He couldn't tell whether Qian Yun had done it on purpose. Yabojin panted heavily and glanced at Hu Liena, who was leaning against the door without saying a word. Remembering Qian Yun's cold attitude toward him, he gradually pieced together what might have happened.
He struggled to lift his head and called after Qian Yun, who was already preparing to leave. His voice trembling, he said, "I'm sorry. I went mad earlier and tried to hurt your friend. It was my fault. I'm apologizing now. I'm sorry!"
Qian Yun turned back and looked at Yabojin, who had been given a new lease on life. He made no comment on what the man had said, merely replying in his usual cool tone, "That Evil Spirit Master is dead. As for how you recovered... I'm sure you'll have a perfectly reasonable explanation."
Yabojin nodded. He understood what Qian Yun meant. "I know. I swear on my Martial Soul that I'll keep this secret!"
Qian Yun said nothing more. He gave a faint nod, opened the door, and left.
"Bleh! Hmph!" Before leaving, Hu Liena stuck her tongue out at the blond man, then hurried after Qian Yun with a light step.
Watching Qian Yun's back, Hu Liena felt overjoyed.
"Xiao Yun-yun." She sidled up to him and called in a sweet, clingy voice.
Qian Yun shuddered and hurriedly snapped, "Shoo, shoo! Who are you calling Xiao Yun-yun? Have some respect."
Hu Liena continued crowding him, looking thoroughly vindicated. "You were so right just now. You scared that Mad Lion half to death!"
As she spoke, she punched the air. "You did the right thing. Why be nice to people who try to hurt us? They deserve a taste of their own medicine!"
Qian Yun's lips twitched. "I didn't just refuse to be nice. I burned away several levels of his Soul Power. It'll probably affect his cultivation from now on."
Hu Liena remained unconcerned. "Hmph. He brought it on himself."
She suddenly leaned her pretty little face close to Qian Yun's, filling his entire field of vision. "By the way, did you really teach that guy a lesson for my sake?"
With Hu Liena's captivating expression right before him and her fragrance lingering beneath his nose, Qian Yun unusually looked away, a little flustered. "Of course not. Didn't I say I was just doing an experiment? Why would I care whether he lived or died?"
Seeing his embarrassed expression, Hu Liena looked as if she'd discovered something incredible. "Oh? You're blushing. Let me see."
"Stop messing around."
As they talked, Qian Yun and Hu Liena returned to the carriage.
They had both returned to normal and found seats.
In truth, Yabojin had only been partly right just now. Qian Yun had indeed been harsh on him partly out of revenge.
But more importantly, he'd wanted to see how well the Crown Martial Soul could cleanse negative effects, so he could help Bibi Dong get through her ordeal in the future.
Fortunately, the Crown was practically a perfect counter to this kind of evil, negative effect. That gave him a better chance of helping Bibi Dong later.
Judging by the timing, Bibi Dong must already have begun the Rakshasa God Trial. He had no idea how far she'd progressed. But one thing was certain: as the trial went deeper, the Rakshasa Divine Power would erode her more and more. Her thoughts and reason would become increasingly extreme, until she ultimately turned into a true Rakshasa.
Qian Yun didn't want Bibi Dong to become like that. And he wanted even less for Tang San to become a god!
While Bibi Dong's corruption was still relatively shallow, he wanted to see if he could help free her from the Rakshasa's influence. Of course, for him to even talk about affecting divine power at his current level was pure fantasy.
But it wasn't entirely hopeless. He still didn't know the Crown Martial Soul's limits, and its power would only grow as he got stronger.
He believed that completely erasing the Rakshasa God's influence might be possible in the future. As for Tang San...? Sorry, Qian Yun's plans didn't take Tang San's influence into account at all.
He would kill Tang San before he could become a threat. Once the man was gone, there'd be no need to worry about the trouble he might cause.
Without Tang San, the cheat-like protagonist, the two empires wouldn't last long. If he helped Bibi Dong achieve her grand ambitions and unite the Douluo Continent, then his journey to the continent wouldn't have been in vain.
Two days later
"Knock, knock, knock."
Qian Yun had only just returned to his quarters and barely had time to sit down when another knock sounded at the door.
Qian Yun and Hu Liena exchanged glances and smiled helplessly. Qian Yun went to open the door, only to find another familiar face waiting outside.
Recognizing the visitor, Qian Yun raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Captain, is something the matter?"
Yake Entu nodded. His gaze carried complicated emotions as he silently took out a stack of envelopes and handed them over. "There's a letter for you."
The envelope was thin. It didn't look as if it contained anything valuable—probably just a sheet of paper.
"Amiga and Boli, to be opened personally..." Qian Yun stopped reading. He had already noticed the wax seal from Pope Hall on the envelope. Looking up at the captain's complicated expression, he understood everything without another word.
