Flying out of Sunset Forest and back to the main road, the group switched to a carriage and continued on their journey.
The rest of the trip could only be described as uneventful. Qian Renxue stayed inside her carriage the entire time under the excuse of consolidating her cultivation, while Yang Yunhai, sitting in another carriage, did not disturb her and instead chose to cultivate his own Soul Power.
It was not until the carriage entered Heaven Dou City that they finally parted ways after a brief farewell.
'Looks like it'll take them having a child before they find a common topic to ease this awkwardness.' Dugu Bo silently evaluated in his heart.
Back at Yunhai Academy, the two of them returned to their quarters immediately.
"Teacher, here." Yang Yunhai smiled and took out the right arm bone of the White-Eyed Demon Tiger King, presenting it to Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"This… where did this come from?" Chrysanthemum Douluo was stunned. From the Soul Power radiating from it, he instantly knew this soul bone's age was not low—it was definitely above 50,000 years.
"Qian Renxue's seventh soul ring," Yang Yunhai replied. "It came from a 70,000 year White-Eyed Demon Tiger King. I had discovered it earlier in Sunset Forest. Since Qian Renxue's situation fit perfectly with it, I took her there. I didn't expect our luck would be so good."
'Could it be that the Child of Nature also has a luck buff?'
"I see." Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately understood.
Without his disciple, Qian Renxue would never have known about, much less found, such a perfectly suited soul beast for her seventh ring. Thus, this soul bone was given to Yang Yunhai as payment.
Of course, it was also very likely due to that matter. Otherwise, Qian Renxue wouldn't have been so generous.
'So, Qian Renxue actually has feelings for my disciple? That's good news!'
"Hurry and absorb it. I think you two should be heading back to Spirit Hall soon as well," Dugu Bo nodded.
"Mm." Chrysanthemum Douluo accepted the soul bone and walked into his room.
A few hours later, night fell. After dinner, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo took flight and left.
That same night, inside the East Palace bedchamber—
Lying on her bed, Qian Renxue tossed and turned. Scenes of the past few days with Yang Yunhai, as well as the words he had spoken at Yunhai Academy, replayed constantly in her mind. Volunteering to accompany her, helping her shorten the search time, and avoiding dangers… once they entered Sunset Forest, he truly did all of that. The sense of being cared for left her heart in disarray.
Unconsciously, her mind drifted back to what happened in the secret chamber. Her face flushed with shame. Her legs subconsciously pressed together, her complexion glowing red.
'That bastard actually dared to use lightning to knock me unconscious!' Shame mixed with anger surged in her chest.
'And the key point is… when I woke up, even my clothes had been changed…' Thinking of Yang Yunhai personally changing her intimate clothes, her embarrassment flared further.
Her cheeks burned hotter. With a shake of her silky hair, she rose and stepped lightly toward the bath.
The night passed without further words. The next day, Yang Yunhai continued his cultivation routine.
"Senior Dugu, Xiao Hai." Meng Shenshou arrived at noon. "With the current progress, the academy's expansion should be completed before the new semester begins. So, for this year's opening ceremony, should we hold it grandly? Perhaps you two could also attend?"
"After all, since the Soul Master Tournament, the academy's reputation has taken some damage."
"Then let's hold it," Dugu Bo nodded. "All preparations and invitations—you take charge."
"Understood. I'll start preparations as soon as I return." Meng Shenshou nodded.
A few days later, inside the Worship Hall of Spirit Hall—
"Reporting to the Grand Worship, the young mistress has sent a letter." A respectful voice echoed from outside.
"Enter." Sitting before the statue of the Six-Winged Angel, Qian Daoliu opened his eyes, his voice full of majesty.
'Didn't she just send a letter a few days ago? Why another one so soon?' A trace of doubt flashed in his eyes.
The temple knight entered with his head lowered, carefully offering the letter with both hands.
The next moment, the letter floated away into Qian Daoliu's hands. "You may leave," his voice commanded.
"Yes." The knight bowed and retreated.
Qian Daoliu lowered his gaze, broke the seal, and skimmed the contents. His pupils contracted sharply.
"This gift… is truly delightful."
Muttering softly, he looked up at the statue.
"Xue'er has already broken through to Soul Saint. The Heaven Dou Empire infiltration plan is nearly complete. Once everything settles, it will be time to begin the Angel God Inheritance."
But then his brows furrowed. "Bibi Dong… this time, you have truly disappointed me."
With his experience, how could he not see that Bibi Dong's decision to let Shrek Academy slip into the finals, rather than arranging an earlier confrontation with Tang San and Yang Yunhai, was entirely to aid Yu Xiaogang's reputation?
Such selfish bias was unworthy of a Pope, unworthy even of being a mother.
It was reckless!
No wonder Yang Yunhai chose to withdraw from Spirit Hall as a way of tarnishing Bibi Dong's reputation while pushing his granddaughter forward.
