"This is a voucher for Spirit Hall's secret treasury in the Heaven Dou Empire. There are ten million inside."
"Take it and use it."
Qian Renxue accepted the Gold Card, a trace of surprise flashing through her eyes.
She had originally thought she would need to spend some effort persuading her, but she had not expected her mother to agree so readily.
"Thank you... Your Eminence the Pope."
Qian Renxue gave a deep bow, then turned and left.
Watching Qian Renxue's departing figure, Bibi Dong sat in the empty grand hall without moving for a long time.
Her fingers lightly stroked the knee Qian Renxue had leaned against moments ago, her gaze somewhat dazed.
"What exactly did this child encounter?"
"Why had she suddenly changed so much?"
That moment of genuine emotion had absolutely not been an act.
That dependence after despair still made Bibi Dong's heart ache faintly even now.
"Ghost is absent. Yue Guan!"
Bibi Dong suddenly spoke, her voice echoing through the hall.
A bewitching figure appeared below the hall like a ghost.
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan formed an orchid gesture with his fingers and bowed respectfully.
"Your Eminence, what are your orders?"
Bibi Dong lightly tapped her scepter with her fingers, her gaze sharpening.
"Investigate."
"Find out what Xue'er has been doing in Heaven Dou City lately, and whom she has met."
"Especially that... Jixia Academy."
She wanted to see exactly what kind of existence could bring about such earth-shaking changes in her daughter.
Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
"What? Speak if you have something to say," Bibi Dong said coldly.
Chrysanthemum Douluo hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Your Eminence, I have happened to hear some news concerning Jixia Academy."
"Oh?"
"According to reports from spies in Heaven Dou City, Xue Qinghe, the Young Master's disguise, did indeed visit Jixia Academy and stayed there for quite some time."
Chrysanthemum Douluo paused before continuing, "Also, that so-called Master Yu Xiaogang brought people from Shrek Academy to challenge Jixia Academy."
At the mention of the name "Yu Xiaogang," a complex emotion instantly flashed across Bibi Dong's otherwise placid face.
"What was the result?" she pressed.
Chrysanthemum Douluo cautiously glanced at Bibi Dong and said in a low voice, "The result... Yu Xiaogang suffered a crushing defeat."
"Not only was his 'No Useless Martial Souls' theory publicly refuted until it was completely discredited by Jixia Academy, humiliating him beyond measure, but even Shrek Academy's students were severely injured."
"I heard Yu Xiaogang was so furious that he nearly vomited blood before fleeing in disgrace."
Bang!
Bibi Dong slammed her scepter heavily against the ground, and the hard diamond floor instantly cracked.
A terrifying killing intent erupted from her body, plunging the temperature throughout the Pope's Palace to freezing point.
"Jixia Academy..."
Bibi Dong gritted her teeth, cold light flickering in her eyes.
Though she hated Yu Xiaogang's cowardice and heartlessness, that man was still the softest pain in her heart.
She could bully Yu Xiaogang. She could hate Yu Xiaogang.
But that did not mean others could casually trample on his dignity as well!
"What a Jixia Academy. Such audacity!"
Bibi Dong laughed in extreme anger.
"They actually dared humiliate him like this."
"And Xue'er still wanted to win over such an arrogant force?"
Bibi Dong's impression of the Jixia Academy she had never met instantly plummeted to rock bottom, and she even developed a powerful hostility toward it.
"Pass down the order. Have Salas closely monitor Jixia Academy's movements."
"If they dare harm... harm him again, there is no need to report back. Take action immediately!"
Meanwhile.
Outside Heaven Dou City, at the entrance of Jixia Academy.
A group of people blocked the grand academy gates aggressively.
They were none other than the group from Shrek Academy.
At the front stood the grim-faced Flender and the fierce-looking Zhao Wuji.
Behind them, Dai Mubai, Tang San, Oscar, and the others pushed a stretcher. Lying on it was Ma Hongjun, bruised and battered, his body wrapped in bandages.
"Come out! Get the hell out here!"
