After Gu Rong finished speaking, he collected his Soul Power as much as possible and left here at a steady pace...
At this moment, Xue Qinghe suddenly spoke, "Teacher, why don't you go with Uncle Bone? I can manage on my own!"
Only after Ning Fengzhi leaves can I contact the ever-hidden Serpent Spear Douluo lurking in the shadows!
Ning Fengzhi almost immediately rejected this proposal, "How could that be possible? You're injured now, even a single centennial soul beast could easily take your life."
Xue Qinghe was a bit puzzled, "But teacher, aren't you a support-class Soul Master? What if we encounter a soul beast..."
Even at the Soul Sage Level, a support-class Soul Master remains a support-class Soul Master, inevitably weak in combat!
Not to mention, with the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Martial Soul that's completely devoid of offensive abilities!
Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi also smiled slightly, "Oh, you're worried I may not be able to protect you, aren't you?"
Xue Qinghe hurriedly denied, "No, teacher, that's not what I meant. It's just that one person's in danger, better than two..."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head, interrupting, "No need to explain, didn't you hear what I said to Uncle Bone just now? As the Sect Master, how can I possibly have no means of self-defense?"
"Although I can't kill soul beasts, self-preservation is no problem."
Seeing that he couldn't use this reason to make the other leave, Xue Qinghe didn't continue...
"Is that so? Then I underestimated you, teacher!"
Originally thought Ning Fengzhi's previous words to Gu Rong were just to reassure the other party...
Unexpectedly, he does have means of self-preservation, just not sure if I can witness it today!
Of course, the best scenario would be not having to, because if truly encountering a powerful soul beast, survival would depend on the hidden Serpent Spear Douluo!
But if the latter takes action, it means his identity is thoroughly exposed!
Ning Fengzhi patted his shoulder, speaking in a determined tone, "Qing He, just rest assured and relax. As long as I'm here, you won't get hurt."
Xue Qinghe nodded and then slowly closed his eyes, "Then I'll trouble you, teacher. I... do need to rest for a bit."
Ning Fengzhi turned his head, his eyes gradually turning solemn...
Indeed, something felt off; since encountering abyssal creatures, there's been a constant sensation of being watched from the shadows
However, could never confirm their position, but given they haven't hit us while we're down, they're likely not an enemy
It's most probably a Titled Douluo expert sent by His Majesty Xue Ye to protect Qing He!
In the end, that's the only conclusion one could reach!
...
Pope Hall!
Bibi Dong's expression became somewhat peculiar,
Saying to herself, "Weren't Tiandou Empire's Xue Qinghe and Seven Treasures Glaze Sect's Ning Fengzhi supposed to come to my Pope Hall? Why is there no news yet?"
"Could it be that the Worship Hall gave us false information?"
However, if it was false information, Qian Dao Liu wouldn't have needed to send someone to warn me!
Yueguan and Gui Mei exchanged glances, both sensing each other's thoughts...
They spoke one after another, "Your Holiness, could the Worship Hall have casually found an excuse just to warn us? After all, the Pope Hall's development has been rapid lately, almost surpassing the Worship Hall except in high-end strength!"
"I think that's exactly it, how could the Worship Hall be kind enough to remind us, likely it's just to consolidate their status!"
In their eyes, people from the Worship Hall aren't trustworthy!
Especially the most detestable Qian Jun and Xiao Long!
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong shook her head, denying this perspective, "It shouldn't be the case. If truly a warning, that old thing Qian Dao Liu wouldn't use such low-grade tactics, he'd directly take action!"
"I fear that Xue Qinghe and the others encountered some incident on their journey!"
As if to prove this speculation, a Spirit Hall Soldier rushed into the great hall, looking anxious, "Your Holiness, I have urgent matters to report!!"
Seeing this, Bibi Dong felt an unsettling premonition, "What is it?"
Could it be so coincidental, right after I just mentioned it?
Yueguan and Gui Mei also cast curious looks...
The soldier answered truthfully, "Reporting to Your Holiness, just now, we received news that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of Tiandou Empire and Ning Fengzhi's group were attacked en route to the Pope Hall, their status currently unknown."
Bibi Dong stood up abruptly, exclaiming, "What? Attacked?"
She hadn't ordered anyone to harm Xue Qinghe and his entourage!
What world's mystery is this!
The soldier nodded to confirm, "Yes, based on the information from the Tiandou Imperial Family, it wasn't an act of man, instead, they were attacked by abyssal creatures!"
Bibi Dong's pupils contracted sharply, "Abyssal creatures? How did they suddenly launch an attack?"
Yueguan and Gui Mei also appeared shocked, seemingly not expecting such an event!
The soldier lowered his head, "Your Holiness, this... is beyond my knowledge, but it can be inferred that abyssal creatures have infiltrated the imperial household in disguise, orchestrating this assault!"
Bibi Dong did her best to calm her state of mind, pondering, "I didn't expect abyssal creatures to act again so swiftly, seems the day of the great war isn't far off!"
Yueguan took a deep breath, "Your Holiness, with Xue Qinghe and others encountering an abyssal creature attack, they're unlikely to survive, what should we do next? Continue waiting?"
Before Bibi Dong could respond, Gui Mei spoke first, "Your Holiness, there might not be any objections to continue waiting, I think, we should contact the royal household to avoid affecting our cooperation."
Nevertheless, Bibi Dong sighed, "Xue Qinghe's importance to the imperial household is significant; now with his status unknown, His Majesty Xue Ye is unlikely to have the mind to cooperate with Spirit Hall!"
"Immediately send out my command, dispatch Spirit Hall's elite soldiers to fully search for Xue Qinghe and his group's whereabouts!"
Yueguan's eyes suddenly brightened, volunteering, "Your Holiness, understood. This time I'll personally lead the team, once met, Xue Qinghe and his party will be thoroughly dealt with!"
"Ensuring the royal household won't suspect us!"
Confronting abyssal creatures, even with that Gu Rong among them, they wouldn't live if not mortally wounded, no match for us at all!
However, just as he finished speaking, he noticed Bibi Dong's expression darken considerably...
"Yueguan, I didn't instruct you to attack them!"
Beside him, Gui Mei quickly realized Yueguan had misunderstood Your Holiness's intent and interjected, "Your Holiness, allow me to lead the elite soldiers to search instead!"
Bibi Dong's expression relaxed slightly, though she couldn't resist a warning, "Alright, Gui Mei, I'll leave this matter to you. Don't do anything unnecessary, otherwise..."
Not to mention the repercussions of killing them, that Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's true identity is actually my own daughter!
Gui Mei offered no objections, "Understood, Your Holiness!"