The Order Was Mine

Yuan Yu walked to the foot of the dais and saluted according to Spirit Hall etiquette.

"Greetings, Teacher."

Bibi Dong looked at him. "You've been away from Spirit City for six years, yet you still remember your manners."

"Some things are hard to forget."

"Like stealing wine?"

"Haven't forgotten that either."

Bibi Dong's fingers tightened around her Scepter. She had probably expected Yuan Yu to explain himself, perhaps even talk back. She had not expected the boy's first words on his return to pick up right where their old arguments had left off.

"Look up."

Yuan Yu raised his face.

Bibi Dong's Spiritual Power swept over him. The damage to his meridians, the newly healed flesh between the thumb and forefinger of his right hand, and the seven elements still churning inside him—none escaped her notice.

"Level seventy-seven, and you dared stand in front of two Titled Douluo. Do you think you're that capable?"

"Someone was holding off Grandpa Chrysanthemum and Grandpa Gui Mei. I only had to protect Little San."

"What if Azure Luan and the others had arrived a moment later?"

"The Wheel could have held for one more breath."

"And after that?"

"I'd have thought of something."

Bibi Dong's expression turned colder. "Every time you get into trouble, you leave figuring out what comes next until afterward."

Yuan Yu did not argue.

He took the golden petal left behind in the Canyon from his sleeve and placed it on the floor tile before him.

"Teacher, who gave the order to intercept and kill Tang San?"

The hall fell silent.

Bibi Dong did not look at the petal.

"I did."

She offered no more than those two words. She did not shift the blame to Salas, or to Yue Guan and Gui Mei.

Yuan Yu had suspected as