Chapter 40: Accepting a Disciple — The Pope's Envy of the Gold Cloth
With both arms crossed before his chest in an Iaijutsu stance, Lin Beiya's once-gentle aura suddenly transformed—refined calm giving way to a fierce, untamed pressure.
Behind him, faint echoes of a wild bull's snorting could be heard, reverberating through the hall.
When his strength reached its peak, Lin Beiya spread his hands wide, unleashing his power straight toward Bibi Dong.
"Great Horn!"
A colossal golden bull charged forth with crushing momentum, barreling directly at the woman in front of him. The sheer force of that attack made Bibi Dong's eyes flicker with surprise. The energy it carried… was far beyond what a mere Soul Grandmaster should be capable of producing.
She raised a soul power barrier in front of herself just as the raging bull slammed into it.
BOOM!
The golden bull exploded into a shower of starlight, its brilliance fading across the reception hall. After sensing the lingering energy, Bibi Dong gave a rare and honest appraisal.
"Top-tier assault power… comparable to that of a Battle Soul Ancestor. Lin Beiya, you truly are impressive."
Lin Beiya chuckled modestly.
"You flatter me, Your Holiness. Compared to your unfathomable strength, I'm still far behind."
Though it didn't possess the same overwhelming might as the Aries Gold Cloth, seeing such an attack from someone of his level was still astonishing.
As she pondered, a glint of insight flashed through Bibi Dong's eyes—she was beginning to understand the mystery behind Lin Beiya's Martial Soul.
At this stage, Lin Beiya was only a Two-Ring Soul Grandmaster, and the two Gold Cloths she had seen so far conveniently matched that number.
"So, every time you gain a new soul ring, you acquire another one of these divine armors?"
Her tone deepened with curiosity.
"And these armors… they can be worn by others, correct? Allowing them to wield your unique soul skills—and the power scales with the wearer's cultivation?"
As she spoke, her golden eyes shimmered faintly. The memory of Qian Xunji, surviving her lethal strike by using that strange crystal barrier, was still fresh in her mind. The mysterious Gold Cloths stirred both her curiosity and desire.
Lin Beiya didn't bother hiding the truth. He nodded lightly, confirming her speculation.
This woman might be a white-eyed wolf and a love-struck fool, but her intellect was second to none. To have risen from Saintess to Pope—her analytical ability alone spoke volumes.
"Your Holiness is correct. I currently possess only two Gold Cloths, and yes—they can be granted to others for use."
Bibi Dong's eyes lit up.
"Can I try one?"
Having her theory confirmed only deepened her intrigue. Without hesitation, she extended her hand, openly asking for the Gold Cloth.
Lin Beiya blinked, his expression caught between amusement and hesitation.
"Well… I don't mind, but… don't you think this particular armor might be a bit…"
He pointed at the helmet of the Taurus Gold Cloth, unable to imagine what Bibi Dong would look like with a pair of bull horns sprouting from her head.
Following his gaze, Bibi Dong gave the armor a glance from top to bottom.
"Hmm. It is rather ugly."
And that solved one mystery—so that's where Qian Renxue got her obsession with beauty equaling strength… straight from her mother.
Even so, despite calling it ugly, Bibi Dong's curiosity didn't fade in the slightest.
"No matter. I only wish to test its abilities. I won't be parading around in it."
"Very well."
Seeing she was serious, Lin Beiya didn't refuse. The Taurus Gold Cloth dissolved into a glowing golden card, gently floating into his palm.
Bibi Dong lowered her gaze, studying it curiously before glancing at Lin Beiya for instructions.
"Just inject your soul power into it," he explained.
"Understood."
As she channeled her soul power into the card, a thunderous bull's roar filled the room. Golden light flared, and a female version of the Taurus Gold Cloth appeared, elegantly wrapping around the Pope's graceful figure.
Bibi Dong took a few steps, turning slightly as her robes of gold shimmered with divine brilliance.
"It even adjusts its form to match the wearer's gender… not bad."
She smiled faintly, then closed her eyes, feeling the new power coursing through her body.
The deep sound of a bull's snort reverberated once more— A massive golden bull, far larger than Lin Beiya's earlier projection, charged straight toward the reception hall's great doors!
