"Have an elder accompany me?"
Ye Tian was astonished, his heart skipping a beat.
He quickly realized that Xie Yue and Yan's awakenings must have completely exposed his strategic value.
Otherwise, there was no reason for Qian Xunji to value him so highly.
Having a Titled Douluo-level escort—such treatment seemed to be reserved only for the Qian Family's sole heir, Qian Renxue, across the entire continent.
Perhaps,
the former Saintess, Bi Bi Dong, had also enjoyed this privilege in the past.
Ye Tian lifted his gaze to look at Bi Bi Dong.
"Correct."
Bi Bi Dong nodded meaningfully.
She had absolutely no objections to this decision.
On the contrary, it would make Ye Tian aware of his own significant weight and extinguish any thoughts of leaving the Spirit Hall, wouldn't it?
If he were to run around recklessly, attempting to break free from the Spirit Hall, those elders weren't just there to protect him—
Capturing and killing people were skills they were even more adept at!
"However..."
Bi Bi Dong straightened up, changing the subject.
"I suppose you won't be needing this treatment anytime soon."
"Indeed."
Ye Tian nodded in deep agreement.
At his current age, aside from Soul Hunts, he had no other reasons to go out.
And since Bi Bi Dong hadn't yet become Pope, if Ye Tian needed to go on a Soul Hunt, she, as his teacher, would naturally be the first choice.
If it were really switched to someone else—
Bi Bi Dong probably wouldn't be pleased either, right?
"It's good that you understand."
Bi Bi Dong looked deeply at Ye Tian.
This little brat really did seem to have become much more sensible lately.
"Additionally, here is a gift for accepting me as your teacher."
Bi Bi Dong moved gracefully forward, her steps light as lotus petals, arriving before Ye Tian.
She retrieved a small bundle from her Soul Guidance Device,
holding it out and presenting it to Ye Tian.
Seeing the familiar patterns on it, Ye Tian knew it was Hu Liena's luggage. He reached out and took the bundle...
Only to be promptly grabbed by the shoulder by Bi Bi Dong and pushed aside.
"Shouldn't you step aside now?"
"Senior Brother~"
Hu Liena stood alone before Bi Bi Dong.
The cold aura emanating from the other woman made her uncomfortable, and those hostile eyes were downright frightening!
"Nana, it's alright."
Ye Tian stood to the side, softly comforting her.
The coldness in Bi Bi Dong's eyes flickered and then vanished without a trace.
She inwardly chided herself for going mad!
How could she have shown such ridiculous hostility toward a mere young girl?
Bi Bi Dong composed herself,
casually taking out two boxes—one large, one small—stacked together.
She presented them to Hu Liena.
"A storage soul tool, three thousand Gold Soul Coins, three hundred Marrow Cleansing Pills. Can you address me as teacher now?"
"..."
Hu Liena stared blankly at the items before her...
As if she were in a daydream.
She naturally knew what a storage soul tool was. After seeing Ye Tian and the others use them, it was a treasure she, Xie Yue, and the others had dreamed of obtaining.
And three thousand Gold Soul Coins were utterly overwhelming her young mind.
Three hundred Marrow Cleansing Pills—
that was already a three-month supply for her.
This teacher acceptance gift was undeniably heavy, but Hu Liena didn't immediately accept it. Instead, she turned her gaze toward Ye Tian.
Seeing this, Bi Bi Dong immediately furrowed her brows tightly.
Just as Ye Tian was about to tell Hu Liena to call her teacher and accept the items, Bi Bi Dong's sharp glance cut him off.
"Who gave you the right to speak here?!"
"..."
Hu Liena's delicate frame trembled.
Ye Tian opened his mouth and smiled wryly.
Immediately afterward, Bi Bi Dong turned her gaze toward Hu Liena. Pursing her pink lips and seeing the smile Ye Tian gave her, Hu Liena finally raised her eyes to look at Bi Bi Dong and extended both hands. Accepting the somewhat heavy ceremonial gifts for apprenticeship, she bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Teacher!"
"Hmm~"
Seeing that Hu Liena understood etiquette reasonably well, Bi Bi Dong nodded slightly with satisfaction. "As my disciple, you must understand the hierarchy within Wisteria Residence. Respecting teachers and honoring their teachings—I shouldn't need to instruct you on that, should I?"
"Nana understands," Hu Liena nodded seriously.
What she truly felt in her heart, however, remained unknown to anyone. To her, Ye Tian was the most important figure—she intended to show him abundant filial devotion and was determined to repay his kindness a hundredfold! As for her teacher Bi Bi Dong... respecting teachers and their teachings? Who would end up teaching whom was still uncertain.
