Returning Early

Yu Xiaogang gripped the intelligence report tightly in his hand, his teeth almost grinding to powder. As he looked at the information about the Soul Master Competition in the Heaven Dou Division, his body trembled slightly.

Without a doubt, he was betrayed.

This was clearly Tang Hao's doing.

Tang San had knelt and kowtowed, so Yu Xiaogang didn't believe him at all that he didn't want to know the secret of cultivating Twin Martial Souls simultaneously.

So it can only be Tang Hao. But he had spoken to Tang Hao before he left, and even advised him to keep a low profile recently so that his operation could go more smoothly.

But, this...

"Tang Hao has ruined me!" Yu Xiaogang lamented in his heart.

Tang Hao didn't trust him at all, and continued to do what he wanted to do. As for the token, Tang Hao probably didn't care at all.

"Heh, is there anything else you want to say?"

Bibi Dong felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction as she looked at his distraught appearance.

The scene she had hoped for did not occur, and Yu Xiaogang's request was thwarted by the very person he trusted, which gave her a twisted sense of pleasure.

"No, that's all..."

The intelligence report slipped from Yu Xiaogang's hand and fell to the ground. Bibi Dong already knew everything, what was the point of asking for anything more?

Bibi Dong stared blankly at Yu Xiaogang, but a pang of pity rose in her heart. She asked, almost as if possessed, "Is that disciple that important to you? I've never seen you like this since I left Spirit City."

Yu Xiaogang clearly didn't expect Bibi Dong to say such a thing. He mechanically looked up and glanced at Bibi Dong. "You wouldn't understand. He is my hope, like a son to me."

He did not answer directly; he did not want to recall what happened back then, when he felt like a stray dog.

However, in Bibi Dong's eyes, his behavior was undoubtedly a tacit agreement.

She lost again. Twenty years ago, she lost to Liu Erlong, and today, she lost to his disciple. So, what is she? Bibi Dong could no longer control her emotions. She grabbed the teacup beside her and smashed it on Yu Xiaogang's head.

Yu Xiaogang did not dodge, or rather, he did not have time to dodge.

The teacup smashed into his head, and blood mixed with the long-cold tea flowed down his head, seeping into his collar along his cheeks.

"No, Xiaogang..."

The conspicuous bloodstains caught Bibi Dong's eye, and she became weak again. Unconsciously, she took a few steps forward, wanting to help Yu Xiaogang treat his injuries.

Yu Xiaogang, however, took two steps back with a blank expression, causing her to stop in her tracks. This was much more serious than he had imagined.

Under Bibi Dong's gaze, Yu Xiaogang bowed respectfully.

"If Your His Holiness the Pope still cherishes any past favors, please allow me to leave and show some leniency towards that child. He is innocent; he doesn't even know Tang Hao's identity."

Bibi Dong's outstretched hand froze in mid-air; he was still pleading for his disciple.

Because of the bowing, blood fell onto the pristine white floor, as if reminding her not to cross the line.

After a long silence, Bibi Dong looked at Yu Xiaogang, who was still bowing, and uttered three words: "You can leave now."

Yu Xiaogang didn't say anything more. He straightened up and walked out of the main hall without looking back. He knew that Bibi Dong had agreed.

Until his figure disappeared from sight, Bibi Dong seemed to collapse, her body slumping into the chair behind her, her eyes fixed on the conspicuous bloodstains on the ground.

Why didn't he move aside?

"His child... his child... an illegitimate child, why must I go through all this..."

"If it were back then... our children... would be this age by now..."

"Waaaaah, I hurt him again..."

"Why..."

In the palace, where no one dared to approach, dark purple mist rose, and low whimpers and chilling, venomous voices could be heard from time to time, as if several people were present at the same time.

However, Bibi Dong never truly escaped from it.

Amidst the astonished gazes of the guards, Yu Xiaogang returned to the foot of the mountain with a white bandage wrapped around his forehead.

Ignoring the guards' gazes, Yu Xiaogang breathed a sigh of relief. He walked a little further away before daring to look back at the Pope's Hall on the mountaintop, his eyes still filled with a hint of relief.

Fortunately, although Bibi Dong's reaction was somewhat strange, she returned unharmed. She reached out and touched her forehead, which was no longer bleeding. Her heart was filled with more anger towards Tang Hao.

He almost got sent away by Tang Hao.

As for Bibi Dong, Yu Xiaogang didn't have a deep feeling for her. Although he would often think of the past late at night and angrily curse Qian Xunji, in fact, Bibi Dong didn't have much of a presence in his heart. At the very least, she certainly didn't leave as deep a impression as those classic texts and knowledge.

This was too much of a gamble. Fortunately, Bibi Dong still cherishes old friendships. However, they can no longer have any contact in the future. This time, he only got a head injury, but he might not be so lucky next time.

