This Isn't Over Yet

When Golden Crocodile and the others heard Qian Daoliu say that Chen Jianjun knew about the Arbitration Elder, their hearts tightened, and they began mobilizing their soul power.

The Arbitration Elder was a special position within Spirit Hall.

He was one of Spirit Hall's highest decision-makers, ranking below only the Pope and the Great Enshrined, but above the Elder Hall. His main responsibilities were enforcing the law, passing judgment, and eliminating dissenters.

He also had another duty: carrying out Spirit Hall's "arbitration" missions outside its walls, such as hunting down experts from hostile factions.

Qian Daoliu currently held that position, and almost everyone who knew of this identity of his was gathered here. Only Gui Mei and Yue Guan from the Elder Hall were absent.

"Some time ago, when I went to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to seek a spar with Yu Yuanzhen, his youngest son, Yu Xiaogang, told me."

"He said, 'What's so impressive about challenging my father? If you've got the ability, go challenge Spirit Hall's strongest man.'

"After that, I questioned Yu Xiaogang in detail about you."

Chen Jianjun frowned slightly. He had felt the pressure around him, but once he finished speaking, that pressure vanished.

He saw everyone's gazes turn toward Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong.

Everyone relaxed. They had thought an enemy spy had infiltrated Spirit Hall's upper ranks.

"Well, I did mention Father's identity to Dong'er back then."

Qian Xunji spoke sheepishly.

Then everyone turned to Bibi Dong.

"Back then, that was what I told Yu Xiaogang too, when I introduced Teacher's identity. I thought it wasn't a secret within Spirit Hall."

Bibi Dong lowered her head and spoke softly.

"Yu Xiaogang again! Why does that useless trash keep clinging to our Spirit Hall?"

Bang!

Jiang Mo spoke furiously, then sent a burst of soul power toward an empty patch of ground.

[Congratulations, host, on successfully triggering the mission: "This Isn't Over Yet."]

[Mission details]: Yu Xiaogang first stole the knowledge of your predecessors from Spirit Hall's Library Pavilion. Now he has exposed the host's identity and instigated Chen Jianjun to challenge you. This challenges Spirit Hall's authority. Please travel to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and "collect" the "tuition fees" for the knowledge Yu Xiaogang learned in Spirit Hall.

[Mission reward]: Three Lucky Draw chances.

The system notification sounded in Qian Daoliu's mind.

Three Lucky Draw chances! My first draw gave me the peerless Nine-Yang Divine Skill, so these draws shouldn't be bad either. I'll finish the mission first.

Looking at the mission, he realized he would have to make the trip himself.

First, I'll deal with what's in front of me.

"Big Brother, do you remember what you said outside the Pope's Hall?"

Jiang Mo looked at Qian Daoliu as he spoke.

"I remember. We'll discuss that later. Let's settle the matter at hand first."

Qian Daoliu knew Jiang Mo was asking when they would go to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.

"Chen Jianjun, have you made your decision?"

Chen Jianjun pondered. He had witnessed far too many shocking things today.

Especially that sword strike from Qian Daoliu. All he needed now was a quiet place to enter secluded cultivation, and he would be able to break through that bottleneck.

But under their wager, Qian Daoliu had said he would have to stay in Spirit Hall for thirty years.

Chen Jianjun sank into thought. He still had to honor the wager. Finally, he took a deep breath, looked at Qian Daoliu, and said,

"I will honor the wager."

The moment his words fell, Chen Jianjun's aura suddenly surged. He had broken through.

"This..."

Chen Jianjun was somewhat stunned, while Golden Crocodile and the others stared blankly.

Chen Jianjun had broken through just like that.

"Good. You honored your promise. Congratulations."

Qian Daoliu spoke with a smile, then his expression turned solemn as he said,

"As a Sword Cultivator, you followed your heart. The sword moves with the heart."

Chen Jianjun nodded firmly.

"All right, next..."

Qian Daoliu began to speak, but Jiang Mo interrupted him.

"Big Brother, are you finished talking? Can we head north now?"

Jiang Mo's voice rang out from behind them.

