In the Pope's Hall of Spirit Hall, the vast conference chamber held only two figures - Bibi Dong and Salas.
Salas bowed solemnly to the woman before him.
"Rise, Bishop Salas. What matter warrants your personal visit?"
"Your Holiness, our spy within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has reported discovering an extraordinary genius."
Bibi Dong's tone remained indifferent. "A genius from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan? Could they possibly compare to our Golden Generation?"
The current Golden Generation of Spirit Hall was arguably the strongest in history, with members already reaching Soul King level at young ages - unmatched across the continent.
"Normally I wouldn't disturb Your Holiness for such matters," Salas continued respectfully, "but this individual possesses two thousand-year soul rings at Soul Elder level. Reports indicate he single-handedly defeated five Soul Ancestors while remaining completely unharmed during the Heaven Dou Empire's Five Academy Exchange Tournament."
Bibi Dong's previously dismissive expression transformed into one of grave seriousness.
Two thousand-year rings at Soul Elder level? Defeating five Soul Ancestors unscathed? This bordered on fantasy.
Even Xie Yue, the strongest of the Golden Generation, couldn't guarantee victory against five Soul Ancestors without injury - only possible through fusion techniques with his sister Hu Liena.
Seeing Bibi Dong's changed demeanor, Salas felt a twinge of satisfaction. Did they think he'd report trivial matters?
"There's more," Salas added. "This person survived a direct hit from Chen Xin's first soul skill."
The air seemed to freeze.
"Survived the Sword Douluo's first skill? At full power?!" Bibi Dong's gaze sharpened.
Salas nodded slowly. "Precisely why I came for Your Holiness' decision on how to handle this."
Bibi Dong closed and reopened her eyes, digesting the information before coldly declaring:
"Must I spell it out? If he belongs to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan yet cannot serve Spirit Hall, eliminate him."
Salas hesitated. "Our investigation shows... he maintains close relations with the Young Master. Though not formally recruited, he's intimate with Ning Rongrong, daughter of Ning Fengzhi."
At the mention of "Young Master," Bibi Dong's face darkened, her eyes flashing with unconcealed loathing.
Only one person in Spirit Hall bore that title - the greatest mistake of her life, her biological daughter Qian Renxue.
"Does she value this Shen An greatly?" Bibi Dong asked icily.
"Indeed. The Young Master personally visited the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan for him, participated alongside him in the tournament, and even gifted him her imperial prince token. Associates say she speaks of him with unusual joy, considering him a friend."
A cruel smile touched Bibi Dong's lips. "Since unrecruited, he's no asset to Spirit Hall. With such talent, he could become a second Clear Sky - perhaps worse. He'll inevitably obstruct our continental unification."
Her voice turned glacial. "Dispatch agents to cripple him."
"But the Young Master and the Grand Worship..." Salas ventured cautiously.
Bibi Dong's displeasure flared. Despite being Pope, her authority remained constrained by the Limit Douluo Qian Daoliu's influence.
"Remember - I am the Pope! Spirit Hall answers to me!"
Salas bowed hastily. "Understood. I'll arrange it immediately."
A perverse satisfaction warmed Bibi Dong's heart. That bastard child cherished this boy? Then she'd break him. The destructive urge brought her profound pleasure.
---
Evening at Shen An's Residence
Tom's blade flashed, slicing ham into translucent sheets - visually stunning and undoubtedly delicious.
The culinary maestro then grabbed the Clear Sky Hammer, smashing cucumbers for the final dish - smashed cucumbers.
Watching idly, Shen An blinked. Since when were hammers used for this?
Soon, twelve dishes and four soups adorned the large table, accompanied by assorted snacks.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong showed no surprise - with Tom and Jerry present, leftovers were impossible.
Meals here followed no strict etiquette - when food arrived, eating commenced.
Tom scooped a wobbling jelly cube, his whole body swaying with delight at the first bite.
Then came an irritating shout from outside:
"Shen An, you thief! Come out!"
Before Shen An could react, Tom staggered drunkenly toward the door, tail tip swaying.
Upon opening, Yu Xiaogang instinctively recoiled from the cat, stepping back to reveal Qin Ming and a glowering Tang San behind him.
Shen An raised an eyebrow at Tang San's remarkably swift recovery.
"You're unwelcome here. Get lost." Shen An's voice turned icy. These Shrek Academy pests were like stubborn stains - impossible to remove.
Truthfully, were it not for fear of Tang Hao, he'd have killed Tang San long ago. The so-called "Chosen One's" constant provocations disgusted him. But Tang Hao's presence forced restraint - while the Superman suit could eliminate the threat, involving gods made the cost too high. Unless absolutely necessary, he'd refrain from using it.
"Return Xiao San's hammer, and we'll consider this matter closed. Otherwise..." Qin Ming stepped forward threateningly.
Yu Xiaogang smirked. Originally seeking Liu Erlong's help, her absence led him to recruit Qin Ming instead. Exploiting his friendship with Flender, convincing Qin Ming had been simple.
With a Soul Emperor's strength, surely they could overpower Shen An and his cat.
At this moment, Tom produced a small hammer, pointing at it questioningly - this one?
Cucumber remnants still clung to its surface.
Tang San's sharp eyes immediately spotted the smashed cucumber dish. His entire body trembled with outrage.
The mighty Clear Sky Hammer - supreme among tool-type martial souls - used for smashing cucumbers?! And every swing drained his soul power?!
Outrage! Fury! Despair!