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The mere thought of that scene made Yue Guan's face turn incredibly ugly. He disregarded the risk of offending Qian Renxue and rushed forward to block her path.
"Your Highness, if the Supreme Pontiff finds out you've disguised yourself like this, she'll be angry," Yue Guan said nervously.
Qian Renxue frowned slightly. "That's for her to say to me, what business is it of yours?"
"Move aside."
"Your Highness, that's the Supreme Pontiff's guest inside. You cannot enter," Yue Guan said, steeling himself.
If Qian Renxue got involved in this, Gold Crocodile Douluo would explode, and Bibi Dong would explode too!
Seeing Yue Guan's "righteousness," Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo cast grateful glances at him.
Thank goodness for you!
If Qian Renxue really went in and caused trouble, they'd be finished too!
Yue Guan glared at Snake Lance and Porcupinefish with a hint of exasperation.
Why the hell can't you two stop her?!
Noticing the glances exchanged between Yue Guan and the others, Qian Renxue grew even more impatient.
"Yue Guan, are you going to stop me? Have you thought through the consequences?" Qian Renxue said coldly.
"Your Highness, this matter is no small thing. I am also considering your safety," Yue Guan said.
"Safety?" Qian Renxue's eyes flickered. "Who exactly is inside? It can't be Yu Yuanzhen himself, can it?"
"Your Highness, the Supreme Pontiff is currently cultivating and will be here shortly. Perhaps you could wait a moment?" Yue Guan asked tentatively.
"What if I refuse to wait?" Qian Renxue took a step forward, her gaze icy.
"Then..." Yue Guan took a deep breath. "Could you please wait a moment? Xuan Ming is also here; I'll go invite him to see you right away."
He knew Qian Renxue's stubborn temper. If he tried to stop her forcibly, she would really make a move, and the situation would become even more unmanageable.
At this point, perhaps only Xuan Ming could persuade her.
"Xuan Ming?" Qian Renxue's expression softened slightly. "Why is he here?"
"Naturally, for cultivation," Yue Guan quickly said. "Otherwise, why else?"
Qian Renxue was silent for a moment, then finally relented: "One incense stick. I'll wait."
"Please wait, Your Highness." Yue Guan sighed in relief and hurried towards the training ground.
Snake Lance and Porcupinefish had just let out a breath when they saw Qian Renxue looking in the direction Yue Guan had left, then stepping towards the main hall again.
"Young Master, what are you..."
"I only agreed to wait for him for one incense stick, but I didn't say where," Qian Renxue said without looking back.
"Can't I wait inside?"
Snake Lance and Porcupinefish Douluo exchanged glances, both inwardly cursing the bad turn of events. Yet, they dared not forcibly stop her again. They could only helplessly follow behind Qian Renxue, cautiously protecting her to prevent her from making any sudden impulsive moves.
The moment Qian Renxue stepped into the main hall, a suffocating atmosphere washed over her.
Yu Xiaogang sat quietly to the side, his teacup already cold, his gaze distant, as if in deep thought.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up, his eyes meeting those of "Bibi Dong," and he also noticed the two Titled Douluo behind her.
He was slightly startled. The "Bibi Dong" before him still had the same appearance, but her eyes held an unfamiliar majesty and coldness that stirred ripples in his heart.
"Bi... Supreme Pontiff." Yu Xiaogang stood up, bowed, and corrected himself mid-sentence, his tone carrying a hint of reverence.
Qian Renxue glanced at him but did not respond. She walked directly to the Supreme Pontiff's throne and sat down, imitating Bibi Dong's posture.
Snake Lance and Porcupinefish secretly breathed a sigh of relief, standing silently on either side.
Yu Xiaogang wanted to speak but hesitated. Each time he opened his mouth, he was forced back by the cold gazes of the two Douluo.
Qian Renxue had no intention of speaking much either. Since she had promised to wait for Xuan Ming for one incense stick, she would naturally wait.
Thus, the hall fell into a strange silence... On the other side, Yue Guan rushed over in a panic and briefly explained to Xuan Ming about Qian Renxue impersonating Bibi Dong.
"Wait, you... you just let her wait there?" Xuan Ming asked.
Yue Guan was stunned. "What's wrong?"
Xuan Ming was a little speechless. "She's probably already gone in."
Yue Guan's expression froze. "Then what do we do?"
"What to do..." Xuan Ming looked back at Bibi Dong.
"How about you go deal with things over there first, and I'll guard teacher?" Hu Liena said.
"What good would it do for you to guard her? If her spirit power has problems, can you help her?" Xuan Ming sighed, thought for a moment, then raised his right hand. Ice and fire qi surged alternately, condensing into a crystal-clear rose. Ice formed the branches and leaves, but the heart of the flower was a vibrant flame encased in ice crystals, like an eternally burning ice-flame rose.
"Give this to her and tell her to wait quietly, out of respect for me, until this flower melts."
Yue Guan's eyelid twitched: "This... how long will it last?"
"If not deliberately destroyed, it can remain unmelted for a month, even under direct sunlight."
Yue Guan's expression was peculiar: "Are you sure this won't anger her?"
"That's why I said, it depends on whether she gives me this respect," Xuan Ming said calmly.
"If she doesn't agree, isn't Yu Xiaogang still there? Just knock him out and take him away. She Long and the others won't stop you."
"Alright." Yue Guan said no more and sped off with the ice-flame rose.
Watching Yue Guan leave, Xuan Ming had just turned around when he met Hu Liena's resentful gaze, her eyes so full of grievance it seemed she would burst into tears any second.
