"Don't tell my teacher about our relationship just yet."
Bibi Dong looked at him pitifully.
"I'm afraid his heart won't be able to take it. He'll black out and hit the floor."
"Got it."
Zhao Linchuan stood up and picked up the coat draped over the back of the chair. As he put it on, he said:
"I'll just tell him you're in seclusion, cultivating, and can't see anyone for now."
"Mm..."
Bibi Dong murmured in reply. She watched Zhao Linchuan's back as he got dressed, hesitated for a moment, then spoke up.
"Um... can you come back to see me tonight?"
"Of course. Get some rest first. Sleep a little and regain your strength."
Zhao Linchuan straightened his collar and strode toward the door. When he reached it, he glanced back at Bibi Dong.
"I'm off. See you tonight."
The door opened, then closed.
Bibi Dong sat alone on the bed, clutching the blanket as she stared blankly at the closed door. Her face flushed red, then turned pale, and no one could tell what she was thinking.
"Aah—! What was I even doing before...?!"
Who knew what had come to mind? Bibi Dong suddenly let out a coquettish cry, lay down, and pulled the covers over herself.
About three minutes later, the door opened again, and Yan Lingji walked in at an unhurried pace.
She came to the bedside and sat down, then gently lifted the blanket that covered Bibi Dong's face, revealing cheeks red enough to drip blood.
"How was it?"
"Was last night all right?"
"Not at all..."
Bibi Dong's voice came muffled from beneath the blanket, her face full of grievance.
"That bastard was awful. He kept making me stick out my tongue and hold up both hands in a 'V'..."
A long while later, on the steps outside Pope Hall.
The morning sunlight was warm and bright.
Several Red Cardinals on guard stood at a distance in the square before the hall.
Qian Xunji stood with his hands behind his back on the highest step, his gaze fixed on a pale golden cloud on the distant horizon. His robe stirred gently in the breeze, giving him the air of an otherworldly master.
After hearing Zhao Linchuan's explanation, he nodded slightly, his tone carrying a trace of approval.
"You're saying Dong'er has broken through again?"
"She's in seclusion."
Zhao Linchuan stood beside him, back straight and expression calm.
"I trained with her all night yesterday. Judging by my estimate, she should break through before long."
"I see..."
"You don't need to push yourselves too hard in your cultivation. You need to balance work and rest." Qian Xunji's words held a hidden meaning. "Young people should make the most of their youth and enjoy the things young people enjoy."
"Don't spend all your time cooped up in a quiet room cultivating."
"Linchuan understands." Zhao Linchuan lowered his eyes slightly, his tone proper and respectful. "May I ask if His Holiness the Pope summoned me here for some important matter?"
"Nothing much."
Qian Xunji waved a hand, his tone casual.
"It's about that position as an offering. I've already spoken to a few of my uncles."
"And what do the offerings think...?" Zhao Linchuan's brows twitched slightly.
"They have no objections." Qian Xunji continued, sounding rather pleased with himself. "It's just that you're still too young, and your Soul Power Level is far below theirs."
"So 'I' came up with a plan. After the competition, you'll lead a team to bring the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to heel. With that achievement, I'll 'secure' your entry into the Worship Hall."
"It worked?"
Zhao Linchuan stared at him, surprise flashing in his eyes.
He hadn't thought Qian Xunji could pull it off at all. He knew well enough what those old fellows in the Worship Hall were like.
He truly hadn't expected Qian Xunji to get it done.
"Of course."
Qian Xunji lifted his chin slightly, his face wearing the proud look of someone thinking, "You know who I am, don't you?"
"Oh, right." His smile faded, and his tone turned more serious. "There's something I forgot to tell you. Yu Xiaogang has handed over the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect."
"He handed it over?" Zhao Linchuan's tone was strange, and the corner of his mouth twitched. "Wasn't he begging to die before?"
"Why did he suddenly turn into a spineless coward?"
"Begging to die? Hah." Qian Xunji let out a scornful laugh. "The day after you left, he had already handed over the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique."
He glanced at Zhao Linchuan, approval in his voice.
"You deserve credit for this. I'll have Dong'er copy it out later and give it to you."
"Thank you, Your Holiness the Pope." Zhao Linchuan cupped his hands slightly.
"You deserve credit for this too." Qian Xunji waved him off, his gaze returning to the distant horizon, his tone growing remote and profound. "All right, enough about that."
"I summoned you for one more thing." His voice dropped. "The competition starts in two or three days."
"I want you to do everything you can during the competition to humiliate the Clear Sky Sect's contestants, especially the Clear Sky Twin Stars."
He sighed, his tone touched with melancholy.
"Number One Under Heaven... Sect."
"There's so much bound up in the words 'Number One Under Heaven.'"
"So much that when people hear those four words, they instinctively think the Clear Sky Sect is the strongest force in the entire Soul Master World."
"That's right." Zhao Linchuan picked up the thread. "There's so much bound up in the words 'Number One Under Heaven.'"
"They're simple and direct. Even a three-year-old can understand what 'Number One Under Heaven' means..."
While Zhao Linchuan and Qian Xunji spoke in low voices, over in the western part of Spirit City—
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's lodgings.
It was a spacious compound with white walls and dark-tiled roofs, its upturned eaves sweeping high. Two stone lions stood proudly before the gate, displaying the grandeur of the world's number one auxiliary sect.
Several disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect stood guard at the entrance.
An elaborately decorated carriage came to a slow stop in front of the gate.
The curtain lifted, and Ning Fengzhi stepped down from the carriage.
He looked toward Chen Xin, who had been waiting nearby, and asked slowly:
"Uncle Jian, has Uncle Gu still not returned?"
"Hmph! That old pile of bones has probably run off somewhere to enjoy himself again!"
There was a trace of displeasure in Chen Xin's voice.
"He never takes care of anything important. When he gets back, I'm going to give him a proper workout."
"Uncle Jian." Ning Fengzhi wore a gentle smile as he stepped forward, his tone placating. "Uncle Gu may simply have been held up by something. I doubt he stayed away on purpose."
"What could possibly be more important than your safety?" Chen Xin said earnestly. "When he gets back, I'll make sure to teach him a lesson."
"Alas." Ning Fengzhi shook his head, sounding helpless, though a smile tugged at his lips. "Then I'll have to arrange for a healing Soul Master to treat Uncle Gu in advance."
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