Radiant Paradise Herb, Qian Xunji's Excitement

Bibi Dong stopped and gazed up at the towering, magnificent Spirit Hall. A chuunibyou aura rose within her as she spread her arms, overcome with feeling.

"Spirit Hall, I'm back."

Chrysanthemum Ghost did not understand and merely looked at Gu Han, as though asking what was going on this time.

Along the way, Bibi Dong would occasionally indulge in a chuunibyou episode. Naturally, Chrysanthemum Ghost had asked about it, only to learn that the Saintess had been influenced by the characters in the stories Gu Han told.

On top of that, the Saintess was still young, so she liked such things even more and would act silly from time to time.

Gu Han smiled awkwardly and walked to Bibi Dong's side. "Senior Sister, that isn't enough."

"Huh?"

Bibi Dong turned her head in confusion.

The corner of Gu Han's mouth curled up. He extended one hand as though he were about to hold up the entirety of Spirit City, his spirit soaring.

"One day, I will stand at the pinnacle of this continent, atop the peak of Martial Souls, looking down upon all living beings!"

Then Gu Han dropped his solemn expression and smiled. "That's how you do it."

Chrysanthemum Ghost was even more speechless.

Bibi Dong felt equally speechless. She had thought she had already been silly enough just now, but her Junior Brother was even sillier than she was.

Slowly, she gave Gu Han a thumbs-up.

"You're impressive."

"You flatter me, Senior Sister."

Gu Han chuckled. Sure enough, his father had not deceived him—only magic could defeat magic.

"You two should stop already. Hurry inside."

Yue Guan truly could not stand the chuunibyou souls of those two. Before they could say anything even more ridiculous, he hurriedly urged them into the hall.

"Okay, Uncle Chrysanthemum."

Though Bibi Dong could be playful at times, she was still quite obedient.

Gu Han had only wanted to provoke Bibi Dong a little. Hearing the urging, he answered and entered Spirit Hall together with the others.

As it happened, Qian Xunji had just returned to the Papal Palace from the Worship Hall.

When he saw them enter the main hall, Qian Xunji did not rise. He simply sat quietly upon the Papal Throne. However, his gaze lingered on Bibi Dong for a moment, surprise flashing through his eyes before he frowned.

"Dong Er, how many years was the Spirit Ring you absorbed? Why did you break through directly from Level 30 to Level 40?"

"Teacher, I absorbed a 9,700-year Spirit Ring."

At once, Bibi Dong summoned her Spirit Ring. It was purple streaked with black. Like a child sharing her joy with an elder, Bibi Dong vividly recounted every detail of this experience to Qian Xunji.

"What? An External Soul Bone?!"

Qian Xunji could no longer remain seated and stood up with a look of delight.

"Yes, Teacher, look."

As she spoke, Bibi Dong spread the Six Wings Purple Light Wings behind her.

"It truly is an External Soul Bone!"

Qian Xunji's eyes were sharp, and he saw the extraordinary nature of the Soul Bone at a glance.

"Good, good, good! Excellent! My disciple Dong Er truly is Heaven's Pride. She has hope of reaching the limit!!"

Qian Xunji laughed heartily, rejoicing from the bottom of his heart. At the same time, his gaze turned toward Yue Guan, the Ghost, and Gu Han.

"Remember this: the matter of Dong Er possessing an External Soul Bone is a Spirit Hall secret. Other than the Elders, you are not to tell anyone."

"Understood."

The three naturally understood the gravity of the matter and would not mention it to anyone else.

"And Dong Er, you must keep it secret as well. Before you have completely fused with it, do not display it casually. Do you understand?"

"Mm, I understand, Teacher."

Bibi Dong nodded solemnly.

Only then did Qian Xunji withdraw his stern gaze and turn his attention to another matter.

"Right, what is this Immortal Herb Dong Er mentioned?"

"Teacher, it was like this..."

Gu Han and Yue Guan took turns explaining the matter of the Immortal Herbs to Qian Xunji. At the same time, they also told him that Gu Han's talent had been restored.

"Good. With such a fortunate opportunity, Xiao Han, you truly are exceptionally blessed."

After learning about the Immortal Herbs, Qian Xunji nodded. Once he had examined Bibi Dong and Gu Han's conditions, he completely believed in the effects of the Immortal Herbs.

"Your Holiness the Pope, this is the Immortal Herb I selected especially for you."

As he spoke, Yue Guan took a jade box from his Soul Tool. When he opened it, an Immortal Herb radiating powerful holy energy came into Qian Xunji's view.

"This is the Radiant Paradise Herb. It is radiant and holy, exceptionally compatible with Your Holiness the Pope's Martial Soul. After absorbing it, Your Holiness will surely rise to an even greater level."

Before Yue Guan had even taken out the Radiant Paradise Herb, Qian Xunji had already felt a craving from the depths of his origin.

A voice deep within his heart told him that as long as he absorbed this Immortal Herb, he could gain the Angel God's recognition. He could become a Level 99 existence. He could prove himself to his ancestors.

"Good, good, good, good! I never imagined it, never imagined that my path forward would lie in a single plant!"

Qian Xunji held the Radiant Paradise Herb in his hand, both careful and exhilarated. The excitement in his heart could no longer be described with words.

"Your Holiness the Pope, there are still many Immortal Herbs and high-grade medicinal herbs in that place. If they are transplanted, their medicinal properties may be damaged. But if they are left there without anyone guarding them..."

Yue Guan's intention was simple: he wanted to remain at the Ice Fire Yin Yang Well. At the same time, he could use its special environment to grow other flowers, plants, and medicinal herbs.

He also wanted to see whether he could cultivate new Immortal Grades. Though the hope was slim, even if he failed, he could still cultivate many high-grade medicinal herbs.

Qian Xunji nodded at this. "Mm, that place truly needs someone to guard it. You have rendered merit in discovering it, so you shall watch over it. There is no need to rush to harvest the Immortal Herbs there. If there are young people you trust and think highly of, give them to them."

Although Qian Xunji was excited, he had not lost his reason. He had yet to decide how to distribute the remaining Immortal Herbs.

As for those gifted children within Spirit Hall Academy, to be honest, he did not particularly want to give them any.

Although they had all joined Spirit Hall, there were plenty who relied on Spirit Hall's resources to grow in their early years, only to leave after becoming strong.

Spirit Hall would not force them to stay and gave them the right to choose. Whether they acted alone or established their own factions, even if they joined other factions, Spirit Hall would not do anything to them, so long as they remembered Spirit Hall's kindness and did not oppose it.

But this would not do in the end, especially with something like Immortal Grades. Once word spread, it would inevitably attract covetous eyes.

It was not that he feared those people. There was simply no need to create unnecessary trouble over something that could be avoided.

It could only be said that Qian Xunji trusted only the Elders of the Worship Hall, along with his confidants and certain elders.

When Yue Guan heard that Qian Xunji was allowing him to manage that place, joy immediately surged in his heart. Yet on the surface, he still bowed respectfully.

"Yes, Your Holiness the Pope. I will not disappoint you."

"Mm."

Qian Xunji nodded, then looked at Bibi Dong and Gu Han. He took out two Soul Bones and handed one to each of them.

"You two, I went through untold hardship to beg these from the Elders for you. I hope you will not betray the trust of the Elders or disappoint Spirit Hall's expectations of you."

"Yes, Teacher. We will cultivate diligently and never disappoint Teacher, the Elders, or Spirit Hall's careful nurturing!!"

The Senior Sister and Junior Brother wore solemn expressions.