Just as Su Chen was preparing to move out, a ripple in the air formed at his door. Moments later, a powerful presence stepped in—it was Bibi Dong, Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall, draped in her elegant dark robes and exuding a cold, noble aura.
"Su Chen," she said, her gaze sharp but curious, "you're coming with me today. We're heading to the Soul Hunting Forest."
Su Chen raised an eyebrow. Interesting. The future Empress of Spirit Hall, personally inviting me? He didn't ask questions—only nodded.
"Yes, Supreme Pontiff."
---
The carriage rolled smoothly through the cobbled road, escorted by elite Spirit Hall guards. Inside, Su Chen sat across from Bibi Dong. The silence was heavy, but not uncomfortable—more like two storms sizing each other up.
Bibi Dong finally broke the quiet. "What was the first martial soul you awakened?"
Su Chen turned his gaze to her, calm as ever. "It was… a can."
Bibi Dong blinked. "A can? As in… a metal container?"
He nodded. "Yes. A sealed, metallic can. But don't underestimate it. It's not ordinary. It has storage ability, devouring essence properties, and can evolve based on what it contains. The system called it a 'high-potential utility-type martial soul'."
For a moment, even Bibi Dong was caught off guard. A martial soul that sounds like trash… but hides tremendous potential?
She leaned slightly forward, intrigued. "Interesting… very rare."
---
Inside the Soul Hunting Forest
The carriage stopped at the edge of the forest. The moment they stepped down, the air changed—thicker, charged with primal power.
As they walked under the dense canopy, Bibi Dong asked, "Do you have a target for your first soul ring?"
Su Chen nodded. "I need something between 600 to 700 years old. Nothing too strong, but refined enough to awaken the can's first ability."
He paused for a moment, then added with a smirk, "Preferably a plant-type healing soul beast. Something with a sweet or sour flavor."
Bibi Dong turned to him with genuine surprise. "You're choosing based on… taste?"
He shrugged. "Every martial soul has its own logic. As mine with flavour will make my can more cool type food types martial soul
Bibi Dong stared at him for a moment longer, then let out a low laugh. "You're strange. But I like strange. Let's find you your 'flavored' soul beast, then."
....
As they walked deeper into the forest, the sounds of distant roars echoed around them. Bibi Dong glanced sideways at Su Chen, her expression calm but curious.
"Su Chen, why are you aiming for a soul beast aged 600 to 700 years? Why not something safer—like 400 or even 300? That's the normal range for first rings, especially for someone your age."
Su Chen stopped walking for a moment. His eyes narrowed slightly, not from doubt—but from the storm of conviction in his heart.
He opened his mouth to explain about physical limits, how the human body needed to gradually adapt to the strength of soul rings or risk death. But he stopped himself.
Instead, he looked ahead, eyes gleaming. "Because I believe… I can create history. That's enough reason, isn't it?"
Bibi Dong frowned slightly. "You'll die if you're wrong."
He smirked. "Then stop me now… if you truly believe I can't do it."
She raised a hand instinctively—but hesitated.
"I'm serious," Su Chen added, turning to face her fully. "Let's make a bet."
Her eyes narrowed. "What kind of bet?"
"If I survive absorbing the 700-year ring, you'll let me hold your hand—once."
"And if you fail?" she asked flatly, arms crossed.
"I'll wash your clothes for two years. No complaints."
Bibi Dong stared at him. He was fearless—crazy, even. But deep inside… she didn't hate that kind of madness.
"Fine," she said coolly. "But I'm not going easy on you."
Su Chen laughed inwardly. Hold her hand… or serve her daily? Either way, both are blessings. Hehehe…
---
An Hour Later – In a Misty Clearing
They found it: a 699-year-old Soul Fruit Tree Beast, its thick branches laced with ripe, glowing fruits that exuded a sweet, almost seductive scent.
Su Chen fought it head-on, with Bibi Dong only observing. After a fierce exchange of blows, the tree collapsed, and its soul ring hovered in the air—golden-yellow, vibrant, and pulsing with power.
Su Chen sat cross-legged beneath it. The moment he began the absorption, powerful energy surged into his body. His veins bulged, his teeth gritted—but his spirit never wavered.
Bibi Dong stood nearby, arms crossed, watching.
This disciple of mine… is truly fearless. Brave. Reckless. But there's something about him…
She realized her gaze had lingered too long. For a moment, she thought of him—not as a subordinate, not as a project—but as a person.
---
After 2 hour Later
Su Chen stood proudly beside her. His body had adapted, and a brilliant yellow soul ring glowed steadily around him.
Bibi Dong looked at him silently, her usual indifference faltering.
He actually did it.
And in the quiet between them, something invisible had changed.
...
After the Soul Ring Absorption
The golden-yellow ring slowly faded into Su Chen's body. The energy stabilized. He opened his eyes—sharp, unwavering—and stood up.
Bibi Dong was still there, arms folded, eyes fixed on him with a rare softness that quickly turned back into her usual cold gaze as he met her eyes.
He smiled.
"I won, didn't I?" Su Chen said calmly.
She didn't answer, but the faintest twitch of her lips gave it away.
"Then… our bet."
Bibi Dong hesitated.
Su Chen stepped forward and gently extended his hand.
For a long moment, she stood frozen—conflicted.
But finally, slowly, almost reluctantly, she placed her hand in his.
---
Her heart trembled.
It was just a hand-hold. But for Bibi Dong, it felt like far more. In her entire life, only two men had ever touched her like this.
One… she despised with every bone in her body.
The other… she had once loved, before life shattered that love.
And now—there was a third.
Su Chen.
A boy.
No—a child, only six years old. But he never spoke or acted like a child. His eyes were too calm, too deep. She remembered how he once looked her in the eyes and said with that serene tone, "I feel comfortable with you."
And even then, in front of Mary and the Spirit Hall crowd, he'd said it out loud—fearlessly.
Now, as she felt his small, warm hand wrapped gently around hers, Bibi Dong found herself wondering:
What kind of man will he become? If he's already like this now… what will he be when he has real power?
She knew she should pull away.
But she didn't.
Because… some part of her liked it.
---
Su Chen, on the other hand, was simply looking at her.
Her hand was soft. Softer than butter, smoother than silk. The scent around her—mature, elegant—lingered faintly in the air. It wasn't just a fragrance. It was her.
Standing this close, looking up at her flawless, beautiful face, he felt a strange sense of calm—like something inside him clicked into place.
He didn't speak.
He just held her hand gently, savoring a moment that even the system couldn't calculate.