The drunken hunter hadn't even finished his obscene proposal when—
Smack!
A single flick of Bibi Dong's hand, Soul Power compressed into a palm strike, crashed against him like the heavens themselves.
The man vanished from the street, flung so high into the clouds he twinkled like a falling star. Whether he landed in one piece was anyone's guess.
"Shameless fool." Bibi Dong's cold voice snapped the air. Her eyes brimmed with disgust.
For her, it mattered little that it was Hu Liena's careless arrow that had sparked the commotion. That man's response—filthy, disrespectful, greedy—deserved no mercy. Had he simply been humble, he might have received an apology, even compensation. But he courted death, so death is what he found.
The crowd went silent.
Everyone recognized the man—an infamous tough in the town, not weak either. A Soul Sect with muscle and swagger. And yet, before Bibi Dong, he wasn't even worth a breath. No one saw a battle, only his body vaporizing into the sky.
"Good heavens…" whispers broke out, cut short in fear.
Some tried to drown their anxiety in liquor. "Tch, what a waste. That body… that figure… if only she were a civilian woman and not…" his voice trailed off, trembling, his eyes still greedy but his courage bled away.
"Careful," his companion hissed, dragging him toward the tavern. "That woman isn't less than Soul Emperor level! Stare too long and you'll dig your grave. Better to drink, find a whore. I'm buying."
The seedier mercenaries slunk back into shadows. Hunger burned in their eyes, but none dared touch the fox before the lion.
On the street, the threatening stares that had followed them since arrival faded one by one, squeezed into nothing by the oppressive presence of Spirit Hall's Pope. This was Bibi Dong's way.
Where Liu Erlong endured gossip and defended patiently… Bibi Dong smothered it under raw power.
She would never allow anyone—even idle women in the future—to sidle close to her Subei. Subtle manipulation? Hallways of whispers? No. Her answer was violence and walls of Soul Force so vast not even a thought could pass.
This was her declaration: How dare you covet what belongs to the Pope?
Hu Liena ducked her head, guilty. "Teacher, I… I'm sorry. I lost control with the sleeve arrow. Maybe I shouldn't use one at all."
Ashamed, she tried returning the weapon to Tang San.
But Yan chuckled and snatched it from Tang San's hand before she could. "No, I'll take it. Didn't expect much at first, but if aimed properly? Ha! Catch anyone off guard. Not bad at all."
He clapped Tang San's shoulder like a comrade.
Tang San flinched slightly, withdrawing his arm. His discomfort showed plainly, though he forced a thin smile. For reasons he couldn't explain, he hated the touch of men—any men. Except, of course… his Teacher.
Tang San turned immediately toward Subei, eyes glimmering with hope. "Teacher, should I craft one for you as well?"
If time and resources allowed, he wished to create all the weapons from the Tang Sect's ancient arts—Guanyin Tears, Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus, Yama's Invitation, Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needles. He would build every concealed weapon technique he remembered and dedicate them all to the supreme figure guiding his fate. That would be his offering, his repayment.
Subei, hearing those unspoken thoughts, nearly choked.
Oh, loyal disciple! Why weren't you this devoted in the original timeline? I almost want to cry…
But aloud, his tone was light. "Xiao San, your design is excellent. But it isn't for me. This is only a beginner's toy—I don't need it."
He lifted his chin proudly. "With Lingbo Microstep under my feet, even if a net of pear blossom needles flew from every direction, I would escape untouched."
Tang San's face fell, disappointment sharp. Still, he bowed deeply. "Yes, Teacher."
Bibi Dong smiled faintly, brushing her scepter against the ground. "Little master and disciple pair… Truly impressive. You place so much trust in each other."
Her voice was calm, but her mind burned. Indeed, Xiaobei, you don't need such crude tricks. With me here, nothing in the Star Dou Forest could ever harm you.
Behind the party, unseen in the crowd, Ghost Douluo stood as their unfaltering shade. Bibi Dong could have filled the entire town with Spirit Hall elites with a flick of her hand.
So why would Xiaobei need petty gadgets?
Tang San's disappointment deepened, but he kept his grief quiet. Even if Teacher doesn't want them… I'll make them for him anyway. I'll show him one day that this disciple's devotion isn't hollow.
…
Later, the group gathered their supplies and prepared to head out again.
Bibi Dong's orders were casual, indifferent, yet shocking. "After practice time, we'll enter the Star Dou's edge. What would you prefer first? Hunt Xiao San's soul ring… or play?"
Her phrasing stunned everyone.
In any other mouth, such words would be lunacy. The Star Dou, playground? One of the most dangerous forests on the continent, where even seasoned Soul Saints tread cautiously? A place spoken of with dread by sects and kingdoms alike?
But from the Pope, close to Limit Douluo herself… the forest was no more foreboding than a stroll through a flower garden. That was the luxury of true strength.
Subei smiled smoothly. "Why not both? Let's enjoy a fire, prepare food, and then help Little San secure his ring at the same time. Meeting the right beast could take hours anyway. Let's turn hunting into a picnic."
The others blinked at his audacity.
His tone wasn't wrong, though. Luck determined how soon the right beast appeared. And until then, why not feast?
Bibi Dong's gaze drifted back to Tang San, her tone cooling. "Still, your path is trickier than most. Control spirits rarely have easy options. Plant spirits like Blue Silver Grass… are innately inferior, unless evolved to their peak. Your ring choice will matter more than most."
Hu Liena licked her lips thoughtfully. "Like Chrysanthemum Douluo? His entrancing rings made him one of the rare plant masters worth fearing."
"Exactly." Bibi Dong didn't deny it.
Subei added with gentle authority, "The direction is clear. Your Blue Silver Grass must embody control. And the essence of control is twofold: toughness and toxin. Your vines already gained some aggression after their evolution. Now, the ideal next step is venom. Hunt a beast with paralysis, dizziness… even lethal poison. Fuse that into your martial soul."
Tang San's heart thuddered. He knew. From his first lessons of Tang Sect, he had breathed the way of poison. For him, this guidance wasn't fate—it was destiny.
Bibi Dong frowned slightly. "Your words are bold. For most, even 300 or 400 years is already too much. For a first ring…"
But Subei raised his voice firmly. "Trust me. With his physique, his twin martial soul heritage—even if you don't yet know it—Xiao San's body can bear it. Perhaps even five-hundred years."
The group inhaled sharply.
Yan's eyes went wide. Hu Liena's hands squeezed nervously. Even Bibi Dong's brow rose a fraction.
Subei leaned toward his disciple, his gaze steady, solemn, unshakable.
"Do you trust your Teacher, Xiao San?"
The boy's fists clenched, his eyes reddened with passion and conviction. Do I trust him? He is the only one I can.
His answer was clear, resonant: "Tang San has chosen Teacher. From the moment I bowed, I chose trust without hesitation. I can give my very back to you, Teacher, without fear."
He dropped to one knee in reverence, heart swelling.
Subei reached out and pulled him up gently, pride glimmering. That's right. Believe. In this world, your Teacher is the only safe path.
--
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