With six Peak Douluo staring at him like that, even Qin Yao, whose mental fortitude far surpassed that of ordinary people, felt a wave of pressure.
Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan huddled in a corner, wishing they could turn themselves into two stone statues.
Qin Yao had naturally come prepared, but the grandfathers among the Worshippers had different attributes and needed different Immortal Herbs, so he had not yet made all the preparations.
He spread his hands openly.
"Grandfathers, there are indeed a few Immortal Herbs left. But the medicinal herbs in that place are all extremely potent, and I only understand a fraction of many of them. Grandpa managed to break through because the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower happened to match the attributes of his Blazing Lion Martial Soul."
"I don't dare tamper with the remaining Immortal Herbs. If someone eats the wrong one, it won't just be useless—it could do them harm. That's why I came back this time: to find some records and learn exactly what they do."
His explanation was perfectly reasonable.
After hearing it, Light Feather Douluo looked a little disappointed. "After all that, it was just a false alarm."
Qin Xiong smacked Light Feather Douluo on the back of the head and chided him with a laugh.
"What are you in such a hurry for, boy? Xiao Yao is careful in everything he does. That's better than you recklessly shoving things into your mouth! If you ate something and came to harm, where would I find another Worshipper?"
"Exactly," Falling Devil Douluo chimed in. "Fifth Brother, you really need to work on that impatient streak of yours."
From the high platform, Qian Daoliu spoke slowly, quieting the Worshippers.
"Xiao Yao, I presume you already have a plan for what you want to do?"
Everyone's attention turned to Qin Yao once more.
Qin Yao cupped his hands and replied, "Great-Grandpa, I've heard that Elder Ju of the Elder Hall possesses the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum as his Martial Soul. Since it's an Immortal Herb itself, he must know a great deal about these treasures of nature."
"I plan to seek his advice and confirm their medicinal properties before deciding how to distribute them."
Qian Daoliu nodded approvingly.
"Very well. I'll leave the matter entirely in your hands. If you need anything, just ask."
"Yes, Great-Grandpa."
With the matter settled, Qin Yao prepared to take his leave.
He left the Worship Hall with Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan.
At Qin Xiong's arrangement, the grandfather and granddaughter moved into the equally grand courtyard next door to Qin Yao's.
Looking at the residence before him, which was almost as large as his own manor, Dugu Bo was so excited he hardly knew what to do with his hands and feet.
He understood perfectly well that living in the central district at the foot of the Worship Hall mountain was an enormous honor—and a symbol of status in itself.
His Highness the Holy Son was treating him like a trusted confidant.
"Yanyan, from now on, our lives belong to His Highness the Holy Son," Dugu Bo said solemnly to his granddaughter in a low voice.
Dugu Yan nodded firmly. Her heart was already filled with the image of that purple-haired boy.
After settling them in, Qin Yao didn't linger for a moment. He headed straight for the Pope Palace.
As one of Pope Bibi Dong's closest aides, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan spent most of his time on standby at the Pope Palace.
Besides, a matter as important as distributing the Immortal Herbs couldn't be settled without Bibi Dong.
Rather than wait for her to come to him, he might as well go to her himself.
Meanwhile.
In the Pope Palace, Bibi Dong sat upon the throne, listening to a cardinal's report.
"His Highness the Holy Son has returned to Spirit City. He brought back Poison Douluo Dugu Bo and his granddaughter, Dugu Yan, and both have now sworn their allegiance."
"Also, according to information from the Worship Hall, Dugu Bo has pledged his loyalty to His Highness the Holy Son and become a new elder of Spirit Hall."
Bibi Dong waved her hand, dismissing the cardinal.
She didn't care much about Dugu Bo. It was the Immortal Herbs she was concerned about.
Bibi Dong had discovered long ago that Qin Xiong had reached Level 98 entirely thanks to the Immortal Herb Qin Yao had given him.
As a Peerless Douluo at Level 99, she had little need for Immortal Herbs herself.
But her disciple, Hu Liena, needed them badly.
Although Hu Liena had accepted her defeat in the last Soul Fighting match and was training hard, her talent still fell short by a little.
