Chapter 5 – Bibi Dong's Soul Power
"I don't care! I won't listen to you, you devil!" Bibi Dong snapped, turning her head away.
Qi Tian sighed helplessly. "Fine, don't listen then. But at least forget what I said, and whatever you do—don't provoke your teacher."
He paused, his voice carrying a teasing edge. "If you really want to test his attitude, we can go tell the Pope that Yu Xiaogang wants to pursue you. Let's see how he reacts to that."
Bibi Dong fell silent, torn between doubt and curiosity. Should she really test whether Qi Tian's words were true?
Qi Tian continued, calm and logical. "Yu Xiaogang was expelled from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. If he were truly so talented, do you think his family would have cast him out?"
"The Pope only took him into Spirit Hall to make a statement—to serve two purposes."
"First, it shows that Spirit Hall is willing to accept even the outcasts of the Blue Lightning Clan, winning over their hearts."
"Second, it makes the other two Upper Sect think the Blue Lightning Clan has sided with Spirit Hall, dividing them from within. It's a strategy—divide and conquer."
Bibi Dong blinked, her expression softening as she thought it through. She was still a naive girl who knew little beyond cultivation. The depth of political intrigue Qi Tian described was far beyond her imagination.
"So… Yu Xiaogang really does want to pursue me?" she asked hesitantly.
Qi Tian chuckled. "Of course. Just wait and see. Even though I mocked him today, you're far too gullible. He's definitely not giving up that easily."
"I'm not gullible!" Bibi Dong shot back angrily. "And stop saying such things about me! Besides, there's no need to test my teacher. I believe he's not that kind of person!"
But deep down, a faint crack appeared in her certainty. She didn't want to think about it—didn't want to shatter the peaceful life she had now.
Qi Tian's smirk deepened. "Not gullible, huh? Then why did you call Yu Xiaogang a 'Master of Martial Soul Theory'? You've been completely taken in."
That jab hit its mark. A man disowned by his own clan—how great could he really be?
"Stop it! Get out of my body, you devil!" Bibi Dong shouted, her temper flaring.
Qi Tian ignored her, calmly sitting cross-legged on the bed and entering meditation once more.
By the time dawn broke, Qi Tian slowly opened his eyes.
"Ugh, this damned wooden bed… It's killing my back." He stretched lazily, then froze.
"Wait—this… this is my room?!"
He looked around in disbelief. The shabby wooden hut of the Emperor Soul Village greeted his eyes.
"Was that a dream?"
His hand pressed against his chest—it was flat again. The familiar, rough air of home filled his lungs. Yet something inside him felt… different.
Focusing on his dantian, he sensed it—a faint thread of soul power flowing quietly within him.
It carried a trace of the Soul Devouring Spider Emperor's aura, now fused with his Blue Silver Grass martial soul.
Qi Tian's eyes widened. "This… Is it real?"
The power blended seamlessly into his own, but it was definitely not something his ordinary Blue Silver Grass could have cultivated.
A thrill ran through him. "Could it be… my martial soul is about to mutate?"
He clenched his fists in excitement. "I hope it does. Without the Blue Silver Emperor's bloodline, an ordinary Blue Silver Grass could never compete with Tang San's!"
His stomach growled loudly, breaking his thoughts. "Heh… after a night like that, I'm starving."
He got up and began preparing breakfast. Strangely, despite having his consciousness wander last night, he didn't feel tired at all.
"It seems possessing Bibi Dong didn't drain my mental or physical energy. It's like… I just had a good night's sleep."
Qi Tian's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "If I can possess her again tonight… that means I'll have twice the cultivation time of an ordinary person!"
Still, he frowned thoughtfully. "But while I can cultivate soul power through her body, I can't temper my physique. I'll need to train harder myself."
And so, with renewed determination, Qi Tian began his morning routine—his new double life as a villager by day and Spirit Hall's future Pope by night had just begun.
