Restarting the Seven Great Sects Ranking Tournament? Bibi Dong: First, you have to beat the Golden Generation

Dugu Xuan paused, then added:

"Besides, if he can't win, there's still His Excellency Golden Crocodile to cover him. That old fellow is extremely protective; he won't let Ce'er suffer any losses."

Dugu Yan gave a wry smile:

"That's true."

Three days later, True Dragon Mountain.

The morning mist had yet to dissipate, and three figures already stood upon the stone terrace at the summit.

Dugu Bo stood on the stone steps with his hands behind his back, looking at the three people ready for departure, his tone indifferent:

"Leave the mountain to this old man; go with peace of mind. The Myriad Poison Array has been fully deployed. Even if a Titled Douluo comes, they will be stripped of a layer of skin."

Dugu Ce nodded and looked at Dugu Xuan and Dugu Yan:

"Grandfather, Sister, let's go."

Golden Crocodile Douluo swept down from the horizon and landed in front of the three.

He glanced at Dugu Bo and said indifferently:

"Old Poison, if there is any mishap on this mountain, I will hold you accountable."

"Rest assured, Your Excellency Golden Crocodile."

Dugu Bo chuckled.

"This old man's life was saved by Ce'er. I value his foundation more than my own eyeballs."

Golden Crocodile Douluo said no more. With a wave of his large sleeve, a thick, golden soul power enveloped the three:

"Let's go!"

Four figures soared into the air, turning into streaks of light as they headed southwest.

Dugu Bo stood on the summit, watching the four disappear into the horizon. He turned to look at the Dragon-Serpent Sect disciples practicing in the morning on the mountainside and muttered to himself:

"Whether the Dragon-Serpent Sect can stand firm depends on this trip."

Martial Soul City, Pope Palace.

Bibi Dong sat on the main throne of the great hall, holding a secret report, her brows slightly furrowed.

Below, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei stood on either side.

Yue Guan twirled a golden chrysanthemum and spoke in a strange, shrill tone:

"Your Majesty Pope, Elder Golden Crocodile has already set off with that boy. I heard he jumped from level forty-five to level fifty in ten days and even refined some kind of 'Ice and Fire Golden Body'... Do you think this is true, or is it just bragging?"

Bibi Dong put down the secret report and looked up at Yue Guan:

"Elder Golden Crocodile would not joke about such things. Dugu Ce has indeed broken through to level fifty, and his fifth soul ring is a 58,000-year-old Lava Poison Earth Dragon."

The chrysanthemum in Yue Guan's hand stiffened, and the smile on his face froze:

"A 58,000-year-old fifth ring? Is he tired of living?"

"Not only is he not tired of living, he is doing quite well."

Bibi Dong stood up and walked slowly to the center of the hall.

"The message sent back by Elder Golden Crocodile says his mental power has reached the level of a Soul Douluo, and his physical body has been tempered by immortal herbs, making him immune to water and fire. A mere 58,000-year soul ring cannot suppress him."

Ghost Douluo Gui Mei was silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice:

"Your Majesty, what about the Golden Generation... should we still let them accept the challenge?"

"Why not?"

Bibi Dong's lips curled slightly, but there was no smile in her eyes.

"Elder Golden Crocodile released the news that Dugu Ce wants to challenge the Golden Generation. If we don't accept, outsiders will say that Martial Soul Hall is afraid of a twelve-year-old child. If we accept, the outcome is within my control."

Yue Guan's eyes rolled:

"Does Your Majesty intend to... use the hands of the Golden Generation to test the depth of this boy?"

"Test his depth, and while you're at it, dampen his arrogance."

Bibi Dong turned and walked back to the main seat, settling into it.

"I do not oppose the Dragon-Serpent Sect taking a place among the Upper Three Sects.

But the Upper Three Sects are not seats just anyone can occupy.

If Dugu Ce cannot even defeat the Golden Generation, by what right does he stand on equal footing with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Clear Sky Sect?"

As soon as the words fell, a report came from outside the hall:

"His Excellency Golden Crocodile Douluo, the Second Worship, has arrived--!

Sect Master of the Dragon-Serpent Sect Dugu Ce, Nine Nether Douluo Dugu Xuan, and Vice Sect Master Dugu Yan request an audience!"

