Spirit Hall's Response

The day Bibi Dong returned to Spirit Hall, her expression was frighteningly grim.

She had left with ten thousand elite troops, but returned with only a few thousand battered survivors at her side. All her top-level fighters had fallen in the Star Dou Great Forest.

Everyone in Spirit Hall had already been on edge. No sooner had she stepped into the Pope's Palace than she received a stack of intelligence reports that covered half her desk.

She casually opened the top report, and her expression darkened further.

The Heaven Dou Empire had taken advantage of the interval during which Spirit Hall's upper ranks were held captive to surround several of its Soul Master outposts within the empire, on the grounds of "investigating unusual troop movements during the beast tide."

The Star Luo Empire had been even more direct, impounding two Spirit Hall transport convoys and saying that the origins of their supplies were unclear and needed investigating.

The Upper Three Sects had not been idle either. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had put out word that, after losing so many men and commanders, Spirit Hall had probably "had its insides spilled out for all to see." Their words were full of contempt.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had not openly thrown stones down the well, but Ning Fengzhi had sent someone to deliver a letter. Its tone was exceedingly polite, but between the lines, it had only one message: did Spirit Hall need help? If so, they would have to discuss the terms.

Bibi Dong slapped the letter onto the desk and let out a cold laugh. "I've only been gone a few days, and this bunch is already scrambling to jump out."

She was in no hurry to settle accounts with them. First, she had the storehouses inventoried and gathered resources according to Feng Xiu's list.

Spirit Hall's treasury had amassed riches for thousands of years, so gathering most of them was not difficult. The trouble lay with the Spring Water of Life and the Phoenix Nirvana Flower, whose stocks fell considerably short.

Bibi Dong then had people requisition the missing resources from several subordinate factions and rush them to the Star Dou Great Forest.

She ignored all the rumors circulating outside.

Some said Spirit Hall had surrendered to the Star Dou Great Forest, some said the Pope had been scared out of her wits, and others said Spirit Hall was about to disband.

Bibi Dong acted as though she had heard none of it. For now, getting her people back came first.

The resources were delivered in batches over more than half a month. Baimon checked each delivery carefully, releasing a batch of people whenever a batch of resources was gathered.

First came Ghost Leopard Douluo and Demon Bear Douluo, then the six Enshrined, and finally Qian Daoliu.

On the day Qian Daoliu came out, Golden Crocodile Douluo and the other old fellows gathered around him, their eyes all reddening.

Only after everyone had returned safe and sound did Bibi Dong finally have her hands free.

She issued a Pope Token, mobilizing all the Spirit Hall Branches in Heaven Dou and the Star Luo Empire. They were to apply pressure where pressure was needed, negotiate where negotiations were needed, and seize others by the throat where that was needed.

As for the Upper Three Sects, she sent a letter to each sect master. Her wording was not harsh, but every letter struck at the heart of the matter. The message was clear: as for this affair, they should decide for themselves what to do.

The major factions had only wanted to loot a burning house and grab some benefits. None had truly intended to tear all pretense of cordiality with Spirit Hall.

Seeing that most of Spirit Hall's fighting strength had returned, they hurried to climb down the slope on their donkeys. Some offered apologies, others begged forgiveness, the outposts that needed to be returned were returned, and the impounded supplies were repaid twofold.

By the time it was over, Spirit Hall's treasury had been partly replenished.

Even so, neither Bibi Dong nor Qian Daoliu felt at ease.

The two shut themselves away and discussed the matter all night.

Feng Xiu's group had appeared from nowhere, and their strength was outrageously great. Baimon alone could pin Qian Daoliu down and beat him, and the Demon God Emperor himself still had not truly made a move.

Could people like that be trusted to keep their word?

"I must report this matter to the Angel God."

Qian Daoliu tapped the table.

"Agreed."

Bibi Dong nodded.

Spirit Hall had ties to the Divine Realm.

As the Great Enshrined, Qian Daoliu could report information to the Angel God.

Spirit Hall safeguarded the Angel God's divine inheritance, while an altar to the Rakshasa God lay hidden in a secret chamber in the Pope's Palace.

Ordinary trifles did not warrant disturbing those above, but this time, the matter was already beyond what Spirit Hall could handle on its own.

That night, deep within the Worship Hall.

Qian Daoliu knelt before the Angel God's memorial tablet for the time it took an incense stick to burn, while Bibi Dong recited a prayer before the Rakshasa God's altar.

Two messages reached the Douluo God Realm at the same time.

Meanwhile, in the Angel Temple of the Douluo God Realm.

P.S. This book has started its paid release. Please keep reading!!!

Next, the slaughter in all directions begins.

There's no need to keep writing at a slow pace.