Bibi Dong's Summons!

Spirit City.

After the finals ended, everyone from Heaven Dou Royal Academy returned to the resting area.

As soon as Tang Chen entered the corridor, he saw a Spirit Hall deacon in a platinum robe approaching him.

The deacon stopped before him.

"His Holiness the Pope requests your presence at the Pope's Palace."

Yu Tianheng and the others stopped at the same time.

Dugu Yan raised her eyes toward the deacon.

"Only Tang Chen was invited?"

"His Holiness the Pope will see only Tang Chen."

Zhu Zhuqing stood at Tang Chen's side.

Her fingers lightly rested on his sleeve and did not let go.

Tang Chen glanced at her.

"Wait for me here."

"I'll go with you."

Zhu Zhuqing did not step back.

Dugu Yan also came to Tang Chen's other side.

"I'll go too."

The deacon looked troubled.

"His Holiness the Pope has not invited anyone else."

Tang Chen withdrew his gaze.

"I'll go alone."

Zhu Zhuqing's fingers paused.

She looked up at Tang Chen.

"Come back quickly."

"Alright."

Dugu Yan took out a Jade Bottle and placed it in Tang Chen's hand.

"If anyone in the Pope's Palace asks you to take something, look carefully first."

Tang Chen lowered his head and glanced at the Jade Bottle.

"This is Medicinal Liquid?"

"It restores Soul Power."

Dugu Yan answered, "The competition just ended. You need to recuperate."

Tang Chen stored the Jade Bottle in his Storage Soul Tool.

"Got it."

Zhu Zhuqing adjusted his collar for him.

"Don't agree to anything you shouldn't."

"I understand."

Tang Chen left with the deacon.

At the end of the corridor.

Hu Liena stood beside a stone pillar.

She had already changed out of her competition uniform. Her platinum gown draped to her feet, and a golden belt accentuated her slender waist.

When she saw Tang Chen, she turned and headed toward the Pope's Palace.

Tang Chen kept several steps behind her.

"You're seeing His Holiness the Pope too?"

"Teacher asked me to take you there."

Hu Liena said, "She is waiting for you in the Pope's Palace."

"You call her Teacher?"

"Mm."

"The captain of Spirit Hall Academy is her disciple?"

"Not just a disciple."

Hu Liena turned her face slightly.

"Her personal disciple."

Tang Chen did not ask further.

The two walked along the corridor toward the Pope's Palace.

White stone pillars stood in rows on either side.

The walls were carved with the emblems of Spirit Hall's successive popes.

When they reached the entrance to the great hall, the deacon stopped.

Hu Liena pushed open the doors.

Inside the towering hall, a purple robe draped quietly.

Bibi Dong sat upon the papal throne.

Her hand rested on the edge of the armrest, her gaze settling on Tang Chen.

"You've come."

Tang Chen entered the hall.

Hu Liena stood at Bibi Dong's side.

"Your Holiness the Pope."

"Tang Chen."

Bibi Dong looked at him.

"Your performance in the Soul Master Tournament has exceeded my expectations."

"Spirit Hall Academy did not lose unfairly."

"That is a fact."

Tang Chen stopped beneath the steps.

Bibi Dong did not mind his calmness.

"At fourteen, you have reached level sixty-three Soul Power, with four Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings and two Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings."

"With such talent, there is not another like you on the entire continent."

Tang Chen did not answer.

Bibi Dong continued:

"You should understand that Heaven Dou Royal Academy alone cannot provide you with sufficient cultivation resources."

"Even the things the Heaven Dou Imperial Family sends every month cannot sustain your future cultivation."

"Spirit Hall possesses the most complete inheritance on the continent. Soul Beast records, cultivation resources, and all manner of treasures can all be opened to you."

"Join Spirit Hall."

"I can let you cultivate in the Elder Hall."

"Once you break through to Titled Douluo, Spirit Hall will also prepare an elder's seat for you."

Tang Chen looked at her.

"I won't join any faction."

Bibi Dong's gaze lingered for a moment.

"Including the Heaven Dou Imperial Family?"

"Including the Heaven Dou Imperial Family."

"And the faction your grandfather belongs to as well?"

"My grandfather will not make decisions for me."

Bibi Dong raised her hand.

Hu Liena stepped forward carrying a purple jade box.

She came before Tang Chen and held the jade box in her palm.

"This is a gift from Teacher."

Tang Chen did not take it immediately.

"What is inside?"

"A Soul Bone."

Hu Liena answered, "A spiritual-attribute head Soul Bone."

Tang Chen raised his eyes toward Bibi Dong.

"Why give it to me?"

"Your unwillingness to join Spirit Hall does not mean we cannot cooperate."

Bibi Dong said, "This Soul Bone suits your Mental Power."

"After absorbing it, it can strengthen your spiritual perception and improve your resistance to mental-type soul skills."

"It is not a condition for joining Spirit Hall."

"It is merely a gift from me."

