"Yu Xiaogang?"
Qian Xunji shook his head, clearly unimpressed with Yu Xiaogang.
He had read Yu Xiaogang's theories, too. Many had been copied from Spirit Hall's archives or deduced from its records.
Some of those deductions were even poorly reasoned and riddled with flaws.
As for that Rakshasa Meditation Method, he was a dignified heir to the Angel God. How could he possibly think highly of a cultivation method for meditating on an Evil God?
He practiced using Spirit Hall's Meditation Method, and with the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, it was no less effective than that other method.
He kept Yu Xiaogang around only because Spirit Hall wanted to scheme against the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. The time just wasn't right yet.
"You don't need to be modest. I refuse to believe you haven't seen where Yu Xiaogang's theories came from."
"Enough. I called you here because I wanted to ask about Bibi Dong," Qian Xunji said.
Ling Feng's heart tightened. "What would His Holiness the Pope like to ask?"
"I heard that over the past year, you and Bibi Dong have grown quite close?"
Qian Xunji's tone was still as mild as ever, but Ling Feng could hear that there was more to it. He knew what Qian Xunji had in mind.
"Your Holiness, this is my fault."
"I realized that my Martial Soul and the Holy Maiden's Martial Soul were compatible, and that cultivating together made us progress faster, with twice the result for half the effort."
"So I took the liberty of asking Her Highness the Holy Maiden to help me. Please punish me as you see fit, Your Holiness." Ling Feng admitted his mistake without reservation.
Qian Xunji studied Ling Feng. His expression was calm, and he showed no sign of guilt.
It seems Ling Feng is a cultivation fanatic. One day, there may be a place for him among Spirit Hall's elders.
His Martial Soul is compatible with Dong'er's. Once he has grown stronger, he'll be just the person to assist Bibi Dong.
Qian Xunji was very satisfied with Ling Feng's attitude. Ling Feng had spent nearly a year with Bibi Dong, yet no sparks had flown between them.
A man like that was clever, knew his place, and was safe.
"So that's how it is. Your research into Martial Soul Theory is quite impressive."
"Bibi Dong is my disciple. She may take my place one day and become the next Pope of Spirit Hall."
"You're her right-hand man. I hope you'll always remind Bibi Dong to put Spirit Hall first and not let trivial matters distract her!"
"Matters like romance, for instance. If you discover that Bibi Dong has fallen for someone, you must inform me."
Qian Xunji's tone had not changed, but Ling Feng understood that he was warning him.
"Yes, Your Holiness. I'll do my best to assist Her Highness the Holy Maiden!" Ling Feng replied.
"Good. Get ready, then go out and train with Bibi Dong," Qian Xunji said.
Ling Feng bowed once more and carefully withdrew from Pope Palace.
This place is no place for a human being. That scared me half to death! Ling Feng thought.
Rakshasa Bibi Dong, inside him, had felt uneasy at seeing Qian Xunji again.
But seeing Ling Feng's reaction lifted her spirits.
At least this world has changed in some ways! Rakshasa Bibi Dong thought.
Reborn, she could finally change a few things.
The moment Ling Feng left, Qian Xunji's expression darkened. Ling Feng had known how to behave, but he was still displeased.
Forget it. As long as it helps Dong'er cultivate, what does any of that matter?
Just then, a voice sounded in Qian Xunji's ear.
"Xunji, the Angel God has delivered an oracle!"
Qian Daoliu suddenly appeared beside Qian Xunji. He looked even younger than Qian Xunji.
"Father? Is it true?" Qian Xunji asked excitedly.
The Angel God had not answered them for who knew how many years. And now, an oracle had actually descended?
Qian Daoliu nodded. "The god said, 'Evil energy has arisen in the world. The angels shall cleanse it and let the sun's light shine upon the earth.'"
"Look into what happened recently to bring this about."
Qian Xunji's heart tightened. This was an oracle from a god. Whatever had drawn a deity's attention was likely the work of another deity.
"Father, could an Evil God have descended upon the world?" Qian Xunji asked.
"Oh? Have you discovered something?" Qian Daoliu asked.
Qian Xunji took out one of Yu Xiaogang's books of theories and handed it to Qian Daoliu.
As soon as Qian Daoliu opened it, he saw the Rakshasa Meditation Method. Its visualization image seethed with murderous and sinister energy.
"Hmph!" A sun-bright flame appeared in Qian Daoliu's palm and reduced the book to ashes.
"Just as I thought. This is the work of an Evil God. No wonder it alarmed the Angel God. Find out who's responsible!"
"And have a child as soon as possible, so the Angel God's light can descend upon the world and sweep away evil!" Qian Daoliu said.
"Huh?" Qian Xunji couldn't understand why this had anything to do with him. Why was he supposed to have a child?
"What do you mean, 'huh'? Neither you nor I earned the god's favor or received the Nine Trials of God. So now I can only count on my grandson or granddaughter!"
With that, Qian Daoliu left Pope Palace and went back to worship the Angel God.
Only then did Qian Xunji realize what he meant. "Father's saying my child might have a chance to undergo the Nine Trials of the Angel?"
But he didn't want to have a child so soon. He still had feelings for Bibi Dong.
Qian Xunji was a little annoyed and decided to deal with the other matter in the oracle first.
"Yu Xiaogang must be a lackey of the Evil God. He can't be uninvolved in this oracle!"
Qian Xunji had originally planned to make use of Yu Xiaogang, but now he had no choice but to deal with him.
At the foot of the mountain, Yu Xiaogang finally saw Ling Feng and Bibi Dong coming down.
He was about to approach Bibi Dong and explain that he was a Grandmaster of Martial Soul Theory.
But before he could get near them, two figures suddenly appeared at his side and seized him by the shoulders.
Yu Xiaogang struggled, only to find that he couldn't move at all.
He immediately realized that the two of them were even stronger than Ling Feng.
"What are you doing? This is Spirit Holy Mountain. You dare lay a hand on me here?"
"I'm Yu Xiaogang, Grandmaster of Martial Soul Theory! I've worked for Spirit Hall! I've earned my merits for Spirit Hall!" Yu Xiaogang shouted.
"Yu Xiaogang? We've been ordered by the Pope to arrest you," one of the men said.
Yu Xiaogang breathed a sigh of relief. "So His Holiness the Pope wants to see me?"
"Then let me go. We're going to Pope Palace, right? I can walk there myself!"
"Hmph, you still think you're going to Pope Palace? Dream on. You're going to the Dungeon! Heh heh heh!"
The Soul Master holding him didn't wait for Yu Xiaogang to protest. He took him toward the Dungeon.
Yu Xiaogang tried to call for help, but discovered that he couldn't make a sound. All he could do was watch as the two men dragged him toward the Dungeon.
Watching Yu Xiaogang being taken away, Ling Feng couldn't help asking, "What happened to Yu Xiaogang? Why was he taken away?"
"Who's Yu Xiaogang?" Bibi Dong had completely forgotten someone like him.
"It's nothing. He's nobody important," Ling Feng said.
Yu Xiaogang really does have misfortune clinging to him. I didn't expect it to catch up with him so quickly.
I just didn't think the one who'd come after him would be Spirit Hall, not the God of Rakshasa.
Ling Feng could only pray silently that Yu Xiaogang's lot would be even worse.