Late Night Spar

In the garden, Bi Zihan looked at the flowers around him, lost in silent thought. From another direction, Qian Renxue slowly walked toward where he was sitting.

Qian Renxue sat down in front of Bi Zihan, looked at him, and asked, "It's the middle of the night. You're neither sleeping nor cultivating—what are you doing in the garden?"

"What else can one do in a garden besides look at flowers? More importantly, what did you come to see me for so late at night?" Bi Zihan replied calmly before continuing to look around the garden.

"There are two things I want to ask you. In the illusion, why did you make me leave first while you stayed behind to cover our retreat? And is what you said about Tang Hao true?" Qian Renxue stared directly into Bi Zihan's eyes, as though trying to read something from them.

"I just wanted you to leave first. Did I need a reason? What I said about Tang Hao and the others is true. They're currently living in seclusion in Holy Soul Village. If you want revenge, bring your grandfather with you. That's the only way to ensure nothing goes wrong." Bi Zihan met Qian Renxue's gaze, his eyes perfectly calm. Yet the vigilance that had once been in them was gone.

"Fine, I understand! But before that, I want to spar with you again. We didn't properly determine a winner during the day, so let's settle it now." Qian Renxue smiled, rose to her feet, drew her Sword of Angels, and pointed it at Bi Zihan.

"Sure. I don't have anything else to do anyway. I'll treat it as gaining combat experience." Bi Zihan stood up, took out his Doomsday Judgment, and assumed an opening stance.

Neither of them spoke again, but their two swords collided continuously, producing sharp clangs. Their figures darted rapidly through the garden...

The next morning, Bi Zihan sat at the dining table, listlessly eating the lavish breakfast. There was a contemplative look in his eyes, as though he were pondering something.

"Zihan, Zihan, Bi Zihan!" Hu Liena sat beside Bi Zihan and called out to him several times before he finally came back to himself.

"Mm, what is it?" Bi Zihan rubbed his brow, replying somewhat absentmindedly.

"Why do you think Teacher went to the Worship Hall without even having breakfast?" Hu Liena blinked. She felt that something was off about Bi Zihan's condition, but she did not think much of it.

"I'd guess Spirit Hall and the Worship Hall are about to make a major move. But it has nothing to do with us, and there's nothing we can help with." Bi Zihan finished the breakfast before him, his voice sounding rather casual.

After sparring with Qian Renxue last night, she had returned to the Worship Hall. She had probably persuaded the Grand Priest, which was why Bibi Dong had been summoned to the Worship Hall so early in the morning.

At that moment, a maid walked straight up to the dining table and said, "Young Master, His Holiness the Pope requests that you go to the Worship Hall. She says there is an important matter that needs to be discussed."

"An important matter?" Bi Zihan was somewhat surprised. Though he did not know what important matter required his presence, he did not ask further. He merely nodded in agreement and followed the maid toward the Worship Hall.

After entering the Worship Hall, Bi Zihan followed the maid to a room. The maid pushed open the door and gestured for Bi Zihan to enter, while she quietly remained standing outside.

Once Bi Zihan entered the room, he found that only Qian Daoliu, Qian Renxue, and Bibi Dong were seated around a round wooden table. Bibi Dong held two sets of documents in her hands.

When Bibi Dong saw Bi Zihan enter, she lightly beckoned to him, signaling for him to sit beside her. Bi Zihan immediately went over and took a seat at her side.

Bibi Dong glanced at Qian Renxue and Bi Zihan, then placed the two sets of documents before them respectively. "Look over these plans. If there are no problems, I'll begin preparing the time for their implementation."

Qian Renxue and Bi Zihan picked up the documents before them and began reading. The contents of the two sets of documents were broadly similar. The only difference was that one concerned the Heaven Dou Empire, while the other concerned the Star Luo Empire.

After a while, Qian Renxue put down her documents, looked at Bibi Dong, and asked, "I have a question. How long will I need to maintain my disguise in the Heaven Dou Empire?"

"The two of you will need to remain disguised within the two great empires for a long time—perhaps ten years, perhaps twenty. You must be mentally prepared. When the time comes, as long as one of you succeeds, we will immediately carry out the next stage of the plan. If both of you succeed, that would be the best possible outcome." As Bibi Dong spoke, she closed her eyes. Her voice was calm, without the slightest ripple.

"Ten years? Twenty years? You want us to spend all our youth on disguises?" Qian Renxue snorted coldly and turned her head away, refusing to look at Bibi Dong.

"Those who seek great achievements do not concern themselves with trifles. Besides, this is currently the best method. As long as one of you successfully gains control of one of the great empires, we can carry out the entire plan successfully. Moreover, the Grand Priest has agreed to this as well."

"Although this may be somewhat unfair to you, it is the best and safest method. If you have a better and safer way, then we need not use this one. We can carry out your method instead." Bibi Dong opened her eyes and looked at Bi Zihan beside her, wanting to see whether he had any objections.

"I don't understand political struggles. Besides, the Star Luo Imperial Family has the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Hell White Tiger. I may be able to disguise my Martial Soul, but I can't fake a Martial Soul Fusion Skill." Bi Zihan set down the documents in his hands. He had no issue with disguising himself, but he had never studied the overt political conflicts of state affairs. Moreover, the Martial Soul he disguised himself with could not use the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Hell White Tiger.

"I've already considered those concerns. The Star Luo Empire does not restrict conflicts between princes. Whoever survives to the end becomes the crown prince of the Star Luo Empire. As for the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, you simply need not use it. While disguised, avoid fighting or sparring with others whenever possible, and that will be enough." Bibi Dong smiled. She did not take the issues Bi Zihan raised to heart at all.

While in disguise, he could simply have his subordinates handle matters for him. By avoiding taking action personally, he could also avoid using a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.