Flattery

The Pope of Spirit Hall had taken on a disciple, and over the past year, this had gradually become known to others.

However, most people had never seen him in person and had only heard about him. Even among the students of Spirit Hall Academy, only Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan knew.

Those with ulterior motives outside Spirit Hall were no different from most others—they had only heard rumors.

Taking advantage of Ye Lingyuan's Title Conferment Ceremony today, Ji Wushuang appeared before Spirit Hall's upper ranks under Bibi Dong's instruction, officially taking on the identity of the Pope's Disciple.

The Title Conferment Ceremony itself was not particularly complicated.

After Ye Lingyuan received the red brocade robe symbolizing her status from Qian Daoliu and the Pope's Token from Bibi Dong, the ceremony officially concluded.

Ghostly Charm, Yue Guan, Demon Bear, and Ghost Leopard, the four Titled Douluo, escorted Ye Lingyuan out through the main central doors, while the remaining Red Cardinals departed through the side doors on both sides.

In the blink of an eye, only Bibi Dong and Ji Wushuang, master and disciple, remained in the Pope's Palace.

Ji Wushuang helped Bibi Dong back to the Pope's seat and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Teacher. You have gained another capable general. Although Aunt Ye has only just broken through to the Titled Douluo rank, she is still young. She has a great chance of reaching Rank 95 in the future."

Bibi Dong sighed softly. "That is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Ye Lingyuan's Innate Soul Power was only Rank 9. Who knows how many years it will take her to break through to Rank 95."

"Unless she can find suitable high-year Spirit Bones—and one or two will not be enough. Otherwise... if she wants to reach Rank 95 through cultivation alone, it will take at least twenty or thirty years."

"Every increase in rank for a Titled Douluo is incomparably difficult."

"She is not like a Soul Ancestor such as you, who can raise your Soul Power by two or three ranks in a year."

Bibi Dong smiled teasingly.

Yet when she looked at Ji Wushuang, her beautiful eyes were filled with satisfaction.

For Ji Wushuang to maintain the astonishing Cultivation Speed of three ranks per year even at the Soul Ancestor level was an extraordinary achievement that amazed even her.

"The reason this disciple can cultivate so quickly is all thanks to the Hundred Thousand Year Whale Pearl you gave me back then. Without that Whale Pearl, this disciple would not have such a fast Cultivation Speed."

Ji Wushuang sighed.

The effects of that Hundred Thousand Year Whale Pearl were still subtly strengthening his body and accelerating his Cultivation Speed.

By his estimate...

It would not be fully digested until he reached the Soul Saint stage.

"Wushuang, the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament will be held in a few years. With your current Cultivation Speed, you may not necessarily break through to Soul Emperor by then, but I believe you will certainly reach the Soul King level. At that point, you will be more than capable of crushing the geniuses of that generation."

"Do you want to compete on stage?"

Bibi Dong gently caressed Ji Wushuang's cheek. A hint of anticipation, along with a motherly tenderness unfitting of her status, appeared in her expression.

Ji Wushuang smiled faintly, taking hold of the jade-like hand stroking his face. "This disciple will follow all of Teacher's arrangements."

Bibi Dong's willow brows furrowed slightly as she reproached him sweetly, "Do not leave everything for your teacher to arrange. You need to have some opinions of your own."

Ji Wushuang was immediately speechless inwardly.

You want me to have my own opinions?

Whenever I voice an opinion, you disagree with it. What is the point of saying anything?

Ji Wushuang recalled the time he had wanted to go out and gain experience. Bibi Dong had arranged all sorts of trials for him, and after he completed them, not only did she refuse to agree, she even slapped him and knocked him unconscious for an entire day.

"In recent tournaments, aside from the one time the Star Luo Empire won, every other victory has belonged to our Spirit Hall Academy."

"Among the Soul Master Academies of the Two Great Empires, apart from Star Luo Royal Academy and Four Elements Academy, which can be considered decent, the others..."

Bibi Dong shook her head lightly.

Spirit Hall was not merely the holy land of the Spirit Master World; Spirit Hall Academy was likewise the finest academy on the continent.

She truly did not think much of the other Soul Master Academies.

It was only a pity that those talented Soul Masters could not be used by her.

