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Below the throne, Yue Guan, Gui Mei, the Devil Bear Douluo, and Hu Liena stood in silence. Each was as quiet as a cicada in winter, barely daring to breathe for fear of provoking the wrath of the god of slaughter seated above them.
"To think... everything Xiao Gang said was true..."
Reading the contents of the letter, Bibi Dong couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Memories resurfaced of the time before the finals of the Spirit Master Competition. Yu Xiao Gang had suddenly come to find her, telling her that Ning Rongrong had consumed something called "Prism Grass," which caused her spirit to evolve into the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
At the time, Yu Xiao Gang had hoped to use that information as leverage to learn the method for overcoming the backlash of Twin Spirits. However, Bibi Dong hadn't believed him. Their meeting had ended on a bitter note, and tragically, it would be the last time they ever saw each other.
"Sigh!"
Another sigh escaped her lips, her heart heavy with regret. She found herself wondering: if she had chosen to trust him back then, would the situation today be different?
If Spirit Hall had found this so-called Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and secured the immortal herbs within, would the landscape of the continent look different now? Perhaps Spirit Hall would not have declined; in fact, with the boost from such herbs, they might have become even more formidable. And as for Yu Xiao Gang... if she had only believed him, their final memory wouldn't be one of such resentment.
But there is no medicine for regret in this world. Whatever was said now was far too late.
After a long silence, Bibi Dong finally addressed the three elders. "What do you make of the contents of this letter?"
Yue Guan was the first to answer, eager to speak. "Your Holiness, your subordinate believes this is highly likely to be true!"
He paused for a moment to organize his thoughts before continuing. "Years ago, when I was held captive by the Star Luo Empire, I met Davis. Even then, I sensed the aura of the 'Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum' on him. There is no doubt he consumed it. In fact, I sensed the lingering essence of many other immortal herbs as well.
"Furthermore, during the finals, I saw his two consorts, Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing. From them, I detected the traces of the 'Yearning Heartbroken Red' and the 'Narcissus Jade Flesh Bone.' Therefore, I have every reason to believe that the Star Luo Empire truly found a sacred land, which is how they've been able to mass-produce such top-tier talents!"
Yue Guan spoke with visible excitement. He was itching to head to the Tiger Howl Mountain Range immediately to find the well. He remained blissfully unaware that the location was a deliberate falsehood planted by Davis.
As soon as Yue Guan finished, Gui Mei spoke up.
"Your Holiness, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and these herbs must be of paramount importance to the Star Luo Empire. For them to announce such a secret now... your subordinate suspects they intend to block our expansion. They want to use the lure of immortal herbs to recruit other factions to use against us."
"Your Holiness, I believe we must make preparations early!"
"Mhm..."
Bibi Dong nodded slightly. Though her heart was often ruled by her past love, she was no fool. Dai Pojun's sudden boast of twelve Titled Douluos and the announcement of a rival competition was clearly a move to snatch away talent. Whether it was to expand her own power or to prevent Star Luo from growing stronger, she could not let Dai Pojun have his way.
"Hmph, but this Dai Pojun is truly foolish to publish the location of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well... Hehehe, since that's the case, I will simply snatch their herbs and utterly destroy the well. I'll see what they do then! Hahaha!"
Bibi Dong laughed like a woman possessed. Her shrill, terrifying laughter made the listeners' scalps tingle and their skin crawl.
However, amidst the laughter, the Devil Bear Douluo kept a grim face. He braced himself and spoke up. "Your Holiness, your subordinate believes we cannot act rashly."
"What did you say?" Bibi Dong glared at him, crumpling the letter into a ball in her hand. It took a long moment before she asked coldly, "Why?"
"I do not believe Dai Pojun and Dai Tianxing are such idiots. For them to suddenly expose the location now... it's very likely they are waiting for us to enter Star Luo! Perhaps their Titled Douluos are already lying in wait around the Tiger Howl Mountain Range. It's even possible the location itself is a fake!"
"..."
Bibi Dong found herself unable to argue. The tension in her face relaxed slightly as she gazed up at the ceiling of the palace, lost in thought. She had to admit the Devil Bear Douluo had a point. Spirit Hall only had nine Titled Douluos left; if they suffered further losses, things would become dire.
After a long silence, she said flatly, "It seems I must discuss this with that old fossil, Qian Daoliu. Herbs that can evolve spirits... perhaps they could even further my Death Spike Spider Emperor and Soul-Eating Spider Emperor spirits..."
She immediately took up a pen and drafted a letter, ordering a messenger to deliver it to the Consecration Hall. While going herself would be faster, she had no desire to see Qian Daoliu. The moment she looked at him, she saw the shadow of Qian Xunji, which brought back the nightmares of her past.
Inside the Consecration Hall
After Qian Daoliu finished reading the letter, a brilliant yet soft golden light suddenly pulsed through the hall, carrying a comforting warmth. As the light flickered, Qian Daoliu's dignified voice echoed.
"Qingluan."
"Big Brother, what are your orders?"
The Third Priest, Qingluan Douluo, immediately responded. He was a man of striking appearance, with short deep-blue hair, smoky blue eyes, and azure bangs. With his sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, he was exceptionally handsome.
He wore the deep blue Consecration robes that symbolized his status, adorned with golden pauldrons decorated with azure phoenix feathers. Just by standing there, he exuded a powerful pressure—a natural majesty that was chilling to behold.
As the Third Priest of the Consecration Hall, his strength was terrifying. Ranking just behind Qian Daoliu, Bibi Dong, and the Second Priest Golden Crocodile Douluo, he was a Level 97 Agility-System Super Douluo.
His spirit was the Blue-Winged Phoenix (Qingluan), which granted him unparalleled speed and the ability to soar through the heavens. He was arguably the fastest person on the Douluo Continent. In terms of pure speed, perhaps even Davis could not match him.
"Qingluan, take Elder Gui and secretly head to the Tiger Howl Mountain Range in the Star Luo Empire. Investigate this Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."
"As you command!"
Just as Qingluan Douluo made to leave, Qian Daoliu stopped him with a warning. "Third Brother, wait! The news of this well was released by the Star Luo Empire; we cannot rule out a trap. The reason I am sending you is because of your speed, and because Gui Mei is also an Agility-System Spirit Master. If you encounter the enemy, do not meet them head-on. Retreat immediately. Your safety is the highest priority."
"Understood!"
(End of Chapter)