Bibi Dong's Plans

But he still deliberately furrowed his brow, putting on a strained expression as his body swayed slightly.

"What is Your Excellency doing?"

His voice was calm, even carrying a hint of amusement. "I'm only a child delivering a message. Why does Your Excellency need to make things difficult for me?"

Yin Wuji stared at him for quite a while, the amusement in his triangular eyes growing stronger.

"Interesting. Truly interesting."

He slowly withdrew his pressure, turned, returned to his seat, and picked up his teacup again.

"Fine. I'll give you this face. I can leave the Heavenly Workshop alone. But there is something you must take back to your master—"

He took a sip of tea and said blandly, "Spirit Hall is determined to obtain Soul Tools."

"Not acting today does not mean we will not act tomorrow. If you want to protect them, that depends on whether you have the strength to do so."

Gu Ci nodded. "I will certainly deliver Your Excellency's words. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

He turned and walked out of the Post House, his steps unhurried.

Only after leaving the Post House gates did he let out a long breath.

Zi Dian let out a low growl within him, filled with dissatisfaction and fighting spirit. Gu Ci gently patted his chest and said softly, "Don't rush. It's not time yet."

In the shadows, Dugu Bo's figure flashed past.

He had been watching the entire time. If Yin Wuji had dared to make a move, he would have rushed in immediately.

But though Yin Wuji was sinister and vicious, he had never crossed the line.

"That kid has guts," Dugu Bo muttered, his eyes full of gratification.

After returning to the Marquis Mansion, Gu Ci recounted everything that had happened.

After hearing him out, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but no one truly relaxed.

"Yin Wuji's words were a warning to us."

Gu Ci said, "Spirit Hall will not let this go. They did not act today because the imperial family stands behind us. But once they are prepared, they could come at any time."

Dugu Bo nodded. "Then what do you plan to do?"

Gu Ci pondered for a moment before saying, "Delay. The longer we delay, the stronger we become. Soul Tools are advancing, all of you seniors are recovering your strength, and Yanyan and I are growing as well. Once we have enough strength, Spirit Hall will have to think twice before moving against us."

He looked at Zhao Tieshan and Qian Sihai. "Grandpa Zhao, Grandpa Qian, speed up the progress on combat Soul Tools. Production of civilian products can slow down a little, but research into the Core Array cannot stop."

He then looked at Cang Lang and Shen Biyao. "Seniors, please strengthen the defenses of the Marquis Mansion. Though Yin Wuji and Iron Face said they would not cause trouble, there is no guarantee they will not send people to spy on us in secret."

Finally, he looked at Dugu Bo. "Grandpa Dugu, please try not to leave the manor during this period. With you holding the fort here, they will not dare act recklessly."

Dugu Bo nodded. "Fine, I'll listen to you."

The group dispersed, each returning to their tasks.

Gu Ci stood in the courtyard, gazing at the distant sky as he silently made his calculations.

The arrival of the Martial Soul Hall Adjudication Department was only the beginning. More trouble would follow.

But he was not afraid.

Zi Dian lay at his feet, while Night Shadow emerged from the darkness. One on each side, they guarded him.

In the distance, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling were cultivating in the courtyard. The little girl's Ice Fire power was becoming more and more refined, while Ye Lingling's Nine-Heart Begonia bloomed even more brilliantly.

This small force was growing bit by bit.

Yin Wuji and Iron Face remained in Heaven Dou City for another three days.

During those three days, they did not trouble the Heavenly Workshop again, nor did they send anyone to spy on the Marquis Mansion.

Each day, they merely sent people to wander around the city, bought several Soul Lights to take back for study, and gathered information about the Gu Family and Dugu Bo.

On the morning of the third day, the two left Heaven Dou City without a sound, taking twelve subordinates with them.

When the news reached the Marquis Mansion, Gu Ci was cultivating in the courtyard.

Zi Dian lay beside him, while Night Shadow hid in a corner by the wall. One Soul Spirit stood in the light, the other in the shadows, protecting their master.

"They left?"

Dugu Bo stood at the courtyard entrance, his brow slightly furrowed.

Old Ghost nodded. "They left. They exited the city early this morning and headed south. Judging by their direction, they are returning to Spirit City."

Dugu Bo snorted. "At least they know what's good for them."

Gu Ci opened his eyes, finished his cultivation, and rose to his feet. "Grandpa Dugu, they do not know what's good for them. They are going back to report."

"Bibi Dong has only recently taken office and has not yet secured her position. She will not fall out with the Heaven Dou Empire at a time like this."

Dugu Bo looked at him, fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "You're right."

"But this will not end here. Spirit Hall people have never given up easily."

Gu Ci smiled. "I know. That is why we need to make the most of our time."

Spirit City, Spirit Hall.

By the time Yin Wuji and Iron Face returned to Spirit Hall, it was already the evening three days later.

Spirit Hall stood at the very center of Spirit City. It was a magnificent palace-like structure built entirely from massive white stone, glimmering with golden light beneath the setting sun.

Atop the highest dome of the palace stood a massive Angel statue, its wings spread as if ready to take flight, overlooking the entire city.

It was the symbol of Spirit Hall: the Angel Statue.

Yin Wuji and Iron Face passed through layers of guards and arrived at Pope's Hall.

The doors of Pope's Hall were tightly shut. Two Silver Armor Guards stood outside, their auras steady and deep. Both were Soul Saints.

"Yin Wuji and Iron Face, returning to the hall by order to report for duty. We request an audience with His Holiness the Pope."

Yin Wuji stepped forward, his voice neither loud nor soft.

One guard turned and pushed open the doors to report their arrival. A moment later, he returned. "His Holiness permits you to enter."

Inside Pope's Hall, the lights blazed brightly.

At the center of the great hall, an imposing throne stood atop a flight of steps. The throne was entirely golden, carved with intricate Angel patterns.

An elderly man stood on each side of the throne. Their auras were profound, and both were Titled Douluo.

And seated upon the throne was a woman.

She appeared to be only in her twenties. Her long black hair spilled over her shoulders, her skin was like snow, and her exquisite features seemed as though they had been sculpted.

She wore a black robe embroidered with golden Angel patterns at its hem, along with a small golden crown.

For certain reasons, she had no choice but to endure her disgust and wear a crown and robe bearing Angel elements.

Bibi Dong, the new Pope of Spirit Hall.

Her expression was calm, revealing no emotion, but within those deep eyes lay a pressure that made others afraid to meet her gaze.

It was the gaze of someone tempered by life and death, forged by treading over countless corpses.

"You have returned?"

Bibi Dong spoke, her cold voice echoing through the hall.

Yin Wuji and Iron Face dropped to one knee. "Your Holiness, your subordinates have returned from Heaven Dou City."

"Rise and speak."

Bibi Dong said indifferently, "How are things in Heaven Dou City?"

Yin Wuji rose and gave a detailed report on the situation in Heaven Dou City.

From the appearance of the Soul Lights, to the origins of the Heavenly Workshop, to the relationship between Thunder Tiger Marquis Manor and Dugu Bo, and finally to Gu Ci coming to see them with Xue Ye's written order, he omitted not a single word.

After hearing him out, Bibi Dong remained silent for a long time.

"Soul Tools..."

She murmured, a complex glint flashing through her eyes. "Something lost for a thousand years has actually appeared in the hands of a six-year-old child."

Yin Wuji said, "Your Holiness, this subordinate investigated in secret. That Gu Ci is indeed the only son of Gu Xiao, Marquis Thunder Tiger, and he grew up alongside Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan."