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Xu Sheng nodded slightly, "That's right."
Although he could forcefully obtain information from the Sea of Consciousness of those Soul Masters using his powerful spiritual power...
Doing so would mean they would have to endure the agony of their Sea of Consciousness being torn apart...
Which is far more severe compared to physical pain!
Gui Mei hesitated for a moment and chose not to dwell on these issues anymore...
"Regardless of whether they were threatened or whatever, since they acted against us, it's only right that they were killed!"
Xu Sheng expressed his agreement, "Mmm... Elder Gui, you're right, we should not delay any further. Let us continue on our journey, we should be able to reach the Hall of Martial Souls before nightfall!"
Gui Mei showed a look of surprise, "I thought you were going to say I'm too cruel and ruthless!"
Xu Sheng shrugged, "That much has been clear to me since the first time I met you, Elder Gui!"
"Moreover, I'm not the type to let others threaten me without consequences!"
Gui Mei rarely smiled, "That's true, after all, I haven't killed nearly as many as you have!"
It was his own presumption, assuming from his youthful appearance that Xu Sheng was soft-hearted!
Yet, he is an old monster who has lived for who knows how many years!
...
The next day!
Pope Hall!
The visitor respectfully looked ahead at Bi Bidong, "Your Holiness, I have important news to report!"
Bi Bidong, who was handling affairs of the Hall of Martial Souls, just glanced up at him and urged, "What is it? Just tell me!"
The former did not dare to delay and immediately replied, "Your Holiness, it's like this, His Highness the Holy Son and Elder Gui have already returned to the Pope Hall!"
Hearing this, Bi Bidong abruptly stopped her movements and exclaimed, "What? When did they come back?"
The tone of the former slightly weakened, "They returned yesterday, but to avoid disturbing your rest, I was only allowed to report it today!"
Bi Bidong nodded in understanding, then quickly asked further, "When they came back, were they injured or anything?"
The former hesitated, seemingly recalling something...
After a long pause, he spoke again, "Your Holiness, it appears that both His Highness the Holy Son and Elder Gui suffered no injuries!"
Bi Bidong quietly breathed a sigh of relief, "No injuries? That's good!"
"Now, immediately send an order to the Holy Son and Gui Mei, and have them come to the grand hall to see me!"
The man immediately bowed and said, "Yes, Your Holiness!"
...
Not long after, Xu Sheng and Gui Mei entered the grand hall...
"Your Holiness!"
Bi Bidong just nodded in response, then opened her mouth to question, "Tell me, Xu Sheng, where did you and Gui Mei go? I do not wish for any omissions!"
Xu Sheng's eyes flickered for a moment, aware that Gui Mei had already relayed a general account of the events...
Perhaps she was looking for a stance!
With that in mind, he honestly replied, "Your Holiness, after leaving Soul City, Elder Gui and I went to Sea God's Island, and undertook the Sea God examination!"
Bi Bidong's beautiful eyes narrowed, and she exclaimed, "What? Undertook the Sea God examination? Weren't you lingering on the borders of Xingluo Empire? You actually went to Sea God's Island!"
The most incredible part was that Xu Sheng and Gui Mei had returned alive, which she found hardest to believe!
After all, one was the Holy Son of the Hall of Martial Souls, and the other was an Elder!
Neither should have escaped the attention of High Priest Poseissi, let alone participate in the Sea God examination!
Upon hearing this, Gui Mei spoke up, "Your Holiness, what Xu Sheng said is true, we indeed reached Sea God's Island!"
Bi Bidong pursed her lips and continued to inquire, "What about the Sea God assessment? Did you pass it?"
She had heard that the Sea God assessment categorized the difficulty of tasks based on talent!
With Xu Sheng's talent, participating in the Sea God assessment would likely reach Black Rank or even Red Rank—it wasn't impossible!
If that were the case, the tasks to complete would be as difficult as reaching the heavens; it wouldn't be possible to return in such a short time!
Xu Sheng shook his head and denied, "I didn't exactly pass; I only reached Black Rank, but there were no tasks I needed to complete!"
This situation, even he was not very clear about!
Bi Bidong furrowed her brow, "Black Rank? No tasks to complete?"
"Could it be that there was a problem with the Sea God's assessment? With your talent, how could it be Black Rank!"
Even the High Priest Poseissi, at this age, couldn't possibly match Xu Sheng's strength!
If he couldn't reach Red Rank, then there probably wasn't anyone who could!
Gui Mei coughed without reason, "Cough, cough… Xu Sheng, there seems to be something you forgot to explain to His Holiness!"
Immediately after, he explained to Bi Bidong, "Your Holiness, the reason Xu Sheng achieved Black Rank is not due to insufficient talent but because of the Sea God!"
"It seems… he wasn't willing for Xu Sheng to participate in the Sea God's assessment!"
With this response, Bi Bidong could slightly understand, "Unwilling to let Xu Sheng participate in the Sea God's assessment, perhaps, because of his identity as the Saint Heir of the Martial Soul Hall, right?"
After all, Sea God's Island and the Martial Soul Hall are practically sworn enemies!
Xu Sheng did not deny it, "Perhaps it is so!"
But he knew in his heart that not being able to complete the tasks was probably not just an issue of identity!
Bi Bidong shook her head, no longer pondering over these issues...
"Forget it, since the Sea God didn't want you to participate, perhaps it's better this way!"
"After all, if your talent had reached Red Rank, there surely would have been some very difficult tasks, possibly even life-threatening ones!"
Seeing this, Xu Sheng again spoke, "Your Holiness, is there anything else you want to ask?"
Bi Bidong was almost the first to reply, "Of course there is, did you have contact with that auction house after you returned to the Xingluo Empire?"
"What was the purpose of doing so? I hope you can give me a reasonable explanation!"
Xu Sheng then passed the topic to Gui Mei, "Your Holiness, about this matter, Elder Gui, who has been following me closely, is very clear, so let him answer you!"
"I want to go see Evil Moon and the others first!"
Hearing this, Bi Bidong subconsciously looked towards Gui Mei…
Seemingly asking for his opinion…
The latter slightly nodded, obviously agreeing with Xu Sheng's words…
After all, he could be said to be inseparably following Xu Sheng, and nothing could avoid him!
At that moment, Bi Bidong agreed to the former's suggestion, "Alright, then you go ahead to the academy first, and for the rest, I will have Gui Mei tell me!"
Xu Sheng just gestured, then turned and left…
Immediately after, Bi Bidong turned to Gui Mei, "Gui Mei, what exactly happened in the Xingluo Empire? Tell me in more detail!"
Gui Mei naturally did not refute and reported truthfully, "Your Holiness, the situation is as follows…"
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