"Something happened?"
Seeing that his son looked somewhat off, Qian Daoliu asked.
"Dong'er was deceived by that trash son of Yu Yuanzhen. She's dead set on eloping with him. If not for Xiao Haozi discovering it in time, Spirit Hall would have become a laughingstock."
Mentioning the matter filled Qian Xunji with gloom. In the past, he had focused solely on cultivating Bibi Dong's strength, neglecting her mind. Now that the girl was already grown and her temperament set, it was difficult to correct.
A real pitfall!
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan isn't easy to deal with. If that old dragon really goes all out, it'll be troublesome."
Qian Daoliu frowned. He was deeply wary of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—or rather, of the Upper Three Sects and the two great empires.
The Upper Three Sects and the imperial lineages of the two empires had profound foundations, not much inferior to Spirit Hall.
For example, the emergence of Tang Chen in the Clear Sky Clan wasn't a coincidence—they had that kind of heritage.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was no weaker. According to records left by clan ancestors, they possessed certain hidden trump cards.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had even produced a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in the past—who knew what methods they might have left behind?
Even the founding emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire seemed to have risen with the aid of a divine artifact, which must still be passed down within the imperial family.
All of them had to be handled cautiously.
"I understand. I've already had Second Uncle use spiritual-type Spirit Abilities to probe his memories, to see whether that wretched disciple leaked the instinct-stimulation cultivation method. If it truly leaked, then we'll have no choice but to be ruthless."
Qian Xunji was equally troubled and helpless. Spirit Hall was powerful, but it had long been watched by all factions, including the two great empires. Every move had to consider its repercussions. Killing the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Sect Master outright would cause endless trouble.
However, the instinct-stimulation cultivation method was even more important. It absolutely could not be leaked—even if it meant going to war with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
"Matters of the heart are troublesome. They require time. Since Little Dong'er has fallen into it, when she'll truly walk out is an unknown. You'd better have a child to cultivate as a new successor.
"And these past years, you've delayed your cultivation too much due to administrative affairs."
Qian Daoliu suggested. He'd always been worried about his son—already this old and still without children. It made him anxious just watching.
"It is time to have a child."
Recalling his disciple's earlier state, Qian Xunji also felt that placing all his hopes on that silly, naive disciple was unwise. He needed to prepare in advance.
After chatting with his father for a while, Qian Xunji finally returned to the Pope's Palace.
He went straight into the secret chamber beneath the palace. Glancing at the disciple lying there, covered only by a thin blanket, he paid her little mind and sat down on a nearby chair, quietly waiting for her to wake.
After an unknown amount of time, Bibi Dong finally regained consciousness.
"Ah!"
The moment her awareness returned, she couldn't help but cry out in pain. It felt as though her body had been torn apart—there wasn't a single place that didn't hurt.
Sitting up and lowering her head under the light of a soul tool lamp, she froze.
Her skin was covered in purplish-blue handprints. Lifting the thin blanket and seeing the blood-red plum blossoms beneath, her mind instantly went blank.
"You're no longer pure. Your body already belongs to me. What face do you have to be with that trash now? From now on, you'll stay here forever.
"I have to say, you truly lived up to being the good disciple I cultivated for so many years—very smooth!"
Qian Xunji spoke while facing sideways, leisurely sipping red wine. A sinister smile even appeared on his face.
Since it was an act, it had to be played out completely.
For a qualified ruler, acting skills were a basic necessity.
It was just that he had no idea how that brat had come up with such lines—especially those last two words, which made even him feel like drawing a blade.
"Shameless beast!"
Bibi Dong cursed. Those final two words utterly shattered her remaining reason, plunging her into unprecedented fury and hatred. She even wanted to rise and fight him to the death.
Her chastity had been ruined—she no longer had the face to see Xiao Gang. If that was the case, then let everything be destroyed!
However, the gap in strength was far too great. With just a release of Spirit Power, Qian Xunji flattened her against the bed. She tried to rise, but couldn't move at all.
Even mobilizing her Spirit Power became a luxury—she was completely suppressed.