From Yang Yunhai's perspective, once he decided to destroy the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and target Tang Hao and Tang San, Yu Xiaogang inevitably became involved. Thus, Bibi Dong's stance on Shrek mattered greatly. Her clear favoritism toward Yu Xiaogang proved she was unfit to lead.
How could rising talents trust a Pope who blurred the line between public duty and private affection?
Yang Yunhai had already contributed immensely—handing in his theories on absorbing higher-age soul rings, his physical training manuals, and devising the flawless plan that destroyed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan while forcing Tang Hao into the open. His strategies made Tang Hao and Tang San wanted criminals across the continent. These were great achievements.
Yet Bibi Dong's actions left them disheartened again and again.
If not for Xue'er's presence, what if Yang Yunhai, Yue Guan, and Gui Mei had truly withdrawn from Spirit Hall? If they joined forces with Dugu Bo to build a new sect, Spirit Hall would face a terrifying enemy.
'This cannot continue. I cannot allow Bibi Dong's recklessness any longer.'
In his heart, Qian Daoliu silently resolved.
Since Yang Yunhai was confident in luring Tang Hao, and Xue'er's infiltration had reached such a key point, leaving them in Heaven Dou City was the best choice.
He tucked the letter into his Soul Tool and fell into deep thought.
Several days later, inside the Pope Hall—
Yue Guan and Gui Mei entered together, bowing slightly. "Greetings, Your Holiness."
"I need an explanation," Bibi Dong's brows knit, her tone cold. "Why was the annihilation of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan carried out without my prior approval?"
"Because they no longer require your commands." Golden radiance flashed on the dais as Qian Daoliu appeared.
Bibi Dong's face darkened instantly. "Qian Daoliu, what do you mean by this?"
"What do I mean?" Qian Daoliu snorted. "You blur justice with favoritism. You privately allocated three soul bones, then allowed them to nearly fall into the hands of Spirit Hall's enemies. Do I need to explain further? Bibi Dong, from this day on, I will reassess your ability to govern. Should you continue to act on personal whims, I will strip you of the Pope's position."
"You—!" Bibi Dong's fists clenched, her Soul Power leaking out as her chest heaved in anger.
"From this day, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and Elder Dugu will join the Worship Hall as Worship Elders. Alongside Yang Yunhai, they will remain in Heaven Dou City to assist Xue'er in her mission. The Pope Hall will fully cooperate. Additionally, information about Yang Yunhai will be sealed. Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo are officially permitted to withdraw from Spirit Hall to undertake this covert mission."
"Qian Daoliu, don't go too far." Bibi Dong's voice was dangerously low.
"This is the price for your actions. You must take responsibility," Qian Daoliu said coldly. "Could you, without implicating Spirit Hall, have destroyed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan as cleanly as they did?"
"You intend to target the Clear Sky Sect!?" Bibi Dong's expression changed.
"If they have ties to Fallen Soul Masters, then I will show no mercy." Qian Daoliu's tone was calm.
"Hypocrite!" Bibi Dong sneered. "Just admit you're paving the way for your granddaughter!"
"Say what you will." Qian Daoliu turned away, unconcerned. He looked at Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, raising his hand. Three glowing soul bones floated above his palm. "For your merits in annihilating the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, you may each choose one of these—each above 50,000 years. If you manage to kill Tang Hao and Tang San, or even bring down the Clear Sky Sect, the spoils will be yours. I will even reward you with an additional soul bone of equal quality."
Bibi Dong clenched her teeth, powerless to stop it.
She didn't need to guess—this was exactly what Qian Renxue had promised Yang Yunhai.
"Thank you, Grand Worship!" The two bowed deeply.
Ghost Douluo stepped forward and selected a black left arm bone. His speed was already sufficient; what he lacked was close combat ability. This would fill that gap.
As for the right arm bone, that was Tang Hao's Clear Sky Sect inheritance soul bone. At least 70,000 years.
Qian Daoliu nodded. "If there is nothing else, return to Heaven Dou City."
"Yes." They bowed again, even toward Bibi Dong, before departing.
Once they left, Bibi Dong rose from her seat, sneering. "Grand Worship, what a grand scheme. But beware raising a tiger that will one day bite you. Especially Yang Yunhai—do you truly believe your granddaughter can control him?"
"Just days ago, that child gave Xue'er a fire-attribute immortal herb. Not only did it help her reach soul rank 70, but it also further evolved her Six-Winged Angel. Afterwards, he even led her to a 70,000 year White-Eyed Demon Tiger King. Now, Xue'er has already broken through to soul rank 72." Qian Daoliu turned to look at her. "Bibi Dong, perhaps it is you who should reflect on yourself."
"A ruler chooses his ministers, but ministers also choose their ruler. Respect must be mutual—especially when dealing with a once-in-a-lifetime genius."
With a flash of golden light, he vanished.
'She's already broken through to Soul Saint…' Bibi Dong's expression darkened, her fingers clutching the scepter so tightly her knuckles turned white.
(End of Chapter)
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