Early the next morning, Nan Xuan stretched lazily, feeling refreshed, then patted Bibi Dong's pert butt.
"Get up, sleepyhead."
"I'm not a pig. If it weren't for you, I would've gone to sleep ages ago last night." Bibi Dong slowly raised her head and spoke helplessly.
Nan Xuan smiled, kissed Bibi Dong on the cheek, then went downstairs to buy breakfast. After that, he recruited another Soul Emperor. Once Bibi Dong finished breakfast, they set off.
Not long after entering the forest, Bibi Dong obtained her Fifth Soul Skill, Spider Spear Blade. The two did not choose to stay at a hotel for the night, as Bibi Dong was worried that her teacher would notice if she stayed away too long.
Nan Xuan said nothing and took Bibi Dong back to Spirit City.
With his External Soul Bone, Seal Wings, activated, Nan Xuan did not take long to return to Spirit City.
After lingering affectionately together at the city gates for a while, the two parted ways.
As soon as Bibi Dong arrived at Spirit Hall, she encountered her teacher, Qian Xunji, at the entrance.
"Teacher, where are you going?" Bibi Dong asked somewhat guiltily.
"Oh, Dong'er is back. So, did you have fun with that boy?" Qian Xunji wore a smile, but there was a questioning edge to his tone.
"So Teacher already knew." Bibi Dong lowered her head even further.
"My good disciple, why do you always refuse to listen?"
"Why can't you understand my good intentions?"
"Why can't you stay properly in Spirit Hall?"
"Why can't you remain by my side?" With every sentence Qian Xunji spoke, his aura grew heavier, and the greed in his eyes deepened.
By the time he stood before Bibi Dong, she was still explaining, "I didn't, I didn't."
She did not understand why her teacher had looked at her that way just now.
Qian Xunji did not listen to her explanation. He coated his hand in Soul Power, knocked the completely defenseless Bibi Dong unconscious, and carried her to his secret chamber.
Through the ring, Nan Xuan had already discovered what was happening. He hurried back to his room and used all his Soul Power and spiritual power to create a spiritual secret-chamber space identical to the one Qian Xunji was in.
He then activated the reserve spiritual power attached to a Network Card and used it to control a maid Qian Xunji often confided in.
Nan Xuan used the same spiritual secret-chamber space to delay Qian Xunji's next actions. Qian Xunji was now like someone trapped in an illusion, forcibly dragged into a Network World specially tailored for him.
After Nan Xuan sent the controlled maid into the real secret chamber, he used the spiritual power left on Bibi Dong's ring to stimulate her brain and wake her from the state of unconsciousness caused by her teacher.
Seeing Bibi Dong awaken, Nan Xuan weakened the materialization of Qian Xunji's spiritual interference and specially tailored Network World, leaving him in a muddled state. The maid happened to be lying beside him. Already overwhelmed and deprived of reason, Qian Xunji pounced on her. With Nan Xuan reducing the spiritual interference, he would only vaguely believe that he was still carrying out his previous actions.
"Dong'er, how could you leave your teacher? I raised you, yet you want to be with that ant. You truly deserve to die!"
"Since I can't keep your heart, then I'll keep your body. Such wonderful talent should bear children for my Angel Clan, hahaha." His mouth continued crazily calling out, "Dong'er, disciple."
In the corner, Bibi Dong had cried until her tears ran dry. She covered her mouth with her hands, trying her best not to make a sound.
She had never imagined that her teacher was this kind of person. No, in her eyes, he was now a beast, unworthy of being called human. Was the person before her really her teacher? Really the teacher who had taken her in? In those few short minutes, everything she believed about her teacher had been overturned. A person like this did not deserve to be her teacher.
Once Nan Xuan saw that the time was about right, he activated the last remaining spiritual power on the ring and said to Bibi Dong, "Dong'er, Dong'er, it's Nan Xuan. The situation is urgent and time is short. We'll be waiting for you at Spirit City's north gate. Come out and meet us immediately."