Leaving aside Qian Xunji's dramatic performance here, early the next morning, Tian Hao went to find Ling Yuan and, under her guidance, headed for the Pope's Palace.
Although he had made contributions and established a connection with Pope Qian Xunji, he hadn't displayed it outwardly.
After all, a tree that stands out in the forest is sure to be cut down by the wind. During the stage of sneaky development, keeping a low profile was essential.
The Pope's Palace was under surveillance by spies from all sides, and even the major factions within Spirit City were watching closely. If he entered the Pope's Palace alone, it would definitely raise suspicions and trigger investigations.
Once investigations began, who knew what they might uncover? If they discovered he possessed a Spirit Bone, it would be fatal.
Thus, holding a delicate box and following behind Ling Yuan—who held the rank of bishop—Tian Hao, looking every bit like an attendant, soon arrived at the majestic and imposing Pope's Palace.
An angel-clan maid who had been waiting there led them inside, passing through a corridor into the secret chamber below. Ling Yuan, being tactful, stayed behind in the now-empty Pope's Palace and did not follow.
"Uh…"
Looking around at the surroundings, then at Bibi Dong's current state, Tian Hao felt something was off.
A famous scene!
"Hasn't the Saintess noticed yet?"
Tian Hao asked. Bibi Dong still hadn't realized the truth?
Being silly and naive should at least have a limit!
"I neglected her mental cultivation in the past."
Looking at his disciple, still full of hatred and resentment, Qian Xunji sighed. He withdrew his Spirit Power suppression, feeling even more disappointed inside.
Too foolish!
As the suppression vanished, Bibi Dong struggled to sit up. Though powerless to resist, she glared at her former teacher with eyes filled with hatred and venom.
Yes—former teacher.
From the moment he committed such beastly acts against her, he was no longer her teacher.
"There are obvious signs to a woman's chastity. Saintess, you might want to take a look first. Things aren't what you think."
Tian Hao couldn't help but remind her, inwardly grumbling—was this woman's brain made of tofu?
Bibi Dong froze. Subconsciously, she used her Spirit Power to sense herself—and froze even harder. She quickly reacted, then sneered coldly at Qian Xunji.
"Teacher, you're truly incompetent. You worked so hard, yet this disciple felt nothing at all—my chastity is still intact!"
She'd thrown caution to the wind. She hadn't planned on living anyway.
"..."
Veins throbbed on Qian Xunji's forehead as he considered whether he should deal with that wretched disciple according to his original intentions.
Tian Hao covered his face speechlessly. Trying to carry a pig teammate to victory was simply hell-level difficulty!
"Is it possible that earlier was just a test by His Holiness the Pope—everything was fake? And didn't you notice that the handprints on your body are far too small and delicate?"
Tian Hao offered another kind reminder, his gaze falling on the handprints on her arms and shoulders.
At this moment, the thin blanket had slipped enough to reveal Bibi Dong's shoulders and arms, along with a small portion of her ample curves. The purplish-blue handprints were clear and slender—obviously left by a woman's hands.
Lowering her head to look, Bibi Dong froze again.
What was going on?
Why was it like this?
"That was merely a test I gave you. Unfortunately, you failed. No matter the circumstances, you must maintain a calm mind. Clearly, you do not.
"Dong'er, I am deeply disappointed in you."
Qian Xunji was genuinely disappointed—utterly so.
If cultivated like this, she would only become a brainless brute, utterly incapable of shouldering Spirit Hall's grand cause. She might even drag Spirit Hall into an abyss.
It seemed he would have to find a woman and put in some effort himself. The main account he'd been raising was already ruined—he could only create a new alt to focus on training.
"T-Teacher?"
Bibi Dong still didn't understand what was happening.
What test?
At this moment, the angel-clan maid stepped forward holding a set of clothes and placed them on the bed, signaling Bibi Dong to put them on.
Tian Hao tactfully turned his back. Qian Xunji was already facing sideways and had no interest in her anyway.
As one of the most powerful figures on the continent, what kind of women hadn't he seen?
There were even a few whose looks and figures surpassed Bibi Dong's—nothing worth looking at.
Tian Hao thought: This secret chamber will belong to me sooner or later!