Breaking Through Level Forty! Heading to Star Dou Forest

A week later

After a period of rest and reorganization, Bing Jiu and Xue Qinghe had finally put every matter within the imperial capital in perfect order.

They were now not only the most beloved couple in the entire Heaven Dou Empire, but also the most powerful figures in the empire aside from Xue Ye.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the entire empire was now under the control of the two of them.

Even General Ge Long, who had wanted to beat Bing Jiu up when they first met, now bowed and scraped whenever he saw her, calling her "Your Highness the Crown Princess" more eagerly than anyone else.

Tang San was naturally no different. After learning of Bing Jiu's current status, he came by every few days asking for things.

Officially, he was applying for academy funding, but in reality, that fellow spent it all on cultivation resources and entertainment, leaving not a single bit for the academy. It angered Flender so much that he chased Tang San through the streets every other day.

There were more ridiculous scenes than one could count...

Boom—

The Crown Princess's palace trembled repeatedly. After a while, Bing Jiu calmly emerged from within.

Tuoba Xi hurried forward and cupped his hands. "Congratulations to Your Highness the Saintess on breaking through to level forty Soul Power."

"Alright, Tuoba Xi, you're not doing too badly yourself."

Bing Jiu swept her blood-red eyes over him. "You've already reached level ninety. You'll soon become Spirit Hall's newest Titled Douluo."

"It is all thanks to Your Highness's guidance!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Bing Jiu and Tuoba Xi headed toward the team that had long been assembled.

Those accompanying them to the Star Dou Forest to hunt the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger were all the most elite soul masters from Spirit Hall's Heaven Dou branch. Every one of them had cultivation above level seventy.

Dugu Bo was among them as well. However, when he saw that his usually carefree granddaughter was dressed in leather and wearing cat ears, his face instantly turned livid.

The moment he saw Bing Jiu approach, he immediately went up to her. "Your Highness the Saintess, could you explain this to me?"

"Explain?"

Bing Jiu tilted her head and glanced at Dugu Yan. "Her Soul Power broke through level forty, she obtained an 8,500-year soul ring, she's been fed until she's all plump and rosy, she's even gained several pounds, and she hasn't been made to do any dirty or exhausting work. Isn't that good?"

"You! That's not what this old man is talking about!"

"Then what are you talking about? Oh? The cat ears?"

Bing Jiu smiled, reached out to hold Dugu Yan's ears, and rubbed them. "Tell him, did you do this willingly?"

Dugu Yan nestled into Bing Jiu's embrace and obediently nodded.

"Mhm, I did, Your Highness the Saintess."

"This..."

Dugu Bo was practically shattered by the sight before him, his jaw nearly hitting the ground.

Was this really his granddaughter?

Just as they were about to set off, Xue Qinghe came over as well.

He affectionately wrapped an arm around Bing Jiu's waist and pulled her into a light embrace. "Even though there are two Titled Douluo this time, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger will certainly not be easy to deal with. Just do your best."

"Mm."

Bing Jiu nodded and returned the embrace.

Xue Qinghe smiled, then drew a folding fan and used both sides to block everyone's view. Yet through the hazy obstruction, they could clearly see him lean his head toward Bing Jiu.

Were they... kissing?

Bing Jiu rolled her eyes at Xue Qinghe, who had kissed her on the cheek.

He was using the illusion of an intimate angle to stir strange thoughts and emotions in everyone's hearts. But they had already gone that far before—was there really any need for this?

"Why do I feel like you have ulterior motives?"

"How could that be? It's all an act."

Xue Qinghe put away his fan, pretended to wipe Bing Jiu's red lips, and only then left.

Bing Jiu sighed. When she turned around, however, she realized that everyone was looking at her strangely.

She asked in confusion, "What are you all doing?"

"Haha."

Dugu Bo stroked his beard and chuckled. "Your Highness the Saintess, you're still young. You should take care of your health."

Bing Jiu: ...

Seeing Bing Jiu's stunned expression, Dugu Bo felt a burst of smug satisfaction.

But just then, Bing Jiu curled her lips into a smile at him. "Is that so? Old monster, perhaps you should say the same thing to your precious granddaughter."

Dugu Bo: ???

This girl... he simply could not get the slightest advantage over her.

The carriage slowly left the Heaven Dou imperial capital and sped toward the Star Dou Forest.

At the same time, within Spirit City...

Bibi Dong sat atop the high platform, her fingers tapping lightly against her forehead as though she were resting with her eyes closed.

The shadow guards under her command delivered a letter. Bibi Dong had not paid it much mind at first, but when she saw the name written on it, her beautiful eyes widened involuntarily.

"Little Jiu..."

She impatiently tore open the letter. What met her eyes was Bing Jiu's detailed plan for this hunt for the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger.

Bibi Dong had always processed documents quickly, yet this letter contained only a dozen or so lines. Still, she spent half an hour reading it before slowly setting it down.

As though she had made some important decision, she took a deep breath.

"Someone come! Order Elders Chrysanthemum and Ghost to head to the Star Dou Forest and ensure the safety of the Saintess of my Spirit Hall!"

Three days later

Within the Star Dou Forest, Bing Jiu and her group had already arrived at the outer region.

According to Spirit Hall's intelligence, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger had fled to the outer region after being defeated by the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape. In other words, it was here now!

But Bing Jiu still needed help locating its exact whereabouts.

"Come out."

Bing Jiu hauled Chuan, who was still sleeping in the tower, out by the scruff of her neck.

Chuan rubbed her bleary eyes, and the first thing out of her mouth was—

"Is it time to eat?"

Bing Jiu was so furious that she treated her to several resounding slaps.

Chuan was utterly dumbfounded from the beating. It took her a long while to react, after which she flopped onto the ground and burst into loud tears.

She threw a full-on tantrum, rolling around on the ground.

"Waaah—You actually yelled at me, and you hit me in the face! I can't live like this anymore! I can't go on!"

The others could not help laughing and crying at the sight. After all, who would have thought that such a thing was actually a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?

Bing Jiu's expression was equally unpleasant. She grabbed the scales on Chuan's back, then flung her straight into the dense forest with a whoosh.

Turning to Tuoba Xi and the others, she said, "Wait here for me. Do not leave."

"Yes."

"Wait a moment."

Dugu Bo stepped forward and grabbed Bing Jiu by the shoulder. "This forest is crawling with thousand-year soul beasts. You're going in alone? Let this old man accompany you."

"Old monster, you're quite kindhearted, but..."

Black mist surged from Bing Jiu's hand. In the next instant, black claws covered it.

With two sharp swishes, Bing Jiu ran her fingers along the edges of the claws. The piercing screech of metal made everyone cover their ears.

"With this thing and that one around, this place is no different from a backyard to me. There's no need to worry."

With that, Bing Jiu entered the dense forest.

Dugu Bo still wanted to stop her, but Tuoba Xi laughed as he pulled him back.

"Why are you pulling me?"

"Haha, old monster, you really have no idea just how strong our Saintess is."