"Did she say that on purpose for me to hear?"
Jiang Mian guessed inwardly. Bibi Dong was shrewd and calculating—how could she possibly explain an operation like this so clearly to a few young people? She was likely acting this way because several top experts from the soul beast clans were following Jiang Mian.
"Teacher told us to hurry over." Hu Liena appeared beside Xie Yue and smiled. "She said those two soul beasts just arrived in Sunset Forest. We need to strike while they haven't established themselves yet."
"The soul beasts Bibi Dong wants to hunt must be at the hundred-thousand-year level." Jiang Mian spoke bluntly. "I know where those two soul beasts came from."
Who else could they be but the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python?
Because the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts had awakened, those two had long since fled to who knew where. Jiang Mian had never expected them to wander all the way to Sunset Forest.
That meant Jiang Mian could claim the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well while Bibi Dong hunted soul rings.
After Jiang Mian joined up with the others alongside Zhu Zhuqing, he first asked Scarlet King and Bear Lord, "What do you two think?"
"I don't know." Scarlet King and Bear Lord shook their heads in unison. "Those two soul beasts may not be on the same path as us, but they are still our kind."
"I can guarantee this: after they become soul rings, I can restore them once I ascend to the God Realm in the future." Jiang Mian painted them a rosy picture. "After all, that Pope has an opportunity to become a god someday."
"Jiang Mian, you are the future of soul beasts, so we will support whatever choice you make." Scarlet King was the first to state his position. "Of course, if you harm soul beasts, Di Tian will deal with you."
"You're overstating it." Jiang Mian shook his head and explained sincerely, "Soul beasts are the source of my strength. Why would I dig my own grave?"
"Then all is well." Bear Lord nodded. "By your reasoning, becoming that woman's soul rings may not be a bad end for those two."
Exactly. Was he supposed to wait until later and let those two rush to become Tang San's soul rings? Why should they?
Bibi Dong might be undergoing the Rakshasa God Assessment, but it wasn't impossible for her to end it. Once he controlled the God Realm, what couldn't he do?
"Are we leaving now?" Yan asked.
"How did you deal with those two people we caught yesterday?" Jiang Mian recalled Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun and immediately asked, "You didn't go easy on them, did you?"
"Don't worry." Hu Liena licked her lips and said seductively, "I removed their tools for committing crimes. From now on, they can only fantasize."
Every man present inhaled sharply. Hu Liena had asked Xie Yue and Yan to leave at the time so she could enjoy dealing with those two by herself.
No one had expected her to be so ruthless.
"Nana, wasn't that a little too much?" Xie Yue said, unable to bear it.
"They came to take our lives." Hu Liena pinched Xie Yue and snapped, "What's wrong with you, Brother? Showing mercy to enemies?"
"Nana is right." Jiang Mian gave her a thumbs-up, his tone earnest. "Nana's handling of this suits me perfectly."
"Thanks for the compliment." When Hu Liena heard Jiang Mian praise her, her eyes practically turned into stars. She covered her cheeks, looking a little bashful.
"Jiang Mian, I'm about to break through Rank 40 as well," Zhu Zhuqing said softly from the side.
"Perfect. We'll find your fourth soul ring in Sunset Forest, Zhuqing." Jiang Mian smiled faintly. "Friends, let's get ready to depart."
The auspicious beast twitched her ears slightly. She wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent.
The group raced onward and quickly traveled from Suo Tuo Great Spirit Arena to Sunset Forest, where they met up with Bibi Dong.
Behind Bibi Dong stood not only Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo, but also the fiery short-haired Spirit Kite Douluo and the sturdy Magic Bear Douluo.
"Qian Daoliu must have secretly approved of Bibi Dong. Otherwise, with her current influence, she wouldn't dare come hunt the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python."
Jiang Mian secretly speculated. No one knew what deal the two had reached, but Jiang Mian could infer that it definitely had something to do with Qian Renxue.
Including Bibi Dong, there were five Titled Douluo in total. What a luxurious lineup—and Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo also possessed the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Two Extremes Stillness Domain.
