In the original work, there was almost no coverage of the intervals between the Soul Master tournaments. However, in reality, each tournament—whether preliminary, advancement, or finals—had a certain buffer period.
For example, to boost tourism or other economic developments.
Before and after the tournament, it served as an important gathering place for cultural and economic exchanges among Soul Masters.
Therefore, the finals were usually held a few days after all teams arrived in Spirit Hall City.
This year's finals had undergone too many rule changes, so the organizing committee decided to give all teams a one-week buffer period.
According to some unreliable rumors, Tang Chen, the former sect master of the Clear Sky Sect and the undisputed strongest on land, would come to watch the tournament.
This put all departments in Spirit Hall City on high alert. However, none of this concerned the pink-haired Ning Rongrong.
Right now, she was following the two Title Douluo—Sword and Bone—along with her father, Ning Fengzhi, to the Pope's Hall.
As for the reason?
Of course, it was Yu Yuanzhen's invitation. Who knew what price he paid to get the notoriously shrewd Ning Fengzhi to lower himself and act as a mediator?
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was different from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Though both were part of the Top Three Sects, anyone with eyes could see that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was lagging behind.
Moreover, Ning Fengzhi's relationship with Spirit Hall wasn't exactly bad.
Businessmen, after all, maintained a façade of harmony while secretly stabbing each other in the back—such things were common.
Ning Rongrong silently walked alongside Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, quietly listening to the "small talk" between Ning Fengzhi and Thunder Douluo Yu Yuanzhen. The more she listened, the more speechless she became.
"Sect Master Yu, was it your idea to have Yu Xiaogang inquire about the cultivation method for Twin Martial Souls?"
Ning Fengzhi was asking a question he already knew the answer to, but his expression remained unchanged, as if he were hearing such outrageous news for the first time.
"Not mine." Yu Yuanzhen smiled bitterly. "We don't have Twin Martial Souls—why would we ask about that?"
"Besides, such knowledge is the most closely guarded secret for any faction. As a sect master, I know what should and shouldn't be asked."
"So, this was entirely your son Yu Xiaogang's own doing?"
Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly, his tone tinged with confusion. "Rumors say his disciple is Tang San of the Clear Sky Sect. Could it be for that child?"
"Most likely, yes!" Yu Yuanzhen sighed helplessly.
Of course it was. There was no doubt about it.
Yu Xiaogang had even dared to stand against him when Yu Tianheng died—what was stopping him from asking his ex-lover for cultivation secrets?
But this was something he really shouldn't have done!
Now, with Spirit Hall making this public, how was Yu Yuanzhen supposed to save face?
He was truly a disaster.
Yu Xiaogang had bet everything on Tang San, just for a chance to turn his life around. To be honest, compared to others with similarly poor talent—
Just look at Tang Yuehua from the Clear Sky Sect, and then look at Yu Xiaogang.
Without comparison, it wasn't obvious. But once compared… it was downright embarrassing for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
"Forgive me for asking, but what price are you willing to pay to get the Pope to release Yu Xiaogang?"
Ning Fengzhi's words snapped Yu Yuanzhen out of his thoughts, and he sighed inwardly.
The matter of impersonating a Spirit Hall elder could be big or small—but the main issue was that it involved Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect.
That man had killed Spirit Hall's Title Douluo elder and even the former Pope, Qian Xunji.
Bibi Dong was Qian Xunji's disciple.
Their relationship might have soured, but the fact that she succeeded as Pope after Qian Xunji's death without being removed by the Elder Hall spoke volumes.
Perhaps her relationship with the former Pope wasn't as strained as the rumors suggested—maybe it was just Bibi Dong's youthful rebellion.
"Let's see what they demand first." Yu Yuanzhen sighed and turned to Ning Fengzhi. "Sect Master Ning, what are your thoughts?"
"Alas! Man proposes, Heaven disposes. We can only do our best and leave the rest to fate." Ning Fengzhi let out a long sigh.
Joke's on you—your son, your problem. You want me to help you brainstorm?
What if it fails? You'll blame me, won't you?
Everyone knew how hot-tempered this old dragon was in his youth—no less reckless than Tang Hao.
Even if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could overpower the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan now, there was no need to invite trouble, was there?
As they conversed, the group arrived at the Pope's Hall.
The guards lining both sides naturally recognized the two sect masters of the Top Three Sects.
Moreover, Bibi Dong had already instructed them to let Yu Yuanzhen in if he came.
After being led inside by the guards, they entered the Pope's audience hall.
Seated on the main throne, sipping premium tea with Ghost and Chrysanthemum Douluo standing guard beside her, Bibi Dong exuded an air of languid grace.
Seeing Ning Fengzhi and the others enter through the arched door, Bibi Dong leisurely rose to her feet.
Her black, gold-trimmed robe trailed elegantly on the floor, and the gemstones on her violet-gold crown shimmered faintly under the light.
"Sect Master Yu, you've arrived much earlier than I expected."
Holding the Pope's scepter—a symbol of authority encrusted with priceless gems—Bibi Dong slowly descended the steps, the crisp sound of her heels echoing through the hall.
Her gaze shifted slightly. Compared to Yu Yuanzhen, when she looked at Ning Fengzhi's group, a faint smile appeared on her face:
"Sect Master Ning, what brings you and the two pillars of your clan here today? Even Ning Rongrong has come along."
Bibi Dong's eyes lingered on Ning Rongrong for a few extra seconds.
The one whom the Silver Dragon King Gu Yuena called a "special existence"—you really believe she's only at the Soul Ancestor level?
Gu Yuena suspected that the one who crippled the 510,000-year Beast King was the Dark Devilgod Tiger—and it wasn't hard to guess who currently had the Dark Devilgod Tiger.
A 510,000-year Beast King was equivalent to a human 99th-rank Limit Douluo, a pseudo-demigod.
To silently cripple such a being, dropping it from 99th to 98th rank while erasing its divine abilities—that was truly terrifying.
Among the people present, the one Bibi Dong feared the most wasn't Ning Fengzhi, nor Sword Douluo or Bone Douluo.
It was the seemingly adorable, naturally dark pink-haired loli—Ning Rongrong.
Sword Douluo had Soul Ring Fusion, and when combined with Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo, they could perform a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
These were all known factors!
Though she was wary of the three, compared to Ning Rongrong—whose true strength was completely unfathomable despite appearing to be a mere 40-something-rank Soul Ancestor—Bibi Dong was far more concerned about the latter.
"Xue'er said she would test Ning Rongrong's strength herself."
Bibi Dong recalled the letter Qian Renxue had sent before leaving for the Star Dou Great Forest.
With that thought, she averted her gaze.
After the initial greetings, neither side spoke further. The topic of Yu Xiaogang left both parties unsure how to proceed.
After a long silence, Yu Yuanzhen finally broke it:
"Bibi Dong, name your terms. What will it take for you to let my son go?"
"Sect Master Yu, it's not about what I'll take to let him go—it's that he won't let me go."
Bibi Dong seemed completely unbothered by the exposure of her past.
With a faint flicker of light from the soul tool on her wrist, a crystal glass sphere floated gently into her palm.
"Since Sect Master Yu and Sect Master Ning are both here, take a look at this."
"As pioneers in soul tools, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan should know how to use this better than I do."