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After nearly a full day of travel, around five in the afternoon, the towering and majestic silhouette of Spirit City, the most grand city on the continent, came into view.
Despite being comforted and reassured by Lin Yongming and Blue Silver Empress throughout the journey, Bibi Dong couldn't help but feel uneasy as they approached Spirit City. The thought of meeting Qian Xunji, coupled with what the Spider Queen had told her, filled her with anxiety.
"Dong'er, don't be nervous. Try to relax," Lin Yongming said as Bibi Dong slowed down. He was holding Blue Silver Empress while flying, so he couldn't reach out to comfort Bibi Dong directly. Instead, he had Blue Silver Empress take Bibi Dong's hand to reassure her.
"That's right. Sooner or later, you'll have to face this. Don't forget, we're here with you," Lin Yongming added encouragingly.
"Mm," Bibi Dong nodded.
When they arrived outside the western gates of Spirit City, the three of them chose not to fly in. Spirit City was filled with powerful individuals, and flying in would have been too conspicuous. Instead, they landed outside the city and prepared to walk in. This short walk would also give Bibi Dong some time to calm her nerves.
"We're about to enter the city. From now on, remember to call me Bibi Dong, as we agreed. Don't forget," Bibi Dong turned around and reminded them earnestly as they lined up to enter the city.
"We know, Holy Maiden Bibi Dong. You've said this countless times already," Blue Silver Empress said, tapping her forehead in exasperation.
"Don't worry. A'Huang and I will remember. Once we're inside the city, we'll call you by your full name or Holy Maiden. We won't use 'Dong'er,'" Lin Yongming assured her seriously.
"Good… good!" Bibi Dong nodded, finally turning back to face the city gates.
They waited in line for half an hour before finally entering the city. The sun had already set, painting the sky with vibrant hues of twilight.
"Should we go see the Pope directly?" Lin Yongming asked as they walked through the gates.
"Let's head straight to the Pope's Hall. Our arrival won't go unnoticed by the teacher," Bibi Dong replied, shaking her head.
"Alright."
Without even stopping for dinner, the three of them made their way toward the center of Spirit City.
After walking for over an hour, the sky had darkened completely, but the streets were still illuminated by light sources along the road.
"Halt! Who goes there!" As they ascended the steps to the entrance of Spirit Hall, the guards on duty intercepted them.
"You don't recognize me?" Bibi Dong said, her voice calm but firm. Perhaps due to the dim lighting, the guards hadn't recognized her at first.
"The Holy Maiden? Greetings, Holy Maiden!"
"We didn't recognize you at first. Please forgive us," the guards immediately knelt on one knee upon recognizing her.
"Rise," Bibi Dong said indifferently.
At that moment, a shadowy figure appeared out of nowhere, landing behind the gates.
"Holy Maiden, you've finally returned!" Ghost Douluo, clad in black, materialized and bowed to Bibi Dong.
"Greetings, Elder Ghost," Bibi Dong returned the courtesy.
"Greetings, Elder Ghost," Lin Yongming and Blue Silver Empress also bowed.
"It's good that you're back. Follow me. The Pope is having dinner in the dining hall," Ghost Douluo said with a cold nod, turning to lead the way.
Bibi Dong's expression tightened. Blue Silver Empress stepped forward and took her hand, offering silent encouragement with a nod.
Bibi Dong nodded back, took a deep breath, and followed Ghost Douluo.
Lin Yongming knew he couldn't hold Bibi Dong's hand at this moment, but Blue Silver Empress could. People would simply assume the two women had grown close after years of traveling together.
They passed through the front hall and the secondary hall of Spirit Hall, arriving at the entrance to the Pope's Hall. The doors were closed, guarded by sentinels.
However, since they were heading to the dining hall, they didn't need to enter the Pope's Hall. Instead, they took a left and walked toward a side building.
"Old Ghost, aren't you on duty tonight? What brings you here?" A distinctive voice rang out before its owner appeared. It was Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"The Holy Maiden has returned, so I came to escort her," Ghost Douluo replied. As he spoke, Lin Yongming and the others rounded the corner, coming into Chrysanthemum Douluo's view.
"Greetings, Holy Maiden!" Chrysanthemum Douluo stepped forward to welcome them.
"Greetings, Elder Chrysanthemum. Is the teacher inside?" Bibi Dong asked directly, her voice tinged with nervousness.
"He's just about to have dinner. I didn't expect you to return so soon," Chrysanthemum Douluo replied with a nod.
