Douluo Dalu: From Shinobi to Spirit Master

After the lengthy meeting in the Pope's Palace concluded, Su Chen was the first to escape.

He wasn't eager to remain surrounded by a group of people, all firing questions at him. More importantly, he could sense that something wasn't quite right with Bibi Dong tonight, so he decided it was best to give His Majesty the Pope some time to herself.

As for the price he'd pay for Bibi Dong's promise, he had already decided. There was no need to rush.

However…

"Boy, His Majesty the Pope requests your presence."

Su Chen let out a sigh, his expression a mix of helplessness and resignation as he gazed at Yue Guan, who was blocking his path.

The latter's face was dark, his gaze filled with displeasure.

"Can I not go?"

Su Chen hesitated, clearly torn.

"Do you think you have a choice?" Yue Guan's tone was colder than ever.

Su Chen winced, knowing exactly what that tone meant. There was no getting out of it now.

"Fine," Su Chen muttered, raising his hands in surrender. "I knew I wouldn't be able to escape this."

Yue Guan was fuming silently, his face turning even darker.

After bypassing the Pope's Palace and walking along a stone path intricately designed with floral patterns, they arrived at a unique garden.

The subtle fragrance of flowers carried on the morning breeze, soothing Su Chen's wearied mind. As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, the last remnants of night faded away. Su Chen realized that the night had passed, and with it, the trials of the previous evening.

But…

His lips curled into a smile at the thought of the Soul Bones in his Soul Guide. The night had indeed been fruitful.

"We've arrived, go inside."

Yue Guan's voice was curt as he gestured toward the entrance of the garden.

"Huh? Aren't you coming in?" Su Chen asked, puzzled.

Yue Guan's face twitched in irritation. Didn't he understand?

"Go quickly, don't keep His Majesty the Pope waiting!" He snapped, his tone sharp. Without another word, he turned his back, clearly done with the conversation.

Su Chen felt an internal groan. Alone with her again?

Why does it always come to this?

He wished that Bibi Dong would at least keep some boundaries. There had to be a sense of professionalism, especially in the first meeting as the Pope. But then again, if she had that much poise, how could she have ever been entangled with someone like Yu Xiaogang?

The garden stretched out before him, the trees lush and the air thick with the scent of fresh grass. The path, lined with flowers, was serene and tranquil, offering Su Chen a sense of calm he hadn't expected. As he walked along the shaded trail, he felt the speed of his internal chakra circulation quicken, a subtle but undeniable change.

Wait a minute, this environment… It's a mimicry training ground, isn't it?

His eyes brightened, interest piqued. The environment, clearly designed to enhance cultivation, could surely increase his training speed. This must be one of the most advanced setups.

His mind raced with possibilities. Could it accelerate chakra refinement? Could it help with spiritual energy cultivation, or even the absorption of natural energy? The questions piled up, and a fierce curiosity ignited within him.

What's the principle behind this mimicry? Could I replicate it? He began to formulate ideas, wondering if he could take a piece of the core with him or even combine multiple environments for greater effect.

Lost in his thoughts, Su Chen barely registered the voice that interrupted his musings.

"Do you like it here?"

A soft, magnetic voice interrupted his thoughts. Su Chen instinctively nodded before realizing who it was. In the next instant, he activated the teleportation technique!

But, as expected, a smooth, delicate hand brushed against his cheek once again, and before he knew it, he found himself standing several meters away.

In front of someone as powerful as Bibi Dong, whose twin martial souls made her strength far superior to his, Su Chen's teleportation technique, despite his best effort, was still too weak.

Fortunately, Su Chen had other tricks up his sleeve.

Snap!

A puff of smoke billowed, and Su Chen transformed into a flower, leaving his original position and reappearing three meters away.

"Interesting abilities. You are indeed a very interesting little guy."

Bibi Dong blinked her eyes, amused. She placed the flower in her hand onto the ground, paused, then picked it up again, inserting it into the vase in the pavilion.

"Your Holiness, please refrain from casually touching people."

Su Chen rubbed his temples, clearly a bit overwhelmed by her behavior.

