[TL/N: Ju (菊) - Chrysanthemum, Gui (鬼) - Ghost.]
Hearing the Chrysanthemum Douluo's detailed explanation, Bibi Dong's expression softened slightly.
She hadn't yet fully taken control of the entirety of Spirit Hall, specifically the Worship Hall (Douluo Palace), and couldn't afford to lose these two capable lieutenants. Their Bipolar Static Domain was particularly crucial for her future plans to hunt hundred-thousand-year soul beasts.
However, she needed to give Yu Xiaogang an explanation.
Therefore, Bibi Dong's red lips parted slightly, and she said firmly, "Even so, you shouldn't have abandoned Elder Yu during a confrontation. Go and apologize to him later."
"Yes!"
"Spirit Hall needs Elder Yu's wisdom and talent. I have treated you well; try your best to meet his reasonable requests in the future."
At this point, Bibi Dong suddenly remembered something and continued, "Also... do you know why Lin Mu went to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
The Chrysanthemum Douluo hesitated for a moment before explaining, "Your Holiness, Lin Mu seems to have broken through to Level 80 and needs to obtain his eighth soul ring, so he went to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for assistance."
The Chrysanthemum Douluo dared not conceal this matter; lies were easily exposed, and offering a majority of the truth was the best way to be convincing.
Moreover, Lin Mu's eighth soul ring would be exposed sooner or later. At that point, any lie he told now would crumble, bringing trouble upon himself.
"Eighth soul ring? Is he planning to hunt a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?"
Bibi Dong's eyes flashed. She knew very well how powerful a hundred-thousand-year soul beast was, at least equivalent to a Level 95 Super Douluo among humans.
However, with Lin Mu's own strength, plus the help of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's experts, hunting one wouldn't be impossible.
"It seems that Xiaogang wasn't wrong. Lin Mu is indeed colluding closely with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
Thinking of this, Bibi Dong's eyes suddenly turned cold. She looked at the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos and ordered, "Go to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy immediately and bring Lin Mu to see me."
Hearing this, the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos exchanged a glance, both seeing the reluctance in each other's eyes.
Having received Lin Mu's benefits and witnessed his power, they genuinely didn't want to be his enemy. Besides, even the two of them combined were no match for him now.
Seeing their hesitation, Bibi Dong's gaze sharpened instantly, and she coldly asked, "You're unwilling to go?"
"Your Holiness... Lin Mu might have already gained another hundred-thousand-year soul ring, greatly increasing his strength. We are definitely no match for him in a direct confrontation."
The Chrysanthemum Douluo appeared respectful, but inwardly he wanted to curse.
'What a joke!'
Lin Mu's eighth soul ring was over 200,000 years old; his strength had skyrocketed. Even if the two of them joined forces, or even if two more Elders attacked together, they might not be able to defeat Lin Mu now.
Hearing this, Bibi Dong pondered for a moment and added, "How about this? I'll send another Platinum Bishop to assist you."
In her view, with the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos' fusion skill to control the target, capturing Lin Mu shouldn't be a problem. The addition of a Soul Douluo expert would be enough to secure the capture while the target was immobilized.
Seeing that Bibi Dong had made up her mind, the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos could only obey.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy – Royal Fighting Team Training Ground.
Everyone's soul power had noticeably improved thanks to the effects of yesterday's Meat Hot Pot. Tang San and Yu Tianheng had even broken through to Level 43.
Under Lin Mu's gravity domain, the team was conducting their usual training.
Previously, everyone on the Royal Fighting Team except Ye Lingling could last two minutes against Lin Mu's pressure.
Just as they were about to reach their three-minute goal, Lin Mu absorbed the Scarlet King's soul ring, significantly increasing his physical strength and the density of his pressure. Now, they couldn't even last a minute.
At this rate, they might not be able to achieve their endurance goals before the Continental Soul Master Competition began.
Just then, a soft, feminine voice came from outside the training ground.
"Lin Mu, His Holiness the Pope requests your presence at the Supreme Pontiff's Palace."
