"You just wait. My disciple won't let you off. Neither will the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!"
"Bibi Dong, how cruel you are! You even broke my leg!"
Outside Spirit City, Yu Xiaogang crawled forward while cursing furiously.
He couldn't understand why Bibi Dong would act so mercilessly.
What Yu Xiaogang didn't realize was that Bibi Dong's ruthlessness was her way of saving his life. Otherwise, leaving Spirit City alive would've been impossible for him.
Yu Xiaogang's face was a mixture of fury and sorrow.
Not only had he failed to uncover the secret to cultivating twin martial souls, but his leg was broken. How could he return to Heaven Dou City now? How could he face his disciple, Tang San, in such a humiliating state?
He didn't want Tang San to see him like this.
At that moment, Elder Chrysanthemum happened to pass by, flanked by seven young people—Spirit Hall's Golden Generation. Elder Chrysanthemum was adorned in golden armor, his face powdered and delicate fingers raised in a flowery gesture.
"Well, well, isn't this Elder Yu?" Chrysanthemum Douluo said with a sarcastic smile.
The seven members of the Golden Generation exchanged confused glances. Since when did Spirit Hall have an "Elder Yu"?
"Chrysanthemum Douluo!"
Yu Xiaogang's teeth gnashed as he glared at Chrysanthemum Douluo, his eyes blazing with fury.
Chrysanthemum Douluo merely smiled faintly, his eyes narrowing as he remarked coldly, "Ah, I almost forgot. Your Elder status was revoked. In that case, a mere Grandmaster showing this kind of attitude to a Titled Douluo is unacceptable."
Chrysanthemum Douluo glanced at Yu Xiaogang again, seeming to recall something, but said nothing more, turning to leave.
Yu Xiaogang trembled with fear. Chrysanthemum Douluo's reputation was far from gentle. To provoke him could spell disaster. Yet, for some reason, the Douluo merely teased him and left without further action.
The Golden Generation dared not question it. Though Yu Xiaogang was pitiful and his Elder status revoked, Chrysanthemum Douluo had only mocked him lightly. They wisely followed suit, not pressing the matter.
Suddenly, a shadow appeared, blocking Chrysanthemum Douluo's path.
"What's the matter, Old Ghost?" Chrysanthemum Douluo asked, raising a brow.
The shadow was none other than his long-time partner, Ghost Douluo.
Had anyone seen Ghost Douluo's expression, it would surely have been fascinating. However, as a man who had been through death, he had no visible expressions left to show.
"The Grand Worship has ordered the location of the finals changed to Spirit City."
"???" Chrysanthemum Douluo froze. A mere tournament warranting the Grand Worship's intervention and a direct order to relocate the venue?
What could this mean?
While he was confused, he didn't dare question it further. Orders from the Grand Worship were absolute.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang:
"???"
Lying on the ground, Yu Xiaogang was equally stunned. Could the Grand Worship himself be targeting Tang San? Or perhaps Tang San's father, Tang Hao?
Otherwise, why would such a figure personally alter the competition's location?
Realizing this, Yu Xiaogang felt his blood run cold.
Tang San mustn't participate in the competition! He had to hide! Staying in the open would only endanger himself and Tang Hao.
"I must warn Xiao San! He must return to Heaven Dou City—or at least intercept him on the way. Xiao San must not go to Spirit City. Otherwise, not only will he be in danger, but so will Hao Tian Douluo!"
What Yu Xiaogang didn't know was that Tang Hao was already dead, and the Grand Worship, Qian Daoliu, had no interest in Tang San. His only reason for the venue change was to meet his grandson-in-law.
As for Tang San? To Qian Daoliu, he wasn't even worth considering.
Half an hour earlier, in the Pope's Palace of Spirit City.
An elder clad in a white robe embroidered with a golden crocodile entered the grand hall. He was none other than the Second Worship of the Elder Hall.
"Bibi Dong, the Grand Worship has decreed that the finals location will be changed to Spirit City," the elder announced.
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong's first reaction mirrored Yu Xiaogang's—she assumed Qian Daoliu intended to target Tang San.
But Tang Hao was already dead. A being of Qian Daoliu's stature wouldn't bother himself with a child like Tang San, would he?
"Why? Preparations have already been made at the original location. Changing it now—"
"Bibi Dong, your task is to follow the Grand Worship's orders. There's no need for so many questions!"
The Second Worship showed no regard for Bibi Dong, treating her as a junior. If it had been Qian Xunji, he might have at least addressed him as His Holiness the Pope out of respect for Qian Daoliu.
But Bibi Dong? To him, she was nothing.
Qian Xunji, though lacking Qian Daoliu's talent, was someone the Second Worship had watched grow up. Despite his shortcomings, his character had been decent enough. Why had he taken a liking to this woman?
When Qian Xunji first accepted Bibi Dong as his disciple, the Elder Hall had strongly opposed it. Her martial spirit was simply too sinister.
Soul reflects the heart.
A person with such a malevolent martial spirit could be allowed into Spirit Hall, but as a Saintess? Absolutely not.
Faced with Qian Xunji's stubbornness, the elders could do little. After all, he was the Pope.
In short, the elders had never acknowledged Bibi Dong. Even after she became Pope, none had ever called her by that title, let alone addressed her as "Her Holiness."
Clenching her fists, Bibi Dong glared at the Second Worship. In the end, she released her grip.
"I just want to know why!"
"Hmph."
The Second Worship snorted before replying, "The Grand Worship wishes to meet his grandson-in-law."
"Grandson-in-law? What grandson-in-law?"
Bibi Dong was stunned. The Grand Worship's grandson-in-law could only be Xue'er's husband. But Xue'er was her daughter! She hadn't even met this supposed grandson-in-law. How could he be her son-in-law?
"You don't need to know."
"The Young Miss's matters are for the Grand Worship to handle."
With that, the Second Worship turned and left, not sparing Bibi Dong another glance.
"You!"
"You all!!"
"You all deserve to die!"
Bibi Dong ground her teeth, her face twisted with fury.
Her daughter was on the verge of marriage, and she didn't even know the man's name. And now she was being told she didn't need to know?
These old geezers—all of them deserved to die!
Deep down, though she outwardly resented Qian Renxue, Bibi Dong still cared for her. She simply refused to admit it.
After a while, Bibi Dong muttered bitterly, "Ghost Douluo, call them back."
(End of Chapter)