Qian Xunji's fury! Into Sunset Forest once more!

Meanwhile, in Spirit City, at the Pope's Palace.

The heavy palace doors closed behind her. Bibi Dong reached the steps, she heard Qian Xunji's voice.

"You actually know how to come back?"

Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong paused, bowed, and said:

"Teacher."

Qian Xunji threw a secret report on the table, his face grim. "I sent you to Coconut Grove City on business, but you spent all your time with a young man, and even accompanied him into the Forest to hunt for Soul Ring!"

"If I hadn't sent people to look for you, how long were you planning to stay outside?"

Bibi Dong pursed her lips and explained, "I have already taken care of the task you entrusted to me. Xiao Gang is a friend I met later, and it was my own suggestion to go to the Forest with him."

"A friend?" Qian Xunji sneered, then angrily said, "Yu Yuanzhen's son, half-level Innate Soul Power, with Malignant Mutation in his Martial Soul. Do you know his identity?"

"Know."

"Knowing that, you still get so close to him?"

Bibi Dong raised her head and couldn't help but say:

"His innate foundation has been improved, and his Soul Power has now reached level twenty-three. His Second Soul Ring is also Thousand-Year Soul Ring, not as your secret report stated."

Qian Xunji frowned slightly, looking puzzled.

Level 23, the Thousand-Year Second Soul Ring?

This is clearly different from the information delivered to me.

But seeing his disciple's eagerness to explain on the other party's behalf, his dissatisfaction only intensified.

"Dong'er, what I'm telling you isn't just about his cultivation level."

Qian Xunji stood up and walked down the steps, her voice deepening.

"You are the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, enjoying its resources, and in the future, you will bear the responsibility of becoming Pope. Your every move is being watched."

"Yu Yuanzhen's son is on good terms with you. What will people think if this gets out?"

Bibi Dong's brows furrowed slightly as she explained, "But Xiao Gang has never asked me for anything."

"Just because he doesn't ask for anything now doesn't mean he won't in the future? Just because he doesn't want it doesn't mean his family doesn't want it either?"

Qian Xunji stared at her, his tone becoming increasingly stern.

"You can make friends, but you can't forget your own place. Especially those involved in Upper Three Sects, you should know your limits!"

Bibi Dong remained silent for a moment before finally speaking:

"Teacher, I was able to break through to level 50 this time because Xiao Gang asked his teacher to refine medicine for me. I did not use the name of the Spirit Hall."

Qian Xunji then carefully sensed her aura, his expression slightly changing as he asked, "You've already obtained your Fifth Soul Ring?"

"Senior Li found me a Death Corrosive Bone Spider that is 12,000 years old." As she spoke, light appeared around Bibi Dong, and five Soul Ring— two yellow, two purple, and one black—slowly unfolded.

Qian Xunji's gaze lingered on the black ring for a moment, his expression finally softening slightly. He sat down again and then asked:

"Where is the Platinum Bishop was ordered to fetch you? Why did you return with only two attendants?"

Bibi Dong put away her Soul Ring, hesitated for a moment, and then said calmly, "He's dead."

The hall fell silent.

Qian Xunji slowly raised her head.

"What did you say?"

"When he and his men found us, I was absorbing Soul Ring. Then he recognized Xiao Gang and repeatedly humiliated him with his Innate Soul Power and background, even insulting his teacher as well."

Bibi Dong recounted what Yu Xiaogang had told her, her voice gradually softening.

"His teacher then killed all of them who had entered the Forest."

"Bang!"

Upon hearing this, Qian Xunji slammed his palm on the handrail, and the stone handrail cracked open.

"How dare you!"

A heavy surge of Soul Power suddenly spread out, causing the curtains hanging in the hall to flutter.

"He was ordered by me to welcome the Holy Maiden, and he dared to kill them all?!"

Bibi Dong's face paled slightly, but she still said, "That bishop abused his power and insulted Xiao Gang; he was in the wrong from the start."

"If there is any mistake, the Spirit Hall will handle it!" Qian Xunji interrupted angrily.

"Today he killed my Platinum Bishop over a few words. If the Spirit Hall doesn't pursue this matter, who will respect our orders in the future?"

Bibi Dong wanted to say something more, but she saw that he had already raised his hand.

"Go back and stabilize your newly acquired Soul Ring. You are not allowed to leave Spirit City without my permission."

"Teacher..."

"Step back!"

Bibi Dong clenched her fingers, but ultimately bowed her head and agreed.

After she left the main hall, Qian Xunji coldly gave the order:

"Chuanyue Yue Guan, Gui Mei!"

Before long, two figures entered the hall.

Yue Guan dressed in magnificent robes, while Gui Mei was shrouded in a faint black aura. The two had just entered the Titled Douluo realm, and their auras were much more powerful than before.

"Your Majesty."

Qian Xunji handed over the secret report, briefly explaining the death of the Platinum Bishop.

After examining the document, Yue Guan's expression gradually turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "To be able to kill Soul Saint of over level seventy with a single sword strike, this person's strength is probably not weak."

That's why I'm letting you all go together.

Qian Xunji's gaze was icy.

"With two Titled Douluo working together, plus your Martial Soul Fusion Skill, you shouldn't be unable to bring back even a few people."

"Go to Coconut Grove City, find out where Li Qingshan and his group went, and bring them back to Spirit City!"

The Gui Mei asked in a low voice, "What if he refuses to cooperate?"

Qian Xunji slowly clenched her fist.

"Then take it."

"I want to ask myself, who gave them the audacity to kill someone from my Spirit Hall!"

Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged a glance and bowed simultaneously.

"Yes, sir."

On the other side, in the Sunset Forest.

Li Qingshan pushed aside the branches blocking their path and led Yu Xiaogang and Dugu Bo deeper into the forest.

Dugu Xin still needs regular recuperation. Before leaving, Li Qingshan left behind the prepared medicine and instructed Ah Yin to take care of him. Since this trip is to find the Eighth Soul Ring, it is naturally not advisable to take them with him.

Dugu Bo followed behind, his gaze much sharper than usual.

These days, he has stabilized the increase in Soul Power brought about by the pills, and is only waiting to obtain the Eighth Soul Ring so that he can truly step into the Soul Douluo realm.

"Teacher, there is a wetland ahead where Snake Soul Beast roam. I've been there before."

Li Qingshan nodded.

"Since you're familiar with this place, go and take a look first."

Yu Xiaogang, holding Sanpao, asked softly, "Teacher, should Junior Brother also choose a snake-type spirit ring for his Eighth Soul Ring?"

"Bloodline compatibility naturally makes it easier to coordinate with the Martial Soul. However, the abilities of the Soul Beast also need to be considered; one cannot focus solely on the age."

Li Qingshan looked at Dugu Bo.

"Now that you Poison Pill to gather the remaining poison, when choosing Soul Ring, you can't just think about increasing toxicity; you also need to consider whether the power you gain can be used to your advantage."

Dugu Bo agreed earnestly.

The three crossed a hillside, the air gradually becoming damp, and faint poisonous marks began to appear on the grass ahead.

Upon seeing this, Li Qingshan immediately stopped and sent a wisp of Spiritual Power along the ground into the distance. After a moment, a hint of interest appeared in his eyes.

"It seems we've come at the right time."

Dugu Bo followed his gaze.

Beside the dark pool, a thick snake tail slowly disappeared into the grass, its scales scraping against the rocks, making a teeth-grinding sound.