This Child Really Hadn't Been Loved in Vain!

"Rumble!"

"Rumble!"

A giant beast charged out of the bushes with a roar, barreling toward the group. Its tremendous force snapped many towering trees in half.

"Your Holiness, it's a thirty-thousand-year-old Soul Beast, the Nether Giant Rhino, with extreme defense and extreme charge. Shall I make a move and kill it?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo toyed with a chrysanthemum in his hand as he bowed and asked the Pope beside him.

"This Pope hasn't stretched her muscles in a long time. It's rare to encounter a Soul Beast that doesn't fear death today, so I'll use it to warm up."

A fierce glint flashed in Bibi Dong's rose-red eyes. This thirty-thousand-year-old Nether Giant Rhino possessed two innate abilities: extreme defense and extreme charge. It was perfect for a little practice.

"Mother, is the Soul Beast you're talking about the Nether Giant Rhino, known as the Widowmaker?"

At his words, Bibi Dong nodded. She hadn't expected the little fellow to know so much—not even the Nether Giant Rhino, the Widowmaker, had escaped his notice.

After his mother, the Pope, confirmed it, Lin Tian's heart surged like a storm-tossed sea. So the Soul Beasts described in the books in the Library Pavilion really existed.

The Nether Giant Rhino was one of the finest among beast-type Soul Beasts, but it was exceedingly rare. It possessed both defensive and offensive innate abilities, and records of it in Spirit Hall were few and far between.

According to Spirit Hall's records, the previous Pope, Qian Xunji, had once brought a team of nearly a hundred Soul Masters to capture an eighty-thousand-year-old Nether Giant Rhino. Even then, they had barely managed to withstand its savage charge.

In the end, if Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo hadn't used the Two-Pole Static Domain to restrain its movements, even with that hundred-strong Soul Master team attacking at once, they might not have been able to capture it.

"Your Holiness, the Nether Giant Rhino is such a rare Soul Beast. Wouldn't it be a shame to kill it just like that?"

Lin Tian knew this Soul Beast was extremely rare. The Soul Ring it provided, Nether Fear, was an unusual Soul Skill that used mental power as an attack. In his eyes, such a Soul Skill was exceptionally valuable. It would be a real shame to destroy it just like that!

"If you like it, then this Nether Giant Rhino can be Mother's gift to you. We'll leave it here in the Star Dou Forest for now. Ghost Douluo, make a note of it. Once we return to Spirit Hall, arrange for Soul Masters to come and guard it."

As she spoke, Bibi Dong gazed fondly at Lin Tian. As the child's mother in name, she naturally wanted to give him the things he liked.

"Your Holiness is right. The Nether Giant Rhino is a special Soul Beast, and it would indeed be a shame to kill it just like that! We might as well have it guarded here and decide what to do once the Holy Son grows up."

Ghost Douluo sighed. The Pope really had thought things through.

Just then, a robust, single-horned rhinoceros burst out of the bushes. Black light enveloped its entire body, and as it ran, the cries of ghosts and wolves seemed to ring out, making one's heart quail.

The sensation sent a chill through Lin Tian, and his skin prickled with a faint sting.

"You bastard! How dare you swagger in front of me? Get on your knees!"

Bibi Dong barked. The pressure of a Titled Douluo burst forth, and the Nether Giant Rhino, which had been so high and mighty a moment earlier, instantly collapsed to the ground like an ox waiting to be slaughtered. Its entire body lay prone, as though it were bearing the weight of a thousand catties.

Seeing that she had completely subdued the Soul Beast, Bibi Dong took Lin Tian's little hand and slowly stepped onto the Nether Giant Rhino's back. Then she carved the words "Property of Spirit Hall" into its back!

That move left both Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo dumbfounded, and Lin Tian found it just as unbelievable.

He hadn't expected his little suggestion to be taken so seriously by his mother, the Pope. It seemed that from now on, he ought to spend more time with her at Spirit Hall, lest he neglect his mother!

"Elder Ghost, I've left a mark on this Soul Beast's back. Once you return, send instructions to the branch halls throughout Spirit Hall's territories and have them convey my Pope Token within their jurisdictions. This Nether Giant Rhino bears my mark and is the exclusive property of Spirit Hall!

"If anyone dares lay claim to it, they shouldn't blame me, Bibi Dong, for showing no mercy."

Ghost Douluo nodded to show that he understood.

As for the Nether Giant Rhino beneath them, it now seemed utterly cowed. It curled up on the ground, not daring to move a muscle. Its former bravado had vanished without a trace.

Look closely, and you could see its body trembling faintly, its eyes seeming to brim with tears.

Good grief. It had been a king who ruled the outer reaches of the Star Dou Forest for years, yet now it had been beaten to tears.

If word got out, it would never be able to show its face in the Soul Beast world again!

With everything done, Bibi Dong took Lin Tian's little hand and slowly headed for the exit of the Star Dou Forest.

The two elders, Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo, brought up the rear. Everything seemed so calm and unhurried.

"Let's go. Back to the Pope Palace!"

Bibi Dong looked up at the sky. The clouds that had been thick and dark earlier had given way to clear blue skies.

Bird-like Soul Beasts, trailing blazing flames, flew across the azure sky from time to time, leaving Lin Tian utterly amazed.

Bibi Dong tried looking up at the sky, but the dazzling sunlight made her uncomfortable.

She really wasn't suited to the light, was she?

With a self-deprecating laugh, Bibi Dong bent down and climbed into the carriage.

Lin Tian followed, carefully squeezing inside.

This...

Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo exchanged another glance. They'd seen an old bull eating tender grass before, but a little colt pulling a big cart? That was a first...

"Hyah!"

As Ghost Douluo tugged the reins, the carriage bearing the Pope began rolling slowly toward Spirit Hall's main palace.

Inside the carriage, Bibi Dong rested with her eyes closed. Even at rest, her exquisite features were captivating.

Restless, Lin Tian couldn't help leaning slightly to sneak a look at her. This was his first time seeing the beautiful Pope up close: exquisite features, delicate skin, and alluring red lips.

Perhaps she sensed something. Before long, Bibi Dong slowly opened her eyes and gazed at Lin Tian in puzzlement, her rose-red eyes fixed on him.

"Lin Tian, is there something dirty on Mother's face? Why have you been staring at me?"

Bibi Dong was puzzled. Ever since the little fellow had climbed into the carriage, he'd been sneaking glances at her.

Didn't he know that Titled Douluo had an extraordinary sense of perception?

She'd noticed every little thing he did long ago.

"Mother, I've never understood. You're so beautiful, so why are you troubled? Did someone bully you? Tell me, and I'll get revenge for you!"

Looking at the little boy pouting before her, Bibi Dong couldn't help bursting into laughter.

This child really hadn't been loved in vain!