Late at night.
Two figures streaked across the sky above Spirit Hall at incredible speed, alarming countless guards.
When Chen Xing woke again, he was already in the bedchamber of a healing-type Soul Douluo.
The old man was nearly a hundred years old, yet he still had to treat the wounded in the middle of the night.
For some reason, junior members of Spirit Hall had been getting injured frequently these past two days.
At first, it was that boy named Yan. The old man was already quite familiar with him, because Yan often got into fights, leaving himself covered in injuries before coming back for treatment.
But two days ago, someone had actually cut off one of his arms and nearly snapped his neck with a kick.
It had taken the old man tremendous effort, along with numerous healing-type Soul Masters, just to barely heal him.
Then there was the Holy Maiden of Pope Hall, who had suddenly come to him that afternoon, insisting that her soul skill had failed, even though there was clearly nothing wrong with her.
Besides, he was a healing-type Soul Master, not someone who could solve every difficult and incurable ailment.
And now another boy had been brought in, with three broken ribs and two shattered breastbones. Fortunately, his internal organs had not been harmed.
After a round of treatment, Chen Xing had finally awakened.
Seeing the confused look on his face, the old man shook his head helplessly and returned to his own room.
"Ghost Elder? Chrysanthemum Elder?"
"Where am I?"
Since Bibi Dong had already accepted him as her disciple, Chen Xing had naturally begun addressing the two Title Douluo as Elders.
In his recollection, his purple eyes had kept darting between the two of them, his face filled with confusion.
Hadn't Bibi Dong kicked him flying? Why were Gui Mei and Yue Guan both here? And had the Blue Silver Emperor Spirit Bone's healing speed become this fast?
Seeing his bewildered expression and that he seemed to be all right, Gui Mei secretly let out a breath of relief.
When he had brought Chen Xing here just now, he had thought the kid was practically done for.
Fortunately, Spirit Hall's healing Soul Masters were quite capable.
After letting out a long breath, he said,
"Did you offend the Pope?"
"How did you suddenly get beaten up like this?"
"Fortunately, your internal organs weren't injured. Spirit Hall's healing Soul Masters saved you, otherwise you would have died today."
So that was it. After hearing Gui Mei's explanation, Chen Xing finally understood why he had woken up so quickly.
So it wasn't the Blue Silver Emperor Spirit Bone at work—someone else had helped him!
Meanwhile, Yue Guan leaned against the doorframe, yawned, and looked at Gui Mei.
"Hurry up and take him back. I'm exhausted!"
"If we're late, the Pope might punish us."
The moment the still-dazed Chen Xing heard that they were taking him back, he immediately sat upright.
"Wait... take me back? Back where?"
"To Bibi... uh... the Pope?"
At Chen Xing's final words, the face beneath Gui Mei's dark shadow frowned slightly.
No wonder this kid had been beaten so badly. He actually dared to call the Pope by her name. He absolutely deserved that beating!
But for some reason, he felt a sense of closeness toward the kid and truly could not bear to see Chen Xing get beaten again.
After thinking for a long while, he finally could not help but offer a reminder.
"Chen Xing, the Pope is sometimes emotionally unstable. When you're around her, make sure to speak less."
"Even if you know she's wrong sometimes, don't argue with her..."
"Enough, old ghost!"
"Why tell him that? Aren't you afraid he'll sell you out?"
Ignoring Gui Mei's warning, Yue Guan directly scooped up Chen Xing and tucked him under his arm like an object as he walked out the door.
"Let's go! Sooner or later, we have to send him back. The sooner we go back, the sooner we can sleep."
"I hate staying up late!"
"Wait... this soon?"
"Chrysanthemum Elder, did the Pope say I absolutely had to go back right now?"
Yue Guan frowned slightly. Sure enough, the kid was easier to carry when he was unconscious.
Ten minutes later.
Outside Bibi Dong's bedchamber.
Yue Guan still had a bit of conscience. Rather than tossing Chen Xing straight onto the ground, he slowly set him down.
The two Title Douluo knelt on one knee atop the stone bricks, and Yue Guan spoke first.
"Your Holiness!"
"We have brought him back. Elder Li said he is no longer in danger, but he will need several days of rest."
As soon as he finished speaking, the air fell silent once more.
There was no wind at night. Moonlight shone across the courtyard, casting the shadows of the three figures with exceptional clarity.
Chen Xing, standing there, formed a stark contrast with the two half-kneeling Title Douluo. Gui Mei wanted to remind him, but since they were already at the door, he found it difficult to speak.
Before long, a cold female voice came from inside.
"Chen Xing, come in. You two may leave."
"Yes!"
Having received the order, Yue Guan turned around first and prepared to leave immediately.
Seeing that Gui Mei had not moved, he even tugged him along.
In the end, Gui Mei gave Chen Xing one deep look before leaving with Yue Guan.
Chen Xing was the only one left in the courtyard.
Thinking back on what he had just done, there was no way he dared go inside again.
But...
It seemed he did not really have a choice now.
What should he do? Was it still too late to run away?
No!
If Bibi Dong wanted to kill me, why would she have the healing Soul Masters save me?
Had I not crossed her bottom line yet?
Or did she still have some other use for me!
Some other use!
A flash of inspiration struck Chen Xing's mind, and he suddenly recalled Bibi Dong's reaction to that golden energy just now.
Could she really be addicted to my skill?
The instant that thought appeared, it spread wildly through his mind like weeds.
"Come in!"
A cold shout abruptly interrupted his thoughts.
Chen Xing's body tensed. Tonight felt especially cold.
Seeing that she was already urging him, if he still refused to go in, the outcome would probably not be any better.
I'll risk it! At worst, I'll start over!
As though he had made up his mind, Chen Xing gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and pushed open the door.
Moonlight streamed into the room through the doorway, falling across the woman's bare calves and making her jade-like feet appear especially fair.
She had already changed into a new nightgown. Unlike the dark purple one from before, this dress was pure black, with white lace along its edges.
The boy unconsciously swallowed and stammered,
"Tea... Teacher!"
"Your disciple knows he was wrong. I really didn't mean to..."
"Shut up!"
A stern shout directly cut him off.
Bibi Dong had already decided not to bring up that matter again. Why was this little brat still mentioning it?
Her violet eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at Chen Xing's somewhat helpless face.
He looks decent enough, yet his behavior is so indecent. If you weren't useful, I would have killed you long ago.
"Come here! Come to my side!"
"Ah?"
Chen Xing was stunned. Could they really pretend that what happened earlier had never happened? Probably not!
Was she going to punch him the moment he got closer?
"I said, come to my side. Don't make me say it a third time!"
Before you continue