Loyalty!

Back inside the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, Qian Renxue once again assumed Xue Qinghe's appearance.

She opened her secret chamber, quickly picked up a pen, and wrote down everything she had seen on paper.

With great solemnity, she put the envelope into a bottle and handed it to Snake Lance Douluo.

She stressed repeatedly:

"No matter what happens, this letter must reach my grandfather. Even if you run into that madwoman along the way, ignore everything else and deliver it to the Worship Hall. Someone there will protect you."

She knew that although Snake Lance and Pufferfish had sided with the Worship Hall, their ranks and strength still only qualified them to serve in the Spirit Hall's Elder Hall, under Bibi Dong's command.

Aside from Ling Yuan, Ghost Leopard, and Demon Bear, a few Elders whose names even she had barely heard were relatively obedient.

The others, including Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, were all more or less dissatisfied with Bibi Dong's rule.

Ever since Bibi Dong had taken power, she had not gone so mad as to target the common people.

But she had been squeezing those Elders harder and harder.

Although she still granted them considerable authority and cultivation resources, and those supplies had never been cut off.

As Titled Douluo, however, where could they go without receiving the same treatment?

They might even receive better treatment elsewhere.

Yet she would not give them anything even slightly precious.

She also worked them like tools, and perhaps one day, once they were no longer useful, she would simply discard them.

Who knew what that madwoman was thinking...

Apparently, the three Soul Bones prepared for this National Advanced Soul Master Tournament were intended for her disciples.

Even her disciples got top-grade Soul Bones...

Qian Renxue smiled. Thinking about it that way, she suddenly felt that Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, who had come looking for the Spirit Pagoda, were rather pitiful.

But before long, another thought sprang to mind.

With the Spirit Pagoda's resources, and Lin Xiao's personality...

Bibi Dong would probably regret sending them on this mission until her guts turned green.

Meanwhile, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo had successfully entered the mist and were slowly following the route Snake Lance Douluo had taken last time.

After all, it was the only path showing signs of human activity.

The people inside were mostly retirees, aside from the students still attending Skywater Academy who were willing to follow the Shui Family.

Few people ventured outside.

As Chrysanthemum Douluo pushed aside the last patch of brush.

A small village appeared before them, nestled amid the faint mist.

Just like Snake Lance Douluo.

The two first exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with disbelief.

But after a moment's consideration, they quickly accepted reality.

Whatever the case, they were already here. They might as well take a look.

Unlike when Snake Lance Douluo had visited last time.

Dugu Bo was not lounging by the entrance, playing chess like an old lord.

The entire entrance was deserted.

This brought a new dilemma down upon the pair.

Should they wait for someone to come out, or go straight inside?

Waiting for someone was too uncertain, but going straight inside would be impolite.

After all, if that person really was here.

What would they do if barging straight in like this displeased that Titled Douluo?

Never mind whether they could return and report on their mission. They understood the power of a Ten Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring better than anyone.

That Tang Hao had nearly beaten the courage right out of them before.

Having reached the entrance, the pair could only stand there blankly, staring straight at the gate.

They sank deep into thought...

And that bout of contemplation lasted half an hour.

Lin Xiao was cultivating, rather than watching the big screen.

Because Qian Renxue had arrived ahead of them.

Zhang Lexuan was also preparing all sorts of documents while waiting for Qian Daoliu.

As a result, no one was watching the projection.

They had no idea that two unfortunate Titled Douluo were waiting for them outside the Spirit Pagoda.

Xiao Wu was terribly frustrated.

Following the same cultivation routine, she had also reached level 45 after consuming an immortal herb.

But staying cooped up in the Spirit Pagoda really was rather boring.

So she sought out her good friend, Dugu Yan.

She wanted Dugu Yan to take her into Heaven Dou City for some fun.

Dugu Yan was feeling rather bored herself. She did not want to attend classes at Skywater Academy every day either.

The two immediately hit it off, and Dugu Yan sent her grandfather a message.

After receiving his approval, she took Xiao Wu outside.

When Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo suddenly saw someone coming out, they immediately stood up.

Their expressions were filled with both helplessness and delight.

They had spent almost an hour alternating between standing and squatting.

If not for the need to report back, they would both have wanted to leave.

But when Ghost Douluo clearly saw who was approaching, his expression suddenly froze.

"Old Ghost, what's wrong?"

Seeing his partner in a daze, Yue Guan spoke with some concern.

But Gui Mei merely pointed ahead.

In the next instant, his eyes abruptly narrowed.

"Th-this, this! Isn't that the one!"

He cried out in surprise.

Xiao Wu saw them too. She would never forget those familiar faces for as long as she lived.

Disgust surfaced on her face.

It was them. They were the ones who harmed Mom!

But seeing their stunned expressions, Xiao Wu also knew that her identity had been exposed.

Looks like I still can't go out...

She sighed silently to herself.

Then, thinking of Lin Xiao, she could only speak coldly.

"You two, come with me."

