Bibi Dong's Warning, Xue Ke's Plans

Heaven Dou City, Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

After the Imperial Fighting Team finished their training for the day, they left the training grounds one after another. Dugu Yan, meanwhile, took Xue Ke and Ye Lingling to a restaurant outside for dinner.

"Little Sister Xue Ke, I have good news for you. I successfully broke through to level 44 last night! It's all thanks to the Earth Dragon Golden Melon you gave me. Tonight, it's on me. You two can order whatever you want—no need to stand on ceremony!" Dugu Yan said generously.

"Sister Yan, then Leng Leng and I won't hold back!"

After the three girls finished eating, they each returned to their dormitories.

Dugu Yan's words today reminded Xue Ke that the many immortal herbs she had taken from Dugu Bo were practically rotting away in her Storage Ring.

The main issue was that Xue Ke did not know what to do with those immortal herbs. Other than Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, she did not have particularly deep relationships with the rest of the Imperial Fighting Team. Xue Ke was not running a charity, so there was no need to waste immortal herbs on these minor characters.

Xue Ke had discovered that as long as she infused spiritual energy into the immortal herbs, she could extend their "shelf life" and keep them from withering. Thus, she was in no rush to give them all away.

She took out the Aromatic Silk Beauty from her Storage Ring. Her delicate brows furrowed as she sank into thought.

"I successfully prevented Tang San and Ning Fengzhi from meeting for the first time at the Heaven Dou Auction House. And since the immortal herbs are with me, Ning Rongrong's martial soul hasn't evolved either. She probably won't be returning to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect anytime soon, which means Ning Fengzhi won't discover the hidden weapons Tang San made."

"But this isn't a long-term solution. If I don't take action soon, Tang San may still connect with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and use them to rebuild the Tang Sect."

Looking at the Aromatic Silk Beauty in her hand, Xue Ke raised a brow as a plan came to mind.

Spirit City, Papal Palace.

A woman sat upon the broad, luxurious papal throne.

She wore a fitted ceremonial gown of brilliant gold, studded with countless gemstones. Upon her head rested the dazzling Nine-Curved Purple-Gold Crown, while a scepter likewise embedded with innumerable gems stood beside her.

Although the woman was already in her early fifties, time had left few traces upon her. Her flawless face was soft and smooth without the slightest wrinkle, as lovely as a flower, with eyes like black lacquer, skin like congealed cream, a neck like a grub, and teeth like gourd seeds. She looked like a maiden in the bloom of youth.

Yet despite being a woman of peerless beauty, she possessed an aura of nobility, sanctity, and majesty that did not match her apparent age. Her deep violet eyes shone with imposing authority, making others afraid to meet her gaze.

She was the Spirit Hall Pope revered by countless people—Bibi Dong!

At this moment, Bibi Dong held a thick dossier in her fair, slender hands. It recorded everything Xue Ke had done from birth until now, including but not limited to Xue Ke's daily life with Qian Renxue; Qian Renxue sending Porcupinefish Douluo to Sunset Forest to gather intelligence for Xue Ke; having people beat Ma Hongjun severely for Xue Ke; secretly mobilizing Spirit Hall's power to search for the missing Xue Ke; and so on.

"Has that wretch forgotten what she went to the Heaven Dou Empire for?"

Qian Renxue's unusual concern and affection for Xue Ke greatly displeased Bibi Dong. At the same time, it forced her to wonder whether Qian Renxue might forget her mission for the sake of this adopted younger sister, or even severely jeopardize Spirit Hall's plan to steal the nation for the sake of personal feelings, leading to its failure.

Bibi Dong frowned deeply and pondered with a grave expression for a while. She had a subordinate bring her paper and pen. A flash of ruthlessness appeared in her deep violet eyes as her brush moved like a dragon. Afterward, she sealed the letter and ordered it sent to the Heaven Dou Empire.

By Pigeon Post, the letter soon arrived in Qian Renxue's hands.

"I am already fully aware of everything between you and Xue Ke."

"Feelings will only erode your reason and slow the speed at which you draw your sword."

"If you do anything that harms Spirit Hall's interests for Xue Ke's sake, then for the smooth progress of the plan to steal the nation, I will show no mercy in eliminating Xue Ke and making her vanish from this world completely."

After reading the letter, Qian Renxue's face flushed red with anger. In an instant, she became a master at clearing off the table.

"That hateful woman! Does she really hate seeing me happy that much? She actually dares to lecture and threaten me!" Qian Renxue fumed, her chest heaving.

Nighttime, within the Dao Demon Space.

"Xiao Ke, take a look at this." Qian Renxue handed Bibi Dong's letter to Xue Ke.

After reading it, Xue Ke's face darkened as she silently cursed, Crazy woman.

"Sister Xue, what do you plan to do?" Xue Ke asked.

"Don't worry, little sister. I definitely won't let that vicious woman hurt you!" Qian Renxue said seriously, placing a hand on Xue Ke's shoulder.

"Vicious woman... The relationship between this mother and daughter is even worse than I imagined," Xue Ke inwardly complained.

"Sister Xue, since I've decided to stand with Spirit Hall, I think it's necessary to let the Pope understand my position as well. That will also make it easier for us to carry out our next plan."

"Then how do you intend to earn her trust? You're a genuine imperial princess. She won't believe you so easily," Qian Renxue asked doubtfully.

Xue Ke lowered her head and thought for a moment before slowly saying,

"I can give some of the immortal herbs to Spirit Hall. Chrysanthemum Douluo beside the Pope certainly understands the value of immortal herbs. This will also be my first contribution to Spirit Hall, and I believe it can earn the Pope's initial trust."

"Once I reach level 40, I'll go to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain a soul ring. I'll use that trip as an opportunity to visit Spirit City and meet the Pope, then personally make my position clear to her."

"No. Don't even think about it! It's too dangerous! If you go to Spirit City, who knows what that woman might do to you!" Qian Renxue shook her head repeatedly, looking as though there was no room for negotiation.

"Sister Xue, trust me. I'll definitely be able to persuade the Pope!"

"No. I absolutely won't let you take such a risk. Stay obediently in Heaven Dou City. You're not allowed to go anywhere!" Qian Renxue still refused to budge.

Xue Ke had no choice but to lay out her entire plan to Qian Renxue. Only after hearing it did Qian Renxue agree.

During this period, Xue Ke had been constantly considering a plan targeting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Her goal was to destroy Tang San's primary source of funding for establishing the Tang Sect while also weakening the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was the wealthiest sect on the continent. Its industries spread throughout the Heaven Dou Empire, including Spirit Fighting Arenas, auction houses, restaurants, inns, and more. It had practically grasped the economic lifeline of the entire Heaven Dou Empire. This was likely an important reason why the Heaven Dou Imperial Family had no choice but to deepen its cooperation with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The most obvious example was having Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, whom Qian Renxue had impersonated, take Ning Fengzhi as his master.

You have money, right? Fine. Then I'll make you cough it all up.

To take a share of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's wealth, Xue Ke intended to use more than just the Aromatic Silk Beauty. She had also formed a grand blueprint in her mind. To realize what that blueprint contained, she would need Spirit Hall's power. This was also Xue Ke's "pledge of allegiance" to earn Spirit Hall's trust. Xue Ke believed that once Bibi Dong heard her plan, she would no longer doubt Xue Ke's stance.