After leaving the Worship Hall, Han Xing went alone to the Pope Palace.
"What is it?"
Compared with Qian Daoliu, Bibi Dong, his teacher, was much colder toward Han Xing.
"Teacher, I'd like to leave Spirit City for a while," Han Xing said bluntly.
"Oh? Why? Give me a reason," Bibi Dong asked.
"Has the Spirit Academy's Soul Fighting Arena no longer been enough to meet your training needs?"
"No, it's not that." Han Xing shook his head.
"I recently received some information about Immortal Herbs."
"Apparently, consuming an Immortal Herb can make a Martial Soul undergo a transformation. They're over in the Heaven Dou Empire."
"I've already asked Senior Chrysanthemum Douluo about this. He confirmed that Immortal Herbs really do have that effect."
When Bibi Dong heard that Chrysanthemum Douluo also believed Immortal Herbs could transform a Martial Soul, her expression turned serious. She furrowed her brow and fell silent.
Han Xing watched Bibi Dong, unsure what she was thinking. He didn't interrupt.
After a long while, Bibi Dong finally spoke again.
"How reliable do you think this information is?"
"I'm fifty percent certain I can get an Immortal Herb," Han Xing replied directly.
"So confident?" Bibi Dong was surprised.
"Since that's the case, I'll approve your trip."
"But I have one condition. You must agree to it."
"Please, go ahead, Teacher," Han Xing said.
"If you find any Immortal Herbs and have one to spare, bring it back for me. I'd like to study it," Bibi Dong said.
At that, Han Xing couldn't help frowning.
Could this woman's lovesick side be acting up again?
Had hearing that an Immortal Herb could transform a Martial Soul made her think of that useless Yu Xiaogang again?
Han Xing recalled how she'd looked lost in thought just moments ago. Had she been thinking about Yu Xiaogang then?
Though he suspected as much, Han Xing readily agreed to Bibi Dong's request.
It was only Yu Xiaogang, a useless man. He was going to Heaven Dou City anyway.
He might as well find a chance to cripple him while he was there.
That way, Bibi Dong wouldn't keep thinking about him.
If she lost her mind and dragged Spirit Hall down with her before Han Xing had grown strong enough, it would be a disaster.
"Go, then. Since Yue Guan is going with you, I doubt I need to arrange anyone else to protect you."
Bibi Dong didn't know Han Xing was going to Heaven Dou City. She assumed he meant some remote Soul Beast forest in the Heaven Dou Empire.
"All right, Teacher. I'll take my leave," Han Xing said with a nod. "But I may be gone for quite a while."
"That's fine. Just come back before the Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition," Bibi Dong said indifferently.
"But even while you're away, you mustn't neglect your cultivation."
"If you haven't reached the Soul Ancestor rank by the time the Advanced Soul Master Academy Competition begins, you'll be punished."
Bibi Dong's requirement wasn't high. The Soul Master Tournament was still a year and a half away.
For someone with Innate Full Soul Power, gaining five levels in that time was a very lenient expectation.
"Don't worry, Teacher." Han Xing thumped his chest in assurance.
"I'll definitely reach the Soul Ancestor rank before I return."
Bibi Dong waved her hand, showing no desire to continue the conversation.
Han Xing immediately left the Pope Palace.
"An Immortal Herb that transforms a Martial Soul..."
Watching Han Xing's retreating figure, Bibi Dong murmured under her breath. Her hand clenched into a fist, her nails digging into her palm.
Her expression shifted between light and shadow, making it impossible to guess what she was thinking.
After a long while, Bibi Dong sighed. Her expression relaxed again.
It seemed she'd given up on some unrealistic idea.
Han Xing knew nothing about Bibi Dong's change of heart.
But he'd already decided he wouldn't give her any Immortal Herbs.
Whatever she was thinking no longer mattered much.
"Did you get everything sorted? When are you planning to leave?"
Back in the dorm, Radiant Douluo immediately asked Han Xing as he returned.
"We'll pack today and set out tomorrow," Han Xing explained.
"We'll need to disguise ourselves. We can't draw too much attention."
"You're in charge anyway. Do as you see fit."
Radiant Douluo didn't mind. He was more concerned about something else.
"When are you planning to cultivate the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow?"
"Whenever. We just need to make sure no one sees," Han Xing said, shaking his head.
"We can't let anyone find out about my Twin Martial Souls, especially while we're in the Heaven Dou Empire."
Radiant Douluo nodded. "That's true."
"In that case, I'll teach you how to use your bow Martial Soul after we return from the Heaven Dou Empire."
"But you can start practicing with an ordinary bow whenever you have free time."
"Bows are different from most Martial Souls," Radiant Douluo said gravely. "Using one well takes a great deal of skill."
"Your draw technique, your aim, predicting your enemy's movements—not one of those can be neglected."
Han Xing didn't refuse.
He was already skilled at attacking from a distance with Flame Feather.
But drawing and nocking a bow was very different from throwing Hidden Weapons.
As the two talked, the day passed quickly.
During that time, Han Xing kept using the bullet comments to piece together Tang San's current situation.
Judging from the few things mentioned in the comments, Tang San had probably already joined Shrek Academy.
Members of the Protagonist Group like Dai Mubai and Ning Rongrong had also appeared one after another.
With that in mind, Han Xing finished packing, then set off for Heaven Dou City with Radiant Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Spirit City was quite a distance from Heaven Dou City.
By the time Han Xing arrived, seven days had passed.
"Where are you planning to go next? Investigating the Immortal Herbs will probably take quite a while."
In their inn room, Chrysanthemum Douluo looked out at the streets of Heaven Dou City and asked.
"First, we'll find somewhere to settle in," Han Xing said calmly.
"I plan to enroll in an academy here and use my status as a student to investigate useful information."
"You're going to Heaven Dou Royal Academy?" Radiant Douluo asked with a frown.
"No." Han Xing shook his head.
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy is a mixed bag. If I join without thinking it through, people are bound to notice me."
"I'm planning to go to Blue Tyrant Academy."
Chrysanthemum Douluo looked puzzled. "Blue Tyrant... Are the Immortal Herbs connected to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect?"
"No," Han Xing replied.
"Blue Tyrant Academy only admits commoner students. Not many people will pay attention to me there."
"True. Heaven Dou Royal Academy calls itself an elite academy for nobles," Radiant Douluo agreed.
"But it's really more like a place for nobles to socialize and build connections. If you go there, you're bound to get involved with other people."
"With your strength at thirty-five levels and your Three-Legged Golden Crow Martial Soul, there'll be no shortage of nobles trying to recruit you."