The Forty-First Day of Being a Rich Second-Gen

Fourth Enshrined Elder's Heavenly Eye could not determine when the Space Shuttle had been buried there. Besides, it had been nearly a hundred years since they had last seen one of these things.

No matter what, this meant that Spirit Hall knew the Clear Sky Sect's hiding place like the back of its hand. The Clear Sky Sect's peaceful days had been nothing more than a desperate existence. How could Second Worship not be furious, especially when he had personally pushed for the strategy of sealing the sect?

But now was not the time for anger. The Clear Sky Sect's next move was the utmost priority. Should they find another place to hide away, or emerge from seclusion and confront Spirit Hall head-on?

The Clear Sky Sect quickly picked an auspicious day and formally entered Tang San into the clan register. Then Ming Sui and Tang San were left to their own devices again. Fortunately, both were disciplined children, so their cultivation did not fall behind.

It was not that Tang Xiao had not considered sending the two children to the Clear Sky Sect's school. But the children there were rather simple and honest, unlike these two. After some thought, he decided against it.

With no elders around, of course they continued exploring. Tang San used Blue Silver Grass to gather information on places around the Clear Sky Sect with abnormal energy, then the two visited them one by one. After ruling out residential areas, they were chased by egg-incubating and hatchling-rearing spirit beasts more than ten times. In the end, Nian Nian had to clean up after them, giving the babies a life buff to quell the fury of those rookie parents.

"Third Brother, this time it shouldn't be spirit beasts again, right? Nian Nian hasn't wanted to talk to me lately." Ming Sui was a little troubled. She really had been acting rather erratically these past few days.

Tang San looked embarrassed for a moment, then said as if nothing had happened, "It's fine. We'll be friendlier this time."

That did not sound particularly reliable either, but it was not a big problem. If they had to charge in, then they would charge in. Later, she would just feed Nian Nian more tasty things.

This time, they did not provoke any spirit beasts. They found treasure—treasure in the literal sense.

There were not actually that many soul masters on Douluo Continent, and even fewer who could fight. Beyond their soul master teams, the major powers relied more heavily on armies made up of ordinary people. Unlike soul masters, who fought with martial souls, they needed weapons and armor. Better-quality equipment carried fluctuations of Soul Power.

Ming Sui and Tang San had discovered exactly that.

The two exchanged bitter smiles. This time, they had not troubled Nian Nian, but they would have to trouble their elders again.

Within the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Xiao had just discussed several constructive proposals with the sect's upper ranks and was now handling miscellaneous sect affairs. Compared with arguing with the worships, dealing with paperwork was practically a vacation. His subordinates had even warmed a pot of wine for him. He sipped wine while reviewing documents, feeling absolutely wonderful.

Then his younger sister and brother-in-law suddenly came to visit.

"Big Brother, Xiao San and Sui Sui sent word. They found a batch of military equipment." Tang Yunhua got straight to the point.

Tang Xiao pressed a hand to his forehead. Were the Clear Sky Sect's patrols all dead? They had failed to discover it for so many years, only for two little troublemakers to find it. For the past few days, the whole sect had watched in amusement as those two were chased by spirit beasts. Now they had all become a joke.

"Where is it? We'll go now."

The same people, the same actions, the same feelings.

Tang San still stepped forward to explain the situation. They had merely broken open the entrance to a cave. Tang San had sharp eyesight and strong Spiritual Power, while Ming Sui was no weaker. The moment they sensed something was wrong, they stopped disturbing the site. Tang San had even sealed the cave entrance with the Blue Silver Emperor to prevent further damage.

The elders had become skilled at cleaning up after them as well. This time, there was no need for the worships to step in. Tang Yunhua quickly identified the equipment as Spirit Hall military gear. It even bore their markings, though everyone knew they claimed not to have an army.

Night had fallen. The two children who caused trouble without cleaning it up were sent back to the sect, leaving their elders behind to continue working overtime.

Spirit Hall.

With the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament about to begin, the Martial Soul Hall Academy Team trained even harder. Their leader, Cole, was also doing his utmost to meet every need of the children. This greatly pleased Her Majesty the Pope, who had dropped by unannounced during a break from work.

The young soul masters yearned to earn merit. After speaking with them, Bibi Dong felt even her heartbeat grow stronger. In her excellent mood, she motioned for Cole to accompany her outside.

"Cole, the children's training results have been very good. It seems your previous suggestion was quite valuable." Bibi Dong walked beside the lake. A guard presented two cups of wine, and she took one before granting the other to Cole.

"This subordinate thanks Your Majesty. It is all because the Holy Sons and Holy Maidens hold Your Majesty in their hearts." Cole raised his cup to Bibi Dong and took a sip. It was premium fruit wine. One cup cost ten Gold Soul Coins, while a Spirit Soldier's monthly soul master stipend was only one Gold Soul Coin.

Cole swallowed the wine, and his fair cheeks instantly flushed red.

Bibi Dong looked at Cole with some surprise. Soul Power changed soul masters in every respect; logically speaking, soul masters did not get drunk. She laughed. "It seems I did not consider this carefully enough."

Cole's speech slowed by half a beat. "This subordinate has disgraced himself." As he spoke, he circulated his Soul Power to sober up.

At dusk, the breeze by the lake was gentle and beautiful. The setting sun scattered across the lake's surface. Bibi Dong quietly waited for Cole to recover while finishing the wine in her own cup.

"Since you care so much about the children, I assume you also know the opponents from the other academies like the back of your hand?" Bibi Dong was relaxed, as though she were merely making casual conversation.

