Bibi Dong watched it all without changing her expression, but she regarded Dugu Ce with a little more scrutiny.
This kid wasn't just good in a fight. He knew how to handle people, too.
Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke at just the right moment:
"Your Holiness the Pope, the Dragon-Serpent Sect has only just been founded, and its roots are still shallow.
I'd like to bring Ce'er to stay in Spirit City for a few days so he can get familiar with the place."
Bibi Dong nodded:
"Granted.
Golden Crocodile, I've already had someone arrange lodgings for the Dragon-Serpent Sect.
It's near the Worship Hall, so you can keep an eye on him."
"You've been thoughtful."
Golden Crocodile Douluo cupped his hands, then led Dugu Ce and the other two out of the hall.
Once they were out of Pope Palace, Dugu Yan let out a long breath and lowered her voice:
"Ce'er, that scared me half to death.
Bibi Dong's aura was so strong, my legs nearly gave out."
"Nothing unusual about that."
Dugu Ce's expression remained calm.
She was a high-ranked Titled Douluo, not to mention the Pope. Of course her aura was formidable."
Bibi Dong's strength was constrained by the Rakshasa God Trial, so it was hard to tell exactly what level she was.
But one thing was certain: she was at least level 97.
Her true Soul Power Level might already have reached 98 or even 99.
Walking behind them, Dugu Xuan suddenly spoke:
"Ce'er, that 'Companion Flower of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum' you mentioned—is it really in your hands?"
"No."
Dugu Ce shook his head.
"But there are indeed a few herbs growing beside the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well that resemble the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
They can't compare to an Immortal Herb, but they're good enough to offer Yue Guan as a gesture of goodwill."
Dugu Xuan gave a wry smile:
"You're making a promise with empty hands?"
"Not exactly empty."
Dugu Ce replied evenly.
"Yue Guan is obsessed with flowers and plants down to his bones. As long as something's rare enough, he won't care whether it's an Immortal Herb.
It's better to make a friend than an enemy."
Walking ahead, Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke without looking back:
"Ce'er's right. Yue Guan may have a sharp tongue, but he's not a bad person.
If we can bring him over, we should. There's no need to offend him."
The four crossed Spirit City's broad streets. Soul Masters along the way made room for them and bowed in greeting.
Dugu Yan looked around with curiosity and couldn't help exclaiming:
"Spirit City is even more prosperous than Heaven Dou City.
Even the weakest person walking these streets is a Soul Ancestor."
"Spirit Hall is the sacred land of Soul Masters throughout the world. Of course it's prosperous."
Dugu Xuan stroked his beard.
"Yan Yan, stop looking around. You're embarrassing yourself."
Dugu Yan stuck out her tongue and reined herself in.
Golden Crocodile Douluo led them to a private courtyard.
It wasn't large, but it was beautifully furnished. Two Soul King guards stood at the entrance.
"This is where you'll be staying.
I live in the Worship Hall, not far from here. Come find me if you need anything."
Golden Crocodile Douluo pointed to the courtyard gate.
"The match at the Martial Arts Arena is in three days. I'll let you know beforehand.
Get some rest over the next three days, and don't go wandering around and causing trouble."
Dugu Ce nodded:
"Thank you, Master."
Golden Crocodile Douluo waved a hand and turned to leave.
The three entered the courtyard. Dugu Yan closed the gate and finally relaxed, dropping onto a stone stool:
"At last, I can catch my breath.
Ce'er, how confident are you about the match in three days?"
Dugu Ce sat down beside the stone table and thought for a moment:
"Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan are all above level 50.
Hu Liena and Xie Yue have a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. In a one-on-one fight, each of them has their own weaknesses."
"What weaknesses?"
Dugu Xuan sat down too, asking with keen interest.
"Yan's attribute is fire, and my Calamity Sacred Dragon is also a fire attribute.
My Martial Soul is higher quality than his, so the attribute suppression will cut his strength by at least thirty percent."
Dugu Ce held up two fingers.
"Xie Yue's Martial Soul is the Moon Blade, and he's a Power Attack System fighter, but his defense is his weak point.
I'm just as fast as he is. Once I get close, he won't be able to take it."
"What about Hu Liena?"
Dugu Yan pressed.
Dugu Ce fell silent for a moment:
"Hu Liena is the most troublesome.
Her Martial Soul is the Demon Fox. She specializes in mental attacks and bewitchment.
My mental strength has reached Soul Douluo level, but bewitchment isn't something you can resist with mental strength alone."
Dugu Xuan furrowed his brow:
"Then what do we do?"
"Leave it to fate."
Dugu Ce's lips curled slightly.
"Bewitchment works by stirring up the desires in someone's heart.
I've avenged myself on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, founded the Dragon-Serpent Sect, and settled my mother. Grandpa and Granduncle have both become Titled Douluos.
There's nothing left in my heart for her to exploit, so her bewitchment will have limited effect on me."
Dugu Yan nodded thoughtfully:
"So when you told Bibi Dong you 'wouldn't lose,' you weren't bluffing?"
"I wasn't."
Dugu Ce stood and rolled his wrists.
"But it won't be easy.
The Golden Generation didn't earn their reputation for nothing. In three days, I'll have to show what I can really do."
Dugu Xuan patted his grandson on the shoulder:
"Prepare well. I'll go for a walk around the streets and buy Yan Yan a few changes of clothes."
Dugu Yan stood up:
"I'm coming too!"
The grandfather and granddaughter left, leaving Dugu Ce alone in the courtyard.
Dugu Ce stood with his hands behind his back, gazing up at Pope Palace in the center of Spirit City. A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"Bibi Dong... You're using the Golden Generation to test me.
I might as well take this chance to show all of Spirit Hall whether its Sect Master is worth winning over."
In the distance, Pope Palace's spires gleamed in the sunlight.
Three days later, at the Martial Arts Arena.
Three days later, at Spirit Hall's Martial Arts Arena.
The vast circular stands were packed with spectators.
Spirit Hall's senior officials, heads of its various departments, supporters of the Golden Generation—
even several old monsters from the Worship Hall had come, sitting in the shadows of the VIP seats with their eyes closed.
Bibi Dong sat in the center of the main stand, with Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei standing behind her.
Golden Crocodile Douluo sat to her right, his expression calm.
In the center of the Martial Arts Arena, three young figures stood shoulder to shoulder.
Hu Liena, her golden hair falling to her waist, had a hint of bewitchment in her eyes.
Xie Yue, silver-haired and with his arms crossed over his chest, wore an impassive expression.
Yan was powerfully built, his short red hair standing on end, and fierce fighting spirit danced in his eyes.
"I heard that kid's only twelve?"
Yan spoke in a deep, rumbling voice.
"A twelve-year-old Soul King? I want to see whether he really deserves the hype."
Xie Yue said coolly:
"Golden Crocodile's disciple can't be too weak.
Yan, you're up first. Don't get careless."
"Careless?"
Yan grinned and slammed his fists together, scattering a few sparks.
"I'm here to beat the geniuses."
On the other side of the stands, Dugu Ce emerged from the passageway.
He wore a black martial outfit and strode forward steadily.
Dugu Xuan and Dugu Yan followed behind him.
Dugu Yan lowered her voice:
"Ce'er, there are so many people..."
"The more, the livelier."
Dugu Ce's expression didn't change. He walked to the edge of the Martial Arts Arena and leapt onto the platform.
Bibi Dong rose to her feet, her voice carrying across the entire arena:
"Today's contest will be decided in three matches.
Dugu Ce will fight Yan, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena in that order, one match each.
Whoever wins two matches wins.
Do either of you have any objections?"
Before you continue