Seed of Abundance

Ning Yao nodded in satisfaction. At least she knew how to behave.

"Alright, get up. There's no need for such a grand gesture."

With a slight sweep of his hand, Bibi Dong was lifted up by an invisible force.

After being raised, Bibi Dong said nothing more and stood respectfully to the side, waiting.

She knew what she should and should not do now, and she also knew how she should act.

After lifting Bibi Dong up, Ning Yao looked at the obedient Bibi Dong and fell into thought.

In truth, this had been a decision made on a whim.

As for exactly how to proceed, he only had the beginnings of an idea.

But the first step was certainly to lead Bibi Dong onto this path.

Without saying more, he raised a hand. A violent force of life condensed in his palm, forming a seed.

"Find some time to enter seclusion and consume it."

At first glance, the seed looked no different from those he had granted before, but in reality, it was entirely different.

The ones he had previously given to Ghost Douluo and Skywater Academy were all low-grade versions, mainly meant for healing.

Unless it was a special case like Ghost Douluo, the residual power of abundance did not actually have much effect.

But the one he was giving Bibi Dong now was something that truly contained the power of abundance.

Its effects were countless times stronger than those he had bestowed before.

Of course, it only seemed powerful by comparison. To Ning Yao, he had not actually infused much power into it.

After observing the powerful cultivators of this world since arriving on Douluo Continent, he had determined that this was roughly enough to assimilate Bibi Dong.

As for what happened afterward, that would depend on whether Bibi Dong was capable enough.

He handed the seed to Bibi Dong. After carefully accepting it, Bibi Dong quickly nodded.

"As you command, Senior."

"Oh, right. If you want to consume it and absorb the power within, it would be best to set aside plenty of time for seclusion."

Ning Yao offered a kind reminder.

Although he had deliberately controlled the amount, it was still something from a higher dimension, countless times stronger than Bibi Dong's own power. It would certainly take time.

And the process would not be entirely smooth. Some suffering was unavoidable.

Bibi Dong was startled upon hearing this, then nodded in agreement.

"I understand, Senior."

"I intend to return and enter seclusion now, then consume it."

She did not ask about the seed's specific effects, choosing instead to consume it directly.

Just as she had said earlier, she knew what she should do now and how she should do it.

She did not want to miss this opportunity—an opportunity that might even allow her to surpass those so-called false gods Ning Yao had mentioned.

Ning Yao did not reject Bibi Dong's suggestion.

"Do as you wish. Any time is fine; it's up to you."

He was not in a hurry. After all, having a few more believers of abundance on Douluo Continent was merely an idea that had come to him on a whim.

How exactly to go about it would have to be considered slowly.

Yet under Bibi Dong's imagination, Ning Yao's words took on an entirely different meaning.

"Yes, Senior. Then I'll enter seclusion immediately!"

"Then, Senior, you..."

Bibi Dong asked cautiously.

Ning Yao knew at once what Bibi Dong wanted to say.

After hesitating briefly, he gently shook his head.

"I'll be staying here for a while, though I may leave at any time. You needn't concern yourself with me."

Bibi Dong understood immediately. After seeking Ning Yao's permission, she nodded and withdrew.

Only after Bibi Dong left did Ning Yao return to the tea table and leisurely begin sipping tea again.

The tea was decent enough. After all, it was top-grade stuff even on Douluo Continent.

But while Ning Yao was still relaxing, faint footsteps sounded behind him.

He casually set down his tea and turned to look.

In the direction Bibi Dong had just left, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were approaching with strange expressions.

"My lord..."

The two bowed respectfully, causing Ning Yao to raise an eyebrow slightly.

If he remembered correctly, although these two had been quite respectful toward him before, it had not been anywhere near this level.

And that form of address...

"What's going on with you two?"

He smiled faintly and sat up straighter.

In truth, he could more or less guess that this was Bibi Dong's doing.

"My lord, Her Holiness the Pope has instructed that you may freely enter and leave Pope Hall in the future, and she has arranged a room for you."

"Furthermore, within Pope Hall, your status is equal to Her Holiness the Pope's."

Chrysanthemum Douluo explained bitterly.

Although they had long been mentally prepared, when this moment truly arrived, they still felt somewhat lost.

They had struggled for decades, yet their status was lower than that of a newly joined Titled Douluo.

But if Bibi Dong heard those words, she would probably slash Chrysanthemum Douluo in half with a single strike.

Still, thoughts were just thoughts. From the bottom of their hearts, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo accepted Ning Yao's treatment.

They even felt that Ning Yao deserved such treatment.

After all, he was a healing-type Super Douluo who could even cure Ghost Douluo—one of a kind on the entire continent.

"Alright, I understand. Tell me where the room is, then you may attend to your own business."

Ning Yao nodded and said nothing further.

His guess had been correct.

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were also quite obedient. After explaining what needed to be explained, they followed Ning Yao's instructions and withdrew.

Yet just as the two left, they came face-to-face with someone they had never imagined they would see again in their lives.

"G-G-Great Worshipper?!"

At the sight of the blond man before them, Chrysanthemum Douluo nearly stuttered. Even Ghost Douluo beside him shuddered, his expression instantly turning tense.

They had just reached the entrance of Pope Hall, and Qian Daoliu had clearly just entered as well.

"Greetings, Great Worshipper."

After their brief shock, the two hurriedly bowed.

Although everyone among the upper ranks knew that the Pope and the Great Worshipper were at odds, neither side had yet reached the point of tearing off all pretenses. The proper formalities could not be neglected.

Bibi Dong had specifically warned them of this before: do not leave the people of Worship Hall with any leverage.

Still, they truly had not expected Qian Daoliu, who was usually nowhere to be seen in Worship Hall, to come to Pope Hall.

If they remembered correctly, the last time Qian Daoliu had openly come to Pope Hall should have been decades ago, right?

Could it be because of Lord Abundance?

The two stood before Qian Daoliu, wildly speculating inwardly while barely daring to breathe on the surface.

Only after a long while did Qian Daoliu slowly speak.

"Where is your Pope?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo visibly relaxed.

Chrysanthemum Douluo stepped forward.

"Great Worshipper, Her Holiness the Pope has just entered seclusion."

The moment those words fell, Qian Daoliu's brows visibly furrowed.

"Seclusion?"

"Then where is Abundance Douluo? He is a friend of our Worship Hall. You haven't done anything reckless to him, have you?"

Qian Daoliu spoke in a deep voice. As he spoke, the pressure of an Ultimate Douluo gradually closed in on the two.

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were nearly in tears.

How would they dare?!