Tang Chen reached out and accepted the jade box.

Fine patterns were carved across its surface.

Once it was opened, a crystal-clear Soul Bone lay quietly inside.

A faint silver glow flowed within the Soul Bone.

Tang Chen glanced at it, then closed the jade box.

"Thank you."

Bibi Dong looked at him.

"You accepted the gift, yet you still refuse to join?"

"A gift has nothing to do with loyalty."

"You do know how to draw a clear line."

"I don't want to owe anyone a favor."

"Then you may repay me another way."

Tang Chen raised his eyes.

"What does Your Holiness the Pope want?"

"Nothing for now."

Bibi Dong said, "When you have truly grown in the future, if Spirit Hall has need of you, you may act for us once."

"As long as it does not go against my will."

"Agreed."

Bibi Dong nodded.

"Additionally, I would like to invite you somewhere."

"Slaughter City."

The hall fell silent.

Hu Liena's gaze landed on Tang Chen.

Tang Chen asked:

"What is there?"

"Slaughter City is a place where Soul Masters temper their will and killing ability."

Bibi Dong said, "There are no restrictions on soul skills there, only battles to the death."

"After entering, your soul skills will be unable to function normally."

"Every battle must be survived through your own strength."

Tang Chen looked at Hu Liena.

"She is going too?"

"Nana will enter Slaughter City with you."

Hu Liena took a step forward.

"Teacher has already arranged everything for me."

"I will enter Slaughter City first."

"If you travel with me, we can look after each other."

Tang Chen said, "She is your disciple."

"That is precisely why I am sending her with you."

Bibi Dong leaned back on the papal throne.

"With your strength, the ordinary fallen ones in Slaughter City cannot threaten you."

"But there is more there than fighting."

"The rules hidden in the darkness also require someone to remind you of them."

Tang Chen looked at the jade box in his hand.

"Can Spirit Hall guarantee my safety inside?"

"Slaughter City is not under Spirit Hall's direct jurisdiction."

Bibi Dong answered, "But Spirit Hall can guarantee that once you leave, no one will hunt you down because of your experiences in Slaughter City."

"No matter whom you offend, as long as you return to Spirit City, Spirit Hall will protect you."

"Will the Heaven Dou Imperial Family accept that too?"

"I will personally deliver the message to Xue Ye."

Bibi Dong's gaze fell on Tang Chen.

"As long as you do not actively betray the Heaven Dou Empire, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family will not interfere with your training."

"You can regard this trip into Slaughter City as nothing more than a period of cultivation."

Tang Chen fell silent for a moment.

Slaughter City had no restrictions on soul skills.

For other Soul Masters, that was a limitation.

But for him, it could temper his close-quarters combat and use of Soul Power.

The Destruction Scepter did not rely solely on soul skills.

His physique and Mental Power also far exceeded those of Soul Masters at the same level.

The rules there suited him perfectly.

"When do we leave?"

A subtle change appeared in Hu Liena's eyes.

Bibi Dong said,

"Tomorrow."

Tang Chen put away the jade box.

"I need to go back and explain things to my teammates."

"Fine."

Bibi Dong nodded.

"At dawn tomorrow, Nana will wait for you at the east gate of Spirit City."

"This training will not force you to join Spirit Hall."

"After you return from Slaughter City, Spirit Hall will still be willing to open all its resources to you."

Tang Chen asked,

"What if I still refuse?"

"Then continue being a free Soul Master."

Bibi Dong said, "As long as you do not become an enemy of Spirit Hall, I will not restrict you."

"Your grandfather is a Golden-Clawed Bear Soul Master, and he is very powerful."

"But his protection cannot extend everywhere."

"Having Spirit Hall as an additional backing will not harm you."

Tang Chen looked at Bibi Dong.

"I agree to enter Slaughter City."

Hu Liena raised her eyes.

Bibi Dong did not speak immediately either.

Tang Chen continued,

"But I will not join Spirit Hall."

"Fine."

Bibi Dong accepted this.

"You have already accepted the Soul Bone."

"Nana will give you the information about Slaughter City."

Hu Liena turned and walked to the side of the hall.

She picked up a black leather booklet from the table and came before Tang Chen.

"This is information compiled by Teacher."

"It records the entrance to Slaughter City, its rules, and the way to leave."

Tang Chen accepted the booklet.

Hu Liena did not immediately withdraw her hand.

Their fingers briefly touched at the edge of the booklet.

She lifted her eyes to Tang Chen.

"See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Hu Liena released her hand.

Bibi Dong raised a hand.

"Tang Chen."

Tang Chen turned to look at her.

"Slaughter City is not the Soul Master Tournament."

"There is no surrender there."

"I know."

"If you encounter something you cannot resolve, you may use this token."

Bibi Dong took out a black token.

The front of the token bore the emblem of Spirit Hall, while the back had only a single purple pattern.

Tang Chen accepted the token.

"What can it do?"

