Secret Technique Acquired, Number One Under Heaven

"Don't tell Teacher about our relationship yet."

Bibi Dong looked at him pitifully.

"I'm afraid his heart won't be able to take it, and he'll just black out and collapse on the floor."

"Understood."

Zhao Linchuan stood up, picked up the coat draped over the back of the chair, and put it on as he spoke.

"I'll just say you're in secluded cultivation and can't see anyone for the time being."

"Mm..."

Bibi Dong replied. She watched Zhao Linchuan's back as he dressed, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke up.

"Um... can you come back to see me tonight?"

"Of course. You should get some good rest, sleep, and recharge your energy."

Zhao Linchuan straightened his collar and strode toward the door. When he reached the threshold, he turned back to look at Bibi Dong one last time.

"I'm leaving. See you tonight."

The door was pushed open and then closed again.

Bibi Dong sat alone on the bed, clutching the quilt, staring blankly at the tightly shut door. Her face flushed red and then turned pale, lost in her own thoughts.

"Oh my—! How could I have ever...!!"

It was unclear what exactly Bibi Dong had thought of, but she suddenly let out a coquettish cry, lay back down, and pulled the quilt over her head to bury herself.

About three minutes later, the door opened again, and Yan Lingji walked in slowly.

She walked to the bedside, sat down, and reached out to gently lift the quilt covering Bibi Dong's face, revealing a complexion so red it looked like it might bleed.

"How was it?"

"Was yesterday alright?"

"It wasn't alright at all..."

Bibi Dong's voice was muffled, her face full of grievance.

"That bastard is so wicked; he kept making me stick my tongue out and hold up a 'V' sign with both hands..."

A long while later, on the steps outside the Pope Hall.

The morning sun was warm and bright.

On the plaza in front of the hall, several Red Cardinals stood guard in the distance.

Qian Xunji stood with his hands behind his back on the highest step, his gaze fixed on the pale golden clouds on the distant horizon. His robes fluttered slightly in the breeze, giving him the air of an otherworldly expert.

He finished listening to Zhao Linchuan's explanation and nodded slightly, his tone carrying a hint of approval.

"You're saying Dong'er has broken through again?"

"She is currently in secluded cultivation."

Zhao Linchuan stood by his side, his back straight, his expression composed.

"I sparred with her all night yesterday. Based on my estimation, it shouldn't be long before she makes a breakthrough."

"I see..."

"You don't need to be so intense with your cultivation; there must be a balance between work and rest." Qian Xunji said with a double meaning. "Young people should take advantage of their youth to enjoy more things that young people enjoy."

"Don't always hole yourselves up in a quiet room to cultivate."

"Linchuan understands." Zhao Linchuan lowered his eyes slightly, his tone upright and respectful. "I wonder, Your Holiness, is there something important you summoned me for?"

"Nothing much."

Qian Xunji waved his hand, his tone casual.

"It's about that Consecration Hall matter. I've already passed the word to the uncles."

"And what was the opinion of the Consecrators...?" Zhao Linchuan's brow twitched slightly.

"They have no objections." Qian Xunji continued, his tone tinged with a hint of pride. "However, you are still too young after all, and your spirit power level is far behind."

"So, 'I' came up with an idea. After the competition ends, you will lead the team to subdue the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. With that merit, I will 'guarantee' your entry into the Consecration Hall."

"It actually worked?"

Zhao Linchuan was stunned upon hearing this, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.

He hadn't expected Qian Xunji to pull this off at all; he knew a thing or two about the temperaments of those old fogies in the Consecration Hall.

He truly hadn't expected Qian Xunji to actually get it done.

"Naturally."

Qian Xunji lifted his chin slightly, his face wearing an arrogant expression that seemed to say, "Don't you know who I am?"

"This Pope is the supreme authority whose word is law within the Spirit Hall!"

"By the way," he put away his smile, his tone becoming somewhat more serious, "there is something I forgot to tell you. That Yu Xiaogang has already handed over the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique of their Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect."

"He handed it over?" Zhao Linchuan's tone was strange, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly. "Didn't he want to die just before?"

"How did he suddenly turn spineless?"

"Want to die? Heh." Qian Xunji let out a disdainful sneer. "The day after you left, he had already handed over the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique."

He glanced at Zhao Linchuan, his tone carrying a hint of appreciation.

"I will credit this to you. Later, I will have Dong'er make a copy and give it to you."

"Many thanks, Pope." Zhao Linchuan bowed slightly.

"This is also your merit." Qian Xunji waved his hand, his gaze falling back onto the distant horizon, his tone becoming distant and profound. "Alright, let's not talk about this anymore."

"I summoned you here this time for another matter," his voice deepened, "the competition is starting in two or three days."

"I want you to use your greatest ability during the competition to humiliate the Clear Sky Sect's contestants, especially those Clear Sky Twin Stars."

He sighed, his tone carrying a touch of melancholy.

"The number one... sect in the world."

"The things contained within these four words, 'number one in the world,' are simply too many."

"So many that when people hear these four words, they subconsciously feel that the Clear Sky Sect is the strongest force in the entire soul master world."

"Indeed." Zhao Linchuan took up the thread. "The things contained within the four words 'number one in the world' are too many."

"It is simple and direct; even a three-year-old child can understand the meaning of these four words..."

Just as Zhao Linchuan and Qian Xunji were conversing in low voices—Spirit City, west of the city.

The residence where the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was staying.

This was a courtyard of considerable size, with white walls, dark tiles, and upturned eaves. Two majestic stone lions stood before the gate, showcasing the grandeur of the world's number one support sect.

Several Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciples were standing guard at the entrance.

A lavishly decorated carriage slowly pulled up in front of the gate.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Ning Fengzhi stepped down slowly.

He looked at Chen Xin, who had been waiting on the side for some time, and said slowly:

"Uncle Sword, has Uncle Gu still not returned?"

"Hmph! That old bone probably ran off somewhere to frolic again!"

Chen Xin's tone carried a hint of displeasure.

"He doesn't do any proper work. When he returns, I must spar with him properly."

"Uncle Sword," Ning Fengzhi said with a gentle smile as he stepped forward, his tone carrying a hint of consolation, "Uncle Gu might just be held up by something; he didn't stay away on purpose."

"What could be more important than your safety?" Chen Xin said with a serious expression. "When he returns, see if I don't teach him a lesson."

"Sigh." Ning Fengzhi shook his head, his tone helpless, though a smile played on his lips. "Then I can only hire healing soul masters for Bone in advance."