Now dressed in a pink nightgown, Bibi Dong's long, gradient hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Her delicate collarbones and shoulders were exposed, and despite the loose gown, her figure remained evident. Her usual cool demeanor was softened by a more tired, languid beauty.

Her presence, though as striking as ever, carried an aura of exhaustion, making her appear less the regal Pope and more like a woman at rest.

In the end, there was no trace of the usual composure that a true leader should possess. A lack of boundaries, a lack of the proper bearing.

"If you desire, you may come here to practice in the future," Bibi Dong said, her voice light and teasing. She did not respond directly to the boy's question but instead blinked her eyes playfully. "By the way, you haven't told me what you want yet."

"You should think carefully before making a request," she continued, her tone turning serious. "You only have this one opportunity."

Su Chen, of course, understood what Bibi Dong meant.

Right now, Bibi Dong was in an inexplicable mood, and so nothing untoward would happen. However, once she regained her composure, such an indulgent attitude would surely sour things between them. Even though he wouldn't lose any resources, the trust between them would become strained.

Moreover, Su Chen had already planned his future. If this soul bone didn't suit him, it would simply be used to study natural energy for the time being. That would be a waste, and he wasn't keen on that.

After a brief pause, the young man looked up, his dark eyes gleaming with determination.

"I've thought it over," he said, his voice steady. "I need a laboratory—one that is fully equipped, earthquake-proof, waterproof, impact-resistant, eavesdropping-proof, and spacious enough."

Yes, this was his request.

Compared to soul bones or other treasures that wouldn't help him much at this stage, this was the most appropriate request. Only with the vast power of the Spirit Hall could such a large laboratory be supported.

Su Chen had researched the costs involved in the necessary materials, and he knew that some of the equipment would not come cheap. With a laboratory, he could advance many of his ideas.

Bibi Dong blinked, her expression full of surprise. "Wait, did you say... a laboratory?" Her beautiful eyes widened, not entirely sure whether it was the unfamiliar term or the boy's bold request that caught her off guard.

"Little one, do you not understand what I mean?" she said, her voice soft but tinged with something more. "You can ask for anything: a higher-level soul bone than yours, or I could take you to hunt for rare soul rings, soul tools, treasures... or even a peerless beauty. In short, do you understand what I mean?"

She stopped trying to hide her intentions and laid it all out.

The first few suggestions were normal to Su Chen, but when he heard the last one, he couldn't help but feel that the Pope's words were somewhat... inappropriate.

He was only six years old! Did she really think he would need a peerless beauty at this age?

"Thank you for Your Holiness' kindness," he said, shaking his head, "but I have my own plans, and this is what I truly need."

"You are quite something," Bibi Dong sighed helplessly, but her smile softened. The boy was neither arrogant nor submissive, neither boastful nor impulsive. In the face of such temptations, he remained composed.

What an exceptional child.

"Alright, please explain—what exactly do you need this laboratory for?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. A laboratory? What an unusual request.

Experimentation?

The Pope frowned slightly, an ominous thought crossing her mind.

After hearing Su Chen's explanation, her frown deepened. "So... this laboratory is for conducting research, then?" she asked, her tone wary.

The boy's excited description and the gleam in his eyes as he spoke about the research brought back unpleasant memories for her.

"Do you know how extraordinary your talent is? These theoretical pursuits will only waste it. If you focus on training instead, within twenty years, you'll surpass me and become the youngest titled Douluo. If you want a hundred thousand-year-old soul bone, that's not beyond my reach."

Though anxious, Bibi Dong still patiently tried to persuade him.

"Thank you, Your Holiness, but I already have a plan," Su Chen responded calmly, though inwardly he sighed. The fact that Bibi Dong directly offered him the hundred thousand-year-old soul bone was enough to show her regard for him. However, the laboratory was still more important to him right now.

"Humph!"

Bibi Dong's face suddenly grew cold. She snorted in annoyance and turned away. After a long pause, she finally turned back. "You enjoy studying these things, so surely you've heard of 'the Grandmaster'?"

Mentioning the name again caused her to feel a twinge of discomfort, but in order to guide this exceptional child onto the right path, she had to confront her own painful memories.

"Yes, I've heard of him," Su Chen replied calmly.

"An ignorant, incompetent, pitiful, and pathetic man", he added.