"Death Spider Emperor!"
The golden-haired woman instinctively exclaimed as her eyes widened in recognition.
In a flash, Ye Hao had fully activated his Death Spider Emperor Martial Soul, his anger radiating from every pore. Without giving the red-haired man a chance to react, Ye Hao swiftly maneuvered behind him, executing a sweeping kick that sent the man airborne. Following this, Ye Hao delivered a devastating stomp that slammed him into the ground, shattering the sturdy floor beneath them into countless fragments.
"Did I provoke you?" Ye Hao's voice was cold, his expression even colder as he pressed down harder with his foot, eliciting pained cries from the man beneath him.
It wasn't that the red-haired man was weak, but Ye Hao's aura and the oppressive might of the Death Spider Emperor Martial Soul were overwhelming, leaving him utterly helpless.
"I… I…" The man stammered, his mind involuntarily conjuring the image of the Supreme Pontiff. The resemblance between Ye Hao's demeanor and that of Bibi Dong was uncanny, and it left him shaken.
Not wanting to escalate the situation further, Ye Hao kicked the man away and snarled, "Get lost."
As the man scrambled to his feet, Ye Hao added with a sneer, "A simp will always end up with nothing."
Deactivating the Death Spider Emperor Martial Soul, Ye Hao glanced disdainfully at the man before returning to his seat. He gestured to the stunned server, "Another bowl of noodles."
The server hesitated, frozen in shock, until the golden-haired woman intervened, signaling for the server to act. Understanding the cue, the server quickly scurried off to fulfill the order.
Turning her attention to the red-haired man, the woman snapped, "Go back and stop embarrassing me."
The man looked as though he wanted to protest, but a glare from the woman silenced him. He reluctantly slunk away, casting a wary glance back at Ye Hao before leaving with a disgruntled huff.
As the onlookers dispersed at the woman's command, she turned her gaze back to Ye Hao, her expression filled with intrigue.
The moment Ye Hao activated the Death Spider Emperor Martial Soul, her mind had raced. His resemblance to her teacher, Bibi Dong, both in appearance and aura, was startling. She had been momentarily convinced that her teacher had appeared before her.
"Who are you?"
Ye Hao, now calmly slurping his noodles, glanced up at the woman who had approached him. "And you are?" he asked with mild irritation.
The woman smiled politely. "I must apologize on his behalf. His behavior was inexcusable, and I take full responsibility for not managing him better."
Ye Hao waved her off dismissively. "No need to apologize to me. The one who owes an apology is him, not you."
Resuming his meal, Ye Hao felt his earlier irritation begin to fade. "Can't even enjoy a bowl of noodles in peace…" he muttered under his breath.
After finishing the last drop of broth, Ye Hao stood, tossing a few coins onto the table for the meal. As he turned to leave, the woman called out, "What's your name?"
Pausing for a moment, Ye Hao looked over his shoulder and answered nonchalantly, "Ye Ritian."
Without waiting for a response, he strode off, his mood sour.
The woman's eyes lingered on his retreating figure. To her, Ye Hao was clearly an exceptionally gifted individual. His unconventional soul ring combination and his possession of the Death Spider Emperor Martial Soul were unique, and his uncanny resemblance to her teacher intrigued her further.
If Ye Hao could be recruited into Spirit Hall, it would undoubtedly be a major boon.
Determined to learn more, she hastened to follow him. But as she reached the alley where he had disappeared, she found only empty streets.
"Where did he go?" she murmured, searching in vain.
Unbeknownst to her, Ye Hao had already donned a black cloak in a secluded corner and slipped away in the opposite direction.
Later, the woman returned to the Spirit Hall archives. She was determined to investigate this "Ye Ritian."
Hours passed as she scoured the records. Sitting amidst a sea of scattered documents, she sighed in frustration. "Nothing… How can there be no record of him? Could he be a newly arrived free soul master?"
Regret filled her heart. She had let a prodigy slip through her fingers.
"If Teacher knew about someone with the Death Spider Emperor Martial Soul and such an unusual soul ring configuration… And that he resembles Teacher so closely…"
Her musings were interrupted by the arrival of a subordinate.
"Saintess, the Supreme Pontiff has summoned you."
The woman composed herself and made her way to the grand Pontiff's Palace. Its imposing architecture towered over the city, and the sunlight gleamed off its sacred facade. Two rows of armored knights stood at attention by the entrance, exuding an aura of majesty and authority.
As the massive doors creaked open, the woman stepped into the vast and opulent hall. Her figure seemed diminutive in the cavernous space. Approaching the throne, she knelt respectfully.
"Teacher, you summoned me?"
Suddenly, a flash of purple light illuminated the hall. A stunning figure appeared on the throne: Bibi Dong, the Supreme Pontiff herself.
Draped in golden robes and crowned with a purple-gold diadem, Bibi Dong's regal presence filled the chamber. Her flawless features radiated authority and perfection, and her aura was so commanding that it evoked a near-instinctive urge to kneel in reverence.
"Hu Liena," Bibi Dong spoke softly, her tone calm yet firm. "How is the task I assigned you progressing?"
Hu Liena's face paled slightly as guilt flickered in her eyes. "Teacher, I…"
Realizing she had been distracted by her encounter with Ye Hao, Hu Liena's heart sank. "It's all because of that Ye Ritian!" she thought bitterly.
Meanwhile…
Elsewhere in Spirit City, Ye Hao sneezed. "Who's cursing me now?" he grumbled, oblivious to the stir he had caused.