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Unlike the two women, Lin Yongming wasn't as happy as one might expect.
The thought of attacking Sea God Island weighed heavily on his mind. He didn't want Bibi Dong and Blue Silver Empress to follow him on this expedition.
After all, this journey was fraught with life-and-death risks!
Sea God Island had seven Sacred Pillars and a High Priestess, but Lin Yongming couldn't voice his concerns.
Lin Yongming tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Hearing Blue Silver Empress's steady breathing as she slept, he took out the Heart of the Sea God.
"Although I haven't gained the recognition of the Heart of the Sea God, as its holder, even if we're captured, Bo Saixi should treat us with some leniency out of respect for the Sea God."
Lin Yongming fiddled with the Heart of the Sea God, but exhaustion from the journey eventually overtook him, and he drifted off to sleep.
Meanwhile, in the pavilion of the rear courtyard, Qian Xunji and Chrysanthemum Douluo were still chatting.
"Your Holiness, I didn't expect the Holy Maiden and the others to grow so much in just over two years of training. I was wondering if it might be better to leave them behind for this expedition to Sea God Island. If something were to happen, it would be a tremendous loss for us," Chrysanthemum Douluo said, thinking of Lin Yongming and the others' rapid progress.
"It is indeed surprising, but precisely because of that, they should join us. It will also help them establish their authority in the eyes of others," Qian Xunji nodded but remained firm in his decision to have Lin Yongming and the others accompany them.
"In that case, Your Holiness, Lin Yongming's words weren't entirely without merit. For the safety of the Holy Maiden and the others, we should try to gather more information about Sea God Island. But we know so little about it. Launching an attack without sufficient knowledge could lead to heavy losses, even if we don't lose outright," Chrysanthemum Douluo brought up Lin Yongming's earlier suggestion.
"Yue Guan, go to the dungeon again and make sure to extract more information from the sea spirit master, especially regarding their strength," Qian Xunji said calmly.
"Understood," Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded and left the courtyard.
Not long after Chrysanthemum Douluo left, Qian Xunji also returned to his room. As he stepped into his house, a cold breeze swept through.
"Strange, why does it feel so chilly tonight?" Qian Xunji muttered to himself before entering.
Chrysanthemum Douluo arrived at the dark dungeon.
"Elder!" The guards on duty immediately saluted upon seeing him.
"Wake him up," Chrysanthemum Douluo said coldly.
"Yes!" A guard picked up a bucket of water and splashed it on a man curled up in the corner of the cell.
The man was ragged, with disheveled hair and numerous wounds from the torture he had endured.
The cold water jolted him awake.
"What… what do you want from me?" The man looked at Chrysanthemum Douluo and the others with fear in his eyes.
"Tell us everything you know about Sea God Island. What else are you hiding?" Chrysanthemum Douluo demanded coldly.
"Sir, I've already told you everything I know. I even drew you a map of the route. What else could I possibly hide?" The man trembled as he spoke.
"Are you sure there are no Title Douluos on Sea God Island? You said there are nearly a thousand spirit masters. How could there only be Spirit Douluos and no Title Douluos?" Chrysanthemum Douluo pressed.
"Sir, I'm just a commoner from Sea God Island responsible for external procurement. My strength is weak. Even if there are Title Douluos, I wouldn't have access to them," the man replied.
"Still playing dumb!" Chrysanthemum Douluo's hand flicked, and a small throwing knife appeared. With a flash of silver light, it embedded itself in the man's knee.
"Ahhh!" The man clutched his leg in agony. "Just kill me!"
"In the dark dungeon, death is a luxury. Tell me what I want to know, and I'll grant you release. Otherwise, you'll learn what it means to wish for death but be unable to die," Chrysanthemum Douluo said coldly, twisting the knife in the man's knee as he questioned him.
"I'll talk… I'll talk…"
...
Chrysanthemum Douluo left the dungeon with a satisfied expression and soon arrived at Qian Xunji's quarters.
"Your Holiness."
"Come in."
Qian Xunji was sitting in the living room as Chrysanthemum Douluo entered.
"Well? Did you learn anything?"
"Your Holiness, thanks to Lin Yongming's reminder, we almost let him deceive us."
"Get to the point!"
"He said there are five sacred pillars on Sea God Island, each guarded by a Title Douluo. According to him, these pillars are relics left by the gods," Chrysanthemum Douluo reported earnestly.
"Five Sacred Pillars! So Sea God Island has at least five Title Douluos. Excellent. Once we subjugate the sea spirit masters of Sea God Island, our strength will increase significantly," Qian Xunji said with ambition.
"Your Holiness, should we increase our forces?" Chrysanthemum Douluo asked.
"Yes. Add three more Title Douluos to the existing eight, as well as fifty members of the Angel Corps," Qian Xunji replied.
"Understood, Your Holiness!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo left to mobilize the additional forces.
...
The next day, Bibi Dong, dressed in a new outfit, came to Lin Yongming's quarters.
"Xiao Ming, A'Huang, wake up!" Bibi Dong knocked on their door with a lively tone.
Blue Silver Empress opened the door and teased, "Coming over so early? Aren't you afraid your teacher will see?"
Bibi Dong rolled her eyes. "Hmph… I'm just here to invite you to breakfast. What's there to be afraid of?"
"Oh, so you're brave now, huh? Weren't you the one who was all nervous and worried these past few days? If that's the case, why don't we have Xiao Ming propose to your teacher?" Blue Silver Empress crossed her arms, giving Bibi Dong a mocking look.
"Shut up, A'Huang!" Bibi Dong's face flushed, and she quickly changed the subject. "Where's Xiao Ming?"
"I'm here," Lin Yongming walked out of the bedroom into the living room.
"Xiao Ming, did you sleep well?" Bibi Dong immediately grabbed Lin Yongming's arm.
"I did," Lin Yongming nodded.
"Your teacher's here," Blue Silver Empress said casually.
"Where?" Bibi Dong instantly let go, startled like a bird.
"See? You're still scared," Blue Silver Empress smirked.
"You're dead, A'Huang!" Bibi Dong, now annoyed, lunged at Blue Silver Empress.
"Sigh…" Lin Yongming sighed inwardly. He wished he could open his eyes and see the lively beauty of the two women.
But for now, he could only sense their outlines.
"Alright, stop messing around. If you keep this up, Qian Xunji really will show up. Didn't you say we're having breakfast? Let's go," Lin Yongming said after the two had calmed down a bit.
"Alright," the two women straightened their clothes and nodded.
Under Bibi Dong's lead, they headed to the dining hall for breakfast.
"Teacher, good morning."
"Your Holiness!"
Seeing Qian Xunji in the dining hall, the three greeted him.
"No need for formalities. Have breakfast," Qian Xunji nodded.
After breakfast, with nothing else to do, the three strolled and chatted in the gardens behind the Pope's Hall.
It had to be said that the entire Spirit Hall complex was massive, likely no smaller than Thunder Rain Village. The day passed quickly as Bibi Dong led them on a tour, introducing them to various parts of the grounds.
Three days flew by, and soon it was time. After breakfast, they gathered in the Pope's Hall.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 270 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 100 power stones I will publish the next chapter.