The following afternoon, Xuan Xiao and his group returned to Spirit City.
As their guide, Yue Guan arranged accommodations for Xuan Xiao. His bewitching face was full of fawning smiles as he led Xuan Xiao to the finest guest room, terrified that this scourge might find something to dislike.
Meanwhile, Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong hurried without pause toward the Worship Hall, looking exactly like two schoolchildren going to complain to their teacher, their hearts in turmoil.
Inside the Worship Hall, Qian Daoliu was praying before the Angel God Statue. His tall figure appeared especially solemn beneath the candlelight. His eyes were closed, and his lips moved in quiet murmurs.
Sensing their return, he slowly rose to his feet. His movements were unhurried, yet they carried an innate authority that made others afraid to meet his gaze. Even the air around them seemed to freeze.
His gaze lingered on Bibi Dong for a moment. In that instant, he noticed that something about her had changed. Some of her former arrogance had faded.
"You're back."
Qian Xunji hurriedly stepped forward. He still looked somewhat disheveled. Clearing his throat, he lowered his voice, afraid of disturbing the statue.
"Father, we encountered a monster in Coconut Grove City this time."
Guang Ling finished cultivating and opened his eyes. A rare interested smile appeared on his youthful face. He stretched, then leaped up from his meditation cushion.
"Oh? A monster? Could it be more monstrous than Little Dong?"
Bibi Dong lowered her head. As the Saintess of Spirit Hall,
and the owner of Twin Martial Souls, she had actually been knocked flat by a single slap. That alone would have been bad enough, but the crucial part was that the other person was eight or nine years younger than her.
Qian Xunji took a