Bibi Dong raised a hand:

"Admit them."

The great hall doors opened.

Golden Crocodile Douluo walked at the very front, hands behind his back, making no effort to conceal the aura of a level ninety-nine Limit Douluo, forcing the attendants in the hall to lower their heads one after another.

Dugu Ce followed closely behind, dressed in black athletic gear, his expression indifferent. Behind him walked Dugu Xuan and Dugu Yan.

The four of them reached the center of the hall and stopped.

Golden Crocodile Douluo offered a casual salute:

"Your Majesty the Pope, I have brought them."

Bibi Dong nodded slightly, her gaze passing over Golden Crocodile to land on Dugu Ce.

A twelve-year-old boy, his frame already beginning to take on the contours of an adult, his features handsome and refined.

"Dugu Ce."

Bibi Dong spoke, her voice betraying neither joy nor anger.

"I have heard all about your affairs.

Twelve years old, level fifty-one, Twin Martial Souls, a fifth ring of fifty-eight thousand years...

Looking across the entire history of the Douluo Continent, you are a rare talent indeed."

Dugu Ce bowed slightly:

"Your Majesty is too kind."

"It is not kindness, it is the truth."

Bibi Dong shifted the tone of her voice.

"But I have also heard that you intend to challenge the Golden Generation?"

"That is correct."

Dugu Ce straightened up, his gaze steady.

"The half-month deadline has not yet arrived, but as I made a breakthrough early, I came early.

If the Golden Generation feels it is too rushed, I can wait."

"There is no need to wait."

Bibi Dong waved her hand.

"They have long been prepared.

Three days from now, at the Martial Soul Hall Martial Arts Arena, you will fight Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan one-on-one.

Win two matches and you win; lose two matches and you lose."

Dugu Ce raised an eyebrow:

"One-on-one? Not a gauntlet match?"

"Winning a gauntlet match is not exactly glorious."

Bibi Dong's lips curled slightly.

"What I want is a victory won fair and square.

If you win, I will personally nominate the Dragon-Serpent Sect for a place among the Upper Three Sects at the Seven Great Sects Ranking Tournament.

If you lose..."

Bibi Dong paused, her gaze turning cold.

"The matter of the Upper Three Sects will wait another three years."

Dugu Xuan frowned and was about to speak, but Dugu Ce raised a hand to stop him.

"Three years is too long."

Dugu Ce looked straight at Bibi Dong, his tone calm.

"This humble one only seeks to seize the day.

Three days from now, this humble one will not lose."

The great hall fell into a heavy silence.

Yue Guan let out a cold snort, his voice dripping with sarcasm:

"What a big mouth you have.

Hu Liena is the leader of Martial Soul Hall's Golden Generation, and both Xie Yue and Yan have their own unique strengths.

You brat have only just broken through to level fifty, yet you dare to be this arrogant—aren't you afraid of biting your tongue?"

Dugu Ce turned his head to look at Yue Guan and said indifferently:

"Elder Yue Guan, I heard you saying that I took your immortal herbs?"

Yue Guan's expression stiffened:

"What of it?

I have spent half my life researching the immortal herbs at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, and you plucked them all without a word. Are you not even going to let this old man speak his mind?"

Dugu Ce couldn't even be bothered to retort.

Before this, you didn't even know who the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well belonged to.

Yet now, you use this as an excuse to stir up trouble.

"Immortal herbs are ownerless objects by nature; whoever plucks them keeps them."

Dugu Ce remained calm and unhurried.

"However, if Elder Yue Guan truly feels the loss, this humble one can gift you one.

Inside this humble one's Wishful Treasure Pouch, there is still a companion flower to the 'Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum'. While it does not compare to the original immortal herb, it is still a rare treasure."

Yue Guan's eyes lit up, and the anger on his face dissipated by more than half:

"Truly?"

"Truly."

Dugu Ce nodded.

"Once the competition three days from now concludes, this humble one will personally present it to you."

Yue Guan chuckled and retreated to the side, saying nothing more.

Ghost Douluo Gui Mei glanced at Yue Guan, cursing inwardly:

This old thing, bought off by a single flower.