"Since you're here, why not join us for dinner?" Chrysanthemum Douluo offered graciously.
"Alright," Bibi Dong nodded, then tried to glean some information. "Elder Chrysanthemum, do you know why the teacher called us back so urgently?"
"There is indeed an important matter, which is why you were summoned," Chrysanthemum Douluo replied with a faint smile.
"What is it?" Bibi Dong pressed, sensing an opportunity.
"Let's discuss it over dinner," Chrysanthemum Douluo evaded the question.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, perhaps A'Huang and I shouldn't join," Lin Yongming suggested tentatively.
If Chrysanthemum Douluo agreed, it would mean the matter didn't concern him, and by extension, it wouldn't be related to his relationship with Bibi Dong.
"No, Lin Yongming, you should come too. This matter concerns all three of you," Chrysanthemum Douluo replied with a smile.
"It concerns me too?" Blue Silver Empress asked, puzzled.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's words sent a chill down Lin Yongming's spine. Knowing the original story, Lin Yongming was even more anxious than Bibi Dong.
"Could it really be what I've been fearing?" A shadow of worry crossed Lin Yongming's face in the darkness.
He knew that, with his current strength, he was no match for Qian Xunji. The pressure in his heart grew exponentially.
"Alright, you'll find out once we're inside. Let the Pope explain it to you himself."
"Understood, Elder Chrysanthemum!" Since Chrysanthemum Douluo refused to reveal anything, the three of them had no choice but to follow.
"Yue Guan, I'll leave them to you. I'll return to my post," Ghost Douluo said before vanishing into the night.
Chrysanthemum Douluo led the three of them around two more corners until they arrived at a building.
They had now entered the rear hall area, where the Pope and other high-ranking officials of Spirit Hall resided.
The largest courtyard in the rear hall belonged to Qian Xunji.
Chrysanthemum Douluo brought them to a room at the far end of Qian Xunji's residence. This was the dining hall, and the door was open. Chrysanthemum Douluo walked in first.
"Your Holiness, the Holy Maiden, Lin Yongming, and the others have returned," Chrysanthemum Douluo reported.
"Oh? Where are they?"
"Teacher, it's been a while," Bibi Dong immediately appeared at the doorway, greeting him with a bright smile.
"Lin Yongming pays his respects to Your Holiness!" Lin Yongming knelt on one knee at the doorway.
"Blue Silver pays her respects to Your Holiness," Blue Silver Empress bowed slightly.
"This isn't the Pope's Hall. No need for formalities."
"You've returned just in time. I assume you haven't eaten yet. Come in and join me," Qian Xunji said, nodding slightly as he observed the trio's vibrant demeanor.
"Thank you, Teacher!"
"Thank you, Your Holiness!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately brought chairs to the table, motioning for Lin Yongming to sit. He himself sat between Bibi Dong and Lin Yongming.
Lin Yongming felt an odd sensation as he faced Qian Xunji. It was as if he had secretly stolen the man's hard-earned daughter.
"After more than two years of training, you all seem much more mature and composed. Especially you, Dong'er. You've become more elegant and poised compared to when you left," Qian Xunji said, looking at the three of them with satisfaction.
"Teacher, you flatter me. There's still much for me to learn."
"During these two years of traveling the continent, I've met many people and experienced many things. It's made me realize how narrow my perspective was before," Bibi Dong replied humbly and earnestly.
"Good. It's clear you've grown and matured," Qian Xunji nodded approvingly.
"But don't be too modest. Even without me keeping tabs on you, I've heard about your exploits in Spirit City. They say the three of you, the 'Three Heroes of Spirit Hall,' have taken down numerous fallen ones."
"The Three Heroes of Spirit Hall—it suits you well," Qian Xunji said with a faint smile of approval.
"Your Holiness, please don't praise us too much. We've only done what we should. Besides, fallen ones are enemies of all. We're happy to help others," Lin Yongming said somewhat helplessly.
"That's right, Teacher. We were only a few months away from completing our three-year journey. You still haven't told us why you called us back so urgently. We were in the western part of the Star Luo Empire, about to complete our circuit of the continent," Bibi Dong followed up, seizing the opportunity to ask.
Qian Xunji had yet to reveal the reason, and the longer they waited, the more anxious Bibi Dong became. Her nervousness was beginning to show on her face.
"It's been over two years since I last saw you. Let me see how much you've grown. Otherwise, telling you now would be pointless," Qian Xunji said, avoiding the question and instead asking to see their current strength.
