Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent emotions within. His expression returned to calm indifference as he said,
"Your Holiness, I've come today to make a request."
Bibi Dong's phoenix eyes flickered slightly with surprise.
"You're here to ask something of me? I must say, that's unexpected. I suppose time truly does change people."
Yu Xiaogang didn't offer any explanation.
"Your Holiness, I came today because I hope you can tell me how you overcame the difficulty of possessing twin Martial Souls."
If Lin Jie were present, he would likely shout, "Shameless!" Once again, trying to get something for nothing. Just like last time—trying to mooch off the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Heart Separation Control—and now, asking the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall herself. Oh, let's not forget: most of Yu Xiaogang's so-called "theory" had originally been lifted straight from Bibi Dong anyway. At this point, it's almost tradition.
Bibi Dong gently rested her jade-like hand against her cheek, her tone calm,
"And why would I tell you?"
Yu Xiaogang replied,
"I've taken in a disciple. He's been with me for around seven or eight years now. As luck would have it, he also possesses twin Martial Souls. So I hoped… you might share your knowledge of how to master them."
Bibi Dong scoffed as she leaned her cheek into her hand,
"And why should I help you, Yu Xiaogang? As I recall, you took quite a bit from me in the past. Without the support I gave you back then—without access to Spirit Hall's archive of knowledge—do you think you would've earned your reputation as the 'Grandmaster' of spirit theory?"
Her voice was full of disdain.
"And now you're back, asking for the secrets of twin Martial Souls. Yu Xiaogang, you really do know how to calculate your odds."
Her words made Yu Xiaogang's face twitch with embarrassment.
Then, Bibi Dong let out a faint smile.
"But even if I told you, it would be useless. Just a few days ago, I sent people to ambush your so-called disciple from the Clear Sky Clan—the twin Martial Soul one—on the route that the Heaven Dou Empire's delegation must pass through. Oh, and if I recall correctly, wasn't there another one? A young genius named Lin Jie? He's not your disciple too, is he?"
Yu Xiaogang's face showed a flicker of awkwardness at the mention of Lin Jie. When Lin Jie had asked to become his disciple, he'd refused. At most, they had a teacher-student relationship—but it wasn't close. But as he processed Bibi Dong's words, his body trembled violently, and his eyes widened in shock.
"You—what did you say?! You ordered an ambush on them?!"
Bibi Dong didn't even try to hide it.
"According to a report from Bishop Salas, a Clear Sky disciple has appeared—young, strong, a twin Martial Soul user—clearly allied with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the Heaven Dou Empire. Since he cannot be used by Spirit Hall, he must be eliminated."
"You…!" Yu Xiaogang was trembling with fury. His eyes went bloodshot as he stared at her atop the throne.
But Bibi Dong remained unfazed.
"What surprised me even more, though, was this Lin Jie. His strength surpasses even the Clear Sky disciple—your so-called protégé. Not even fifteen years old and already a Spirit Ancestor at Rank 46, with a self-created Spirit Ability, a ten-thousand-year fourth Spirit Ring, and possibly even a Spirit Bone. Such talent is unheard of—even I have to admit, it's impressive."
Yu Xiaogang didn't respond to the praise of Lin Jie. His mind was focused solely on Tang San. His breathing was rough now, every word filled with fury.
"Bibi Dong… Listen carefully. I have no children of my own—Tang San is like a son to me. If anything happens to him, I will stop at nothing to destroy Spirit Hall."
At that, Bibi Dong's eyes turned cold.
"Yu Xiaogang, I should be the one thanking you. If not for your betrayal back then, I would never have become what I am today. Seeing you now—furious, helpless—it gives me great satisfaction."
Yu Xiaogang said nothing more. He didn't want to revisit the past.
Just then, a voice reported from outside the hall:
"Reporting to Your Holiness—the two Elders have returned word. The mission has failed. Awaiting further instructions."
"Failed?" Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed, and she looked toward Yu Xiaogang.
"It seems your disciple was quite lucky… managing to escape death after all."
Yu Xiaogang blinked, stunned for a moment. Then his expression calmed. He glanced coldly at Bibi Dong, said nothing, and turned to leave the hall.
Bibi Dong didn't stop him. Resting her cheek in one hand, her violet eyes shimmered with unreadable emotion.
