady and powerful, carrying the aura of a high-ranking superior.
Under normal circumstances, Pope Qian Xunji would not personally attend a Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony at an Orphanage.
But today, on a sudden whim, he wanted to see if there were any good prospects, which was why he had come in person.
Behind Qian Xunji followed a thin Cardinal, who was the one in charge of presiding over this Awakening Ceremony.
With the arrival of Qian Xunji and the Cardinal, the hall instantly fell silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
The majesty of the Pope was too heavy for these six-year-old children.
Qian Xunji said nothing, only nodding slightly to signal the Cardinal that he could begin.
He stood to one side of the hall with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent yet watching everything with a hint of anticipation.
Soon, under the guidance of the Cardinal, the Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony began.
"First one, step forward."
A thin boy walked tremblingly into the Awakening Formation.
The Martial Soul released by the Cardinal was a leopard-type Beast Martial Soul, with seven Soul Rings of the optimal configuration circling beneath his feet.
As his Soul Power was released, golden specks of light rose from the formation, drifting into the boy's body like fireflies.
A moment later, the phantom of a bear emerged behind the boy.
Under the Cardinal's guidance, the boy retracted his Martial Soul and tested his innate Soul Power.
"Beast Martial Soul: Armored Bear, Innate Soul Power: Rank Five."
The Cardinal announced calmly, recording it in the register.
"Second one."
"Weapon Spirit: Iron Hammer, Innate Soul Power: Rank Two."
"Weapon Spirit: Sickle. No innate Soul Power. You cannot become a Soul Master."
...
Time passed minute by minute as the children entered the Awakening Formation one by one and then left the hall.
Most of them failed to awaken any Soul Power. As children of ordinary villagers with ordinary parents, wanting to become a Soul Master was a luxury.
Those who did awaken Soul Power were mostly orphans of Spirit Hall's Soul Masters; as descendants of Soul Masters, they had inherited some talent.
Though not stunning, they at least possessed the qualification to step onto the path of a Soul Master.
To one side of the hall, Qian Xunji stood with his hands behind his back, watching the entire Awakening Ceremony.
At first, he held a bit of expectation, hoping someone would awaken a powerful Martial Soul, but as the results were revealed one by one, his gaze gradually grew calm, even carrying a hint of slight disappointment.
The person with the highest innate Soul Power was only Rank Six; at most, they could cultivate to the Soul Saint realm, falling far short of the word 'genius'.
Soon, in the long line, only Bibi Dong and Su Mo remained.
"Next." The Cardinal looked at Bibi Dong and spoke calmly.
Bibi Dong took a deep breath, suppressing the nervousness and unease in her heart, and stepped into the Awakening Formation.
The Awakening Formation lit up, enveloping Bibi Dong's small figure within it.
In the next moment, two phantoms of light emerged behind her one after another.
One was the phantom of a deep purple spider, its eight compound eyes glinting with a cold light, its fangs hideous, and its entire body emitting an aura of death.
The other was also a spider, even more eerie, its body a dark ink-green as if it came from the nether abyss; just looking at it made one's heart turn cold.
"This is..." The Cardinal's pupils contracted sharply, his voice rising several octaves, "Twin... Twin Martial Souls!"
As a Cardinal, he had presided over countless awakening ceremonies. He had only heard of Twin Martial Souls but had never seen them.
He hadn't expected to personally awaken one.
"Child, quickly retract your Martial Soul and test your innate Soul Power!"
The Cardinal said hurriedly, handing the Soul Power testing crystal ball to Bibi Dong, his hands trembling slightly.
Earlier, the Cardinal had already explained how to retract a Martial Soul. Bibi Dong took a deep breath, and the Martial Soul phantoms behind her soon dissipated.
She placed her small hand on the crystal ball.
Instantly, the crystal ball shone with a brilliant light.
"Innate Full Soul Power!" the Cardinal cried out in shock, his voice filled with unbelievable ecstasy.
Without any surprise, Bibi Dong had awakened Twin Martial Souls: the Death Spider Emperor and the Soul Eating Spider Emperor, two top-tier Beast Martial Souls, with Innate Full Soul Power.
Inside the hall, except for Su Mo, who already knew and remained calm, everyone else's eyes widened in shock.
However, even if Su Mo's calmness was abnormal, no one noticed him at this moment because everyone's attention was focused entirely on Bibi Dong.
At this moment, Qian Xunji also lost his previous indifference, a fiery light erupting in his eyes.
From the moment the Twin Martial Souls appeared, his previous disappointment had turned into intense anticipation.
And when the Soul Power test results were revealed, an uncontrollable ecstasy surged in his heart.
Innate Full Soul Power was already a rare genius, but Twin Martial Souls with Innate Full Soul Power were a once-in-a-thousand-years sight.
For such a genius to appear in Spirit Hall's Orphanage was simply a gift from the heavens to Spirit Hall.
If Bibi Dong were to grow up, what a terrifying existence would she become?
Just imagine, if the second Martial Soul were composed entirely of Ten-thousand-year spirit rings, what a shocking sight that would be.
"Haha, wonderful!" Qian Xunji laughed loudly, striding toward Bibi Dong, "The heavens truly bless my Spirit Hall!"
"Child, what is your name?"
Qian Xunji smiled gently, a completely different person from the majestic Pope he was before.
Bibi Dong timidly raised her head, looked at Qian Xunji, and answered in a small voice, "In reply to Your Holiness the Pope, my name is Bibi Dong."
"Bibi Dong, would you be willing to take me as your teacher?" Qian Xunji asked directly, his eyes full of expectation.
Bibi Dong was stunned for a moment, then nodded heavily. "I am willing. Disciple Bibi Dong greets Teacher."
As she spoke, she bowed slightly.
"Hahaha, good! Dong'er, you will follow me back to the The Pope's Palace later." Qian Xunji hurriedly helped her up, his face beaming with smiles.
He seemed to already see the future glory of Spirit Hall.
"Yes, Teacher."
"Congratulations, Your Holiness the Pope!" The Cardinal congratulated him respectfully.
"No need for formalities. Go and receive your reward later." Qian Xunji waved his hand.
"Thank you, Your Holiness the Pope!" the Cardinal said with great joy.
"Mhm. There is one more child. Continue the awakening." Qian Xunji glanced at Su Mo at the end of the line.
He originally wanted to take Bibi Dong back to the The Pope's Palace immediately to report this good news to his father, Qian Daoliu, and the others.
But with only one child left, waiting a moment longer wouldn't hurt.
Moreover, he could see that the relationship between Bibi Dong and that boy seemed good, and he also wanted to see what the boy's talent was like.
The Cardinal looked at the last child, Su Mo, and said with a face full of smiles, "Child, come up."
Su Mo nodded and calmly walked into the Awakening Formation.