"Nan Xuan." At the instant Bibi Dong's heart collapsed, that voice pulled her back. She glanced at Qian Xunji, who was still moving, immediately steadied her emotions, and quickly left the secret chamber.
Nan Xuan felt truly guilty about this plan. If there had really been a better way, he definitely would not have let his beloved experience something like this.
Nan Xuan quickly packed up, called Chen Gao and the Yang brothers over, mounted the carriage they had prepared beforehand, and headed for the north gate.
Not long after Nan Xuan arrived, he saw Bibi Dong with reddened eyes, clearly swollen from crying. He hurriedly pulled her into his embrace, then boarded the carriage and left that place of sorrow.
Bibi Dong's body trembled slightly. Nan Xuan held her tighter. He said nothing, because Bibi Dong was extremely vulnerable at this moment, and any words could change her mind. He could only use the warmth of his body to warm her heart.
"Brother Xuan, where are we going now?" Chen Gao and the others did not ask why Nan Xuan suddenly wanted to flee. They simply chose to follow him.
"Let's go to the Heaven Dou Empire first. We'll consider things once we get there," Nan Xuan said softly.
"Got it." Chen Gao cracked his whip against the horse, increasing their speed.
The Yang brothers watched the surroundings from both sides of the carriage.
Nan Xuan looked at the lovely girl in his arms, who had already fallen asleep, then looked at the three people outside and smiled.
Nan Xuan's group traveled along the official road of the Heaven Dou Empire to Fasinuo Province, then headed straight for Holy Soul Village beside Iron Box Village.
As for why they did not go to Iron Box Village, it was because there were familiar people there. Going there would only bring more trouble, so it was better to stay in the neighboring village. In any case, villages in this world did not have much contact with one another.
As Nan Xuan moved farther away, the spiritual interference affecting Qian Xunji grew weaker and weaker. Not long after Nan Xuan's group left Spirit City, he regained consciousness. Looking at the maid beneath him, he knew things had reached an irreparable point. The most important thing now was not hunting down those people, but preserving Spirit Hall's reputation.
Therefore, Qian Xunji did not choose to pursue Nan Xuan. He also did not strip Bibi Dong of her Saintess status, instead announcing to the public that the Saintess had entered seclusion.
As for worrying that Nan Xuan and the others would spread rumors, Qian Xunji believed they would not, because he knew that boy would not ruin Bibi Dong.
Nan Xuan was also betting that Qian Xunji would not revoke Bibi Dong's Saintess status. That gave him room to maneuver in the future.
Inside Spirit Hall's Worship Hall.
"Father, your son was confused for a moment, which is why I did such a thing." Qian Xunji knelt before an Angel Statue and spoke to a white-haired middle-aged man standing beneath it.
That white-haired middle-aged man was Qian Daoliu, the foremost worshipper of the Worship Hall.
Faced with his son's explanation, he said nothing. As an inheritor of the holy Angel lineage, Qian Xunji had actually done something like this. It was truly shameful.
However, when his son had made a move against Bibi Dong, he had sensed it as well. He valued Bibi Dong's talent somewhat, so he had tacitly allowed it.
But when he tried to sense and investigate again, his spiritual power was actually unable to overcome the other party's. Only then did he realize that Spirit Hall had offended an unknown spiritual-power expert. His own spiritual power was infinitely close to that of a god, yet while this spiritual power had not reached godhood either, it was purer than his and even more abundant.
As the ruler of Douluo Continent's skies and the continent's strongest person, he absolutely could not tolerate such a provocation. Yet after struggling against it, he lost.
"You should take care of yourself." Qian Daoliu looked at his disappointing son and spoke calmly.
Heaven Dou Empire, Holy Soul Village.
"Village Chief, can we settle down here in the future? This is the money for buying a piece of land." Chen Gao handed a bag of Gold Soul Coins to Village Chief Jack.
