"She's obviously much stronger than that red-robed cardinal, Bibi Dong!"
"And didn't you agree to marry the saintess before?"
"Why did you suddenly change your mind?"
They were still in Spirit City. If word of this really got out, Bibi Dong might expose herself too, and that would put Chen Fan in danger as well.
So.
Chen Fan could only give an evasive answer. "Uncle, I've thought it over carefully. The saintess is the future pope of Spirit Hall, after all. Qian Xunji definitely won't let her go."
"Rather than falling out with him, it's better to settle for the next best thing."
"I think Ling Yuan isn't bad either."
Seeing that he wasn't willing to elaborate, Chen Jianjun didn't press him. He merely sighed. "You've been wronged, Fan'er."
"But don't worry. Once we get back to the sect, I'll find someone better for you."
To the Seven Kill Sect, a mere red-robed cardinal was nowhere near worthy of being a principal wife, and her status wouldn't be equal.
Unless, of course, the cardinal's father was someone like Qian Xunji or one of the Worship Hall's elders.
But Ling Yuan clearly had no such background.
She had simply grown up earning her keep in Spirit Hall and risen to the rank of red-robed cardinal through her own ability.
She could be considered a model example of someone from humble beginnings making it big.
Unfortunately...
Within Spirit Hall, all of Ling Yuan's accomplishments counted for nothing.
"Uncle, I want to spend these three days exploring Spirit City. You can go back on your own."
Chen Jianjun was taken aback. "On your own?"
"Yeah."
Chen Fan nodded. "Besides, I don't really know Cardinal Ling Yuan yet. It'll be a good chance for us to get acquainted."
"But your safety..."
"Hardly anyone else knows about this yet. They won't go after me over it."
After thinking it over, Chen Jianjun finally nodded. "Then be careful."
Although Ling Yuan was only a red-robed cardinal, she was still part of Spirit Hall's public face. If Chen Fan were to marry her, there would naturally be a whole host of formalities.
And Chen Jianjun would have to take care of those arrangements.
The original plan had been for Chen Fan to go with him, but Chen Fan had other ideas.
"Teacher, I want to go to Slaughter City."
Meanwhile.
After seeing Chen Fan and Chen Jianjun out of Pope Palace, Bibi Dong returned to the side hall and bowed to Qian Xunji. "I'd like to go to Slaughter City," she said.
"Slaughter City?"
Qian Xunji looked surprised. "Why would you go there all of a sudden?"
"To gain experience."
Looking at Bibi Dong's calm expression, Qian Xunji was suspicious. He scrutinized her from head to toe for a full two and a half minutes. She remained expressionless throughout and said nothing, simply letting him stare.
In the end.
Qian Xunji nodded. "All right. Go, then."
"Thank you, Teacher."
Watching Bibi Dong leave, Qian Xunji narrowed his eyes. After a moment of silence, he said, "Have Gui Mei and Yue Guan come see me."
"Yes, Your Holiness!"
After leaving Pope Palace, Bibi Dong returned to Saintess Hall to pack a few things. Then, alone, she headed in the direction of Star Dou Forest.
"If I absorb this Soul Ring and add it to the Soul Bone, I should be able to reach level eighty, right?"
Bibi Dong held the crystal Soul Ring in her hand. Thinking of the Soul Bone Qian Xunji had previously given her, stored in her soul tool pouch, she murmured, "Level eighty, then hunt another Soul Beast. I should..."
"Why is she heading to Star Dou Forest?"
Gui Mei and Yue Guan, who had been tailing Bibi Dong, watched her disappear into the distance and exchanged glances. "Old Ghost, will you report to the pope?"
"I'll go. I'm faster. Keep an eye on her!"
"Fine!"