But Cole did not dare take it lightly. He swiftly recalled the investigations he had conducted and began reporting in detail. "At present, registration for the various academies has been completed. This subordinate has investigated them, and no dark horse teams have been discovered for now. The strongest contenders currently are the seed teams of Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Star Luo Royal Academy."

"A dark horse would be nice too. Watching the nobles of the Two Great Empires fight each other every day is tiresome. Once they get onstage, he is my cousin and she is my cousin too. It's boring to watch, and there are hardly any fresh martial souls among them." Bibi Dong gave a scathing review.

The seed teams of the Two Great Empires' royal academies had always been like this. They were composed of the strongest noble descendants of that generation. There had never been any commoner children among them.

"As for the other academies, Moss Academy of the Heaven Dou Empire is worth watching if its competitors make it into the advancement round. Their martial soul lineup this generation is quite interesting," Cole added.

"Parson, send someone to keep an eye on them," Bibi Dong casually ordered. A man dressed as a captain of the guards withdrew.

"You know about the qualifying match in the Heaven Dou Imperial City some time ago, right? What do you think of Heaven Dou?" Bibi Dong asked casually.

"They lack cohesion. If the team that barely won is the one entering the competition, they are not worth worrying about," Cole promptly gave his conclusion.

"And Star Luo?"

"They have courage to spare, but lack tactics."

Bibi Dong laughed. "It seems you have great confidence in them. Then we shall wait to drink your victory wine, Lord Cole."

Within Spirit Hall, only cardinals in red could be addressed as "Lord." Bibi Dong was making it clear: as long as Spirit Hall Academy won the championship, he would be promoted to a cardinal in red.

Bibi Dong waved a hand, stopping Cole from voicing his gratitude. Her subordinate worked efficiently and had youthful drive. What should be given had to be given in full. People could not teach people, but one lesson from experience was enough.

"After the last qualifying match, Heaven Dou has already become a disorganized mess. They truly have nothing to fear. As for Star Luo, their system seems designed to ensure that the strongest imperial heir is chosen. But even a hero needs help, and the support of one's own brothers cannot be compared to anyone else's." Bibi Dong found Star Luo's bizarre inheritance system quite interesting.

Cole agreed, "The two nations concern themselves only with what lies before them. Your Majesty plans far ahead; they are far beneath you."

But Bibi Dong's expression changed. "Yet these two useless things are still pressing down upon our Spirit Hall."

Cole understood that this was the important part. He dropped to one knee. "Wherever Your Majesty's blade points, this subordinate shall advance without hesitation."

Cultured people really did know how to flatter in pleasant ways, Parson thought as he returned after giving his orders. Among all the confidants summoned by Her Majesty, Cole spoke the best. Her Majesty would surely like him.

Sure enough, Bibi Dong's aura became much gentler. "It is not that serious. You should continue overseeing the children's training. But capable people must bear more responsibility. Keep an eye on the arrangements for this Elite Competition as well. In that Heaven Dou Empire qualifying match, everything else was one thing, but their facilities were quite good. The audience could see clearly too. The advancement round and finals cannot possibly be worse than the Heaven Dou Empire's qualifying match."

Parson looked at the happily chatting Bibi Dong, then at the other bishops who had come to report with troubled expressions. He thought that even he preferred Lord Cole. The others all looked like debt collectors. Her Majesty truly had it hard. But Bibi Dong had ordered that official business came first, so he could only step forward and ruin her good mood.

"Your Majesty, Bishop Lawrence has official business to report."

Bibi Dong withdrew her smile and nodded at Cole. "Go back first. Work hard." Then she turned and told Lawrence to come in.

Bishop Lawrence indeed brought no good news, though it was not entirely bad news for Bibi Dong either.

"Good evening, Your Majesty. This subordinate has news from the Heaven Dou Imperial City to report. Ever since the last qualifying match, Little Highness's situation has remained poor. The royal relatives have strong objections, and the emperor's stance remains unclear. Bishop Salas has already reported the matter to Spirit Hall. Little Highness is at risk of being exposed."

Lawrence kept his head lowered. Although Little Highness was Her Majesty's biological daughter, she had grown up in Spirit Hall and was not close to their side. It would not even be excessive to call them enemies. But she was still Spirit Hall's Little Highness, so he could not withhold such news.

Bibi Dong was silent for a long time. Lawrence felt the pressure in the air gradually deepen and wailed inwardly once again that he wanted a different job.

"Hmph. I thought those people at Spirit Hall could handle everything perfectly. Yet they still let others see through them. What risk of exposure? She has already been exposed to the royal family. They simply do not know who intervened and do not dare alert the enemy. Those stupid asses who only manage the front and ignore the rear." Bibi Dong cursed harshly.

Listening to that barrage of insults, Lawrence could not help grumbling inwardly. She truly was her biological daughter. Bibi Dong could not bear to scold her own child, so all her anger was directed at the worships.

"How are things at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?" Bibi Dong asked again.

"The Heaven Dou Royal Family has concealed the matter from outsiders. Sect Master Ning has not yet learned of it. He has taken Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures from the sect for Little Highness to consume and restore her health."

"Keep watching. See whether they are putting on an act." Bibi Dong frowned. Ning Fengzhi was not easy to fool. Then, recalling her strategic objective, she ordered, "Send our people to muddy the waters. Make those fools afraid to act rashly. We must first secure that position." Once the emperor died, the crown prince would be first in line for the throne. Who cared whether there was a problem with the crown prince? It only mattered that the emperor died quickly.