If an Immortal Herb could help her break through her bottleneck or even improve her Martial Soul, it would greatly benefit Hu Liena's future growth—and Bibi Dong's control over Spirit Hall.
At the thought, Bibi Dong's mind settled on a plan.
Just then, a guard's announcement came from outside the hall.
"Your Holiness, His Highness the Holy Son requests an audience."
The corners of Bibi Dong's mouth lifted slightly.
Just in time.
"Let him in."
A moment later, Qin Yao's tall, slender figure appeared at the entrance. He walked in step by step.
He stopped in the middle of the hall and bowed slightly to Bibi Dong on the high platform.
"Qin Yao greets Your Holiness."
"Holy Son, there's no need for such formality."
Bibi Dong's voice revealed nothing of her mood.
"You were away training for several months. You've returned today with a great improvement in your cultivation and have even won a Titled Douluo over to Spirit Hall. You deserve great credit."
"Serving Spirit Hall is my duty," Qin Yao replied without arrogance or servility.
Bibi Dong smiled.
"I heard that the Holy Son brought back quite a few good things from Sunset Forest. The Fourth Worship even benefited from them and broke through a bottleneck that had held him back for years."
Bibi Dong had finally brought up the Immortal Herbs.
Qin Yao understood, but kept his expression calm.
"I was fortunate enough to obtain some herbs. I was just about to ask Elder Ju of the Elder Hall to identify them."
"Oh?" Bibi Dong feigned surprise. "You came to see Elder Ju?"
"Exactly." Qin Yao nodded. "I don't know what those herbs do, so I didn't dare use them. I've come to ask Elder Ju for advice."
Bibi Dong rose from the throne and slowly descended the steps. She came to stand before Qin Yao, the hem of her splendid papal robe trailing on the floor, a faint fragrance lingering in the air.
"How cautious of you. But since you've gone to the trouble, you shouldn't forget the other geniuses of Spirit Hall."
Bibi Dong changed the subject.
"Nana, Xie Yue, and Yan lost to you, but they're still three of the top young talents in Spirit Hall, second only to you. As our Holy Son, you should help them along."
"How about this? Once you've identified the herbs, give them the three Immortal Herbs best suited to them. Consider it a little encouragement from you, the Holy Son. Of course, this Pope won't be stingy with the rewards."
Bibi Dong's meaning was perfectly clear: she wanted to trade other treasures for three Immortal Herbs. But how precious were Immortal Herbs? If any treasure could tempt Qin Yao, it would only be a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone or an External Soul Bone.
Qin Yao listened to Bibi Dong, a cold smile on his face.
"Your Holiness, I'm afraid that won't be possible."
"The First Worship entrusted me with these herbs and told me to handle them entirely as I see fit. The Worship Hall is to receive priority, so they can stabilize their cultivation and strive for an even higher realm."
He had casually invoked Qian Daoliu's name, rejecting Bibi Dong's proposal.
There was no need to fall out with Bibi Dong for now. Although Qin Yao had the Worship Hall's support, his strength would only be truly reassuring once it was in his own hands.
Then Qin Yao changed tack.
"Of course, if any are left over after the distribution, I can certainly bring them out and make an equal exchange with Your Holiness."
Bibi Dong stared at the boy before her. This wasn't the first time she had sensed a maturity and cunning far beyond his age in this twelve-year-old child.
She fell silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a soft laugh.
"Heh."
"His Highness the Holy Son truly learned well from the First Worship. Very well. Since you came to see Elder Ju, I'll have him accompany you."
She turned and walked back toward the lofty Pope Throne, her voice echoing through the hall.
"Yue Guan."
As soon as the words left her mouth, a figure appeared soundlessly in the hall and dropped to one knee.
"Your Holiness."
The man was tall and slender, with smooth golden hair and handsome features. He was none other than Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan of the Elder Hall.
"Go with His Highness the Holy Son to the Worship Hall and help him identify the herbs," Bibi Dong said evenly.
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Yue Guan stood and bowed slightly to Qin Yao. "Your Highness the Holy Son, please."
Qin Yao returned the courtesy, then followed Yue Guan out of the magnificent, oppressive Pope Palace.
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