The group had barely stepped foot beyond the Martial Soul Hall's reach before realizing just how inconvenient life could be outside the headquarters.
Bibi Dong walked ahead confidently, Subei beside her, while Hu Liena clung to his side like the most devoted companion. Behind them, Yan and Tang San staggered beneath towering packages strapped to their backs like overburdened porters.
Subei glanced back at the scene with pity. He rubbed his temple and sighed. Really? This is the Douluo Continent, claimed to be the floor of all fantasy worlds. Strength without limit, treasures left and right... and yet Spirit Hall can't even hand us a single space ring?
He almost wept in his heart. Truly, this is the continent of poverty. Should've robbed Yu Xiaogang's storage belt while I had the chance.
Despite the grumbling, the first small town they entered was surprisingly prosperous. Though unfortified by walls, the crowded markets rivaled any city bazaar. Everywhere, peddlers hawked goods tailored toward soul masters—anti-venom, beast pelts, crude weapons, salves for spirit injuries. Clearly a supply hub for hunters on the Star Dou's borders.
Tang San, ever the studious one, scanned their surroundings like a hawk even as he balanced his burdens. His voice was calm. "Teacher, you were right. No ingredients for cooking, no iron racks for grilling here. If we hadn't prepared ahead, the barbecue plan would have been ruined."
Subei coughed lightly, basking in the indirect compliment.
Yan nodded, sweat dripping from his head but still managing to contribute. "It's only a hundred miles from the Star Dou's outer region. Naturally, everything sold here caters to spirit hunter needs."
Tang San frowned thoughtfully. "But if that's the case, why not build the town closer? A day's walk just to reach the forest's edge, even without rest, is inconvenient."
Subei chuckled and smoothed his sleeves, slipping naturally into a "teaching mode."
"Xiao San, you've spent too long inside Spirit Hall's livestock pens. You forget what it means to risk your life in the wild."
They all listened as he explained.
"The Star Dou isn't a petting zoo. Even soul beasts of the outermost circles are fierce and territorial. Their hunting ranges stretch miles wide. A village too close would risk being flattened in the dead of night by a casual passing beast. That's why towns like this crop up at safe distances of fifty, sixty miles. A hundred, to be conservative. It's survival, nothing else."
Tang San's admiration was clear in his eyes. "Teacher, your insight humbles me."
"There's no need for thanks between us," Subei replied casually. "I already told you—you are my disciple. My role is to guide. Yours is to grow stronger."
Tang San's heart swelled. For someone who had spent so much of his life denied recognition, to have a "Teacher" care this way… it was like sunlight piercing through clouds.
Bibi Dong, watching quietly, stroked Subei's head with a fond smile. Her voice dripped with teasing warmth. "Listen to him. Still a boy, yet speaking grand truths like a master already. Xiaobei, you're like a little philosopher masquerading as my student."
She tapped his nose. "Honestly, sometimes it feels you're the teacher, not me."
Everyone chuckled lightly at the jest—except Tang San, who nearly trembled.
The Pope herself admits she cannot make spirit evolutions happen, and yet Teacher accomplished it for me. Could it be… is Teacher truly a heavenly being reborn? A god in disguise? If so… if so, this makes sense…
His serious little face firmed as he silently vowed. Teacher, I will follow you to the ends of the earth. Whatever it costs.
Meanwhile, they drifted deeper into the marketplace. Tang San decided to share a little creation from his tinkering. Producing several small, sleek contraptions from his sleeve, he handed them out.
"These… I designed from texts. Sleeve arrows. Compact weapons. Not powerful, but useful in ambush. If fired at the eyes—or other weak points—it can immobilize even stronger foes. Just… don't use them carelessly in crowded places."
Hu Liena, curious, picked one up eagerly. "Ohh, let me try!"
A sharp twang cut the air.
The arrow flew fast and true—piercing straight into the buttocks of a passing man.
"GRAAAAAAHHH!" The burly target shrieked, clutching his posterior as he whirled around.
Everyone froze, expressions straining somewhere between horror and amusement.
Hu Liena covered her lips in shock. "I-I—I didn't mean to!"
Tang San paled. "This… this is exactly why I said not to use them indoors…"
The man, veins bulging on his forehead, hobbled toward them angrily. "Who the hell—" His furious curses died mid-scream when his eyes finally landed on the group. Not on Tang San, not on Hu Liena—but first on Bibi Dong's breathtakingly mature figure.
Then, on the ethereal, devastating beauty of Subei.
His gaze turned lecherous, audacity rising straight into the heavens. "Well, well, what luck. A stunning older beauty and a pretty little boy all together? Hahah! Since I've been injured, someone must compensate. Woman, you can be my wife. And this delicate little doll can be my son! Our family of three will live happily ever after!"
The silence that followed was crushing.
Yan nearly dropped his pack. Tang San choked back a laugh, his shoulders trembling. Hu Liena's cheeks went red with shame. Even Subei's mouth twitched.
Did this idiot just claim the Pope… as his wife? And me… as his 'son'?! Brother, are you trying to speedrun suicide?
Subei covered his face. Only in the Douluo world… would a random mob dare call Bibi Dong 'mother-in-law.'
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