In the study within the Supreme Pontiff's Palace—
Upon hearing someone brazenly call her name, Bibi Dong, seated at her desk, furrowed her elegant brows. That dignified, maturely beautiful face instantly turned icy, like frost in winter.
She stood up, gripped the Supreme Pontiff's Scepter, and strode out of the study, quickly arriving at the front hall of the palace.
There, she saw a young woman with flowing golden hair, her face flawless like an angel—noble, pure, and stunningly beautiful. A fierce expression of anger clouded her heroic features.
"Xiaoxue?" Bibi Dong's brows furrowed deeply.
She hadn't expected it would be Qian Renxue. Her voice was cold as she chided:
"This is the finals of the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. There are countless foreign teams in Spirit City right now. Even Ning Fengzhi came with Sword Douluo. What are you doing back now? Are you trying to blow your cover?"
Hearing Bibi Dong call her "Xiaoxue", Qian Renxue let out a cold snort and replied:
"Bibi Dong, don't call me that. You're not qualified."
"My affairs have nothing to do with you. I'll handle them myself."
"I'm here to ask you—Ye Yu is my man, don't pretend you don't know."
"Who gave you the right to send Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, Demon Bear Douluo, and Ghost Leopard Douluo to capture him?!"
Bibi Dong was furious that her daughter would raise her voice like this, especially over Ye Yu of all people.
"Qian Renxue! Who gave you permission to call me by name?! Don't forget—I am your mother!"
"Mother?" Qian Renxue let out a scornful laugh.
"I don't recall ever having a mother like you."
"When I was young, didn't you call me a bastard and wish me dead?"
"Well, your wish came true. The old Qian Renxue is dead."
"The one standing here now has nothing to do with you."
"In any case, Bibi Dong, remember this—don't lay a finger on Ye Yu again."
"Or else, don't blame me if I go looking for your precious disciple, Hu Liena!"
With that icy warning, Qian Renxue turned on her heels to leave.
Bibi Dong's anger flared even hotter. She shouted after her:
"Qian Renxue, get back here!"
"Don't tell me… you've fallen for that Ye Yu?!"
"I won't allow it!"
Seeing her daughter stand up to her like this over Ye Yu reminded Bibi Dong of her own younger self. As someone who had once rebelled for love, she could tell:
Qian Renxue had fallen for Ye Yu—there was no doubt about it.
Why else would she come storming in, daring to challenge her own mother?
But Bibi Dong had her own reasons.
She had planned to abduct Ye Yu and torture the secret of the Blue Silver Grass's evolution out of him, all for the sake of helping her beloved Xiaogang—to find a way to evolve his Luo Sanpao Martial Soul and clear her name regarding the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's destruction.
But if Qian Renxue had truly fallen for Ye Yu…
Then getting her hands on him would be harder—and what to do with him afterward, even harder still!
She simply couldn't accept it.
But Qian Renxue only sneered coldly and shot back:
"Bibi Dong, who I like is none of your business."
"Maybe look in the mirror before judging me."
"Didn't you act the same way toward Father back then?"
"That worthless Yu Xiaogang isn't even half the man Ye Yu is!"
Though she didn't know the truth behind her father Qian Xunji's death, nor the details of Bibi Dong's marriage to him, she was well aware that Bibi Dong once loved Yu Xiaogang—only to be separated by her father.
In Qian Renxue's mind, that explained her mother's hatred of her.
But hearing Qian Renxue compare Ye Yu favorably to her beloved Xiaogang was the last straw.
Bibi Dong lost all composure. Her eyes turned bloodshot and she roared in fury:
"Get out! Get out of my sight!"
Qian Renxue gave a mocking smile, pulled her black hood back over her head, and turned to leave.
Left behind, Bibi Dong clenched her teeth in rage. But deep inside, she couldn't help feeling that…
What goes around, comes around.
Back then, she had rebelled against her "beast of a father" for the sake of love.
Now, her own daughter was rebelling against her—for the sake of Ye Yu!
But what did Ye Yu have, really?
Yes, he was handsome. Yes, he was talented and powerful.
But how could he compare to her beloved Yu Xiaogang?
In terms of Martial Soul theory and intellect, Ye Yu couldn't even compare to Xiaogang's pinky toe!
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Spirit City—
Under the guidance of a red-robed Cardinal, Ye Yu, along with Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong, plus the rest of the Heaven Dou Imperial Team, was escorted to their accommodations at the Angel Wings Grand Hotel.
As it was their first time visiting Spirit City, Dugu Yan was thrilled. She pulled both Ye Lingling and Ye Yu along excitedly, eager to explore.
Naturally, Ning Rongrong grabbed Zhu Zhuqing and joined in.
After leaving the hotel, they began roaming the streets of Spirit City together.
They weren't the only ones either.
Teams like Tianshui Academy's girls—Shui Bing'er, Shui Yue'er, and others—and the Blazing Academy members, including Huo Wu and Huo Wushuang, were all out and about, taking in the sights.
And Spirit City truly lived up to its reputation as a sacred land for countless Spirit Masters across the continent.
Even the staff at the street-side restaurants and fruit stands were Spirit Masters!
Among them, many were Food System Spirit Masters.
As they walked through the snack street, Ye Yu saw numerous food-type Spirit Masters operating stalls, with a wide variety of Martial Souls.
Some had steak as their Martial Soul, others had cotton candy, candied hawthorns, jelly, mini cakes—truly a dazzling display!
As a transmigrator from the "Kingdom of Gourmet Delights," Ye Yu couldn't resist.
So many delicious food items, powered by Spirit Energy—how could he hold back?
He went on a buying spree!
After all, it was his first time in Spirit City. Might as well indulge a little.
For every snack, he bought five portions—one for himself, and one each for Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.
After finishing their food tour, the group headed to the fashion district.
The streets were lined with clothing shops and accessory boutiques.
"Wow! So many gorgeous outfits!"
Seeing the four girls' eyes sparkle like stars, their hands clasped with excitement, Ye Yu felt a headache coming on.
Like many men from his previous world, he hated shopping.
Browsing the snack street had been fine—but clothes shopping?
Torture.
As a guy, Ye Yu thought: see something you like, buy it, done.
But girls? They had to try on everything. Even outfits with only subtle differences.
But what could he do? They were already out.
Not wanting to ruin the mood, Ye Yu could only grit his teeth and follow the four girls into the first clothing store.