Seeing the sudden change in Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo,
Bibi Dong felt an inexplicable flicker of panic, as though something was slipping out of her control.
It felt as if she had pushed things too far.
But Bibi Dong did not believe she had done anything wrong, and their uncharacteristic behavior still left her deeply puzzled.
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were simply too useful.
Bibi Dong truly could not bear to give them up. Even ten Spirit Hall deacons and bishops could not match Chrysanthemum Douluo's efficiency.
He was practically the model of a tireless worker.
Bibi Dong gave a light cough. "Elder Ju, I know how hard you work, day and night, but Spirit Hall cannot do without you two. And the people under Spirit Hall's rule need you even more.
"You both rose through the ranks step by step as commoner Soul Masters. You know full well how ordinary people suffer.
"To this day, commoner Soul Masters still endure the nobles' bullying, suffering beyond words.
"I believe you both share my ideals and convictions..."
Chrysanthemum Douluo cut Bibi Dong off before she could continue. "Your Holiness, there is no need to say anything more. Naturally, I hold Spirit Hall and those who support it in my heart.
"But even though I have become a Titled Douluo, my body is not forged from iron. I need rest now-a long rest."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's voice was calm, but all the firmer for it.
Bibi Dong froze for a moment. Since she had become Pope, Chrysanthemum Douluo had rarely defied her like this.
Bibi Dong said nothing, and naturally, neither did Chrysanthemum Douluo or Ghost Douluo.
The three simply stared at one another.
A long time passed.
At last, Bibi Dong yielded.
She could see it now. Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were dead set on taking leave.
There was nothing she could do. She could not fall out with two Titled Douluo over something as trivial as a vacation.
After all, they had been unfailingly loyal to her as Pope.
What harm would there be in letting him take some time off?
They weren't going anywhere, anyway.
Once she had worked through that crucial point, Bibi Dong felt much more at ease and stopped dwelling on it.
Bibi Dong had arrived in a hurry, and she left in a hurry as well.
Demon Bear Douluo, who was fishing at the Elder Hall's pond, nudged Ghost Leopard Douluo with an elbow and asked quietly, "What's going on with them?"
Ghost Leopard Douluo shook his head. "How would I know? Let's wait and see. There might be a good show in store. I haven't seen Elders Chrysanthemum and Ghost lately. They've been busy outside all this time."
Demon Bear Douluo curled his lip. "Who knows what they've been doing out there? They hardly hang out with us anymore, either. Last time I invited them to a meal, they both refused, saying they were too tired and needed rest. What kind of mission could wear Titled Douluo like us out that badly?"
A Titled Douluo's hearing was exceptionally keen. Besides, Bibi Dong and the other two had made no attempt to keep their conversation private.
Demon Bear Douluo and Ghost Leopard Douluo had heard every word clearly.
"Look at that. They've probably fallen out now. When did Elder Ju ever ask for leave before?" Ghost Leopard Douluo shrugged.
Demon Bear Douluo offered no opinion either way.
The two deliberately erected a barrier with Soul Power to keep their voices from reaching Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.
Inside the barrier, they chatted without restraint.
Once the two Titled Douluo, Chrysanthemum and Ghost, went on leave, Spirit Hall became a hive of activity again.
Although Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo served only Bibi Dong and carried out her orders,
whenever they went out on business, who would not tremble at the sight of two Titled Douluo coming to find them? As a result, they completed their missions remarkably quickly.
This left Spirit Hall's deacons groaning in misery when faced with missions that could require them to confront a Titled Douluo at any moment.
What posed no problem for Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo was hard mode for Spirit City's ordinary bishops and deacons.
"In all these years, have I ever gotten my hands on a single good thing?" Chrysanthemum Douluo gave a helpless smile, resting both hands on Ghost Douluo's shoulders.
"I've finally seen through it. With all those resources, she'd rather give them to an outsider than to us two elders. What a joke."
"Damn it, I've worked myself to the bone for her all these years, putting in hard work and earning merit, and I don't get a single benefit? Is that reasonable?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo yelled in fury. Since joining Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong was the only one who had made him suffer.
He was worked like a lowly grandson, yet earned even less than one.
"From now on, whoever wants the job can have it. I'm done."
Ever since Jin Yang had arrived at the Plant Academy, Jiang Yan had trailed after him, sticking to him like a shadow.
At the same time, Jin Yang had been seeing Yao Zi more and more often.
Only recently had Jin Yang learned that Jiang Yan was actually Yao Zi's younger cousin.
Jiang Yan often skipped training with Yao Zi, and whenever she came looking for him, it was to drag him back.
"Before Jiang Yan enrolled, my aunt specifically told me to keep a strict eye on his cultivation. Otherwise, he would never take it seriously. Looking at him now, she was absolutely right."
As Yao Zi chatted with Jin Yang, she stared expressionlessly at Jiang Yan, who was hiding behind him. "Are you coming with me yourself, or do I have to make you?"
"I choose not to go." Jiang Yan laughed sheepishly.
Yao Zi snorted. "That's not up to you. Don't blame me for being rough with you. Blame my aunt."
Yao Zi summoned her Martial Soul, a crimson flame thorn of moderate length and thickness, its thorny vine covered in sharp spikes.
The thorny vine kept growing and spreading, reaching Jiang Yan's feet in the blink of an eye.
"Senior Yao Zi, I was wrong! I'll go right now!" Jiang Yan's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly begged for mercy.
Jin Yang pressed a hand to his forehead, utterly exasperated. "If you'd gone to train with Yao Zi earlier, it wouldn't have come to this."
"Jiang Yan, what's with that expression? Even if you have to train, you should look a little happier."
"Doesn't feeling yourself grow stronger and stronger make you happy?"
Jin Yang said a few things that made Jiang Yan want to curse.
Everyone had different aspirations.
Some people simply liked a quiet, uneventful life.
Some liked to shine brilliantly beneath the eyes of countless onlookers.
Clearly, Jiang Yan belonged to the former.
Jin Yang understood Jiang Yan's choice, but if it were up to him, he would choose the latter.
Although beyond every mountain stood a higher mountain, and beyond every person stood someone greater,
there would always be people stronger than him, but should he dim the light he was meant to shine simply because powerful people stood ahead?
Whether in his previous life or this one, he had always wanted to shine.
He would not retreat before hardship or dim his light before the strong.
Even if he were as insignificant as a firefly, he would strive to glow.
At that thought, everything fell into place in Jin Yang's mind.
Jin Yang let out a long breath. "Senior Yao Zi, I want to prepare for the Whole Continent Soul Master Tournament too."
Yao Zi was not particularly surprised. After all, Jin Yang's strength spoke for itself.
Anyone the Great Enshrined accepted as a disciple could not possibly be ordinary.
Nor would he ever fade into the crowd and remain unknown.
Yao Zi would have found it strange if Jin Yang had not harbored such an ambition.
After all, through Yao Zi's rose-tinted eyes, the Great Enshrined was a powerhouse known throughout the world, and his disciple ought to aim for that same worldwide renown!
Yao Zi's beautiful eyes brimmed with admiration and longing, as though she could already see the Great Enshrined's shadow in Jin Yang.
"Starting today, let's train together!"
Yao Zi tilted her head playfully and held out her fist toward Jin Yang as she spoke.
At her words, Jin Yang extended his own fist and bumped it against hers!
"All right!"
Before you continue