Thousand Jun, Falling Devil, Gui Mei, and Yue Guan

Spirit City.

Inside the solemn Pope Palace, Qian Xunji sat upon the Pope's throne.

Two elders stood at his side: Thousand Jun Douluo and Falling Devil Douluo. Both were currently at the peak of Rank 95, just one step away from Rank 96.

At that moment, the heavy palace doors slowly opened.

An elderly man hurried inside. He was the Platinum Bishop of the Heaven Dou City Martial Soul Branch Hall.

Though he walked swiftly, he did not dare make too much noise. Upon reaching the center of the hall, he dropped to one knee and raised a sealed letter high with both hands, his manner exceedingly respectful.

"Reporting to Your Holiness the Pope, an elder has sent an urgent secret letter!"

This secret letter had been written by Golden Crocodile Douluo.

Two days earlier, Golden Crocodile Douluo had used the Pope Token to assign a task to the Heaven Dou City Martial Soul Branch Hall.

The Platinum Bishop did not dare delay in the slightest. He personally delivered the letter, traveling day and night without pause to reach Spirit City.

At this moment, his robes were covered in dust, his hair disheveled, and he looked somewhat bedraggled.

Qian Xunji's gaze shifted slightly as he turned his head toward Falling Devil Douluo.

Understanding his meaning, Falling Devil Douluo walked to the center of the hall, received the secret letter, then turned and presented it to him.

Qian Xunji opened the envelope, his eyes swiftly scanning the contents.

As his gaze moved downward, his expression gradually grew grave.

The letter did not mention immortal herbs, nor did it give any detailed explanation.

Golden Crocodile Douluo merely said that he had made a major discovery, provided an approximate location, and requested that a Titled Douluo be dispatched. He had specifically instructed them to bring Yue Guan along as well.

Qian Xunji frowned deeply. For Golden Crocodile Douluo to personally send word, and in such a serious tone, this matter was certainly no trivial affair.

He put away the secret letter and said in a deep voice to the Platinum Bishop, "You have worked hard. You may withdraw for now."

"Yes, this subordinate takes his leave," the Platinum Bishop replied respectfully. He rose, backed away several steps, and only then turned to leave.

The palace doors closed, and silence returned to the hall.

Qian Xunji handed the letter to Falling Devil Douluo. "Which of you two elders is willing to make the trip?"

Within the current Spirit Hall, aside from his father Qian Daoliu and Golden Crocodile Douluo, the remaining worship elders were all Rank 96 Titled Douluo.

However, the worship elders generally did not involve themselves in worldly affairs.

The strength of Thousand Jun and Falling Devil was not far below that of the worship elders. Sending either one of them should be enough to handle the situation, especially with Golden Crocodile Douluo there.

Once they learned the exact circumstances, if a Rank 95 Titled Douluo still proved insufficient, they could dispatch more people then.

Falling Devil Douluo accepted the letter and read it together with Thousand Jun.

After a moment, Falling Devil Douluo was the first to speak. "Your Holiness the Pope, let this subordinate go."

His nature had always been more restless than Thousand Jun's. Having remained in the Pope Palace for so long, he had naturally grown impatient. Now that he had a chance to go out, he certainly did not wish to miss it.

Qian Xunji nodded slightly, then called out an order to the Palace Guard Knights outside the hall.

"Guards, deliver this order to Bishop Yue Guan. Set aside all affairs in Spirit City, pack his belongings, and tomorrow, accompany Elder Falling Devil to the Heaven Dou Empire."

The Palace Guard Knight soon arrived at Yue Guan's place of work.

He was handling official matters at the time.

After hearing the order, he froze for a moment. Then his brows furrowed slightly, and a trace of confusion and bewilderment flashed through his eyes.

He currently held an important position. Before long, he would break through to Titled Douluo and be promoted to elder.

Yet at this crucial juncture, a single order from the Pope had sent him to the Heaven Dou Empire without giving any reason at all.

Was it a transfer?

