Qian Renxue watched Tai Yi's movements, then saw the spring in the middle and understood what he was thinking. She helped him gather the seeds of these Immortal Herbs.
The seeds were quickly collected, and only then did Tai Yi place all the Immortal Herbs into his Storage Ring.
At that moment, Qian Daoliu spoke:
"Alright, we can set off now, right?"
"We can."
Tai Yi answered.
Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu used Soul Power to carry Qian Renxue and Tai Yi, then flew toward Spirit City.
Before long, the three returned to Spirit City. As soon as they arrived at the Worship Hall, Tai Yi saw two people already waiting there. They were Yue Guan and Gui Mei. After Yue Guan received Qian Daoliu's order to eliminate the roots in Sunset Forest, he immediately went to Heaven Dou City. After getting rid of Dugu Yan, he returned to Spirit City at once.
Naturally, he immediately sought out his good friend Gui Mei. Then he took out his own Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, along with the Immortal Herb he had selected for Gui Mei.
After handing the Immortal Herb to Gui Mei, Yue Guan told him of his intention to join the Worship Hall faction, as well as some of his analysis of Spirit Hall's future. After hearing Yue Guan's analysis, seeing the Immortal Herb before him, and, more importantly, knowing that his friend Yue Guan had already made his choice—
Gui Mei naturally made the same choice as Yue Guan without the slightest hesitation.
Afterward, the two absorbed and refined the Immortal Herbs they had brought. Their Soul Power both rose from level ninety-five to level ninety-six. Although it was only a single-level increase, it was still an enormous improvement, not to mention that the Immortal Herbs had brought them an even greater enhancement to the fundamental nature of their Martial Souls.
The delighted pair naturally understood where their future path lay. Thus, when they sensed Qian Daoliu and the other two returning to Spirit City, they immediately came to wait at the entrance of the Worship Hall.
Seeing Tai Yi and the other two return, Yue Guan and Gui Mei stepped forward and said to them:
"Welcome back to the hall, Grand Pontiff, Young Master, Young Master Tai Yi."
Then Yue Guan spoke to Qian Daoliu.
"Grand Pontiff, I have already spoken with Old Ghost. From now on, the two of us will follow the Young Master and Young Master Tai Yi's lead."
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu nodded, then said:
"It is good that you have such intentions. For now, return to Bibi Dong's side. If she has any arrangements, as long as they do not harm Spirit Hall or work against Xiao Xue and Tai Yi, continue following her orders as before. After all, she is still the Pope of our Spirit Hall. But if she makes any unusual moves, I believe you know what you should do."
Upon hearing Qian Daoliu's words, how could Yue Guan and Gui Mei not understand his meaning? He wanted them to remain by Bibi Dong's side and monitor her. The two quickly replied:
"We understand, Grand Pontiff. If the Pope makes any suspicious move, we will immediately report it to you."
Qian Daoliu nodded at that, then sent the two back to the Pope Palace.
Just then, the doors of the Worship Hall opened from within, and Golden Crocodile appeared.
Upon seeing Golden Crocodile, Tai Yi and Qian Renxue both called out:
"Grandpa Golden Crocodile."
Golden Crocodile was naturally shocked to see Qian Renxue, so he asked Qian Daoliu:
"Big Brother, why has Xiao Xue returned?"
Qian Daoliu replied:
"She has returned and will not be leaving again. Send someone else to Heaven Dou City. From now on, Xiao Xue will remain by our side and cultivate properly."
Hearing this, Golden Crocodile nodded repeatedly, then said to Qian Renxue:
"It is good that Xiao Xue has come to her senses. Cultivate in Spirit City from now on. You should never have gone there in the first place."
Qian Renxue had been raised under the watchful eyes of the Worship Hall members. These pontiffs were also Qian Daoliu's sworn brothers, so they naturally regarded Qian Renxue as their own granddaughter. Watching her waste her talent and time while infiltrating the enemy had made them anxious, but there was nothing they could do about the headstrong Qian Renxue. Now that she had returned, they were naturally delighted.
In just one day, news of Qian Renxue's return spread throughout Spirit Hall's upper ranks.
The Worship Hall faction was as delighted as Golden Crocodile upon hearing the news. In their eyes, Qian Renxue was Spirit Hall's rightful heir, while Bibi Dong was merely a temporary stand-in. Everything would eventually return to Qian Renxue's hands.
Meanwhile, inside the Pope Palace, Bibi Dong naturally learned of the news. She asked Yue Guan and Gui Mei, who stood below her:
"That person has really returned?"
Upon hearing this, Yue Guan and Gui Mei revealed no flaws. Pretending that they had only just learned the news themselves, they said to Bibi Dong:
"Your Holiness, we only received the news recently as well, and we investigated it. Qian Renxue has indeed returned and is currently cultivating in the Worship Hall."
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong clenched her fist. She had deliberately arranged for Qian Renxue to leave Spirit City. One reason was her plan for the Spirit Hall Empire, while the more important reason was that she did not want to see Qian Renxue—did not want to see the person who reminded her of her humiliation the moment she laid eyes on her.
Thus, no one was more displeased by Qian Renxue's return than Bibi Dong. She said:
"That useless fool has ruined everything. Our Spirit Hall's plans for the Heaven Dou Empire have all gone to waste."
Yue Guan and Gui Mei understood that Bibi Dong was cursing Qian Renxue. Thinking of how they had now chosen to side with the Worship Hall faction, they said to Bibi Dong:
"Your Holiness, judging by the Worship Hall's actions, after Qian Renxue returned, they sent another person to Heaven Dou City to continue the infiltration. It will not affect the plan."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong grew even angrier. Did they really think she, Bibi Dong, did not know that someone else had gone to Heaven Dou City to infiltrate it?
She had merely wanted an excuse to curse that little bitch a few times, yet these two had directly undermined her. The next moment, Bibi Dong shouted at Yue Guan and Gui Mei:
"You two, get out!"
Seeing this, the two naturally understood that Bibi Dong was angry. They were not masochists who enjoyed being scolded, so they left the Pope Palace.
Seeing Bibi Dong lose her temper, Hu Liena prepared to step forward and comfort her.
Seeing Hu Liena's actions, Bibi Dong felt a measure of comfort. This disciple whom she had raised as a daughter was still dependable. However, Bibi Dong still said to Hu Liena:
"Nana, you should leave as well. Teacher needs some time alone."
"Alright, Teacher. Please calm down too."
After saying that, Hu Liena left the Pope Palace.
Before you continue