Chapter Thirteen: Martial Soul Evolution! Soul Weapon!

Elsewhere, Ling Xiao had already departed from Wuhun City, choosing to travel alone this time.

Half an hour later, he arrived at the heart of the Star Dou Great Forest. The Titan Giant Ape was slumbering on a hillside, the Azure Bull Python was cultivating in the Star Dou Lake, and Tu Rou and Xiao Wu were residing in a small wooden cabin by the water’s edge.

Ling Xiao made no attempt to conceal his aura, and he was quickly discovered by the Azure Bull Python. The creature’s massive head emerged from the lake, its eyes fixed on the figure hovering in mid-air with a mixture of wariness and a trace of fear.

"Big Cow, we meet again!" Ling Xiao descended to the ground and greeted him.

"I am not called Big Cow. You may address me as the Azure Bull Python, or Daming," the beast replied in a deep voice, the corner of its mouth twitching.

"It’s just a name, don't mind it," Ling Xiao said, waving his hand dismissively.

The Azure Bull Python’s expression darkened. It was easy for him to say; he wasn't the one being called by such a ridiculous name.

"Brother! You’ve come!"

A voice rang out nearby, and Tu Rou and Xiao Wu appeared before him.

"Tu Rou, Xiao Wu!" Ling Xiao smiled and nodded at them. "I’ve brought you gifts this time!"

"Gifts?" Xiao Wu’s eyes lit up, and even Tu Rou looked on with curiosity.

Ling Xiao pulled a variety of items from his storage device: snacks, desserts, clothing, accessories, and even tableware. Xiao Wu ignored the tableware, her gaze locked intently on the sweets.

"Brother, are these all for us?"

"Of course. I spent quite a while picking these out today," Ling Xiao replied. These items had cost over a hundred thousand gold soul coins, a sum he didn't need to worry about, given his unlimited access to the Spirit Hall’s coffers.

Tu Rou looked at the items; having lived in human society, she knew these were of considerable value.

"Eat up if you like!" Ling Xiao said, noticing Xiao Wu’s eyes practically glued to the desserts.

"Mmh-hmm!" Xiao Wu nodded excitedly, picking up a small cake and taking a bite. The sweetness of the cream and the tartness of the strawberry jam filled her mouth. "It's so delicious! This is my first time eating something like this!" she exclaimed happily.

Beside her, Tu Rou’s expression dimmed, a look of apology crossing her face as she watched her daughter. It had been so long, and she had never taken Xiao Wu out of the Star Dou Great Forest; she had never even tasted human food.

"Mom, Brother, you should eat too!" Xiao Wu said, looking at them with cream smeared across her lips.

"You eat, Tu Rou. I’ve had plenty of these," Ling Xiao said with a shake of his head. He had already sampled nearly all the food in Wuhun City, and he was a frequent patron of several dessert shops.

"Alright then!" Xiao Wu nodded and handed a small cake to Tu Rou. "Mom, you have some too!"

"Very well, Mom will have some," Tu Rou said softly, taking the cake and eating it in small, elegant bites that contrasted sharply with Xiao Wu’s enthusiasm.

"Big Cow, do you want some?" Ling Xiao asked, turning to the Azure Bull Python.

"No, I do not care for sweets," the beast replied, shaking its head. It preferred the kind of food Ling Xiao had prepared on his previous visit.

"That's a shame," Ling Xiao remarked.

After Xiao Wu finished three small cakes, two cream buns, and two bottles of milk, she was finally too full to continue. "I think I ate too much," she said, sounding a bit embarrassed.

"It’s fine. Eating a lot is nothing; I eat much more than you do," Ling Xiao said casually. His appetite was larger than that of several grown men combined. "Now that you've finished, come look at these clothes and accessories. I had them custom-made based on your measurements."

"We weren't there, so how did you know our sizes?" Xiao Wu asked curiously.

"I just saw them," Ling Xiao said with a shrug.

"You saw them?" Tu Rou and Xiao Wu were stunned. Could he really tell without taking any measurements?

"It’s simple for me, nothing to be surprised about. Do you want to try them on?"

"Let's try them!" The two shared a glance, grabbed their respective boxes, and ducked into the wooden cabin.

Soon, they emerged.

"Brother, do I look pretty?" Xiao Wu twirled, holding the hem of her skirt, looking at Ling Xiao with anticipation. Her figure was as slender as a willow branch, and though she wore simple clothing, she looked stunning. Under the sunlight, her skin seemed translucent and crystal clear.

"You look beautiful, Xiao Wu. You were already very cute to begin with!" Ling Xiao said with a smile.

"Really? Tee-hee!" Xiao Wu beamed.

