"This, this is…"
A heart pounding with excitement, hands trembling.
Staring at the seed in his hand, Yue Guan's face was filled with incredulity.
"The seed of the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum?"
His gaze toward Dai Mubai changed dramatically—this young man had actually given him a seed of the Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum!
"Thank you, young master! Yue Guan is deeply grateful!"
Yue Guan bowed deeply to Dai Mubai. To most people, this was merely an ordinary seed. But in Yue Guan's hands, it represented hope—the hope of breaking through to a higher level!
The only prerequisite: he needed to successfully nurture the seed into a full-grown Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum.
Dai Mubai waved his hand casually. Settling the karmic debt between them with a single seed was, in truth, a profitable trade for him.
"No need for thanks. I stumbled upon this by chance. It was meant to find its way to you."
"Meant to be, indeed, absolutely meant to be!" Yue Guan nodded earnestly. Since Dai Mubai had phrased it this way, he took the sentiment to heart. This was an enormous favor—one Yue Guan, eccentric though he was, would never forget.
"Shall we go? Didn't you say the Pope has summoned us?"
"Ah, right, right... Look at me, almost forgetting Her Holiness's decree."
Yue Guan snapped out of his excitement, but something suddenly came to mind. Gritting his teeth, he spoke in a low voice.
"Young master, when the Pope summoned you earlier, her expression wasn't good. Please be careful!"
Dai Mubai: "…"
So, no matter the world, one is always at a disadvantage after accepting a favor, huh?
On reflection, though, it made sense.
Yue Guan had worked diligently in Spirit Hall for so many years. Even if he didn't have any major achievements, he had certainly contributed his share of toil. Yet, until his death, he had never been granted a single soul bone.
A Titled Douluo at level 95—unworthy of a soul bone? Even the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation had been rewarded with three pieces each, while someone of Yue Guan's rank received none. This disparity was precisely why the elders of Spirit Hall opposed Bibi Dong's frequent distribution of soul bones.
At their first meeting, Dai Mubai had handed Yue Guan a Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum seed. Yue Guan knew full well there might be ulterior motives behind such generosity. Even so, how could he refuse such an opportunity? This seed was his hope for reaching greater heights—refusal was impossible!
To Yue Guan, this seed was even more valuable than a ten-thousand-year soul bone.
Dai Mubai was briefly surprised but kept his composure. He cupped his hands toward the Chrysanthemum Douluo and said, "Thank you, Elder Yue, for the warning!"
Though the information wasn't critical, Yue Guan had risked offending Bibi Dong to deliver it, showing genuine concern. Gratitude was warranted.
Yue Guan hurriedly waved his hand. To him, it was merely a minor reminder and didn't merit thanks.
Despite their short acquaintance, Dai Mubai treated Yue Guan with respect. Due to Yue Guan's peculiar personality, only Ghost Douluo, Gui Mei, had ever been genuinely friendly to him. Others, even if polite on the surface, couldn't entirely hide their disdain, a fact Yue Guan was keenly aware of.
"May I know the young master's name?"
From Dai Mubai's unique heterochromatic eyes and golden hair, Yue Guan had deduced his origins. While such traits were rare on the Douluo Continent, one "family" was known for them—a family that could arguably be called the largest in the land: the royal family.
Dai Mubai blinked in surprise. Yue Guan didn't know his name?
After a brief moment of thought, Dai Mubai understood. As the second prince of the Star Luo Empire, not the crown prince, it was reasonable that Yue Guan wouldn't recognize him. A Titled Douluo like Yue Guan wouldn't pay attention to someone of his status.
Dai Mubai wasn't offended. In Yue Guan's place, he would have done the same.
With a calm smile, Dai Mubai introduced himself, "I am Dai Mubai."
"Yue Guan. And no need to address me as Elder Chrysanthemum—it feels too formal. When we're alone, just call me Yue Guan."
Instead of the usual "this old man," Yue Guan addressed himself as "I," placing himself on equal footing with Dai Mubai.
The two conversed amiably as they arrived at the doors of the Pope's Palace. Upon entering, Dai Mubai immediately noticed Bibi Dong's grim expression.
With her level of power, how could she not have overheard Yue Guan's and Dai Mubai's conversation?
This little blonde troublemaker had a knack for currying favor, didn't he?
"Greetings, Your Holiness. I've brought the person you summoned," Yue Guan said respectfully, keeping his head bowed. His eyes, however, darted anxiously toward Dai Mubai.
Hurry up and salute! Didn't I just tell you the Pope was in a foul mood?
Dai Mubai noticed but remained composed. He gave a subtle nod yet made no move to bow.
Yue Guan's eyelids twitched uncontrollably. He was at his wit's end. Confronting Dai Mubai now would risk antagonizing the Pope even more if she hadn't intended to punish him in the first place.
"You've worked hard, Elder Chrysanthemum."
"Go and rest."
Bibi Dong frowned slightly, her tone irritable. "Even here, you're making faces. Enough."
"Yes, Your Holiness!"
Yue Guan quickly retreated, casting Dai Mubai a helpless look on his way out.
Now, only Dai Mubai and Bibi Dong remained in the vast hall. They scrutinized each other.
In Bibi Dong's eyes, Dai Mubai's appearance was passable, though his golden hair irked her—after all, the Qian family also had golden hair. Furthermore, his lack of reverence displeased her. Even if she weren't the Pope, she was still Qian Renxue's mother!
Dai Mubai, on the other hand, observed Bibi Dong, whose appearance was identical to her depiction in the anime. However, her face was exceptionally sour.
Clearly, his "mother-in-law" wasn't particularly satisfied with her "son-in-law."
Dai Mubai didn't mind. The strained relationship between Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong made her approval irrelevant. As long as she didn't attack him with Eternal Creation, he would be fine…
Suddenly, Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed, her lips parted slightly, and shock flickered across her face.
Was this Dai Mubai's talent? How could it be so exaggerated?
Even Bibi Dong found her perception hard to believe. Impossible. Absolutely impossible. Not even Qian Renxue possessed such terrifying potential.
"No wonder that old man acknowledged you. With such talent, it's difficult not to," Bibi Dong murmured to herself.
The "old man" could only refer to Qian Daoliu.
"It's mere luck," Dai Mubai replied, waving a hand nonchalantly.
Bibi Dong's face darkened, her eye twitching. This is luck?
"How modest of you."
"It seems this year's Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament will be entirely one-sided…"
(End of Chapter)