More than twenty days later, the carriage caravan carrying Lin Fan continued down a winding mountain path.
They had reached the desolate mountain range near Spirit Hall City.
Looking out, Lin Fan spotted a familiar sight—the gorge from the original novel, where Spirit Hall had once ambushed Tang San. The massive canyon looked like the gaping maw of a beast, deep and foreboding.
"So we're finally here... The cliffs on either side are steep with no escape route. It is the perfect spot for an ambush."
He closed his eyes again, releasing his spiritual perception to scan the surrounding area.
"Maybe I'm just overthinking it. In this version of the timeline, Tang San has been relatively unremarkable. Aside from his Blue Silver Grass martial soul reaching the Soul Elder rank, he hasn't stood out much."
"He never faced Feng Xiaotian, nor did he expose his Hao Tian Hammer or his twin martial spirits. There's no reason for Bibi Dong to send Chrysanthemum Douluo to assassinate him."
More than ten minutes passed, and Lin Fan sensed nothing unusual.
Half an hour later, they emerged from the gorge—safe. The ambush site had come and gone, and no one had appeared. Lin Fan could finally confirm that Bibi Dong hadn't sent anyone.
"Looks like my presence is changing parts of the original storyline." Lin Fan opened his eyes, sighing softly.
Beyond the gorge, they entered a wide plain. After some travel, a towering city wall appeared on the horizon—Spirit Hall City.
As they moved closer, the wall grew taller and clearer.
"So that's Spirit Hall City... Impressive. Looks just as grand as Heaven Dou City."
"Yeah. They say the Douluo Hall and the Pope's Hall here are considered sacred sites for all soul masters."
Excited murmurs spread throughout the caravan.
Meanwhile...
A voice rang out at the gates of Spirit Hall:
"I request an audience with the Pope!"
Yu Xiaogang had arrived days earlier than the others. Holding a token engraved with six marks, he approached the front of Spirit Hall.
"A Pope's Decree?" The palace guard's eyes widened in surprise. "Please wait here, sir. I must report to Her Holiness immediately."
The guard turned and sprinted toward the Pope's Hall.
Inside, Bibi Dong sat alone on the high platform of the empty hall. When she heard the report, she frowned slightly.
"Hm? A middle-aged man with a Pope's Decree?" She was puzzled, but still gave the order: "Bring him in."
"Yes, Your Holiness." The guard knelt respectfully and returned quickly to escort Yu Xiaogang inside.
Six guards flanked him, three on each side, as they entered the hall.
When Bibi Dong saw the familiar man walking toward her, a flicker of surprise flashed through her eyes.
"I remember taking back the Pope's Decree I gave him. How does he still have one?" she thought.
She recalled clearly—she had only ever issued one Pope's Decree, and that was the one Lin Fan had shown her previously.
"Greetings, Your Holiness," said the guards, positioning themselves in formation.
"Hmph." Bibi Dong let out a soft, emotionless hum.
"Show respect when you face Her Holiness," one of the guards barked, prompting Yu Xiaogang to kneel under their pressure.
"Greetings, Your Holiness," he muttered reluctantly.
"You may leave us," Bibi Dong said coolly.
"Yes, Your Holiness," the six guards answered and quickly retreated.
Now alone, Bibi Dong looked down at Yu Xiaogang.
"Yu Xiaogang... It's been a long time. Over twenty years. You wouldn't come to see me without a reason. So, what is it?" she asked flatly.
"Bibi Dong... Yes, it's been a long time," Yu Xiaogang replied, voice complicated. "You haven't changed much."
"Address me as Your Holiness. Spare me the small talk. Get to the point—why are you here?" she cut him off, her tone colder now.
Yu Xiaogang studied her closely. She looked the same, but the aura and presence she gave off now were completely different from the woman he had once known.
"Alright then. I'll be direct," he began, pausing to collect his thoughts.
"These past few years, I've taken on a student with great talent. Just like you, they possess twin martial souls, and they've already reached the Soul Elder rank."
"I came here today to ask: How did you manage to overcome the difficulties of attaching soul rings to both martial souls?"
"I would be grateful for your guidance, Your Holiness," he added, bowing slightly.
Yu Xiaogang had put a great deal of thought and effort into Tang San's cultivation, especially the matter of twin spirits, a subject that had vexed him endlessly.
"Haha!" Bibi Dong burst out laughing. "Aren't you the so-called 'Master of Soul Theory'? And now you're coming to me for answers? How amusing. Truly."
"But let me be clear—I could tell anyone else, but not you."
Her voice turned sharp, mocking.
"Bibi Dong... I know I wronged you in the past. But must you take it out on a child? That boy might one day become an asset to Spirit Hall!" Yu Xiaogang pleaded, his tone anxious.
"Tut-tut... Yu Xiaogang. How could I have ever been deceived by your sweet words back then?" she scoffed. "Looking back now, I truly regret it."
"And now you're trying to sweet-talk me again? Do you think I don't know who your disciple is?"
Her eyes suddenly turned cold.
"Tang San. Blue Silver Grass martial soul. Innate full soul power. And his surname is Tang. A Blue Silver Grass martial soul with such talent? That child must be Tang Hao's son."
"Yu Xiaogang, do you take me for the same naive girl from back then?" she said, unleashing a wave of soul pressure that made Yu Xiaogang's knees buckle.
"No! I swear—Xiao San will never become an enemy of Spirit Hall!" Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth and struggled to speak under the immense pressure.
"Heh... Spare me. You want me to believe that you, of all people, don't know about the blood feud between Tang Hao and Spirit Hall?"
"Why should I help you train a powerful enemy by telling you how to bypass the twin martial soul bottleneck?" she snapped.
"I was just wondering where you got that Pope's Decree from... Now I know. Tang Hao gave it to you. Your relationship must be very close," she added coldly.
Yu Xiaogang's face twisted with discomfort. He hadn't expected Bibi Dong to know Tang San's identity so clearly.
"If Tang San hadn't performed so blandly in the prelims and advancement matches, do you think he'd still be alive to reach Spirit Hall City?" she said with icy contempt.
"Bibi Dong! What are you planning? If you want revenge, take it out on me! Why go after a child?!" Yu Xiaogang shouted, furious.
"Oh? So agitated. Look at you, Yu Xiaogang. You finally know what it feels like," Bibi Dong said mockingly, floating down in front of him. "Back then, when you cowardly abandoned me, did you ever stop to consider my feelings?"
"If anything happens to Tang San, I'll give my life to destroy Spirit Hall!" Yu Xiaogang roared.
Yet... he had completely forgotten his strength. He was just a Spirit Grandmaster—nothing more.
He's here... He's here.
Only two days off for National Day? My boss is a tyrant!