Heaven-defying!
Are all kids this heaven-defying?!
Soon enough—
Su Linfeng and the others followed Lordiala to the entrance of Death Canyon.
No way!
Is this big of a lineup?
When he saw the six figures standing behind Bibi Dong, even Su Linfeng couldn't help but feel shocked.
Yue Guan! Ghost Douluo! Ling Yuan! Demon Bear! Holy Dragon! Ghost Leopard!
Six Title Douluo!
Aside from Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo, who had been sent to Heaven Dou City to guard Qian Renxue, the rest of the Spirit Hall's Elder Hall Title Douluo had all come out in force?!
It couldn't possibly just be for their trial… right?
That would be way too exaggerated!
Su Linfeng quickly guessed the reason. Although Bibi Dong's spirit power had already reached rank ninety, she had not yet obtained her ninth spirit ring.
She was here to hunt a spirit beast!
Deep within Death Canyon lurked the Death Spider Emperor, a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
Once the Golden Generation had assembled, Bibi Dong finally spoke:
"This trial is both a challenge and a test from Spirit Hall!"
"If you can pass this assessment, then this Seat will bestow upon you the title of the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall. From then on, you will become the very backbone of Spirit Hall!"
Her words struck like thunder.
Every member of the Golden Generation straightened their backs, and even their fear was cut down by more than half.
The Golden Generation!
And granted personally by the Pope herself—
For these children of common birth, it was the highest honor imaginable.
What's more, the chance of becoming Spirit Hall's backbone in the future… those four words carried immeasurable weight.
Bibi Dong understood well the art of ruling.
Though she had ascended as Pope, Spirit Hall was already split into two factions by Qian Daoliu: the Worship Hall and the Papal Hall.
On the surface, Bibi Dong ruled Spirit Hall, and the Worship Hall did not interfere in Papal Hall's decisions. But the Papal Hall could not mobilize the Worship Hall's top-level power, leaving command and execution severed.
Therefore, if Bibi Dong wanted to counterbalance the Worship Hall, she had to cultivate her own strength. By granting the title of Golden Generation, she could nurture Hu Liena and other non-Seraphim-lineage spirit masters, thereby expanding her direct power base.
"Enough."
Bibi Dong waved her hand. "Lordiala, take them to the designated area."
"Linfeng."
"You stay."
Lordiala obeyed, leading the Golden Generation toward the canyon's entrance.
Bibi Dong lifted her scepter slightly.
The six Title Douluo behind her instantly understood. Each transformed into streaks of light and shot deep into Death Canyon.
In an instant—
Only Su Linfeng and Bibi Dong remained.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Bibi Dong put away the airs of a Pope and glared at Su Linfeng expressionlessly. "With so many people just now, did you really expect me to hug you?"
Su Linfeng didn't buy it for a second. He had already seen through her intent.
Hadn't they agreed before that until she had firm control over the Rakshasa God's will, she shouldn't target the Death Spider Emperor? Otherwise, it was far too easy to lose control again!
What's more—
She had deliberately overlapped the Golden Generation's trial with her hunt for the Death Spider Emperor, just to send him away and keep him from risking himself.
Her little schemes were written all over her face. Acting close wouldn't work here.
"Alright."
Bibi Dong let out a sigh, her tone softening. "Though I've smoothly inherited the Papal seat, what I command for now are only the lower-rank spirit masters and the affairs of the Spirit Empire's expansion."
"If I want to survive, I have no choice but to take risks. Once I advance to Title Douluo and fully control the Elder Hall, then I can calmly focus on refining the evil god's will."
"Besides, I've already located the approximate position of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. When your trial ends, I'll take you there."
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!
Finally, some good news.
Su Linfeng's heart stirred. At last, there was a lead.
"Alright."
Bibi Dong drew in a deep breath. "You should go. Remember—bring them back safely."
There was no helping it.
Su Linfeng knew Bibi Dong well.
Once she decided on something, nothing could change her mind. Talking more was useless. And she always had her own sense of measure.
Still—
He couldn't help but complain: "You're already so hard to satisfy, and now you want to add pressure on me too? Who's supposed to survive that?"
"You little brat!"
Bibi Dong's cheeks flushed crimson as she snapped. "What nonsense are you muttering?!"
"Am I wrong, Sister?"
Su Linfeng frowned. "Even now, with your rank-ninety power, I can barely keep up. When you become a Title Douluo, won't I be even more exhausted?"
Bibi Dong: "..."
This brat!
Now he even dared to complain?
And those words—
They didn't sound like anything a six-year-old should say. Every time, they left her cheeks burning.
He needed discipline.
If she let him talk back now, who knew how far he'd go in the future?
"Sister."
Sensing the mood shift, Su Linfeng quickly changed the subject. "Be careful. A hundred-thousand-year soul beast's body far surpasses that of a human Title Douluo. Don't ever try to act recklessly."
"Mhm."
Bibi Dong nodded.
Those words were far more pleasing, pulling her thoughts back to reality.
She glanced at him, then asked softly, "As a soul beast yourself, when I go to hunt one of your kind, won't you blame me?"
"Blame you?"
Su Linfeng chuckled. "I'm no bleeding-heart saint. The soul beast world is ruled by the food chain—it doesn't have the complicated feelings of humans."
"Besides, I'm a bird, he's a spider. In the soul beast realm, he's food to me. Even if he's a hundred-thousand-year soul beast with intelligence, he'd still see me as a natural enemy."
And truthfully, if Bibi Dong could ascend to godhood one day, that might not even be a bad thing for the beast.
If anything, the spider would be the one at a disadvantage.
Thinking that, Su Linfeng grinned. "Sister, your Martial Spirit is also a spider. If you put it that way, you're technically in my food chain, too. You'd better watch out. Who knows—when I grow up, maybe I'll eat you."
Bibi Dong: "You—"
"I'm going."
Realizing the atmosphere was tilting again, Su Linfeng bolted. "I'll bring the Golden Generation back safely."
Watching his retreating figure—
Bibi Dong's cheeks grew hotter until she couldn't help but laugh in anger. "Grow up? Even when you grow up, you won't be any kind of good bird!"
So brazen at this age.
What would happen when he hit adolescence?
She let out a helpless laugh, then disappeared on the spot.
Nightfall.
Death Canyon.
A vast region stretching a thousand li deep—
a wild mix of primordial forest, howling gorges, and barren desert.
The Golden Generation's task was to survive here for a full month.
After leading Su Linfeng and the others to their destination, Lordiala vanished into the shadows.
The trial had officially begun.
Because Death Canyon's visibility at night was poor, and soul beasts prowled constantly, Su Linfeng decided they should set up camp and rest first, then plan their route come morning.
The squad of eight—though Su Linfeng was the youngest in age, he was the strongest in power. Naturally, no one objected to him leading.
Xie Yue and Yan, being the tallest, retrieved tents from their soul guides and took charge of setting them up. The others assisted, while Su Linfeng kept guard around the perimeter.
"Sun Chuantao!"
Su Linfeng barked, exasperated. "Could you not pee inside the camp?! Go outside!"
"This isn't the Academy dormitory!"
Hu Liena and Zhang Ping are right here!