Open Scheme! Hidden Plot!

"You!!!"

The teeth biting Tang San's lip sank in even deeper.

What had been mere traces of blood now flowed freely, dripping onto the ground.

Qin Shiyuan ignored him and instead smiled at the peerless figure standing atop the high platform before Spirit Hall.

"Your Excellency the Pope, I am rather impatient by nature. I intend to absorb that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast's Spirit Ring now."

"May I ask whether your earlier promise still stands?"

At those words, Bibi Dong's expression froze for just an instant.

She immediately recovered, her face taking on an expression of grave concern for Qin Shiyuan.

"Of course it still stands. My word is as good as gold. When have I ever taken back something I said?"

"However, Tower Master Qin, do you intend to absorb the Spirit Ring right here on this battlefield?"

"I should not meddle, but as a friend, I still wish to say a few more words. I hope Tower Master Qin will not act on impulse."

"Danger lurks everywhere on this battlefield. Absorbing a Spirit Ring is no trivial matter; if you are interrupted, it will surely damage your foundation."

"Not to mention that the one you wish to absorb is a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring."

"The ferocious beast's residual consciousness within a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring is exceedingly dangerous. One misstep could cause a Soul Master to lose control and go mad."

"Tower Master Qin is a genius exceedingly rare even in the history of the Douluo Continent."

"As a senior, I do not wish to see you ruin your bright future out of a momentary fit of temper."

After listening to Bibi Dong's lengthy speech, Qin Shiyuan sneered inwardly.

After saying so much, it was all because Xiao Wu was still in his hands.

If he killed Xiao Wu now, that Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring could only be absorbed by him.

Bibi Dong could never accept losing such a precious Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring for nothing.

She looked as though she was thinking of him at every turn. If she were dealing with someone more foolish, they might even be sweet-talked into swearing brotherhood with Bibi Dong.

So it's just a contest of false civility. Let's see who disgusts whom more.

Qin Shiyuan muttered inwardly, then immediately cupped his hands toward Bibi Dong. His gratitude practically overflowed from his expression.

"Thank you for Your Excellency the Pope's concern."

"However, I believe that with Your Excellency the Pope's deterrence and support, I should not face any danger here before Spirit Hall, right?"

"I refuse to believe that the Pope's friend could encounter danger before Spirit Hall, under the watchful eyes of seven Titled Douluo."

"If there truly is someone so bold as to defy the Pope's authority."

"Then even stripping her naked, hanging her before Spirit Hall, pulling out her tendons and breaking her bones, subjecting her to death by a thousand cuts for eighty-one days before granting her death would not be excessive."

"Your Excellency the Pope, would you not say that I am right?"

The moment those words were spoken, Bibi Dong's expression instantly darkened beyond measure.

Qin Shiyuan's last sentence had clearly been directed at her.

Only now did she understand that Qin Shiyuan had been pretending to be ignorant all along, treating her like a fool.

"Your Holiness the Pope! This brat is being so presumptuous. Why not simply attack him directly?"

At that moment, Chrysanthemum Douluo could no longer restrain himself. Pinching his voice, he made the suggestion with killing intent.

"No!"

With a raised hand, Bibi Dong swiftly stopped the people beside her, who were already itching to make a move.

Qin Shiyuan's words were plainly a trap set for her.

But this was an open scheme. Even knowing it was a trap, she had no choice but to step into it.

Could she say that even Spirit Hall's gates were unsafe? That seven Titled Douluo could not protect a mere Soul Saint?

Did they take the tens of thousands of spectators present for fools? Where would that leave Spirit Hall's dignity, and where would that leave her dignity as Spirit Hall's Pope?

Spirit Hall was already unpopular. If they made a move now, they would likely directly incur the outrage of all Soul Masters.

That would undoubtedly have an immeasurable effect on Spirit Hall's future plans.

Drawing a deep breath, Bibi Dong, caught between advancing and retreating, said through gritted teeth with a dark expression, "You are right. Tower Master Qin is indeed a perceptive man. I admire you!"

She placed special emphasis on the words "perceptive man," and her meaning was self-evident.

In truth, beyond her anger, Bibi Dong did feel a measure of admiration for Qin Shiyuan.

She had truly never expected Qin Shiyuan's courage to reach such a level.

He clearly knew Spirit Hall harbored ill intentions, yet he still dared to absorb a Spirit Ring right before seven Titled Douluo.

And before that, he had deliberately provoked them, as though afraid they would not make a move.

"Tower Master Qin, please feel free to absorb the Spirit Ring. We of Spirit Hall will certainly 'protect' you well and absolutely will not allow 'others' to disturb you!"

Every word of Bibi Dong's veiled threat entered Qin Shiyuan's ears without omission.

Yet he merely gave an unconcerned chuckle. As though he understood nothing, he slightly cupped his hands and replied with thanks.

"Thank you, Your Excellency the Pope. With Spirit Hall's promise, my mind is at ease."

"Once this junior has adjusted his condition, I will immediately kill that Spirit Beast."

With that, Qin Shiyuan truly sat down directly before Spirit Hall's gates.

As if he had no defenses whatsoever, he closed his eyes as soon as he sat down and began seriously regulating his breathing.

"Wait, this kid is serious? Is he really not putting any of us in his eyes?"

Seeing Qin Shiyuan's actions, Chrysanthemum Douluo Guan Yue nearly had his jaw drop.

The other elders were not as composed. It was as though hot oil had been poured onto a fire, and their rage immediately blazed up.

"This is going too far! He is provoking the dignity of Spirit Hall!"

"Your Holiness the Pope! Let me kill this little beast!"

"A bunch of fools. Have you considered the consequences of doing so?"

Bibi Dong slowly turned her head and coldly glanced at the few making the biggest commotion.

In an instant, the Titled Douluo fell silent as cicadas in winter, immediately quieting down one after another.

What was startling was that Bibi Dong's eyes were now filled with sharpness.

There was not the slightest trace of her previous anger on her face.

It was as though everything earlier had merely been an act for Qin Shiyuan to see.

This noble and incomparably calm Pope was the real Bibi Dong!

"We understand the consequences... but this kid..."

"Your Holiness the Pope, are we just going to keep swallowing this humiliation and watch as this kid absorbs the Spirit Ring?"

"Heh, who told you we would not make a move?"

"It is simply... not yet the right time."

Bibi Dong sneered, her calculations clearer than anyone's.

"This man is exceptionally clever. Do you think he would dare sit so openly before me without having prepared some means?"

"Your Holiness the Pope, then what should we do?"

Hearing that Bibi Dong already had a plan, the eyes of the six elders behind her all lit up as they cautiously asked.

"Wait!"

"Absorbing a Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring cannot be accomplished in a short while."

"Once he begins, only Can Meng Douluo will remain by his side. Then, under the pretext of protecting him, we will secretly make our move!"

"With even the slightest interference, the ferocious beast consciousness within the Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring will surely put him to death!"

"Ah? Then... that Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring..."

"Consider that Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Ring a gift from me to him. If that Spirit Ring can let me completely eradicate Star-Plucking Tower, then it will not be a loss!"

"Hmph! Besides, does he not still have three Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Rings on him?"

As she spoke, a glint of greed appeared in Bibi Dong's eyes.

"Adding this one, that makes four Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones in total. Heh heh, do you still think it is a loss?"

At those words, the eyes of the elders instantly lit up.

Four Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bones...

"Your Holiness the Pope is wise!"