Gaining Benefits

Afternoon.

Inside the Pope Hall.

At that moment, two figures stood in the center of the hall, one attacking and one defending.

Chen Xing silently grumbled, I knew this woman wouldn't change so easily!

On the battlefield.

Bibi Dong deliberately sealed off her Soul Power and most of her physical strength, her delicate fists raining down upon the youth like a storm.

Every punch landed with a dull thud, the solid sensation of fist striking flesh clearly feeding back to her.

A nearly sickly flush and smile gradually appeared on the woman's formerly indifferent face.

Making you misbehave at such a young age!

Making you hold me while you sleep!

Making you tell nothing but lies!

Making you...

With every punch she threw, Bibi Dong muttered to herself inwardly.

It was as though she wanted to vent all the frustration she had accumulated over this period through these repeated impacts.

Opposite her.

Chen Xing, who was taking the attacks, could only keep dodging. Whenever he truly could not evade, he raised his arms before him and took the blow head-on.

To keep Bibi Dong from discovering that the Purple Imperial Bamboo had gained an ice attribute, he did not even dare use his Martial Soul.

He had been holding on solely through his physical body and Soul Power.

Yet this passive method of taking a beating only made Bibi Dong enjoy herself more and more.

Only when Chen Xing's defensive Soul Power was completely drained did Bibi Dong's fist strike his lower abdomen with perfect precision, finally bringing this one-sided "tempering" to an end.

Just like last time.

The youth's entire body ached, and he no longer had the strength to move. He simply lay on the red carpet.

His chest heaved violently as he gasped for breath.

"I can't do this anymore. Let me rest for a while."

Even his voice trembled faintly as he spoke.

"Teacher."

"If we keep training, you'll ruin my foundation."

"You little brat, and you know about foundations?"

Bibi Dong stood before him, looking down at the youth at her feet.

It had to be said that this afternoon's tempering had truly satisfied her.

What concerned her even more was that Chen Xing, now completely drained of Soul Power and stamina, had begun to emit that strange golden energy again.

There was not as much of it as the Golden Light Orb, but merely staying near him still left her feeling refreshed and at ease.

She truly did not know what secrets this brat was hiding.

Bibi Dong lightly turned her wrist. The Storage Ring flashed faintly, and she casually tossed a herb carrying the fresh scent of earth onto Chen Xing's face.

"Eat it!"

"It'll help temper your body."

A faint earthy scent entered his nose. Chen Xing weakly picked up the herb and examined it carefully.

Though he did not recognize it, as a plant Soul Beast in human form, he could sense a wisp of pure medicinal power within it. It truly would help improve his physical constitution.

"I'm finally getting some benefits!"

After being at Spirit Hall for so long, he had either been getting beaten or on his way to get beaten.

Now, he had finally received something tangible.

With the first herb, countless more would follow...

Thinking this, the exhausted youth actually began to grin foolishly.

Once I become powerful, the first thing I'll do is give this woman a sword!

Hehehe~

"Eat it already. What are you grinning stupidly for?"

"Did I beat your brains loose?"

His fantasies were interrupted by Bibi Dong's somewhat disgusted voice.

Seeing Chen Xing like this, she could not help curling her lips.

I knew there was something wrong with this brat. Maybe I should go easier on him in the future. I'd better not beat him stupid...

Chen Xing ignored her strange look, shook the dirt from the herb, and stuffed it directly into his mouth.

The instant it entered his mouth, the herb transformed into pure medicinal power and flowed down his throat into his abdomen.

He did not know what the herb was called, but its general effect was probably similar to Whale Rubber. Its medicinal potency was just slightly weaker, though fortunately, it had no side effects.

Because Chen Xing was a plant Soul Beast who had switched to cultivation as a human, his absorption efficiency for herbs could reach one hundred percent.

No matter what herb it was, he might not know its name at first, but he could identify its medicinal effects.

Furthermore, he would not waste even the slightest bit of medicinal power, and could even actively remove a herb's side effects.

These two abilities were quite useful.

Thus, under Bibi Dong's astonished gaze, Chen Xing immediately sat cross-legged and used his meager Soul Power to guide the medicinal power into his meridians, where it was gradually absorbed and refined by his body.

Several days later.

Outside Spirit Hall.

A carriage stopped before the entrance to the great hall, and a golden figure slowly stepped out from within.

Qian Renxue had now returned to her female identity.

Standing before the familiar gates of Spirit Hall, she took a deep breath, her heart pounding uncontrollably.

The closer she had gotten to Spirit City these past days, the more intense the unease in her heart had become.

Now that she was about to see that youth, she felt somewhat hesitant again.

What if I really have fallen for him?

What if Bibi Dong has already beaten Chen Xing into a cripple?

What if...

"Young Mistress, perhaps you should first return to the Worship Hall and inform the Grand Pontiff."

Seeing that Qian Renxue had stood there without reacting for quite some time, She Long finally could not help reminding her.

Her thoughts interrupted, the young woman frowned slightly. Her expression was somewhat displeased, but she did not say anything more.

No matter how unwilling she was to face it, she still had to.

Didn't I come back for him?

Taking another deep breath, she stepped forward and said softly.

"Let's go."

Worship Hall.

Qian Daoliu had learned of Qian Renxue's movements several days earlier.

This was because Bibi Dong had placed informants around her, while people from the Worship Hall also sent intelligence reports back every two days.

This was not only to monitor the progress of the Infiltration Plan, but also to protect Qian Renxue's safety.

At this moment, besides Qian Daoliu, the other six pontiffs were also present in the hall.

They had all been summoned by Qian Daoliu. At this very moment, each and every one of them wore grave expressions.

There was no other reason. Qian Renxue had only recently returned to Heaven Dou City, yet she had turned around and rushed back again. It had to be because of Chen Xing.

If this matter was mishandled, it could expose the relationship between Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue.

No one could predict what consequences that would bring.

She might suffer an emotional collapse and never trust anyone again.

She might also confront Bibi Dong face-to-face, causing their relationship to break down completely.

Or it could become even worse...

Not long after.

Qian Renxue indeed arrived at the hall.

The moment she entered, she saw all the pontiffs waiting there.

The sight could not help surprising her.

What's going on? It would be one thing if Grandpa were waiting for me, but why is everyone else here too? And all of them at that...

Amid her confusion, she looked toward Qian Daoliu on the throne.

"Grandpa, are you... waiting for me?"

Hearing this, Qian Daoliu nodded slightly and pretended to be angry.

"What else?"

"Since you rushed back overnight from Heaven Dou City, I assume you have something important to say."

Though he had long known Qian Renxue had returned because of Chen Xing, he still put on an angry expression on the surface.

Instead of carrying out the Infiltration Plan properly, she kept running back to Spirit Hall every few days. It was utterly improper and far too irresponsible.