Bear Lord, Scarlet King, and the auspicious beast did not want to witness this encirclement and slaughter, so Jiang Mian stored them inside Spirit Balls, intending to release them after everything was over.
After all, their own kind was being hunted by humans. Even if they said nothing, they certainly would not feel good about it.
"Is everyone here?" Bibi Dong looked at the arriving Golden Generation. The severity and coldness on her face eased slightly as she instructed, "When we start fighting, you little ones need to stay farther away."
"I called you here this time mainly so you could witness a real battle of life and death." Bibi Dong did not forget to teach them even now. "It will also help you understand exactly where your strength stands."
"Yes." The group answered in agreement. Bibi Dong swept her gaze around but did not see the three soul beast experts. She glanced at Jiang Mian, who happened to be staring at her as well.
The two understood each other without exchanging a word.
Bibi Dong said nothing further. It was better that those experts were not here. After all, they were about to kill their kind. If they became displeased and chose to help those two soul beasts, the people she had brought would not even be enough to fill their teeth.
The group cautiously headed deeper into Sunset Forest. Jiang Mian could sense that the farther in they went, the denser the aura of ice and fire became.
Could the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python have occupied the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well? That would truly save him a great deal of trouble. He could help Bibi Dong obtain her soul rings while also taking every herb from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Who cared about their age? He could pack them all up and bring them back for Bi Ji and King of Ten Thousand Demons to cultivate.
Hu Liena moved close to Jiang Mian and quietly touched his hand without saying anything.
Jiang Mian glanced at the bashful little fox and smiled faintly. As if responding, he touched her small hand. Hu Liena's body jolted as though shocked by lightning, and she hurriedly pulled her hand back, looking as though she wanted to speak but held herself back.
"Sister Nana is seventeen this year, right?" Jiang Mian smiled. "Girls change greatly as they grow up, becoming prettier and prettier. Sister Nana is truly breathtakingly beautiful."
"You're awful." Hu Liena covered her mouth and giggled. "Then who do you think is prettier, Zhuqing or me?"
"Zhuqing is only twelve. There's no comparing the two." Jiang Mian moved closer to Hu Liena and whispered beside her ear, "Sister Nana, you aren't jealous, are you?"
"Of course not." Hu Liena suddenly felt her cheeks grow hot. Jiang Mian had never been this close to her before; she could even hear his breathing. Covering her face, Hu Liena hurried to the side in small steps to calm herself.
"Nana likes you." Xie Yue somehow appeared beside Jiang Mian and teased, "Honestly, I hope you can become my brother-in-law."
"You're too kind, Brother-in-law." Jiang Mian laughed heartily and answered without the slightest politeness.
"Get lost. You're still so young, yet you're already talking about marriage." Xie Yue shoved Jiang Mian and laughed angrily. "I was joking, and you took it seriously."
"A gentleman's word is no joke. Since Brother-in-law has spoken, I'll treat Nana well." Jiang Mian wore an expression that said he understood everything, leaving everyone both amused and exasperated.
"Brother Mian." Yan suddenly walked over from the side, slinging an arm around Jiang Mian's neck. "You already have Zhuqing, so why not let Nana be with me?"
"Sister Nana isn't a toy. How can you say she should be handed over to you?" Jiang Mian said indignantly. "Who Sister Nana chooses is her decision. How can we interfere?"
"That makes sense." Xie Yue fully approved of Jiang Mian's words. He doted on his little sister immensely, and although Yan was talented too, Jiang Mian was still the person Xie Yue favored most as a potential brother-in-law.
After all, Jiang Mian's foundation was so profound that even the Pope had to lower her head slightly before him. Nana certainly would not suffer by following him.
Up ahead, Bibi Dong waved a hand, signaling Jiang Mian and the others to withdraw quickly. They had found those two soul beasts.
"The Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python." Jiang Mian sensed the auras coming from within and said, "The farther away we get, the better. If these two beasts launch a desperate counterattack, it won't be good for us."
"Alright." Xie Yue and the others did not linger. They all retreated, found a suitable place to watch, and quietly waited for the good show to begin.
