After a moment.
The area returned to stillness, but an eerie emptiness lingered.
The blood shadow was nowhere to be found.
After a brief pause, a voice filled with resentment echoed from the distance, "Young one, today, I won't hold it against you for helping me, but next time..."
Before it could finish, the voice fled in a panic, vanishing once again.
This was because Li Yu had already taken a step forward, and his space powers had reached the target, sealing off the space.
However, this time, a mysterious force pierced through the spatial barriers, allowing the entity to escape.
"What exactly is the Holy Spirit Cult?" Li Yu appeared where the blood shadow's aura had disappeared. His brows furrowed, and his face showed some frustration.
If it came to sheer combat power, he was confident that even if the Holy Spirit Cult's leader sent a hundred of them, it wouldn't matter.
But...
This strange state of the blood shadow—or rather, the Holy Spirit Cult's leader—seemed to possess unmatched hiding and escape abilities, perhaps due to some mysterious power.
This force likely came from the "God" behind the Holy Spirit Cult.
Beyond that, Li Yu couldn't think of any other possibilities.
"My mental power is indeed strong, but I've been more focused on mastering elemental forces. I haven't really delved deeply into applying my mental powers themselves. I should focus more on this going forward," Li Yu mused. If he had been more adept at using his mental powers at a higher level, perhaps he wouldn't have allowed the Holy Spirit Cult's leader to escape.
Of course, the fact that the Holy Spirit Cult's leader escaped was trivial. The real issue was Tang San "spirit" involvement.
"Did the Sea God also have a hand in this?" Li Yu suddenly thought of this.
The Sea God was undoubtedly keeping an eye on Tang San.
Even the Sea God'sVast Sea seemed to be prepared for Tang San.
After the Sea God's descent, the sphere was taken, and its whereabouts were unknown. Li Yu had once suspected that the Sea God might have given it to Tang San, but after their fight, the Twenty-Four Bridges Bright Moon Night was destroyed, and all the items inside had turned to dust.
He confirmed that the Vast Sea was not with Tang San.
"Sea God Island?" This was the most reasonable conclusion Li Yu could come to.
Shaking his head, Li Yu decided to leave these complicated thoughts behind for now.
After one last glance at the spot where the Holy Spirit Cult's leader's aura had vanished, Li Yu made sure there were no loose ends and disappeared.
Within Spirit City.
The crowd waited patiently. With Li Yu mastery over space, his speed was something they could never match.
Earlier, Li Yu had already left Spirit City.
The four elders of the Spirit Hall seemed to have received some instructions and did not chase after him.
Bibi Dong and the others, of course, did the same.
Given Li Yu displayed power, if even he couldn't handle the blood shadow, they would be useless in chasing after it. So, it was better to wait for the result.
Qian Renxue gazed into the distance, her eyes filled with concern.
"Li Yu power really surprised me, but do you think with his current strength and terrifying mental power, he can't see through your real identity?" Bibi Dong meaningful voice suddenly sounded in Qian Renxue ear, "Even with Qian Daoliu help masking your aura, do you think Li Yu now, compared to Qian Daoliu, is weaker?"
Qian Renxue froze, a moment of panic flashing in her heart.
But she quickly regained her composure, replying coldly, "Who do you think you are? This has nothing to do with you."
"Heh," Bibi Dong also laughed coldly, "No matter how unwilling you are to admit it, the fact that I am your mother is something that will never change. You say this has nothing to do with me?"
Qian Renxue fists clenched, her knuckles turning white as her expression grew darker.
Bibi Dong voice continued, "Furthermore, why did you hide as 'Xue Qinghe' in the Heaven Dou Empire for so many years? Was it not to prove something to me? I admit, you've succeeded and surprised me. But… it's all because of Li Yu."
"Have you ever considered what Li Yu will do when he learns the truth? You've resented me for many years, but have you ever truly understood the truth? What you believe to be true, is it truly right?"
At this point, Bibi Dong sneered, "In the end, you only believe what you want to believe. But little do you know, most of the sincere acts in this world are met with betrayal. Sincerity never ends well."
After saying this, Bibi Dong fell silent.
Qian Renxue furrowed her brows, her thoughts disturbed.
Just as she was about to retort, Li Yu figure appeared.
"What's wrong?" Li Yu noticed the shift in Qian Renxue mood and reached out to take her hand, applying a gentle pressure.
Qian Renxue brows relaxed a bit, and looking at his face, she hesitated.
After a moment of silence, her eyes turned firm, and the hand in his tightened. "We'll talk later. I have something to tell you."
"Heh heh." Bibi Dong suddenly chuckled again.
"Hmm?" Li Yu furrowed his brows and glanced at Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong stiffened, then stopped smiling, saying, "I wonder, Li... young lady, how was your journey?"
"Please let us know. The Spirit Hall will remember your kindness!" The four elders of the Spirit Hall also approached.
The Holy Spirit Cult leader had ultimately escaped from the Spirit Hall.
Although it was unclear why the high-ranking elder, Qian Daoliu, had not appeared after sending the message, they still needed to give a "reward."
They couldn't let this matter go unresolved.
Li Yu raised an eyebrow, then shook his head. "I wasn't strong enough and didn't catch up."
"Not strong enough..." The crowd's lips twitched, but no one said anything more.
Actually, they hadn't held much hope. They had already seen the strange abilities of the blood shadow.
If Li Yu had been able to "capture" it, he wouldn't have needed to chase it outside the city.
After a brief exchange of thanks, the four elders from the Spirit Hall disappeared.
"Wish you and the Crown Prince a hundred years of happiness, and may you grow old together," Bibi Dong smiled at Li Yu, then also left.
The crowd looked at each other in surprise.
Bibi Dong, the Supreme Pontiff, had referred to the Heaven Dou Prince 'Xue Qinghe' as "Crown Prince"?
Was this simply out of respect for Li Yu, or was there something more to it?
Li Yu raised an eyebrow.
He had naturally caught the "malicious intent" in Bibi Dong words. He also realized that Qian Renxue had been uneasy earlier, likely because Bibi Dong had said something to her while he was away.
But Li Yu didn't say anything more. It wasn't the time for "private talk."
He glanced at the members of Qian Yu Academy, then his gaze landed on Ning Fengzhi.
Before Li Yu could speak, Ning Fengzhi took the lead, "Li Yu, Qinghe, thank you for this favor. My daughter received the honor of the championship through your help. After this, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect will reward you greatly. If you need anything, just let me know!"
He paused, then continued, "In these past few days, I've noticed the shortcomings of Ning Rongrong, and I plan to give her special training, so I won't trouble Qian Yu any further."
With a wave of his hand, Ning Rongrong was forcibly taken away.
"Smart businessman," Dugu Bo commented.
"Whatever." Li Yu didn't mind.
He then turned to the eight members of Qian Yu Academy, smiling faintly. "Let's go home."
With a wave of his hand, eleven people vanished into thin air.