Rakshasa Residual Mark?

At that moment, purple-black patterns flashed across the ground of the Training Ground. In that instant, the once-scorching waves of flame turned incomparably cold and sinister.

The anger on Yan's face had yet to fully fade, but his body instinctively took a step back. That aura felt wrong. It was neither his Flame nor Gu Changsheng's Soul Power.

Nor did it resemble the protective power the Training Ground's array patterns should have possessed.

Gu Changsheng stood at the center of the array patterns, the Myriad Heaven Book in his palm flipping frantically.

[Unknown residual mark detected.

Attributes: slaughter, resentment, devouring, contamination.

Suspected remnant divinity.

Danger level: extremely high.

Unable to continue analysis...]

When Gu Changsheng saw the final few lines, his pupils contracted slightly. He was utterly bewildered.

The words "unable to analyze" left him unsure how to react, but that was the response given by the Myriad Heaven Book.

It was not that it could not be recorded. It was warning him that he was too weak; if he continued the analysis now, something would definitely happen.

Just as the purple-black patterns spread in an instant, a cold, imposing voice descended from the high platform.

"Enough!"

The instant the voice fell, the entire Training Ground grew much quieter. Every flame seemed to be snuffed out by an invisible hand.

Yan's Soul Power was under tremendous pressure. Under such oppression, he no longer had any desire to fight.

The Myriad Heaven Book in Gu Changsheng's palm was the exact opposite. It was being forced back by a gentle yet irresistible power.

Just one second later, Bibi Dong appeared above the Training Ground.

She did not release any further terrifying pressure. Simply standing there caused everyone to lower their heads instinctively.

"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope!"

The people around the Training Ground began bowing one after another. Yan's expression shifted slightly, and he hurriedly lowered his head.

Only Hu Liena, standing to one side, noticed traces of worry in Bibi Dong's eyes.

She did not know what those purple patterns had been, but she could sense that her teacher's emotions had changed. They were somewhat different from before.

Bibi Dong's gaze swept over every corner of the field, taking in all the array patterns.

"This battle ends here! Gu Changsheng used the array to defeat his opponent. Yan misjudged the situation. The victor has been decided."

The instant those words fell, the surroundings went silent.

Yan abruptly raised his head, unwillingness shining in his eyes. He lightly bit his lip before finally speaking.

"Your Holiness the Pope, I haven't—"

"A loss is a loss! You lost."

There was a trace of sternness in Bibi Dong's tone as she cut Yan off. Her words were not harsh, yet Yan could no longer utter another word.

Xie Yue glanced at Yan and said in a low voice,

"If His Holiness the Pope hadn't intervened just now, you would have exposed a fatal opening long ago. You truly lost."

Yan gritted his teeth, his fists clenched tightly.

Of course he was unconvinced. In that instant, he truly had not seen Gu Changsheng's position clearly. He had merely underestimated the power of the array patterns beneath his feet.

Yet Bibi Dong seemed unwilling to concern herself with anything else. She was interested only in Gu Changsheng.

"Alright, those of you who are fine may leave. Gu Changsheng, come with This Emperor."

Hu Liena had actually noticed something was amiss long ago and immediately stepped forward.

"Teacher, Junior Brother has just gone through a battle, and his injuries have yet to recover. He..."

Hearing Hu Liena's worried voice, Bibi Dong gently turned her head, her eyes softening somewhat.

"You little girl, could This Emperor possibly harm him? Come here!"

Gu Changsheng gave Hu Liena a slight look, then followed Bibi Dong out of the Training Ground.

After the two figures disappeared, low murmurs rose within the Training Ground once more.

"Gu Changsheng won!"

"A level fifteen Spirit Master defeated a Great Spirit Master? That's too absurd, isn't it?"

"It wasn't a head-on victory. He borrowed the array patterns. That thing seems rather terrifying."

While everyone was still discussing the battle, Gu Changsheng had already followed Bibi Dong deep into the Pope Palace.

This time, Bibi Dong did not bring him to the side hall she usually used. Instead, she passed through several long corridors and arrived before an exceptionally quiet secret chamber.

There were no maidservants or guards outside the secret chamber.

Looking up, there was only a pitch-black stone Gate. Bibi Dong gently raised her hand, and Soul Power landed on the stone Gate.

With a click, the stone Gate slowly opened.