"Attack." At Bibi Dong's command, she was the first to release her martial soul, the Death Spider Emperor. Two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red soul rings appeared around her.
The Death Spider Emperor was already the king among spider-type martial souls, and Bibi Dong's soul ring configuration was terrifying. Unfortunately, because she was currently undergoing the Rakshasa God Assessment, she could not display her true strength. Otherwise, there would have been no need to bring so many people just to deal with these two soul beasts.
In the original story, Bibi Dong's Rakshasa God Assessment lasted a full twenty years. Even if Jiang Mian wanted her to give it up, it would not be easy.
Actually, the Rakshasa God was not all bad. It was merely a god who controlled all evil thoughts in the world, making it easy for people to become corrupted.
As for Jiang Mian's own path to godhood, he planned to fuse the Silver Dragon King and Golden Dragon King once more, successfully inherit the Dragon God's divine position, and lead the soul beasts to the heavens!
The greatest obstacle in that process would certainly be the Asura God. After all, he was the one who had split the Dragon God into the Golden Dragon King and Silver Dragon King with a single sword strike. To prevent the tragedy of the God Realm from repeating itself, he would definitely stop Jiang Mian.
"Roar!"
"It's begun." Listening to the commotion ahead, Jiang Mian's lips curled upward. "Watch. This is destined to be an earth-shaking battle of trapped beasts."
The Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python recklessly unleashed their domains. Their Soul Power seemed inexhaustible, and even Bibi Dong, accompanied by four Titled Douluo, had to avoid their edge for the time being.
Yet trapped beasts would eventually exhaust themselves. The moment they showed fatigue, death would await them!
"Big Brother, we can't escape. Let's fight!" The Titan Giant Ape pounded his chest furiously with both fists, recalling the Titled Douluo he and the Sky Azure Bull Python had encountered when they tried to occupy the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well some time ago.
At the time, that man appeared to have just gone through a fierce battle.
He had clearly been a weak and pitiful Titled Douluo. If he and Big Brother had not spared his life, he never could have escaped from their hands alive.
He had never expected a moment of mercy to bring about a fatal disaster.
That Titled Douluo from the Titan Giant Ape's memories was none other than Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan.
Yue Guan and Dugu Bo, the original owner of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, had always been enemies who would not rest until the other was dead. Their battle had drawn the two soul beasts that had just arrived here. Seeing such an excellent cultivation ground, the Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape naturally wanted to occupy it too.
In the end, after Yue Guan defeated Dugu Bo, those two beasts suddenly appeared and drove Yue Guan away as well.
At first, Yue Guan had not known Dugu Bo possessed such a treasure trove. He had watched Dugu Bo's movements for a long time. Ever since Bibi Dong told him he no longer needed to teach the Golden Generation, he had kept an eye on Dugu Bo's actions.
In the end, a battle belonging to the two of them unfolded at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Chrysanthemum Douluo had the pride and principles of a Titled Douluo. Despite his deep hatred for Dugu Bo, he insisted on fighting him one-on-one and personally killing him. If Yue Guan had been willing to call Gui Mei over, even two Dugu Bos would have been killed by them.
After being ambushed by the two beasts, Yue Guan could only flee back to Spirit Hall in disgrace and tell Bibi Dong everything that had happened.
Bibi Dong felt that the opportunity could not be missed, so she immediately brought them here to hunt those two soul beasts.
The disturbance at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well gradually weakened. The two soul beasts were probably trying to escape. Jiang Mian was glad those two beasts knew to run instead of fighting to mutual destruction.
If they destroyed the herbs and innate treasure land at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, even dying twice would not be enough to make up for it.
"Should we go over?" Xie Yue asked.
"Let's take a look." Before Jiang Mian even finished speaking, he had already darted out. Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena followed closely behind, while Xie Yue and Yan exchanged a glance and followed as well.
"Fifth Soul Skill, Gathering of Cold Primrose."
Yue Guan leaped into the air as chrysanthemum petals around him immediately condensed into a huge blade that gleamed with cold energy. He moved both hands and fired the petal blade at the Titan Giant Ape.