Just by hearing the voice, Lin Mu knew who it was without even thinking. But he hadn't expected the Chrysanthemum Douluo to come knocking so soon after they parted ways.
Immediately, Lin Mu looked up into the distance and saw the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos standing atop a nearby building, with a black-robed figure behind them.
"A Soul Douluo, huh?"
Lin Mu raised an eyebrow. 'Could a mere Soul Douluo be of any use in this situation?'
"You all cultivate first. I need to take care of some personal matters."
With that, Lin Mu immediately activated his Hurricane Armor, and vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.
When he reappeared, he was already atop a building, right next to where the Chrysanthemum Douluo and the other two were standing.
"Such speed!"
The black-robed figure exclaimed, his eyes filled with shock. 'This speed was practically teleportation!'
Had this person truly just recently absorbed his eighth soul ring?
Although he had heard rumors of Lin Mu, he hadn't expected him to be even more terrifying than imagined. No wonder the Pope had gone to such lengths, dispatching two Titled Douluos and a high-ranking Bishop simultaneously.
However, with Elder Ju and Elder Gui's Martial Soul Fusion Technique, this operation would definitely proceed without problems.
The Chrysanthemum Douluo showed no intention of attacking immediately. Instead, he offered advice: "Lin Mu, last time you disobeyed the Pope's decree, but His Holiness was magnanimous and didn't hold it against you. I hope you'll think this through and come peacefully."
The black-robed man wasn't surprised by Elder Ju's diplomatic approach.
For him, avoiding conflict was best; otherwise, with his Soul Douluo cultivation, he probably wouldn't last more than a few rounds against Lin Mu if things went south.
Lin Mu, similarly, didn't rush to attack, simply because he had received a telepathic message from the Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"Lord Lin Mu, this matter is Bibi Dong's direct order, and neither of us dares to disobey. As for the other person, it's the Platinum Bishop, Lor Diarra, sent by Bibi Dong to monitor us."
Clearly, this Platinum Bishop had intended to conceal his identity, but he hadn't expected to be instantly betrayed by his superiors.
In the Chrysanthemum Douluo's view, Lor Diarra was nothing more than a spy planted by Bibi Dong to ensure he and Ghost didn't slack off.
After a moment of silence, Lin Mu spoke aloud, "If it were Bibi Dong personally inviting me, I might consider it. But you three? None of you are qualified!"
Upon hearing this, the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos remained relatively calm, but Lor Diarra behind them couldn't stand it anymore.
"How dare you insult His Holiness! It's an unforgivable crime!"
Lor Diarra was furious and said to the Elders, "Elders, let's attack together and subdue him for the Pope!"
However, the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluos were well aware of the difference in their strength; even using the Bipolar Static Domain, they doubted they could truly control Lin Mu now that he was prepared.
But things had come to this point, and they had to maintain appearances; otherwise, they would inevitably face Bibi Dong's punishment.
Therefore, the Chrysanthemum Douluo continued to transmit his voice to Lin Mu: "Lord Lin Mu, I'll give you a signal later. As long as you avoid us when we activate our Martial Soul Fusion Technique, we naturally 'won't be able' to do anything to you."
Hearing this, Lin Mu was stunned. 'This old Chrysanthemum has truly learned the essence of quiet quitting.'
Next, the Chrysanthemum Douluo launched the first attack, assisted by the Ghost Douluo, luring Lin Mu into mid-air. The three engaged in a flashy back-and-forth battle.
Meanwhile, Lor Diarra remained a hundred meters away, quietly awaiting his opportunity to strike.
"Martial Soul Fusion Skill: Bipolar Static Domain!"
With a soft, sinister shout from the Chrysanthemum Douluo, the eighteen spirit rings on him and the Ghost Douluo instantly coalesced into a massive golden-silver halo, aiming to envelop Lin Mu.
Under the halo's influence, the space around the target would almost completely solidify.
However, seeing Lin Mu remaining within its control range instead of dodging, the Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression changed drastically.
'After my warning, there was no reason Lin Mu couldn't dodge! Why is he staying there?!'