Yueguan was stunned, unexpectedly facing the former's sudden outburst of anger, wanting to explain immediately, "Your Holiness, I..."
Bi Bidong glared at the other and reprimanded, "Shut up! If you hadn't successfully brought Nana and the others back to Martial Soul City this time, I would have severely punished you!"
The former felt a bit aggrieved after hearing this, but knew there was no point in speaking, quietly closing his mouth...
Seeing this scene, Hulena and others also felt guilty...
Evil Moon spoke first, "Your Holiness, this matter is not Elder Ju's fault; the main reason really lies with us!"
Hulena quickly agreed, "Yes, Master, because during the time we entered the Aquipeia Forest, we failed to hunt suitable soul beasts!"
"Elder Gui and the others were also thinking of us, which is why they decided to take great risks to capture soul beasts deeper in the Aquipeia Forest!"
Flame, after a moment of realization, responded, "Your Holiness, indeed it's unrelated to Elder Gui and the others; blame our inefficiency for not obtaining suitable soul rings after such a long time!"
Bi Bidong glanced at them, "You naturally bear responsibility. Despite dispatching many Martial Soul Hall soul masters and Soul Douluo-level powerhouses, no suitable soul rings were obtained, not to mention lingering for a long time, attracting the attention of abyssal creatures!"
"Had help arrived any later, you might have perished at the hands of abyssal creatures!"
Upon these words, Hulena and the others bowed their heads...
Indeed, had they quickly obtained suitable soul rings, there wouldn't be later troubles?
Bi Bidong suddenly paused, "However, understanding your mistakes is a good thing."
"Rest assured, I will not punish Gui Mei and Yueguan, for they also risked their lives entering the Aquipeia Forest to rescue you!"
Everyone seemed pleased, "Thank you, Your Holiness (Teacher)."
Only Yueguan appeared a bit odd, feeling something amiss but unable to articulate it!!
Bi Bidong waved her hand, indicating, "Alright, surely you all have been quite shaken today, go and rest."
Hulena hesitated, suddenly speaking, "But Master, Xu Sheng and Elder Gui haven't returned yet..."
They're still risking their lives to capture soul beasts for us, how could we rest easily?
Bi Bidong's eyes showed strong trust, "No worries, Xu Sheng knows abyssal creatures very well, might encounter trouble, but shouldn't be stopped."
Yueguan nodded in agreement beside her, "Your Holiness is correct, if Xu Sheng and Gui Mei wish to leave, none can stop them!"
Their assurance brought slight comfort to Hulena and others...
After respectfully nodding, she then said, "If so, Teacher, we shall withdraw for now!"
And swiftly, they turned away and left...
Only then did Bi Bidong look at Yueguan, "Yueguan, do you not feel aggrieved by my reprimand earlier?"
Yueguan awkwardly scratched his forehead, "A bit, but understanding Your Holiness's true intentions, it's nothing."
Then he became very serious, "But Your Holiness, do you need me to lead some Martial Soul Hall soul masters to meet Xu Sheng and the others?"
Bi Bidong pondered for a moment, then rejected this proposal, "No need, the more people you bring, the greater the chance of being noticed by powerful abyssal creatures and soul beasts; might even hinder!"
Despite some reluctance, Yueguan had to give up the previous thought...
Hopefully, Gui Mei and Xu Sheng arrive safely!
...
The next day!!
Gui Mei grabbed three unconscious millennial soul beasts at once, looking forlornly at Xu Sheng ahead of him, "Phew... Xu Sheng, why did you leave me to capture these three soul beasts alone? Can't you assist me??"
He really wanted to use the soul tool given by the other before to contain the soul beasts, but unfortunately, they were living beings!
Xu Sheng, hearing this, returned it with a smile, "Those who can, do more; what's more, Elder Gui, you're a Super Douluo level powerhouse, carrying three millennia soul beasts shouldn't be an issue, right?"
Gui Mei was at a loss for words, "Indeed it doesn't affect, but it's inevitably unsettling mentally!"
Why did he have to carry them alone?
But then he thought and questioned, "But Xu Sheng, are you sure these soul beasts fit for the Holy Daughter and them? Don't let us waste the journey!"
To hunt these three millennial soul beasts, they carefully selected along the way!
Otherwise, it wouldn't have taken until dawn to leave the depths of the Aquipeia Forest!
Xu Sheng responded reassuringly, "Relax, I understand Nana's Martial Soul, these millennial soul beasts' soul rings are indeed most suitable for them!"
"Otherwise, Elder Gui, do you know anything even better?"
Gui Mei sneered, "Meh, consider my recent words unsaid; after all, if the soul rings aren't right, Your Holiness wouldn't reprimand me."
Xu Sheng, hearing this, suddenly teased, "Elder Gui, do you mean that Your Holiness will reprimand me instead?"
Gui Mei immediately reacted, somewhat begrudgingly, "Damn, forgot you're more trusted by Your Holiness than me and Yueguan."
Not even a chiding, probably not even a word of blame!
Xu Sheng pursed his lips, skipping this topic, "Elder Gui, why do you think we spent so long hunting soul beasts last night?"
Gui Mei's head filled with question marks, "What do you mean? Wasn't it for finding more suitable soul beasts?"
"Could there be another reason?"
Xu Sheng nodded, "Of course, you should know, with my spiritual power intensity, covering the entire Aquipeia Forest's depths isn't difficult, can even directly lock onto the most suitable soul beasts for capture."
Gui Mei widened his eyes, feeling deceived, "Huh?? Why were we running everywhere yesterday then?"
This guy, was he deliberately tricking me yesterday?
Suddenly, flames sprouted in his heart....
Xu Sheng's expression turned serious, "Of course to scout the situation deep within the Aquipeia Forest."
"Otherwise, why do you think we ran around?"
Gui Mei also became a bit serious, "So... what were the results of your scouting?"
By the looks of it, the other didn't seem to lie!
If that's the case, I can understand!
Xu Sheng took a deep breath, answering word by word, "The results are... very unpleasant, nearly a fifth of soul beasts deep in the Aquipeia Forest have been lost."
"This also means the number of abyssal creatures lurking in the Aquipeia Forest has reached a terrifying extent!!"
"They're even starting to encroach on the soul beasts' living space!!"