The Titan Giant Ape spun around and threw a punch, shattering Gathering of Cold Primrose. The punch did not lose any momentum and slammed directly into Yue Guan's face, sending him flying.
"Aah!"
Yue Guan turned into a streak of golden light and crashed down from the sky directly before Jiang Mian and the others.
"Teacher." Xie Yue and Yan quickly helped the disheveled Chrysanthemum Douluo up. Holding back their laughter, they asked with concern, "Teacher, are you alright?"
"I won't die." Blood seeped from the corner of Yue Guan's mouth. His brows furrowed as he snapped, "Those two beasts must pay the price today. Old Ghost!"
"I'm here." Gui Mei truly lived up to his name. Like a ghost, he appeared before Yue Guan in an instant. He grabbed Yue Guan, and the two rapidly leaped before the soul beasts.
"Two Extremes Stillness Domain!"
The soul rings of the two Titled Douluo scattered through the air. Standing back-to-back, they unleashed the powerful Two Extremes Stillness Domain.
Once this domain was cast, every enemy within it would be completely immobilized unless they relied on their own strength to forcefully break through.
However, Yue Guan and Gui Mei could not move while using this move either, so they needed teammates to attack.
Bibi Dong and the remaining two Titled Douluo hurriedly unleashed their soul skills. Even if they could not kill the two beasts in one blow, seriously wounding them would be enough.
The Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape struggled with all their strength, trying to break free from the Two Extremes Stillness Domain. Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo's brows were tightly furrowed; controlling these two beasts was clearly no easy task.
But if it had been Bear Lord or Scarlet King, they probably could have smashed the Two Extremes Stillness Domain with one slap.
"Watch. Bibi Dong has already planted a deadly poison in these two beasts." Jiang Mian took Zhu Zhuqing's hand and led her backward. "They're about to make their final counterattack."
Sure enough, the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python unleashed their greatest Soul Power at the same time, directly blasting apart the Two Extremes Stillness Domain.
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were both badly injured and flew in opposite directions.
Jiang Mian and Zhu Zhuqing happened to catch Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and settled him down, while Xie Yue and Yan eagerly ran over to catch Ghost Douluo.
Ghost Douluo crashed heavily onto the ground with a thud. Xie Yue and Yan held up their hands, completely at a loss.
"You idiots!" Ghost Douluo spat out a mouthful of dirt and slowly climbed to his feet. Pointing at the two, he cursed angrily, "What are you two doing getting in the way?"
"Exactly. Why did you delay Lord Ghost Douluo's landing?" Jiang Mian and Zhu Zhuqing slowly walked over while supporting Chrysanthemum Douluo. Jiang Mian immediately teased them mercilessly, "Why don't you apologize to Lord Ghost Douluo?"
"You!" Ghost Douluo trembled in anger. He stammered for a long while without saying anything, because he did not dare curse Jiang Mian. Jiang Mian had people backing him, after all. But if he said nothing, where would he put the dignity of a Titled Douluo?
"Enough, Old Ghost." Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled sweetly and lightly patted Jiang Mian and Zhu Zhuqing's hands, signaling that he no longer needed their support. "Why are you bullying children?"
"Ju Hua Guan, now you're the good guy?" Ghost Douluo stepped forward and poked Chrysanthemum Douluo's forehead, laughing angrily. "When we get back, you're treating me to drinks and meat."
"Don't worry. Once His Holiness the Pope finishes her business, we won't be lacking rewards." Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled faintly.
"It'll be over soon." Jiang Mian looked toward Bibi Dong and said quietly, "You two should rest here for a while. A trapped beast's final counterattack is dangerous. It wouldn't be wise to rush in now."
"The little one speaks wisely." Ghost Douluo nodded, then said to Xie Yue and Yan, "See that? Learn from him. Think more about others."
"Yes." Xie Yue and Yan answered dejectedly.
With a miserable scream, Jiang Mian knew that this battle, which had never held any suspense, was coming to an end.
