"God King... you're referring to Xue'er?" Bibi Dong remained silent for a long moment before asking in a probing tone.
"Ah, perhaps." Gu Yuena did not elaborate further. "There is that possibility, though I can't guarantee it with absolute certainty. But becoming a first-grade deity is assured."
"Then who is the third deity you mentioned?" Qian Daoliu quickly seized upon the key point.
"Bibi Dong, the fact that you were chosen by the Rakshasa God means you inherently possess the potential to reach first-grade deity status."
"Does Star Dou Great Forest have godhood positions?"
"Pfft—" Gu Yuena let out a light laugh. "Star Dou Great Forest has no such thing."
"We may not have godhood positions, but we do have the ability to create deities."
"Bibi Dong, you possess twin Martial Souls, both of which are beast-type. Your body and soul have also been tempered by the Rakshasa God's divine power."
"Most importantly, you are human."
"If human faith can create a first-grade deity, then the faith of spirit beasts can naturally do the same."
"You mean... you want me to become a deity for spirit beasts?" Bibi Dong's face showed surprise.
"Ah, I am the Silver Dragon King. I have the means and the power to make all spirit beasts offer you their faith." Gu Yuena gazed at Bibi Dong. "Even so, do you still lack confidence in ascending to godhood?"
"That may be true..." Bibi Dong was tempted, but she still had reservations. "But you should know very well—I'm only a pseudo-demigod at Rank 99, and with twin Martial Souls..."
"If you want Soul Rings, Star Dou Great Forest has them. If they aren't enough, I can expend my power to help you condense god-given Soul Rings."
"As for Soul Bones, even hundred-thousand-year Soul Bones are not in short supply in Star Dou Great Forest."
"But I have one condition—after you ascend to godhood, or once our alliance succeeds, you must resurrect the spirit beasts that have died or been sacrificed. This is my responsibility as the ruler of all spirit beasts."
This was not the Douluo Continent of ten thousand years later. Ten-thousand-year and hundred-thousand-year spirit beasts were countless.
To humans, they might be rare treasures, but to Gu Yuena...
If she wanted them, she could obtain them easily. Besides, their sacrifices would be for the greater good of the spirit beast race.
"...I can agree to that." After a long silence, Bibi Dong nodded.
Given the Spirit Hall's current situation, though they stood at the pinnacle of the continent, they were nothing compared to the Divine Realm.
To go from being a pawn to a player, conventional methods were impossible.
Spirit beasts could not become gods, which was why they sought the Spirit Hall. Both sides shared similar goals, forming the foundation of their cooperation.
However, whether this path would lead to a dead end or to radiant light upon reaching their destination... only time would tell.
"In that case, Bibi Dong, you and Golden Crocodile should accompany me to Star Dou Great Forest after this tournament concludes."
"So soon?" Bibi Dong was taken aback. "And why Golden Crocodile?"
Golden Crocodile was only a peak Rank 98 Title Douluo. Years ago, he had even suffered a psychological blow after being unreasonably overpowered by Tang Hao.
"The sooner, the better. Our enemies are not just on this continent." Gu Yuena continued, "As for Golden Crocodile, I noticed earlier that he seems to have been stuck at peak Rank 98 for many years. In that case, let him reach what you call the Limit Douluo realm."
"Is... that possible?" Qian Daoliu was shocked.
"Am I not a first-grade deity? Helping a bottlenecked Rank 98 break through to Rank 99 shouldn't be beyond me."
"Besides, Star Dou Great Forest may lack many things, but Soul Bones are not one of them. Even if I have to pile them on him, I can push him to Rank 99."
Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu: "..."
Truly the ruler of Star Dou Great Forest—her words were bold and domineering!
Using Soul Bones to push a Rank 98 to Rank 99 would likely require at least hundred-thousand-year Soul Bones as a starting point.
Hundred-thousand-year Soul Bones could alter a Soul Master's innate potential. With enough of them stacked, reaching Rank 99 might indeed be possible.
Indeed, all worries stemmed from insufficient firepower.
Spending money could bring happiness.
At this moment, in Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu's eyes, Gu Yuena was like a wealthy heir born with a golden spoon in her mouth.
What others dreamed of possessing was nothing more than a casually discarded toy to her.
"Alright, there are traces of the Sea God's divine will lingering on the Angel God's statue. Be careful not to be discovered." Gu Yuena continued, "Qian Renxue should return before the finals. That will be enough. As for the subsequent matches and divine trials, there's no need to worry too much."
"I can roughly gauge the extent to which the Asura God can intervene. Besides, he doesn't have absolute authority there either."
"More importantly, you should be wary of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan..." Qian Daoliu sighed helplessly at the mention of them.
"Indeed, especially that girl named Ning Rongrong."
"You should already know—Di Tian was injured because of her."
"If possible, avoid antagonizing the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
"We would prefer that as well," Bibi Dong sighed, "but Ning Fengzhi has been giving off the impression of a fence-sitter lately. And the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's strength is extraordinary."
Not only did they possess Martial Soul Fusion Techniques, but also Soul Ring Fusion.
On top of that, there was that Dark Devilgod Tiger named Tokisaki Kurumi, who could unleash power far surpassing that of a Limit Douluo.
What was going on? Among the Three Great Clans, were the Clear Sky Clan and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan the standout prodigies, while the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was just a small fry?
"Don't mind Ning Fengzhi. He isn't the one calling the shots."
"The one in charge is his elusive youngest daughter, Ning Rongrong."
"Her cultivation method likely doesn't belong to any existing system on the Douluo Continent."
"I don't know where her training comes from, either. The changes in that girl named Dugu Yan are probably also related to Ning Rongrong."
"Are you certain about this?" Qian Daoliu frowned.
Ning Fengzhi's youngest daughter—wasn't she just an auxiliary Soul Master who followed behind him, cheering him on?
"Why do you think the Dark Devilgod Tiger submitted to her?" Gu Yuena explained. "A spirit beast possessing the power of the Evil God would never willingly submit unless truly overpowered."
"In any case, as long as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan doesn't openly break with the Spirit Hall, there's no need to pay them too much attention."
"These past years, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's actions have been more about self-preservation and maintaining their position."
"But... what if the Three Great Clans unite?" Qian Daoliu expressed his concern.
"Unlikely." Gu Yuena shook her head. "After this tournament, Bi Ji will visit the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to assess their situation. We'll discuss it further then."
"For now, just avoid conflict."
As Gu Yuena, Bibi Dong, and Qian Daoliu continued their discussion, a sudden knock interrupted them.
"What is it?"
Bibi Dong, as the Pope of the Spirit Hall, composed herself and turned toward the door.
"Your Holiness, an elder named Yu Xiaogang requests an audience. He claims to have urgent matters to report."
The council hall fell into an eerie silence.
Gu Yuena, unaware of the context, remained quiet but could sense the strange tension in the air.
"Understood. Bring him here." After the footsteps faded, Bibi Dong massaged her temples. "That man again..."
"Bibi Dong, do you plan to—"
"I know where I stand now." Bibi Dong cut off Qian Daoliu. "If you're worried, you can stay and watch."
"I'm more curious about why he's come to the Spirit Hall to see me at this time."
"Bibi Dong, I hope you'll think of Xue'er." Qian Daoliu sighed. "Lady Gu Yuena, shall we step aside and observe?"
"Very well."
Gu Yuena nodded and retreated behind a screen with Qian Daoliu.
She, too, was curious—who could evoke such a peculiar atmosphere between two Limit Douluos?