Looking at Jiang Mo, everyone's eyes lit up except for Qian Daoliu, Bibi Dong, and Chen Jianjun.

"You're as impatient as a monkey. What, do all of you want to go?"

Qian Daoliu looked at them. The lowest cultivation level among them was ninety-five.

Qian Xunji and the six Enshrinements all nodded.

Qian Daoliu's face darkened. If you all go, are you planning to wipe out the clan?

Everyone exchanged glances. This lineup really was a little too powerful.

"No. If all of you go, Spirit Hall will have no high-level fighting force left."

Qian Daoliu spoke.

"But you're here, Big Brother."

As soon as Jiang Mo finished speaking, everyone nodded.

Spirit Hall only needed their big brother alone. Besides, he disliked going out anyway.

"How about this? Everyone from the Worship Hall will go. It is a clan, after all. We should show them some respect."

Qian Daoliu rubbed his chin as he spoke.

???

The entire Worship Hall would mobilize, leaving out only Qian Xunji. Was there much difference? If anything, this lineup was even stronger.

"Big Brother, don't you dislike going out?"

Lion asked in confusion.

The other Enshrinements and Qian Xunji all nodded.

Since Qian Daoliu returned to Spirit Hall from Devil Island, he had left the Worship Hall only three times.

The first was to fight Tang Chen. Their battle had darkened heaven and earth, and he had ultimately lost.

The second was the earlier incident with Yu Xiaogang, when he had not even left Spirit City.

The last was this challenge from Chen Jianjun.

One could say he had only left Spirit City twice.

"If I don't go, who's going to keep you lot in line?"

Qian Daoliu spoke gravely.

Golden Crocodile and the others scratched their heads.

Well, now that you mention it... he really does have a point.

"Um, Father, I'd like to go too."

Qian Xunji spoke softly.

"As Spirit Hall's Pope, you have countless affairs to attend to. Stay here and handle them properly."

Qian Daoliu shook his head at Qian Xunji as he spoke.

"Understood."

"Let's head back first."

With that, Qian Daoliu used his newly recovered soul power to fly toward Spirit City. Seeing his expression, the others stopped fooling around and followed, leaving Chen Jianjun standing there alone.

Chen Jianjun watched the figures receding into the distance, recalled what he had just said, shook his head, and followed them.

In the Bamboo Grove outside the Worship Hall,

Qian Daoliu brought everyone there.

"Jianjun, choose one of these bamboo houses and settle in."

"All right."

"Ji'er, this is a medicinal formula that can strengthen the body. Take it back and give it to Yue Guan later."

Qian Daoliu spoke to Chen Jianjun, then took out the Basic Body-Tempering Liquid Recipe and handed it to Qian Xunji.

"Oh, right. Dong'er should be close to breaking through to Soul Saint, shouldn't she? Jiang Mo, we'll wait until Dong'er becomes a Soul Saint, then go obtain her soul ring along the way."

"Yes, Big Brother."

Jiang Mo immediately stood at attention and answered.

"Dong'er, this is a Muscle-Tendon and Marrow-Cleansing Pill. It can strengthen your body and cleanse it of impurities."

Qian Daoliu took out a pill and handed it to Bibi Dong.

"All right."

"It's so bitter!"

After swallowing the Muscle-Tendon and Marrow-Cleansing Pill, Bibi Dong grimaced.

Bonk!

"Sit down and refine the medicinal power."

Qian Daoliu rapped Bibi Dong on her little head.

Chen Jianjun watched from the side. As expected of Spirit Hall's strongest man-these were not things he himself could casually produce.

An hour later,

"Ah!"

Seeing herself covered in grime, Bibi Dong screamed and rushed out.

[Congratulations, host. Bibi Dong has successfully consumed the Muscle-Tendon and Marrow-Cleansing Pill, triggering a twentyfold critical return reward: Muscle-Tendon and Marrow-Cleansing Pill ×20.]

Hearing the notification, Qian Daoliu shook his head. Unfortunately, Bibi Dong could only take it once.

Otherwise, he could have farmed a few more.

"The same goes for all of you. One pill each."