Inside the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's grand hall, discussions continued.
Noticing the Sword Douluo's slight frown, Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but feel curious.
"Uncle Sword, has something happened?"
"It seems to be Bibi Dong's soul power." As a level 97 Title Douluo who had briefly sensed Bibi Dong's energy earlier, the Sword Douluo could distinguish it even from a considerable distance.
"Soul power fluctuations? Now that you mention it, I think I sense it too." The Bone Douluo's brows furrowed. "Someone is fighting both combatants are extremely powerful."
As time passed, the drifting energy grew clearer.
"The other party besides Bibi Dong... is likely Qian Daoliu." Dugu Bo suddenly spoke up. "It's identical to the soul power fluctuations we felt near the Star Dou Great Forest three years ago."
"Grand Elder Qian Daoliu of Spirit Hall?" Ning Fengzhi's expression froze, his voice tinged with shock.
The Douluo Continent was neither too large nor too small, but within the human world, opponents capable of fighting a level 98 Bibi Dong were exceedingly rare.
If it was Qian Daoliu, then it made sense.
"Why would Qian Daoliu fight Pope Bibi Dong?" Dugu Yan murmured.
"Probably because of Qian Renxue. Maybe, just like three years ago, he's here to settle scores." Ning Rongrong interjected.
"Ah... I see." Considering Bibi Dong's treatment of Qian Renxue, if Qian Daoliu found out, this outcome wasn't unexpected.
"Should we go take a look?" Ning Fengzhi glanced at Ning Rongrong.
"Personally, I advise against it." Ning Rongrong shook her head. "Qian Daoliu is, after all, a divine emissary. I'm not confident he wouldn't detect us."
As long as Qian Renxue wasn't dead, Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong would at most exchange blows before disengaging.
As one of the three towering peaks of the soul master world, hailed as "Invincible in the Skies," Qian Daoliu's capabilities were unknown to Ning Rongrong.
Aside from being unable to ascend to godhood, his foundation far surpassed Bibi Dong's current level.
Moreover, while Qian Daoliu claimed he wasn't Tang Chen's match, their travels together had seen them sparring to roughly even results meaning the gap between them wasn't large.
Like Kakashi and Might Guy?
Their side lacked a Limit Douluo. Even their level 98 Title Douluo only reached that level with buffs.
Better to play it safe and not take reckless risks.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wasn't yet at the point where it could look down on the entire Douluo Continent.
Ultimately, following Ning Rongrong's advice, most chose not to interfere.
However, the Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo, seeking breakthroughs to higher realms, decided to observe, taking along the recording-enabled telescope.
...
On the route back to Spirit Hall from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect...
Bibi Dong encountered Qian Daoliu, and battle ensued.
Qian Daoliu's Six-Winged Angel martial soul was surrounded by eight black and one blood-red soul ring, arranged in perfect order.
Terrifying soul power cascaded downward.
"Angel's Holy Sword!"
In an instant, golden light dyed the sky before hurtling toward the ground with overwhelming pressure.
"Hmph! Eternal Slash!"
"Slaughter God Domain!"
Bibi Dong gripped her Rakshasa Scythe, an eerie aura swirling around her as she defended against Qian Daoliu's assault with everything she had.
"BOOM !"
Darkness and radiance clashed. The collision of supreme soul power released ear-piercing shockwaves.
Seeing Bibi Dong barely holding her ground, Qian Daoliu's brows knitted slightly as he murmured:
"Angel Domain."
With his divine-grade martial soul and the innate Angel Domain of the Six-Winged Angel, he effortlessly dispersed Bibi Dong's domain and skills.
"Guh !"
Bibi Dong was sent flying backward.
A metallic tang filled her mouth as crimson blood sprayed through the air.
Landing heavily, she steadied herself, wiping the blood from her lips as she glared skyward.
"Qian Daoliu!"
The sight of the Six-Winged Angel instinctively repulsed her. For all its holy appearance, it was hypocrisy incarnate just like that scum Qian Xunji.
"Where is Xiao Xue?"
"Bibi Dong, my patience has limits!"
"Keh... Hahahaha!"
"You old fossil! One of my Rakshasa God trials requires killing a Six-Winged Angel possessor."
"If I can't kill you, I'll just purge that filthy bloodline instead!"
"Bibi Dong, you !" Qian Daoliu's eyes bulged, his body trembling slightly as he pointed accusingly. "Xiao Xue is your own daughter! Did you... consume her?"
Bibi Dong had killed Qian Xunji even devoured his soul.
This, Qian Daoliu knew full well.
But given Qian Xunji's despicable actions, combined with Bibi Dong's talent and her relationship with Qian Renxue, Qian Daoliu had no choice but to suppress his murderous intent.
He had even hoped the incident might lessen Bibi Dong's hatred toward Qian Renxue.
That was why he allowed her to become Pope.
"Twice... Twice now!" Qian Daoliu's face twisted in anguish.
A Rakshasa God trial requiring the death of a Six-Winged Angel bearer?
First his son Qian Xunji, now his granddaughter Qian Renxue?
Qian Daoliu didn't know whether Bibi Dong had killed Qian Xunji purely by choice or if her god trials were involved.
If the former, it could be dismissed as personal vengeance.
But if the latter...
Qian Daoliu recalled the words left by that presence in the Star Dou Great Forest three years prior:
"The Angel God has fallen."
"The God Realm won't spare spirit beasts nor the Angel Clan."
Though long unable to contact the Angel God, Qian Daoliu had refused to believe the spirit beast deity's claims.
After all, "Different clans, different hearts."
But now...
What had Bibi Dong done? What had she said?
The Rakshasa God trials demanded the deaths of Angel Clan members especially those of pure bloodline bearing the Six-Winged Angel.
Not only had a god trial that should never have touched Spirit Hall infiltrated it, but it had also turned its blade against the Hall itself without even bothering to hide it!
What was the God Realm planning?
If the Angel God truly had fallen, as the Star Dou Great Forest entity claimed
Could she really sit idly by without retaliating?
"The Rakshasa God... the Asura God!" Memories surfaced.
Both Bibi Dong and Tang Hao had entered the City of Slaughter.
Legends said the Slaughter God Domain belonged to the Asura God who was no ally of the Angel God.
Ancient Spirit Hall texts recorded fierce battles between the two.
The Great Sword Mountain near Spirit Hall was said to be a remnant of their 1,010-night conflict.
That massive sword piercing the clouds was supposedly a divine weapon lost during their war, its power faded into mere scenery.
"So it was all true?" Qian Daoliu's whisper was barely audible, his face contorted amidst the raging soul power.
"Too late... Far too late! Had I realized sooner, perhaps Xiao Xue wouldn't have..."
As golden hair fluttered in the soul power currents, Qian Daoliu glared downward, his gaze icy:
"Bibi Dong, you will pay for what you've done!"