BOOM!
Before Lin Beiya could even react, his lips twitched uncontrollably, and his eyes widened in disbelief— The entire eastern wall of the reception hall shattered into rubble, and the golden bull's rampage continued outside, carving a massive trench hundreds of meters long before finally dispersing into light.
"W–what happened?!"
"Something's going on at the Pope's Hall—protect Her Holiness!"
"Enemy attack!"
The commotion outside grew louder by the second. Bibi Dong, however, remained perfectly calm. With elegant composure, she dispersed the Gold Cloth, the armor collapsing into a golden card that floated back into her hand.
When the guards burst into the hall, they froze at the sight before them— Half the wall gone, debris everywhere, and a gaping rift stretching all the way toward the Pope's Hall itself.
The scene was so shocking that no one dared speak.
Even Bibi Dong, the supposed culprit, looked a little embarrassed. She hadn't expected her moment of "testing the armor's power" to… almost demolish part of the palace.
"Ahem… Beiya," she began, clearing her throat as if nothing had happened. "That was quite an impressive technique. But next time, remember to practice on the training grounds. For now, I'll overlook this little… mistake."
"???"
'When I put a question mark, it's not because I'm confused. It's because you are.'
Lin Beiya leaned back slightly, staring at Bibi Dong in disbelief. The invisible question marks above his head practically formed a halo.
But the moment her eyes narrowed ever so slightly—carrying that unmistakable threat of authority—he instantly caved.
"Yes, Your Holiness… I mean, yes, I understand. I'll be more careful next time."
The guards who overheard the exchange immediately understood what had happened. Their gazes toward Lin Beiya were filled with awe and fear.
This boy—this two-ring Soul Grandmaster—had unleashed power capable of blowing a hole through the Pope's Hall. Terrifying. No wonder the Pope took him as her disciple.
After dismissing the guards with a wave, Bibi Dong turned back, looking rather satisfied.
"The power is remarkable," she said with genuine praise. "It enhances every physical attribute, boosts cultivation efficiency, and even improves recovery. Your potential is far greater than I anticipated."
"Your Holiness flatters me. I still have much to learn," Lin Beiya replied politely.
Bibi Dong arched an eyebrow.
"Flattery won't get you anywhere. Although having someone of your talent strengthens my influence, my intention in taking you as a disciple is genuine. From now on, if you face any obstacle in cultivation, you may come directly to me. You may call me… Teacher."
Lin Beiya blinked once, then smiled inwardly.
'Well, you're old enough to be my mom anyway—calling you 'Teacher' doesn't cost me anything.'
"Yes, Teacher."
Satisfied, Bibi Dong nodded. But behind that serene smile, her thoughts were far from simple.
Truthfully, her decision to take Lin Beiya as a disciple carried a hidden motive. Her two martial souls were… very ugly. Those who had seen them rarely lived to tell the tale, and as a result, she seldom revealed them in public.
But now, she'd discovered a new path—
A way to fight with immense strength without even releasing her martial soul, relying purely on the Gold Cloth. How could she not be tempted?
Though only two Gold Cloths existed for now—and one of them was likely in the hands of that daughter of hers—with Lin Beiya's monstrous talent, it wouldn't be long before he reached the Soul Elder, Soul Ancestor, or even Soul King realm. By then, there would surely be another one for her personal use.
"You may go for now," Bibi Dong finally said, waving him off. "I need to… clean up the aftermath."
A maid approached, ready to escort Lin Beiya to his new quarters.
Lin Beiya forced a polite smile, though his inner monologue was pure sarcasm.
'Ah yes, Your Holiness, you're absolutely right. You're gorgeous, so everything you say is correct. Clearly, it was my Soul Grandmaster self who caused this mess. Sure, I totally unleashed Title Douluo-level power. Why stop there? Once I reach Soul King, I'll go slap the Sea God and kick the Asura God myself. Let's see what God King Tang inherits then!'
"The disciple takes his leave, Teacher. I'll trouble you with… the cleanup."
"Mm. Go on."
Bibi Dong's expression softened into a proud smile—the kind a master gives a promising disciple.
"A teachable child indeed," she murmured, watching him depart.
—
End of Chapter