Qian Renxue felt suffocated and irritable at this moment, taking several deep breaths to suppress the urge to overturn the table.
It was one thing for Bibidong to always show disgust toward her, but now even her disciple dared to look down on her.
"Grandpa!"
The more Qian Renxue thought about it, the more wronged she felt. Her anger was tinged with bitterness as she looked at Qiandao Liu, hoping her grandfather would stand up for her.
"Xiaoxue! You're a grown woman now, and your strength has improved greatly over the past two years. It's time to learn how to better conceal your thoughts instead of letting everything show on your face," Qiandao Liu said affectionately, comforting her while gently stroking her head.
"But sometimes tolerance only makes the other party more aggressive. Can't you see she doesn't even regard you highly anymore?" Qian Renxue protested upon hearing her grandfather's lecturing tone.
However, Qiandao Liu didn't respond. Instead, he smiled and shook his head lightly.
Noticing Qian Renxue's lingering resentment, Li Xun softly said, "Senior sister, this is actually the best possible outcome given the circumstances."
The plan to annex the Star Luo Empire had been hastily devised by Qian Renxue and Ning Fengzhi while Bibidong was in seclusion. The current situation was expected, and with Qiandao Liu's support, things were actually much better than they could have been.
Qiandao Liu cast an appreciative glance at Li Xun. "Xiaoxue, from now on, you should learn from Xiao Xun not just in cultivation but in other aspects of life too. It will benefit your growth."
"..."
Though still somewhat unwilling, Qian Renxue's emotions gradually calmed after hearing both her grandfather and Li Xun say this. Pouting, she began pondering the deeper implications.
Seeing that his granddaughter seemed to have genuinely taken the advice to heart, Qiandao Liu laughed heartily, though the motion caused a faint pain in his chest.
In a private room at Xunyang Pavilion, Spirit City.
Li Xun and the other two were having tea together.
"Teacher, Heavenly Dou shouldn't make any major moves recently. We should focus on consolidating the newly acquired territories," Li Xun advised.
Ning Fengzhi nodded, though a trace of worry remained between his brows. "Bibidong mentioned today that Spirit Hall intends to establish its own nation. It seems she already has plans in mind. Could this affect us?"
"With Qiandao Liu keeping things under control, we should be safe in the short term."
"But if Bibidong achieves godhood, that would be a different story. The gap between a Limit Douluo and a god is like a Titled Expert bullying a newly awakened Soul Master."
"Still, to prevent any unexpected situations, we should recall some of the experts from Star Luo territory back home."
Considering Bibidong's unpredictable nature, Li Xun thought it best to be cautious. "Teacher, why don't you come with us to Gengxin City first? Then you can return to Heavenly Dou City with Grandpa Bone and the others."
"You have other matters to attend to?" Ning Fengzhi asked, puzzled.
"I need to make a trip to the Far North Land. Now that my first Spirit has all nine Spirit Rings, it's time to add rings to my Second Spirit," Li Xun explained.
Before returning earlier, he had asked Qiandao Liu for details about the Beast Tide incident. Learning that Bibidong had captured two Soul Beasts had startled even him.
No wonder Di Tian was so enraged.
This also stirred a sense of urgency within him.
He had originally thought that Da Ming and Er Ming becoming his Spirit Rings, along with Star Luo Empire being largely devoured by Heavenly Dou, would slow down Bibidong's progress in enhancing her strength. Yet he never expected Bibidong to find another path.
A madwoman with extraordinary power—who knew what the future might hold?
Moreover, the current situation had further reduced the number of weaker 100,000-year Soul Beasts on the continent by two.
Knock, knock, knock—
Just then, a soft knocking sound came from the door.
Following that, the manager's voice could be heard: "Boss, there's a young lady downstairs holding an Elder Token from the Spirit Hall. She claims to be the Pope's disciple and wishes to see you."
Li Xun and the other two exchanged glances, somewhat surprised.
The managers of Xunyang Pavilion were all trained; they would never report something without first verifying its authenticity.
But why had Huliena come? Could it be that Bibidong couldn't swallow her pride and sent her to deliver some unpleasant news?
"Take her to the reception room."
"Understood."
As the voice faded completely, Li Xun and the other two stood up one after another.
Although the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was currently under Qiandao Liu's protection, Bibidong was, after all, the current Pope of the Spirit Hall.
Qiandao Liu and Qian Renxue were manageable—they were family, after all—but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, considering both strength and status, couldn't easily dismiss the Pope's face.
Soon, the three arrived at the reception room.
Huliena had already taken a seat but quickly stood up upon seeing Li Xun and the others: "Greetings, Elder Ning, Elder Sword."
After greeting Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, she hesitated when it came to Li Xun: "Greetings... Li Xun, little brother."
"Please, make yourself at home," Ning Fengzhi said with a smile, gesturing for her to sit.
Li Xun and Sword Douluo also nodded to Huliena and casually took their seats.
Huliena smiled somewhat awkwardly before carefully sitting back down in her original spot.
"Might Her Excellency the Pope have some instructions?Ning Fengzhi tentatively asked after Huliena was seated.
Upon hearing this, Huliena lowered her head, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes, and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear with her pinky finger:
"After seeing Li Xun, little brother today, Teacher returned and lamented his talent and diligence. She even scolded me because of it."
"She said I only know how to play around and am too lazy in my cultivation, so she sent me to learn from Li Xun, little brother."
After hearing Huliena's words, all three of them grew wary at the same time.
What was there to learn in a Soul Master's cultivation beyond meditation and physical training? Each person's Martial Soul and talents were different.
Bibidong's move surely had some deeper meaning behind it.
Was she trying to have Huliena monitor their movements, or was her goal to constantly remind the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School not to make any rash moves?
Li Xun recalled how Huliena had repeatedly glanced at him in the Hall of Offerings and couldn't help but frown.
Exchanging a look with Ning Fengzhi, he said: "I might be going away for a while soon, and the journey will be quite far. Bringing you along would be inconvenient."
"You can go about your business. I'll be staying in Heavenly Dou for some time. We can exchange insights after you return to Heavenly Dou."
Hearing the refusal in Li Xun's words, Huliena quickly added: "I won't be any trouble."
After speaking, he turned to Ning Fengzhi again: "Elder Ning, when are you returning to Heavenly Dou? Could you take me along?"
Without invoking Bibidong as a threat, was he just shamelessly latching on?
God Realm.
The Rakshasa God had been feeling somewhat listless lately.
Ever since Tang San passed the third trial and defeated Yu Xiaogang, she had lost much of her amusement.
Moreover, she had to relocate frequently to evade the Asura God's pursuit.
"How dull. I was just having a bit of fun—is it really necessary to chase me so relentlessly?" The Rakshasa God curled her lips.
Suddenly, her Divine Sense seemed to be stirred by the mortal realm.
Her heart quickened, and she swiftly cast a covert gaze toward a certain location on the continent.
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