"In my memory, those figures never existed. Perhaps… they're from some deeply hidden force."
Bibi Dong's gaze sharpened slightly, her expression growing complex as she recalled the unfamiliar Titled Douluo who had appeared out of nowhere.
Logically speaking, aside from the Upper Three Sects, only the oceans and the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest remained undeveloped by humankind.
What kind of force could possibly raise so many Titled Douluo under the watchful eye of the Spirit Hall without making a sound?
After all, even the Upper Three Sects, based on all gathered intelligence, didn't openly possess more than a few dozen Titled Douluo.
"Were their spirits hammers?"
Aether, sensing something, couldn't help but ask.
In his memory, if any power besides Spirit Hall had hidden Titled Douluo, it could only be the Clear Sky Clan.
"No."
Bibi Dong shook her head slightly. "Their martial spirits were strange—when they released soul power, it felt wild and violent, but also oddly gentle…"
With her intelligence, Bibi Dong had, of course, considered the reclusive Clear Sky Clan, whose closure to the world had been publicly declared.
But those she fought did not wield the Clear Sky Hammer.
Rather, their spirits resembled some rare, unfamiliar creature.
"Violent yet gentle soul power?"
"Yes. I know it sounds contradictory, but that's exactly what it felt like in battle…"
Bibi Dong lowered her head, deep in thought.
"Also, their soul techniques were fierce, but their soul power felt a bit… lacking."
Ferocious skills, yet weak soul power?
Aether rummaged through his scattered memories but couldn't recall any soul master described in such contradictory terms.
But if it was about a force…
A thought flashed in Aether's mind. He spoke again:
"Did their martial spirits have an oceanic nature? Or some kind of water attribute?"
His words were like a thunderclap exploding in Bibi Dong's mind.
"Yes! That's it, Your Excellency! That's exactly what I was trying to say! Their soul power was both violent and gentle—just like oceanic attributes!"
She hadn't expected His Excellency to extract such a precise description from her muddled explanation.
As expected of the omniscient one!
"Your Excellency, Titled Douluo with oceanic attributes, all from the same faction—do you know who they are?"
Bibi Dong asked excitedly.
If he could pinpoint such an exact trait, surely he knew where these people had come from?
"There is one place where soul masters match your description."
Aether clicked his tongue and spoke slowly.
"That place is called Sea God Island."
"Sea God Island? You mean the mysterious location in the eastern seas?"
Bibi Dong's voice trembled.
Thanks to Aether's reminder, she realized—the soul masters she'd fought were likely from the mysterious power hidden in the eastern ocean: Sea God Island!
"Mm. Though it's far from the continent, your records should include mention of it."
Aether nodded. Spirit Hall had long sought to expand its influence and unify the Douluo Continent.
It would certainly have some understanding of major locations and factions both on the continent and in nearby seas.
"No wonder… I thought I knew nearly every Titled Douluo on the continent. So they came from there…"
Bibi Dong murmured to herself.
Traveling from the continent to Sea God Island meant crossing vast oceans teeming with powerful soul beasts.
On the ocean, those soul beasts would become even more formidable, while mainland soul masters would be weakened.
That's why, despite knowing of its existence, Spirit Hall had never risked sending elders or powerful soul masters to investigate.
But what Bibi Dong didn't know was that aside from the practical danger, personal motives of Qian Daoliu also played a role in that decision.
"Things seem to be growing chaotic…"
Aether muttered. In his mind, the once-fixed destiny of this continent now felt like it was being stirred by some invisible hand.
If his guess was right, then the seven unknown Titled Douluo Bibi Dong encountered were likely the Seven Sacred Pillars of Sea God Island.
But according to his memory, those seven, as guardians and enforcers of Sea God Island's laws, weren't even allowed to leave.
"Your Excellency, what do you mean by 'chaotic'?"
Seeing the slight frown on Aether's brow, Bibi Dong couldn't help but grow anxious.
For something to trouble him, it could not be a trivial matter.
Aether didn't answer. He only shook his head.
At this point, it was all speculation. The truth had yet to be verified.
Before that, they needed to clarify these strange movements—and find Qian Renxue.
Thinking of her, Aether retrieved the letter she had left for him from the Serenitea Pot.
"This is from Qian Renxue. Have a look."
He handed the envelope directly to Bibi Dong.
Since he didn't respond, Bibi Dong didn't press him further.
The more time she spent with this enigmatic being, the deeper her reverence grew.
But when she opened the envelope and read the contents, her delicate fingers instinctively clenched.
"Xue'er… what happened to you…"
Her gaze lingered on a few haunting words—Spirit Hall in danger—and her worry deepened.
"After reading that letter, Paimon and I decided to begin searching for her."
Aether's voice sounded beside her, offering some comfort as she worried for her daughter.
This version of Bibi Dong was already starting to diverge from the image etched in his memory.
"Your Excellency, have you found any clues?"
Bibi Dong asked, urgency in her voice.
"No."
"But I can roughly determine her location. If not for…"
Aether turned to glance at the child merrily eating beside Paimon—Mao Mao. The Dull Blade could resonate with him, but it didn't identify its wielder.
Right now, he sensed only two swords.
One had a strong signal—Mao Mao's.
The other, faint and intermittent—likely still a long way off.
As for the third sword, which he felt no trace of, it must be the one held by Zhu Zhuqing.
They were far from Heaven Dou. It made sense not to feel its presence yet.
"If you can locate her, that's enough. Your Excellency, I want to go with you to find Xue'er."
Bibi Dong's concern for Qian Renxue hadn't eased. She insisted on accompanying him.
"What about Spirit Hall? You saw what the letter said…"
If Qian Renxue wrote of Spirit Hall being in danger, could it be that the threat was already at their doorstep?
"Don't worry, Your Excellency. Spirit Hall isn't something just anyone dares to storm."
Bibi Dong shook her head, calm and resolute.
That was the very heart of Spirit Hall. Nearly all their top combat strength resided there, including the Limit Douluo Qian Daoliu himself.
And if anyone dared enter the Temple of Worship… the Angel God's statue inside was far from ornamental.
_
(CAUGHT UP WITH THE RAWS IN MY PATREON)
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