What surprised him even more was that, for some unknown reason, Bibi Dong seemed to have an instinctive fondness for Qian Chongling, who had suddenly appeared, and moved closer to him without even realizing it.
It was as though this were not their first meeting. Even Gu Xuewei, who had spent half the day with Bibi Dong, had not managed that, leaving him rather puzzled.
"I returned to my own home, and you call that sneaking in?" Qian Chongling looked as though he were wondering whether he had misheard or they had misspoken.
The two exchanged a glance and were about to invoke Martial Soul Possession to slay this madman who scorned Spirit Hall on the spot when Golden Crocodile Douluo's uncertain voice rang out. "Are you... the old master?"
A faint smile curled Qian Chongling's lips. "To think you still recognize me, Little Crocodile."
"Little Crocodile?"
Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo were now questioning everything they knew. The illustrious Golden Crocodile Douluo had actually been called Little Crocodile. They were already wondering whether they would be silenced for knowing too much.
"I never imagined you would return, old master." Golden Crocodile Douluo stepped forward and bent at the waist in a deep, respectful ninety-degree bow.
There was no other reason: Qian Chongling had guided him in his youth, and calling him half a teacher would hardly be an exaggeration.
"At your age, you still fuss over these empty formalities."
Qian Chongling smiled, then bent down to ask Bibi Dong, "Dong'er, would you like to become my disciple?"
As he spoke, Qian Chongling took a skewer of candied hawthorn from his Soul Tool and handed it to Bibi Dong.
The gesture left Golden Crocodile and the others speechless. What made them question their lives even more was how Bibi Dong