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Inside the Supreme Pontiff Palace of Spirit City, the air was thick with a heavy, suffocating pressure. The grand hall, usually a place of quiet dignity and absolute authority, was currently filled with the echoing sounds of violence. A loud bang rang out as Salas's body was sent flying like a discarded sack of broken bones.
He crashed heavily against the gem-encrusted wall, the impact rattling the very foundations of the room. As he slid down the cold stone, five bright red finger marks were clearly visible on his cheek, a painful testament to the fury he had just encountered.
Bibi Dong stood at the center of the hall, her chest heaving violently with every breath she took. Her red-lacquered nails dug so deeply into her palms that they nearly drew blood. Her eyes, usually cold and calculating, were now burning with a raw, terrifying killing intent. She looked down at the trembling man and spoke with a voice like sharpened ice.
What did you just say to me? She demanded, her voice trembling with rage. You are telling me that Tang San was rescued by Tang Hao right under your noses? And you are saying a hundred thousand year spirit beast was hiding among the teams, only to sacrifice itself to Tang Chen? On top of all that, you lost Devil Bear Douluo? He is just missing?
She took a step forward, the clicking of her heels sounding like thunder in the silent room. I have to wonder, she said, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper. What use are you good-for-nothings to me if you cannot handle a few teenagers and a single man?
Your Holiness, please, calm your anger for a moment, Chrysanthemum Douluo said, stepping forward with his head bowed low. Beside him, Ghost Douluo moved like a silent phantom, his form flickering in and out of the shadows. Both men were clearly on edge.
Ghost Douluo remained a dark blur, while Yue Guan's face was noticeably pale. He was still recovering from the serious injuries he had sustained during their fierce battle with Dugu Bo not long ago.
Calm my anger? Bibi Dong shouted, her knuckles turning white as she gripped her scepter. She slammed the staff against the floor, the sound booming through the palace. Two Elders, tell me exactly how I am supposed to stay calm! You are Elders of Spirit Hall.
You are dignified Titled Douluo, the strongest masters in the land! Yet, you were played like fools by a teenager who hasn't even reached twenty years of age. And then you stood there and watched a hundred thousand year spirit beast sacrifice itself right in front of you. You did so well, didn't you?
The expressions on the faces of Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo changed instantly. They could hear the genuine killing intent behind her words. This wasn't just a lecture; it was a threat to their lives. Cold sweat began to drench their clothes under their heavy robes.
Your Holiness, this defeat was not because of a lack of effort, Yue Guan explained hastily, taking another step forward. We were surprised by the sudden intervention of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Also, there was another spirit beast. It was a beast with cultivation levels that far exceeded any hundred thousand year spirit beast we have ever seen.
Bibi Dong paused, her eyes narrowing as doubt filled her mind. What did you say? Are you telling me there was another hundred thousand year spirit beast involved in this?
Yue Guan didn't hesitate. He quickly recounted every detail of the encounter. He described the red-haired man who possessed such overwhelming strength and how he eventually transformed into a terrifying three-headed Scarlet Demon Mastiff.
He explained how this creature was powerful enough to battle both of the High Priests, Thousand Weight and Demon Subduing, at the same time.
As she listened, Bibi Dong's eyes began to glow with a strange purple light. When she heard that a single spirit beast could actually contend with two of the High Priests, she finally lost her cool, professional composure. She leaned forward, her face full of shock.
He alone could fight against two High Priests? She whispered, mostly to herself. Such a thing actually happened?
Ghost Douluo's voice drifted from the shadows beside her. Your Holiness, everything Yue Guan says is the absolute truth. This spirit beast has a cultivation level far beyond a normal hundred thousand year beast. It is the same creature that Old Ghost and I ran into a few years ago. We encountered it when we took Spirit Hall's Golden Generation into the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for spirit rings.
The Supreme Pontiff Palace fell into a long, heavy silence. No one dared to breathe as Bibi Dong processed this information. A moment later, she slowly walked over to the large window, looking out at the crescent moon hanging in the dark sky.
What kind of secret is Tang Chen hiding? She murmured. To have a hundred thousand year spirit beast protecting him like that... is it possible that he is also a spirit beast in human form? She shook her head immediately. No, that can't be right. He is clearly the son of Tang Hao.
She waved her hand irritably, the red glow of killing intent in her eyes fading slightly as she regained control over her emotions.
Alright, you two may leave now, she commanded. As for what we do next, I will not make a decision yet. I need to consult with the High Priest before we move forward.
