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Dai Chengfeng looked at his worried mother Zhu Hongxiu and the High Priest Zhu Hongye, shook his head with a smile, and reassured them, "Mother, High Priest, during my time in Spirit City, I was not mistreated at all."
"On the contrary, I am now the direct disciple of Pope Bibi Dong."
"Therefore, you don't need to worry about my safety, let alone about torture or abuse."
Upon hearing Dai Chengfeng's explanation, Zhu Hongye and Zhu Hongxiu exchanged glances, their eyes filled with disbelief.
After all, in their understanding, Bibi Dong was the supreme Pope of the Spirit Hall on the Douluo Continent.
If she truly wanted to take on disciples, countless talented soul masters across the continent would be at her disposal for selection…
So why would she take on a prince from the Star Luo Empire as her disciple?
Moreover, Dai Chengfeng had previously disrupted Bibi Dong's plans in Wu'an City.
Thus, the idea of Dai Chengfeng becoming Bibi Dong's disciple seemed utterly absurd to them.
Thinking this, Zhu Hongye observed the faint killing intent radiating from Dai Chengfeng and the unhealed wounds on his arm. Her brows furrowed tightly. "Your Highness, Fourth Prince, there's no need to be afraid."
"With both me and Her Majesty the Empress here, you don't need to hide anything. Just tell us the truth."
"Our Star Luo Empire is no soft target that the Spirit Hall can push around!"
Tears still welled up in Zhu Hongxiu's eyes as she gently touched the wound on Dai Chengfeng's arm with trembling hands. Her voice choked with emotion.
"That's right, Chengfeng. How did you get these wounds on your hand?"
"Did that cruel woman Bibi Dong torture you into saying these words against your will?"
As she spoke, Zhu Hongxiu's fingers traced the edges of the wound. The warmth of her fingertips carried endless concern, while images of her son being brutally tortured played repeatedly in her mind, each one cutting deep into her heart.
"Wounds?"
Hearing this, Dai Chengfeng lowered his head and glanced at his arm. These were marks left from battles with soul beasts in Death Canyon.
But they were just minor injuries—Dai Chengfeng had never given them a second thought.
He never expected that these wounds would become "ironclad evidence" of Bibi Dong torturing him?
For a moment, Dai Chengfeng didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Prince Dai Chengfeng, what do you think?"
At this moment, Ling Yuan Douluo looked at the deeply agitated Zhu Hongxiu and the furious Zhu Hongye, her expression troubled. She turned to Dai Chengfeng, her eyes full of inquiry and helplessness.
It was as if she were silently urging him: Your Highness, please resolve this misunderstanding quickly!
Dai Chengfeng gave a slight nod and reassured her, "Don't worry, I won't put you in an awkward position in front of Master. I'll explain everything clearly."
"That's good…"
Ling Yuan Douluo nodded in relief.
Dai Chengfeng then turned his hand and gently grasped his mother's slightly cold palm, transferring the warmth from his own hand. At the same time, he explained earnestly, "Mother, here's what we'll do!"
"I'll take you to meet my teacher, Pope Bibi Dong of the Spirit Hall…"
"At that time, everything will become clear."
Dai Chengfeng could feel the tenderness in his mother's hand and understood her unease about him being in the stronghold of the Spirit Hall.
Therefore, Dai Chengfeng could only hurry to bring his mother to meet Bibi Dong as soon as possible.
With Bibi Dong, the Pope herself, stepping forward to confirm his status, it would help dispel their doubts.
Thinking this, without further ado, Dai Chengfeng firmly took his mother's hand and led her out of the room, heading toward the direction of Pope Bibi Dong's palace.
High Priest Zhu Hongye and Ling Yuan Douluo followed closely behind, each harboring different thoughts.
Zhu Hongye's heart was filled with concern for Dai Chengfeng. She kept mentally simulating various scenarios of meeting Bibi Dong…
And if Bibi Dong refused to cooperate, how would she manage to safely extract their prince and empress from Spirit City?
As for Ling Yuan Douluo, she hoped Dai Chengfeng could successfully resolve this misunderstanding. First, it would allow her to complete the task assigned by Pope Bibi Dong, and second, it would prevent unnecessary conflict between the Spirit Hall and the Star Luo Empire.
After all, if the two major powers were to completely turn hostile, it would result in catastrophic consequences.
The Spirit Hall wasn't afraid of the Star Luo Empire, but…
The timing was wrong!
I hope Prince Dai Chengfeng can explain everything clearly!
Ling Yuan Douluo sighed helplessly and shook her head.
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In the Spirit Hall, the sun blazed high in the sky.
At this moment, Dai Chengfeng and his group of four walked along the path leading to the Pope's Palace.
Tap, tap, tap…
Soon, a patrol of guards from the Spirit Hall approached from a distance.
When the guards saw Dai Chengfeng and Ling Yuan Douluo, they immediately stopped in their tracks, straightened their bodies, and greeted them respectfully in unison: "Greetings, Prince Chengfeng! Lady Ling Yuan!"
Their synchronized voices echoed through the corridor.
Ling Yuan Douluo nodded slightly.
Dai Chengfeng also smiled and responded, "You've all worked hard."
Then, he continued leading his mother forward, as if this scene were completely ordinary.
"Gasp!"
However, Zhu Hongye and Zhu Hongxiu, watching this unfold, were instantly filled with suspicion and began whispering softly.
"Could they be actors specially arranged by Bibi Dong?"
"Is she deliberately staging this performance in front of us to make us believe that Chengfeng has become her disciple?"
Zhu Hongxiu frowned deeply, her face full of doubt.
Zhu Hongxiu still couldn't bring herself to believe what she was seeing. In her mind, the Spirit Hall and the Star Luo Empire were almost inherently opposed. How could her son possibly become the disciple of the Pope?
He wasn't a succubus—how could he possibly win over an enemy like Bibi Dong?
After pondering for a moment, Zhu Hongye softly whispered, "Our visit to the Pope's Palace was a spur-of-the-moment decision by Prince Chengfeng. She shouldn't have had time to arrange this beforehand."
"And, Your Majesty…"
"The attitude of those guards just now didn't seem fake. Each of them genuinely showed respect toward Dai Chengfeng."
Despite Zhu Hongye's analysis, the two women still found it hard to fully believe…
After all, the idea of Dai Chengfeng transforming from a prince of the Star Luo Empire into the disciple of Pope Bibi Dong seemed far too extraordinary to them.
They continued walking for a while.
At this moment, a graceful figure with shoulder-length chestnut hair, dressed in a golden-white battle skirt, appeared ahead of the group.
Upon seeing Dai Chengfeng, Hu Liena hurried over with light steps. "Dai Chengfeng, I was just about to look for you!"
As she spoke, she arrived in front of Dai Chengfeng, gave a slight bow, and sincerely expressed her gratitude with a tone of earnestness. "Dai Chengfeng, thank you for saving my life in Death Canyon."
"This is a small token of appreciation. It's not much, but I hope you'll accept it."
With that, Hu Liena held out a delicate gift box with both hands, tied with a golden silk ribbon.
Seeing the gift box Hu Liena offered, Dai Chengfeng was momentarily surprised, then a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
Without much hesitation, he nodded and accepted it, placing it gently to the side.
"No need to be so polite. After all, the situation back then was urgent—I would have helped anyone."
"Besides, you're my junior sister."
Hu Liena shook her head. "Helping me was your choice, but thanking you is mine!"
As she spoke, Hu Liena suddenly turned her curious gaze toward Zhu Hongye and Zhu Hongxiu. Her beautiful eyes blinked as she asked, "These two are unfamiliar. May I ask who they are?"
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