On the way back, Lin Ze'an turned to Yue Guan and said, "Master, once we're back in Spirit City, you and Uncle Ghost should go into seclusion and take the Immortal Herbs first."
"I'll go see His Holiness the Pope. I'll handle the rest."
With rare and precious treasures like these, the safest place for them was in your stomach.
Hu Liena would be fine, but if Bibi Dong found out about the Immortal Herbs in Master's and Uncle Ghost's hands, she might just talk them into handing them over.
At his words, Yue Guan looked at him in confusion. "What's wrong?"
Lin Ze'an shook his head. "Nothing, Master. I just have something to say to His Holiness the Pope."
Inside Pope Palace, Bibi Dong sat on her throne, looking at Lin Ze'an in puzzlement. "It seems this training has helped you grow quite a bit. What did you need to see me alone about?"
She waved a hand casually. "Sit down and talk."
Lin Ze'an bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Your Holiness."
He sat in a chair below her. His small frame looked especially tiny in the oversized seat.
Once seated, he calmly recounted everything that had happened in the village and at the Spirit Branch Hall.
Bibi Dong was taken aback, but soon regained her composure.
Lin Ze'an continued, "Your Holiness, Spirit Hall is the Angel God's representative in the mortal world. The image we present to the continent should be one of light and justice."
"Now that something like this has happened, we shouldn't cover it up. We should hold a public trial for the guilty and let the entire continent see Spirit Hall's resolve."
"We should bring light to the continent and justice to its people, not oppression."
Still, though Lin Ze'an said all that, he knew it probably wouldn't mean much to Bibi Dong. She hated the Angel Clan to the core.
But he still had to try. Maybe there was still some humanity left in her.
To his surprise, as Bibi Dong listened, a flicker of astonishment really did cross her eyes.
She clearly hadn't expected a child to say something like that.
It was almost as if she, many years ago, had done the same and said the same things...
"You're right. Spirit Hall does need to be reformed."
At that, Lin Ze'an brightened, gratitude showing on his face. "Thank you, Your Holiness."
Bibi Dong shook her head, walked up to him, and looked down at him. "But you must understand that a public trial could have some negative consequences."
"If it damages Spirit City's prestige and reputation, can you take responsibility?"
At those words, Lin Ze'an's heart lurched.
He didn't know what Bibi Dong was thinking. Had hatred twisted the sense of justice she once held, or did she need something substantial enough to move her?
After turning the matter over in his mind for a while, Lin Ze'an gave in. He couldn't think of any other possibility, so he reluctantly took out the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew.
Sure enough, the world wasn't about fighting and killing. It was about human relations—and interests.
The moment the Immortal Herb appeared, it filled the hall with a rich spiritual aura, while pale blue light flowed through the room.
Bibi Dong stared at the Immortal Herb in his hand, astonished. "Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew?"
Lin Ze'an froze, the words he'd been about to say catching in his throat. "Huh? You know it?"
This wasn't how the story was supposed to go. Bibi Dong actually recognized it?
As if she could read his thoughts, Bibi Dong gave him a bemused look. "I only read about it in a book. It's extremely beneficial for spiritual cultivation."
"But..." She asked with interest, "This Immortal Herb is incredibly rare. Where did you get it?"
Lin Ze'an paused without answering and gently pushed the Immortal Herb toward her. "Your Holiness, this Immortal Herb is a gift for you. Please accept it."
"Hmm? This is such a precious Immortal Herb. Are you sure you want to give it to me?" Bibi Dong gazed deeply at Lin Ze'an.
He was offering her a peerless, incredibly rare Immortal Herb in exchange for nothing but fairness and justice...
After a long silence, she slowly reached out and took the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew. "All right. I'll accept it."
"I agree to what you proposed. I'll send people to handle it. You can focus on your cultivation."
After leaving Pope Palace, Lin Ze'an didn't return to the courtyard. Instead, using his own token, he went to request an audience with Qian Daoliu.
He still had three Immortal Herbs left. The Infernal Delicate Apricot and the Eight-Cornered Mysterious Ice Grass were useless to him.
After all, Mo Ruier wasn't afraid of this world's ice or fire. Eating them wouldn't do her any good.
If he couldn't use the Immortal Herbs himself, he might as well make sure they were put to good use.
At least trading with Qian Daoliu was much safer than trading with Bibi Dong.
And Qian Daoliu was happy to give his attention to a talent so distinctive and one of a kind, so he granted him an audience.
Inside Worship Hall, Qian Daoliu looked at Lin Ze'an in surprise. "You want two Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones?"
The boy had entered and immediately proposed a trade. Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones weren't cabbages; was he being too greedy?
"Yes, Great Elder." Lin Ze'an sighed. "I want two Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones, and what I'm offering in exchange is absolutely worth it."
After all, given Qian Daoliu's character, he would certainly trade for the Infernal Delicate Apricot for Qian Renxue's sake.
And Qian Renxue already had a complete Angel God Suit, so she didn't need any additional Soul Bones.
Compared to an Immortal Herb that could raise a Soul Master's potential and might never be found again, his offer was still reasonable.
As he spoke, he took out the Infernal Delicate Apricot.
A crimson Immortal Herb appeared in his hand, its leaves flickering like dancing flames.
A scorching aura of fire instantly filled the hall, heating the very air.
Qian Daoliu looked at him in surprise. "A rare treasure?"
Had the boy struck it lucky on his trip? He'd actually found such a treasure.
What a rich, pure aura of fire. Though Qian Daoliu didn't recognize it, he could tell it would be a great boon to fire-attribute Soul Masters.
No wonder the boy was so confident. Was it because he knew the Six-Winged Angel wielded the power of fire?
When Qian Daoliu said nothing, Lin Ze'an prompted him. "Great Elder, this Immortal Herb should be worth two Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones, shouldn't it?"
At that, Qian Daoliu fell silent for a while, then raised a hand and took the Infernal Delicate Apricot. He turned and left the hall.
A moment later, he returned with a box and handed it to Lin Ze'an. "Take it."
Lin Ze'an carefully accepted it and opened the lid—the light within blazed at once.
Two Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones, glowing black, appeared before him, their powerful Soul Power rippling through the air.
Qian Daoliu said calmly, "I won't take advantage of you. These are two fifty-thousand-year Soul Bones: a skull and a right arm bone. Go back and study them yourself."
Lin Ze'an's face lit up with delight. He quickly shut the lid and put the box into his storage ring.
Then he bowed to Qian Daoliu. "Thank you, Great Elder. I'll take my leave."
As expected of someone personally chosen by the Angel God, Qian Daoliu's character was beyond reproach.
Just as Lin Ze'an turned to leave, Qian Daoliu suddenly called after him. "Wait."
Lin Ze'an turned back in confusion. "What is it?"
Qian Daoliu stared intently at him. Following his gaze, Lin Ze'an realized he was looking at the storage ring on his hand.
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