Ye Lingsu's Hesitation

She stammered, unable to speak. But Jin Yan knew what she was thinking. After all, that was what she had done in her previous life. Her idea was not exactly wrong, but how could Jin Yan let such a top-tier healer slip away from his grasp?

He said, "Senior Ye, rather than hesitating and sailing toward a distant, uncertain future, why not lead the Ye Family into Spirit Hall? With Spirit Hall's strength, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't dare demand people from us!"

"This..." Ye Lingsu fell into thought.

She had considered joining Spirit Hall long ago. As she had neared a breakthrough to Spirit Douluo over the past few years, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's suppression of the Ye Family had grown increasingly severe, nearly suffocating them.

But after Bibi Dong took power and Ye Lingsu witnessed her ruthless methods, she abandoned the idea.

Just as she was considering how to refuse, Jin Yan's voice rang out again.

"Senior, I know that the Nine Heart Begonia has always disliked the continent's conflicts. I can assure you that after joining Spirit Hall, you may become an honorary elder of Spirit Hall. For ten years, I absolutely won't let you become involved in the continent's disputes."

"Lingsu, Xiao Yan has already offered generous enough terms. I can help you secure all of this. You should think it through carefully." Golden Crocodile, standing beside them, saw his grandson's intention to recruit the Nine Heart Begonia. His words carried both warning and advice.

"This..."

Seeing that Ye Lingsu was still unable to make up her mind, Jin Yan sighed inwardly.

I was still too hasty...

He stepped forward and said, "Since Senior has not made up her mind, and this is not a suitable place for discussion, how about this? I'll give you two years. Two years from now, I'll send someone to Heaven Dou City. I hope that by then, Senior can give me a definite answer!"

"The Heaven Dou Empire is certainly a good choice, but Heaven Dou's nobles are foolish and incompetent. If you join Heaven Dou, your daughter will inevitably face the fate of a political marriage. Have you not considered your daughter's future?"

After hearing Jin Yan out, Ye Lingsu's face turned a little paler. She could feel her daughter's hand gripping hers even tighter behind her.

"I... will consider it."

"Then, Grandpa, let's go."

Golden Crocodile and Jin Yan left, while Ye Lingsu and the others did not linger either.

This time, their luck was not as good as on their previous visit. Golden Crocodile took Jin Yan through the inner regions of the Star Dou Great Forest for half a month before finding a seven-thousand-year Golden Armored Dragon Lizard within a towering cliff face.

That soul beast was extremely timid and kept burrowing deeper into the cliff. Golden Crocodile had to exert considerable effort to pull it out.

After returning to Spirit City, Jin Yan remained in Martial Soul Academy, training diligently.

In the blink of an eye, another three months passed, and Martial Soul Academy's annual assessment was about to begin.

Before the Worship Hall stood Bibi Dong, tall and slender in her Pope's robes.

Gripping the scepter in her hand, Bibi Dong stared at the towering Worship Hall, the hatred in her eyes barely concealed.

Holy angels could not cleanse the filth of this world, yet they themselves were filled with sin.

In that case, what need was there for Spirit Hall to continue existing? Better to let me destroy all of you completely!

After watching for a long while and seeing no movement from within, she turned to leave the mountain.

"Alas."

Just as she was about to descend, a seemingly helpless sigh came from inside the hall.

"Since you're here, won't you come in and have a chat? Did the Pope come to see this old man?"

A faint curve appeared at the corner of Bibi Dong's lips as she stood with her back to him.

"Old bastard."

The great doors of the Worship Hall slowly opened. Bibi Dong swayed gracefully as she walked inside, fully releasing the commanding aura she had cultivated from years in power. She glanced at Golden Crocodile Douluo, then fearlessly met Qian Daoliu's gaze at the center of the hall. For a moment, neither spoke.

"Bibi Dong, what are you here for?" Mighty Lion Douluo, the most hot-tempered among them, spoke first.

Bibi Dong struck her scepter against the ground and said casually, "Before Qian Xunji died, he left behind a sixty-thousand-year Wisdom of Spirit Convergence skull bone. I want to use it as the reward for this year's sixth-grade annual assessment at Martial Soul Academy!"

She stated her purpose outright, but her tone was exceptionally forceful.

Qian Daoliu watched Bibi Dong expressionlessly. From the moment she entered until now, his expression had not changed in the slightest.

Just as he was about to refuse, his expression shifted almost imperceptibly. He then changed his words. "This matter is of great importance. Even after Spirit Hall's ten thousand years of accumulation, a sixty-thousand-year Soul Bone is a rare treasure. It cannot be handed out so casually. Unless you have a more legitimate reason, or exchange it with another treasure of your own, there is no need to discuss this further."

Bibi Dong raised her brows. She had not expected there to be room for negotiation. She had never expected these old men to agree immediately; she had only come to test them before proceeding gradually. Yet she had unexpectedly found a chance to settle it in one go.

"State your terms."

Qian Daoliu said unhurriedly, "Provide a Soul Bone of no less than thirty thousand years in quality, and let Jin Yan participate in this sixth-grade annual assessment."

"No! You certainly have a fine scheme. If Nana fails to take first place in this assessment and that boy wins instead, wouldn't I be losing a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone for nothing?"

Bibi Dong refused without even thinking. The dean of Martial Soul Academy, Heral, had already reported Jin Yan's circumstances to her.

Innate Full Soul Power, and capable of defeating a soul master above level twenty without even using soul skills. That strength was already enough to threaten Nana.

"Does the Pope lack confidence in her own disciple?" At that moment, Golden Crocodile Douluo, seated cross-legged nearby, spoke. "How about we make a wager?"

Only then did Bibi Dong finally look Golden Crocodile Douluo in the eye.

"How does the Second Worship wish to wager?"

Golden Crocodile Douluo snorted coldly. "How about this? We'll use this annual assessment as the bet. If Hu Liena takes the championship, I'll exchange for that Wisdom of Spirit Convergence skull bone and give it to her. I'll also offer another Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone. But if my grandson wins the championship, then you must agree to the Grand Pontiff's conditions and produce a Soul Bone of no less than thirty thousand years in quality. What does the Pope think?"

Bibi Dong stared at Golden Crocodile for a long time before agreeing, "Fine. We'll do as you say!"

With the discussion concluded, Bibi Dong did not wish to stay there for even another second. She vanished directly and returned to the Pope's Palace.

Inside the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong sat upon the Pope's throne, her long, beautiful legs crossed one over the other. Her gaze fell upon the two Douluo standing below the hall, Ju and Gui, as she ordered, "Chrysanthemum Douluo."

"Your subordinate is here."

"Go summon Heral, the dean of Martial Soul Academy, for me. And Nana as well."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

Before long, Chrysanthemum Douluo brought the dean of Martial Soul Academy and Hu Liena over together.