Xuan Ming, helpless, conjured another ice-flame rose and handed it to her.
Hu Liena took the rose, and the grievance in her eyes instantly vanished, a small smile secretly playing on her lips... Yue Guan arrived at the main hall as instructed, ignoring Yu Xiaogang, who was below the dais, and walked directly onto the high platform, presenting the ice-flame rose to "Bibi Dong."
"Your Highness, Xuan Ming asks you to give him face and wait quietly until this flower melts," Yue Guan transmitted.
"Bibi Dong" examined the rose in her hand, her eyes momentarily lost in thought: "He certainly knows how to play."
Despite her words, her gaze lingered on the flame flickering within the ice crystals for a long time.
Yue Guan silently retreated to the side, choosing a spot near Yu Xiaogang that would be convenient for taking action, and stood still.
Time flowed in silence; the only sound in the hall was the subtle movement of the flame within the ice-flame rose.
Unbeknownst to them, it was already midnight.
In this eerie atmosphere, Yu Xiaogang grew increasingly uneasy.
He didn't know what "Bibi Dong" intended, and several times he tried to speak but was forced back by the cold gazes of Snake Lance and Porcupinefish.
He wanted to speak but couldn't, wanted to leave but didn't dare.
Finally, the doors of the main hall opened again.
Qian Renxue's gaze shifted from the rose to Xuan Ming, who was walking in.
Yu Xiaogang also turned his head, his face instantly turning extremely grim: "You..."
Xuan Ming, however, seemed not to see him. He walked directly to "Bibi Dong" on the platform, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her from the throne.
Under everyone's tense gaze, "Bibi Dong" offered no resistance, obediently following him out.
Upon reaching the adjacent side hall, Xuan Ming released her hand: "Change back."
Qian Renxue's eyes flickered: "Don't you like her like this? Shouldn't you be happy that I've become her?"
"She is she, you are you," Xuan Ming said.
"Don't play these games."
Qian Renxue snorted lightly, light swirling around her as she returned to her original appearance. She crossed her arms and lifted her chin slightly: "What, afraid I'll cause you trouble while wearing her face?"
"I'm afraid you'll piss her off," Xuan Ming sighed.
"If she hits me, won't you protect me?" Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow.
"Stop messing around, I have important business. Don't compete with her." Xuan Ming turned to leave.
"Leaving already?" Qian Renxue grabbed him. "Not waiting to watch the show? Or... are you afraid to watch?"
"..."
Just after Xuan Ming pulled Qian Renxue away, the real Bibi Dong slowly walked into the main hall. Meeting her seemingly gentle but subtly cold gaze, Snake Lance and Porcupinefish Douluo quickly moved to the lower part of the hall and stood with Yue Guan.
Bibi Dong moved gracefully, slowly walking towards the Supreme Pontiff's throne. She turned and sat down, her gaze sweeping around before finally landing on Yu Xiaogang, her voice clear and cold: "Are you the one who holds the Supreme Pontiff's token and wishes to see me?"
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "Supreme Pontiff, there are some things I wish to discuss with you alone."
Bibi Dong glanced below the dais, and the three of them understood, turning and leaving the hall.
"Speak," Bibi Dong said indifferently.
Yu Xiaogang looked up at Bibi Dong. "Dong'er, how have you been all these years?"
Bibi Dong's eyes grew cold. "What did you call me?"
An almost suffocating pressure suddenly descended. Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened, and he quickly lowered his head. "Supreme Pontiff."
Bibi Dong snorted coldly, and the pressure instantly dissipated. "Yu Xiaogang, you didn't come here just to say such nonsense, did you?"
Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth. "Supreme Pontiff, I came to ask for guidance regarding the cultivation of twin spirits. My disciple Tang San also possesses twin spirits, and he has encountered a bottleneck. I wish to seek your help."
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow slightly. "Tang San? Tang Hao's son? Yu Xiaogang, you are truly becoming more and more interesting. Don't you know the relationship between Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect? Or perhaps, you don't know what Tang Hao did?"
"I haven't directly attacked Tang San; that's already giving the Clear Sky Sect enough face. Yet you still come to me to ask such a question."
"What, do you want me to help you cultivate another powerful twin spirits master who will eventually oppose me?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened. He hadn't expected Bibi Dong to already know Tang San's background, but since he had already come, he naturally wasn't willing to give up so easily. He looked up, took a deep breath, and said in a deep voice: "No, if you are willing to tell me, I can guarantee you that my disciple will never oppose Spirit Hall in his entire life."
"Heh heh." Bibi Dong laughed; she was laughing out of anger.
"You're still the same as before, making claims so easily."
Yu Xiaogang was silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up. "Dong'er, I know you still harbor hatred, but all of this is my fault; it has nothing to do with Tang San. He is a kind, hardworking child, and he deserves a better future."
Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed, and the icy Slaughter God Domain suddenly pressed down. "What did you call me?"
Yu Xiaogang's face turned pale, his legs weakened, and he knelt on the ground. "Supreme Pontiff, I misspoke. I beg you to quell your anger."
"If I hear that address again, prepare to say goodnight to this World." Bibi Dong snorted coldly, retracting the Slaughter God Domain.
Yu Xiaogang collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath, feeling a sense of relief at having escaped a disaster, but more so, confusion. He hadn't expected Bibi Dong to be so unforgiving, even attacking him.
This was completely different from the reunion he had envisioned!
Where had things gone wrong?