Yu Xiaogang Was Nothing but a Clown! Wishful Thinking!

Speaking of this, Yu Xiaogang deliberately paused, seeming to savor some memory that brought him great pleasure.

"Back then in Spirit City, all I had to do was crook a finger, and Bibi Dong would put aside everything she was doing and come running to me of her own free will."

"She did everything I said. She was utterly obedient."

"With my personal charisma, and the bond we forged through our theoretical research, what was a mere cultivation method for Twin Martial Souls?"

Yu Xiaogang swept his hand grandly, looking utterly confident.

"As long as I personally go and ask for it, she won't even ask a single question. She'll offer it to me with both hands!"

"Just put your mind at ease. I promised to make you the greatest genius on the continent, and I will never go back on my word."

Seeing Yu Xiaogang's utterly assured expression, as if everything were under his control, with every word spoken as though it were gospel,

most of the doubts in Tang San's heart immediately vanished.

He took a deep breath. His eyes once again brimmed with the blind admiration and reverence he felt for Yu Xiaogang.

As expected of his teacher! He could so effortlessly manipulate even the lofty Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall.

"Thank you for going to such trouble, Teacher. I will work twice as hard and never let you down!"

Tang San bowed solemnly.

Yu Xiaogang was quite pleased. He stroked the short beard on his chin and closed his eyes again, already lost in fantasies of the glorious scene of taking his Ten Core Competitivenesses theory to the pinnacle across the continent after obtaining the Twin Martial Souls cultivation method.

After several days of long-distance travel,

the towering, majestic Spirit City finally appeared at the edge of their vision.

Its stone walls, dozens of meters high, resembled an ancient beast crouching upon the earth, radiating a crushing, suffocating pressure.

Tang San stepped down from the carriage and stared up at the enormous city gate, deeply shaken.

Such magnificent architecture was leagues beyond a remote little city like Nuoding City.

Yu Xiaogang, meanwhile, clasped his hands behind his back and strode toward the heavily guarded knights at the city gate, putting on what he considered an especially suave and composed air.

"Stop!"

"Spirit City is a restricted area. Unauthorized personnel are forbidden to enter!"

Two guards clad in silver heavy armor crossed their spears with a sharp clatter, blocking Yu Xiaogang's way. Their eyes were full of scrutiny and caution.

Yu Xiaogang furrowed his brow, deeply displeased at being stopped by low-ranking guards.

He cleared his throat, lifted his chin slightly, and struck a mysterious pose.

"Go inform your Holy Maiden."

"Tell her Yu Xiaogang has come to see her."

The two guards exchanged glances, a trace of confusion in their eyes.

They had been stationed at the city gates for years and had seen countless important figures, but they had never heard of anyone called Yu Xiaogang.

Still, seeing how brazenly confident the man looked, they didn't dare offend him lightly.

One of them lowered his spear with a cold expression, turned, and strode into the city.

"Wait here!"

Watching the guard leave, Yu Xiaogang turned to Tang San and flashed him a meaningful smile.

"Watch closely, Xiao San. It won't be long before Bibi Dong personally sends someone to escort me inside."

Meanwhile,

in the very heart of Spirit Hall stood the Saintess Palace.

The finest calming incense burned in the hall. Wisps of smoke drifted slowly through the spacious, lavish room, filling the air with a soothing fragrance.

Bibi Dong sat with her eyes closed, reclining lazily in a wide cushioned chair covered in snowy white fox fur.

Today she wore a fitted, pale golden gown that revealed her graceful, voluptuous figure without reservation.

Her stunning, dignified face had shed its usual defenses and severity, replaced by a rare look of utter relaxation and contentment.

Lin Yuan stood behind the chair, both hands resting on Bibi Dong's shoulders, smooth as white jade.

His long, strong fingers applied just the right amount of pressure, gently kneading and pressing several key acupoints.

Pure, gentle Soul Power flowed from Lin Yuan's fingertips into Bibi Dong like a trickling stream, easing the fatigue she had built up from handling Spirit Hall's many complicated affairs day after day.

"Mm..."

Bibi Dong's red lips parted, releasing a soft, deeply contented hum.

She tilted her head back slightly, her silky purple hair cascading over Lin Yuan's arm like a waterfall.

"Yuan'er, your massage technique keeps getting better and better."

"Right now, I feel as if every bone in my body, from head to toe, has been put back in order. All the exhaustion from the past few days has vanished."

Bibi Dong opened her long, alluring eyes, unmistakable praise and affection in their depths.

Lin Yuan kept his hands moving and chuckled at her words.

"Aunt Dong has to help the Pope handle so much paperwork every day while still keeping up with her own cultivation. Of course it's tiring."

"It's only right that I help ease some of your fatigue."

Hearing the young man's warm, clear voice, the smile at the corners of Bibi Dong's lips deepened.

She turned her head and carefully studied Lin Yuan.

At fifteen, he had grown tall, like a pine standing proudly amid wind and snow—straight-backed and slender.

His face was strikingly handsome, his features like the finest work of heaven itself, and his brows held a composure and steadiness well beyond his years.

What made Bibi Dong prouder than anything was Lin Yuan's terrifying cultivation and talent.

A sixty-ninth-level Soul Emperor at fifteen!

He was only a thin sheet of paper away from the threshold of Soul Saint.

Such an astonishing pace, unprecedented and likely never to be surpassed, would make even Bibi Dong—a genius with Twin Martial Souls—feel inadequate beside him.

"You've grown up, and you've become even more handsome."

Bibi Dong raised a hand as pale as jade and gently brushed Lin Yuan's cheek, her eyes filled with deep pride and affection.

"With talent that will shake the ages, and yet you're still so humble and composed—I'm truly proud of you."

"Tell me, is there anything in particular you've been wishing for lately?"

"Just say the word. Whether it's a rare treasure or a Soul Bone manual, Aunt Dong will get it for you."

Her tone carried unquestionable authority. That was the confidence of the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall.

Lin Yuan stopped massaging, walked around to the front of the chair, and sat down without ceremony on the small couch beside it.

He leaned back on both hands and met Bibi Dong's gaze without the slightest hesitation.

"I don't need treasures or Soul Bones."

"As for what I want..."

Lin Yuan drew out the words on purpose. Seeing Bibi Dong perk up her ears slightly, he wore a mischievous smile.

"I miss Big Sister Qian Renxue."