"Teacher, I haven't been slacking during our journey. We've faced numerous life-and-death battles against fallen ones. In those moments, I pushed myself to the limit. My soul power is now at level 67," Bibi Dong said, exaggerating slightly to avoid explaining the matter of the immortal herbs.
Otherwise, it would seem suspicious that she had gone from level 56 to level 67 in just over two years. Soul power growth slows significantly at higher levels, and one's innate talent also plays a role. Otherwise, Chrysanthemum Douluo wouldn't have been stuck at level 93 for so many years.
Qian Xunji himself had been at level 94 for several years.
"What! Level 67? You've gained eleven levels in two years? That's impossible!" Chrysanthemum Douluo exclaimed, his voice rising in pitch.
"Dong'er, is this true? You didn't take any shortcuts, did you?" Qian Xunji asked, his tone implying that he suspected Bibi Dong might have added soul rings to her second spirit, the Devouring Spider Emperor, to boost her soul power so quickly.
He wasn't sure if Bibi Dong had told Lin Yongming and Blue Silver Empress about her second spirit.
"Teacher, of course not. I've worked hard for this," Bibi Dong said, standing up and walking to an open space. She released her six soul rings.
"It really is level 67, and her soul power is solid and stable."
"Good, very good. It seems sending you out on this journey was the right decision," Qian Xunji said, visibly pleased with Bibi Dong's progress.
"What about you, Lin Yongming?" Qian Xunji turned his gaze to Lin Yongming, whom he held in high regard.
"Your Holiness, my soul power is five levels below the Holy Maiden's. I'm currently at level 62," Lin Yongming said somewhat helplessly.
When they had left on their journey, he had only been two levels behind Bibi Dong. Now, the gap had widened.
"And you, Blue Silver?" Qian Xunji asked curiously.
"Your Holiness, I'm currently at level 68. Over the past two years, the Holy Maiden has worked exceptionally hard, striving to gain the strength to defeat more fallen ones," Blue Silver Empress replied, also taking the opportunity to praise Bibi Dong.
"Hmm. Your progress is in line with your innate soul power. It seems Dong'er hasn't been slacking," Qian Xunji nodded.
"Teacher, of course not. I was afraid of disappointing you, so I pushed myself to train harder."
"So, Teacher, can you tell us now why you called us back so urgently?" Bibi Dong seized the moment to ask.
"Very well. Three Soul Emperors—you're qualified to take on this task. But the food is getting cold. Let's eat while we talk," Qian Xunji gestured for them to sit.
"Yes, Teacher," the three of them sat back down.
Feeling both nervous and expectant, they picked at their food as they waited for Qian Xunji to speak.
"I usually don't discuss official matters during meals, but since you seem so eager, I'll tell you now," Qian Xunji said, taking a bite of meat before continuing.
"Teacher, please go ahead. I'm all ears," Bibi Dong said immediately.
"Your Holiness, if there's anything you need me to do, just say the word. I'll do my best," Lin Yongming pledged.
"Good. Since you're all Soul Emperors now, I can trust you with this," Qian Xunji paused before continuing. "A month ago, we captured a fallen one on the northwestern coastline."
"This fallen one is completely different from the soul masters of our Douluo Continent, and unlike any other fallen ones we've encountered."
Bibi Dong was puzzled. What did he mean by "different from the soul masters of Douluo Continent"? "Teacher, what do you mean? How is he different?"
"His spirit doesn't exist on land. It's a sea spirit beast—a Blackfin Shark with red eyes. His appearance is also different from ours, with slightly bluish skin," Qian Xunji explained.
Lin Yongming immediately realized that this fallen one was likely a sea spirit master, possibly exiled from Sea God Island and now on Douluo Continent.
"Teacher, is he a sea spirit master?" Bibi Dong asked curiously. "I've heard of sea spirit masters, but I've never seen one."
Both Lin Yongming and Bibi Dong felt a wave of relief. Since Qian Xunji was discussing this, it meant their summons had nothing to do with their relationship or the Spider Queen.
"False alarm," Lin Yongming thought, the pressure in his heart easing significantly.
"That's right. He's a rare and somewhat mysterious sea spirit master," Qian Xunji nodded.
"Wait, could it be that Qian Xunji is planning to send troops to attack Sea God Island?"
Qian Xunji's next words confirmed Lin Yongming's suspicions.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 266 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 70 power stones I will publish the next chapter.