Xiao Han was brought here by Bibi Dong.
"Hey, Grandpa Chrysanthemum, Grandpa Ghost," Xiao Han greeted them. He called them that because they had cared for him like elders when he was growing up, and they were one generation older than Bibi Dong.
In the original story, Tang Hao had said that the two titled Douluo brought by the Pope were beaten to death and severely injured by him.
For major matters, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo always acted together. Since they were not the ones who had harmed Xiao Han's birth mother, they saw no problem with being addressed that way.
"Are you Xiao Han!?" they asked in surprise.
"Yes. I've awakened my martial soul, and I've gotten more handsome," Xiao Han nodded.
Bibi Dong had recently ascended to the position of Pope, and her entire demeanor had undergone a drastic change—an aura of the Iron Queen now surrounded her.
In a flat voice, she said, "Elder Ju, Elder Ghost, Xiao Han has awakened his martial soul, and his innate soul power is at level 20."
Bibi Dong spoke without the slightest hesitation. In terms of trust within the Spirit Hall, aside from Xiao Han, the two elders before her were the ones she trusted the most, and they also treated Xiao Han as a junior.
"What!? Level 20? That's the same as the young master…"
Seeing the icy look forming on Bibi Dong's face, they immediately stopped speaking.
Effort determines the lower limit, talent determines the upper limit.
Innate soul power in the world of soul masters determines that upper limit. Level 7 innate power is the bare minimum to have a chance at becoming a Titled Douluo, but one would still need a top-tier martial soul, hard training, and sufficient resources. Without the best martial soul, the odds are low—just like most of the Soul Douluo in the Elder Hall.
With innate level 8, even without a top-tier martial soul, one could still become a Titled Douluo if they had enough resources, much like the title holders in the Elder Hall.
Innate level 9 meant that even with limited resources, one could still become a Titled Douluo. If in the Spirit Hall, they could even enter the Hall of Worship.
Innate level 10 is known as full innate soul power, a rare genius seen perhaps once in a century. As long as one doesn't waste their cultivation, even with the worst teacher imaginable, becoming a Titled Douluo is almost certain.
Innate level 20—this was unheard of. Even after abandoning cultivation, his level of innate soul power still far surpassed his peers. That was the terrifying part.
Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo were both delighted and deeply worried—if the Elder Hall discovered Xiao Han's monstrous talent and his Clear Sky Sect background… things could get dangerous.
After meeting the two elders, Xiao Han returned to his own room. He was impatient, because he had heard a voice after awakening his martial soul.
"Hello, traveler. I have released your beginner gift pack. You will receive another gift pack at every tenth level in the future. You now have two gift packs. Would you like to open them?"
Compared to staying idle, of course he would open them right now. What would he get? Xiao Han felt a flicker of anticipation.
Two beams of light landed in Xiao Han's hands. When he saw what they were, his eyes widened, and for the first time in six years, he completely lost his composure.
"Are you kidding me!?"
The two items were:
"Complete Martial Soul Theory"
"Soul Beast Encyclopedia"
"What am I supposed to do with these? The Spirit Hall's library is probably empty—these two things are useless!"
"Can I exchange them?" Xiao Han asked.
"No. Once a gift pack is opened, it cannot be changed. The system will automatically open the next pack when you reach level ten. There is no expiration date."
The voice disappeared, and Xiao Han stood there stunned.
"I must be the most pathetic host ever. Forget it—I'm already twenty, so what's there to be sad about?"
"Xiao Han."
It was his mother's gentle voice.
"Mother, do you want to teach me how to train?"
She smiled. "I want to take you to meet someone."
"Who?" Xiao Han asked.
"Someone who will make the best use of your gift."
Bibi Dong led Xiao Han to where an old man was waiting for them.
The old man had white hair and beard, looking over eighty years old. He wore golden robes embroidered with a fierce silver crocodile.
That outfit… and that martial soul… Xiao Han immediately knew who he was—one of the two consecrated in the Hall of Worship, Golden Crocodile Douluo, a level 98 super Douluo, and the man who, in the future, would be smashed to death by Tang Hao's three hammer strikes.
Golden Crocodile glanced at Bibi Dong, then at Xiao Han. His pupils contracted.
"Innate full soul power… level 20. It's true!"
Then, with a sneer, he said, "Pope, this tender-skinned boy wants to be my disciple? Hah!"
Hearing this, Xiao Han grew even more displeased. This man had not shown his mother any respect the moment he appeared, and now he was openly mocking him.
"The old man who's about to die also wants to be my teacher?" Xiao Han retorted.
Golden Crocodile didn't stoop to argue with him, but instead looked to Bibi Dong. "Pope, is this how you teach children—so polite?" His tone grew heavier on the word polite.
Xiao Han stepped forward.
"My politeness is reserved for certain people. If someone shows no respect to my mother, why should I be polite to them?"
"Heh, a little personality."
Golden Crocodile tossed something toward him—it was a piece of clothing.
"Put it on, and don't stop running until I tell you to. If you can't do that, you're not qualified to learn from me."
It was just a piece of clothing. Xiao Han stepped forward and picked it up casually, but it didn't move at all.
It was… heavy.
"Oh? You want to learn from me, yet you can't even lift a piece of clothing?" Golden Crocodile sneered again.
"Hmph, it's only seventy catties." Xiao Han put it on and began running in circles. His shoulders and arms felt the weight immediately—it was excellent training gear.
Lap after lap, fatigue began to flood his mind, but his speed did not slow.
Xiao Han knew very well that his mother did not see eye to eye with the Hall of Worship. Today, he was certain to be mocked and underestimated. He wanted to show them exactly how capable he was and slap them in the face with results.
He didn't know how many laps had passed. His steps grew unsteady, his breathing heavy. He glanced at his mother's worried eyes, gave her a reassuring smile, then looked at Golden Crocodile, whose face was now showing signs of surprise. Xiao Han responded with a provocative grin.
He kept going until he was truly exhausted and finally collapsed. At that moment, a figure caught him—it was Bibi Dong.
"Second Consecrated." Bibi Dong's voice was icy.
"I will take this disciple," Golden Crocodile declared bluntly. Whether it was his endurance or his will, Xiao Han had met the standard, and he agreed to take him in.