Meanwhile, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan had just returned to Spirit Hall and was on his way to the main hall when he ran into a familiar young woman. He was chatting idly with her—and if Lin Jie were here, he'd recognize her at once: Hu Liena.
"Chrysanthemum Elder, I was just about to come find you," Hu Liena greeted with a soft voice. "What did you stop me for?"
"Nana, sweetheart, I've got something here you might find familiar," Yue Guan replied in his usual eerie, androgynous tone.
"A gift? Hehe, Chrysanthemum Elder, are you giving me a present?" Hu Liena giggled. As Bibi Dong's personal disciple, her relationship with Yue Guan was naturally close.
"Here, take a look. See if this counts as a gift." Yue Guan produced a token from seemingly nowhere and handed it to her.
"Huh? This… this is my identity token! How did you get this?" Hu Liena looked at the token with surprise.
Yue Guan replied,
"I got it from a boy named Lin Jie. Nana, how did your token end up in someone else's hands?"
"Lin Jie..." Hu Liena murmured. Her thoughts drifted back to when they'd first met. Then, two small spherical objects appeared in her hands—Spirit Power grenades Lin Jie had given her. She had kept them all this time, never once using them, and hadn't told even her teacher, Bibi Dong, about them.
If Lin Jie knew she'd quietly hoarded those grenades instead of reporting them to Bibi Dong like he'd intended... he might have died from frustration.
"By the way, Chrysanthemum Elder, where did you see Lin Jie? Where is he now?"
"Oh? Seems like you and that Lin Jie are close, huh? Well, you'll have to ask the Supreme Pontiff about that. I won't say a word. Goodbye, Nana, sweetheart." With that, Yue Guan vanished.
Hu Liena didn't take offense. She was used to his behavior. But his last words puzzled her. Why would she need to ask her teacher about Lin Jie?
Puzzled but curious, she headed toward the Supreme Pontiff's Hall. Lin Jie had left an impression on her—after all, he had saved her life. They had even spent time together—just a day and a night—but he had left a deep, mysterious impression on her. If she hadn't had urgent matters to attend to back then, she might've brought him back to Spirit Hall herself.
The guards naturally didn't stop her—being the Supreme Pontiff's personal disciple gave her that privilege. Hu Liena moved effortlessly through the palace and soon arrived at the hall. She found her teacher lost in thought and didn't disturb her.
Bibi Dong came out of her thoughts and, seeing Hu Liena, her expression softened immediately.
"Nana, what brings you here?"
"Hehe, teacher, I missed you! Just wanted to see you," Hu Liena said playfully as she threw herself into her teacher's arms.
Bibi Dong gently stroked her hair, her expression unusually warm.
"The finals are coming soon, Nana. Make sure you get enough rest. Don't overwork yourself. Understand?"
Perhaps Hu Liena was the only person in the world who could bring out this gentle side of Bibi Dong. Not even her own daughter could.
"I know, teacher. You need to rest too, don't overexert yourself," Hu Liena said in a motherly tone.
Bibi Dong chuckled softly.
"Mm. So, did you come just to check on me—or is there something else?"
Hu Liena recalled what Yue Guan had said earlier.
"Teacher, I wanted to ask you about Lin Jie."
"Lin Jie? You know him?" Bibi Dong asked.
"Yes, he once saved me. He's..." Hu Liena began recounting the events of their encounter.
"You're saying... he used this to kill a ten-thousand-year-old Spirit Beast?" Bibi Dong examined one of the spherical objects Lin Jie had given Hu Liena.
Despite her attempts, it looked no different from an ordinary metal ball—no spiritual energy, no aura. Still, she had no reason to doubt her disciple.
A ten-thousand-year-old Spirit Beast wasn't just a simple opponent. Most had developed sentience. Even a typical Spirit King might not dare take one on head-on. If such a tiny object could kill one, then if mass-produced...
If Lin Jie had been here, he would've been stunned. Only Bibi Dong could immediately think in terms of military deployment.
"Indeed, teacher. I saw it with my own eyes. He even gave me several of these. Look, I still have them." Hu Liena placed all of them in front of Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong examined them again. Still... nothing. Just strangely designed iron balls.
"Could these be... some sort of unique Soul Tool?" she muttered, perplexed.