Fortunately, Bibi Dong agreed that she wouldn't hurt the Xiao San, which is the best possible outcome.

Yu Xiaogang chuckled self-deprecatingly and headed towards the hotel. He needed to treat his wounds again and write a letter immediately. He didn't want the favor he had risked to gain to put his Xiao San in danger again because of Tang Hao's willful behavior. —Heaven Dou City, Han Li's residence.

Salas knocked on the courtyard gate. Han Li frowned slightly, walked over, and opened the gate.

"Is there something you need?"

Han Li looked at Salas, whom he had never visited before.

Salas bowed and handed over the two letters with both hands.

"Your Holy Son Your Highness, these two letters are from the Pope's Hall and the Worship Hall, respectively."

While speaking, he secretly observed Han Li's expression.

"Oh?"

Han Li became interested. It wasn't surprising that the letter Worship Hall; this was the first time he had ever received a letter from the Pope's Hall.

Ignoring Salas's expression, Han Li opened the two letters and read them one by one. A flame ignited, but his face showed no unusual reaction.

"Okay, then I'll leave the rest of the work here to you. I'll be leaving the day after tomorrow."

Han Li nodded to Salas, but made no move to invite him in, and closed the courtyard gate.

Outside the door, Salas breathed a sigh of relief, turned and left, feeling much more relaxed than he had imagined.

He knew the contents of the letter from the Pope's Hall; it informed him that the mission in the Heaven Dou Division was complete and he could return to Spirit City, and that there were matters concerning the finals to discuss with him.

Well, in Salas's opinion, it didn't matter whether Han Li paid attention or not, but he didn't expect him to agree so readily.

After seeing Salas off, Han Li lay back down on the recliner and closed his eyes.

The letter from the Worship Hall was written by his master, Broad Hill, asking when he would return. They had already broken through their cultivation and were somewhat bored. The letter also mentioned that Bibi Dong had met with Yu Xiaogang. Naturally, the incident of him coming down the mountain with a bloodied head was also mentioned.

Coincidentally, at that very moment, the Pope's Hall also issued an order.

Is he afraid I'll kill Tang San? Han Li thought and thought, and this was the only possibility he could come up with. He opened his eyes, but the expression on his face was very strange.

He's been so busy lately that he's neglected to monitor these people and isn't sure what state they're in. Unexpectedly, things have taken a strange turn.

What's going on? Bibi Dong is actually protecting Tang San? It's understandable that the Worship Hall didn't take any action against Tang San because of him, but is Bibi Dong doing this because of Gang Zi? But wasn't Gang Zi's head injured? So, is this compensation? It really is...

Han Li got goosebumps. He shook his head. He couldn't fathom Bibi Dong's thoughts. The power of love, coupled with her eccentric nature, made Han Li hate dealing with this kind of person the most.

Well, he was already planning to go back anyway, so he'll wait until he gets back to see what's going on.

I'll go see Qian Renxue again tomorrow, and then I'll set off.

"Sister Xiu'er."

Han Li called out habitually that they were going home early.

"Hmm, Xiao Li, what's wrong?"

A day passed in the blink of an eye. Shui Bing'er bid farewell to everyone from the Skywater Academy, Dugu Yan went to find Ye Lingling, and Zhu Zhuqing also asked someone to call Ning Rongrong.

Well, on the surface, only Han Li and Xiu'er haven't made any moves, but of course, that's just on the surface.

The Advancement Tournament were still in full swing when Han Li and his group left Heaven Dou City.

This time, Han Li did not openly contact Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, and Xue Qinghe seemed to have forgotten about the matter.

Han Li's departure did not cause much of a stir, far less than the commotion he caused when he arrived.

Watching their carriage drive away from Heaven Dou City, Tang Hao returned to the Moonlight Pavilion. The departure of the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall ahead of time was a signal; at the very least, in his view, his plan had succeeded.

"We're going back now, but it's a pity Lingling won't be there."

Inside the carriage, Dugu Yan rolled over on the bed and said somewhat lazily.

"She'll be here soon."

Han Li put down the book in his hand and answered casually.

"Well, that's true. I haven't seen Grandfather in a long time, and I've started to miss him."

Dugu Yan sat up and moved closer to Han Li, completely ignoring the fact that her clothes were slightly revealing.

"The old man has already broken through to level 96, have you prepared your gift?"

"Grandfather will be very happy when I go back. By the time I get back, I'll have almost reached level 70. That will be the best gift."

"Cheeky."

"I learned it from you."

Soon, the others joined in the conversation, and the atmosphere remained as cheerful as ever.

Han Li glanced back in the direction of Heaven Dou City, thinking of the figure following him when he left.

Thinking of the stack of noble documents in Qian Renxue's hand when they met, his smile deepened. He hadn't come away empty-handed, had he?

The stage is yours, so please don't let me down!

Oh, right.

He also informed Liu Erlong that she would come alone.

He was looking forward to the finals.