The next day, after a brief explanation to Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan, Wang Zhong arrived in front of the Pope's office building.
Looking at the building, which could be described as magnificent and opulent, his gaze continuously took it in. It was imposing, grand, and even majestic.
He passed through the unmanned gate, walked past the fountain and flowerbeds in front of the garden, and then entered the main hall.
A figure was waiting for him here.
Tall and sturdy, with mysterious tattoos on his face and a stern, cold expression, it was Ghost Douluo.
Seeing Wang Zhong's arrival, a hint of warmth appeared on Ghost Douluo's face, but his expression remained cold and stern.
"Little one, you've arrived."
"Follow me."
With his usual hoarse and deep voice, Ghost Douluo beckoned Wang Zhong.
Wang Zhong trotted forward and respectfully said, "Elder Ghost, hello."
"No need for such formality. You are a disciple highly valued by the Pope. Your status in the future will be no less than ours, perhaps even more esteemed. A nod of greeting is sufficient."
Ghost Douluo waved his hand, offering Wang Zhong advice as he led him towards the top floor.
They ascended through the floors, reaching the very top. He gently knocked on a door, and a majestic voice responded from within.
"Ghost Douluo, is that you? Bring the little fellow Wang Zhong in!"
Ghost Douluo slightly shifted his body, opened the door, and gestured,
"The Pope is waiting for you inside."
Nodding, Wang Zhong first glanced at his attire. Although it was a school uniform, it was not at all disrespectful. Only then did he walk in with proper composure.
Ghost Douluo followed behind, nodding at Wang Zhong's actions. Unlike the unruly little monkey he used to be, the current Wang Zhong was beginning to pay attention to such etiquette, which was good.
If the Pope were to act improperly, even if Bibi Dong appreciated Wang Zhong greatly, others would not refrain from criticism.
Scorn and contempt would follow, directed at Wang Zhong, but also an insult to the Pope's dignity.
Bibi Dong leaned back in her chair, wearing the silver-white robe that symbolized the Pope's authority. A crown adorned her head, and her scepter stood beside her, exuding an aura of nobility.
Beside her, Yue Guan also smiled, looking at Wang Zhong. When Wang Zhong's gaze met his, he nodded peacefully in greeting.
"Greetings, Your Excellency the Pope."
"Greetings, Elder Chrysanthemum Douluo."
Placing his right hand on his chest and bowing slightly, Wang Zhong offered a respectful greeting to both of them.
Bibi Dong nodded, a look of satisfaction on her face. Setting aside his strength for the moment, she found no fault with this visible growth in etiquette.
"Come here. You don't need to be too restrained in front of these two."
Extending a fair finger, Bibi Dong beckoned Wang Zhong to her side, her tone gentle.
"Oh, yes."
Answering, Wang Zhong came to the side of the chair. Looking at Bibi Dong, who was completely different from the one he saw by the wooden house every day, he blinked his eyes.
Although her demeanor had changed slightly, she remained gentle towards him.
Bibi Dong reached out and ruffled Wang Zhong's hair, shaking her head. It was all an act.
She had just thought the young man in front of her had made significant progress in his etiquette, but as soon as he was by her side, he reverted to his old ways. Who would dare to stare so curiously at the Pope?
"Here, absorb this. After that, I will arrange matters regarding team cooperation for you!"
Extending her right hand, a exquisitely crafted head spirit bone, pure blue and triangular, appeared in Bibi Dong's palm. It emitted a soft blue glow, and a refreshing, ocean-like aura emanated from it.
"A spirit bone. Your Excellency, this spirit bone is..."
Wang Zhong exclaimed in surprise but did not finish his sentence. Yue Guan, standing nearby, picked up where he left off.
"Little one, you are correct. This is the extremely rare Wisdom Head Spirit Bone of Mental Condensation from the Spirit Hall! Your Excellency the Pope went to great lengths to help you obtain it..."
"That's enough, Yue Guan, you talk too much."
Bibi Dong raised her arm, interrupting Yue Guan. She simply handed the spirit bone to Wang Zhong, urging him to absorb it quickly.
Yue Guan bowed and stepped back, admitting his mistake.
Wang Zhong looked at the spirit bone in his hand, his gaze complex. He understood the implied meaning in Yue Guan's words and why Bibi Dong had interrupted him.
To Bibi Dong, she was fulfilling her duty as a teacher, but to Wang Zhong, this sacrifice and care were the most selfless and heart-warming things.
"Alright, stop overthinking things. Absorb it quickly here, and then you can resolve the other issue."
Pressing her lips together, Wang Zhong nodded solemnly and said sternly, "Understood, Your Excellency the Pope!"
With that, Wang Zhong immediately sat down cross-legged before them, closed his eyes, and placed his hands under his abdomen. The Wisdom Head Spirit Bone of Mental Condensation, emitting a pure blue glow, floated quietly above them.
Spirit power flowed through his meridians. As it passed through his palms, it continuously drew the floating spirit bone. The spirit bone itself emitted an inexplicable spirit power that intertwined with Wang Zhong's. The two became more entangled, and their energies merged deeper. When this interaction reached its peak, the spirit bone slowly faded in mid-air.
When the spirit bone completely disappeared, it reappeared on Wang Zhong's forehead, adhering to it tightly.
Seeing this phenomenon, Bibi Dong nodded with satisfaction. The absorption was complete, and it was much faster than she had anticipated. This was also a manifestation of talent. The higher the talent, the more perfectly the spirit bone would integrate with oneself, and the faster the absorption would be.
However, the situation took a strange turn. The spirit bone had been fully absorbed, yet Wang Zhong did not wake up immediately and remained in a meditative state.
The spirit bone entered his body, bringing a cool, refreshing sensation that rushed to his brain, almost causing Wang Zhong to groan in pleasure.
But soon, Wang Zhong himself felt something was amiss.
Within his sea of consciousness, the Wisdom Head Spirit Bone of Mental Condensation floated above the white ocean that Wang Zhong had previously thought of as his brain fluid. Streams of pure blue light continuously erupted, almost dyeing the entire sea of consciousness a deep azure.
Following this, an immense suction force emanated from the spirit bone. The entire white ocean suddenly became turbulent, as if a storm had brewed.
Meanwhile, in the outside world, Bibi Dong perceived that Wang Zhong's steady breathing had suddenly become problematic. Waves of spiritual power were constantly seeping out through the spirit bone on his forehead.
"This is not good, something is wrong!"
Bibi Dong exclaimed, her hand moving towards Wang Zhong's forehead. Tremendous yet calm spiritual power surged within her palm.
This was not an attempt to strike Wang Zhong down, but rather Bibi Dong's intention to use her own powerful spiritual energy to forcibly suppress the anomaly emanating from Wang Zhong's sea of consciousness.
However, as her palm drew near, the Wisdom Spirit Bone on Wang Zhong's forehead suddenly flashed. A powerful spiritual repulsive force instantly pushed her approaching hand away, as if it were not allowing her to get close.
This phenomenon caused Bibi Dong to frown deeply.
Something similar had happened when Wang Zhong's second martial soul awakened. But at that time, Wang Zhong had actively pushed her away. Now, however, it was the Wisdom Spirit Bone unintentionally resisting her approach.
"Little one, are you going to surprise me again!"
Bibi Dong looked at Wang Zhong, whose breathing was slightly rapid but still regular, her wine-red eyes filled with inquiry as she murmured.