"Teacher, this disciple does not wish to reveal himself so early. How about waiting until the tournament after next? If any decent Soul Masters appear then, this disciple can decide whether to compete."

Ji Wushuang said with a faint smile.

Bibi Dong raised her eyes to meet Ji Wushuang's deep gaze. Seeing the trace of pride in his eyes, she smiled knowingly.

"Fine..."

"Do as you please."

Ji Wushuang smiled calmly, then quietly removed the slender, fair hand from his face. "Teacher, this disciple has been thinking recently. I cannot remain immersed in comfortable days for too long. If this continues, problems will arise sooner or later, so this disciple has decided to put a little pressure on himself."

Bibi Dong narrowed her beautiful eyes and asked flatly, "You want to leave Spirit City and go out to gain experience?"

This change in Bibi Dong's attitude was entirely within Ji Wushuang's expectations.

Perhaps because Bibi Dong had experienced too much, and every experience had been earth-shattering, coupled with her current lofty status and power, she possessed an unparalleled domineering nature and possessiveness.

The dragon slayer eventually becomes the dragon. That saying was not without reason.

It suited Bibi Dong perfectly.

Ji Wushuang pondered for a long while before saying, "This disciple wishes to train in Misty Trail Grand Canyon for two years."

"Misty Trail Grand Canyon? Have you lost your mind?" Bibi Dong's willow brows drew together as she abruptly rose to her feet, her tone growing stern.

"Your teacher does not agree to this, and you are not to mention it again!"

"Misty Trail Grand Canyon is filled with dangers, and its environment is exceptionally harsh. Even Soul Saints, or even Soul Douluo, would not dare remain there for long! You are merely a Soul Ancestor, yet you want to enter such a place—and stay there for an extended period!?"

"Without my permission, you are not allowed to go to Misty Trail Grand Canyon. Otherwise, I will let you experience your teacher's methods again!"

"..."

Ji Wushuang completely gave up on the idea of leaving with Bibi Dong's approval.

If he wanted to leave Spirit City, he would have to sneak away.

"Wushuang, have you been in Spirit City for so long that you find it somewhat dull and boring?" Bibi Dong held Ji Wushuang's cheeks and spoke gently.

"Teacher truly knows me best."

"It is indeed a little..."

Ji Wushuang smiled awkwardly, standing frozen in place without moving.

"Do you know what is most important for a Soul Master?" Bibi Dong asked quietly.

Ji Wushuang replied, "This disciple does not know. Please enlighten me, Teacher."

Bibi Dong glanced toward the depths of the Pope's Palace before looking back at Ji Wushuang. "The most important thing is... being able to endure loneliness!"

Ji Wushuang complained, "Teacher, I am only thirteen! How could I compare to you? This disciple cannot endure loneliness!"

Without another word, Bibi Dong immediately pinched both of Ji Wushuang's ears and said coldly:

"What do you mean by that!?"

"Are you saying that I am old, that I am advanced in years, and that is why I can endure loneliness!?"

Ji Wushuang hurriedly said, "Of course not, of course not!"

"You are not old at all! Absolutely not!"

"The composure you possess after the passage of time gives every gesture an endless charm, and every look in your eyes holds a story."

"Compared to Na'er's youthful innocence, you have an additional clarity and sophistication that is even more captivating than appearance! Not to mention that your beauty is the finest in the world, unmatched by anyone!"

"Your words carry both the wisdom of life and a woman's gentle allure. This temperament, blending experience and charm, becomes more captivating the more one savors it!"

"Time has not taken away your beauty. Instead, it has given you the gentleness and grandeur born of maturity. Every movement of yours carries an irresistible charm!"

"If I had been born twenty years earlier, I definitely would not have become your disciple. No matter what, I would have pursued you!"

With this barrage of shameless flattery, Ji Wushuang used every compliment he could think of in his life, then carefully observed the changes in Bibi Dong's expression.

When he saw her brows relax, her gaze soften, and the corners of her lips lift slightly, while the hands pinching his ears also released him, Ji Wushuang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At last... another crisis had been averted!

"Teacher, may this disciple return now?" Ji Wushuang asked cautiously.

"Mm~"

Bibi Dong then sat back down.

After watching Ji Wushuang leave the Pope's Palace, the smile on her lovely face grew even wider.