Inside Spirit Hall's Papal Palace, in the grand council hall.
A breathtakingly beautiful woman stood at the highest seat. Her features were so delicate it seemed they had been carved by divine hands. She wore a luxurious black robe embroidered with gold patterns, a Nine-Curved Purple-Gold Crown upon her head, and in her hand she held a scepter nearly two meters long, inlaid with countless gemstones.
Her near-perfect face carried an air of noble holiness. Every subtle movement radiated supreme majesty, inspiring awe and involuntary reverence. At this moment, she was gazing downward.
Standing below were two men and one woman—Hu Liena, her brother Xie Yue, and Chrysanthemum Douluo—reporting the incidents that occurred during their journey.
"Teacher, that's everything. Thanks to Elder Yue accompanying us, we were able to escape with our lives. Only Yan was unfortunate… he died to a soul beast." Hu Liena finished her report.
The Empress, Bibi Dong, remained expressionless, as calm as an undisturbed well. She seemed not to care much about Yan's death. Her phoenix eyes shifted toward Chrysanthemum Douluo. "Yue Guan, is there anything incorrect in what Nana said?"
"Every word is true," Chrysanthemum Douluo said respectfully.
Bibi Dong's cold, sharp gaze softened a little. "Elder Yue, this trip must have been hard on you. Go rest for now. Your reward will be arranged later."
Chrysanthemum Douluo obeyed and retreated from the hall.
"Xie Yue, you leave as well."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After Xie Yue left, only Hu Liena and Bibi Dong remained.
"Nana, after facing a life-and-death crisis, did you gain anything?" Bibi Dong's dignified and regal aura softened faintly.
Hu Liena paused, not daring to recall the image of that man, afraid her emotions would leak. She replied, "I realized that if one's strength is lacking, even surviving becomes a luxury."
"I want to work harder and increase my strength."
Bibi Dong nodded approvingly, though she said nothing more.
"Good. You may go. If you have any questions in cultivation, come to me."
After leaving, Hu Liena let out a long breath. The pressure of being with her teacher was overwhelming. She didn't dare think even a little about that young man, terrified she would be exposed. The moment she stepped out of the palace, those unforgettable memories surged back.
Staring into the distant sky outside the window, Hu Liena's beautiful eyes grew hazy. Her delicate hand clenched into a fist.
"I'll work even harder… until the day we meet again."
Inside the empty grand hall, only Bibi Dong remained.
Her phoenix eyes had been bright, but suddenly they flickered erratically. Finally, as if hypnotized, her eyelids gently fell shut.
When they opened again, an entirely different, evil gaze surfaced—her aura completely opposite from moments ago.
Shrek Academy.
Tang San stared dumbstruck at the light and graceful girl who had suddenly returned. He grabbed her shoulders. "Xiao Wu, where did you go? Do you know how worried I was the whole time you were gone?"
"San-ge, I just went out for a walk. You don't need to worry."
As she spoke, Xiao Wu shifted lightly, slipping her shoulder free from Tang San's grasp.
Suddenly, she felt that such contact between men and women wasn't appropriate.
Tang San, overjoyed by her return, didn't notice this subtlety. Instead, he noticed the ornate box Xiao Wu was holding.
"What's that?" He reached out curiously.
Xiao Wu reflexively dodged. "This is a keepsake my mother left for me."
Tang San froze in surprise, then dropped the question. He could feel her resistance.
Xiao Wu bit her lower lip and hesitated. "San-ge… what exactly are your feelings toward me?"
Tang San answered without hesitation, "Of course I see you as my little sister. My real sister. I'll always treat you well. Why even ask? You don't trust me?"
Xiao Wu nodded and breathed out softly. Her eyes shone with warm determination. "Of course I trust you. You will always be my San-ge."
For some reason, hearing her sincere words, Tang San felt a sudden stab in his heart—like something important was slipping away from his fingertips.
After Tang San left, Xiao Wu stared out the window at the evening glow, clutching the box tightly.
Elephant Armored Sect, Sect Council Hall.
The towering, burly Huyan Zhen—like a massive bear—was furious.
He stomped, shaking the ground. The hall rumbled as he glared murderously at Huyan Bawei, whose face was as pale as paper.
Huyan Zhen roared, "What about the task I gave you? Three of you went—why are you the only one who came back?"
