"Bibi Dong! I didn't come here to argue with you!"
Yu Xiaogang pointed angrily at Bibi Dong, who sat high upon her throne, his tone filled with frustration and indignation.
"Insolent! Call me Your Holiness!"
Bibi Dong's hand slammed against the armrest of her throne as her Titled Douluo aura erupted, suffocating the room.
What was Yu Xiaogang's cultivation level?
A mere Level 29 "failure." How could he possibly withstand such pressure?
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he staggered under the weight of her aura.
The burst of pressure disappeared as quickly as it came. When Bibi Dong looked at Yu Xiaogang again, her eyes held a complex mix of emotions.
Her gaze fell on his gaudy attire, his overly meticulous appearance...
Was he now working in the imperial palace?
The voice he had used sounded oddly affected, reminding her of certain individuals she had encountered. The only real difference was the clothing.
When reports of Yu Xiaogang's activities had first reached her, she had been skeptical. But now that he stood before her, it was even more absurd than she had imagined.
Yu Xiaogang was seething. He had not expected Bibi Dong to disregard their past so completely, injuring him with her aura over a single word.
"Bibi Dong, you have such a cruel heart," he muttered.
Bibi Dong: "..."
If she truly had a cruel heart, would Yu Xiaogang still be alive to speak? He would have been reduced to a mist of blood in mere moments.
"This Pope is very busy. I have no time to listen to your nonsense."
Bibi Dong's voice was cold and indifferent.
"Hmph! I'm here for the secret of cultivating twin Martial Souls. Give me that secret, Your Holiness, and I'll leave immediately!"
Yu Xiaogang's words carried an air of bravado. When he addressed her as "Your Holiness," there was even a trace of resentment in his tone.
Bibi Dong was stunned by his sheer audacity.
The secret of cultivating twin Martial Souls was hers—what did it have to do with Yu Xiaogang?
And yet, he was demanding it as though it were his rightful property. Her eyes bore into him as if she were staring at a fool.
"Is this how you ask for favors, Yu Xiaogang? You truly have no shame."
His behavior reminded her of someone shamelessly demanding benefits without contributing anything in return.
Yu Xiaogang was unfazed by her disdain. He believed in his heart that his disciple Tang San would one day vindicate him.
When that time came, the world would recognize his greatness, and Yu Xiaogang's reputation would be restored!
"You've come to Spirit Hall for the son of that Haotian Sect remnant, Tang San, haven't you?"
Bibi Dong had long been aware of Tang San's existence. The speed of Spirit Hall's information network far surpassed what a minor Soul Master like Yu Xiaogang could imagine.
"Tang San is my disciple! He is not some Haotian Sect remnant!"
"Bibi Dong, if you dare to harm Tang San, I will use everything I've learned to destroy Spirit Hall!"
Bibi Dong nearly laughed out loud at his threat but managed to restrain herself.
Yu Xiaogang's so-called lifetime of learning? It was nothing more than stolen knowledge from Spirit Hall and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. How did he think that was enough to bring down Spirit Hall?
If Spirit Hall were so easy to destroy, she wouldn't have spent years carefully plotting its downfall herself.
"Yu Xiaogang, you came here asking for the secret of cultivating twin Martial Souls so you can train the son of my enemy.
Do you truly believe this Pope would give it to you?"
Her voice was tinged with mockery.
In that moment, Bibi Dong couldn't help but feel disgusted by Yu Xiaogang's shamelessness.
"Teacher was right about you all along," she murmured.
"It's just a pity I didn't listen back then. Now, it's too late... far too late."
Back then, her teacher, Qian Xunji, had repeatedly warned her about Yu Xiaogang's ulterior motives.
But she had ignored him, stubbornly doing as she pleased. The result was a tragic ending for both of them.
Qian Xunji had many faults, but as a teacher, he had been responsible. Except for that one grievous mistake, his guidance had been sound.
"Give me the secret to cultivating twin Martial Souls, and I guarantee Tang San will not become an enemy of Spirit Hall!" Yu Xiaogang declared confidently.
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sneer.
Yu Xiaogang's guarantees? Empty words. Promises were the most worthless currency in the world.
"What's interesting," Bibi Dong mused, "is that your disciple has already absorbed four thousand-year rings with his second Martial Soul at the Soul Ancestor stage, and yet he hasn't exploded. How fascinating."
This development defied expectations—Tang San should have died, yet he hadn't.
Yu Xiaogang frowned. Why would Bibi Dong mention this?
He wasn't stupid; quite the opposite. His sharp mind had once deceived both Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong.
He knew about Tang San's thousand-year rings and had even scolded him for not absorbing higher-level ones. But now it made sense—if Tang San had gone for stronger rings, he might have died.
So that was why Bibi Dong found it amusing...
"Even if you refuse to share the secret, my intellect will eventually uncover it!" Yu Xiaogang declared smugly.
"Take this as a warning, Bibi Dong: Tang San is not only my disciple but also the son of Haotian Douluo!"
With a dramatic flourish, Yu Xiaogang turned and stormed out.
Bibi Dong remained seated, deep in thought. After a moment, her voice rang out:
"Retrieve Yu Xiaogang's Elder Token. He is no longer fit to be an Honorary Elder of Spirit Hall. And... break one of his legs. Let him crawl back to Heaven Dou City."
"Yes, Your Holiness!"
From the shadows emerged Ghost Douluo. His face was obscured, but his intent was clear.
Moments later, a bloodcurdling scream echoed outside the Pope's Hall.
Inside, Bibi Dong closed her eyes, lost in contemplation.
In the Shrine Hall, Qian Daoliu sat expressionless. After a while, he too closed his eyes.
Several days ago, he had received news: Tang Hao was dead.
Who had killed Tang Hao remained a mystery, but the information, delivered by Qian Renxue, was undoubtedly accurate.
"Tang Chen... Your grandson plotted against my son, and I spared him once..."
(Chapter End)