Late at night, in Spirit Hall City, upon the throne of the Pope's Palace.
Bibi Dong leaned sideways on the throne.
"What news from Yue Guan?"
Ghost Douluo replied, "Your Holiness, Yue Guan has sent word. As of today, they have left Death Canyon and completed their first team match at the Blackhorn City Battle Arena."
Bibi Dong said, "Don't report trivial matters like this to me again. I don't care how Mopote and Yue Guan arrange things. The championship of this Advanced Soul Master Tournament must belong to our Spirit Hall."
"Please don't worry, Your Holiness. Yue Guan also sent an additional message."
"Speak!"
"The Holy Son has reached level 44 in soul power! The Holy Maiden has reached level 43, Xie Yue is at 42, and Yan at 41! All four of them have advanced to the Soul Ancestor realm. And their eldest, Xie Yue, isn't even 16 yet! With more than a year to go before the tournament, they'll be our Spirit Hall's strongest generation."
Bibi Dong smiled. She hadn't seen these kids in years, and they had given her such a pleasant surprise. She herself, once hailed as a genius, had only just broken through level 40 at their age, yet Jiang Xiaofeng had already reached level 44. That little rascal—she wondered how he was doing.
Had he grown taller? Or had he grown ugly? He looked fine as a kid, but who knew what he looked like now. And that girl Nana, always circling around Jiang Xiaofeng—their relationship must be pretty good.
"Very impressive. How did they fare in today's battle arena match?"
"Your Holiness, they won with ease. The opposing team was a full lineup of Soul Ancestors, seven in total. But our team had only four Soul Ancestors—the other three were Soul Experts."
"The other three???"
Ghost Douluo said, "Yes. Two of them are friends the Holy Son made at the battle arena. The other is a regular support-type soul master, but her martial spirit appears to be a mutated one!"
Bibi Dong's eyes lit up. A mutated martial spirit—so rare—could very well be among the top-tier spirits.
"Currently, all the top-level support-type soul masters on the continent are with major sects. Only our Spirit Hall lacks a top-tier support-type. Are you sure Yue Guan and Mopote weren't mistaken?"
"They weren't. This soul master's spirit resembles the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda but is fundamentally different. Mopote said that, theoretically, it could surpass it. After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda can't break through level 80—a fatal flaw."
Bibi Dong nodded. If the Pagoda could surpass level 80, then the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan might become the number one sect, possibly even surpassing Spirit Hall, given how terrifying their support spirit is.
"Have the backgrounds of the three been investigated?"
"Yes. They're ordinary people with no sect affiliations. In fact, those three brothers initially tried to rob the Holy Son. But he subdued them and made them work for him. They've since redeemed themselves, so we didn't punish them."
Bibi Dong said, "These are matters Xiaofeng must handle himself. We don't need to interfere. What you all must do is protect them from the shadows. Ensure their safety—nothing else."
"Understood!"
"Anything else?"
Ghost Douluo shook his head and said, "That's all for now. Their upcoming training will all take place in various battle arenas to ensure they secure the championship."
"Good. If there's nothing else, you may leave."
"Yes, Your Holiness!"
Once Ghost Douluo left, Bibi Dong also disappeared from the throne.
In her courtyard, sipping tea alone, Bibi Dong felt a bit lonely.
Over the years, she had managed all matters, big and small, within Spirit Hall, yet she still felt something missing.
Though her cultivation steadily increased, she still had to endure for now. Xiaofeng and Nana weren't strong enough yet. She couldn't yet challenge the people in Douluo Hall, especially that Qian Daoliu.
"Little rascal, you once swore to protect me. I'm waiting for you!"
At first, she thought Jiang Xiaofeng was just trying to comfort her. But later, she realized she couldn't quite see through him. A beggar who knew too much. He said he learned it all from the library, but she had scoured that place and found no such cultivation techniques.
"Just how many secrets do you have?"
After saying this, Bibi Dong gave a bitter smile and shook her head. She was doubting a child. Clearly, she was under too much pressure lately. Especially after losing the last Advanced Soul Master Tournament, the Douluo Hall had been applying constant pressure.
Now, with another tournament a year away, the pressure was on again. If Spirit Hall lost again, she would either be stripped of her title as Pope—or directly turn against Qian Daoliu.
So Bibi Dong had no choice but to pin her hopes on Jiang Xiaofeng and the others. Yet she didn't want to pressure them, so she stayed out of their affairs. The good news now made her happy—but also worried. After all, the path to growth is always filled with danger!
Early the next morning, Feng Lingling was already waiting at the inn. Unlike usual, this time she was waiting as a guest in the lounge area.
"Xiao Ling, what's with that outfit? Where's your uniform?"
She had left in a rush and hadn't officially resigned from the hotel.
Feng Lingling still stood up politely.
"Big Sis, starting today, I no longer work here."
The middle-aged woman in front of her replied impatiently, "Quit? Then I guess you don't want your last paycheck either!"
Feng Lingling understood full well. Resigning like this meant she wouldn't get her pay.
"I know."
"Fine, then leave. This isn't a place for you to loiter. Get out!"
Clearly, the manager wasn't interested in Feng Lingling anymore. Even being a Soul Expert meant nothing. Though Blackhorn City wasn't big, it was near Death Canyon, attracting many soul masters. Soul Experts were bottom of the barrel—heck, even the security guards here were Soul Ancestors.
Feng Lingling said, "Sorry, I'm waiting for my team members here. I can't leave yet."
The manager's brow furrowed.
"Your team? You? A low-level Soul Expert? Think your team can even afford to stay here? Get out before I call security!"
Feng Lingling felt wronged. During her time working here, this manager had always exploited staff. Now even after she quit, she was still being treated this way.
"But I—"
"But my ass! I've seen enough poor folks like you. Get lost!"
Feng Lingling lowered her head and took two steps.
"Sister Ling, you don't have to leave—she is the one who should go!"
The familiar voice hit her like a ray of hope. She turned and looked behind her.
"Xiaofeng, you're here!"
Jiang Xiaofeng nodded and said, "Yeah. Sister Ling, who is she?"
(End of Chapter)