Chapter 23: Chapter 23 Alone in a Room (Seeking Recommendations, Seeking Collections)_1
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Bi Bidong, who gripped the Purple-Golden Scepter tightly, scanned Xu Sheng's face with her indifferent eyes, hoping to discern something from his handsome yet slightly immature features...
Some matters, when discussed with Xu Sheng, seemed as if conversing with an adult, even though he was only a nine-year-old child.
After a while, she said expressionlessly, "Don't worry, it's very quiet there. I normally live alone, so how could it possibly be disturbing," she said.
Although in Martial Soul Hall, no one except Hulena was absolutely allowed to enter her room, for some inexplicable reason, Bi Bidong didn't have much of a repulsion against Xu Sheng.
It was likely because the child carried a trace of his aura, which made her feel a sense of kinship.
Seeing that his dear teacher Bi Bidong had said so, Xu Sheng had no choice but to accept, lest he anger her.
Still, the thought was quite exciting; there were hardly a handful of people on the entire Continent who could enter Bi Bidong's room, enough for him to boast among other transmigrators for a year!
Xu Sheng bowed his head slightly, "Then I shall trouble Teacher to be my protector tonight!"
...
Xu Sheng followed Bi Bidong for a distance that was neither long nor short, and at last a very plain, no, a simple palace appeared before them.
From the exterior, it seemed as though the palace had not felt the sun's nourishment for a long time, the entire surroundings emanating an oppressive and gloomy atmosphere.
Stopping her steps, Bi Bidong's eyes flashed with nostalgia as she looked up at the simple palace that was second only to Martial Soul Hall in her heart.
If things had gone according to the original agreement, she was supposed to have lived such carefree days with that man.
But alas, things did not go as hoped; he had left, and all that remained was this empty, desolate palace...
Xu Sheng, standing beside her, looked up and examined the place. After a thorough scan, he found nothing particularly unique; it was a stark contrast to the opulent Pope Hall.
One side had walls made of crystals, even diamonds, while the other was built with ordinary bricks and tiles...
With such a huge contrast, Xu Sheng didn't believe there weren't some stories behind it.
But he didn't dare to ask. He had only known Bi Bidong for a few days. He wasn't foolish enough to think that she had already fully trusted him.
Bi Bidong naturally noticed the curiosity that flickered across Xu Sheng's face. Her eyebrows gradually relaxed, and an inward smile caused the corners of her mouth to lift slightly as she murmured, "Xiao Sheng, are you wondering why this place looks so shabby, even the gates are rusted?"
Seeing that Bi Bidong had seen through his thoughts, an embarrassed Xu Sheng chose to remain silent.
At times like this, staying silent was the best option.
Bi Bidong's temperament was unpredictable; who knew if the smile shared in one second could turn to an icy glare the next, as if wanting to kill.
But after waiting a while, Bi Bidong didn't say another word...
Xu Sheng stealthily glanced at Bi Bidong and saw that she had caught his small movement and was staring at him with focused eyes, seemingly waiting for Xu Sheng's response.
Xu Sheng coughed softly, covering up his just-now embarrassment; he had thought Bi Bidong was opening up about her past to him.
Turns out she has been waiting for his answer all this time.
It's incomprehensible, utterly incomprehensible...
How could he know the secrets of either Yu Xiaogang or Bi Bidong?
The only thing he knew was that the hardness and decisiveness shown by Bi Bidong to the outside world was merely to cover up her other side.
He asked cautiously, "With the finances of Martial Soul Hall, it's impossible that even this small place can't be taken care of. It must be because this palace is of great importance to you, Teacher, and perhaps even sacred and inviolable."
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Bi Bidong gazed at Xu Sheng meaningfully, and noncommittally replied, "You guessed correctly, as you said, this place holds the happiest moments of the teacher's life... Anyway, let's go in."
She didn't want to bring up those things that triggered her painful memories anymore.
Especially Qian Xun Ji! That scum wearing the skin of her own teacher!
...
Bi Bidong slowly pushed the door open, and the two of them walked into the room...
As soon as he stepped in, Xu Sheng felt a sensation similar to that of sound waves being blocked, which must have been from a soul tool.
On the table in the center of the room, only the weak flame of a small candle was burning, barely bringing a glimmer of light into the dim room.
Bi Bidong set down the Purple-Golden Scepter, approached a chair, and slowly sat down...
She looked at Xu Sheng and softly instructed, "Xu Sheng, you may now sit and absorb the soul bone. The soul tools around will shield any noise created during your cultivation breakthrough, so you don't have to worry about attracting the attention of others."
The reason she brought Xu Sheng here to absorb the soul bone,
firstly, was because the production of soul tools is extremely difficult, even the Martial Soul Hall does not have many.
Secondly, the soul tools installed here are currently the most advanced in development; even the aura of a Titled Douluo can be shielded.
Otherwise, breaking through inside the Martial Soul Hall without permission could cause such a commotion that it might even draw the attention of Elder Hall and other hostile forces.
She did not want to reveal Xu Sheng, this card that could overturn the Continent in the future, too soon!
Xu Sheng, feeling the tension of being alone with Bi Bidong, gently sat down cross-legged on the floor...
He then took out the three soul bones that Bi Bidong had given him earlier. The three differently glowing soul bones quietly hovered in front of him...
The three soul bones were: the Wisdom Skull of Mental Concentration, the Exploding Burning Flame Right Arm, and the Swift Wind Left Leg of Rapid Advance.
Xu Sheng's mouth twitched as he looked at the three floating soul bones, at a loss for which to choose...
Bi Bidong, sitting on the chair, propped up her cheek, her enchanting pupils as if they could see through everything.
She spoke, "Brock, start with the Skull of Wisdom as it is the most dangerous to absorb."
Xu Sheng looked her way with gratitude, "Yes, Teacher."
Others rack their brains unable to get a soul bone, while he's troubled over which of his three to absorb first.
Comparing oneself with others will only make one resentful. If this were in front of the current Title Douluo, they might get beaten to death in jealousy!
Xu Sheng shook his head, calmed his restless heart, and then grabbed the Wisdom Skull of Mental Concentration and held it in front of his chest...
He turned his Soul Power into threads and laced them onto the soul bone, then closed his eyes...
Seeing Xu Sheng start to absorb, Bi Bidong reminded him from the side, "Brock, you need to feel the existence of the soul bone with your heart, do not attempt to resist it..."
After a soul bone is absorbed by a Soul Master, it is as if it was a bone that had grown from within. Therefore, during absorption, one must relax both body and mind to allow a perfect fusion with the soul bone.
Xu Sheng, with his eyes closed absorbing the soul bone, didn't need to visually inspect his surroundings to sense that he was in a vast, sky-blue ocean...
He surveyed this incredibly tranquil sea, feeling as if he was the master here, capable of controlling everything...
Xu Sheng couldn't help but purse his lips in admiration, "Is this the scene of absorbing a soul bone? It's beautiful..."