Hearing those words, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo finally felt the weight lift off their chests. They breathed a collective sigh of relief. Without another word, their figures flickered and vanished from the hall, leaving the Supreme Pontiff alone with her thoughts.
However, the silence did not last long. Not long after the Elders and the other personnel had cleared out, the heavy, gilded doors of the palace were pushed open once again. A woman walked in with a confident stride. It was Qian Renxue. She had discarded her disguise and was back in her own clothes, her long golden hair flowing behind her. She looked heroic and valiant, her eyes sharp and full of fire.
Why are you back here? Bibi Dong asked, her gaze fixing on the younger woman's face. You were supposed to stay with the participating teams. Why have you returned so suddenly?
Qian Renxue did not answer the question. Instead, she stood there and stared coldly at Bibi Dong, her expression one of pure defiance. After a tense silence, she finally spoke.
Bibi Dong, didn't I tell you a long time ago not to touch Tang Chen? She asked, her voice tight with anger. What exactly were you thinking? Do you have any idea how much this messes up my plans?
Your plan? Bibi Dong snapped back, her own anger returning. Your plan is to stay in the Heaven Dou Empire and impersonate the Crown Prince! That is your duty. Now, stop this nonsense and get back to the team immediately.
Qian Renxue did not move. Instead, she took a step forward, a sharp, powerful energy emanating from her body. My plan is much more than just playing the part of a prince, she retorted. Tang Chen is a very important part of what I am trying to achieve. If you dare to send your people after him again, I will stop being this Crown Prince entirely. I will walk away from everything.
Bibi Dong stood up abruptly, her scepter hitting the floor with a loud crack. You are being presumptuous! She shouted. You would dare to threaten me for the sake of an outsider?
An outsider? Qian Renxue sneered, her eyes filled with sarcasm. At least he isn't like you. He doesn't just use any cruel means necessary to get what he wants. I am telling you this for the last time.
If I find out that you have sent more people to kill Tang Chen, I will personally show up to stop them. When that happens, do not blame me for embarrassing you. I will make sure every Elder knows what the Supreme Pontiff is doing.
The cold light in Bibi Dong's eyes intensified. In the next second, a terrifying, tangible killing intent erupted from her body. It surged forward like a physical hammer, slamming into Qian Renxue with incredible force.
Under the massive pressure of Bibi Dong's power, Qian Renxue staggered back several steps. She struggled to stay on her feet, her breathing coming in ragged gasps. A thin trail of blood began to flow from the corner of her mouth.
When Bibi Dong saw the blood, something changed in her expression. A complex look, a mix of regret and lingering anger, flashed in her eyes. The crushing pressure vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
Go back, Bibi Dong said, her voice sounding tired. I will give you my word. I will not act against Tang Chen until the Spirit Master Tournament is over. But you need to remember who he is. He is Tang Hao's son. His father is the man who killed your father. There is no future for the two of you. There is no possibility of anything happening between you.
That has nothing to do with you, Sister, Qian Renxue replied coldly. She emphasized the word "Sister" with a heavy layer of sarcasm that made Bibi Dong flinch.
Sister? Hehe, you really are something else, Bibi Dong said with a mocking smile. Since you are already here, why don't you go see your grandfather? If he agrees with you and says I should leave Tang Chen alone, then I won't have any reason to object.
Qian Renxue gave a cold snort and shot one last glare at the woman on the throne. She turned around and walked toward the exit without another word. As she stepped through the doors, she raised her hand and slammed them shut with all her might. The booming sound of the doors closing felt like it was separating their two worlds forever.
A few minutes passed in silence. Suddenly, Bibi Dong seemed to lose all the strength in her body. She slumped back into her ornate chair, staring at the ceiling.
Xue'er, she whispered to the empty room. I think I am starting to regret sending you to Heaven Dou City.
Meanwhile, far from the palace drama, the participating teams from the Heaven Dou Empire continued their long journey toward Spirit City. After the recent events, the atmosphere was tense. Xue Qinghe, still acting as the prince, had taken no chances.
He had deployed tens of thousands of soldiers from the nearby cities to help escort the carriages. He also called for a group of powerful Spirit Masters from the Imperial Capital to bolster their defenses.
A few days later, the massive walls of Spirit City finally appeared on the horizon. The towering structures seemed to glow with a strange, golden light under the afternoon sun. The city gates were heavily guarded by elite soldiers, but they quickly opened a wide passage for the exhausted Spirit Master teams.
As they entered the city, the streets were lined with crowds of curious people. Everyone wanted to see these talented young Spirit Masters who had traveled so far from the Heaven Dou Empire to compete.