"Ah!!!"
The sudden turn of events shocked both Ye Han and Ling Yuan.
Ling Yuan quickly put Ye Han down, stood up, and bowed in a flustered manner:
"Greetings... Greetings to Your Holiness the Pope!"
Although reluctant, Ye Han had no choice but to follow suit and bow:
"Your disciple pays respects to the teacher."
At the same time, he glanced at Hu Liena, but it seemed she didn't recognize him.
Well, that was normal. Yesterday, he had been covered in dirt, so it was understandable she wouldn't recognize him.
Hu Liena, on the other hand, was staring at Ye Han, feeling as though she had seen this little brother somewhere before.
But deep in her eyes, there was a hint of disgust, though she didn't know why.
At this moment, Bibi Dong ignored Ye Han for the time being and coldly stared at Ling Yuan:
"Elder Ling Yuan, I've long heard that you never get close to men, but today..."
"From what I just overheard, your purity has been tainted? It seems things are more complicated than they appear, hehe!"
She had been looking for a way to deal with the people Grand Elder Qian Daoliu had sent, and now an opportunity had presented itself.
Ling Yuan's body trembled violently, and she hurriedly admitted her mistake:
"Your subordinate is guilty. I beg Your Holiness to punish me, but please do not blame the Holy Son!"
Ye Han clenched his fists. This damned madwoman had been eavesdropping outside earlier?
Then Hu Liena... must have heard everything too? No wonder she was looking at him with such disgust now!
Bibi Dong's eyes flashed with triumph as she sneered:
"The Holy Son is young and ignorant, so naturally, he won't be punished."
"As for you, how could I dare to punish you? Go and see the Grand Elder."
"Tell him about your actions and see if you're still fit to be the Holy Son's personal teacher!"
Her words were like sharp daggers, piercing Ling Yuan's heart and leaving her face pale.
Hearing this, Ye Han was filled with hatred for this damned madwoman. He quickly shielded Ling Yuan behind him and said:
"Teacher, this is all my fault. It was I who forcibly tainted Elder Ling Yuan's purity last night. She was forced into it!"
Bibi Dong glanced at him, as if hearing the most ridiculous joke, and her lips curled into a smirk:
"Oh? Then tell me, how could someone as weak as you, with no strength to even tie a chicken, taint the purity of a Titled Douluo powerhouse?!"
Hu Liena, standing behind Bibi Dong, also looked at Ye Han with even more disgust, clearly not believing him.
Her teacher had taught her that someone who lies at such a young age would grow up to be an ungrateful wretch, unworthy of trust!
"..."
Ye Han knew that if he didn't give a convincing answer to shut her up, Ling Yuan would surely be taken away from him today, and it would be difficult to get close to her again.
Moreover, it would create an irreparable rift between him and Hu Liena.
After a moment of anxious thought, Ye Han quickly came up with a countermeasure.
"Roar——!"
Ye Han suddenly activated his martial soul, and two dragon roars echoed through the courtyard.
The aura of his 26th-level spirit power spread out, shocking both Bibi Dong and Hu Liena.
"So powerful!"
The disgust in Hu Liena's eyes vanished, replaced by endless admiration and infatuation!
Bibi Dong, on the other hand, couldn't help but exclaim in disbelief:
"How is this possible! How did you do this!!!"
Seeing that his plan was working, Ye Han immediately embellished the events of last night:
"Teacher, last night I secretly ate three pieces of Elder Ling Yuan's ten-thousand-year whale glue, and then I went crazy and pounced on her."
"Elder Ling Yuan was forced to help me refine the whale glue in my body, and that's why she lost control. This is all my fault!"
"The evidence is in my martial soul. After consuming the whale glue, I can instantly absorb spirit bones and ignore spirit ring constraints to increase my spirit power!"
"What you overheard earlier was me, as a man, taking responsibility for a woman. I beg you to forgive her!"
This speech left Hu Liena stunned, and soon, she was completely infatuated.
Oh heavens! Not only is he a prodigy, but at such a young age, he's so responsible and dependable!
Where else could you find such a man? She was completely smitten—her ideal boyfriend!
