The Martial Soul Hall had long hesitated to confront the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger due to its formidable strength, matched only by the Great Offering and his peers. However, the offerings were the foundation of the Martial Soul Hall, not to be deployed unless the organization faced existential peril. Moreover, since the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's reign, the Star Dou Forest's overall power had surged dramatically, its true terror unknown, leaving the matter unresolved—until now. By devouring the Young Master, the beast had crossed a line, prompting Qian Daoliu to act. It was time to eliminate the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger and restore peace for human soul masters.
"I have no objections," She Long declared, understanding the situation.
Ci Xue nodded in agreement. "Nor do I." Ci Xue: Level-92 control-type Titled Douluo, Porcupine Fish Martial Soul, titled "Porcupine," Elder of the Martial Soul Hall's Elder Hall.
Following Snake Spear Douluo and Porcupine Douluo, Demon Bear Douluo, Ghost Leopard Douluo, and the Ninth Elder also nodded, voicing no dissent.
Seeing no objections from the Elder Hall or the Martial Soul Hall's leadership, all in favor of attacking the Star Dou Forest to hunt the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, Golden Crocodile Douluo gave a slight nod. "Since the elders and leadership have no objections, the Martial Soul Hall will march on the Star Dou Forest immediately." He paused, then continued, "This campaign, led by the Great Offering, aims to restore peace for soul masters and secure humanity's future. It's not just us—the Great Offering has invited the Haotian Sect, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Heaven Dou Empire, and Star Luo Empire. Every available human force will join to ensure the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's demise."
"Elders, I leave the preparations for departure to you," he concluded, then left the Pope's Hall, soaring toward the Star Dou Forest.
In a side chamber of the Pope's Hall, Saintess Bibi Dong learned of the events from a servant. Hearing that Qian Xunji, while hunting a 100,000-year transformed soul beast, was nearly killed by a single hammer strike from the newly ascended Titled Douluo Tang Hao, she burst into gleeful laughter. "Heaven has eyes!" she exclaimed. Tang Hao, you're my lucky star. Her only regret was that Qian Xunji's stubborn life force kept him alive—Tang Hao's strike hadn't finished him.
"Saintess, are you alright?" The maid, assigned by Qian Xunji to serve and monitor Bibi Dong, noticed her laughing joyfully at the Pope's misfortune instead of showing concern. Worried about her mental state, the maid asked timidly.
Realizing her lapse, Bibi Dong quickly masked her emotions, reverting to her usual cold, saintly demeanor. "I'm fine. Any other news? For instance, have you heard of Yu Xiaogang or the progress of his theories?"
The maid shook her head. "Saintess, besides the Pope's injury, there's another devastating piece of news."
"What news?" Bibi Dong's interest piqued. Any misfortune for the Martial Soul Hall delighted her. Her once-happy life had been ruined by Qian Xunji, leaving her a shell driven by vengeance—against him, the Angel Clan, and the Martial Soul Hall itself.
"Saintess, it's the Young Master—she's in trouble!" The maid cautiously watched Bibi Dong's expression, speaking with measured care.
"In trouble?" Bibi Dong's brow furrowed slightly. Qian Renxue, born through Qian Xunji's schemes, had perfectly inherited the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul and Bibi Dong's talent. As the Martial Soul Hall's Young Master and Qian Daoliu's beloved granddaughter, what could possibly happen to her? At most, she might have a cavity at her age, Bibi Dong mused sarcastically. Her hatred for Qian Xunji and lingering love for Yu Xiaogang left no room for affection for Qian Renxue. To her, the girl was a stranger. Her greatest concern might be whether Qian Renxue was dead—and even then, Bibi Dong doubted she'd feel a shred of pain.
The maid, noting Bibi Dong's indifference to her daughter's plight, felt a pang of sorrow for Qian Renxue. The Young Master was both the luckiest and most pitiable soul—born with unmatched status yet deprived of a mother's love, a void absent from her childhood.
"The Young Master, while on a mission in the Heaven Dou Empire, entered the Star Dou Forest as part of her task," the maid explained. "There, she encountered the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger and may have met with disaster."
The Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's infamy was universal—any soul master caught by it was devoured, becoming part of its terrifying power. Hearing this, Bibi Dong's eyes widened, her fingers clenching tightly. She spun to face the maid, her voice heavy, her face pale. "What did you say? Xue'er is in the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's clutches?"
Though she'd told herself countless times that Qian Renxue wasn't her daughter, that her fate meant nothing, the news hit Bibi Dong like a blow, her heart seizing with a suffocating ache. "You… you said Xue'er is with the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger?" Her voice trembled. "Why was she in the Star Dou Forest?"
Her mental state unraveled, her questions frantic, almost deranged. "The Young Master entered the Star Dou Forest for her mission and unfortunately encountered the beast," the maid replied, limited by her scant knowledge.
Tears welled in Bibi Dong's eyes. She threw her head back, letting out a wild, bitter laugh. "Hahaha! What fitting retribution!"