Qian Renxue Is Here

"May I ask why the Pope summoned me?" Jiang Mian's mouth twitched uncontrollably as he cupped his fists and asked shakily.

"I don't know. I was only told to invite you," Gui Mei reported truthfully. "Hurry over."

Jiang Mian nodded woodenly, his mind racing. Bibi Dong wasn't planning to pull some honey-trap scheme on him, was she? She wouldn't lose her head and have him killed, would she? Bear Lord and the others were not around to protect him right now. What was he supposed to do?

Probably not, Jiang Mian guessed inwardly. He was already her man. No matter what, she could not possibly lay a hand on her own husband, could she?

No! She seemed to have done that before!

Inside Pope's Hall, Bibi Dong wore the Pope's robes, a crown upon her head and the papal scepter in hand. Seated upon the Pope's throne, she looked sacred, imposing, and untouchable.

There was none of last night's ferocity about her.

Jiang Mian and Hu Liena arrived at Pope's Hall and were just about to kneel before the Pope when Bibi Dong said, "Jiang Mian, you sent Xie Yue and Yan to the border of the Extreme North?"

"Yes." Jiang Mian put on a calm expression as though nothing had happened. "The people's strength is always immense. I did this so that the Pope's future operations would proceed more smoothly."

"I understand your intentions, which is why I sent Chrysanthemum Douluo to accompany Xie Yue," Bibi Dong said. "He will also clean out the Evil Spirit Masters there."

"The Pope loves her people as though they were her own children. You truly are a model for juniors like us." Jiang Mian's flattery came readily. "You did not summon me here merely for this, did you?"

"Correct." Bibi Dong said calmly, "Last time, you had me seize the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Chrysanthemum Douluo has initially brought back some of the Immortal Herbs there, but they have not yet been distributed. Do you recognize those Immortal Herbs?"

"No." Jiang Mian honestly shook his head and explained, "Once the matter in the Star Dou Great Forest is settled, I will have that person come and select the Immortal Herbs."

A trace of indescribable emotion flashed through Bibi Dong's eyes. She asked quietly, "That person is?"

"You will know when the time comes." Jiang Mian did not answer her directly. He said lightly, "Zhu Zhuqing has already broken through Rank 40. I wish to take her to obtain a spirit ring. I hope the Pope will grant permission."

Bibi Dong said nothing. Jiang Mian only felt a wave of cold air rush toward him, and Bibi Dong had already appeared at his side. "Naturally, you may act as you see fit."

"I would not dare." Jiang Mian shuddered, feeling as though Bibi Dong would kill him the next second. Fortunately, Bibi Dong had not yet become that extreme. She lightly patted his shoulder and whispered by his ear, "Jiang Mian, why be so distant?"

"Thank you, Pope." Jiang Mian bowed, then slowly backed out of the hall. Hu Liena was momentarily at a loss. Bibi Dong glanced at her and said, "You should go with Jiang Mian as well. Look after each other."

"Yes." Hu Liena felt as though a great weight had been lifted. She hurriedly rose and ran out of the hall to catch up with Jiang Mian. The two moved so quickly they were practically flying, found Zhu Zhuqing, and immediately dragged her away.

"Why are you two in such a hurry? Where are we going?" Zhu Zhuqing asked in confusion as the two hauled her along.

"To get your fourth spirit ring." Jiang Mian and Hu Liena exchanged a knowing glance, stuffed Zhu Zhuqing into the carriage, and rushed toward the Star Dou Great Forest.

Their movements were so practiced that they looked like repeat offenders.

"That was terrifying." Jiang Mian wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. The saying about beautiful women being venomous was no lie.

Hu Liena covered her heaving chest and said with lingering fear, "I have never seen Teacher in such a state."

Jiang Mian bit his finger. On this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, he had to bring back another top-tier powerhouse no matter what. He truly could not place his life entirely in Bibi Dong's hands.

"Zhuqing, have you decided what spirit beast you want?" Jiang Mian looked at Zhu Zhuqing and asked, "You are already Rank 40. The competition within the Imperial Family should be easy now, shouldn't it?"

"Not enough." Zhu Zhuqing said, "My elder sister should have reached Rank 40 as well. The gap between us is still not large enough."

Once Zhu Zhuqing said that, Jiang Mian understood. What she wanted was absolute domination, not a narrow victory.

Hu Liena smiled. "Little sister, do not put too much pressure on yourself. You have been so focused on cultivation that you have missed many of this vast world's pleasures."

"Nana has a point." Jiang Mian agreed wholeheartedly. "Zhuqing, there is no rush to return on this trip. I will take you around and have some fun."

"Huh?" Zhu Zhuqing asked doubtfully. "Is that appropriate? Won't the Pope blame us?"

"We are already out here, so what are we afraid of?" Jiang Mian chuckled. "Let's have a good time, then find you a suitable fourth spirit ring along the way. When we return, the Pope will not be able to say anything."

Well, well, Jiang Mian. Just moments ago, he had feared Bibi Dong like a tiger, and now that the emperor was far away, he was acting bold again.

"Heaven Dou Imperial City is very close to here. Let's go have fun there." Hu Liena looked over the map and suggested, "We can let little sister Zhuqing experience the beauty of life."

"Nana really knows how to talk." Jiang Mian gave her a thumbs-up and smiled. "Off we go, to Heaven Dou Imperial City."

The three traveled at full speed and arrived at the royal capital of the Heaven Dou Empire in less than two days. It was no less prosperous than Spirit City. After all, it was the capital of an empire, the face of the nation.

Zhu Zhuqing looked around in every direction, staring at all sorts of novelties she had rarely seen.

After all, Zhu Zhuqing had been raised from childhood under the law of the jungle. Everyone had long heard of just how brutal the competition within the Star Luo Imperial Family was.

Thus, Zhu Zhuqing had rarely come into contact with things that ordinary people considered commonplace. Her only notion had been to cultivate, day and night without rest.

Otherwise, she could never have gone alone to the Star Dou Great Forest at the age of ten to obtain her second spirit ring. And naturally, she would never have met Jiang Mian.

Time had passed swiftly. In just three short years, Zhu Zhuqing had risen from Rank 20 to Rank 40. It felt like a dream.

"Look, there are street performers over there." Like a lively, curious little fox, Hu Liena pulled Zhu Zhuqing along and kept pointing out interesting things to her.

Jiang Mian considerately slowed the carriage. In Heaven Dou Imperial City, he was not worried about any danger appearing. After all, Heaven Dou's Crown Prince was one of his own.

Bibi Dong's daughter and the granddaughter of Qian Daoliu, Spirit Hall's Grand Venerable, had disguised herself within the Heaven Dou Empire since she was very young. Her methods were superb and her mind formidable, to the point that no one had uncovered her identity.

The future Angel God, Qian Renxue!

Jiang Mian whistled as he calculated the time. Around now, those fellows from Shrek should have joined the academy founded by Liu Erlong, right?

It would be best if he ran into them. He could beat them up again. After beating Tang San so badly last time that he fled in disgrace, he wondered whether this time would be just as satisfying.

"Make way for His Highness the Crown Prince! All idle bystanders, clear the street!"

A powerful voice rang through the street. Hearing it, Jiang Mian's lips curled into a faint smile.

"Qian Renxue is here..."