"Sure, sure, of course. There's a wooden house at the end of the village. My son built it as his wedding house. The location is excellent, there's even a stream in front of it, and the scenery is pleasant." The young Jack took out a Gold Soul Coin, bit it with his teeth, and pointed toward the end of the village ahead.
Nan Xuan carried Bibi Dong toward the wooden house.
Chen Gao and the others discussed a few matters with the village chief, asking him not to tell others about their arrival.
Young Jack said he was familiar with this kind of business. Wasn't that what he did in that book, receiving guests?
Before long, Nan Xuan saw a wooden house beside the stream. Hmm, there was another one across from it as well.
He did not pay much attention to that. Instead, he pushed open the door, found the best room, took a blanket from his Soul Tool and spread it out, then placed Bibi Dong on the bed.
He touched the tears at the corner of Bibi Dong's eyes. How desperate had she been? She was crying even in her dreams.
Nan Xuan gently patted her shoulder, sat there for a while, then walked outside.
"Brother Xuan, is sister-in-law all right?" Chen Gao asked.
The Yang brothers also looked at Nan Xuan worriedly.
"Mm, she's fine. I've dragged you two into this, though," Nan Xuan said guiltily.
"Brother Xuan, that's not right. Without you, would we have the strength we have now?" Yang Tian did not like hearing Nan Xuan say that. Although he was usually greedy for food, he lacked none of the principles of being a decent person.
The other two also agreed.
"I was overthinking it. In that case, keep following me from now on." Nan Xuan curled his lips into a smile.
"Mm, I exchanged for these storage Soul Tools some time ago. Take them. They'll make things more convenient in the future." Nan Xuan took two necklaces and a belt from his wristband.
Chen Gao and the others did not stand on ceremony. They had already accepted so much, so a little more made no difference.
"Then I'll take this belt." Chen Gao tied the belt around his waist and turned to inspect it.
The Yang brothers chose the necklaces and put them on. Their quality was not bad.
"For now, we can't return to Spirit City. Since that's the case, we can only operate in the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire for the next few years."
"And now that I've reached level 52, the area I can control covers seventy percent of the continent. Aside from the waters around Sea God Island and the Star Dou Great Forest, my First Soul Skill already covers the human-inhabited areas of the continent."
"So, I plan to have Yang Fei and Yang Tian, you two agility-type Soul Ancestors, go to the Star Luo Empire to establish physical service portals for the Network World. Chen Gao, as a power-attack-type Soul Ancestor, will establish one in the imperial capital of the Heaven Dou Empire."
"Here are one hundred million Network Cards and sixty million Gold Soul Coins. Split them evenly between yourselves. Sell the Network Cards, and use the Gold Soul Coins as you see fit." Nan Xuan took four chests from his Soul Tool and assigned tasks to the three people before him.
"Brother Xuan, what about the Spirit City portal?" Chen Gao asked.
"It's fine. That portal isn't very useful right now. Most operations take place in the Network World. I haven't set regional modules in the Network World, so all updates are the same." Nan Xuan understood Chen Gao's question and explained.
Chen Gao stroked his chin and nodded.
"Come on, summon your martial souls. I'll customize special Network Cards for you." Nan Xuan smiled at the three of them.
Chen Gao was the first to summon his Soul-Eater Spear.
A Soul-Eater Spear wreathed in a wisp of black flame appeared before Nan Xuan.
Nan Xuan used his fourth soul skill, Data Seal, and a special Network Card mark appeared on Chen Gao's martial soul.
"Brother Xuan, how did you put that on there?" Chen Gao knew about Divine Slaughter's Domain, a domain skill that was inscribed on one's martial soul.
"Oh, my spiritual power is just a bit higher. The mark protects your minds and lets you enter the Network World. These Network Cards can increase your cultivation speed. You'll understand when the time comes." Nan Xuan smiled mysteriously and did not explain further.
Just as Yang Tian wanted to say something, Nan Xuan interrupted him. "Hurry up and set off. If anything happens, message me in the Network World."
The three smiled, said their farewells, and set off in their respective directions.
Before you continue