Leaving the Pope Palace

After leaving the Pope Palace, Gu Changsheng did not return to his room immediately.

It was already late at night. The corridors of Spirit City seemed especially quiet beneath the moonlight, yet those words still echoed in Gu Changsheng's mind.

"Tang San, Yu Xiaogang, Blue Silver Grass, innate full Soul Power..."

Those names and pieces of information linked together like a long thread of fate that had long been laid out, slowly unfolding before his eyes.

As he thought, he looked toward the distant direction of the Heaven Dou Empire. At this moment, Tang San was merely a child who had only recently stepped onto the path of cultivation.

No matter what happened in the future, there was only one important matter at hand: obtaining his Second Spirit Ring. Only by becoming strong enough could he continue down the road ahead.

At that thought, he nodded lightly and turned back to his room.

Over the next three days, Bibi Dong had already made every arrangement.

This time, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan were all present. Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan stood to one side, his face still carrying that gentle yet bewitching smile.

The moment Gu Changsheng entered the main hall, he saw everyone gathered there and understood that he would likely be traveling with them this time as well.

Bibi Dong sat upon the high seat, her gaze calm.

"The Soul Hunting Hall has confirmed traces of a Spirit Pattern Demon near an abandoned ruin on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. Its age may be around nine hundred years."

As she spoke, Bibi Dong's gaze fell upon Gu Changsheng.

This age was indeed rather high for a Second Spirit Ring, but Gu Changsheng's first Spirit Ring had already been eight hundred years old.

"This disciple understands. I will give it my all in obtaining this Spirit Ring."

Seeing Gu Changsheng's unwavering expression, Bibi Dong watched him for a long while before finally shifting her gaze to Yue Guan beside her.

This time, she seemed to have made some kind of decision.

"After what happened last time, This Emperor has seen through certain things. Yue Guan, you will personally lead this mission. Bring Nana and the others along to gain experience as well. In addition, I will dispatch two Spirit Saint Guards specifically to watch over Gu Changsheng."

Yan truly had not expected the Pontifex to care so much about this kid. He instinctively crossed his arms and snorted coldly.

"Going after a Second Spirit Ring, and you're making such a big show of it!"

Hu Liena cast a disdainful glance at Yan and replied coldly.

"You don't have to go."

"Nana, why are you speaking up for him again? When did I say I wasn't going?"

Gu Changsheng immediately stepped in to smooth things over.

"Senior Sister, don't worry. Senior Brother will definitely protect me. If there's any danger, I'll hide behind Senior Brother!"

Yan was truly left with grievances he could not voice. He could only glare fiercely at Gu Changsheng.

Xie Yue, standing nearby, also stepped forward.

"Spirit hunting is not the Training Ground. Once we reach the Star Dou Great Forest, everyone must follow Elder Yue Guan's arrangements. No one is to act on their own."

Gu Changsheng nodded very seriously.

At that moment, Bibi Dong spoke again.

"Everyone, return and prepare. Changsheng, stay behind."

Everyone's expressions were filled with unusual shock, but since the Pontifex had spoken, they could only withdraw first.

Soon, only Bibi Dong and Gu Changsheng remained in the main hall.

Bibi Dong slowly rose to her feet. Her swaying long legs moved unhurriedly at her side, the charm of a woman and the dominance of the Pontifex seeming to meld into one.

"The Spirit Pattern Book Demon is a Mental Attribute Spirit Beast. Its greatest danger is not its attacks, but the illusions it creates. It will make you see what you care about most, and it will make you see what you fear most."

As Bibi Dong explained, Gu Changsheng did not know why, but Tang San came to mind. He thought of the future, of Spirit Hall's destruction.

He thought even more of Bibi Dong's final fate. The shift in Gu Changsheng's emotions also left Bibi Dong somewhat puzzled.

"Changsheng, what is wrong? Look at This Emperor!"

Gu Changsheng instinctively raised his head, only to feel a slight chill between his brows. Bibi Dong had injected a thread of her Mental Power into his body.

"Remember this. Once you enter the Star Dou Great Forest, especially when hunting Spirit Beasts, do not trust your eyes—particularly when you see the scenes you most want to avoid."

Gu Changsheng's heart jolted, and he immediately nodded.

"This disciple will remember."

Bibi Dong watched him bow. She gently withdrew her slender jade-like hand and once again rested it upon her Scepter.

"Go. Come back alive."

Her words were soft, yet they warmed Gu Changsheng's heart.

The night before, everyone had been preparing with great urgency.

The next morning, the Spirit Hunting Team officially departed Spirit City. The two accompanying Spirit Saint Guards specialized in defense and tracking respectively.

Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan walked beside Gu Changsheng. This was Gu Changsheng's first time truly leaving Spirit City's territory and heading for the Star Dou Great Forest.

Along the way, everyone was still as they had always been, and Yan's mouth remained as stubborn as ever.

"Gu Changsheng, once we get into the forest, you'd better not run around. With that little body of yours, if a Spirit Beast carries you off, you won't even have time to cry for help!"

"Hehe~ Didn't I say so? If there's trouble, I'll hide behind Senior Brother~ We're a team.

Teacher said we should help each other. Besides, you're a Power Assault System Spirit Master. Isn't protecting me only natural?"

Yan was rendered speechless once again. He could not even find a reason to argue back.

While they were still bickering, they had already quietly entered the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

By now, they had traveled for several days. The instant he stepped into the forest, Gu Changsheng felt an aura completely unlike that of Spirit City rushing toward him.

It was damp, dark, and heavy, carrying an even stronger sense of danger.

Towering Ancient Trees blotted out the sky and sun. Vines wrapped around strange tree trunks, while the low growls of Spirit Beasts occasionally echoed from all around.

The air was filled with the scent of decaying vegetation, mixed with a faint smell of blood.

Chrysanthemum Douluo walked at the front, his tone still exceedingly calm.

"Stay close. This may only be the outskirts, but it is completely different from the places you normally stay. Especially you, Changsheng, you little fellow. His Holiness the Pope personally gave instructions about you."

Gu Changsheng did not dare say much and could only follow closely, while Hu Liena naturally walked on his left.

As they ventured deeper, the tracking Spirit Saint instinctively began investigating below, but there seemed to be no clues at all.

Another half day passed before Gu Changsheng came before a withered Ancient Tree. Several pale silver-gray patterns ran across its trunk.

If one did not inspect it carefully, they might mistake them for natural cracks in the bark. Yet the instant Gu Changsheng raised his hand, the Myriad Heaven Book within his Soul Sea began flipping frantically.

[Traces of Mental Power detected.

Attributes: Recording, Confusion, Guidance

An extremely high match with the characteristics of the target Spirit Beast, the Soul Book Demon!]