"Very well, you may rise," Bi Bi Dong said, unaware of Hu Liena's innate rebellious streak. With a wave of her hand, she turned to leave, glancing at Ye Tian as she instructed, "Come to my bed tomorrow."
"Understood, Teacher," Ye Tian nodded without any particular expression.
B-bed? Hu Liena's mind flooded with question marks. Was Teacher afraid of sleeping alone? How could that be possible! But her senior brother wouldn't be afraid of such a thing either! Her small head swirled with immense confusion. What were Teacher and Big Brother Ye Tian going to do in bed?
As Bi Bi Dong's figure disappeared into the room, Hu Liena directly voiced her question. "Big Brother Ye Tian, what are you going to do in Teacher's bed?"
"Cultivate, of course. What else?" Ye Tian explained with a laugh, picking up Hu Liena's bundle and extending his hand. "Let's go. If you're sleeping in my room, come with me now. It's almost noon—we'll have lunch and then go buy clothes."
"Mm!" Hu Liena nodded emphatically.
She reached out her small hand to grasp Ye Tian's and followed him into 'Eternal Heaven,' immediately captivated by the imposing pill furnace and novel arrangements inside.
"Wow! Senior Brother, this thing of yours is so big..."
"That's a pill furnace!!" Ye Tian corrected her sternly. "Put away your Soul Guidance Devices for now—you won't need them at the moment."
"Senior Brother, please keep them safe for Nana!"
"Fine."
"..."
The blazing sun descended westward.
Unusually, Bi Bi Dong, Ye Tian, and the others shared lunch together in the living room. Afterward, Ye Tian took Hu Liena down the mountain to purchase clothing.
In the blink of an eye, the sun set in the west, and the emerging dawn light leaped over the horizon once more. Day had broken.
Inside 'Eternal Heaven,' Ye Tian sat cross-legged on his own bed—a rare sight—with his eyes closed, silently cultivating. Behind him, the quilt rustled as if a caterpillar were wriggling beneath it.
Hu Liena lay prone on the bed, peeking out from under the covers like a fledgling bird sipping morning dew. She lifted her head, sniffed the rich pill fragrance in the air, and narrowed her eyes contentedly. Gazing at the serious face of the figure seated cross-legged beside her, her expression overflowed with happiness.
Last night, Big Brother Ye Tian had finally coaxed her to sleep once again!
"Awake? Did you sleep well?" Ye Tian spoke without turning his head, gradually withdrawing his Martial Soul. The ethereal mist around them thinned, leaving only traces behind.
"Mm, mm," Hu Liena giggled, snuggling deeper into the quilt. "Senior Brother's bed is very soft, and the blankets are warm too. Nana slept very comfortably!"
"Haha, this bed is no different from the one next door. I'm glad you can get used to it."
Ye Tian couldn't help but laugh.
He reached out his hand, ready to resume the fox-petting routine he had abstained from for years, and gently scratched Hu Liena under her chin.
"Mmm~"
While Ye Tian was still teasing Hu Liena, the entire Papal Hall was already in full operation.
Below the high platform.
Numerous Red Cardinals responsible for various departments stood in two rows, reporting their recent work to Qian Xunji.
"Your Majesty, Tang Hao of the Haotian Twin Stars has reappeared after disappearing for many years. It seems he has formed a marital bond with the woman by his side."
Before the Red Cardinal in charge of intelligence could finish, Qian Xunji impatiently interrupted him.
"Enough! What kind of old news is this?"
"Years ago, you were saying that Tang Xiao and his brother were involved in unclear relations with that woman, and now it's still the same story! Does the Spirit Hall feed you all for nothing? Can't you uncover any other valuable intelligence? Such as the woman's origins, Tang Chen's whereabouts? At the very least, you could report to me about their sect leader's illness!"
The more he spoke, the more furious Qian Xunji became.
"Stop reporting to me every day about the Haotian Twin Stars' love triangle, Tang Xiao's failed romance, or Tang Hao's marriage! Are you going to tell me next that Tang Hao's wife has given birth to a son?"
Qian Xunji berated him harshly, then waved his wide sleeves angrily and roared:
"Get out! Continue investigating, and only report when you have valuable information!"
"Uh... yes, yes!"
The Red Cardinal was sweating profusely, not daring to talk back. He truly hadn't gathered any valuable intelligence.
Tang Hao was indeed infuriating!
Indulging in women for so many years without causing any significant stir... The peace in the Soul Master Realm undoubtedly made their work more difficult.