Bibi Dong's Reward? Di Yao Wanted No Empty Fame, Only Resources!

Spirit City.

Pope Palace.

When Di Yao returned, he still carried the bloody stench of the Fasnuo operation.

The Black Market hideout had been uprooted.

The Master Ledger for resold resources had been secured.

The Crimson Blood Berserk Bear Soul Emperor had been captured.

Yu Xiaogang and Tang San had officially been placed on the wanted list.

The traces of the Clear Sky Remnants had also been laid before Bibi Dong.

This result had far exceeded that of an ordinary investigation.

Inside the main hall, Yue Guan watched Di Yao with a smile.

"Little one, you certainly caused quite a stir on this trip."

Gui Mei stood in the shadows, his voice low and hoarse.

"You even lured Tang Hao out."

Hu Liena stood to one side, her expression somewhat complicated.

She had seen with her own eyes how Di Yao had investigated the accounts, sealed off routes, stepped through traps, and uprooted the Black Market step by step.

Looking back now, she even had the feeling that Di Yao had never intended to investigate Yu Xiaogang alone from the moment he accepted the mission.

He wanted the entire chain.

Bibi Dong sat in the seat of honor.

After reading the dossier, her gaze lingered on the words "Tang Hao appeared."

Only after a moment did she look at Di Yao.

"Well done."

Di Yao did not entertain the pleasantries.

"What about the reward?"

Yue Guan's mouth twitched.

This kid really skipped every bit of ceremony.

Hu Liena could not help glancing at him as well.

Bibi Dong, however, was not angry.

She had already grown used to Di Yao's directness.

"What do you want?"

Di Yao raised his head.

"First, early approval for obtaining my Third Soul Ring."

"I'm already at the peak of level twenty-nine."

"I'm only one step away from level thirty."

Bibi Dong lightly tapped her scepter with her fingertips.

"Continue."

Di Yao said, "Second, grant me access to some information on soul bones and Immortal Herbs."

"Especially resources that can alter one's foundation, enhance the origin of fire attributes, and strengthen bloodlines."

"Third, grant me operational clearance in Heaven Dou City."

Yue Guan raised an eyebrow.

"Heaven Dou City?"

Di Yao placed an Account Ledger before the desk.

"Some of the stolen goods from the Resource Case flowed into the Heaven Dou Chamber of Commerce."

"It is no ordinary chamber of commerce."

"Behind it are nobles, sects, and Black Market transit operations."

"Fasnuo was merely downstream."

"Heaven Dou is where the resources are laundered."

Bibi Dong looked at him.

"You just returned, and you want to keep investigating?"

Di Yao said, "This trail is still hot."

"When it's hot, we can catch people."

"Once it goes cold, all we can do is look at the accounts."

Bibi Dong said calmly, "You don't want honor?"

"Pope Palace can publicly commend you."

"You would become the brightest name among Spirit Hall's younger generation."

Di Yao shook his head.

"Reputation cannot increase Soul Power."

"Resources can."

He paused.

"Once I am strong enough, reputation will naturally chase after me."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Yue Guan laughed softly.

"That's quite realistic."

Gui Mei said in a low voice, "Realistic is useful."

Bibi Dong looked at Di Yao, the satisfaction in her eyes deepening.

She did not lack disciples who shouted their loyalty.

Nor did she lack geniuses who craved empty fame.

What she lacked were people who understood how resources, power, and strength could be transformed into one another.

Di Yao was very young.

Yet he saw things more clearly than many adults.

Bibi Dong slowly spoke.

"Approval for the Third Soul Ring is granted."

"Some information on soul bones and Immortal Herbs will be opened to you."

"Operational clearance in Heaven Dou City is granted."

Hu Liena's eyes flickered.

She knew what this meant.

Di Yao was no longer merely a personal disciple being nurtured by Pope Palace.

He had begun to truly come into contact with the continent's core powers.

Yet Di Yao showed no excessive excitement.

He continued, "What about the distribution of spoils?"

Yue Guan could not help rubbing his forehead.

"Little one, you didn't forget even that?"

Di Yao looked at him.

