Velvet Sky-Opening Chrysanthemum

"Elder Hall?" Meng Xuanji asked cautiously. "May I ask, Teacher, are you trying to win over Titled Douluo?"

Bibi Dong gently poked Meng Xuanji in the center of his forehead.

"Ow."

"Hehe, you may be young, but you certainly have a sharp mind. You even want to meddle in matters between Titled Douluo. Still, there's no harm in telling the two of you. I have indeed been trying to persuade two elders recently."

"However, due to pressure from the Consecration Hall, the two elders have been somewhat hesitant lately. If I want them to take my side, I can only offer a higher price. That is what has been giving me such a headache."

"Hehe, why am I telling you this? Saying it will only add to your worries. Just treat it as a story and forget it."

Bibi Dong shook her head helplessly.

"Teacher, I may actually have a way to help you. Why don't you try giving them gifts?"

Bibi Dong chuckled, finding Meng Xuanji's suggestion rather childish.

"I tried that long ago. The people I want to win over are two Titled Douluo who hold great authority within the Elder Hall. The two of them also possess a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. No matter which side they choose, they can obtain endless wealth and an exalted position."

"Mere worldly possessions cannot possibly move them."

"May I ask whether these two elders are Chrysanthemum Pass and Gui Mei?"

"Hm? How do you know that?"

"Because they are the only elders in the Elder Hall who possess a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. I saw it in the library." Meng Xuanji came up with an excuse.

"Fine. Is there anything else you want to say?"

Bibi Dong was already feeling somewhat tired. She needed to find somewhere to recover her energy.

"Has Teacher ever heard of the Velvet Sky-Opening Chrysanthemum?"

"The Velvet Sky-Opening Chrysanthemum?" Bibi Dong's spirits immediately lifted, and she instantly became serious.

"Isn't that Elder Chrysanthemum's Martial Soul?"

"Indeed. But I read in a certain book that there is an immortal herb of that name in this world. If a soul master with that Martial Soul consumes it, even a Titled Douluo can be reborn and transformed."

"I believe Chrysanthemum Douluo would never be able to refuse such a temptation. Ghost Douluo is also deeply tied to Chrysanthemum Douluo. As long as we persuade one of them, the other can certainly be brought under our command as well."

Meng Xuanji's reasoning was sound, and in Bibi Dong's eyes, it was indeed a good method.

"Then do you know where this immortal herb grows?"

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."

"The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"

"That's right. It is said that this treasure land, capable of nurturing countless immortal medicines, lies within Sunset Forest and is controlled by a poison-type Titled Douluo."

"You mean Dugu Bo?"

Bibi Dong immediately guessed who it was. After all, Dugu Bo was the only Titled Douluo on Douluo Continent who enjoyed using poison.

"So you mean for me to exchange something with Dugu Bo, in the name of Spirit Hall, for the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"

Dugu Bo was, after all, a Titled Douluo and a royal guest of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Bibi Dong's foundation was not yet secure, so naturally she could not simply seize it by force.

"Not exactly. As far as I know, Dugu Bo has dealt with poisons for so long that the toxins in his body have already reached the point of damaging his foundation. If he is not treated in time, he likely will not live much longer."

"By coincidence, I found a method for treating the toxins in Dugu Bo's body in the forbidden book section. Perhaps we can use that as leverage to obtain the immortal herb."

Bibi Dong pondered for a moment, continuously considering the feasibility of the matter.

"Good. We'll proceed according to your plan. I will invite Dugu Bo in my own name, and once he arrives, I will notify you."

"If this truly works out, you will have rendered a great service to Spirit Hall. I will also give you the rewards you deserve."

"Thank you for your trust, Teacher."

Meng Xuanji bowed slightly, a contemptuous smile at the corner of his lips.

In the original story, Dugu Bo had provided Tang San with no small amount of help. If he could win Dugu Bo over, even if it only meant making him remain neutral toward Spirit Hall, Tang San's future path of growth would be greatly affected.

While Tang San was still playing with hammers in Holy Soul Village, Meng Xuanji had to seize the chance to harvest his luck.

"Tang San, I have already stepped onto the stage of Douluo Continent before you. Let me see just how far you can go alone, without the support you had in the original story."

"Then this student shall take his leave first."

"Mm. You may leave."

Hu Liena and Meng Xuanji left the discussion hall together.

Bibi Dong stared blankly at Meng Xuanji's departing back.

"This child is even more useful than I imagined. His potential has even far exceeded my expectations. To possess such a mind at only six years old is truly frightening."

Bibi Dong had vaguely caught sight of the sharpness hidden beneath Meng Xuanji's mask.

The moment this venomous snake bared its fangs to the world, even she would have to give way.

"Teacher, were you also like this back then? Did you try to use me, only to be devoured in the end by a power beyond your control?"

Bibi Dong let out a cold, self-mocking laugh.

Only at this moment did she realize that, without noticing it, she had become just as selfish and paranoid as Qian Xunji. She always wanted to keep exceptionally talented students firmly in her grasp. Even if she had to destroy them, she would not allow them to leave her.

"Unfortunately, I am different from you. I will not be cruel enough to destroy my own student. I will make you watch from beneath the earth as I become a qualified teacher. Qian Xunji, you filthy bastard. One day, I will make you understand that even angels who stand high above can be cast into hell and turned into a single grain of sand among countless specks of dust."

Qian Renxue's figure appeared in Bibi Dong's eyes. Behind her, a dark-purple shadow faintly emerged—the phantom of the Rakshasa God from the original story.

At this moment, Bibi Dong's hatred for Qian Xunji was at its peak. If Qian Daoliu had not taken Qian Renxue away, then under the Rakshasa God's temptation, Bibi Dong might truly have done something as terrible as killing her own flesh and blood.

Perhaps she would not in the future, but right now, the hatred in Bibi Dong's heart had nowhere to go. All she wanted was to destroy the inheritance of the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul on Douluo Continent. That was the most powerful way for her to take revenge on Qian Xunji.

"Meng Xuanji, where did you see all the things you just told Teacher? Why have I never heard of them?"

Hu Liena surrounded Meng Xuanji with an innocent expression. The jealousy in her heart had long since been buried beneath admiration and curiosity.

Hu Liena envied Meng Xuanji's unfathomable knowledge, and she was also curious why, despite being the same age, he could learn so much.

"Of course, by reading more books. Many times, the power of knowledge is greater than force."

"That is precisely why the history continually passed down by humanity has meaning. It is also with the aid of knowledge that humans can gain the upper hand in their slaughter against soul beasts and pass hope down without end."

"Wow! That makes so much sense!"

Of course it made sense, because Meng Xuanji had made it all up.

He could not exactly tell Hu Liena that he had read Douluo Continent, could he? Wouldn't she think he was insane?