Qian Renxue's anger was not without reason.
The Spirit Hall was her home. Although the Elders were outsiders, their hearts leaned toward the Spirit Hall. When she was young, these Elders had shown her plenty of affection.
Yet, for her own selfish desires, Bibidong had recklessly issued orders despite knowing the situation in the Star Dou Great Forest, without careful planning, leading to the unjust deaths of these people.
This mistake was extremely grave.
"I'm merely stating the facts," Bibidong's crimson lips curled slightly with mockery. "And now that the outcome has already occurred, what use is there in you dwelling on this matter?"
"Should I just withdraw from the Spirit Hall then?"
Although Bibidong's words were directed at Qian Renxue, her peripheral gaze remained fixed on Qiandao Liu.
In the past, she might not have been so assertive, but now her Second Spirit had acquired its eighth Spirit Ring, significantly boosting her strength.
Moreover, Qiandao Liu seemed to have been injured while battling that Soul Beast.
Furthermore, with the Spirit Hall having just suffered such heavy losses and morale being unstable, losing a powerful Pope at such a time would likely spell doom if another Beast Tide were to strike.
This was the source of her confidence.
The might of those Soul Beasts still felt vividly present. Although they had been severely wounded this time, there was no guarantee they wouldn't return.
Especially the leading Soul Beast.
Thinking of the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon, Bibidong felt a slight weight in her heart.
That Soul Beast, though seemingly already heavily wounded when it fought Qiandao Liu, possessed remarkable strength—particularly that one claw strike...
If not for Qiandao Liu's backing from the Spirit Hall and the support of the Angel Faith, even with both of them joining forces, they might not have been able to severely wound and repel it.
At this thought, Bibidong felt an inexplicable sense of pleasure. The Spirit Hall truly couldn't do without her now, haha...
Appearing to retreat while actually seizing control?
Li Xun's gaze swept over this family.
Though he had some thoughts of his own, their purpose in coming to the Hall of Offerings was to have Qiandao Liu and Qian Renxue stand against Bibidong. Now was not the time to get involved.
Just as Li Xun was minding his own business, he suddenly felt a conspicuous gaze directed at him.
Puzzled, he looked over and saw Huliena glancing at him with flickering eyes.
?
Li Xun's mind filled with doubts.
Aside from the Soul Master Competition, the two of them had no interactions. What did Huliena mean by this?
Perhaps noticing Li Xun's reaction, Huliena nonchalantly shifted her gaze, appearing quite interested in staring at Bibidong's heels.
She looked every bit the loyal follower.
"Xiaoxue, as Bibidong said, what's done is done. Dwelling on it now won't change anything. We must keep our eyes on the future."
At that moment, Qiandao Liu spoke up.
He gently patted Qian Renxue's arm, comforting her, "Don't concern yourself with the affairs of the Spirit Hall. Focus on your cultivation and govern your Heaven Dou Empire well."
The threat in Bibidong's words was unmistakable, and with the Soul Beasts still a looming threat, the Spirit Hall truly couldn't afford to risk losing any more powerful experts.
This old fox!
Bibidong's eyes flickered. Qiandao Liu's move was clearly using this incident to warn her not to interfere in the affairs of Heaven Dou.
"The unification of the continent is inevitable, and the Spirit Hall is about to establish its own nation. The Heaven Dou Empire must be incorporated into the Spirit Hall."
Faced with Qiandao Liu's evasive attitude, Bibidong was not having any of it:
"Ning Fengzhi, since the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School has pledged allegiance to the Spirit Hall, it must show the proper demeanor of submission. I hope you will return and promptly complete the transfer of power over the Heaven Dou Empire to the Spirit Hall."
"Moreover, I see that Li Xun has cultivated to the level of a Title Douluo. The Spirit Hall is currently in need of talent, so let him remain here."
Everyone felt a chill at Bibidong's domineering attitude.
Ning Fengzhi, in particular, felt immense pressure, and even Sword Douluo couldn't help but heighten his guard.
Was this an attempt to hold him as a hostage?
The thought flashed through Li Xun's mind when he saw Qian Renxue slam her palm heavily on the table with a loud thud:
"The development of the Heaven Dou Empire to this day has relied entirely on me and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. What gives you the right to interfere at this moment?"
"By virtue of being the current Pope of the Spirit Hall!"
"Hah, the Pope? The Spirit Hall belongs to my Qian family—"
"Enough, Xiaoxue!"
Seeing that Qian Renxue was about to continue, Qiandao Liu erupted with an overwhelming aura.
The pressure of a Limit Douluo instantly subdued everyone present.
Even Bibidong was not immune, her gaze flickering repeatedly as she stared at Qiandao Liu with shock and suspicion.
"It is still too early to discuss the unification of the continent. However, the territory of the Heaven Dou Empire has indeed expanded too rapidly. It would be wise to pause and consolidate recent gains."
"There will be plenty of time to discuss the merger of the Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire once there are no longer any external threats."
Qiandao Liu scanned the room, finally resting his gaze on Li Xun:
"I'll call you Xiao Xun. If you have no urgent matters, I suggest you stay at the Spirit Hall. You and Xiaoxue can keep each other company here."
Qiandao Liu's words plunged the room into silence.
But Ning Fengzhi, who had been tense just moments before, gradually relaxed.
Bibidong's expression darkened, her face shifting unpredictably. Feeling the immense pressure emanating from Qiandao Liu, she clenched her fists tightly inside her wide sleeves.
She had not expected Qiandao Liu, who had remained silent for many years, to suddenly change his stance. Moreover, judging by his aura, it seemed the battle with that black dragon had not left him injured.
This situation was beyond her expectations and disrupted many of her plans.
"Grandpa Qian, although I would like to stay at the Spirit Hall, I still have many important matters to attend to. I came here this time at the invitation of the Pope Crown. If possible, I would like to finish my own affairs first before returning to the Spirit Hall."
Qiandao Liu's hint was clear, and Li Xun quickly seized the opportunity, even changing his form of address.
Qiandao Liu, however, seemed quite pleased. Hearing the term "Grandpa Qian," a gentle smile spread across his face: "Very well, then go and attend to your matters. Once you've finished, come back to visit Xiaoxue and me."
"Of course, Grandpa Qian. I will definitely come to see you," Li Xun nodded repeatedly, the corners of his mouth lifting to reveal a row of neat white teeth, his smile tinged with a hint of innocence.
"Good! Good! Good!"
Watching Qiandao Liu and Li Xun play off each other, Bibidong gritted her teeth until they creaked, her face growing increasingly somber.
"Qiandao Liu, since you are so intent on shielding them, I hope you won't regret it!"
Bibidong practically spat out these words through gritted teeth, then without waiting for anyone's reaction, she flung her sleeve forcefully and strode out of the Hall of Offerings.
Huliena rarely saw Bibidong this angry, which made her shiver involuntarily. She quickly hurried after Bibidong.
Only when reaching the doorway did she glance back once more before disappearing from everyone's sight.
Li Xun sensed the gaze was directed at him and couldn't help feeling puzzled.
He immediately searched through his memories, trying to recall where exactly he and Huliena might have crossed paths.
That fox spirit!
Qian Renxue also noticed Huliena's unusual behavior. Shooting a sidelong glance at Li Xun, her dislike for him grew even stronger.
She hadn't even settled the score from last time when Huliena had provoked her, and now he was causing trouble for her again.
(End of Chapter)