A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast as a Gift

The gilded palace roof reflected the noon sunlight, dazzling enough to make one unable to keep their eyes open.

The Pope's Palace was so quiet that a pin could have been heard falling. Only the soft scratch of a pen across paper accompanied Qian Xunji's slightly weary breathing.

Dressed in papal robes embroidered with golden thread, he sat behind a broad desk. His brow carried the authority of one long accustomed to power, though deep in his eyes lingered an unresolved gloom.

In recent years, his relationship with Bibi Dong had grown increasingly strained.

What happened back then was the decision he regretted least in his life. He would never have stood by and watched Bibi Dong leave with that worthless Yu Xiaogang.

He had thought that once he had her, he could slowly warm her heart. Yet in the end, all he gained was an ever-deepening rift.

She regarded him as an enemy. Even her own daughter received scarcely a glance from her. Usually, let alone speaking to him, even when they occupied the same palace, there was only cold distance between them.

Qian Xunji set down his pen, rubbed his throbbing temples, and let out a long sigh.

It was not as though he had never considered making amends. Treasures, cultivation methods, Soul Bones—anything rare in the world, he had sent to the Holy Maiden Hall. But Bibi Dong either returned them untouched or casually rewarded them to her servants without even sparing them a second glance.

She did not care for any of those things.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall.

A black-clad spy dropped to one knee and raised a wax-sealed secret letter with both hands. In a low voice, he said, "Your Holiness, urgent news has arrived."

"Bring it here." Qian Xunji's gaze sharpened.

The spy hurried forward, placed the letter on the desk, then bowed and withdrew.

Qian Xunji tore open the envelope and skimmed the contents. The farther he read, the brighter his eyes became. His fingers tightened slightly around the paper, and even his breathing quickened.

"Found them... I finally found them." He abruptly rose to his feet, unable to contain his ecstasy. "Tang Hao and a Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Grass Soul Beast."

The letter stated it clearly: Tang Hao had concealed himself with a Hundred-Thousand-Year plant-type Soul Beast on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. Their whereabouts had recently been exposed, and the spies had already pinpointed their location.

A Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast! Qian Xunji's heart pounded wildly.

There were only a handful of known Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts across the entire Douluo Continent, and every one of them was a priceless treasure capable of driving Titled Douluo mad.

A Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring was guaranteed to yield a Soul Bone and could grant two powerful spirit skills. It was the key to reaching Limit Douluo, perhaps even touching the realm of gods.

He was already level ninety-five, and his spirit rings were full. But Bibi Dong was still a Soul Douluo. If he personally gave this spirit ring to Bibi Dong, perhaps...

That was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring, the Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring every spirit master dreamed of.

Though this Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Grass Soul Beast was plant-type, the energy accumulated over a hundred thousand years was incomparably pure. Using it as the Ninth Spirit Ring for the Death Spider Emperor was not the most perfect spider-type match, but it still far surpassed ordinary eighty- or ninety-thousand-year Soul Beasts.

Not to mention the Soul Bone that was guaranteed to come with it, an utterly priceless treasure.

If he captured this Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast alive and gave it to Dong'er as her Ninth Spirit Ring...

Would she ease her anger a little? Would she be willing to speak a few words to him? Would she... forgive what happened back then?

Once that thought arose, it could no longer be suppressed.

Clutching the letter, Qian Xunji paced back and forth through the hall, finding the plan more feasible the longer he considered it.

He knew Bibi Dong was proud and arrogant. Ordinary gifts were beneath her notice. But a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring was an opportunity no spirit master could refuse.

She possessed extraordinary talent, and her future achievements would surely surpass his own. With this Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring, her path would become much smoother.

He would treat it as... compensation from her teacher.

"Guards." Qian Xunji stopped pacing and shouted in a deep voice.

The guards outside immediately entered with bowed heads. "What are Your Holiness's orders?"

"Deliver my command. Summon Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo to see me at once." Qian Xunji's tone was absolute. "Mobilize the personal guard and prepare to depart for the Star Dou Great Forest in three days."

"Yes, sir."

After the guard withdrew, Qian Xunji walked to the palace entrance and looked toward the Holy Maiden Hall. Anticipation filled his eyes, along with a trace of unease.

Dong'er, wait for me to return.

This time, I will bring you the most precious gift on the entire continent.

Three days later, at the southern gate of Spirit Hall.

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei, the two Titled Douluo, had long since prepared for departure. Behind them stood two hundred elite spirit master guards, each with a steady aura, the weakest among them already a Soul King.

The golden papal carriage stood before the city gate, its ceremonial escort solemn and imposing.

Qian Xunji stood before the carriage in fitted battle attire. Behind him, the phantom of the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul flickered in and out of view.

He looked over the assembled forces and nodded in satisfaction. With Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo accompanying him, along with his own level ninety-five strength, dealing with Tang Hao, who had only just entered the Soul Douluo realm, would be effortless.

After taking human form, a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast's strength would decline greatly. Capturing it alive was practically certain.

"Your Holiness, everything is ready. We may depart at any time." Chrysanthemum Douluo stepped forward and bowed.

"Mm." Qian Xunji nodded. After one final glance toward the depths of Spirit City, he turned and boarded the carriage. "Move out. Our destination is the Star Dou Great Forest."

The wheels rumbled forward, kicking up clouds of dust.

The massive procession marched south in grand formation, heading straight for the Star Dou Great Forest.

No one expected that the Pope of Spirit Hall, so certain of victory, would suffer a devastating setback on this journey.

No one expected that this campaign against a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast would completely alter Spirit Hall's future fate.

On the afternoon Qian Xunji departed, Bibi Dong returned to Spirit City with Bibi Xu.

As their carriage entered the Holy Maiden Hall, the waiting maids immediately came forward to greet them, bowing in respect and taking their luggage.

After the long journey, Bibi Xu wore a trace of fatigue on his face.

"You've had a tiring journey, so go back to your room and rest first." Bibi Dong patted his shoulder, her tone gentle. "You've only just absorbed your spirit ring. Don't rush to cultivate—stabilize it for two days first. I'll have dinner sent to your courtyard."

"Alright. Mom, you should rest well too." Bibi Xu nodded, then turned and returned to his small courtyard.

He had barely pushed open the door and had not yet sat down when a faint fluttering of wings came from beyond the window lattice.

A paper crane wrapped in a faint golden glow wobbled through the window and landed on the table before him.

The tiny crooked character for "Xue" on its wings bore Qian Renxue's unmistakable style.

Bibi Xu could not help but smile as he picked up the paper crane and unfolded it.

There were only five words written on it: Meet me at the usual place.

The handwriting carried an impatient energy, and he could practically imagine Qian Renxue hurriedly releasing the paper crane after finishing the note.

Thinking about it, they had returned several days later than Qian Renxue. The little girl had probably been waiting anxiously for ages, eager to show off her spirit ring to him.

Bibi Xu shook his head, changed into clean casual clothes, and headed for the grassy field behind the mountain.