Bibi Dong's expression, however, changed several times. She glanced at Ling Yuan and questioned:
"Elder Ling Yuan, is this true?"
Ling Yuan bit her red lip and nodded in acknowledgment.
In her heart, she sighed at Ye Han's cleverness and quick thinking.
Bibi Dong, who had been feeling triumphant just moments ago, was now furious.
If this was true, then Ling Yuan had actually performed a great service by saving the Holy Son!
If this got out, not only would Ling Yuan remain unaffected, but she would also gain a reputation for willingly sacrificing her purity for the sake of the Spirit Hall.
Moreover, since Ling Yuan had now saved Ye Han's life, Bibi Dong couldn't touch her without risking Ye Han's strong disapproval.
Damn it!!!
Bibi Dong cursed inwardly but had no choice but to suppress her anger and say:
"So that's how it is. I misunderstood without investigating properly. My apologies, Elder Ling Yuan."
"However, Elder Ling Yuan, I hope you will keep this matter confidential. If it gets out, it might cause unnecessary gossip!"
Then she turned to Ye Han and coaxed him:
"My good disciple, as an elder of the Spirit Hall, it is Ling Yuan's duty to make sacrifices for the sake of the Hall."
"You don't need to feel guilty or take responsibility for her. Just take back what you said earlier."
"Right, Elder Ling Yuan?"
At the end, Bibi Dong gave Ling Yuan a meaningful look.
"Yes!"
Ling Yuan quickly agreed, but Ye Han was extremely dissatisfied with Bibi Dong's words and deliberately provoked her:
"Oh, so... Teacher, why did consuming the whale glue cause such a reaction?"
"As the Pope and a fellow dual martial soul possessor, you should know the reason, right?"
"If even you don't know, then how am I supposed to continue my cultivation in the future?!"
Bibi Dong's face stiffened, unsure how to respond.
If only Xiaogang were here. He was thoroughly knowledgeable about martial souls and would surely know the answer.
Seeing her hesitation, Ye Han guessed she was thinking about that piece of trash, Yu Xiaogang, and pressed further:
"Teacher, do you really not know? Does that mean I'll have to figure out my cultivation path on my own from now on?"
His words were a clear attack on her inadequacy as a teacher, implying that her guidance was unnecessary.
Bibi Dong's face turned pale, then red, as she avoided the question:
"This matter... I will give you an answer in the future..."
Then, in an attempt to salvage her dignity as a teacher, she sternly said:
"The cultivation of dual martial souls requires one martial soul to be fully equipped with spirit rings before you can start cultivating the other! You will begin with the Dark Holy Dragon martial soul!"
"There are several dark-attribute sub-dragons in the Sunset Forest that would be perfect for your spirit rings. Pack your things and come with me to the Sunset Forest to hunt for the spirit rings you need!"
Hearing her words, Ye Han was filled with disdain.
If you don't know, just say you don't know. Why postpone the answer?
And then you spout nonsense about not being able to cultivate both martial souls simultaneously?
Could it be that you're still following that trash Yu Xiaogang's ridiculous theories?
In Douluo Dalu 2, Xiao Xiao cultivated both her martial souls at the same time, and nothing happened to her!
"Yes, thank you for your guidance, Teacher."
For now, he couldn't afford to openly oppose her, so Ye Han reluctantly nodded.
Then, Bibi Dong glanced at Hu Liena behind her, preparing to introduce her to Ye Han.
But before Bibi Dong could speak, Hu Liena, like a lovesick girl, rushed up to Ye Han, her face flushed as she introduced herself:
"Hello, Junior Brother Ye Han! I'm your senior sister, Hu Liena~"
"You can call me Senior Sister, or Sister Nana, or just Nana~"
"I just reached the 30th level last night and need a third spirit ring, so we'll be going to the Sunset Forest together~"
"I'll take good care of you on the way, so you can leave everything to me!"
Hu Liena's speech left both Bibi Dong and Ling Yuan dumbfounded.
But Ye Han, well aware of her infatuated nature, boldly took her hand and smiled:
"Hello, Sister Nana. I'll be counting on your care from now on, Senior Sister."