Was it a mission?

Or was it... something else?

Yue Guan racked his brains, but he could not figure out what it was for.

He did not dare disobey the Pope's command. He could only hurry back to his residence and pack his belongings into a Storage Soul Tool.

Though they were called belongings, the majority of them were flowers and plants he had painstakingly cultivated for many years.

Every single flower and plant was precious to him.

With extreme care, he transplanted them into flowerpots before placing them in the Soul Tool.

His Soul Tool was a family heirloom capable of storing living things.

Just as he bent over to lift a pot of flowers, a hoarse, low voice suddenly sounded behind him.

"Chrysanthemum Guan, I heard you're leaving?"

Yue Guan turned around, an unconscious smile rising to his lips. "Old Ghost~."

The smile soon faded, replaced by a hint of helplessness and melancholy as he let out a soft sigh.

"I don't know what happened either. His Holiness the Pope suddenly sent this order.

"Tell me, why would he suddenly transfer me to the Heaven Dou Empire without even giving a reason?"

"Perhaps..." Gui Mei pondered for a moment. "There is something important that only you can do."

Yue Guan froze, then shook his head with a laugh. "Only I can do it? Spirit Hall has so many Titled Douluo. What could possibly require me specifically?"

He carefully put away the flowerpot, then suddenly spoke in a serious tone. "Old Ghost, once I leave, I don't know when I'll return. From now on... no one will keep you company."

Gui Mei joked, "Get lost. I don't need your company."

Though he was also reluctant to part with Yue Guan, it was the Pope's command. Naturally, he did not dare defy it.

The two exchanged smiles and continued chatting idly.

Before they knew it, the sky had grown dark.

Yue Guan finally finished packing everything. Looking at the empty courtyard, he sighed softly. "I've lived here for so long. I never thought I would have to leave."

Gui Mei stood at the entrance. "What time are you leaving tomorrow?"

"Early in the morning."

Gui Mei nodded. After a moment of silence, he suddenly spoke. "Chrysanthemum Guan."

"Hmm?"

"...Take care."

Yue Guan smiled faintly. "You too."

The next morning, the thin mist had yet to disperse.

Yue Guan and Falling Devil Douluo set out on their journey.

As they passed through the city gates, Yue Guan could not help looking back repeatedly at the dark figure standing by the gate.

Two days later.

The Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

Far from the spring's edge, a newly built wooden house stood quietly.

Golden Crocodile Douluo had built it for Su Mo and Bibi Dong. Since they would be staying here for a long time, they naturally needed a place to live.

In front of the house, Bibi Dong sat cross-legged in cultivation.

Not far away, Su Mo was soaking in the waters of the Ice and Fire Spring.

At that moment, Golden Crocodile Douluo, who had been cultivating, suddenly opened his eyes.

His body moved, and in the next instant, he vanished from where he stood.

A moment later, he passed through the poisonous miasma and landed before two figures.

They were Yue Guan and Falling Devil Douluo, who had rushed there in haste.

"Elder Golden Crocodile." Falling Devil Douluo cupped his hands in salute, his expression respectful.

Yue Guan also hurriedly bowed. "Yue Guan greets Elder Golden Crocodile."

Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded slightly. His gaze lingered on Yue Guan for a moment before he said indifferently, "Follow me."

He turned and entered the poisonous miasma, with Falling Devil Douluo following close behind.

Yue Guan drew a deep breath, suppressing the curiosity and nervousness in his heart before stepping forward to follow.

Along the way, he had asked Falling Devil Douluo about the purpose of the trip, but Falling Devil Douluo himself was equally clueless.

Throughout the journey, Yue Guan could not make sense of it no matter how much he thought about it. He was both uneasy and faintly expectant.

Led by Golden Crocodile Douluo, the three passed through the poisonous miasma and arrived at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

When Yue Guan clearly saw the scene before him.

His eyes erupted with an unprecedented brilliance. His breathing quickened, and his body trembled slightly beyond his control.