A Conversation

On the other side.

Elder Hall.

The heavy doors slowly closed behind her with a dull thud.

Eternal flames burned in the chandeliers suspended from the vaulted ceiling. Their light fell across the reliefs on all four walls, where ancient scenes of angels battling demons flickered in and out of view.

The most powerful people in Spirit Hall sat along both sides of the long table.

The Venerable Elders.

Every one of them was a Titled Douluo or higher, standing at the pinnacle of the Soul Master World, where all the soul masters on the continent could only look up at them.

When Bibi Dong walked in, several gazes fell on her at once.

She did not break stride.

In one year, she had risen from Level 83 to Level 90. The Spirit Milk Water Lily had purified her Soul Power, making it incomparably solid, while that concealment technique masked her strength.

Those seated could only sense that her aura was deeper than it had been a year ago. They could not discern her exact level.

A few Venerable Elders exchanged glances, but none spoke.

The Holy Maiden had always kept to herself.

She had made only a handful of public appearances over the past year, so it was hardly strange that her aura had changed.

After all, everyone had their own secrets when it came to cultivation.

Bibi Dong's gaze swept over the long table.

At the head sat Qian Daoliu, clad in white, his white hair framing a face as impassive as water.

To the left sat the Venerable Elders. Each one was powerful enough to shake the entire continent with a single stomp.

With so many Venerable Elders gathered, this was clearly no trivial matter.

Then her gaze settled on one person.

Qian Xunji.

He sat to Qian Daoliu's right, dressed in an elegant papal robe. His golden hair was immaculately combed, his features handsome, his expression haughty.

When he saw Bibi Dong enter, the corner of his mouth twitched as if he wanted to say something.

But Qian Daoliu's gaze swept over him, cool and casual.

Qian Xunji glanced at his father. Remembering what he had been told earlier, he forced the words back down his throat and let out only a faint snort through his nose.

Bibi Dong looked away, her expression unchanged.

Though hatred churned in her heart like molten lava, not a ripple showed on her face.

She sat at the other end of the table, with its entire length between her and Qian Xunji.

Once everyone had arrived, Qian Daoliu got straight to the point.

"I called you all here today for two matters."

"First. We have finally got a lead on Tang Hao's whereabouts."

Bibi Dong's eyelashes fluttered ever so slightly.

Tang Hao—the twin star of the Clear Sky Sect.

For the past few years, Spirit Hall had been searching for him. Everyone knew why.

Tang Hao had a woman with him, a woman whose true form was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

What it meant in the Soul Master World for a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast to take human form needed no explanation.

A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast was a walking mountain of gold. A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Ring and a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Bone were enough to drive any soul master mad.

"Our scouts report that Tang Hao and that transformed Soul Beast have recently been seen in the mountain range north of the Star Dou Forest. The two are extremely careful about covering their tracks, but we have a lead."

As he spoke, Qian Daoliu looked from one side of the table to the other. "Hunting down Tang Hao and capturing that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast—that is the first matter."

He paused, then continued.

"The second matter. Recently, three evil Soul Masters dedicated to hunting other soul masters have appeared on the continent.

"The leader is a Level 89 Soul Douluo. The other two are Level 82 and Level 83 Soul Douluos. They are vicious, targeting soul masters who travel alone. Soul Masters from more than a dozen small sects have already fallen victim to them.

"One of Spirit Hall's most important duties on the continent is to maintain peace in the Soul Master World and punish those who commit evil.

"If we cannot kill them, we must drive them to Slaughter City, so they can never again endanger the continent."

As Qian Daoliu spoke, the Venerable Elders at the table nodded slightly.

Although Spirit Hall had no small ambitions, it had never slacked in maintaining order on the continent.

That was both Spirit Hall's duty and a way to establish its prestige.

Every time it punished evil and upheld justice, it added another brick to the foundation of Spirit Hall's rule.

When faced with scum who preyed on soul masters, Spirit Hall had always shown no mercy. Those it could not kill, it forced into Slaughter City, letting that city of sin carry out their life sentences.

"Both matters will require manpower." Qian Daoliu's gaze moved between Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong. "The Venerable Elders must defend Spirit City, so they cannot be easily deployed. The Pope will personally lead the hunt for Tang Hao. As for the three evil Soul Masters—Holy Maiden Bibi Dong, will you take care of that?"

Bibi Dong looked up at Qian Daoliu.

Holy Maiden.

Spirit Hall had given her this title, and it was one of the greatest advantages that had allowed her to establish herself here over the years.

No matter how much Qian Xunji wanted to suppress her,

as long as she remained the Holy Maiden, she would retain her official standing and authority within Spirit Hall.

This title was bound up with her future. At least until her wings had grown strong enough, she could not afford to lose it.

She understood Qian Daoliu's intentions in sending her.

Destroying the evil Soul Masters would be a great accomplishment. It would build her standing within Spirit Hall and further burnish Spirit Hall's reputation across the continent.

"Very well," Bibi Dong replied calmly.

Qian Daoliu nodded and was about to continue when Qian Xunji suddenly spoke.

"That Level 89 Soul Douluo is no weakling." Qian Xunji's tone was mild. He did not even look at Bibi Dong, speaking as though he were addressing thin air. "To ensure nothing goes wrong, have Chrysanthemum Douluo accompany her."

Bibi Dong's gaze turned slightly cold.

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan was one of Qian Xunji's most trusted confidants.

On the surface, sending him along meant offering assistance. In reality, it was a way to keep an eye on her.

Qian Xunji still did not trust her to leave Spirit City alone, even for a single hunting mission.

"Unnecessary. I can handle this alone."

Qian Xunji frowned.

He knew Bibi Dong's level a year ago.

A Level 83 Soul Douluo was certainly powerful, but to face three evil Soul Douluos alone—one of them Level 89—what gave her such confidence?

Could she have become much stronger over the past year?

But how much could anyone at her level improve in a single year?

He was about to say more when Qian Daoliu raised a hand to stop him.

"If the Holy Maiden is confident, then it's settled." Qian Daoliu's decision was final.

He sensed that Bibi Dong's aura was more than a little stronger than it had been a year ago. Though he could not discern her precise level, he trusted his instincts.

If Bibi Dong dared to say that, she must have the strength to back it up.

Qian Xunji said nothing more, but his gaze lingered on Bibi Dong for another moment.

There was scrutiny in his eyes, along with a trace of unease he could barely conceal.

Then he moved his lips toward the Chrysanthemum Douluo seated lower down and quickly murmured a few words that only the two of them could hear.

Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression remained unchanged. He nodded slightly.

Bibi Dong noticed, but could not be bothered to care.

With her current strength, a mere Chrysanthemum Douluo was no threat to her.

As for Qian Xunji...

When the opportunity came, she would hack him into a thousand pieces.

Once the discussion was over, Bibi Dong stood. Without saying goodbye or offering a salute, she turned and headed for the doors.

That cold gaze remained fixed to her back, but Bibi Dong did not even look around.