Nuoding City

As soon as Bibi Dong finished speaking, a handsome young man stepped forward, bowed to Bibi Dong, and said, "Your Holiness, Holy Soul Village is under my jurisdiction. I have not yet gone to Holy Soul Village to awaken the martial souls of the children there."

"Then go to Holy Soul Village now and awaken the martial souls of the children in the village. While you are there, discreetly inquire whether there is a man named Tang Hao in Holy Soul Village. Remember, whether or not such a person is in the village, do not interfere with him. Just follow the normal procedure, complete the martial soul awakenings, and come back to report to us." Bibi Dong looked at the young man and gave him a special reminder, lest he alert the enemy.

"Yes, Your Holiness." The young man acknowledged the order and prepared to leave the room, but before he had taken more than a few steps, a voice stopped him.

"Wait. When you go to Holy Soul Village, remember to inquire about a child named Tang San as well. Whether or not you find him, just carry out your duties according to procedure," Bi Zihan said from his seat in the room.

Compared to Tang Hao, he cared more about Tang San. Tang Hao's greatest possible achievement was merely becoming a Peak Douluo, but Tang San, the child favored by fate, was different. One had to pull up weeds by the roots, lest any unnecessary hidden danger remain.

"Understood, Young Master." After acknowledging the order, the young man directly left the room.

Bibi Dong swept her gaze across everyone in the room, then waved her hand. "You may all leave. Prepare several clean rooms. We will rest for a while in the Spirit Hall Branch."

"Yes, Your Holiness." Everyone bowed to Bibi Dong before filing out of the room.

After everyone else had left, Qian Renxue stood up and walked directly over to Bi Zihan. "Why do I feel like you place great importance on that Tang San? Is he very strong?"

"A three-year-old child whose martial soul has not even awakened—how could he possibly be strong? It is simply better to eliminate the root of the problem to avoid unnecessary trouble in the future." Bi Zihan smiled. Tang San had to die, or things could become troublesome later. It was better to get rid of him once and for all.

"Oh, whether a three-year-old child can even become a Soul Master is uncertain. There is no need to pay him so much attention. But I do agree with what you said—eliminate the root to prevent future trouble." Qian Renxue looked unconcerned, but she very much agreed with the idea of wiping out the problem completely.

Qian Renxue glanced around, stood there in thought for a moment, and said, "After staying in the carriage for a month, I want to look around Nuoding City. You can carry my things for me."

"No. With that time, I would rather cultivate." Bi Zihan directly refused as he looked at Qian Renxue. Rather than spend time carrying things for her, he might as well contemplate sword intent. Perhaps he could reach the realm of Intent.

"Go. Your state of mind is in turmoil. Relax first, adjust your state of mind, and then return to cultivation. Otherwise, problems could easily arise in your cultivation." Bibi Dong looked toward Bi Zihan and waved her hand, signaling for him not to cultivate for the moment.

During the month of travel, Bibi Dong had been able to clearly see that something was wrong with Bi Zihan's state of mind, though she could not say exactly what the problem was.

It was as though cracks had appeared in a once-perfect state of mind, and those cracks were continuously widening. Since she could not determine the cause, Bibi Dong told Bi Zihan not to become overly fixated on cultivation, lest something go wrong.

After all, cultivation required more than the accumulation of Soul Power. It also required a perfect state of mind. Otherwise, problems could easily arise during cultivation.

"My state of mind is in turmoil?" Bi Zihan closed his eyes and sensed himself, but he found nothing wrong. Confusion appeared in his eyes, yet he did not ask further. He merely nodded and followed Qian Renxue out of the Spirit Hall Branch.

Qian Daoliu watched the two leave, a faint smile appearing on his face. No one knew what he was smiling about.

After the two had left, Bibi Dong turned her gaze toward Qian Daoliu, who was seated nearby. "Grand Priest, did you think of something pleasant? Why are you smiling for no reason?"

"Mm, I did think of something. It even seems to be a good thing, so I felt like smiling." Qian Daoliu paid no heed to Bibi Dong's words and instead thought to himself.

"Just as the Angel God predicted, there truly is a problem with his state of mind. With his talent, the Nine Trials of Guardianship should be more than manageable." Qian Daoliu looked in the direction Qian Renxue and Bi Zihan had gone, a subtle smile appearing in his eyes.

Bibi Dong looked at Qian Daoliu without saying anything more. She intended to ask Bi Zihan privately, once he returned, whether anything had happened recently.

In Nuoding City, Qian Renxue and Bi Zihan walked down a crowded street, their eyes passing over the vendors calling out their wares around them.

Nuoding City was merely a remote little city, nowhere near as prosperous as Heaven Dou City or Spirit City. Yet the streets were filled with people coming and going, creating a distinct kind of lively bustle.

As Qian Renxue walked down the street, she asked, "When we sparred, were you holding back, or did I improve too quickly? Over the past month, we sparred twenty-three times. I lost three times, and the remaining twenty ended in draws."

"I did not hold back. Perhaps you improved too quickly." Bi Zihan clasped his hands behind his head, his voice sounding somewhat indifferent.

"You say one thing and mean another. When we spar in the future, I do not need you to hold back." Qian Renxue glanced at Bi Zihan and spoke casually, a faint smile lifting the corners of her lips.

"We can talk about the future later. Didn't you ask me to carry things for you? We have already walked through the most prosperous street in Nuoding City, yet I have not seen anything you wanted to buy." Bi Zihan looked at Qian Renxue, feeling that she had no intention of buying anything and was merely wandering around the streets.

"There is nothing I need to buy. I just wanted to stroll around Nuoding City. Also, I need to thank you. Thank you for helping find Tang Hao, giving me the chance to avenge my father." Qian Renxue suddenly stopped, sincere gratitude appearing in her eyes as she looked at Bi Zihan.

"There is no need to thank me. It was only a small matter, and I did not really do anything. I only told you Tang Hao's whereabouts." Looking at the smile on Qian Renxue's face, Bi Zihan could not help but recall the scenes from the illusion.