Chapter 22: Lin Yuan's Open Scheme Takes Effect! Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue Act Simultaneously!
Lin Yuan and Xiao Wu walked side by side, each holding a freshly bought skewer of candied carrots, eating as they strolled.
Xiao Wu gnawed on her carrot while secretly sneaking glances at Lin Yuan with an extremely strange look in her eyes.
On that slightly baby-faced, pretty face of hers, a faint blush inexplicably surfaced.
"This guy…"
Xiao Wu muttered inwardly.
In the diary, he writes such perverted things—stuff like "not into lolis" and other wild, shameless lines."
But in reality, even when he's thinking about running away, he's still thinking about taking her with him.
What is that supposed to mean?
A very principled, very loyal… pervert?
This bizarre impression not only failed to disgust Xiao Wu but instead caused her to develop a vague sense of goodwill and reliance toward this boy she had only known for a few days.
After all, in this peril-filled human world, having someone who always thought about protecting her was far too rare.
Moreover, after learning that Lin Yuan possessed a god-level lifesaving item like the [Void Grand Teleportation Talisman], the huge stone weighing on Xiao Wu's heart finally dropped.
'Still, if I want to completely escape the shadow of that Titled Douluo and live peacefully in the same dorm with Lin Yuan…'
'I'll first need to send that plague god Tang Hao away.'
Xiao Wu took another bite of her carrot, her gaze flickering slightly.
She was thinking—if Lin Yuan's speculation was correct, and someone in Spirit Hall truly possessed a diary copy, then they would probably dispatch a Titled Douluo, right?
'That bad woman who killed Mom… could she also have a copy?'
At this thought, Xiao Wu's eyes dimmed slightly, her heart filling with complicated emotions.
If she did, that would mean the woman was protected by some kind of rule. Even if Xiao Wu grew stronger in the future, she might not be able to take revenge directly.
…
Spirit Hall
When Bibi Dong saw that Lin Yuan was actually considering taking Xiao Wu into seclusion deep in the mountains, she immediately grew anxious.
In truth, she wasn't the only one panicking—other diary copy holders were anxious as well. But Bibi Dong was by far the most unsettled.
Because at midnight, she had indeed received a reward from the system!
As for the newbie greeting reward?
She merely obtained a six-hundred-year increase to all her soul ring ages, upgrading her Death Spider Empress soul ring configuration from one yellow, two purple, five black, and one red to three purple, five black, and one red.
It counted as a minor improvement.
But compared to the reward [Condensed Attribute Soul Core], it was nothing at all!
And to obtain this diary reward, the diary's contents needed to have a relatively high degree of relevance to her—ideally mentioning her name as many times as possible!
So how could that be achieved?
The best way was to know Lin Yuan's whereabouts and then stir up a bit of commotion around him from time to time.
For example, right now, Lin Yuan wanted Spirit Hall to dispatch Titled Douluo to force Tang Hao out of Nuoding City. Then she would fulfill Lin Yuan's wish!
At the same time, she could verify whether Tang Hao was really near Nuoding City.
If he was, then the things Lin Yuan had said earlier were very likely true.
But if she ignored it and Lin Yuan truly went into seclusion with Xiao Wu, then obtaining rewards would become extremely difficult for her.
She didn't believe that the guaranteed rewards given at fixed intervals would be anything good!
After pondering for a moment, Bibi Dong said coldly, "Yue Guan, Gui Mei!"
In the next instant, the space inside the grand hall was slightly distorted, and two figures appeared instantly.
One was enchanting and seductive; the other exuded an eerie, ghostly aura.
"Your Holiness, the Pope, what are your orders?"
Yue Guan and Gui Mei bowed slightly, speaking respectfully.
Bibi Dong looked down at them from above and spoke indifferently:
"You two are to depart immediately for Nuoding City, Fasinuo Province of the Heaven Dou Empire."
"There are reports that the long-vanished Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Hao, has been spotted in that area."
"I want you to confirm whether the information is true."
As soon as these words were spoken, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo—who had been keeping their heads lowered—stiffened violently.
The two exchanged glances, both seeing a trace of fear in the other's eyes.
Go look for Tang Hao?
And confirm whether the information was true?
Are you kidding?
The horrifying scene of that battle back then was still vivid in their memories.
The former Pope, Qian Xunji, had led so many experts, yet was hammered into severe injuries by Tang Hao alone, ultimately dying from those wounds (at least according to the official story).
The two of them had been there as well. Tang Hao's strength had left a deep psychological shadow on them. (Anime canon)
"What? You don't want to go?"
Seeing that neither responded, Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes slightly, and a terrifying killing intent instantly locked onto them.
"Your subordinates wouldn't dare!"
The two jolted in fright, cold sweat instantly soaking their backs.
Ghost Douluo hurriedly explained, "Your Holiness, it's not that we don't want to go—it's just that Tang Hao's strength is terrifying…"
"Rest assured."
Bibi Dong withdrew her killing intent and said calmly, "I'm only asking you to confirm his whereabouts. I'm not telling you to fight him to the death."
"If he's there, test him a little. No need for a desperate battle."
"If he's not, then just treat it as a leisurely trip."
Hearing this, the two finally let out a sigh of relief.
As long as it wasn't a suicide mission.
"Yes! We obey your command!"
Before the words even finished, their figures turned into streaks of light and vanished from the hall.
Bibi Dong stared at the now-empty hall, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips.
"Two pieces of trash."
"If it weren't a time when manpower is needed…"
…
Heaven Dou Empire, Crown Prince's Residence
Qian Renxue looked at Lin Yuan's plan written in the diary, a trace of appreciation flashing in her eyes.
"What a brilliant move—using wolves to devour tigers."
"This Lin Yuan may be young, but his mind is exceptionally meticulous."
"Since you want to muddy the waters, then I, this young lady, will give you a helping hand."
Qian Renxue stood up. Beneath the gentle, jade-like visage of "Xue Qinghe," a domineering aura unique to the Angel Clan emerged.
"She Long, Ci Xue!"
In the next moment, two figures appeared before Qian Renxue, seemingly out of nowhere.
"Young Lady!"
Qian Renxue looked at Snake Lance Douluo and said, "She Long, go to Nuoding City. I've received intelligence that the long-missing Clear Sky Douluo may be appearing there."
"Go and see if it's true."
"If you find him, test his strength while you're at it."
She paused, then frowned slightly. "Forget it—going alone probably won't be enough to test him. Ci Xue, you go with She Long."
"Young Lady, no!" Snake Lance Douluo hurriedly said. "The two of us are here to protect your safety. How can we both leave your side?"
"Besides, Tang Hao is a Titled Douluo. How could he be hiding in such a remote small city?"
"If this information is false—"
Before Snake Lance Douluo could finish, Qian Renxue interrupted coldly, "What? Are my orders as the young lady ineffective?"
"I'm currently disguised as Xue Qinghe. What danger could there be?"
"Information regarding Tang Hao's whereabouts is extremely rare. I'm sending you precisely to verify its authenticity!"
"Go—now!"
...
End of Chapter