Hearing the question, Huyan Bawei jolted violently. His twisted expression showed he was remembering something terrifying.
Trembling, he cried, "Sect Master… the mission failed. Our sect is in huge trouble!"
Seeing the usually fierce Bawei looking like this, Huyan Zhen was stunned. "Speak! What happened? Didn't I tell you to complete the mission?!"
"Pfft!"
Huyan Bawei spat out blood, splattering the floor. "Sect Master, forget the mission—we need to run for our lives!"
"What happened?! SAY IT!!!" Huyan Zhen's expression changed instantly, panic rising.
Huyan Bawei lifted his head toward the ceiling, wailing, "Before we left, I swore I would complete your mission. Even if it cost my life, I'd do anything for the sect's rise!"
"Enough!! I know you're loyal! Just tell me what happened!"
"According to your orders, I brought two juniors to the Shui family. But on the way, a black-robed freak appeared. He carried a hammer and smashed both juniors into meat paste instantly. He didn't even release his spirit rings when he severely injured me!"
Huyan Bawei deliberately made his body tremble. "I thought I was about to die for the sect—but that guy left me alive just to deliver a message."
Huyan Zhen's eyes went blank, as if he had realized something. "What did he say?"
"He said… since the Elephant Armored Sect dares to side with Spirit Hall, then wait for him to visit personally."
Thud!
Huyan Zhen collapsed heavily onto a chair, his eyes empty, lips trembling.
Huyan Bawei rushed over. "Sect Master, what's wrong? No matter how strong that guy is, we can't lose our spirit! Even if we bleed, I, Huyan Bawei, will show him the Elephant Armored Sect is not to be insulted!"
"Show your mother's hammer!" Huyan Zhen snapped. "Do you know who that black-robed man was?!"
Huyan Bawei's eyes reddened. "I don't care who he is! He killed two of our juniors and humiliated our sect! We must make him pay in blood!"
"Get out."
Huyan Zhen suddenly seemed ten years older, like a wilted eggplant. His eyes hid deep terror.
"Haotian Douluo… Tang Hao??"
"He survived Spirit Hall's encirclement? And now he's targeting my Elephant Armored Sect?"
"No. I must report this to the Pope. Only Her Majesty can protect our sect."
After leaving the hall, Huyan Bawei looked around, making sure no one was nearby. Then he rushed into a small corner, hiding his face as he silently laughed, praising Luo Yu's brilliance.
"What exactly did the Lord tell me to say to scare the Sect Master like this…"
"Ahem… but my acting should've been perfect."
In truth, if Huyan Bawei hadn't acted so convincingly, Huyan Zhen wouldn't have instantly connected the dots to Tang Hao, nor panicked so badly.
Now, Huyan Zhen wasn't thinking about raiding the Shui family at all—he was already considering running to Spirit Hall for protection.
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Fully Completed English PDF of this fan-fic on my Patreon shop if you want to support and own the full fan-fic in one go. Just grab the PDF and binge the entire story from start to finish!
Welcome Back!!! Brothers I've uploaded some New New High Quality english translated fanfic on my Patreon shop! recently Feel free to check it out—if you're interested, you can grab a copy and support me there.
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" Douluo: Reborn as Ye Lingling (18+) "
" Douluo: Starting by Counter-Killing Qian Renxue (18+) "
" Douluo: Tang Hao Read My Diary and Actually Smashed the Spirit Hall "
" Douluo: Marrying Ah Yin at the Start, Building the Strongest Family "
" Douluo: Lying Flat and Writing a Diary, They're Acting Strange "
" In BTTH, I Write a Fake Diary! The Heroines Have All Collapsed (18+) "
" Douluo: My Diary Makes Tang San Betrayed by Everyone "
" Douluo: Martial Soul — Thunder Ancestral Dragon "
" Awakening Twin Martial Spirits From Douluo Continent and Becoming Invincible "
" Douluo: Using the Sharingan to Snatch Away Tianmeng "
" Douluo: After Drawing My Sword Billions of Times, Bibi Dong Got Addicted "
" Douluo: Everything Can Be Snatched "
" Douluo: Signed In 100,000 Years Early as a Soul Beast "
" Douluo: Starting by Modifying a Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring "
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(End of Chapter)