Can't Afford It? Then Why Did You Come to Spirit Tower?!

Power-attack type, agility-attack type?

Bibi Dong had originally hoped Yu Xiaogang might offer some truly insightful understanding, but the moment she heard how superficial his words were, she immediately lost all interest, a flicker of disappointment appearing in her eyes.

She remembered Qian Daoliu's words with particular clarity—the core advantage of the Mirror Beast Emperor was replication, so Little Jing's ability to copy multiple martial souls had to be utilized as much as possible. Pursuing power-attack, agility-attack, control, or support paths like ordinary soul masters would only harm Little Jing!

It would have been one thing to mistake Little Jing's martial soul for an Ice-Pattern Mirror Beast during his martial soul awakening, but now Yu Xiaogang had made another mistake regarding something as important as Soul Rings...

Bibi Dong could not help beginning to wonder whether Yu Xiaogang was truly as learned and knowledgeable as she had imagined.

If he truly had such profound research into martial soul theory as he claimed, how could he offer such shallow views and repeatedly make such mistakes?

"All right, you don't need to say any more. Let's eat."

Bibi Dong took a deep breath and hid the disappointment in her eyes.

Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang subconsciously frowned, having no idea what had happened.

What was wrong?

Could it be... he had said something wrong again?

But those were only basic theories. He had not even drawn a conclusion yet!

He had deliberately refrained from drawing a conclusion because he wanted to observe Bibi Dong's reaction. How had it produced the opposite effect instead?

Or perhaps... the Pope and the Grand Consecrator held different views?

Yu Xiaogang was instantly perplexed and could only ask again, "Could it be... that Your Holiness and the Grand Consecrator have different opinions?"

"The Grand Consecrator believes that the Soul Ring currently more suitable for Little Jing is the Ice-Pattern Mirror Beast."

As soon as those words fell, Yu Xiaogang subconsciously opened his mouth.

Not long ago, he had mistaken Ling Jing's martial soul for an Ice-Pattern Mirror Beast... Yet the facts had proven that his martial soul was a Mirror Beast, not an Ice-Pattern Mirror Beast. And now Bibi Dong was saying that an Ice-Pattern Mirror Beast was more suitable as his Soul Ring?

Yu Xiaogang immediately felt somewhat embarrassed and annoyed.

However, Bibi Dong did not look at Yu Xiaogang's reaction again. Instead, she focused on Ling Jing, who was wolfing down his food, and a trace of gentleness flashed through her eyes.

"Eat slowly. No one's going to take it from you."

Watching Bibi Dong pat Ling Jing's back to help the food go down, Yu Xiaogang could not help sighing inwardly.

Ah... I was planning to restore my image in front of Bibi Dong, but not only did I fail to restore it, I've left an even worse impression instead!

Since things had come to this, he should at least not waste the food. He might as well eat first.

Turning his grief into appetite, Yu Xiaogang began wolfing down food as well.

Before long, the dishes on the table had been completely swept clean. Most of them had gone into Yu Xiaogang's stomach, while the rest had been eaten by Ling Jing. Bibi Dong, on the other hand, had barely eaten anything.

"Bring the bill."

As Yu Xiaogang called over a Spirit Tower waiter, he pulled out his wallet from his clothes.

"Esteemed guest, your total comes to eight hundred and twenty-three Gold Soul Coins. We'll round it down for you—eight hundred Gold Soul Coins will do."

How much!?

Eight hundred Gold Soul Coins!?

Why didn't they just rob him?

Yu Xiaogang's movements abruptly froze, and a look of shock appeared on his face.

Spirit Tower was indeed more expensive than ordinary restaurants, but he had heard that even a meal there should cost no more than around a hundred Gold Soul Coins. Why had his meal cost so much?

Seemingly noticing Yu Xiaogang's astonishment, the waiter smiled and pointed at the empty plate in the center of the table. "This dish is Spirit Tower's specialty. It is a soup made with hundred-year White-Armored Earth Dragon meat and hundred-year Ganoderma. This dish alone is worth five hundred Gold Soul Coins. Together with the other signature dishes, the total comes to eight hundred and twenty-three Gold Soul Coins. Here is your bill. You may take a look."

Hundred-year White-Armored Earth Dragon meat with hundred-year Ganoderma?

Yu Xiaogang thought back carefully.

There really had been such a dish... But if he remembered correctly, he had not gotten a single bite of it. It had all gone into that brat Ling Jing's stomach!

When had he ordered such a dish... He had not even noticed at all!

Yu Xiaogang could not help cursing inwardly, his face darkening.

He suspected that brat had absolutely done it on purpose!

From asking whether Yu Xiaogang was treating them, to coming to Spirit Tower, to ordering a signature dish worth five hundred Gold Soul Coins—this brat had planned it all in advance, just to fleece him ruthlessly!

That hateful brat!

This was no longer a matter of spending more than expected. He simply could not afford this meal at all!

If the meal had only cost two or three hundred Gold Soul Coins, he could barely have managed it. But eight hundred Gold Soul Coins... He would have to be insane to eat a meal worth eight hundred Gold Soul Coins!

Noticing Yu Xiaogang's expression, the waiter's tone immediately changed. "Esteemed guest, you... couldn't possibly be unable to pay, could you?"

"Can't afford it? Then why did you come to Spirit Tower?!"

Someone nearby shouted, and a burst of laughter immediately rose from all around.

Yu Xiaogang subconsciously clenched his fists, his expression ugly.

He truly could not afford eight hundred Gold Soul Coins. But before coming here, he had already boasted that he would treat them to this meal, so he could hardly borrow money from Bibi Dong...

"Put this bill on my account, Bibi Dong. I'll have someone bring the money over later."

Bibi Dong sighed softly. Her voice was quiet, yet the surroundings instantly fell silent.

Bibi Dong!

In present-day Spirit City, this name was known by everyone. They dared to laugh at Yu Xiaogang, but when Bibi Dong announced her name, they did not dare show even the slightest hint of mockery.

The Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall represented the supreme Spirit Hall!

The waiter's expression quickly changed as well, and his tone became much more fawning. "So it is Your Highness the Holy Maiden. You must be joking. How could we possibly let you pay when you dine at our Spirit Tower? Please, simply leave. Consider this meal our restaurant's treat."

"The money will still be paid. Someone will bring it shortly."

Bibi Dong's voice remained soft, but it was exceptionally firm, carrying an unquestionable authority.

As she spoke, Bibi Dong stood and took Ling Jing's hand.

When she noticed Yu Xiaogang standing where he was with both fists clenched, Bibi Dong pressed her lips together. Yet in the end, she said nothing and simply turned to leave.

"Say, who is that person the Holy Maiden is holding hands with?"

"No idea... The Holy Maiden is still so young. He can't possibly be her son, can he? I'd guess he's the Holy Maiden's younger brother."

"You're all wrong! My aunt's nephew's second granduncle's younger brother's nephew works at Pope's Hall. I can responsibly tell you that child is the new disciple personally taken in by our current Pope!"