Bibi Dong stood atop the Titan Giant Ape and mercilessly pierced his heart with her spider spear. Dense poison flooded into the Titan Giant Ape's body and directly took his life.
"Second Brother!" The Sky Azure Bull Python was already covered in wounds. He roared and unleashed a final retaliatory column of water.
Magic Bear Douluo leaped into the air and easily blocked the attack. Under the effects of the poison, the Sky Azure Bull Python slowly closed his eyes as well.
Two red soul rings slowly emerged. Unconcealed desire filled Bibi Dong's eyes as she immediately sat cross-legged, released her second martial soul, and began absorbing them.
Two precious hundred-thousand-year soul rings—what an enormous boost they would provide. She hardly dared imagine it.
Jiang Mian and the others arrived at the scene. Looking at the two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, he felt something indescribable in his heart.
It was not pity. He merely found it regrettable. If Zhu Zhuqing's rank had been high enough, he truly would have wanted her to absorb these two soul beasts.
Still, even without these two soul beasts, he had long since planned out Zhu Zhuqing's future soul rings.
After all, Jiang Mian could not capture every ferocious beast. If Zi JI, the Hell Demon Dragon King ranked ninth among the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts, could sacrifice herself to become Zhu Zhuqing's soul ring someday, it might not be a bad destination once Zhu Zhuqing became a god.
"Can I grow to Teacher's level?" Hu Liena murmured as she watched Bibi Dong absorb the two hundred-thousand-year soul rings. "Teacher is a height I can never surpass."
"It isn't that much higher." Jiang Mian chuckled and patted his chest. "Sister Nana, one day, you will definitely reach the Pope's level."
With me, Jiang Mian, here, how could I let your rank remain low?
"When I get back, I must cultivate diligently." Hu Liena secretly made up her mind. Jiang Mian looked at Bibi Dong, glistening with fragrant sweat, and felt restless throughout his body.
No wonder Qian Xunji had forcibly taken her. She was far too beautiful. He truly did not know how that useless trash, "Yu Xiaogang," had made Bibi Dong love him so desperately. If he had the chance, he would definitely counsel Bibi Dong properly.
Unfortunately, Jiang Mian was only twelve years old now and could not do anything. He could only slowly build a foundation and wait until he came of age to claim them all at once.
"Phew~"
Bibi Dong exhaled a breath of clear air. She felt utterly refreshed. After all, she had absorbed two hundred-thousand-year soul rings at once. If the Rakshasa God Assessment had not improved her body's resilience as a foundation, she would never have dared do such a thing.
The first person Bibi Dong saw upon opening her eyes was Jiang Mian. Jiang Mian's lips curled up slightly as he said calmly, "Pope, can we talk?"
"Oh?" Bibi Dong was rather interested. Her impression of Jiang Mian had always been that he was someone who dared to do anything. Then again, Jiang Mian had the strength to support that boldness.
"Please follow me." Jiang Mian walked toward the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well on his own. Bibi Dong signaled everyone to stay calm and followed him over.
The two moved quickly and reached the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well almost in the blink of an eye.
Jiang Mian spoke first. "Bibi Dong, do you know who I am?"
"Aren't you Jiang Mian?" Bibi Dong's expression remained unchanged as she replied flatly, "Jiang Mian, are you trying to be mysterious?"
"No." Jiang Mian shook his head and said calmly, "I only want you to turn back before it is too late."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you really think I don't know you're undergoing the Rakshasa God Assessment?"
Jiang Mian's words were astonishing, and the statement left Bibi Dong utterly shocked. "How do you know?"
Killing intent gradually emerged in Bibi Dong's eyes, but Jiang Mian had already gripped the Spirit Balls containing Bear Lord and Scarlet King in his hands. "Because I am the incarnation of the Dragon God."
"The Dragon God?" Bibi Dong was doubtful.
"That's right." Jiang Mian said solemnly, "The Dragon God is the master of all soul beasts and the only supreme god of the God Realm. These are old matters from the God Realm, so it is understandable that you do not know them."
"What proof do you have?" Bibi Dong asked indifferently. "What is the point of telling me this?"
"Why do you think so many soul beast experts obey me?" Jiang Mian chuckled. "I know your ambitions are great, but if you want to accomplish your grand undertaking, you must first cleanse the filthy lust in your heart."
"What do you mean?" Bibi Dong suddenly became angry, as if Jiang Mian had touched her reverse scale.
"That disgusting hypocrite, Yu Xiaogang." Merely mentioning the name made Jiang Mian feel as though his mouth had become foul. "What is he worth? Yet you still can't forget him."
"You are not allowed to speak of him like that," Bibi Dong snapped.
"Taking Spirit Hall's knowledge and passing it off as your own." Jiang Mian remained relentless. "Thinking yourself learned and knowledgeable, when you're really just trash stealing other people's achievements."
"I'm telling you, if I were Qian Xunji, I would have done the same thing he did." Jiang Mian said, "I just wouldn't have been as extreme as he was."
"How did you know?" Bibi Dong's mood instantly plummeted. She was a woman too. Jiang Mian had torn open her deepest scar, and anyone would have broken down emotionally.
"Yu Xiaogang is a disgusting maggot." Jiang Mian looked as though he had eaten shit. "I feel sick just mentioning him. If this is all the ambition you have, then I don't see you achieving much in the future."
Tears spilled from Bibi Dong's eyes, leaving two streaks down her beautiful cheeks. "How do you know so much?"
"Because I am the Dragon God." Jiang Mian looked like the ringleader of a pyramid scheme as he spread his arms and said calmly, "Nothing that happens between heaven and earth can escape my eyes."
"What should I do?" Bibi Dong collapsed to the ground, clutching Jiang Mian's sleeve as she wailed, "I can't let him go. I can't do it."
"If you kill Yu Xiaogang with your own hands, everything will be perfectly resolved." Jiang Mian chuckled, taking Bibi Dong's hand. "This Dragon God never lies. If you want to succeed, then you should submit at this Dragon God's feet."
Bibi Dong's pupils trembled, and even the way she looked at Jiang Mian held a little more fear. This man's words were flawlessly convincing.
How old was he? How could he know so much? And so many powerful soul beasts obeyed his commands—she had seen all of that with her own eyes.
Could he really be the Dragon God he claimed to be?
"Lord Dragon God." A trace of resolve flashed through Bibi Dong's eyes as she suddenly bared her heart to Jiang Mian. "I am willing to submit at your feet, Lord Dragon God, and become your servant."
Something's wrong!
Jiang Mian's heart skipped a beat. How could Bibi Dong possibly submit to him? What kind of joke was this? Who was she? She was the Empress, decisive in action and ruthless in her methods!
Jiang Mian understood in an instant. This was Bibi Dong's delaying tactic. If she wanted to accomplish great things, she had to gather every force she could bring under her wing.
And whether Jiang Mian was the Dragon God or not, it was an undeniable fact that he could command the strongest experts of the soul beast world. Besides, there were only the two of them here. What harm was there in Bibi Dong pretending to submit?
Lowering her dignity where no one could see in exchange for a powerful helper was a deal that could not possibly lose her anything.
Naturally, Jiang Mian understood perfectly. He was tactful enough to quickly help Bibi Dong up from the ground and smile. "Outside, you are still His Holiness the Pope."
That sentence gave Bibi Dong some reassurance. Jiang Mian's meaning was clear: the reason he had called her aside, and everything that had happened today, were known only to the two of them.
But Jiang Mian's words carried another meaning as well. Outside, she was His Holiness the Pope. When no one was around, she could only be his servant.
The two schemers each had their own ulterior motives. When it came to playing mind games, neither was inferior to the other.
"The next time you meet Yu Xiaogang, you must kill him with your own hands!" Jiang Mian's tone suddenly turned icy. "If you can't bring yourself to do it, then I'll deal with you."
"Yes." Looking at Jiang Mian, Bibi Dong felt that he did not seem to be lying. She had yet to attain the Rakshasa God's divine position. If Jiang Mian truly wanted to kill her, even if she survived, she would be severely injured.
