Bibi Dong chuckled softly.
"The Holy Son of our Spirit Hall certainly has a lot going on in that head of his."
Qian Renxue curled her lips faintly.
If Lin Feng were truly the type to just accept things passively and overflow with compassion, then she would have truly underestimated him.
Now that the "version has been updated," it's best for saints to retire early from the season.
Ling Yuan, however, looked a bit puzzled.
"Xiaofeng, are you planning to promote the Soul Veins? But if it can only be performed by you personally each time, how will it be spread across the world?"
Lin Feng shook his head.
"I've never intended to publicly reveal the matter of Soul Veins so soon.
As I said just now, it will still take a few more years. Having to rely on my Martial Soul as the medium to form a Soul Vein—that method is inherently flawed.
The path I seek is from the individual to the universal, from the unique to the common. My Soul Evolution Art is far from reaching its limit. There is still so much more potential in it.
Moreover, once soul masters across the world are able to form their own Soul Veins, many things about the world will change—and a great deal of trouble will follow."
Bibi Dong spoke up at the right time:
"That makes a lot of sense. I had been considering asking you to form a Soul Vein for Nana. But thinking now about how the soul ring disappears during the process, it's better not to rush."
Lin Feng nodded.
"As for which external force will make the first breakthrough—who will become the first Soul Vein user beyond our circle—I've already chosen someone."
Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes shimmered briefly.
"Ye Lingling, isn't it?"
Qian Renxue was a little surprised.
"How do you know?"
"Don't forget—it was I who sent people to protect them. It's just a logical guess."
Lin Feng nodded.
"Correct. With her Sacred Heart Begonia, she has the deepest understanding and application of vitality. And it's easy to explain to outsiders: due to her Martial Soul, Ye Lingling is the perfect candidate to be the first public Soul Vein user."
"Do you remember how we emphasized not to research or experiment recklessly?"
"Strictly speaking, those who tried on their own might have been able to blaze a new trail."
"But their bodies would likely suffer issues. Trying to integrate a soul ring into one's meridians to form a pathway—it's not something that can be deduced purely by logic."
"They'd only be able to approximate the flow of soul power through the body."
"Back when I was compensating for my own innate deficiencies, I mapped out all the safe soul power routes using my Innate Treasure Pearl. The current paths are already thoroughly explored."
"Those who explore blindly on their own will likely suffer physical consequences. I don't believe the major powers haven't had people attempt it—they must already know the risks."
"Therefore, a life-attribute Martial Soul like Ye Lingling's provides an excellent entry point. We have every reason to bring her into Spirit Hall and designate her as the first publicly recognized Soul Vein user from the outside."
And sure enough, just as Lin Feng had anticipated, a certain "Grandmaster" coincidentally stumbled upon a route— forming a side-path of sorts in the lower body of his soul power flow.
He was even feeling smug about it, utterly unaware that he had completely gone off track.
Bibi Dong nodded:
"Support-type Martial Souls have never produced someone with innate full soul power.
And yet Ye Lingling possesses innate level 15 soul power. Her Martial Soul even mutated from the Nine-Heart Begonia into the Sacred Heart Begonia."
"Such an existence must be under Spirit Hall's control. Xiaofeng, you've done well."
Ling Yuan frowned slightly.
"Your Holiness, I think your wording is a little off."
Bibi Dong tilted her head.
"Oh? How so?"
Ling Yuan's expression remained calm as she spoke evenly.
"The Nine-Heart Begonia Clan may have submitted to Spirit Hall, yes.
But I don't want Your Holiness to view them as just another force in this game of power."
"Speaking of acquiring or not acquiring them, as if their fate and stance have already been decided. They are already a part of Spirit Hall—please stop using words like 'control.'"
Lin Feng nodded in approval—Ling Yuan was clearly advocating for Ye Wanqing and Ye Lingling.
She didn't want Bibi Dong to treat the Nine-Heart Begonia Clan merely as a pawn in Spirit Hall's future clashes with the two great empires.
Bibi Dong sighed softly.
"Very well. Then how about this: seeing Ye Lingling and the others join Spirit Hall is a scene I'd very much like to see."
Ling Yuan smiled and nodded.
Inwardly, Bibi Dong snorted coldly.
In the end, she's just fighting for status on behalf of her friends.
From Bibi Dong's point of view, the soul master world isn't that complicated.
It all boils down to stance and power.
Ye Lingling and the Nine-Heart Begonia Clan already had a close and inseparable bond with Lin Feng.
Which means they are branded deeply with Spirit Hall's mark.
There's no shaking that off.
To Bibi Dong, the Nine-Heart Begonia Clan was already a power that could be freely used.
If not for Ling Yuan's relationship with Lin Feng, she would've already had them relocated to Spirit City.
At the very least, Ye Lingling should be brought in and cultivated within Spirit Hall.
Looking at Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan before her, Bibi Dong felt a hard-to-express emotion stir in her heart.
As Pope, she now had to consider the expressions of both these women when making decisions—terrified of upsetting Lin Feng.
It was too much!
Lin Feng, Qian Renxue, Ling Yuan, and Bibi Dong stepped out of the woodland cabin into the open clearing ahead.
The banquet was still ongoing.
Over on the side, Dugu Yan and Hu Liena were chatting about something.
Their large, bright eyes lit up now and then—who knew what they were talking about?
Qing Luan and Dugu Bo, however, were nowhere to be seen.
Lin Feng:
Elder Qing Luan I can understand—but Dugu Bo, what's the meaning of this?
You just dumped your granddaughter here without a word?
Do you expect me to send her back myself?
He shook his head helplessly and called out to Dugu Yan:
"Yanyan, where's your grandfather?"
Hearing Lin Feng's voice from afar, Dugu Yan turned around sharply.
Then she blinked in surprise, her mouth slightly open.
"Ah! Where is my grandfather?"
Lin Feng twitched at the corner of his mouth.
Seriously, young miss, your own grandfather went missing and you didn't even notice?
Just how indifferent can you be to him?
Sure enough, even the warmest little jackets grow up and change.
Dugu Yan waved her hand nonchalantly.
"It's fine, no big deal. He probably went off to another mountain again. Just ignore him."
"A mountain? What for?"
Dugu Yan pursed her lips, looking a bit embarrassed as she replied hesitantly:
"Grandpa said that summoning his Martial Soul atop a mountain at night, gazing down on all others, feels amazing—refreshing and invigorating.
So now he always picks a time to go do that."
Dugu Yan held her forehead and sighed for having such a grandfather.
How embarrassing. Truly shameful.
Ever since his Martial Soul evolved—
his soul skills got flashier, his Martial Soul looked cooler—
but he became more and more of a chuunibyou.
Always running off to the Douluo Hall to get beaten up—who even knows what he's thinking?
Everyone fell silent.
Somehow, this new honorary elder of Spirit Hall… felt just a little eccentric.