"Never hand it over for the Elder Hall to benefit." "I'll cover it."
He made no attempt to conceal how much he valued her personally.
Looking at the young man so close before her, his gaze firm and arrogant, Bibi Dong forcibly suppressed the emotions churning like overturned seas in her heart.
She turned her head, avoiding Xiong Shaoqing's intensely aggressive gaze.
"Such shameless boasting. Hundred-thousand-year soul beasts are as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns across the continent. Where will you find so many living soul spirits to fill my vacancies?"
Seeing this, Xiong Shaoqing knew that this woman's psychological defenses had completely loosened.
He straightened and stepped back half a pace, giving Bibi Dong room to breathe, then smiled confidently. "The core region of the Star Dou Great Forest doesn't just contain the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Azure Bull Python. Quite a few sleeping ferocious beasts are hidden there too."
"Once the time is right, I'll naturally drag them out one by one. Consider it... the lodging fee I pay Spirit Hall."
"As for the Elder Hall..." Xiong Shaoqing changed tack, his gaze sharpening.
"I'll deal with the Elder Hall myself." Bibi Dong regained her empress's majesty, though an attachment she herself failed to notice had appeared in the violet eyes she turned toward Xiong Shaoqing. "If Qian Daoliu dares force you to answer, I'll smash his Worship Hall to pieces with the Pope's Scepter."
"Until then, stay in the villa and cultivate obediently. You're not allowed to go anywhere."
"As you command, Your Holiness." Xiong Shaoqing's lips curved upward as he casually agreed.
The great doors opened again.
Xiong Shaoqing strode out of the Papal Palace, looked at the stars filling the sky, and let out a long breath.
These negotiations had not only dumped