Though Ma Hongjun lay immobile on the stretcher, he was still cursing nonstop.
"That bitch with the broken parasol, and that gigolo, get the hell out here!"
"You dared hit me? Teacher Zhao and Dean Flender are both here today! We'll tear down this lousy academy of yours!"
Ma Hongjun's eyes were filled with venom.
As the Evil Fire Phoenix, when had he ever suffered such a loss?
That Gongsun Li had not only humiliated him in public, but had also struck viciously and ruined his manhood.
He could not swallow this anger!
Zhao Wuji stood at the gate with his arms folded, towering like an iron tower. Seven Spirit Rings rose and fell around him, radiating the powerful pressure of a Soul Sage.
"People of Jixia Academy, listen up!"
Zhao Wuji's voice boomed like a great bell, shaking leaves from the surrounding trees.
"You injured a student of Shrek Academy. You must give us an explanation!"
"Otherwise, don't blame me, Zhao Wuji, for showing no mercy and teaching you a lesson on behalf of your elders!"
Tang San stood to one side, his brows slightly furrowed.
Although he felt it was somewhat improper to come seeking revenge so directly, Ma Hongjun had indeed been beaten too badly, and Master Yu Xiaogang had also been humiliated.
By all reason and sentiment, they had to seek justice.
Just as the Shrek group was shouting and making threats.
A graceful figure slowly emerged from within the academy.
Her red clothes blazed like fire, her Flower Parasol spinning lightly.
It was Gongsun Li.
Looking at the furious group at the gate, she showed no fear at all. Instead, she covered her mouth and laughed softly. Her laughter was as crisp as silver bells, yet full of mockery.
"Oh, isn't this the little fatty who got beaten to tears earlier?"
Gongsun Li's beautiful eyes shifted as her gaze fell upon Ma Hongjun, her face full of teasing amusement.
"What? Still not weaned, and you already called your parents?"
"You're courting death!"
Ma Hongjun was so furious that he nearly sprang up from the stretcher.
Zhao Wuji's expression darkened, vicious light bursting from his eyes.
"Little girl, you're young, but your mouth is quite big."
"Since your elders don't know how to discipline you, I'll do it for them!"
Boom!
Zhao Wuji took a step forward, and the ground beneath him collapsed with a thunderous crash.
Without wasting a word, he directly activated his Martial Soul Avatar.
"Seventh Spirit Skill, Martial Soul Avatar!"
With an earthshaking roar, Zhao Wuji's body instantly swelled, transforming into a five-meter-tall Vajra Giant Bear.
Violent Soul Power swept outward like a storm, forcing even Dai Mubai and the others to retreat several steps.
Faced with a delicate young girl, Zhao Wuji had actually used his strongest trump card from the very start!
Clearly, he intended to kill with one strike, establish his dominance, and wash away their humiliation!
"Great Vajra Palm!"
Zhao Wuji, transformed into a giant bear, roared as a bear paw the size of a millstone descended upon Gongsun Li's head with a world-destroying force.
If this strike landed, let alone a person, even a small mountain would be smashed to pieces.
Expressions of satisfaction appeared on the faces of the Shrek group.
Ma Hongjun in particular had cruel light glittering in his eyes, as though he could already see Gongsun Li being crushed into pulp.
However.
Faced with this terrifying attack, Gongsun Li did not even try to dodge.
She merely stood quietly where she was, a disdainful cold smile curling at her lips.
"A mere Soul Sage dares cause trouble in Jixia?"
Just as the enormous bear paw was about to fall.
A sudden change occurred!
The previously calm ground suddenly rippled strangely, as though it had become a bottomless ocean.
Splash!
A tremendous sound of crashing waves suddenly exploded out of nowhere.
A massive shark phantom suddenly leaped out from Zhao Wuji's shadow beneath his feet!
It was a Demon Shark covered in dark blue, its bloody maw wide open as it bit down on the arrogant Vajra Giant Bear with terrifying killing intent from the deep sea.
Before you continue