From Bibi Dong's tone, Yu Xiaogang caught a few hints.
He hadn't expected that Bibi Dong would be so displeased with Yan, even to the extent of wanting to kill him.
Yan, whose strength was unfathomable, now seemed to have become their common enemy.
Yu Xiaogang's mind raced. He realized that this might be a turning point a chance to strike back against Spirit Hall and deal with Yan.
This made him have to temporarily set aside his hatred toward Bibi Dong and consider how to join forces against Yan.
"Bibi Dong, your words shock me, but I will not change my stance because of that. I've seen with my own eyes and experienced personally the deeds of Spirit Hall they are unforgivable. However, regarding Yan, if his existence truly threatens both you and me, then perhaps we can put our personal grudges aside for now and deal with him together."
Yu Xiaogang's tone was firm, but there was a trace of compromise in it.
Hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes, followed by a look of joy.
She slowly walked closer to Yu Xiaogang. The distance between them was so close that they could almost feel each other's breath.
"Xiaogang, I'm really relieved that you think this way. The past cannot be changed, but we can still fight for the future. Yan's threat isn't just to you and me he's a danger to the entire continent. I'm willing to join forces with you to deal with him."
Bibi Dong didn't need Yu Xiaogang's help at all.
But if she could team up with him against Yan, it would give her the opportunity to protect Yu Xiaogang, and she might even be able to repair their relationship.
Yu Xiaogang nodded, though many doubts still lingered in his mind.
"Where exactly did Yan's power come from? How did he grow so powerful in such a short time?"
"Xiaogang, though I'm the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall, there are still many things kept from me. Yan's rise has been the greatest variable within Spirit Hall in recent years.
"Even you don't know?"
Bibi Dong shook her head with a soft sigh.
"His growth exceeded all of my expectations. These past few years, I've been secretly investigating him too, but found little. All I know is that he consumed some immortal herbs that helped accelerate his cultivation. But for him to possess the strength he has now, a few herbs couldn't possibly account for it."
"Immortal herbs?"
Hearing this, a trace of regret flickered in Yu Xiaogang's eyes.
He knew that Yan and Yue Guan had taken a large number of immortal herbs from Dugu Bo's herb garden, even destroying the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well in the process.
He had also heard Tang San mention that top-tier immortal herbs had immense benefits for the growth of young soul masters.
Yan's early rapid development definitely couldn't be separated from those herbs.
Yu Xiaogang secretly sighed in his heart:
If only those herbs had been obtained by Xiao San first, how great would that have been! If that had happened, perhaps the one who was even stronger now would be Xiao San, not Spirit Hall's Yan. But alas, things didn't go as hoped.
"Xiaogang, what are you thinking?"
Bibi Dong's words pulled Yu Xiaogang out of his thoughts. He snapped back to reality and took the opportunity to ask:
"It's nothing. Right, the ceasefire agreement between the Star Luo Empire and the Spirit Empire is about to expire. What will Spirit Hall do next? Will you launch another war?"
Bibi Dong smiled faintly.
"Xiaogang, I was just about to bring that up—that's one of the main reasons I came to see you."
"No need to beat around the bush. Just say it directly."
"Although Qian Renxue and I are both part of Spirit Hall, we don't interfere with each other's affairs. With her personality, she'll definitely start another war. Xiaogang, you should know in your heart that the Star Luo Empire doesn't have the strength to resist Spirit Hall."
Yu Xiaogang sighed. The current situation was indeed unfavorable for the Star Luo Empire.
However, from Bibi Dong's tone, he caught a trace of opportunity. Her words confirmed his suspicion she and Qian Renxue were indeed not of one mind.
Qian Renxue's growth would surely threaten Bibi Dong's position within Spirit Hall.
This was the perfect chance to use that to his advantage.
Maybe he could cause internal division between them and make them turn on each other.
Thus, Yu Xiaogang deliberately said:
"Under Qian Renxue's control, the Spirit Empire is growing ever stronger. If she truly conquers the Star Luo Empire, she might even replace you and become the real master of Spirit Hall."
"She can dream!"
Bibi Dong suddenly became furious.
"I will never let that little b*tch succeed!"
Yu Xiaogang pressed on with his questioning:
"What exactly is your relationship with her?"
"I and she..."
Bibi Dong hesitated to speak.
What the former Pope Qian Xunji had done to her was a humiliation she could never erase. In her heart, she had never acknowledged Qian Renxue as her daughter.
In front of her former lover Yu Xiaogang, she was even less willing to admit the mother-daughter relationship between her and Qian Renxue.
"She is a member of the Qian family. What kind of relationship could I possibly have with her? Spirit Hall only grew to its current power under my control. I will never hand over the efforts of so many years to her!"
Bibi Dong's words shocked and delighted Yu Xiaogang. Using the conflict between Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue to dismantle Spirit Hall from within seemed increasingly hopeful.
Yu Xiaogang continued provoking her:
"Qian Renxue is backed by the Grand Priest Qian Daoliu. As for the Star Luo Empire, she seems determined to win it over. Even you might not be able to stop her, right?"
Bibi Dong sneered coldly.
"I do have a method. If you're willing to seek my protection and submit to me voluntarily, then Qian Renxue will not be able to get her way."
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's expression changed.
"So this is your real reason for calling me here? How is this any different from submitting to Spirit Hall?!"
"Xiaogang, do you still not understand my intentions? Only I can truly protect you. As long as you submit sincerely, I can guarantee the safety of all of you. Hao is already dead, and even your beloved disciple Tang San, I can spare his life."
"This isn't something I can decide alone."
Yu Xiaogang knew very well that not only the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, but even the downfall of the Clear Sky Sect and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan were all closely related to Bibi Dong. Hoping for them to sincerely submit was absolutely impossible.
However, if they pretended to submit, barely surviving, they could preserve their strength and seize another opportunity in the future.
"Xiaogang, just think about it. In any case, I would never harm you."
"I understand."
Yu Xiaogang didn't give a clear response.
But in his heart, he had already made a decision to persuade the Emperor of the Star Luo Empire to resist Qian Renxue.
He knew that if Qian Renxue continued waging war, for the sake of her own interests, Bibi Dong would never support her. Even if she appeared to help, she would not truly exert herself.
As long as they weren't facing the full might of Spirit Hall, they still had the power to resist.
Even if they were ultimately defeated by the Spirit Empire led by Qian Renxue, they would still inflict significant damage on her, taking the edge off her momentum.
When that time came, once Tang San and the others returned, they could make other plans.
Afterward, Yu Xiaogang and Flender left Spirit City.
On the other side
Yan traveled alone, riding the Netherwave Piercing Boat. After searching the sea for half a month, he finally found the Devil Whale Sea where the Deep Sea Demon Whale King resided.
His goal for this trip was to slay that million-year-level soul beast and devour its energy.