A blazing red light shot across the sky, and Fiery Eagle Douluo, who was guarding the Spirit Palace, fell from the sky. The powerful momentum forced Yu Xiaogang to step back several steps, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.
This scene left the suddenly-appearing Fiery Eagle Douluo slightly confused. He was a newly promoted Titled Douluo of the Spirit Empire and knew nothing about the incident between Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang.
Now, seeing an aged spirit master holding an Elder Token from the Spirit Hall that looked so fragile, he couldn't help but wonder whether it had been stolen.
"Who are you? Why do you possess an elder token from the former Spirit Hall, and why didn't you replace it when the Spirit Empire was established?"
When the Spirit Empire was first founded, the Spirit Hall tokens were replaced. Some former spirits were abandoned, and angel wings were used as the new emblem, reprinted with gold soul coins.
Yu Xiaogang had also heard this news, but he hadn't had the chance to replace his token at that time because Flender had fled.
Now, feeling the increasing pressure from Fiery Eagle Douluo and looking at the token in his hand, he could only grit his teeth and endure.
"This token was given to me by Bibi Dong, the empress of the Spirit Empire. If you don't believe me, you can ask her yourself."
Yu Xiaogang spoke seriously, and Fiery Eagle Douluo was stunned. He couldn't believe someone would dare to lie like this at the gates of the Spirit Empire's palace.
But he didn't dare let Yu Xiaogang in either, so he had the guards at the gate watch him closely, and he quickly rushed back to the palace to report to Bibi Dong.
In the grand palace, Bibi Dong, who was handling imperial affairs, listened to Fiery Eagle Douluo's report as he knelt on the ground. Her momentum suddenly exploded, overturning everything around her.
"Hahahahaha, hahahahaha, I didn't expect him to come to my door himself. Fiery Eagle, bring him in."
"Yes."
Fiery Eagle Douluo backed away without even raising his head. He had never seen Her Majesty lose her composure like this. He truly didn't know who Yu Xiaogang was or how he could carry such influence.
As he brought Yu Xiaogang into Bibi Dong's palace, Qian Daoliu had already received the news. His eyes were filled with curiosity as he looked in that direction.
He knew that Bibi Dong had built a chamber beneath the Spirit Empire's Imperial Palace, similar to the secret room in the original Spirit Hall.
And from what he had heard and felt, Bibi Dong was no longer the kind-hearted person she used to be, and few of Xun'er's subordinates remained.
Remembering the hatred and sorrow he felt when passing through Bibi Dong's palace, Qian Daoliu still felt a bit of fear. Xun'er had truly created a madwoman back then.
On the other hand, Yu Xiaogang—unaware of the pity in Qian Daoliu's gaze—was full of confidence. He put on a smile he thought was gentle and charming and walked into Bibi Dong's palace.
He walked to the center of the hall, looked up at Bibi Dong seated on the throne above, and recalled every piece of their past in his heart.
The two stared at each other quietly, and no one spoke first, but the expressions in their eyes were completely different.
Fiery Eagle Douluo, standing behind Yu Xiaogang, sensed the strange atmosphere between them and trembled in fear. He quietly retreated before overhearing anything he shouldn't.
He carefully closed the heavy door, which could block most sound, leaving the Empress of the Spirit Empire and Master Yu Xiaogang some privacy.
"Bibi Dong, I'm here. Are you doing well?"
"I'm very well—so well that I'm above ten thousand people. What could possibly be wrong? Look at this grand Spirit Empire. Who dares to disobey me?"
"Bibi Dong, I know you've suffered."
Master Yu Xiaogang sighed, and a hint of pain flickered in his eyes. Dong'er was like this, and Erlong was like this too—he had let down too many women.
But he was helpless. How could Dong'er hurt Erlong because of this? He could never forgive her for that.
Bibi Dong, sitting on the throne, looked at the man in front of her who had haunted her thoughts for decades. The pain in her heart was indescribable. If he hadn't been there, would she have become like this?
"Tell me, after all these years, what did you come here to say?"
"Bibi Dong, I..."
"Call me 'Your Majesty.'"
Yu Xiaogang's words were suddenly cut off, causing him to frown unconsciously. Upon realizing what Bibi Dong had said, a wave of bitterness surged in his heart.
"Your Majesty, I came here to ask for something."
"Go on."
"I want to know how you overcame the hardship of having twin martial spirits."
"Oh? And it's because of Tang San, isn't it? You've treated him so well, but why didn't he think to bring you with him when he left?"
Yu Xiaogang froze for a moment, then hastily tried to make an excuse for Tang San, whom he treated like a son. He must have been worried about the hardship of the journey and left without telling him.
He was about to explain, but suddenly, a black shadow flashed before him. He completely lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground.
Bibi Dong withdrew her fingers, which were still emitting a trace of demonic spirit power, and looked down at the unconscious Yu Xiaogang with satisfaction. This time, he wasn't going anywhere.
But soon her expression turned odd and manic. This man—Yu Xiaogang—actually came to ask her for a breakthrough method to help her enemy?
She, Bibi Dong, was the Empress of the Spirit Empire and ruler of half the Douluo Continent. How could she be treated like this by him?
Just like that trash Qian Daoliu, always pursuing his own goals without ever caring about the feelings of others.
The scene that made her faint from grief flashed in Bibi Dong's mind. The killing intent within her surged, and the demonic aura around her body exploded. She desperately needed an outlet for it.
"Fiery Eagle."
"Your subordinate is here."
"Prepare the best healing medicine—ten doses."
"Yes."
Fiery Eagle Douluo looked at the unconscious Yu Xiaogang on the floor and felt like gouging out his own eyes.
He didn't dare look directly at him or ask anything. After respectfully presenting the healing medicine, he silently withdrew and tightly closed the door to ensure no sound could be heard.
Bibi Dong ignored him and focused on Yu Xiaogang lying on the ground. She instantly appeared in the center of the hall and gently stroked his cheek.
"I will love you well."
Evil energy overflowed from her hand. The healing medicine and Yu Xiaogang floated in the air, lifted by her energy, and were taken to a secret chamber underground.
Soon after, screams and cries of pain echoed from the secret room. In no time, the screams turned into pleas for mercy, followed by curses, then fell silent.
At this moment, Bibi Dong kindly applied the healing medicine to the man in front of her—now covered in wounds and missing skin—to ensure he could recover just as he was before.