Qian Xunji watched Ling Yuan leave, then heard Yue Guan's words.
He nodded. "I think Ling Yuan is quite good too. We talked yesterday. She's straightforward and spirited, with her own opinions and ideas."
Standing in the hall, Bibi Dong saw him still looking toward the doors and could not help smiling.
"Teacher, that look on your face isn't how you'd look at a bargaining chip."
"Too much talk." Qian Xunji looked away and glanced at Bibi Dong. "I merely appreciate her temperament."
Bibi Dong obediently fell silent. It seems Teacher is quite pleased with Ling Yuan. I won't need to worry for a while.
Qian Xunji sat back down and turned serious. "Dong'er, what did Blue Silver say? Does she want to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"
"Teacher," Bibi Dong answered honestly, "I spoke with her the day I returned. She said she wants to go and won't come out until she reaches maturity. Staying in Spirit Hall has left her feeling somewhat unsafe."
Qian Xunji nodded. "I understand. She is a Soul Beast, after all, living in Spirit Hall, a stronghold of Soul Masters. It's natural for her to feel that pressure."
"Elder Ice has already met her. Let her know the departure time later, and have her travel to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well with him."
Bibi Dong bowed. "Yes. I'll notify Blue Silver shortly."
Just then, a chill swept through the hall as a figure entered through the doors. Gui Mei darted over to Yue Guan's side.
"Bing Luoli greets His Holiness the Pope."
The newcomer was cold as ice and unsmiling, with silver-blue hair falling to his waist, its strands fine as ice silk. His hair was even lovelier than Bibi Dong's.
"Your Holiness, did you summon me to assign a task?"
Yue Guan curled his lip and whispered to Gui Mei, "Old Ghost, this fellow is a block of ice. He's colder than you."
"And he's not as good-looking as me."
Gui Mei sighed. "Yue Guan, you're delicate-looking. He's icy. You're not the same at all."
Whenever Yue Guan saw Bing Luoli, he loved comparing the two of them.
Yue Guan scoffed. "We both have plant Martial Souls, but my Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum is stronger than his Frost Sky Ice Glass Flower."
Gui Mei murmured, "But his Martial Soul is prettier. At least it isn't a chrysanthemum."
Qian Xunji gave a light cough. "Yue Guan, what are you muttering about? Report the assignment to Elder Ice."
"Yes, Your Holiness." Yue Guan nodded. "Elder Bing."
"Elder Chrysanthemum, my title is Elder Ice. Thank you," Bing Luoli said stiffly.
"Ahem. That's not important." Yue Guan cleared his throat. "What matters is that the treasured land I found will be like the Divine Realm to you. You'll thank me."
"And the Pope's assignment is for you to lead fifty gifted youths from the Academy there. With the hundred-thousand-year-old Blue Silver, that makes fifty-one in total."
"Location?" Bing Luoli asked.
"In the Sunset Forest. My subordinates know the exact location. Four of our people are there as well."
Yue Guan produced a roster. "Here are their names and basic details. I've also written down the precautions for that place. You must follow every instruction strictly."
"That place is a treasure trove, but ignore the precautions and it could become a poisonous pool."
Bing Luoli took the roster. "Understood."
Yue Guan smiled. "That's more like it."
Bing Luoli glanced at him. "Elder Chrysanthemum, you said that place would be 'like the Divine Realm' to me. I'll take your word for it this once. But if it doesn't live up to its name..."
An ice crystal formed at his fingertip. He spun it once between his fingers, and it shattered into fine flakes.
"Your Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum may enter dormancy ahead of time."
Yue Guan's smile froze.
Bibi Dong stepped forward and held out a gold card. "Elder Ice, this contains one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins for supplies. Blue Silver's circumstances are unusual, so I'm sorry to trouble you with giving her special care."
Bing Luoli replied earnestly, "Saintess, I'll set aside a separate cultivation area for Blue Silver and keep her apart from the students. If anything unusual happens while she cultivates, I'll send word to Spirit City immediately."
"Thank you," Bibi Dong said.
"Not at all."
Qian Xunji smiled. "Elder Ice, I'm entrusting these young talents to you. I expect to see them improve during this period."
Bing Luoli cupped his fists. "Yes, Your Holiness. I'll go make preparations."
With that, he left the Pope's Palace.
Qian Xunji turned to Bibi Dong. "Go notify Blue Silver."
Bibi Dong nodded and left the hall as well.
Humming a cheerful tune and walking with a spring in her step, Bibi Dong arrived at Lin Fan's quarters.
She entered Lin Fan's room. Blue Silver was massaging his head.
Lin Fan heard that Bibi Dong's footsteps sounded different from usual. "Dong'er, you seem to be in a good mood today."
Bibi Dong sat beside him with a smile. "An excellent mood."
"What's the good news? Let us share the joy." Lin Fan sounded curious.
Bibi Dong giggled. "Teacher is getting married. Isn't that good news, Lin Fan?"
The good news Bibi Dong spoke of held two meanings.
One concerned her; the other concerned Qian Xunji.
Blue Silver froze. Marriage? It can't be me, can it?
Lin Fan was astonished. "What? The Village Chief is getting married? No way. From his voice, I wouldn't have thought he'd never been married. Is this his second marriage?"
Bibi Dong stared at him for a moment, then burst out laughing.
"What second marriage? Teacher hasn't even had a first. He's always been single. He never looked for anyone."
"Oh." Lin Fan scratched his head. "Then I must've misheard. Your Village Chief has such a steady, deep voice. He sounds like someone who's headed a household for years. I thought he'd settled down long ago."
"No." Bibi Dong shook her head. "He was always busy before and had no time for it. It's only been settled recently."
Lin Fan smiled. "That really is good news. Too bad my eyes haven't healed. I won't get to see what a wedding in your village is like. I bet it's something special."
Bibi Dong nodded. "It's definitely different from weddings where you're from."
Lin Fan grinned. "That sounds great. Too bad I don't think I have much cash in my wallet, only two or three hundred. The Village Chief has been so good to me. I don't know if that's enough for a wedding gift."
"No, no," Bibi Dong said. "Our village isn't too particular about wedding gifts. Besides, you can't see right now, and you aren't from our village."
"You don't need to fret over our customs. Teacher will be happy that you thought of him."
Then Bibi Dong said to Blue Silver, "Xiao Lan, your teacher is looking for you."
Bibi Dong gave Blue Silver a meaningful look.
Once they were outside, Blue Silver could not wait to ask, "Saintess, I'm not the one your teacher is marrying, am I? I never agreed. You can't force me."
Bibi Dong burst out laughing at her reaction.
"What are you thinking? Teacher is marrying someone from Spirit Hall, a fire-attribute Soul Douluo. What does that have to do with you?"
Blue Silver was puzzled. "Then why did you call me out?"
Bibi Dong's expression turned serious. "I came to tell you that tomorrow morning, you can leave for the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well with Elder Ice."
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