After finishing breakfast, Qi Tian hurried through his daily work—processing Blue Silver Grass, weaving various trinkets, and sending the finished products to be sold in the village.
Thanks to his newly gained soul power, his hands moved faster than usual, his body lighter and more efficient.
Even so, survival wasn't easy. He worked tirelessly until noon before finally completing everything.
After lunch, Qi Tian was just about to start cultivating when a sharp knock echoed at the door.
"Qi Tian, open up!"
It was the voice of the village elder, Old Bard. Qi Tian quickly stood and opened the door, greeting him warmly.
The old man stepped inside and glanced around the modest hut. The small space was packed with handmade crafts and bundles of Blue Silver Grass.
A soft smile crossed Bard's weathered face. "You're such a hardworking child," he said, with admiration in his tone.
Qi Tian hurriedly pulled over a grass stool for him. "Village Chief, please sit. Did something happen?"
Bard waved his hand, remaining standing as he got straight to the point. "Among all the children in the village, you're the only one able to cultivate a martial soul. So, the work-study student spot this year goes to you."
His eyes softened. "Nuoding Academy will open in four months. Use the time well and prepare. When the day comes, you'll head to the city with Brother Yuan at the village entrance."
Qi Tian's eyes lit up. "Brother Yuan" was a traveling merchant who often went to the city to sell and restock goods. Most of Qi Tian's handicrafts were sold by him.
His parents had once followed that same merchant's trade route to learn business, but they never returned from the borderlands.
The Old Bard took out a few documents and handed them to Qi Tian. "Keep these safe. You'll need them when you enroll."
Qi Tian bowed deeply, clutching the papers with both hands. "Thank you, Village Chief."
The old man patted his shoulder, eyes full of gentle pride. "You're a good boy. If I weren't so old and busy, I'd personally take you to the academy myself."
After giving his instructions, Bard took his leave.
Once the door closed, Qi Tian exhaled softly. Finally… he got the work-study quota. Relief flooded through him.
Without wasting time, he began his daily strength training. Sweat soaked through his shirt as he pushed his body to exhaustion—then sat cross-legged, entering deep meditation once more.
Though his martial soul couldn't absorb or refine soul power as efficiently as Bibi Dong's, Qi Tian wasn't one to give up. The Blue Silver Grass may have been humble, but it was still his path to strength.
"Still too slow…" he muttered. "I wonder if planting Blue Silver Grass all around the house would help me cultivate faster?"
Since his martial soul was Blue Silver Grass, perhaps training in an environment rich in its aura would slightly increase his cultivation speed.
After his practice ended, fatigue washed over him. Qi Tian collapsed onto the wooden bed and drifted into deep sleep.
---
The next morning, he woke up groggily and, out of habit, placed a hand on his chest.
"…Wait. Did I cross over again?"
Before he could think further, a familiar voice echoed inside his mind.
"You're here again? Take your hand off me right now! Don't you dare touch there!"
Bibi Dong's tone was laced with exasperation and embarrassment.
Qi Tian awkwardly pulled his hand back, his face turning red. "S-sorry! It's a habit—I thought I was in my own body."
Bibi Dong clearly didn't believe him. "Habit? Who wakes up in the morning and immediately puts their hand on their chest?!"
Her huffy tone made Qi Tian want to dig a hole and hide.
"You're lying again! Your soul can obviously leave my body whenever you want, but you keep pretending you don't know how. You liar!" she accused.
Qi Tian spread his hands helplessly. "I swear, I really don't know how this possession works. The system didn't explain anything to me."
He paused, curiosity flashing in his eyes. "Wait—how long was my soul gone this time?"
Bibi Dong replied curtly, "One full day and night."
Qi Tian froze. Then realization struck him. "A full day here… but only half a day outside?"
A grin crept across his face. That means the time flow here is two to one.
Twice the time for cultivation—his advantage had just doubled.
—
End of Chapter