Before the main convoy departed, Liu Erlong had already taken Tang San to hunt soul beasts. At this time, they should not yet have returned. And just moments ago, Bibi Dong had first said she sent people to kill, then said she wanted them captured alive.
Her words contradicted themselves—clearly exposing flaws.
But Yu Xiaogang knew one thing for certain: Bibi Dong truly wanted to kill his disciple. It was just that the time was not yet right.
'When we return, I must stay close to Xiao San. With me by his side, Bibi Dong should, for the sake of old ties, refrain from acting in front of me.' Yu Xiaogang thought to himself.
Bibi Dong's expression froze for a moment, realizing that in her emotional outburst she had revealed too much, letting Yu Xiaogang catch the contradiction. Forcing herself to calm, her tone returned to cold indifference. "You are still as clever as ever. Get out. I don't want to see you."
Yu Xiaogang nodded indifferently and strode toward the exit. At the door, his hand on the frame, he paused, lowered his head slightly, and murmured, "Twenty years have passed, Bibi Dong. You are still so beautiful, but I have already grown old. If today it were your life under threat, I would have reacted the same. After all, you were the first woman I ever truly loved."
"You're spouting nonsense!" Bibi Dong's body trembled, emotions flaring again. "Yu Xiaogang, you think you deserve to speak of love? If you loved me, would you have left without hesitation, without even a word to stop me? Then gone to Liu Erlong? You bastard! Get out!"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes chilled. "Do you know why I left you back then? You should ask that dead Qian Xunji."
"You must have thought me heartless all these years. Think what you will. But hear this—if Tang San dies by Spirit Hall's hand, I will spend the rest of my life seeking vengeance. Bibi Dong, this is the last time I will call you by that name. Since you want to kill Tang San, then whatever bond we had ends here."
With that, he flung the door open and strode out.
Bibi Dong's body shook violently, as though without her scepter for support she would collapse. Her fingers clutched it so tightly that her knuckles whitened. Her face twisted with pain as she murmured, "So this is how fate toys with us?"
"Xiaogang, our bond, our bond…"
She staggered forward and sat in the chair Yu Xiaogang had just vacated, lifting the tea he had drunk from, and downed it in one gulp.
Then she sat in silence. After a long while, she turned her gaze toward the door and whispered, "Xiaogang, the only thing I can do now… is protect you." That was why she had not taken back the Elder token. Bringing her a token from the criminal Tang Hao was already punishable by death, and he had even offended her in their conversation. She could have killed Yu Xiaogang on the spot, but she had not.
As for Tang San, as Tang Hao's son and a twin Martial Soul holder, she would kill him no matter what—using Yang Yunhai's hand to do it.
Based on the intelligence of Yang Yunhai's previous fight with Tang San, there should be no issue.
'When the time comes, I hope you don't hate me.' With that thought, she rose slowly and walked toward the side door.
---
Outside the Pope Hall, Ghost Douluo's eyes grew cold as he watched Yu Xiaogang leave unharmed.
Yu Xiaogang had not traveled with the convoy. Based on Xiao Hai's private speculation, there were two possibilities: either he had gone with Tang San and Liu Erlong to hunt soul beasts, or he had come here to seek out Bibi Dong for answers on twin Martial Soul cultivation.
So Ghost Douluo had hurried back to see for himself.
The Elder token Yu Xiaogang used unquestionably came from Tang Hao. That truth could be confirmed with the simplest investigation. To present a token not his own before the Pope—that was a capital crime.
Yet Yu Xiaogang walked away unharmed.
And likely, Bibi Dong hadn't even confiscated the token.
'So… did she reveal the method of cultivating twin Martial Souls to him?' Ghost Douluo wondered darkly.
"Bibi Dong, you truly are more disappointing than I imagined." His gaze turned toward the Pope Hall, cold as frost.
Now he was even more certain of Xiao Hai's suspicion—that Bibi Dong would manipulate the finals, favoring Yu Xiaogang and boosting Hu Liena to win the championship reward.
To Bibi Dong, loyal servants who had followed her for decades were forever outsiders.
'If that is so, don't blame us.' With that thought, he straightened his robes and strode toward the Pope Hall. He had returned, and had to make his report.
---
Star Dou Great Forest.
"Xiao San, it's about time. We should leave for Spirit City." Liu Erlong's voice sounded.
"Alright." Tang San retracted the Eight Spider Lances and nodded.
Soul rank 47—that was his current level.
The Star Dou Great Forest held far more soul beasts than other hunting grounds, especially 10,000 year ones. Though they had not slain many, the gains were tremendous. He had risen by more than one rank, just breaking through to rank 47 as they prepared to depart. His Martial Soul's strength and toxin potency had greatly increased as well, since he had devoured only 10,000 year soul beasts.
On top of that, he had even gained a 10,000 year Man-Faced Demon Spider left leg bone. To him, its years were still a bit low, so he hadn't absorbed it yet. But he had to admit—
Devouring soul beasts of the same kind had boosted his Eight Spider Lances immensely, his greatest harvest of the trip.
According to Liu Erlong's estimates, their strength was now close to the 30,000 year level.
"Too bad only one soul bone dropped." Glancing at the corpse, Liu Erlong couldn't help but complain.
Dozens of 10,000 year beasts killed, and only one bone appeared. The drop rate was pitiful.
"Teacher, do you think if you absorbed it, you could break through to soul rank 30?" Tang San asked.
Liu Erlong shook her head. "No. This soul bone is infused with toxins. Xiaogang would be poisoned if he absorbed it."
"Teacher, I can draw the poison out." Tang San said. "If I purify it, then it becomes a non-toxic strength-type soul bone."
Liu Erlong's eyes lit up immediately. "When we return, let's discuss it with Xiaogang."
"Mm." Tang San smiled faintly and followed her on the way back.
---
Several days later, the Heaven Dou Empire's competing teams arrived in Spirit City.
Because of Spirit City's special regulations, Xue Qinghe ordered the Royal Knights to camp outside the walls, while he himself led the sixteen teams into the city. A red-clad cardinal guided them to lodgings at a hotel on the western side of Spirit City.
After entering their rooms and tidying up, Yang Yunhai and his teammates, escorted by Dugu Bo, went out to explore Spirit City.
For all of them, it was the first visit—curiosity was natural.
"So that's the Pope Hall? What an overwhelming aura, the grandeur is suffocating!" Yu Feng looked up at the distant peak, unable to restrain his awe.
'It is indeed imposing… though still slightly less than my Zhuqing.' Yang Yunhai's gaze lingered on the lifelike six-winged angel statue at the summit, and he nodded slightly.
"Grandfather, what's that building behind it?" Dugu Yan asked.
"That is the Douluo Hall. It holds the highest status in Spirit Hall. Only Titled Douluo who have passed away may enter—it is their mausoleum." Dugu Bo explained.
"I see." Dugu Yan nodded.
"Zhuqing?"
While they were chatting, a surprised voice suddenly called from afar, tinged with disbelief.
(End of Chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, There is 2 Chapters Ahead of Release for Free Members on my Patreon.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.