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Watching his disciples reach the pinnacle of young soul masters, Ye Wen's eyes were filled with pride. It had been seventeen years since he began cultivating.
From a weak soul master who could be easily crushed, he had grown into a powerhouse just one soul ring away from becoming a Soul Douluo.
Obtaining the eighth soul ring would have been simple if Ye Wen wanted to hunt a 100,000-year spirit beast. However, based on his current calculations, his body could now handle up to 600,000 years' worth of spirit energy.
Such a spirit beast would be on par with a 99th-level Limit Douluo.
At this level, forcibly absorbing its soul ring was practically impossible—it could only be obtained through strategy.
Thus, Ye Wen wasn't in a rush to acquire the eighth soul ring. He didn't want to settle for anything less. Besides, even without obtaining the soul ring, his cultivation could continue uninterrupted.
Ye Wen had also asked the Mermaid Clan to help him search for information on oceanic ferocious beasts aged between 500,000 and 600,000 years.
Spirit beasts of this caliber certainly existed in the Star Dou Great Forest and the Extreme North, but hunting them outright would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
Ye Wen already had a plan in mind. After obtaining the eighth soul ring, it would be time to start preparing for the divine trials.
Booking out the most luxurious hotel in Star Luo City, the Tian Xing Academy group celebrated wildly. This was their first true moment of glory on the continent.
Though Ye Wen was only a few years older than these students, he didn't feel the need to join in. This was their celebration.
Standing by the railing of the hotel balcony, sipping sweet fruit juice and gazing at the distant night view, Ye Wen felt a deep sense of peace.
"Come out, Miss Bibi Dong. You've been following me for so long—do you have something to say?"
As his words faded, a graceful figure descended from a higher floor and landed beside Ye Wen.
Though Bibi Dong wasn't the Spirit Hall's team leader this time, it was still a grand event for the entire continent. She had requested permission from Qian Xunji to come and enjoy the festivities.
"It's been a long time, Master Ye Wen."
"Heh, there's no need for such formalities between us. Just call me Ye Wen, Bibi Dong."
For a moment, silence fell over the rooftop.
Bibi Dong looked at the man before her with complex emotions.
Because of Ye Wen's earlier advice, Qian Xunji had accelerated Bibi Dong's training as the successor.
The once naive Bibi Dong was no longer the same. She now understood the intricate relationships between factions.
In the original story, her susceptibility to Yu Xiaogang's deception stemmed from her immersion in cultivation and her pure, untainted heart. She simply lacked worldly experience.
"You can call me Bibi Dong then. No need for honorifics—we're the same age."
"As you wish, Bibi Dong. So, what brings you here? It's been five years since we last met."
Looking at this confident and upright figure, Bibi Dong's gaze grew hazy. Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something but didn't know where to begin.
Bibi Dong had once developed feelings for Ye Wen because of his talent. But upon learning of his marriage, her emotions became tangled and complex.
Why did her heart stir only to find no chance for a future together?
"I don't have anything important to say. I just saw an old acquaintance and wanted to say hello," Bibi Dong said.
Ye Wen observed her conflicted expression and felt a strange unease. Though he considered himself somewhat handsome, he doubted he was enough to make Bibi Dong swoon.
But why had she been secretly following him? He couldn't figure it out. Truly, a girl's heart was impossible to decipher. Sometimes they acted like odd creatures.
"I'm about to head somewhere very dangerous. I may not appear for a long time. Though this blessing comes late, I wish you and your spouse happiness in your married life."
There was something peculiar about Bibi Dong's words, which raised Ye Wen's suspicions.
A dangerous place? With her status as the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, she was at least a Soul Sage by now. What place on the Douluo Continent could she consider dangerous? The Death Valley? No, that area was already under the Spirit Hall's control. Could it be… the City of Slaughter?
"Wait—" Ye Wen called out instinctively.
The next moment, he hesitated. The matter of the City of Slaughter involved two gods, and Ye Wen subconsciously wanted to avoid getting involved.
"What is it?"
Bibi Dong stopped in her tracks, unsure why Ye Wen had called her back.
Her thoughts were chaotic, and she felt an overwhelming urge to speak.
Ye Wen remained silent for a moment. But thinking about Bibi Dong entering the City of Slaughter, though she might obtain the Killing God Domain, there was no guarantee that the Goddess of Retribution wouldn't interfere.
Tang Hao had successfully passed through the City of Slaughter without being targeted by the Goddess of Retribution, likely because Tang Chen had already taken the brunt of the disaster. Additionally, the Goddess of Retribution, being female, wouldn't choose a man like Tang Hao for her divine trials.
Though Tang Hao was talented, compared to Tang Chen, the War God likely found him unworthy.
However, Bibi Dong currently harbored no hatred toward Qian Xunji, so why would she risk herself unnecessarily? Even if she quietly cultivated for another decade, she would surely reach the Title Douluo level. Why take such risks?
"Why are you risking yourself given your position?" Ye Wen asked.
This question touched on personal privacy, and Ye Wen knew he shouldn't pry. Yet Bibi Dong didn't resist, instead appearing thoughtful.
"It was arranged by my teacher. I don't know the exact reason. He only said I could grow stronger quickly there and become a pillar of the Spirit Hall," Bibi Dong said softly.
Without dwelling on why Bibi Dong answered so easily, Ye Wen's mind was struck by a sudden realization.
As the candidate for the next Pope, Bibi Dong shouldn't have been sent on such a risky mission. The fact that this abnormal arrangement existed suggested that Qian Xunji's confidence in Bibi Dong as the heir to the Pope position had wavered.
Qian Renxue's birth—
With the lifespan of a Title Douluo, one could easily live for 500 years, so there was no urgency to pass on the lineage or abdicate.
However, the Spirit Hall Pope's term was typically around 50 years. Qian Xunji had only been Pope for about 20 years. If not for Qian Daoliu pressuring him to marry and produce Qian Renxue,
Qian Xunji, being the carefree playboy he was, might have let Bibi Dong become the next Pope. He could have continued enjoying life while slowly grooming the next generation of successors.
But Qian Renxue was born now, and they could simply wait for her to grow up and inherit the Pope's position.
Thus, Bibi Dong, who was originally the Pope candidate, suddenly seemed redundant. Even with her twin martial souls and innate full soul power, among the Spirit Hall's many Title Douluos, she appeared increasingly dispensable.
Ye Wen had initially intended to stay out of the internal power struggles of the Spirit Hall. However, if Bibi Dong were to be corrupted by the Goddess of Retribution, the future of the Douluo Continent could become severely twisted.
After all, the Goddess of Retribution not only opposed the Asura God but was also irreconcilable with the Angel God.
To ensure the continent's future aligned with his vision, Ye Wen resolved to intervene forcefully.
"Bibi Dong, if you trust me, don't go to the City of Slaughter. Once you step inside, there's no turning back."
Seeing Ye Wen's solemn expression after much contemplation, Bibi Dong was taken aback. She wanted to retort, "What gives you the right to meddle in my affairs?"
But looking into his clear, earnest eyes, her heart trembled.
"Can you tell me why I shouldn't go to the City of Slaughter?" Bibi Dong asked softly.
It seemed Bibi Dong didn't fully grasp the dangers of the City of Slaughter. Ye Wen had no choice but to explain its origins and the perils within.
Though it involved the Asura God, some parts sounded far-fetched.
By the end of the explanation, Bibi Dong's face had turned pale. Though she knew conditions in the City of Slaughter were harsh, she hadn't imagined it had reached the point of drinking human blood.
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