In truth, Yu Yuanzhen only sensed the soul power fluctuation for the first time but didn't give it attention, waiting instead for the report.
"Good heavens, when did the Martial Soul Palace become so vast that even our own affairs mix in?" Yu Yuanzhen's tone was sharp with anger.
Liu Erlong responded hotly, "Xiao Bei has long been the male god idol of our Lanba Academy. He recruits students daily for the newly formed Tianjiao class. Now that he's been taken as a student by you, the idol has vanished, and the heart to strive has fled—everywhere is mired in laziness and sorrow."
"Anyone who has seen Xiao Bei is amazed. His influence has spread through Tiandou City, naturally shocking the Wuhun folk. But I never expected Wuhun Hall to be as shameless as you people."
Liu Erlong's anger flared again.
When Wuhun Hall intervened, the issue's nature shifted drastically.
Originally a dispute between Blue Tyrannical Academy and Thunder Academy, a family matter within the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus, it now became a conflict involving Wuhun Hall.
Liu Erlong and Yu Yuanzhen accused Wuhun Hall bitterly.
"That's my godson, not Wuhun Palace's!"
"Xiao Bei loves sleeping curled in my arms. What will happen if Wuhun Hall takes him? Will he suffer sleepless nights and insomnia?"
Liu Erlong's worry was genuine.
Subei habitually held soft, comfortable things to sleep.
In earlier dreams, the desire was simply for warmth and comfort—a big butt and good body.
Looks were secondary—victory was secured by turning off the lights and hiding.
But now, as a man of unmatched beauty and quality, he should be more adaptable.
Like a pampered, elegant girl—definitely not a helpless child.
Unless he lost his head and it was replaced with another...
Yu Yuanzhen, Yu Luomian, and Liu Erlong dashed quickly, arriving at the gate of the palace surrounded by massive trees: a thousand-year-old red maple with lush branches and a trunk five meters across.
Differences between plant and animal spirit beasts weren't just growth patterns, but essential growth periods.
Animal spirit beasts grew faster with stronger learning abilities than plant spirit beasts.
Thus, at the same cultivation base, plant spirit beasts were usually weaker than animal ones, unless they had dominant bloodlines.
In the Douluo world, aside from family bloodlines, strength often ruled.
Plant spirit beasts grew slowly; most soul masters gained little benefit from them.
Thousand-year-old trees like this were mostly rare ornaments, while only ten-thousand-year-old ones could transform.
The maple cluster swayed gently; when the breeze blew, red leaves filled the sky—beautiful beyond words.
Under the ancient maple, three figures clad in golden robes and platinum crowns stood solemnly, awaiting others.
In the distance, the noble goddess led the young man on a long journey.
"It's the Platinum Bishop of Wuhun Hall!"
"Xiao Wu!"
Liu Erlong's first sight was Xiao Wu perched on the maple branch, looking far away.
She kicked off and flew to hug Xiao Wu anxiously. "Xiao Wu, are you okay? The Spirit Hall didn't mistreat you, did they?"
Xiao Wu shook her head sadly. "I'm fine..."
Usually carefree and optimistic, Xiao Wu now appeared very downcast.
Liu Erlong looked around and saw only Xiao Wu. "What about your brother? Why are you alone?"
"His Royal Highness the Son is following the Pope, getting ready to go to Wuhun Hall."
"Getting ready?"
A fire lit at Liu Erlong's feet as if she was ready to intercept instantly.
"You shouldn't chase after him. It will only anger the Pope—and won't be good for anyone."
The Platinum Bishop stopped and handed Liu Erlong a letter. "His Highness Subei left this for you—it contains words he wants to explain."
Trusting the Platinum Bishop, Liu Erlong tore open the letter and read carefully.
Immediately, the Platinum Bishop turned and apologized to Yu Yuanzhen, offering several heavy bags of golden soul coins.
"We bear no ill will, but our guards were rude to the Pope and are being lightly punished."
"These gold soul coins cover medical expenses and compensation."
The Platinum Bishop gestured to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon soul emperors trembling by the maple tree—helpless and beaten.
They looked like the soul emperor who reported the incident to Yu Yuanzhen: battered, worn, and defeated.
Yu Yuanzhen snorted coldly. "Do you think our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect needs your gold soul coins?"
The Platinum Bishop chuckled. "As one of the Three Sects of the Sky, the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus Rex is a natural family with a great legacy. One million gold soul coins is but a small token for us. Whether you accept or not, this person and our Spirit Hall have been harmed, and we feel compelled to compensate."
"Though the money is modest, it's enough to build a magnificent teaching building benefiting Thunder College's students."
The Platinum Bishop's smile was disarming.
Yu Yuanzhen blinked in surprise—a million gold soul coins! A grand teaching hall… no issue funding ten such buildings!
[No, I cannot accept it—a matter of pride!]
His hands trembled, moving forward slowly.
"Help me thank the Pope for his kindness, but stealing people from your hall... While we talked, the Pope personally came to steal our family's genius children from the Hall of Souls."
Yu Luomian stepped forward with the gold soul coins, mocking Wuhun Hall's theft while protecting the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus Rex's face and Yu Yuanzhen's dignity—who was about to move.
Yet it was difficult; a million gold soul coins weighed heavily.
The Platinum Bishop smiled. "Sect Master Yu, you misunderstand. His Royal Highness Subei came to Wuhun Hall entirely on his own."