Departure and Farewell

After meeting Qian Xunji.

The next day, Yue Guan and Gui Mei, who were still ordinary elders of Spirit Hall and only Soul Douluo-level in cultivation, came to pay a visit, preparing to take Bibi Dong to the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Greetings, Your Ladyship, the Saintess! By order of Pope Your Majesty, we have come to escort Your Ladyship to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt Soul Beasts. This journey will likely take at least half a month. Has Your Ladyship made all the necessary preparations?"

They waited at the gates of Bibi Dong's residence.

When they saw Bibi Dong emerge, Yue Guan and Gui Mei immediately gave her a slight bow. Then Yue Guan asked politely in his effeminate voice.

"Please rest assured, Elders. I have already prepared everything I need. I'll be relying on the two of you for this journey!"

Looking at the two "acquaintances" before her, who were still ordinary elders and had yet to become worshippers, a trace of complicated emotion flashed through Bibi Dong's heart. But she still wore a smile on her beautiful face, returning their bow before replying politely.

"Then let us depart!"

After receiving Bibi Dong, Yue Guan and Gui Mei immediately led her onto the street.

A carriage that would take Bibi Dong to the Star Dou Great Forest had already been prepared there.

The Star Dou Great Forest was not close to Spirit City. Although, given the cultivation of Bibi Dong, Yue Guan, and Gui Mei, traveling on foot would undoubtedly have been faster than riding in a carriage.

However, as the Saintess, traveling by carriage was undoubtedly more fitting for Bibi Dong's status.

After helping Bibi Dong into the carriage, Yue Guan and Gui Mei mounted a type of half-Soul Beast specially bred by Spirit Hall, known as Unicorn Horses. Leading Bibi Dong's carriage, they headed for the Star Dou Great Forest.

Three days later.

Within the Inner Reaches of Star Dou Great Forest, amid the dense woods, three figures—two in front and one behind—darted rapidly through the forest.

Ahead of them, a Crypt Demon Spider with an entirely black body covered in dark purple patterns, riddled with wounds and oozing green blood, was fleeing at top speed.

As it fled for its life, the Crypt Demon Spider kept burrowing into areas with rugged terrain, hoping to shake off its pursuers.

But unfortunately... as he watched the fleeing Crypt Demon Spider, Gui Mei kept shouting coldly. Raising his right hand, he repeatedly unleashed his Fourth Soul Skill: Ghost Shadow.

A black vortex of soul power condensed in his right hand, continuously releasing ghostly shadows that whistled through the air as they attacked the fleeing Crypt Demon Spider ahead.

Faced with the unceasing attacks from Gui Mei's Fourth Soul Skill, the Crypt Demon Spider's decision to flee into rugged terrain instead became a mistake. Its room to evade grew smaller and smaller.

"Fifth Soul Skill, Ghost Shadow Earthly Pool Hand!"

Finally, after catching an opening in the Crypt Demon Spider's defenses, Gui Mei shouted coldly once more and instantly unleashed his Fifth Soul Skill: Ghost Shadow Earthly Pool Hand.

In an instant, Gui Mei's shadow spread out beneath him, covering the ground under the Crypt Demon Spider. Countless pitch-black ghostly hands then stretched forth, firmly pinning the Crypt Demon Spider in place.

A good opportunity!

Seeing that Gui Mei had actually restrained the Crypt Demon Spider with Ghost Shadow Earthly Pool Hand, Yue Guan's eyes immediately lit up. He instantly activated a Soul Skill, preparing to subdue the Crypt Demon Spider.

"Fifth Soul Skill: Gathering of Cold Essence!"

As Yue Guan raised his right hand, the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum martial soul floating above it burst forth with boundless golden light. Countless petals instantly fell away, transforming into blade-like flashes of cold light that howled through the air, forming a tornado that swept toward the Crypt Demon Spider.

"Hiss!!"

Engulfed by the tornado formed from the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum's petals, the Crypt Demon Spider faced the slicing of countless sharp petals. Amid its miserable shrieks, it was soon severely wounded and collapsed weakly to the ground.

"Your Ladyship, the Saintess, it is your turn next. This ten-thousand-year Crypt Demon Spider's age is quite suitable for Your Ladyship's requirements. If Your Ladyship finds it acceptable, please go kill it!"

