A deal

Dugu Bo had lived for so long, and had previously stayed in Spirit City. Although he had never entered the headquarters, he had dealt with many Spirit Hall Branch across the continent.

Therefore, he also knew what the Spirit Hall's style was, and their domineering behavior was only one aspect of it.

What did Dugu Bo hear?

They actually offered me Soul Bone.

That's Soul Bone, not tens of thousands of coins.

I still vividly remember the time when a Thousand-Year Soul Bone in Heaven Dou City sold for three million Gold Soul Coin.

However, Dugu Bo was not tempted. Instead, he clasped his hands and said, "Dugu Bo you, but I possess a Soul Bone, so I will not take any benefits without a reason."

"Moreover, the method the Pope mentioned is one I hadn't considered before. My only concern now is to resolve the problem of my own toxin backlash."

"Therefore, I am willing to try this method; if it fails..."

"Ineffective?" Yue Guan interrupted Dugu Bo, saying, "If it's ineffective, we'll give you a better way. His Majesty only came up with the simplest solution overnight to appease your complaints because he saw you were anxious."

"That's right." Qian Xunji said, "You don't need to worry at all. Since you don't need Soul Bone, whether you set off for Sunset Forest now or attend my wedding is up to you."

Dugu Bo asked, "How many days until Your Majesty's wedding?"

Qian Xunji, "Three days later."

Dugu Bo said, "Since that's the case, since we're already here, a couple more days won't make a difference."

Afterwards, Dugu Bo returned to his residence with the method given by Qian Xunji.

"Based on the poisonous mist I saw that day, it suppressed the transfer of toxins from the body to the Soul Bone."

"This method sounds feasible. If it works, Xin'er can be saved."

As he spoke, a turquoise Soul Bone appeared in his hand. This was a Thousand-Year Soul Bone that Dugu Bo had unexpectedly obtained. Although five thousand years old was not high, it was more than enough to withstand the toxins in Dugu Bo's body.

After Dugu Bo left the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong said, "Dugu Bo isn't so easily trusting of the Spirit Hall."

"I wouldn't even accept Soul Bone."

Qian Xunji smiled slowly, "It's only human nature. Soul Master like Dugu Bo are used to freedom, so how could they accept joining a faction? Besides, Dugu Bo has lived for so many years."

"He's a cunning old fox. So even now that I've explained the method, he won't trust the Spirit Hall in the slightest until he sees results."

"But now, I have plenty of patience; everything is for the sake of the Spirit Hall."

Yue Guan said, "For the Spirit Hall."

Qian Xunji raised his hand to stop them, saying, "Alright, the wedding is just around the corner, and almost all the major and minor forces have arrived."

"Gui Mei, quickly keep an eye on the people from the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. I reckon they're with Ning Fengzhi from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"Therefore, when seeking out their royal leader, it is crucial not to alert Ning Fengzhi, as he is always accompanied by a Titled Douluo."

The Gui Mei clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subordinate understands."

With the wedding countdown on its second day, the remaining forces gradually arrived.

The Star Luo Empire, Heaven Dou, and Upper Three Sects were already in the city and had successfully checked into the hotels arranged by the Spirit Hall.

Having secretly received intelligence, the Gui Mei swiftly arrived at the Pope's Palace to report, "Your His Holiness the Pope, as you predicted, the leader of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family is none other than Prince Xue Xing."

"And he did indeed enter Spirit City with Ning Fengzhi and the others, so Prince Xue Xing's room was right next to Ning Fengzhi's."

"And the Titled Douluo that Ning Fengzhi brought with him this time is Sword Douluo Chen Xin."

Qian Xunji said slowly, "So close! It seems that Ning Fengzhi's closeness to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family after becoming the sect leader is indeed true."

After thinking for a moment, Qian Xunji said, "Then let's do it this way. They just entered the city today, and tonight is when they will be most vigilant, so let's not move tonight."

"We'll invite Prince Xue Xing over tomorrow night."

The Gui Mei nodded and said, "Understood."

Bibi Dong stepped forward and asked suspiciously, "Teacher, what if we contact Prince Xue Xing like this and he disagrees, or even tells Ning Fengzhi about our plan to cooperate with them in a trade?"

"I've heard that Ning Fengzhi, the new sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, is even more shrewd than his father."

Qian Xunji slowly said, "It is indeed possible, but I believe more that even if the deal cannot be easily completed, Prince Xue Xing would not inform Ning Fengzhi immediately."

"In that case, it doesn't seem to do their royal family any good either."

"Even if Ning Fengzhi knew, so what? Since Ning Fengzhi is close to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, it means he must also know about the existence of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud."

"If he truly knew the real purpose of this treasure, given the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's collecting obsession, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud would probably already be with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, not the Heaven Dou Imperial Family."

"The teacher is wise!"

"Your Majesty is wise."

One day left until the wedding.

At three or four in the morning, when most people are asleep, the Gui Mei figure moves about in the darkness as if no one is there.

They slipped into Prince Xue Xing's room without making a sound.

The Gui Mei used its Soul Power to temporarily seal off Prince Xue Xing's five senses.

So when Prince Xuexing was taken by the ghost to the study in the back hall of the Papal Palace, he was still fast asleep.

At this moment, only Qian Xunji and Yue Guan in the study in the Rear Hall hall.

In addition to the newly arrived Gui Mei and Prince Xue Xing, there were four others.

At Qian Xunji's signal, the Gui Mei withdrew its Soul Power and slapped Prince Xue Xing, waking him up.

Prince Xue Xing woke up with a start, only to find an unfamiliar ceiling and room.

He instinctively reached for his guards, but as soon as he opened his mouth, a chilling breath pressed against his throat.

The Gui Mei stood beside him, its fingertips only half an inch from his neck, its cold gaze making him swallow his scream.

"Prince Xue Xing," a steady voice came from ahead, "I apologize for the lateness of the night."

Prince Xue Xing turned his head to look.

Qian Xunji sat behind his desk, the candlelight illuminating his profile. His face was calm, even carrying a gentle smile.

Yue Guan stood on the other side, secretly watching him.

Prince Xue Xing immediately recognized Qian Xunji.

Prince Xue Xing immediately suppressed his panic and anger and stood up straight.

Prince Xue Xing straightened his clothes and said coldly, "Pope of the Spirit Hall, what a grand display! Inviting someone in the middle of the night without even giving a heads-up."

"In urgent situations, expediency is key." Qian Xunji raised his hand, gesturing for Gui Mei to step back half a step. "If we invite you over during the day, Ning Fengzhi will know, Sword Douluo will know. Then our conversation can proceed freely."

Prince Xue Xing's eyes narrowed.

He sensed the weight in Qian Xunji's words.

The other party knew that he was traveling with Ning Fengzhi, and also knew that Ning Fengzhi was accompanied by Sword Douluo.

Clearly, this was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather Qian Xunji had been waiting for for many days.

"Speak," Prince Xue Xing said in a deep voice.

"The Pope wouldn't have invited me over so late at night just to have tea, would he?"