Bibi Dong Takes Office

Time flew by, and another month passed in the blink of an eye.

Gu Ci's cultivation broke through to Level 23, while Dugu Yan reached Level 22.

The two still maintained their disguise of being Level 11 at the Academy, keeping such a low profile that they drew no attention.

Yu Tianheng and the others occasionally came to the Marquis Mansion as guests and exchanged a few moves with Gu Ci.

Every time they sparred, Gu Ci only displayed the basic abilities of his Thunder Tiger Martial Soul, even suppressing his Soul Rings to the hundred-year level.

Even so, Yu Tianheng still felt that there was something off about Gu Ci's thunderbolt.

"Your thunderbolt seems even stronger than my Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon?"

After one sparring match, Yu Tianheng asked with a frown.

Gu Ci smiled. "Maybe it's because of our Martial Soul traits. Your Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon is a dragon, while my Thunder Tiger is a tiger. Each has its own strengths."

Yu Tianheng was skeptical, but he did not press the matter.

Yu Feng grinned from the side. "Tianheng, don't tell me you're discouraged? Gu Ci only has Level 8 Innate Soul Power. He's still half a level behind you."

Yu Tianheng shot him a glance. "Shut up."

Amid everyone's laughter and banter, Old Ghost's figure appeared silently in the courtyard at some point.

"Boss, there's news."

He leaned close to Dugu Bo's ear and whispered a few words.

Dugu Bo's expression changed slightly.

"What is it?" Gu Ci asked.

Dugu Bo fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Spirit Hall has made a new move."

"Bibi Dong has officially succeeded as Pope. The first thing she did after taking office was establish a new organization—"

"The Martial Soul Hall Adjudication Department."

"The Martial Soul Hall Adjudication Department?" Gu Ci frowned slightly.

Dugu Bo nodded, his expression grave. "The first thing Bibi Dong did after taking office was establish this organization."

"It is specifically responsible for tracking down and eliminating forces connected to the Clear Sky Sect, as well as... anyone who might threaten Spirit Hall's rule."

Old Ghost added, "They say the head of the Adjudication Department is Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, while the deputy head is Ghost Douluo Ghost Mi."

"There are also eight enforcement squads beneath them, each led by a Soul Douluo-level expert."

"These enforcement squads have already spread across the continent and begun their purges."

The atmosphere in the hall instantly turned solemn.

Zhao Tieshan set down his teacup and said in a deep voice, "They moved this quickly? That woman Bibi Dong is far more ruthless than Qian Xunji."

Shen Biyao sneered. "Qian Xunji was just a brute who only knew fighting and killing."

"Bibi Dong is different. She knows how to use rules and institutions to consolidate her power."

"This Adjudication Department is nominally hunting down remnants of the Clear Sky Sect, but in reality, she wants to use this opportunity to extend Spirit Hall's reach into every corner of the continent."

Cang Lang slowly asked, "Then what should we do?"

Everyone looked toward Dugu Bo.

Dugu Bo was silent for a moment before looking at Gu Ci.

Gu Ci rose to his feet, walked to the window, and gazed at the night sky outside.

"The Adjudication Department's targets are the Clear Sky Sect and forces associated with it. For now, we are not on their list."

He slowly continued, "But that does not mean we can rest easy."

"Since Bibi Dong has established this organization, she will definitely keep tightening the net."

"Today, she is dealing with the Clear Sky Sect's people. Tomorrow, it may be everyone who refuses to submit to Spirit Hall."

He turned and looked at everyone present. "So, we need to do two things."

"First, speed things up and truly establish our own forces. Second, keep a low profile—an even lower profile. Before we have enough strength, we absolutely cannot draw Spirit Hall's attention."

Zhao Tieshan scratched his head. "How exactly do we keep a low profile?"

Gu Ci said, "On the surface, the Marquis Mansion remains a noble household of the Heaven Dou Empire and has no direct conflict with Spirit Hall."

