"Do you really think my Spirit Empire can't function without him?"

"Retire to your hometown?"

Hu Liena's words caused Bibi Dong's gaze to sharpen instantly, and the tense atmosphere that had just been broken solidified once more!

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue and the other Titled Douluo of the Spirit Empire were all struck with utter astonishment.

A... resignation?

Retire to his hometown?

What the hell?

In the current situation, besides the three great empires of Heaven Dou, Star Luo, and the Spirit Empire, where else could one possibly go?

Furthermore!

To retire at a time like this, wasn't that tantamount to openly declaring his intention to defect to another empire?

Do not forget!

Bibi Dong was now the genuine Rakshasa God!

To submit a resignation at this moment, what difference was there between that and treason?

How dared he?

"Are you certain?"

Taking a deep breath, the Rakshasa God Bibi Dong fixed a cold, piercing gaze upon Hu Liena and asked in a low voice.

"Certain."

After hearing Hu Liena's confirmation, the Rakshasa God Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes and suddenly laughed, "Heh!"

"You want to force me to bow my head in this manner?"

"Chen Fan, you have miscalculated!"

The Rakshasa God Bibi Dong, and indeed every Titled Douluo present, knew very well that submitting a resignation at this time was equivalent to treason. Never mind agreeing to it; being torn apart on the spot would be a mercy!

Precisely because of this.

The Rakshasa God Bibi Dong believed that Chen Fan was trying to use this method to force her to bow her head and apologize.

Back then.

When Chen Fan had just stepped into the realm of Titled Douluo, it was exactly when she, Bibi Dong, was in need of talent, yet he had voiced dissenting opinions and even publicly declared that certain plans of hers would fail and should not be pursued.

For instance...

The expedition to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt those two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts.

This public defiance, coupled with his refusal to acknowledge the olive branches extended by other Titled Douluo, had truly infuriated Bibi Dong, who at the time could not tolerate a single grain of sand in her eyes.

From that point on, Chen Fan was demoted to logistics, and because he refused to bow his head or declare his allegiance, Bibi Dong had dragged her feet on the coronation ceremony she had initially promised him.

This had only made Bibi Dong even more incensed.

A mere Titled Douluo, daring to sing a different tune from her—was he tired of living?

Had it not been for the fact that the coronation ceremony Bibi Dong had delayed was ultimately performed by Qian Daoliu, leading her to believe that Chen Fan had been taken in by him.

Otherwise.

Given her temper, she would have long since chopped Chen Fan up to sacrifice to her banner.

"Thinking of using a resignation to threaten me? Heh..."

Bibi Dong sneered, her eyes filled with mockery. "Does he really think my Spirit Empire cannot function without him?"

Just moments ago.

Tianfeng Douluo had completed a mission, not only raising the soul power of the entire Spirit Empire by one level but also proving that the portal mission was not something only Chen Fan could accomplish.

Therefore.

In Bibi Dong's view, Chen Fan's "perfect clear" last time was nothing more than a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse.

And now.

What Chen Fan could do, others could do as well, and those others were far more obedient than he was. Yet, he still dared to act so recklessly, trying to threaten her and force her to yield?

What kind of joke was this?

"This..."

Hearing the Rakshasa God Bibi Dong's laughter born of extreme rage, the other Titled Douluo were also stunned, but they instantly understood one thing!

At a time like this, knowing full well that submitting a resignation meant certain death, Chen Fan had still done it.

Clearly.

Chen Fan's intention was nothing more than to use retreat as a means of advance, forcing her, the Empress, to personally invite him back, forcing her to bow her head and admit her mistake!

"But unfortunately..."

"His calculations were wrong..."

Qian Renxue sighed softly, having realized this point.

If it had been Bibi Dong before she attained godhood, she might have felt that Chen Fan's idea was not entirely impossible.

But...

The current Bibi Dong was the one and only deity of the Spirit Empire!

She was the Rakshasa God, Bibi Dong!

To ask a deity to apologize to a mortal?

Even if Chen Fan was now a rank 99 peerless Douluo (after the Dvalin trial, the entire Spirit Empire had leveled up by one), so what?

Without becoming a god, one was ultimately nothing more than an ant!

Moreover, Bibi Dong was the Empress of the Spirit Empire!

The absolute leader of the empire!

Did she not need to save face?

Wanting her to apologize?

It was simply a fantasy!

"Nana!"

Sure enough!

Almost as these thoughts flashed through Qian Renxue's mind, she heard the Rakshasa God, Bibi Dong, speak in a deep voice, "Go to the logistics department again and give him an ultimatum."

Bibi Dong enunciated every word, "Either he crawls over here right now to explain himself clearly, or he gets out of the Spirit Empire immediately!"

Hu Liena's body trembled. She wanted to plead for him, but upon meeting the cold, sharp purple eyes of the Rakshasa God, Bibi Dong, she ultimately dared not make a sound and obediently replied, "Yes!"

She knew that Chen Fan's actions had completely infuriated Bibi Dong.

Given the current decision, it was likely that not even nine oxen could pull her back!

Watching Hu Liena's departing figure, Qian Renxue frowned and fell into deep thought once more.

She felt...

Chen Fan shouldn't be so simple-minded.

Her impression of Chen Fan was limited to a few years ago when she notified him to attend the coronation.

In her memory, he was a rather calm and quick-witted person, though for some reason, he was unwilling to interfere in the various affairs of the Spirit Empire.

Logically speaking, he shouldn't have done something like this, right?

Everything the people present could think of, Chen Fan should have been able to think of as well.

But why did it feel like...

Logistics area.

Chen Fan was packing a simple bag inside his tent.

In truth, there wasn't much to pack: a few changes of clothes and some dry rations.

The tent flap was lifted, and Hu Liena walked in quickly, her expression grim.

"Chen Fan..."

Hu Liena hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself.

Chen Fan tied the bundle, held it in his hand, and turned to look at her: "Did Her Majesty the Empress approve?"

Hu Liena took a deep breath and nodded, "Teacher said... she wants you to go and explain yourself clearly, otherwise... otherwise she will have you kicked out of the Spirit Empire."

She had expected Chen Fan to show shock, regret, or fear after she finished speaking.

Although she hadn't understood it at the scene, after Bibi Dong's cold sneers, she had instantly realized that Chen Fan was essentially forcing the Empress's hand.

Therefore, she thought Chen Fan would show a panicked expression after hearing her words.

However...

There was not a trace of surprise on Chen Fan's face. He simply put his luggage back into his soul storage bag and tossed a token to her.

Hu Liena, "?"

She looked at Chen Fan in bewilderment, then looked down at the token in her hand.

She naturally recognized this token; it was the Spirit Empire Elder Token!

The Elder Token was very different from the Pope Token.

The former was issued specifically for Titled Douluos registered within the Spirit Empire.

The latter was the highest-ranking token issued to non-Spirit Hall personnel during the Spirit Hall era.

But...

According to her teacher, wasn't Chen Fan trying to force her hand?

Why did he actually go through with this?

Hu Liena felt as if her brain had completely fried, leaving her momentarily dazed.

"The Elder Token, and a letter of resignation."

Chen Fan did not wait for Hu Liena to snap out of it; he casually shoved another envelope into her hands. "I must trouble Your Highness the Saintess to deliver this!"

"Farewell!"

Hu Liena looked up, staring blankly at Chen Fan's retreating back, feeling as though her mind had ceased to function.