"If I forget, it'll be gone."

The corners of Bibi Dong's lips moved slightly.

"As agreed before, fifty percent of the recovered resources will be converted according to merit."

"The Sun Crystal Core is already yours."

"The subsequent profits involved in the Black Market Account Ledger will be given to you once the settlement is complete."

Di Yao nodded.

"Fine."

Bibi Dong suddenly said, "Tang Hao has already set his sights on you."

Di Yao raised his eyes.

"I know."

Bibi Dong's voice grew several degrees colder.

"He is no ordinary enemy."

"Nor is Tang San an ordinary fugitive."

"Behind them are the Clear Sky Sect Remnants, as well as one of the continent's strongest Tool Spirits."

Di Yao said, "That makes them even more valuable."

Hu Liena could not help saying, "Are you really not afraid Tang Hao will kill you?"

Di Yao glanced at her.

"I am."

Hu Liena froze.

She had not expected Di Yao to admit it so readily.

Di Yao continued, "That is why I will not go looking for him alone."

"Being afraid does not mean retreating."

"It only reminds me not to be stupid for now."

Hu Liena fell silent.

This was Di Yao.

So arrogant it was frightening.

Yet never foolish enough to throw his life away for nothing.

Bibi Dong picked up a secret letter from the desk.

"After you reach Heaven Dou City, meet someone first."

Di Yao accepted it.

There was no name on the envelope.

Only the seal of the Crown Prince's Mansion.

"Xue Qinghe?"

Bibi Dong looked at him.

"The Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire."

"He is also our most important connection in Heaven Dou."

Di Yao's eyes shifted slightly.

"Just the Crown Prince?"

Bibi Dong did not answer directly.

She said calmly, "When you meet him, see for yourself."

Di Yao put away the letter.

"Understood."

Bibi Dong added, "Hu Liena will go with you."

Hu Liena immediately looked up.

"Teacher?"

Bibi Dong looked at her.

"You have not learned enough in Fasnuo."

"Keep following him."

Hu Liena gritted her teeth.

She had wanted to argue.

But when she recalled everything that had happened along the way in Fasnuo, she swallowed her words.

She had indeed learned things.

Though Di Yao had infuriated her every single time.

Bibi Dong turned to Di Yao.

"This trip to Heaven Dou is not merely about investigating accounts."

"You must see clearly how nobles, chambers of commerce, and sects consume resources."

"Spirit Hall's strength lies in its system."

"Heaven Dou's strength lies in its deeply tangled connections."

Di Yao nodded.

"The more chaotic it is, the more opportunities there are."

A trace of amusement flashed through Bibi Dong's eyes.

"Go."

"Remember, you are not yet at the point where you can sweep through everything."

Before turning away, Di Yao said calmly, "I know."

"So I'll collect the debts first."

Three days later.

Di Yao left Spirit City with Hu Liena and a lean Law Enforcement Team.

The convoy sped toward Heaven Dou.

Hu Liena sat in the carriage, watching Di Yao pore over the Heaven Dou Chamber of Commerce documents.

"How are you planning to investigate this time?"

Di Yao did not look up.

"First, I'll meet Xue Qinghe."

Hu Liena frowned.

"Don't you usually prefer freezing the accounts first?"

"Heaven Dou isn't Fasnuo."

"Fasnuo is a loose thread."

"Heaven Dou is a web of power."

"Freezing the accounts first would alert too many people."

Hu Liena considered it.

"So you'll first find someone whose influence you can leverage."

Di Yao nodded.

"The Crown Prince's name carries more weight than the Law Enforcement Team."

Hu Liena looked at him and suddenly said, "You're becoming more and more like Teacher."

Di Yao's hand paused as he turned the page.

"No."

"Teacher is the one who holds power."

"Right now, I'm only borrowing it."

He looked out the window.

"The day everyone has to borrow my power instead..."

"That's when I'll be like him."

Hu Liena fell silent.

Outside the carriage, Heaven Dou City drew ever closer.

And the Dark Gold Firelight in Di Yao's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

The second phase of the Resource Case.

Had begun.