"It can contact Spirit Hall personnel outside Slaughter City."

Bibi Dong said, "If you wish to leave, crush the token."

"Spirit Hall will meet you outside."

"However, unless it is a matter of life and death, I do not recommend using it."

"I will not use it."

Tang Chen placed the token into his Storage Soul Tool.

"I will come out on my own."

Bibi Dong looked at him and nodded lightly.

"I hope you can."

Tang Chen turned and walked out of the Pope's Palace.

Hu Liena followed him out.

The doors of the hall slowly closed.

Outside the corridor, sunlight fell across the white stone steps.

Hu Liena and Tang Chen walked side by side.

"Are you really not considering joining Spirit Hall?"

"I'm not."

"Teacher's conditions are already very generous."

"I know."

"And you still refused."

"I don't like being arranged."

Hu Liena turned her face toward him.

"Entering Slaughter City was also Teacher's arrangement."

"I agreed to it myself."

"Why?"

Tang Chen stopped walking.

Hu Liena stopped beside him as well.

Her pale gold dress gently fell with her movement.

She looked at Tang Chen, waiting for his answer.

"It suits me there."

"Just because it suits you?"

"Also because you'll be going with me."

Hu Liena's fingertips tightened slightly.

She had not expected Tang Chen to answer like that.

After a moment, she looked away.

"I won't hold you back."

"I know."

"After entering Slaughter City, I will not rely on you to protect me either."

"I know."

Hu Liena looked at him again.

"You know everything."

"You made yourself very clear."

She pressed her lips together.

"Then see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

Hu Liena turned and headed toward another corridor.

After walking several steps, she looked back.

Tang Chen had already descended the stone steps.

His white robes swayed gently beneath the sunlight as his figure gradually receded.

Hu Liena stood where she was.

She lowered her head to look at her palm.

When they had touched the booklet just now, a trace of warmth still lingered on her fingertips.

A moment later.

She drew her hand back into her sleeve and turned toward the Pope's Palace.

When Tang Chen returned to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy rest area, Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan came up to him at the same time.

Dugu Yan looked at his face first.

"What did His Holiness the Pope want with you?"

"She invited me to join Spirit Hall."

"Did you agree?"

"No."

Zhu Zhuqing came before him.

She raised a hand and adjusted Tang Chen's collar.

"Did she make things difficult for you?"

"No."

Dugu Yan's gaze fell on his waist.

"What is that jade box?"

"A Soul Bone Bibi Dong gave me."

Dugu Yan froze.

Zhu Zhuqing also lifted her eyes to look at him.

Tang Chen took out the purple jade box and placed it before them.

"A Mental Power-attributed head Soul Bone."

Dugu Yan opened the jade box.

The Soul Bone's silver radiance reflected in her eyes.

"Why did she give you something so precious?"

"She wants to cooperate with me."

"You refused to join Spirit Hall, yet you accepted the Soul Bone?"

"It was a gift."

Dugu Yan closed the jade box.

"Then how do you plan to repay it?"

"I'll act for Spirit Hall once in the future."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at him.

"Are there conditions?"

"It cannot go against my will."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly.

"That seems reasonable enough."

But Dugu Yan did not relax.

"What else did she say?"

Tang Chen looked at the two of them.

"I'm entering Slaughter City tomorrow."

Dugu Yan's expression shifted slightly.

Zhu Zhuqing's fingers paused at Tang Chen's collar.

"You're going there?"

"Yes."

"With whom?"

"Hu Liena."

The courtyard fell silent.

Dugu Yan withdrew her hand.

Zhu Zhuqing slowly lowered hers as well.

Tang Chen looked at them.

"This training won't take long."

Dugu Yan raised her eyes.

"Slaughter City isn't an ordinary place."

"I know."

"There are no restrictions on soul skills there."

"I know."

"Once you enter, there is only slaughter."

"I'll be careful."

Dugu Yan looked at the purple jade box in his hand.

"Then you need to keep this Soul Bone safe."

Zhu Zhuqing came to Tang Chen's side and took the black leather booklet.

She flipped through a few pages.

"The entrance is outside Slaughter City's outer city."

"The information Teacher gave me is very detailed."

"Hu Liena will take me there tomorrow."

Zhu Zhuqing closed the booklet and handed it back to Tang Chen.

She did not let go.

Tang Chen looked at her.

Zhu Zhuqing raised her eyes.

"You have to come back."

"I'll come back."

Dugu Yan walked to Tang Chen's other side.

She took out a bottle of medicinal liquid and placed it in Tang Chen's hand.

"One bottle a day."

"There won't be any medicinal herbs to replenish supplies in Slaughter City."

"I'll bring enough."

"Bring the antidote I prepared too."

"There might not be poison there."

"Bring it."

Dugu Yan's fingers pressed down on the jade bottle, not letting go immediately.

Tang Chen stored the jade bottle in his Storage Soul Tool.

"All right."