"For now, all of you seniors can remain here as guest retainers of the Marquis Mansion. Tell outsiders that you are Grandpa Dugu's old friends who have come to seek shelter with him."

"Research into Soul Tools will proceed secretly within the mansion. Not even the slightest word can leak out."

He looked at Li Guishou. "Senior Guishou, continue expanding the intelligence network, but be extremely careful."

"Spirit Hall's influence spans the continent. One careless move, and we will be discovered."

Li Guishou chuckled. "Don't worry. I've been in this line of work for decades and have never slipped up."

Gu Ci then looked at Liu Tieying. "Senior Tieying, I'll leave the Training to you."

"We need an elite squad. It does not need many people, but every one of them must be capable of standing on their own."

Liu Tieying patted his chest. "Leave it to me."

Finally, Gu Ci looked at Dugu Bo. "Grandpa Dugu, just continue doing what you usually do."

"The identity of a Titled Douluo is the best cover. With you supporting us openly, Spirit Hall will not move against us lightly."

Dugu Bo nodded. "We'll do as you say."

After the meeting, everyone departed one after another.

Gu Ci stood in the courtyard as Zi Dian and Night Shadow emerged from the darkness, lying down at his left and right.

"Brother Gu Ci."

Dugu Yan's voice came from behind him.

Gu Ci turned around and saw the little girl standing at the doorway, holding Ice Fire in her arms, with Mo Jiao coiled around her wrist.

Ye Lingling stood behind her, still veiled, her expression impossible to see.

"What is it?"

Dugu Yan walked over and looked up at him. "Are you very worried?"

Gu Ci smiled and rubbed her head. "A little. But it's fine. We can handle it."

Dugu Yan looked at him seriously. "I'll cultivate hard. When the time comes, I'll help you."

Gu Ci froze for a moment, then smiled. "All right."

Ye Lingling stood to the side without speaking, merely watching the scene quietly.

Moonlight spilled over her white dress, and there seemed to be something more in those cold, clear eyes.

In the days that followed, everyone became busy.

In the Marquis Mansion's basement, Zhao Tieshan and Qian Sihai researched Soul Tools day and night.

The materials Gu Ci had given them were far too profound. The two often argued until their faces turned red over a single array formation.

But with the aid of Gu Ci's Heavenly Eye, progress was faster than expected.

The first finished product was a First-Grade Soul Tool Ray Gun. Though it was not very powerful, it was enough to prove that they were heading in the right direction.

"Success!"

Zhao Tieshan held up the small gun, his hands trembling with excitement. "Old Poison, did you see that? This thing can fire without Soul Power!"

Dugu Bo took the gun and fired a shot.

A beam shot from the muzzle, leaving a crater the size of a bowl in the bluestone slabs of the courtyard.

"The power is average," he assessed.

Qian Sihai hurriedly said, "This is only First Grade. There are still Second Grade and Third Grade versions. According to the materials, once it reaches Ninth Grade, it can even injure a Titled Douluo!"

A trace of shock flashed through Dugu Bo's eyes.

At the same time, Li Guishou's intelligence network was rapidly expanding.

Using Heaven Dou City as its center, he spread outward and established dozens of intelligence posts in just half a month.

Although it was still far from comparable to Spirit Hall's intelligence network, at least no movement within Heaven Dou City could escape his eyes.

"Bibi Dong has recently been reorganizing Spirit Hall from within."

Li Guishou reported to Dugu Bo. "She replaced a batch of old-timers from Qian Xunji's era, swapping them all out for her own people."

"That Adjudication Department may claim to be hunting down the Clear Sky Sect, but in truth, it is meant to eliminate dissenters."

Dugu Bo sneered. "She certainly has her methods."

Granny Sun's Training had also begun to show results.

She selected several talented young people from the Marquis Mansion and began training them before dawn every day.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were among them. Though the little girl was the youngest, her talent was exceptional, and she improved at an astonishing pace.

PS: Recommending a friend's book: Legend of the Dragon King: Taking Wu Zhangkong as Master, Spear Pointed at the Gods