Three days later.
Spirit City.
By the time Di Yao returned, word had already spread ahead of him.
"Di Yao is back."
"Did he really absorb a Third Soul Ring that was nearly ten thousand years old?"
"I heard he killed the Black Market Leader in Heaven Dou Outer City and even forced Tang Hao to personally rescue Tang San."
"Even the Worship Hall has ordered that they want to see him."
On both sides of the streets, many Soul Masters whispered among themselves.
Some were shocked.
Some were envious.
Others had complicated looks in their eyes.
Di Yao sat inside the carriage with his eyes closed, regulating his breath.
Hu Liena sat across from him. Listening to the voices outside, she frowned slightly.
"The news spread too quickly."
Di Yao did not open his eyes.
"Someone spread it deliberately."
Hu Liena asked very specifically, "The Elder Palace? Or the Worship Hall?"
Di Yao opened his eyes.
"Both."
"The Elder Palace wants more people to know that I have information on the Third Soul Ring and records of Immortal Herbs. That way, when they reach for them later, it won't look unprovoked."
"The Worship Hall wants everyone to know that they want to see me. That way, when I enter the Worship Hall, it won't be an ordinary summons, but an interrogation watched by all of Spirit City."
Hu Liena's expression darkened.
"In other words, they've already paved the road."
Di Yao said, "Mm."
Hu Liena said coldly, "And you're still this calm?"
Di Yao glanced at her.
"If I'm not calm, will that make them shut up?"
Hu Liena took a deep breath.
She really wanted to argue now.
But she could not refute him.
The carriage stopped before the Pope Palace.
Yue Guan had long been waiting outside