Qian Yun silently lowered his head and accepted the weighty letter. "Thank you."
Yake Entu pursed his lips. Usually so talkative, he didn't know what to say. "You're welcome."
The two had once been close friends, yet now their conversation was so formal. The usually easygoing man felt an indescribable ache in his heart.
"Um..." He looked at the door as Qian Yun began to close it, then finally managed to say, "Take care of yourself from now on."
Qian Yun paused and nodded. "I will."
After the door closed, Yake Entu sighed, his nose stinging.
He understood that this might be the last time he ever saw Qian Yun.
Partings always came so suddenly. When Qian Yun and Hu Liena had first been assigned to his squad, they'd eyed one another with suspicion. In the end, they'd become comrades who could rely on each other in battle. He'd grown genuinely fond of the two young people. It was a pity that all feasts must come to an end.
Qian Yun silently opened the letter. The words inside had been written with a feather pen.
Urgent summons to the members of Pope Hall: Qian Yun and Hu Liena.
The above-mentioned personnel must return to Pope Hall in Spirit City immediately upon receiving this notice!
Do not delay!
The neat yet elegant handwriting was clearly Bibi Dong's. What truly surprised Qian Yun was the final line. The Pope wanted to see them—and in such a hurry?!
Despite his confusion, he had to obey the Pope's order.
So that afternoon, Qian Yun packed his things and boarded a carriage back to Pope Hall with Hu Liena.
After traveling day and night, Qian Yun and Hu Liena finally stood before Pope Hall again, more than half a year since their last visit.
"Phew! Pope Hall, Hu Liena's back!" Hu Liena spread her arms, letting her feelings pour out.
Though more than half a year had passed, nothing at Pope Hall seemed to have changed. It was still as majestic and imposing as ever, inspiring reverence.
"Come on. His Holiness should be waiting for us." Qian Yun and Hu Liena walked toward the attendant who had been waiting for them.
They climbed Pope Mountain once more and passed through the enormous stone gate, large enough for a dragon to fit through. At last, Qian Yun saw the beautiful and dignified Pope, Bibi Dong, again.
She sat upright on her throne. Her beautiful face remained calm and composed, but... perhaps because they hadn't seen each other for so long, Qian Yun felt that Bibi Dong kept glancing at him.
"Your subordinates, Qian Yun and Hu Liena, pay their respects to Your Holiness." Qian Yun and Hu Liena bowed properly to Bibi Dong.
Although they were the Pope's students, it was working hours, so they had to address her by her title.
Bibi Dong's clear, gentle voice rang through the empty hall. "Rise."
"Yes."
After Qian Yun and Hu Liena stood, a long silence settled over them.
At last, Bibi Dong spoke again, her tone carrying a hint of warmth. "Very good, Xiao Yun, Xiao Na. You performed well during your half-year of training. How did you find it?"
Hu Liena stepped forward and answered with a smile. "Though the past six months weren't long, we learned a lot. We went on many assignments together and saw how difficult life was for ordinary people. We did our best to help them. We also killed Evil Spirit Masters and did our part to protect the people!"
Bibi Dong's red lips moved as she replied approvingly, "Good. Though Spirit Hall stands proudly above the continent, we must still care for the people. And we must never forget the duties of righteous Spirit Masters."
Her phoenix eyes shifted to Qian Yun, standing beside Hu Liena. "Xiao Yun, what are your thoughts?"
Qian Yun looked a little awkward. I've been with Hu Liena day and night. What other insights could I have?
But since his superior had asked him to say a few words, he could only grit his teeth and spin a tale.
"What left the deepest impression on me was how much the people support Spirit Hall. In the past six months, we visited many different places, and the people there all welcomed us. I believe that this is thanks to Your Holiness's tireless efforts and the hard work of our predecessors. Their efforts have helped Spirit Hall earn a shining reputation in the people's hearts."
Even Qian Yun cringed at how nauseatingly flattering his words sounded.
Bibi Dong seemed quite pleased with them.
She rose and began descending the steps, her eyes curving into a smile. "Naturally. Spirit Hall couldn't have attained its current standing on the continent without the diligence and dedication of its Spirit Masters."
She moved gracefully up to Qian Yun and gently rested a soft hand against his cheek. As he stared at her in surprise, she said tenderly, "And that includes you, of course."
A breeze lifted her hair, stirring ripples in the young man's heart. The rosy glow of the sunset graced her face, making her look especially captivating.
Qian Yun lowered his head, his heart pounding. "I... I was only doing my duty."
Bibi Dong's soft fingertips brushed his cheek. She smiled without saying a word.
Hu Liena's mouth fell open. She looked from Qian Yun to Bibi Dong, suddenly unsure which of them she ought to envy.
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