An invisible wave of Soul Power rushed toward them.

"Enter!"

Looking at Bibi Dong's sharp gaze and somewhat cold tone, Gu Changsheng's mind raced frantically.

What's going on? Where is she taking me? Could it be related to the patterns the Myriad Heaven Book analyzed earlier?

While he was still thinking, Bibi Dong had already entered. He had no choice but to brace himself and follow.

Several dim purple-red lamps hung inside the secret chamber. Their light was faint, and the atmosphere felt extremely oppressive.

The walls were carved with countless ancient patterns.

Upon closer inspection, these patterns were somewhat similar to the array patterns on the Training Ground, but they were more complex and far more chilling.

Gu Changsheng had only glanced at them once when the Myriad Heaven Book in his Soul Sea began trembling lightly.

At that moment, Bibi Dong suddenly spoke.

"Don't stare at them for too long. This thing can easily make you lose yourself."

Hearing that, he immediately withdrew his gaze. By then, Bibi Dong was already staring at him.

"Did you discover anything? For instance, what is different between the patterns here and those you saw at the Training Ground?"

"They are more complex than the ones at the Training Ground, and far more difficult to analyze."

Bibi Dong's gaze tightened slightly at those words.

"What did your Myriad Heaven Book analyze?"

Gu Changsheng knew he could not conceal it. Telling the truth was the best way out.

"Slaughter, resentment, devouring, contamination... and... a trace of remnant divinity."

When he paused before uttering the words "remnant divinity," the secret chamber instantly fell silent. Even Bibi Dong, who had seemed so aloof moments ago, grew unsettled.

About a minute later, Bibi Dong tightened her grip on the Scepter and slowly said,

"Do you know what remnant divinity signifies?"

Gu Changsheng pretended to shake his head.

"This disciple does not know. But my Myriad Heaven Book told me it is dangerous, extremely dangerous."

Bibi Dong looked at Gu Changsheng, an immensely complicated emotion surfacing in the depths of her eyes.

"Look at these things again."

Bibi Dong suddenly raised her hand. An exceedingly faint aura appeared at her fingertips, so faint it was nearly impossible to see.

Yet Gu Changsheng's Soul Sea trembled violently.

[Identical residual mark detected.

Dangerous, extremely dangerous!

Cannot be analyzed...]

Gu Changsheng's face paled slightly. The next second, Bibi Dong's finger stopped directly before his forehead.

"Why did you get lost in it again? Didn't I tell you to stop after looking for only a few seconds?"

"I... I know. It just seems to have some kind of attraction. But it is even more dangerous than the array patterns at the Training Ground."

Gu Changsheng slowly exhaled a breath of stale air and immediately bowed.

Bibi Dong became even more cautious. She looked around the chamber, and for some reason, the emotions in her heart continued to shift.

"About what happened today, you should..."

"Please rest assured, Your Holiness the Pope. This disciple will never reveal anything that happened today. Even to Senior Sister, I will not say a single word."

Seeing Gu Changsheng so serious, Bibi Dong's eyes flickered, carrying a trace of a smile.

"You are clever indeed. But since you will not reveal it, why did you watch so intently?"

"This disciple merely wishes to grow stronger. I only want powerful strength. If I can successfully analyze it, would that make others fear me?"

Bibi Dong's heart was stirred once again. This child was calm, persistent, unyielding, and clear-headed.

"Very well. Since that is the case, starting today, come here once every seven days."

"Ah? Your Holiness the Pope, do you mean here?"

Gu Changsheng asked in surprise. He knew well that the tallest tree in the forest would be the first to be toppled by the wind. These ancient patterns surely concealed an enormous secret.

"You have objections?"

"No! This disciple would not dare..."

"Enough. Since you are a member of Spirit Hall, you must understand the mission you bear. This is the Ancient Array Scroll. Take it and study it later. Give me an answer in seven days!"

The instant Gu Changsheng accepted the parchment scroll with both hands, he felt the Myriad Heaven Book tremble violently.

[Ancient array patterns detected... Can be analyzed. Record?]

Seeing this, he did not immediately begin analyzing it. Instead, he lowered his head and left the secret chamber. Night had already fallen, yet his expression grew increasingly grave.

Rakshasa Residual Mark, remnant divinity... It seemed that all of this was pointing him toward a particular direction!