Emerald Vault!

As the Pope of the Spirit Hall, she understood the value of Spirit Bone better than anyone else, especially high-age, high-quality Spirit Bone, whose rarity was enough to drive Titled Douluo to fight to the death!

The fact that the core Ferocious Beast of the Star Dou Forest secretly collected and stored such a vast treasure trove of Spirit Bone is itself an earth-shattering secret!

And Gu Yuena, the unfathomable Master of Soul Beasts, filled with a deep-seated hatred for the Divine Realm, so easily opened this treasure trove to Lin Xia?

No strings attached?

No, absolutely not!

Considering the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings's mark within Lin Xia and the "Dragon Clan Sorrow" that nearly cost him his life, and then thinking of Gu Yuena's grand, almost insane "counterattack on the Divine Realm" plan...

Bibi Dong's heart sank instantly, a deeper worry and vigilance than before Wrap her like cold vines.

Looking into Gu Yuena's deep, seemingly all-consuming purple eyes, and at the subtle shift in Bi Ji's attitude towards Lin Xia hidden beneath her gentle smile, she understood.

This is not a simple gift at all!

This is a heavy deal, a transaction secured by the future! Gu Yuena is using the accumulated resources of the Soul Beast Clan over thousands of years to "fund" Lin Xia's growth, while also Bind him firmly to the Soul Beast Clan's chariot of revenge!

Using Spirit Bone as chains, Lin Xia's fate was completely welded to the rise and fall of the Soul Beast Clan!

Her little apprentice, this miraculous boy, has unknowingly become a crucial piece in the vast chess game of this Master of Soul Beasts!

Moreover, this chess piece seems to be... willing?

"Cheer up?"

Looking at the smug and expectant smile on Lin Xia's face, Bibi Dong felt a mix of emotions.

She forced a smile, ruffled Lin Xia's hair, and her voice was slightly Frisk.

"Hmm... It's good that you're alright. As for the Spirit Bone... It's naturally a good thing to have the opportunity to increase your strength."

Her gaze never left Gu Yuena, her purple eyes filled with unwavering seriousness and inquiry.

Gu Yuena calmly met Bibi Dong's scrutinizing gaze, her exquisite face devoid of any superfluous expression, only an unfathomable serenity.

She seemed oblivious to the wariness in Bibi Dong's eyes, or rather, she simply didn't care.

Her gaze passed over Bibi Dong and landed on Lin Xia, her eyes like those of a shrewd businesswoman looking at her newly signed, high-potential partner.

"Bi Ji."

Gu Yuena's voice broke the brief silence, carrying an unquestionable command.

"Yes, my the Master."

Bi Ji immediately bowed in response.

"Take him with you."

Gu Yuena's gaze swept over Lin Xia.

"Allow him to choose a suitable Spirit Bone; he can select the attributes and age himself."

Gu Yuena spoke in a calm tone, as if she were talking about a trivial matter!

Lin Xia's eyes instantly lit up like stars.

A flicker of surprise crossed Bi Ji's eyes again, but it quickly turned into respect.

"Yes, my the Master."

She turned to Lin Xia and Bibi Dong, her gentle and polite smile returning to her face, and gracefully gestured for them to enter.

"Little Lin Xia, Your His Holiness the Pope, please come with me."

Lin Xia looked at Bibi Dong excitedly.

Bibi Dong took a deep breath, suppressing the myriad thoughts in her mind. She knew that she couldn't stop it now, nor did she need to.

She could only grip Lin Xia's hand tightly and say in a low voice:

"Let's go, I'll accompany you."

Her gaze met Gu Yuena's again in mid-air, a silent contest and vigilance filling the space between the two equally powerful and resolute women.

Led by Bi Ji, they left the core platform and headed deeper into the Lake of Life, towards the legendary treasure trove of Spirit Bone accumulated over millennia by the Star Dou Forest —the "Emerald Vault."

The lake water parted automatically, enveloping them in gentle Life Energy.

Lin Xia eagerly anticipated the Spirit Bone Treasury she was about to visit, while Bibi Dong's heart, like the unfathomable Lake of Life, was calm on the surface but turbulent beneath.

She knew that from the moment Lin Xia accepted the Spirit Bone, a more magnificent and turbulent path, destined to be full of thorns and bloodshed, had already been laid out beneath his feet.

And all she could do, as his master, was to hold his hand tightly and walk with him until... the end of fate, or that unreachable battlefield of gods.

Bi Ji led Lin Xia and Bibi Dong through the bottom of the Lake of Life. The lake water parted gently as if it were alive, forming a transparent passage.

The surroundings were no longer dark, but enveloped in a soft, emerald-green light. The light originated from some strange aquatic plants growing at the bottom of the lake. They resembled giant emerald corals, and their branches and leaves exuded a rich life force.

The deeper you go, the more viscous and pure the Life Energy becomes, almost turning into a tangible mist.

Lin Xia felt as if each breath was inhaling and exhaling the purest life essence. Her Soul Power spontaneously accelerated within her body, and the minor internal injuries left by the grief of the Fire Dragon King True Spirit were being rapidly nourished and repaired.

Ivysaur was particularly active, its Four-Colored Light Wheel on its back slowly rotating as it greedily absorbed the pure energy, its golden-green light shining especially brightly.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

A vast dome, composed of countless naturally formed crystal clusters, appeared before my eyes.

These crystals are not ordinary minerals, but products of highly condensed Life Energy, radiating a warm and magnificent emerald glow that illuminates the entire space like a legendary jade palace.

Beneath that enormous crystal dome, instead of the cave or building one might expect, there was a doorway.

A colossal gateway entirely composed of the flowing, condensed waters of Lake of Life!

It was ten zhang tall and wide enough to accommodate several people walking side by side.

The emerald green water was not still, but rather slowly swirled and flowed as if it had a life of its own, forming complex and mysterious swirling patterns.

The surface of the portal shimmered with countless tiny, star-like silver specks, crystallizations of pure spatial energy condensed within Life Energy.

A powerful yet restrained sealing force emanated from the portal, isolating it from all detection, both inside and outside.

Simply standing in front of the door, Lin Xia felt a vast, ancient aura, containing unimaginable essence of life, rushing towards her.

The Soul Power within him, especially the life attribute portion of Ivysaur, resonated strongly with and evoked a strong Covet.

"The Emerald Vault..."

Bi Ji's voice carried a hint of piety and pride.

"This is the final resting place of the essence left behind by countless powerful Soul Beast over billions of years in the Star Dou Forest, and also one of the core nodes protecting the forest's life essence."

She walked to the massive water gate, extended her fair, jade-like hand, and a complex emerald-colored rune composed of pure Life Energy appeared in her palm.