Bibi Dong's Distrust

Although Bibi Dong hated Qian Renxue, she could not bring herself to order her execution; after all, even a tiger would not devour its own cubs.

However, she had no intention of letting Tai Yi off the hook, as he was the one who had personally crippled the limbs of Hu Liena, whom she had raised as a daughter. As for the Rakshasa God's warning that she would be targeted by the God of Destruction, Bibi Dong was past the point of caring.

Upon hearing these orders, Yue Guan and Gui Mei were startled, but they quickly replied:

"We understand, Pope."

After they left the Pope Palace, they did not head out to spread the news of the pair's departure from Spirit City to the hostile factions as Bibi Dong had commanded. Instead, they quietly made their way toward the Elder Palace.

Naturally, they were going to report to Qian Daoliu. Having long since chosen to pledge their loyalty to the Elder Palace, they would never dream of keeping such information from him.

Yet, Yue Guan and Gui Mei did not realize that the moment they left the Pope Palace, Bibi Dong called out to the shadows of the hall:

"Follow them. Strike when you find an opportunity, and keep a close watch on them as well. I no longer trust those two."

As her voice faded, a figure draped in a black robe emerged from the darkness and replied in a raspy voice:

"Understood, Master."

With that, the figure departed the Pope Palace.

This man was named Shadow, a person who had never appeared in the original history. His existence was somewhat connected to Tai Yi; after all, Bibi Dong was no fool. While she lacked direct evidence, she had long suspected the ambiguous relationship between Yue Guan, Gui Mei, and the Elder Palace.

Over the years, she had found a Soul Douluo who was unable to break through to the Title Douluo rank and used the Rakshasa God's inheritance to force his breakthrough, simultaneously using that same inheritance to bind his loyalty to her.

Bibi Dong had entrusted many tasks to Shadow over the years.

Meanwhile, Yue Guan and Gui Mei had arrived to see Qian Daoliu at the Elder Palace.

Seeing them, Qian Daoliu asked:

"Why have you come to see me? Is there more trouble from Bibi Dong?"

Yue Guan nodded repeatedly and said to Qian Daoliu:

"Great Elder, the Pope has ordered us to inform the hostile factions of Spirit Hall that the Young Master and the Young Lady have left Spirit City. She also commanded us to strike when those factions move to intercept them, with orders to eliminate the Young Master and cripple the Young Lady."

"As soon as we received these orders, we came immediately to inform you."

Qian Daoliu's expression turned cold. He had not expected that woman, Bibi Dong, to have gone so insane as to issue such an order. Fortunately, Yue Guan and Gui Mei had defected to his side; otherwise, Xiao Xue and Xiao Yi would have been in grave danger.

Qian Daoliu then said to Yue Guan and Gui Mei:

"In that case, do exactly as Bibi Dong commanded."

The two looked at him in confusion.

Qian Daoliu continued:

"Spread the news. I want to see which death-wishers dare to show their faces, and when they do, we shall wipe them out all at once. You two just need to ensure Xiao Xue and Xiao Yi are protected."

Hearing this, Yue Guan and Gui Mei replied:

"We understand, Great Elder."

They left the Elder Palace to spread the news to the hostile factions of Spirit Hall.

Once they were gone, Qian Daoliu summoned the sixth and seventh elders of the Elder Palace—the brothers, Qianjun Douluo and Xiangmo Douluo.

After they arrived, Qian Daoliu said:

"Sixth, Seventh, there is a matter that requires your intervention."

Qianjun and Xiangmo replied:

"Big Brother, just give the order. We will certainly see it done."

Qian Daoliu explained everything Bibi Dong had planned and then said:

"Go and assist the second elder. Eliminate everyone sent by those factions who dare to make a move. Let them understand that Spirit Hall is not to be trifled with."

Upon learning the truth, Qianjun and Xiangmo realized the severity of the situation. They had watched Tai Yi and Qian Renxue grow up; they were no different from their own grandchildren. Now that someone wanted to harm them, they would not sit idly by.

Realizing that Bibi Dong was the mastermind, they said to Qian Daoliu:

"Big Brother, we understand. We will depart immediately."

"Also, Big Brother, you must consider how to deal with that woman, Bibi Dong. We let her become Pope back then only because Xiao Xue was too young and needed a placeholder. But now, her actions have crossed the bottom line of Spirit Hall. You cannot continue to let her go just because you feel guilty for the mistakes Qian Xunji made."

Qian Daoliu replied:

"Go. I understand what you are saying. She has been a great disappointment this time. Once you have dealt with those who dared to target Xiao Yi and Xiao Xue, I will go and find Bibi Dong myself."

Qianjun and Xiangmo nodded, then left Spirit City to rendezvous with Golden Crocodile Douluo.

Meanwhile, Tai Yi and Qian Renxue were naturally unaware of everything that had transpired.

They had not traveled far from Spirit City. Sitting in the carriage, Qian Renxue asked Tai Yi:

"Xiao Yi, where are we heading?"

Tai Yi replied:

"We are going to Notting City in the Fasinuo Province of the Heaven Dou Empire."

"Why go there? Is there another opportunity waiting for you?"

Qian Renxue asked.

Tai Yi nodded, which only deepened Qian Renxue's confusion.

Her confusion did not stem from the opportunity itself, but from the fact that, according to Tai Yi, the God of Destruction frequently appeared to give him guidance and notify him of such opportunities.

Tai Yi had not even begun his God Trials yet, while she had already started the Angel Nine Trials. However, aside from the cold voice in her mind detailing the trials, she had never heard a single word from the Angel God. This was what Qian Renxue found so perplexing.