Meeting Bibi Dong

Inside Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong had grown somewhat anxious after waiting for the past few days.

If not for her special status, she would have long since been unable to hold back from going to that small town herself.

Just then, Ghost Douluo suddenly entered Pope's Hall. Bibi Dong immediately asked, "Has Elder Ju returned? Did he bring a young man with him?"

Ghost Douluo nodded. "Yes, Your Holiness the Pope. They just entered Spirit City. Aside from Nana and Xie Yue, Yue Guan did indeed bring a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old boy with him."

"Excellent. Have Elder Ju bring them to the main hall at once!" Bibi Dong ordered.

"Yes!" Gui Mei nodded, and his figure turned into a wisp of black smoke and vanished.

It was Xiao Chen's first time in Spirit City. Gazing at the imposing, towering city before him, he couldn't help feeling deeply moved.

As the supreme holy land of Soul Masters across the continent, Spirit City was even more magnificent and solemn than the rumors had led him to expect.

Just as Xiao Chen paused to admire the sights within Spirit City, a ghostly figure soundlessly appeared beside Chrysanthemum Douluo.

"Old Ghost, why do you have to appear like a ghost? Can't you see there's a kid here?" Chrysanthemum Douluo glared at Ghost Douluo, then cheerfully introduced him to Xiao Chen.

"This old ghost is also a Titled Douluo, with the title Ghost. Don't let his rather frightening appearance fool you; he's a decent fellow!"

Ghost Douluo looked astonished. He could clearly sense that Chrysanthemum Douluo was being unusually warm toward Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen immediately bowed. "Greetings, Your Excellency Ghost!"

Ghost Douluo waved for Xiao Chen to dispense with the formalities, then turned to Chrysanthemum Douluo. "Old Chrysanthemum, His Holiness the Pope has barely eaten or slept these past few days, all because of this kid? I can't see anything special about him!"

He only knew that Chrysanthemum Douluo had discovered a genius, but he didn't know the details about Xiao Chen.

"Old Ghost, your eyes are failing you with age. Of course you can't tell!" Chrysanthemum Douluo teased with a smile.

"Old Chrysanthemum, if His Holiness hadn't told you to bring them over as soon as possible, I'd give you a good beating!" Ghost Douluo glared at Chrysanthemum Douluo. The two of them liked to trade insults whenever they had nothing better to do.

Seeing this, Hu Liena immediately spoke up. "Grandpa Ju, Grandpa Ghost, stop arguing. Take Xiao Chen to see Teacher first!"

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo gave each other a snort, then took Xiao Chen, Hu Liena, and Xie Yue straight to Pope's Hall.

Xiao Chen was rather excited at the thought of meeting Bibi Dong.

As one of the most beautiful women in the Douluo World, Bibi Dong had always piqued Xiao Chen's curiosity. He wondered what she really looked like.

Xiao Chen followed the two Titled Douluo, Chrysanthemum and Ghost, into Pope's Hall. His gaze instinctively lifted, and he immediately spotted the stunning, aloof figure standing before the papal throne.

She wore a luxurious black robe edged with gold patterns, and a Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown adorned her head.

An aura that seemed to look down upon all living beings surrounded her. She carried the imposing presence of Spirit Hall's supreme ruler, yet her nearly flawless beauty was impossible to conceal.

That wretched Qian Xunji. He really deserved to die! Xiao Chen cursed inwardly, then bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope!"

Bibi Dong flashed over to Xiao Chen. After helping him to his feet, she studied him closely.

After a moment, she turned to Hu Liena and Xie Yue. "Leave us. The secret concerning Xiao Chen must not be mentioned to anyone."

"Yes!" Hu Liena and Xie Yue replied respectfully, then left Pope's Hall together.

After they were gone, Bibi Dong continued, "Guard Pope's Hall. Don't let anyone approach!"

"Yes!" Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo answered in unison. With a flash, they left the hall and took up their posts outside its doors.

Hu Liena and Xie Yue hadn't gone far. They waited for Xiao Chen just outside Pope's Hall.

"Brother, do you think Xiao Chen will pass Teacher's test?" Hu Liena asked in a lowered voice.

She knew full well that although Teacher had agreed to take Xiao Chen as her disciple, with her personality, she would certainly set him a test and wouldn't accept him easily.

"He should be fine. With Xiao Chen's heaven-defying talent, even if Teacher weren't interested, the elders in Worship Hall would probably compete to recruit him and give him their full support if they found out," Xie Yue said.

Hu Liena nodded. "That's true. Xiao Chen's talent is better than ours. He'll definitely pass Teacher's test..."

Before she could finish, a voice behind her interrupted her.

"Nana, you're finally back!" The newcomer was none other than another genius of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation—Yan.

"I've told you so many times: don't call me Nana!" Hu Liena's expression turned cold, and she spoke in warning.

Yan had long since grown used to Hu Liena's reaction. He hurried over, nodded to Xie Yue, then turned to Hu Liena and asked, "Did you run into any danger while hunting for your Spirit Ring this time?"

"With Elder Ju along, what danger could I have run into?" Hu Liena replied coolly.

"True. So, how many years old is your Fourth Spirit Ring, and what Soul Skill did you get?" Yan continued.

They were teammates, after all. They usually told one another about their cultivation progress and newly acquired Spirit Rings.

"Four thousand five hundred years. A group Charm Soul Skill," Hu Liena replied indifferently.

Xie Yue watched Hu Liena's reaction and shook his head slightly.

Xie Yue knew Yan's feelings for Hu Liena better than anyone. He neither supported nor opposed him. He used to think Yan still had a chance, but now Xie Yue thought those chances were slim.

Seeing Xie Yue shake his head, Yan was puzzled and stepped forward to ask, "Brother Xie Yue, what do you mean?"

"Nothing. I just feel sorry for you," Xie Yue replied.

Yan was delighted. In the past, whenever he pursued Hu Liena, Xie Yue had always looked on coldly. Even when Yan deliberately tried to win him over, Xie Yue wouldn't help.

But now Xie Yue was feeling sorry for him. Yan mistakenly thought that Xie Yue had finally decided to support him.

"Brother Xie Yue, you finally understand me!" Yan exclaimed, giving Xie Yue a huge hug.

Xie Yue quickly broke free and warned him, "Behave yourself in front of Pope's Hall!"

Yan scratched his head with a grin, then caught sight of Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo standing at the entrance to Pope's Hall. Curious, he asked, "What's going on?"

"Don't ask questions you shouldn't," Hu Liena immediately warned him.

Yan was curious, but he knew that if Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were guarding the hall, something important must be happening. He suppressed his doubts and curiosity, asked no more, and quietly waited there with the others.

Inside Pope's Hall, Xiao Chen had already demonstrated the Martial Soul Fusion Skill and Spirit Skill Fusion techniques at Bibi Dong's request. She was deeply shaken and filled with admiration.

As someone with Twin Martial Souls, Bibi Dong knew all too well just how incredible—and downright heaven-defying—it was for Xiao Chen to accomplish this.

"Xiao Chen, are you willing to take me as your master?" Bibi Dong asked, completely serious.