Aside from the Titled Douluo inside the pagoda, those who knew Xiao Wu was a Soul Beast in human form.

Also included the girls who were close to her.

Dugu Yan instinctively shifted slightly, shielding Xiao Wu in front of her.

Gui Mei reached out to grab Xiao Wu, but Chrysanthemum Douluo caught his wrist and tugged him back.

"Yue Guan, that's the hundred-thousand-year rabbit that escaped during the Soul Hunting Operation! If we capture her and give her to the Pope, perhaps you'll get a Soul Bone!"

He transmitted his voice somewhat anxiously.

"Old Ghost, there's no need. I just never expected her to be in the Spirit Pagoda... I wonder whether that Titled Douluo is keeping her, or whether there's something else going on..."

Chrysanthemum Guan soothed Gui Mei's agitation.

"We've done so much for Bibi Dong, and she's practically worked us like oxen and horses, yet we haven't seen so much as a thousand-year Soul Bone.

Why do you think we'll get one if we bring this little rabbit back?

Didn't we help her obtain a Ten Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone during the previous Soul Hunting Operation?

In the end, she only gave us a few Gold Soul Coins. She even gave us a vicious scolding for letting this little rabbit escape.

Our contribution that time was no smaller than this would be...

Besides, our objective this time is to establish contact with this organization and gather information.

If we make an enemy of the Spirit Pagoda over this girl, Bibi Dong might absorb her Ten Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone once we return.

Then what if she turns around, disowns us, and demands to know why we angered them?

You know His Holiness the Pope's temper, Old Ghost."

Yue Guan's words left Gui Mei silent, and he quietly withdrew his other outstretched hand.

Then Yue Guan forced a smile onto his face.

"Sorry for the trouble, young lady."

What followed played out exactly as before.

Once again, it was country bumpkins entering the city, especially since Yue Guan was the livelier sort.

He also seemed to be trying to dispel a little of Xiao Wu's resentment.

Throughout the journey, he kept exclaiming in admiration, draping an arm around Gui Mei's shoulders and pointing things out like a little girl.

Under Lin Buddha's tutelage, Xiao Wu was no longer as foolish as before.

She glanced at Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo behind her out of the corner of her eye.

As she led them along, she gradually calmed down.

She also came to understand some of the principles Lin Xiao had taught her.

It would be a lie to say she did not hate them, but Young Master Lin Xiao had also said that as long as Bibi Dong said bye-bye to her Ten Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.

Her mother could be revived.

Besides, humans hunted Soul Beasts in the first place only because of their cultivation system.

Many cultivation materials came from Soul Beasts. Soul Rings required Soul Beasts, and even Soul Bones required Soul Beasts.

At the same time, some Soul Beasts could rapidly increase their age by killing and devouring Soul Masters with powerful Martial Souls, or Soul Masters who were powerful themselves.

This was also a matter of the strong preying on the weak. Soul Beasts had killed no small number of humans either.

She should hate her enemies, but what she should hate even more was her own weakness, and the system that forced humans and Soul Beasts to slaughter one another.

She had also been a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast back then. If she had possessed enough strength to protect herself like her mother, or even fight back.

Then her mother would not have died for her...

She pressed the elevator button, and as it slowly rose, Xiao Wu brought the pair to Zhang Lexuan's office.

"Sister Lexuan... I brought two newcomers."

She spoke softly.

She knocked on the door of Zhang Lexuan's office.

"Come in. I know."

Having received permission, Xiao Wu turned the handle and gently pushed the door open.

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo walked inside, immediately seeing Zhang Lexuan with her head lowered, sorting through one file after another.

She did not even look up.

"The introduction is over there. Read it yourselves. I'll go bring the Young Master and his wife over."

The pair sat down, and Chrysanthemum Douluo picked up the file.

He held it between himself and Gui Mei, and they quietly began to read.

Titled Douluo all possessed considerable spiritual power.

In mere moments, the two had fully digested the file's contents.

Zhang Lexuan had also finished organizing her files by then.

"Any questions?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo looked at each other, nodded, then shook their heads.

Chrysanthemum Douluo was just about to speak.

When Lin Xiao entered the office with Snow Empress.

?!

Yue Guan sucked in a breath, while Gui Mei's brows knitted tightly.

This oppressive presence far exceeded Bibi Dong's.

Could she be the Titled Douluo with the Ten Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring?

Her aura was far more powerful than either Bibi Dong's or Tang Hao's.

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo felt that if the woman before them joined the Spirit Hall, she would immediately become another core figure in the Worship Hall.

But didn't the intelligence say that Titled Douluo was a man?

There were two?

Recognizing his visitors, Lin Xiao's lips curved into a smile.

"So it's Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo of the Spirit Hall. What an honor to have you here."

After that polite greeting, he abruptly changed the subject.

"If you're here to discuss cooperation, you've read the introduction to Soul Spirits. Lay your terms and sincerity on the table."

Yue Guan kept looking at Gui Mei, feeling rather panicked inside.

They called it discussing cooperation, but judging by Bibi Dong's words and tone.

It was more like bringing them under his command.

But from what they could see, the Spirit Pagoda's strength was utterly unfathomable.

Soul Spirits were something completely beyond their understanding.

Behind it stood powerful Soul Beasts that roamed the great forest and the Far North, two forbidden zones for humans.

How were they supposed to bring it under their command? They were more likely to end up under its command instead.

Watching the two men sit there speechless, Lin Xiao sat down across from them and poured himself a cup of tea.

"It seems His Holiness the Pope isn't particularly eager to cooperate."

He took a sip of tea.

"In that case, there's a second option. Would you two like to hear it?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo froze, and a petal fell from the chrysanthemum in his hand.

"You've followed Bibi Dong for so many years and done plenty for her, haven't you?

Has she ever given you anything?

What I mean is, would you like to join us?"

As Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo pondered, Lin Xiao casually pulled a few things out of his Soul Tool Ring.

He slapped them onto the table.

They were two flowering plants.

Yue Guan, who knew a great deal about such things, cried out in shock on the spot. Then, realizing he had lost his composure, he hastily covered his mouth.

"Yue Guan, why does this plant look so much like your martial soul?"

"Old Ghost, that's-that's! That's my martial soul! It's the immortal herb, singular velvet sky chrysanthemum!"

Yue Guan's voice rang out with excitement.

At first, the two had wondered why Lin Xiao was playing so far outside the usual rules, asking them to join him right off the bat.

Looking at it now, being brought under his command sounded wonderful. Perfectly reasonable, too.

At that moment, Yue Guan felt an overwhelming urge to switch sides. This flower was simply too important to him.

Whether he wanted to collect it out of his love for flowers or use it to increase his strength.

Seeing his old partner so astonished, Gui Mei understood that the things before them were anything but ordinary.

"Since you recognize that one, let me introduce the other.

The Netherworld Flower of the Other Shore.

It's also an immortal herb, and it's best suited for someone with a martial soul like Ghost Douluo's to absorb.

Its effects after absorption are unknown, but one thing is certain: they'll be extremely powerful.

Bibi Dong doesn't know how to make use of people. I do. As long as you're willing to join us, these will be your welcome gifts."

Then, as though dumping out trash, he poured out a huge pile of Soul Bones.

"As long as you work for me, these will all be yours in the future, too."

The Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest and the Far North had no use for Soul Bones anyway.

Lin Xiao had simply asked Xue'er and Bi Ji to bring over a large batch.

The ten-thousand-year and hundred-thousand-year Soul Bones at his feet glittered with dazzling light.

Lin Xiao himself practically became Glitter Tiga.

Gui Mei was dazzled so badly that he could no longer keep his eyes open.

Chrysanthemum Douluo shed a tear.

"But..."

He still wanted to put up one last struggle.

Yet Lin Xiao merely shook his head.

"In my eyes, Bibi Dong is just a little girl, you know? Not only have we secured cooperation with the Worship Hall, but the Spirit Pagoda itself also has two Peerless Douluos. What are you still worried about?"

Hearing Lin Xiao's words, the two instantly lost all their reservations.

As the saying went, when you couldn't win someone's heart-

It only meant you hadn't put enough chips on the table.

Recruiting people from Spirit Hall was far too easy.

Bibi Dong had barely given those Elders any resources.

Joining him would not only grant them abundant resources.

They would also have supreme experts backing them and cooperation with the Worship Hall, leaving them with no worries hanging over their heads.

Clearly, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were exactly that sort of people.

What was more, the two of them were ordered around the most ruthlessly and received the most scoldings.

And so Chrysanthemum Douluo dropped to one knee on the spot, pulling Gui Mei down with him.

They bowed deeply to Lin Xiao.

"Chrysanthemum Douluo/Ghost Douluo pays his respects to the Pagoda Master!"

Xiao Wu, standing nearby, wanted to say something, but Lin Xiao spoke again first.

"Once you two accept the immortal herbs, you're my people. You'll have to start working for the Spirit Pagoda. But aside from me, you're also to obey Xiao Wu's orders. Understood?"

Seeing him shoot her a meaningful glance out of the corner of his eye-

Xiao Wu understood instantly. She was already imagining how, once her mother was resurrected, she and her mother would each ride on one of their backs, mercilessly ordering them to do this and that.

Chrysanthemum Douluo also understood Lin Xiao's intention.

He immediately moved behind Xiao Wu and lowered his head slightly.

With so much already given to him, what did it matter if he had to be a dog? He had practically been one before anyway, ordered around every day. Besides, he had helped Bibi Dong hunt down and kill Xiao Wu's mother.

"I'm sorry!"

He and Gui Mei immediately admitted their wrongdoing.

"You have to call me Sister Xiao Wu!"

Xiao Wu planted her hands on her hips, thoroughly displeased.

"Yes! Sister Xiao Wu!"