"Grand Priest of the Elder Hall, how do you plead in response to being repeatedly called an idiot by others?"
It must be said that Bibi Dong's mentality was quite strong. Whether it was "enduring humiliation" back then to kill Qian Xunji or now confronting Yu Xiaogang, she quickly suppressed her emotions and instead teased Qian Daoliu beside her.
Upon hearing Bibi Dong's words, Qian Daoliu's originally calm face immediately darkened, and he retorted irritably, "If it weren't for Xiaoxue's sake, do you think you'd still be alive now?"
Qian Daoliu's temper was relatively good. Aside from feeling a bit embarrassed, he wasn't truly angry.
To him, Qian Xunji was already a thing of the past.
Now that Bibi Dong had reconciled with Qian Renxue, it could be considered a blessing from Qian Xunji's spirit in heaven.
There was no need to demand too much—life was never perfect to begin with.
Otherwise, he would have long since married Poseidon Island's Bo Saixi.
How could that reckless fool Tang Chen have gotten her instead? Perhaps he could have even sparked a second youth for himself.
But as things stood now, it was impossible.
Had it been due to the resentment Poseidon bore when they attacked Poseidon Island back then? Or was it that Poseidon and the Angel God had always been enemies, making their stances fundamentally irreconcilable?
After a long silence, Qian Daoliu sighed again. "Bibi Dong, reach the Quasi-God level of a Limit Douluo as soon as possible."
"I have a feeling that, perhaps in the near future, Poseidon Island will also intervene in the affairs of the continent."
"The Spirit Hall once sent people to subjugate Poseidon Island but returned in defeat."
"That grudge is now in the past, but if Poseidon is involved, it won't be so easily forgotten."
"I don't need you to tell me that," Bibi Dong said coldly. "After this tournament, I will go to the Star Dou Great Forest with Her Excellency Gu Yuena. Qian Renxue is my daughter—that much I acknowledge."
"As for Yu Xiaogang, just make sure he doesn't die in the Spirit Hall."
"Regarding the matter of the Dragon Valley, it might indeed have something to do with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family." Bibi Dong glanced at Gu Yuena. "What does Your Excellency the Silver Dragon King think?"
"This is a matter of your human world. Handle it according to your own rules. My goal is only to find the Dragon Valley."
"Besides, I cannot fight at full strength in my current state."
"Also, the Dragon Valley contains many treasures. It might even elevate the Spirit Hall's strength by another level."
"Is that true?" Qian Daoliu asked in surprise.
Gu Yuena hadn't elaborated on the Dragon Valley before, only mentioning it was a special secret realm.
"Indeed. There are the remains of various dragons, along with all sorts of other things."
Though the most important items might have been used up during battles.
But the dragons that perished were all at the god level or above. Even if only remnants remained, there would still be things useful to soul masters who hadn't yet attained godhood.
"Your Excellency Gu Yuena, rest assured. The Spirit Hall will spare no effort in searching for the Dragon Valley," Qian Daoliu declared resolutely.
There was no helping it. Right now, the Spirit Hall appeared to be at its peak.
But that was only if the gods didn't interfere.
If Poseidon, the Asura God, and Rakshasa joined forces to influence the Douluo Continent...
Even if they couldn't act directly from the God Realm, as gods, they could still accomplish much.
Qian Daoliu turned his gaze to Bibi Dong. Given that he and Gu Yuena had been monitoring the prison situation, he wondered if Bibi Dong had noticed anything.
"Did you obtain any useful information from your earlier conversation?"
"Ah..." Bibi Dong sighed faintly. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan likely knows that Xue Qinghe is actually Qian Renxue—they just haven't revealed it."
"Are you certain?" Though he had suspected as much, hearing such a definitive judgment still made Qian Daoliu visibly surprised.
"If Xue Qinghe and Qian Renxue were to marry, how would the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan position themselves?"
"Do you know how they responded?"
Without waiting for Qian Daoliu to reply, Bibi Dong continued.
"Ning Feng... no, Ning Rongrong's answer was that they believed the Spirit Hall respects teachers and upholds traditions."
"She didn't point out that Xue Qinghe was Qian Renxue but instead used the relationship of a disciple's wife to frame it."
"I have reason to suspect the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is fully aware of Xue Qinghe's identity—they just haven't exposed it."
"I see..." Qian Daoliu murmured.
"Respecting teachers and upholding traditions is the Spirit Hall's legacy. Xiaoxue has always held Ning Fengzhi in high regard."
"Since the other side has never exposed it, there's a high probability the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan can be won over."
"But it could also be a delaying tactic by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan," Bibi Dong countered.
"Over the years, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has grown immensely under our noses. Has the Grand Priest ever considered worse outcomes?"
"Nothing is ever one hundred percent certain," Qian Daoliu said mildly, his eyes distant.
"Just like when I made you Pope back then—I was only fulfilling Ji'er's dying wish."
"But looking at how you've developed the Spirit Hall over the years, even I and Golden Crocodile must acknowledge your achievements."
"Hmph, don't mention Qian Xunji to me. If you keep bringing him up, don't blame me for turning hostile," Bibi Dong's voice turned icy.
"Understood," Qian Daoliu sighed.
Seeing Qian Daoliu yield, Bibi Dong continued, "Her Excellency Gu Yuena is right. Ning Fengzhi has delegated authority to Ning Rongrong, and the degree of freedom in that delegation is likely very high."
Logically, this shouldn't be possible. After all, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is the second-largest of the Top Three Sects. But then I sensed a familiar aura from her."
"A familiar aura?" Qian Daoliu turned to her, surprised.
"Yes. It was well concealed—most people wouldn't notice. But having been there myself, I could faintly detect a strong killing intent around Ning Rongrong."
"Killing intent?" Qian Daoliu's pupils contracted sharply, his entire demeanor turning grave.
"You mean..."
Before he could finish, Bibi Dong nodded. "Indeed—the Slaughter City. Ning Rongrong has recently been to the Slaughter City. Only there could such intense bloodlust accumulate."
"That's impossible. She's just a support-type soul master. How could she—"
"A support-type soul master? Do you believe that?" Bibi Dong's words silenced Qian Daoliu.
"I even suspect Ning Rongrong might also have a twin martial soul," Bibi Dong frowned. "Regarding the Slaughter City, I will send people to investigate."
"This year's Spirit Tournament finals are taking longer than usual, so we should have time to uncover some clues."
"Given how uncondensed her bloodlust is, she likely didn't take the Road to Hell or obtain the Asura Domain."
But without taking the Road to Hell, it's impossible to leave the Slaughter City.
Then again, nothing is absolute. The Spirit Hall has long had arrangements with the Slaughter City for delivering prisoners there.
"Perhaps Ning Fengzhi and Tang Chen have some underhanded dealings."