After successfully severely wounding and subduing the Crypt Demon Spider before them, Yue Guan turned to look at Bibi Dong, who had caught up from behind, and spoke.

"I understand."

Bibi Dong did not refuse Yue Guan's suggestion. After stepping forward, she took out a sharp dagger and killed the Crypt Demon Spider, then began absorbing its Soul Ring on the spot.

After several hours, Bibi Dong finally finished absorbing the Crypt Demon Spider's Soul Ring.

This mission to hunt Soul Beasts could now be declared complete.

However, as they were leaving the Star Dou Great Forest, Bibi Dong asked Yue Guan and Gui Mei along the way.

"Chrysanthemum Elder, Ghost Elder, this hunt for Soul Beasts went very smoothly. It would be too wasteful to return just like this. Could I visit some of the nearby cities?"

"About that..."

Hearing Bibi Dong's request, Yue Guan and Gui Mei both hesitated.

As elders tasked with escorting Bibi Dong out to hunt Soul Beasts, once the mission was complete, they naturally wanted to take her back as soon as possible for safety's sake.

But they could not simply ignore Bibi Dong's request either.

After all, the young woman before them was Spirit Hall's Saintess. Even if she could not become the Pope of Spirit Hall in the future, with her Twin Martial Souls and Innate Full Soul Power, her position within Spirit Hall would undoubtedly be immensely prestigious.

If possible, they naturally wanted to curry favor with Bibi Dong as well.

In the end, Yue Guan and Gui Mei agreed to Bibi Dong's request.

In their view, with their strength, they were fully capable of protecting Bibi Dong's safety. There should be no problem with merely visiting some nearby cities.

Thus, after leaving the Star Dou Great Forest, Bibi Dong finally got her wish to visit other cities before returning to Spirit City.

Based on the cities where she had previously thought Su Mo might be, Bibi Dong traveled to them one by one in order of distance.

But unfortunately, from the nearest Mo Lan City to Dun Ding City, and then to Black Rock City, Bibi Dong did not find any trace of Su Mo. This left her extremely anxious.

What is going on? Why haven't I seen Xiao Mo in three consecutive cities?

Had I remembered wrong?

Or had I come at the wrong time?

But that shouldn't have been possible!

I had stayed in every city for at least three days.

I clearly remembered Xiao Mo saying that although he sometimes left the city to look for food, he would always return before nightfall because the wilderness was too dangerous.

Now, all I could do was see whether I could find Xiao Mo in the last city, Lan Tuo City...

Bibi Dong clenched her jade hand.

Then, riding in the carriage, they finally arrived at Lan Tuo City.

"Her Ladyship, the Saintess, shall we still circle around the city first?"

As they entered Lan Tuo City, following Bibi Dong's instructions from the previous cities, the coachman driving the carriage turned back and asked Bibi Dong inside.

"Mm, let's take a look around first."

Bibi Dong felt somewhat nervous, but she still took a deep breath and lifted the curtain. Pretending to admire the city, she replied calmly.

"Yes, Her Ladyship, the Saintess."

After receiving Bibi Dong's order, the coachman immediately responded, flicking the reins as he guided the carriage through the streets of Lan Tuo City.

Behind them, Yue Guan and Gui Mei rode Unicorn Horses and followed closely.

"Not here..."

"Not here..."

"Still not here..."

Sitting in the carriage and constantly scanning the streets on both sides, Bibi Dong found almost no beggars on the main roads. Though she saw some in branching alleys and sparsely traveled streets, none of them were Su Mo. She could not help growing more and more disappointed.

But just as Bibi Dong thought that this trip might end fruitlessly once again—

A burst of frenzied barking suddenly came from an alley nearby.

"Go take a look."

Hearing it, Bibi Dong's heart stirred, and she immediately told the coachman to head over.

When they reached the entrance of the alley—

In the dim alley, beside a trash bin—

A little boy in ragged clothes, his hair hanging loose, leaned against the bin. He held a wooden stick in one hand and a bag of obviously discarded bread in the other, his lips pressed tight as he nervously faced off against two stray dogs.

Inside the carriage, Bibi Dong froze. Then she covered her mouth, her eyes instantly reddening as a wave of aching sorrow surged through her heart.

It was... it was Xiao Mo. I finally found you!