"You mean…"
Liu Erlong seemed to understand.
But this time, before she could finish her sentence,
Yu Xiaogang had already interjected, saying,
"A major change must have occurred in Spirit Hall! Otherwise, Bibi Dong would never have left this place!"
He spoke with absolute certainty.
And upon hearing him this time,
Everyone present instantly showed a drastic change in expression.
After their initial shock, they regained their senses, but they didn't believe what Yu Xiaogang had just said. Instead, they all began to question him.
"A major change happened in Spirit Hall!?"
"How is that possible?"
"Exactly. Not to mention the item obtained this time, just last time, Bibi Dong directly received a 100,000-year Spirit Bone through the heavenly curtain's reward!"
"That was a 100,000-year Spirit Bone."
"With that Spirit Bone as the centerpiece, and a host of powerful individuals stationed there, what major event could possibly occur in Spirit Hall that would force Bibi Dong, the Supreme Pontiff, to leave the Holy City??"
…
However, this questioning did not last long.
It was successfully broken.
Because above the heavenly curtain,
Upon seeing this scene, School Master Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School immediately rushed into the main hall and questioned Hu Liena directly, wanting to know where Bibi Dong had gone.
It turned out that at the same time he dispatched Sword Douluo to Shrek Academy to help Ning Rongrong,
Ning Fengzhi's people had already set off for Spirit Hall.
They wanted to meet Bibi Dong.
The reason for such urgency was, of course, none other than the Qi Luo Tulip, the special Immortal Herb that Yu Chen had mentioned earlier in front of everyone, which could help the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda evolve.
They had traveled thousands of miles to this place, hoping to sincerely request this medicine.
Yet, they never expected that in response to his request, Bibi Dong would continuously choose to avoid seeing him.
After several days of delay, Ning Fengzhi initially thought that Bibi Dong was deliberately putting on airs to raise her price for the upcoming negotiations.
It was only at that very moment that he realized Bibi Dong hadn't been in Spirit Hall from the start.
He felt both angry and annoyed by this.
And seeing his appearance, coming to demand an explanation,
Hu Liena also cried out in her heart, 'This is bad!'
She never expected that after days of painstaking concealment,
It would be completely exposed due to her momentary carelessness.
Hearing Ning Fengzhi's questions, she felt even more conflicted, unsure how to respond.
She was clearly struggling with this as well.
However, this struggle did not last long, as it was interrupted by Chrysanthemum Douluo beside her.
He then spoke.
Without even waiting for Hu Liena to speak, he proactively answered Ning Fengzhi on her behalf, saying,
"The Supreme Pontiff is indeed not in Spirit Hall Holy City at the moment. She is in Heaven Dou Imperial City to pick someone up. She will return in a few days. This is the important reason why we have kept School Master Ning waiting.
It is not that we are truly ignorant of etiquette."
Chrysanthemum Douluo spoke with utmost humility and politeness, but this time, as his words fell, before Ning Fengzhi could say anything more,
Hu Liena, who had just shown a difficult expression, instead grew anxious first.
She immediately questioned him.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, what is the meaning of this? Didn't Master say that this matter must not be revealed to outsiders in the slightest, no matter what?"
"You should know that there are no airtight walls in the world. If you tell the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School about this now, doesn't that expose Master's plan!?"
As Hu Liena spoke, her eyes were filled with anger and anxiety.
Seeing her expression,
Chrysanthemum Douluo was first taken aback, then regained his composure, showing no sign of shame on his face.
Instead, he pointed to the heavenly curtain above, explaining with a wry smile, and then said,
"You don't have to worry about that, Hu Liena, because even before me, the heavenly curtain had already exposed all of the Supreme Pontiff's actions."
"What?"
Hu Liena was also startled to hear this.
She suddenly looked up and gazed towards the heavenly curtain above.
Only then did she realize that
At some unknown point, her teacher Bibi Dong's figure had already appeared in the sky.
Upon seeing her teacher's figure appear,
Hu Liena's first reaction was naturally confusion, and then upon seeing the words 'Lucky Viewer Qian Renxue' displayed next to it,
Hu Liena finally understood the true meaning of Chrysanthemum Douluo's earlier words.
Thinking of her attitude towards him just now, she felt both awkward and ashamed for a moment.
She was hesitating whether she should apologize to Chrysanthemum Douluo this time.
But she found that everyone's focus was no longer on her.
Both Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ning Fengzhi were staring intently at the heavenly curtain above.
No one was paying attention to Hu Liena's reaction and expression at this moment.
And seeing this, Hu Liena didn't feel sad at all.
Because, looking up, she had a similar reaction.
The reason for this reaction, besides her concern for her teacher Bibi Dong,
Was also because the situation displayed on the heavenly curtain was truly at its most critical.
Because this time, under the heavenly curtain's display,
Her Master Bibi Dong was leading Qian Renxue, fighting their way out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
Even at Bibi Dong's level of cultivation, there were still numerous close calls during the process.
If it weren't for Poison Douluo covering her flank and diverting forces,
Even Bibi Dong would likely have suffered severe injuries.
But unfortunately, there are no 'ifs' in this world.
In the end, Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue left Heaven Dou Imperial City safely.
Watching Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue's departing figures,
Above Heaven Dou Imperial City,
Prince Xue Xing was naturally both angry and anxious.
He immediately roared in anger.
"Bibi Dong, don't think that just because you are the current Supreme Pontiff, you can do whatever you want!"
"Even if you save Qian Renxue today, it will be useless!"
"The matter of her assassinating the monarch of my Heaven Dou Empire, my Heaven Dou people will absolutely not let it go so easily!"
"If you know what's good for you, put Qian Renxue down now!
Let her be buried with my Heaven Dou Empire's Monarch Xue Ye, and there's still a chance for reconciliation.
If you refuse…
Hmph, when my Heaven Dou Empire's army marches in and besieges your city in the future, don't you dare regret your actions today!"
"Regret?"
"What a joke. In my life, I have never known what the word 'regret' means."
"If the Heaven Dou Empire wants to start a war, then come! If I, Bibi Dong, so much as frown because of it, then I am not Bibi Dong!!"
Bibi Dong snorted coldly.
Her voice, like thunder, echoed throughout the Heaven Dou Empire.
Even those with Titled Douluo strength found their eardrums buzzing and their heads feeling as if they were about to explode.
Feeling the terrifying pressure she was currently radiating,
Everyone present was trembling with fear.
Xue Beng's face also turned pale for a moment. After regaining his composure, he lowered his head and couldn't help but curse out loud.
"Damn it! This woman's strength is becoming more and more terrifying."
"Then, Uncle, what should we do now?"
"It's one thing for her to get a 100,000-year Spirit Bone, but the heavenly curtain just showed that Hu Liena, Bibi Dong's disciple, also obtained a 10,000-year Spirit Bone."
"Do we really have to wage war on Spirit Hall now? I'm worried…"
Prince Xue Beng, or rather, Prince Xue Beng who had just ascended the throne, hesitated.
When this was brought up today, his brows were etched with unyielding worry and anxiety.
Prince Xue Xing was insightful.
Of course, he knew what this kid Xue Beng was worried about in his heart at this moment.
Seeing him like this, he dismissed his attendants, making sure no one was around.
Only then did he pat his shoulder and speak, reassuring him.
"Don't worry, Uncle naturally knows what you're worried about."
"Saying we'd attack Spirit Hall just now was merely a tactic to intimidate that Poison Douluo Bibi Dong, and also to give an explanation to the people of the entire Heaven Dou Imperial City."
"Otherwise, if we said nothing and just let Bibi Dong take Qian Renxue and leave like that, once the news spreads, let alone the common people of Heaven Dou Imperial City, how would the general public and the onlookers of the Douluo Continent view us?"
Hearing Prince Xue Xing say this, Prince Xue Beng first let out a long sigh of relief.
Then he felt uneasy again.
He couldn't help but look up, asking the other party with heavy worry.
"Uncle means… this matter, just let it go? Father's revenge, won't be taken?"
Reason told Xue Beng that at this critical juncture, he shouldn't even think about revenge.
After all, the power gap between the two sides was too great.
If Bibi Dong's side were truly provoked, and Spirit Hall used the full strength of the nation to fight them, even if they were lucky enough to win in the end, it would definitely be a Pyrrhic victory, resulting in a severe loss of vitality.
At that time, it would instead give the Star Dou Empire an opportunity to reap the benefits.
But knowing is knowing.
His personal feelings, however, prevented Xue Beng from letting go of this hatred.
Therefore, Xue Beng's heart was exceptionally conflicted and pained today.
Fortunately, his pain was completely understood by Prince Xue Xing.
So after listening, his expression not only didn't change at all, but he once again solemnly patted his shoulder and said,
"Of course, revenge must be taken."
"But we absolutely cannot foolishly confront Spirit Hall head-on. If we truly want revenge, in my opinion, there is only one way."
"What method is Uncle talking about?" Xue Beng's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
He immediately spoke, asking with curiosity and excitement.
Seeing this, Prince Xue Xing didn't keep him in suspense.
He simply uttered two words.
"Tang San!"
"Tang San?"
Xue Beng was stunned, and it took him a while to realize what Prince Xue Xing meant.
He then spoke, excitedly asking again,
"Uncle means to ally with Tang San? Can… can that work? Although Tang San is indeed the Child of Fortune mentioned by the heavenly curtain, and will ascend to the God Realm in the future, that was all before the heavenly curtain appeared.
Now that the heavenly curtain has appeared, Tang San's fortune has clearly been greatly affected, not to mention the rewards the heavenly curtain subsequently gave to Spirit Hall. Many of his original opportunities were seized by Spirit Hall.
Aren't the Immortal Herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well the best example? In this situation, if we still ally with him, are we sure we're finding a helper, and not a burden?"
As he spoke, his words, besides surprise, subtly carried a hint of worry.
What exactly was he worried about?
Prince Xue Xing naturally knew from the beginning.
So, after listening to Xue Beng speak, his expression did not change in the slightest.
Instead, his words carried a hint of helplessness.
"Whether he's a burden or not, it's always worth a gamble. Even if we fail, we won't lose anything, will we?
Moreover, this is our only option right now.
After all, others have room to maneuver and can choose to pledge allegiance to Spirit Hall, but we don't.
We can only choose to bite the bullet and stubbornly resist.
In this situation, besides this current choice, do you think we have any other paths we can choose?"
He finished with a rhetorical question, his words imbued with even more helplessness and earnestness.
Hearing him say this, Xue Beng, whose brows had been tightly furrowed, finally understood and showed a look of being enlightened, respectfully bowing to Prince Xue Xing and saying,
"Uncle is right, your nephew has learned a valuable lesson!"
"Then I will send someone to Shrek Academy now… No, I will personally go to Shrek Academy, and formally acknowledge Tang San as my teacher. No matter what, I must bind Tang San to the chariot of my Heaven Dou Empire!"
Seeing Xue Beng like this, Prince Xue Xing immediately showed an expression of approval, indicating that the youth was teachable.
Then he spoke, earnestly reminding him again,
"Go, but remember to show your sincerity when you get there. They say a timely help is better than adding flowers to a brocade. Now, Tang San has suffered a great misfortune, and the heavenly curtain has exposed various double standards, so he is at the lowest point of his life.
If you extend an olive branch now, it will definitely have a miraculous effect of getting twice the result with half the effort!"
Xue Beng nodded solemnly upon hearing this, no longer speaking much, and immediately turned to leave in a hurry with his people.
While Xue Beng was full of ambition, Qian Renxue, who had just been rescued by Bibi Dong from the midst of the army, had more confusion and perplexity in her eyes.
After recovering from her weakness, she immediately questioned Bibi Dong.
"Why… why?"
Seeing Qian Renxue awaken from her unconsciousness, Bibi Dong was first delighted.
However, upon regaining her composure and remembering something, she intentionally tightened her face, putting on a cold expression as she reminded her,
"What do you mean, 'why'? You are severely injured right now. You should conserve your strength, rather than waste words and overthink such matters. Recovering well is more important than anything."
Of course, although her words were cold, she was still genuinely considering Qian Renxue's well-being. However, facing this concern, Qian Renxue was completely oblivious.
Or rather, in her heart, the answers to some questions were far more important than her current injuries, a hundred or even a thousand times more so.
So much so that even upon hearing Bibi Dong's advice, she showed no intention of giving up, forcing out a breath as she spoke, pressing again,
"Why did you come back to save me?"
"All these years, haven't you hated me the most?"
"Why would you still come to save me now?"
"I…"
Bibi Dong's lips trembled upon hearing this.
She clearly wanted to say something, but the words caught in her throat and she swallowed them back.
She turned her head away somewhat forcefully.
The mother and daughter once again fell into a long silence.
A moment later, it was Bibi Dong who couldn't hold back, her heart softening. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something more.
But unfortunately, before she could truly speak, she looked back and found that Qian Renxue in her arms had succumbed to her injuries and fallen unconscious.