Bibi Dong's summons, the reward for passing on the Heart Separation Control Method, a Head Soul Bone!

Spirit City, Pontiff Hall.

Bibi Dong wore a long robe, exuding a noble bearing and commanding respect without anger.

A man and a woman stood in the spacious hall.

They were none other than Hu Liena and Tang San.

"You're both my disciples, and you performed well in this tournament. Tell me, what rewards would you like?"

Bibi Dong looked down at the two of them, a faint smile appearing on her face. "As long as it isn't too excessive, I can grant it."

Hearing this, Hu Liena did not speak first. Instead, she turned to Tang San in surprise.

"You're also Teacher's disciple? Why haven't I heard you mention it?"

Tang San did not even glance at her. "You never asked."

After that retort, Hu Liena rolled her eyes and turned away indignantly before saying, "Teacher, I'd like to look around the Heaven Dou Empire. I heard a few new items have arrived at the markets there."

As the Pope's disciple, Hu Liena had always held herself to extremely strict standards and trained exceptionally hard. It could be said that she had kept her head buried in training ever since she was little.

Now that she had successfully claimed the championship, the taut string within her had relaxed considerably, and she wanted to give herself a few days off.

Bibi Dong nodded. "All right. You should take a few days to rest, too. You have my permission."

Then she turned her beautiful eyes toward Tang San.

"What about you, Xiao San? What reward would you like?"

Almost without thinking, Tang San immediately answered, "I'd like to go to Slaughter City to temper myself."

At those words, Bibi Dong's pupils contracted.

"Have you thought this through? That isn't a place you can easily get out of. It's extremely dangerous. You're still young, so I'd suggest going when you're a little older."

Tang San shook his head, utterly resolute.

"I've already thought it through."

Since Tang San had put it that way, Bibi Dong did not press him any further and sighed.

"All right, then. You must be careful."

Suddenly, she changed the subject, fixing her gaze on Tang San and studying his face.

"By the way, Xiao San, what was that method you taught Hu Liena? How did you learn it?"

Tang San had already anticipated this question. Without the slightest change in his expression, he answered directly, "I once studied at the same academy as someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. She taught it to me."

Hearing that, Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow and murmured, "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect... interesting."

"Would you be willing to give this Heart Separation Control Method to Spirit Hall? If you aren't, I certainly won't force you."

Although she said that, Tang San was no fool. He knew perfectly well what sort of person Bibi Dong was. How could he possibly refuse to hand it over? He had already anticipated this when he taught Hu Liena.

"I'm willing."

Bibi Dong was very pleased to hear that. She approached Tang San and patted his shoulder. "Excellent. It's very good that you have the desire to contribute to Spirit Hall."

Bibi Dong then took out a pure white skull and handed it to Tang San.

"Spirit Hall won't take your belongings for nothing. This skull is your compensation. Accept it. This skull suits you better."

Tang San put the skull away and answered quietly, "Thank you, Teacher."

Suddenly, Hu Liena raised her head and said firmly, "Teacher, I want to go to Slaughter City, too!"

Hearing this, Bibi Dong frowned and looked at Hu Liena. "That place is incredibly dangerous. Are you sure you want to go?"

Hu Liena rolled her eyes at Tang San, then nodded resolutely.

"If he's going, I'm going, too!"

Bibi Dong said nothing more. She nodded silently, then had the two of them leave the hall together.

The moment they left the Pontiff Hall, Hu Liena lunged at Tang San and bit him hard, her voice full of resentment.

"This is all your fault! My perfectly good holiday is gone, and now I have to go to that Slaughter City place! You're despicable!"

The bite left Tang San momentarily bewildered. Rubbing his neck, he said, "What the hell does that have to do with me? I'm not the one who told you to go."

Hu Liena pounded him a few times and snapped, "You've got some nerve saying that. We're both Teacher's disciples. I said I wanted to rest, and you fucking said you wanted to temper yourself in Slaughter City. Weren't you making me look bad?"

"After you said that, how could I have the nerve to go?"

"Besides, I haven't forgotten how you broke through my charm. Even if you helped me, I won't let a single chance to surpass you slip by. Just you wait."

"Sooner or later, I'll make you bow beneath my pomegranate skirt!"

Tang San was left speechless.

Hu Liena really was competitive. Things were developing just as they had in his previous life, except this time, Hu Liena and Tang San were already going together before they had even entered.

"By the way, didn't you say you owed me a favor?"

As though something had occurred to him, Tang San looked at Hu Liena.

"I need to call in that favor now."

Hu Liena raised an eyebrow, her face flushing crimson in an instant as she covered it with her hands. "Y-you... what do you mean?"

"Isn't it too soon?"

Tang San was a little puzzled. "Too soon? I don't think so."

"The Soul Bone I received is also a Head Soul Bone, just like the one you got as your tournament reward. They're fairly similar."

"I was wondering if we could trade."

Hu Liena had been covering her face and listening silently, but the more she heard, the more something seemed wrong. By the end, she nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

So this was what you meant by having me repay that favor.

Dark lines covered Hu Liena's face. Forcing down her anger, she gritted her teeth. "Fine, sure! Let's trade!"

She angrily tossed her skull over and snatched the one from Tang San's hand.

"From now on, I don't owe you any favors, you bastard."

With those words, Hu Liena walked straight away.

Tang San did not dwell on it. He naturally understood what Hu Liena meant, but improving his strength was still the most important thing right now. Matters of romance could wait until later.

Since he had decided to go to Slaughter City, Tang San would have to make some preparations next. Obtaining Divine Slaughter's Domain would not be so easy.

"Do I still have to go back...?"

Tang San murmured to himself. His earlier conversation with Haozi had also left him with much to think about.

Unless his Blue Silver Grass evolved, its power would ultimately remain limited. Its ceiling was only so high, and it was of little use.

Now that he was in Spirit Hall, he could not readily use the Clear Sky Hammer, either.

If his Blue Silver Grass could evolve, things would be different, and Ah Yin's Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone would also be a considerable help.

It seemed Tang San had no choice but to avenge Ah Yin.

"Qian Daoliu..."

Tang San snorted coldly. In any case, once he became the Pope of Spirit Hall, he would have to purge a group of people. By then, he would probably already possess Dual Godhood. Bringing a mere Spirit Hall to heel would be as easy as turning his hand.

"Elder Yue Guan, come with me."

With that thought, Tang San wasted no time. He immediately took Yue Guan along and set out on his journey.