Tu Rou watched Xiao Wu, smiling happily. Back in the Star Dou Great Forest, there was no one for Xiao Wu to play with, and she seemed much more vibrant now.

"Mom, you look beautiful too!" Xiao Wu said to Tu Rou.

Tu Rou wore a flowing, fiery-red gown draped with a white silk shawl, revealing her elegant neck and clear collarbone. The skirt cascaded like moonlight, trailing three feet behind her.

"Well, the gifts are delivered, and it’s time for me to go!" Ling Xiao said.

"So soon? Won't you stay a little longer?" Xiao Wu asked, looking reluctant.

"I have matters to attend to. I’ll bring a mountain of treats next time!" Ling Xiao promised. He mounted his Demon Pupil Blood Sword and slowly ascended into the air. With a final wave, he vanished from sight.

***

Half an hour later, Ling Xiao returned to the Pope's Palace to find Bibi Dong.

"Teacher!"

"Xiao'er, you've returned. Is something the matter?" Bibi Dong asked, setting aside her documents and pulling him into a gentle embrace.

"Teacher, if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were on our side, wouldn't it be a great help to the Spirit Hall?" Ling Xiao asked.

"Naturally. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is the continent's premier support-type martial soul. While the Spirit Hall fears no one, it would be ideal if they were allied with us." Bibi Dong shook her head. "However, the sect belongs to the Heaven Dou Empire, and Ning Fengzhi is an old fox. Without a bargaining chip that could drive him mad, such a union is virtually impossible."

"Teacher, you once said that Ning Fengzhi’s greatest wish is to break the limitations of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. What if that were the bargaining chip?"

Bibi Dong’s eyes brightened. She knew Ling Xiao wouldn't bring this up without reason; it meant he had a way to evolve the pagoda. "If it is truly possible to evolve the pagoda, even that old fox Ning Fengzhi would lose his composure. It is highly likely they would join forces with us."

"I do, Teacher. I’ve arranged for Sect Master Ning to come to the Spirit Hall at noon today to discuss this. It’s almost time!"

"Good! I shall make the arrangements!" Bibi Dong nodded and summoned Chrysanthemum Douluo. "Elder Ju, at noon, take a party to welcome Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and bring him to the Pope's Palace!"

"As you command!" Chrysanthemum Douluo replied without hesitation.

After he left, Ling Xiao turned to Bibi Dong. "Teacher, how about we evolve your martial souls now?"

"My martial souls can be evolved as well?" Bibi Dong’s eyes sparkled. Her Death Spider Emperor and Soul-Eating Spider Emperor were already top-tier; if they evolved, they might reach the level of god-tier martial souls.

"Indeed!" Ling Xiao nodded, placing his hand on her shoulder and channeling the evolution energy into her body.

At first, there was no sensation, but gradually, Bibi Dong felt a heat spreading through her—not painful, but intense. After several minutes, Ling Xiao withdrew his hand, and the strange feeling vanished.

"Is it done?" she asked, having never experienced such a thing before.

"Yes. Now, your martial souls should be called 'Soul-Martials'—that would be more appropriate," Ling Xiao said.

"Soul-Martials?" Bibi Dong, puzzled, released both of her martial souls.

They had previously been hideous—almost repulsive—and she rarely used their true forms. But now, they had undergone a radical transformation. Their terrifying, daunting appearances had faded, replaced by an unimaginably beautiful form.

The Death Spider Emperor was now slender and graceful, its body covered in a tough, jet-black shell that shimmered like obsidian. Its eight legs were delicate, and where its head had been, a pair of huge, crystalline compound eyes now glowed with a deep, mesmerizing purple light, like rare jewels.

The Soul-Eating Spider Emperor was slightly smaller, appearing more nimble and alluring. It was covered in soft, white velvet, with elegant leg lines and faint pink patterns at the joints, resembling blooming peach blossoms. It looked like a piece of exquisite art, especially its eyes, which shimmered with a pale blue light, clear and mysterious like a deep lake.

"Is... is this really still my martial soul?" Bibi Dong asked, stunned by their beauty. Even more surprising, she felt them responding to her. As she spoke, they let out a sharp cry, as if offended that their master had once disliked them.

"This is a Soul-Martial! The biggest difference is that they possess consciousness and are now living beings!" Ling Xiao explained.

"Living beings!" Bibi Dong sensed their emotions. She felt as though they could detach from her and act as independent entities. With a thought, she willed them to manifest as physical beings. Their strength was equal to hers, transcending the Limit Douluo level and reaching the realm of demigods. She was now effectively three demigods in one.

"Soul-Martials... this is truly powerful! It far exceeds anything the world could imagine!" Bibi Dong exclaimed, withdrawing the two entities.

Three quarters of an hour later, Chrysanthemum Douluo arrived at the Pope's Palace with Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin.