Spirit City.
A thin man of average height, appearing to be in his forties or fifties, stood at the foot of Pope Mountain.
Having arrived at this sacred land for Soul Masters, the man showed no reverence. Instead, his expression was tinged with disgust and resentment.
After glaring hatefully at Pope Mountain for a while, he finally ascended, holding a token in his hand.
The token caused the Palace Guardian Knights lining the path to kneel instantly.
This man was none other than Yu Xiaogang, and the token he held was the Spirit Hall Elder Token.
He walked unimpeded into the Pope Palace, his face indifferent as he waited for Bibi Dong to arrive.
Inside the grand meeting hall of the Pope Palace, spanning over a thousand square meters, Yu Xiaogang acted as if he were at home, sitting casually in a chair and sipping tea.
After some time passed, his patience wore thin, and his gaze repeatedly flickered toward the entrance.
Could it be that Dong'er doesn't want to see me?
Yu Xiaogang began to waver between hope and fear.
Xiao San was about to reach the Soul Ancestor rank, and the time to attach Spirit Rings to his Clear Sky Hammer Spirit was drawing near. Moreover, after Tang San advanced to Soul Ancestor, he would follow Tang Hao to train.
At that point, he would be gone for at least several years.
Yu Xiaogang intended to impart the cultivation method for Twin Soul Spirits to Tang San before his departure.
Of course, he didn't possess such a method himself—he could only come to Bibi Dong to ask for it.
She will definitely tell me.
Yu Xiaogang harbored a certain confidence in this.
"Yu Xiaogang, it's been over twenty years since we last met. You wouldn't come to see me suddenly unless you had some purpose, would you?"
A calm voice rang out. At some point, Bibi Dong had taken her seat upon the Pope Throne.
Yu Xiaogang jerked his head up, his eyes landing on the gentle, radiant beauty of Bibi Dong.
So beautiful—she's still just as beautiful.
A pang of sorrow struck Yu Xiaogang's heart.
This should have been my beloved Dong'er, yet now she speaks to me as if I were a stranger.
His expression stiffened, and his lips twitched slightly as he replied, "Bibi Dong, can't I come to see you even if I have no business?"
Seeing Yu Xiaogang's demeanor, Bibi Dong's heart softened momentarily.
But she was a woman of firm resolve.
Her face remained composed as she said, "Please do not address me as Bibi Dong. I am now the Pope of Spirit Hall. You may call me 'Your Holiness'!"
Yu Xiaogang sighed helplessly. "As you wish, Your Holiness."
Though his expression was resigned, inwardly, hope flared.
The fact that Bibi Dong had insisted on changing his form of address in a fit of pique meant she still cared about him—or at least was still angry with him.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have fixated on how he addressed her.
Yu Xiaogang felt he had accurately gauged Bibi Dong's thoughts.
Reassured, he adopted an indifferent expression and said, "My disciple, Tang San, possesses Twin Soul Spirits, just like you.
He is exceptionally talented, progressing rapidly in his cultivation, and has the potential to become a top-tier powerhouse on the continent.
However, Twin Soul Spirits are not easy to cultivate. As more Spirit Rings are attached, the burden grows.
It may even lead to backlash and death.
I wish to know, Your Holiness, how you overcame the challenges of Twin Soul Spirits?"
"Heh."
Bibi Dong laughed mockingly. "After all these years apart, Yu Xiaogang, you've grown naive.
Tang Hao is my sworn enemy. And you want me to help his son?
So that once he grows stronger, he can come seeking vengeance against me?"
Though she had long guessed Yu Xiaogang's purpose in coming, Bibi Dong still felt a surge of anger.
The enmity between Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect, as well as her personal hatred for Tang Hao, were irreconcilable.
Yet Yu Xiaogang actually wanted her to help Tang San.
Bibi Dong was determined to hear exactly what Yu Xiaogang was planning.
"You may not know this, but Xiao San has acknowledged me as his father. We share a father-son bond.
I will never be your enemy, and Xiao San will never be your enemy either.
Both of you are the most important people to me.
I don't wish to see either of you harmed."
Yu Xiaogang spoke in a solemn tone.
Bibi Dong's body swayed slightly.
After a moment of silence, she said, "Tell me about this son of yours. Is he truly worth my help?"
Seeing Bibi Dong relent slightly, Yu Xiaogang was overjoyed.
He quickly replied, "Xiao San is only fifteen years old, yet his Soul Power Level has already reached the 38th rank. Even the Spirit Hall Golden Generation can hardly compare.
And this is with him solely cultivating the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul.
Most importantly, Xiao San values loyalty and righteousness deeply. After I became his teacher, he treated me with utmost respect and acknowledged me as his father.
If you help him now, he will never turn against you in the future!"
Yu Xiaogang spoke urgently.
He then recounted how he met Tang San in Notting City, took him as his disciple, and detailed Tang San's cultivation progress over the years.
Bibi Dong sneered inwardly.
Such a prodigy—what a pity if he didn't die!
After a moment of contemplation, she said, "His Soul Power Level is still too low, and he's too young.
His physical strength hasn't fully matured yet.
There's no need to consider adding Spirit Rings to the Clear Sky Hammer now.
I only began cultivating my second Martial Soul after reaching the Titled Douluo rank with my first.
Of course, his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul may struggle to reach the Titled Douluo rank.
Perhaps once he reaches Soul Emperor or Soul Saint, he'll need to consider adding Spirit Rings to the Clear Sky Hammer.
Come find me again then!"
Yu Xiaogang was taken aback—Bibi Dong hadn't directly revealed the method.
But at least she had agreed.
Still, he decided to push further.
"Bibi Dong, this is the last time I'll address you like this.
When I left you back then, it was never my intention.
I should have realized sooner—with my talent, how could Spirit Hall ever allow us to be together?
But no matter what, our fate has ended.
From now on, in my heart, you will only be the esteemed Pope.
Farewell, Your Holiness!
I'll return when Xiao San reaches Soul Emperor."
With that, Yu Xiaogang strode out of the Pope Palace.
He wanted to leave a lasting impression on Bibi Dong.
Seated on the Pope Throne, Bibi Dong was indeed stunned.
Her expression flickered between emotions before finally settling into calm.
"Qian Family, you ruined me—now I'll destroy the foundation of the Qian Family in Spirit Hall!"
Her hatred for Qian Xunji deepened further. She understood Yu Xiaogang's meaning.
It was Qian Xunji who had torn them apart back then.
"Xiao Gang, you dare say Tang San and I are both the most important people to you?
Tang San—is he worthy?
How could he be your son?
Tang San must die."
Bibi Dong's resolve hardened.
She lightly tapped the Pope Throne.
Moments later, Ghost Douluo entered the Pope Palace.
"Tang San is about to break through to Soul Ancestor and will surely head to Sunset Forest to hunt for Spirit Rings. Order Crazy Dragon Douluo to cooperate with Yu Yuanzhen in ambushing Tang San and eliminate this threat.
Afterwards, I will ensure the safety of his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family!"
Bibi Dong issued the order directly.
Crazy Dragon Douluo was the ninth elder of Spirit Hall, a hidden elder who had never appeared in the Spirit Master World.
Bibi Dong had no intention of engaging in a decisive battle with the Clear Sky Sect just yet.
Her goal was to use Yu Yuanzhen as a pawn.
Crazy Dragon Douluo's Martial Soul was the Earth Dragon, also a dragon-type Martial Soul.
Even if exposed, it could be passed off as a hidden force of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.
Let Yu Yuanzhen and Tang Hao fight it out first—it would also draw some attention.
At the same time, eliminate the threat that was Tang San.
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
Ghost Douluo replied respectfully.
(End of Chapter)