"The Spirit Master Tournament will be held in two years, right?" Jiang Mian said. "When the time comes, a hundred-thousand-year soul beast will participate in the competition. If you're interested, you can capture it, but you can only absorb its soul ring with my permission!"
"Does Lord Dragon God intend to protect it?" Bibi Dong asked.
"No. I intend to torture him properly." A dark expression appeared on Jiang Mian's face. "Remember, I am not a good person. If you dare to obey my orders in public while defying them in private, I'll make you wish you were dead."
"Yes." Bibi Dong nodded, displaying her loyalty.
Jiang Mian knew that Bibi Dong was only making expedient concessions. How could she possibly submit to him?
"Let's go out. Remember to have someone guard the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well." Jiang Mian instructed, "I'll invite an expert to take over. These herbs are invaluable and will greatly help raise Spirit Masters' ranks."
"I understand." Bibi Dong stood up and returned to being the Pope who looked down upon the world. Jiang Mian's lips curved upward slightly. When the time came, he would have Di Tian send King of Ten Thousand Demons to guard the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. With the wonders of this treasure land, King of Ten Thousand Demons' strength would surely rise quickly as well.
Bibi Dong and Jiang Mian walked out of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Everyone had already been waiting outside for quite some time. When Bibi Dong entered earlier, she had used Soul Power to isolate the area from the outside world, so none of them knew what the two had discussed inside.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, guard the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. No one is allowed to enter." Bibi Dong said, "Those who violate this order will be killed without mercy."
"Yes." Yue Guan clasped his fists and accepted the order.
"Zhuqing, you're about to break through to Soul Ancestor, aren't you?" Jiang Mian walked straight up to Zhu Zhuqing. "His Holiness the Pope said that you can tell her directly if you need anything. Whatever His Holiness can do, she will do her utmost to help."
Jiang Mian's words made Bibi Dong's eyelids twitch. He really dared to order her around!
Jiang Mian did not care. Whether Bibi Dong had truly submitted or was merely flattering him did not matter. As long as she got things done, that was enough.
"Jiang Mian, come to the Extreme North at once."
Snow Empress' voice suddenly sounded by Jiang Mian's ear. He looked around, yet found no clue.
And after that one sentence, there was no further movement.
Had Snow Empress encountered trouble? Jiang Mian felt vaguely uneasy. With Snow Empress' nearly seven-hundred-thousand-year cultivation, what could possibly happen to her?
Jiang Mian truly could not imagine it, but for safety's sake, he still decided to make a trip to the Extreme North.
"Your Holiness the Pope, I need to go to the Extreme North. Don't worry, I'll leave those two experts behind." Jiang Mian released Bear Lord and Yan, then instructed, "Stay with the Pope without worry. I'm making a trip to the Extreme North and will be back soon."
"You're going alone?" Yan spoke first. "No. I absolutely will not agree. Nothing can happen to you."
"I don't know what might happen on this trip either." Jiang Mian reassured them. "But don't worry. The auspicious beast is with me too, so there won't be any problem."
Yan and Bear Lord exchanged glances, unsure what to say.
With the auspicious beast's current strength, he was certainly no weaker than Yan, but they still did not dare take that risk.
"There is also someone waiting for me in the Extreme North. What are you afraid of?" Jiang Mian said helplessly. He could only bring up Snow Empress, and only then did Bear Lord and Yan agree to his arrangement.
"Zhuqing, cultivate well with Xie Yue and the others." After considering it carefully, Jiang Mian decided not to bring Zhu Zhuqing. Snow Empress had summoned him this time, and whether it would bring fortune or disaster remained unknown. He certainly could not take Zhu Zhuqing into danger.
"Come back soon." Zhu Zhuqing said nothing else. Perhaps this was simply how cold she appeared before others.
Jiang Mian pinched Zhu Zhuqing's cheek and smiled. "I'll definitely come back. By then, I want to see Zhuqing already as a Soul King."
"Everyone, please take good care of Zhuqing. Jiang Mian is counting on you."
Before you continue