Li Xun was particularly fond of Qian Renxue's identity as a prince.
The execution method of beheading Yu Xiaogang was also far beyond his expectations. He wondered if Bibidong could remain composed upon hearing this news.
As long as Bibidong dared to intervene and save Yu Xiaogang, the relationship between the two would inevitably be exposed.
There was already a rift between Qian Renxue and Bibidong. If Qian Renxue were to discover that Yu Xiaogang had an ambiguous relationship with her mother, she would undoubtedly be furious.
Last time Qian Renxue returned to Spirit Hall, she had already shown signs of wanting to break away. If Bibidong and Qiandao Liu didn't handle this situation well, they might push Qian Renxue even further away.
Then, it wouldn't be long before Li Xun could "control the emperor to command the nobles," or as he thought to himself, "restore the glory of the angels."
Thinking of this, Li Cao Cao Xun couldn't help but let a slight smile creep onto his lips.
Seeing Li Xun's barely suppressed smile, Qian Renxue couldn't help but show a hint of suspicion.
Could it be that these people had been manipulated by Li Xun?
However, she quickly dismissed the thought. Even if it was a trap set by Li Xun, no one had forced those people to set fire to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Ultimately, it was their own choice.
Spirit City.
Tang San, holding the Papal Token, made his way unimpeded to the entrance of the Pope's Hall. Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, he quietly waited for the summons.
Before long, a young attendant approached him. "Come in, His Excellency the Pope wishes to see you."
"Thank you," Tang San nodded to the attendant and then strode into the hall.
As he entered the grand hall, Tang San's eyes fell upon a woman standing with her back to him.
The woman wore a crown and was dressed in luxurious robes. Just by standing there, she exuded an overwhelming sense of authority.
"Why do you have the Papal Token in your possession?" The woman slowly turned around, her eyes revealing a hint of scrutiny as she calmly gazed at Tang San.
"Your Excellency, this token was given to me by my Teacher in a moment of crisis," Tang San replied, slightly lowering his head to avoid direct eye contact with Bibidong, feeling the pressure emanating from her.
He was afraid that he might inadvertently reveal his disdain for Spirit Hall in front of Bibidong, the Pope.
Bibidong gracefully walked to her chair and sat down, her expression indifferent. "Oh? Who is your Teacher?"
The Papal Tokens were limited in number. Apart from those held by Spirit Hall itself, only three were in the possession of the Upper Three Sects. She was now very curious about which faction Tang San represented.
Tang San bowed his head and clasped his fists. "Your Excellency, my Teacher's name is Yu Xiaogang. He is a current instructor at the Blue Lightning Advanced Academy."
"Your Teacher is Yu Xiaogang?"
Bibidong's eyes narrowed, and her grip on her scepter tightened. However, years of power struggles had taught her to keep her emotions well-hidden, and her facial expression remained largely unchanged.
"Yes, I have come to Spirit Hall seeking help under my Teacher's orders."
Although Bibidong concealed it well, Tang San still noticed the subtle changes in her expression when she heard the name Yu Xiaogang.
Bibidong glanced at the Papal Token in Tang San's hand and pondered for a moment. "...As an honorary elder of our Spirit Hall, Yu Xiaogang naturally deserves our support. Speak, what has happened?"
"This matter actually stems from me. It is I who have brought harm upon my Teacher!"
Tang San suddenly became indignant: "Actually, I invented a weapon called a Hidden Weapon, but I never expected it to catch the attention of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Under the guise of purchasing, they were actually trying to decipher the secrets of my Hidden Weapon to replicate it."
"After I found out about this, I went to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to investigate. However, in my emotional outburst, I accidentally set the warehouse on fire, which led to their pursuit of me."
As Tang San spoke, there was a faint glimmer of tears in his eyes: "My Teacher, in order to prevent me from falling into the hands of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, had no choice but to stay behind and cover my escape."
After listening to Tang San's words, Bibidong frowned.
Having been in power for many years, she was well aware of the underlying schemes. Regardless of how much truth there was in his story, the fact that Yu Xiaogang had been captured by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was undeniable. The priority now was to get him out.
"This matter isn't too difficult, but I'd like to know what kind of weapon you invented that could attract the attention of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School."
Bibidong knew Ning Fengzhi well. It was rare for him to take an interest in something that didn't offer benefits or advantages. Let alone secretly trying to decipher someone else's weapon.
Seeing that Bibidong wanted to see his Hidden Weapon, Tang San narrowed his eyes.
Although he didn't know the specifics of the feud between the Clear Sky Sect and the Spirit Hall, based on his father and Teacher's constant warnings not to reveal the Clear Sky Hammer, he could be certain that there was no possibility of reconciliation between the Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect.
As a lethal weapon, he couldn't let the Hidden Weapon fall into the hands of the Spirit Hall, thereby strengthening their power.
However, given the current situation, he had no choice. Tang San decided to bring out some less powerful Hidden Weapons to bluff his way through.
"This is the Hidden Weapon I invented," Tang San said as he rolled up his sleeve, revealing a Sleeve Arrow strapped to his wrist. After receiving a nod from Bibidong, he fired it towards a corner pillar of the distant hall.
Thud—
With the sound of the blade embedding into the wood, a short arrow remained lodged in the pillar, its tail quivering slightly.
"The power is quite decent. It can already inflict damage on Soul Masters around level 20. No wonder Ning Fengzhi was interested."
Bibidong looked at the arrow and nodded towards Tang San: "Would you be willing to cooperate with the Spirit Hall?"
As the leader of a major faction, she could clearly see the potential of this weapon. Although the main combat force in this world was Soul Masters, the number of people who could become Soul Masters was limited, and their cultivation talents varied greatly.
Whether it was the two great empires or the Spirit Hall, ordinary people made up the majority of the military.
The weapon Tang San had presented could already allow ordinary soldiers to combat beginner-level Soul Masters, which would undoubtedly provide significant assistance to the Spirit Hall's future plans.
"Your Excellency the Pope, I'm really not in the mood to discuss any cooperation right now. I just want to rescue my Teacher from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School as soon as possible," Tang San said with a troubled expression, shaking his head weakly as if uninterested in anything.
Bibidong narrowed her eyes and carefully observed Tang San. She could clearly see the evasion in his words, but considering that this child was Yu Xiaogang's disciple, she couldn't get angry.
She would have to wait until Yu Xiaogang was out before discussing further.
Bibidong slowly closed her eyes, sighed, and waved her hand at Tang San. "Take this Papal Token to the Spirit Hall's Branch Hall in Heaven Dou City and find Elder Yueguan. Tell him it's my order, and he will naturally find a way to rescue your Teacher."
Upon hearing this, Tang San felt a wave of relief and quickly bowed to Bibidong. "Then, on behalf of my Teacher, I thank Your Excellency the Pope."
As he walked out of the Pope's Hall, Tang San glanced back at the slowly closing doors.
A smile appeared on his face. He had originally been uncertain about this trip, but now it seemed that the Spirit Hall wasn't such a dangerous place after all.
Heaven Dou Empire's prison.
A jailer, holding a whip, stared intently at Yu Xiaogang. "Hurry up, old man. You're the laziest one here."
The jailer's words successfully drew angry glares from Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong, and Flender.
Crack—
The jailer paid no attention to their stares and lashed the whip across Yu Xiaogang's back. "I know you used to be big shots with money and power, but here, you're all the same to me."
"Do you know why?"
The jailer gave them a cold smile. "Because you were sent here by the Crown Prince."
(End of Chapter)