Lie Yangtian's eyes flew wide. "What?!"
He had never imagined Bibi Dong would actually do this.
Halving the resources was manageable; he could supplement Yan's allotment himself.
But whale rubber...
Almost all the whale rubber over a thousand years old on the market was currently in Spirit Hall's hands.
Spirit Hall monopolized most of the hunting and supply channels for high-age whale rubber.
When Yan broke through to Soul Ancestor and Soul King in the future, he would definitely need ten-thousand-year whale glue to strengthen his physique.
If Spirit Hall would not supply it, Lie Yangtian would have to go out to sea himself to hunt ten-thousand-year whale-rubber-producing Soul Beasts.
He was a Titled Douluo, yes, but as a fire-attribute Soul Master, how much of his strength could he bring to bear at sea?
Besides, ten-thousand-year Sea Soul Beasts had twice the fighting strength in the ocean, while his Heaven-Burning Flame Dragon could not unleash even half its power underwater.
Unless he swallowed his pride and asked someone else for ten-thousand-year whale glue-but had a dignified elder like him really been reduced to begging others for whale rubber?
Wouldn't that be humiliating?
Lie Yangtian suppressed his anger and said heavily, "Your Holiness, isn't this punishment too severe?"
"Yan may have done something wrong, but he was also seriously injured. That counts as punishment too."
Bibi Dong looked at him without the slightest change in her eyes. "Severe? I think it's too lenient."
"Scarlet Flame Douluo, remember this: Gui Yuan is my personal disciple."
"Your disciple bullied mine. The fact that I haven't killed him is already out of consideration for the Elders' Hall."
"And because his talent is decent. But Spirit Hall has little need for someone with decent talent and a foolish brain!"
It was just as well that Gui Yuan was not there, or he probably would have lost it on hearing Bibi Dong say that.
Anyone who could have kept a straight face probably had a face wrapped in old bandages.
Lie Yangtian stiffened his neck. "I refuse to accept this!"
"You refuse?"
Bibi Dong slowly rose from the papal throne.
Holding the Pope's Scepter, she slammed it heavily against the floor.
Thud!
A wave of Soul Power pressure surpassing Level 95 descended abruptly, pressing down on Lie Yangtian like a mountain.
Lie Yangtian's knees buckled, and he nearly fell to them.
He looked up in horror. This pressure... Level 98?
Bibi Dong's voice was bone-chilling. "If you refuse to accept it, go to the Great Enshrined and have him stand up for you."
"But here, you have no room to bargain."
"Now, get out."
Lie Yangtian gritted his teeth, his face flushed red.
He wanted to argue, but the Soul Power pressure bearing down on him made even speaking difficult.
In the end, he could only lower his head reluctantly and retreat from the Pope's Palace, one step at a time.
The moment he stepped through the doors, he glanced back, his eyes filled with venomous resentment.
"Fine... very fine."
He strode toward the Worship Hall. He would ask the Great Enshrined to uphold justice!
Inside the Pope's Palace.
Yue Guan withdrew his Martial Soul, clapped his hands, and smiled. "There, some peace and quiet at last. Thank you for standing up for Xiao Yuan, Your Holiness."
Gui Mei said calmly, "He's probably gone to the Worship Hall."
"It doesn't matter." Bibi Dong sat back on the papal throne. "Qian Daoliu won't fall out with me over an elder's disciple."
"Besides, Xiao Yuan isn't just your son. He's also my disciple."
"And Yan was in the wrong to begin with."
Yue Guan smiled. "As wise as ever, Your Holiness."
Bibi Dong glanced at him. "You certainly know what to say."
"All right, you may all leave."
Yue Guan and Gui Mei bowed and took their leave.
After leaving the Pope's Palace, Yue Guan was in such high spirits that even his steps carried a breeze.
"Old Ghost, do you think Xiao Yuan will be happy when he hears the news?"
The corner of Gui Mei's mouth twitched slightly. "We won't need to tell him. He'll probably find out soon enough."
"That girl Nana spreads news faster than anyone."
Elsewhere.
Gui Yuan was sitting in the courtyard of his residence, basking in the sun.
Hu Liena sat opposite him and gave him a complete account of Bibi Dong's decision.
"No more whale rubber supplies, and his resources halved for the next two years."
"Teacher really was angry this time."
After listening, the corners of Gui Yuan's lips lifted slightly.
This decision was even harsher than he had expected.
At present, whale rubber played an irreplaceable role in improving Soul Masters' physiques.
High-age whale rubber, in particular, was crucial to breakthroughs at the Soul Ancestor and Soul King stages.
Moreover, high-age whale rubber could not only improve one's physique but also increase Soul Power.
With Spirit Hall cutting off his supply and reducing his resources, Yan would have some difficulty keeping up with Hu Liena and Xie Yue's cultivation progress from now on.
In competition among peers, falling one step behind meant falling behind at every step.
Gui Yuan was quite satisfied with his teacher's "protectiveness."
Although he knew Bibi Dong's decision was thirty percent about saving face and seventy percent about the value of his talent.
But as long as the outcome benefited him, the process did not matter.
"All right, Sister Nana, this matter ends here," Gui Yuan said. "Don't go telling everyone about it."
Hu Liena rolled her eyes. "When did I tell everyone? I've only told you."
"By the way, are you really all right? Were you hurt in yesterday's spar?"
Gui Yuan shook his head. "His Soul Skills never even touched me. How could I have been hurt?"
Hu Liena: "..."
Why did that sound so deserving of a beating?
Meanwhile.
Inside the Worship Hall.
Lie Yangtian stood in the center of the hall and hurriedly recounted the incident, adding oil and vinegar to the tale.
Naturally, in his account, Yan was merely a junior who "simply wanted to spar," while Gui Yuan had "struck viciously and held nothing back."
Qian Daoliu sat in the principal seat and listened to his account with a calm expression.
Rather than state his position immediately, he fell silent for a moment.
"You're saying that child named Gui Yuan defeated Yan in just one move?"
Lie Yangtian froze. "Great Enshrined, that isn't the point..."
"I'm asking you: did he use just one move?" Qian Daoliu's tone grew slightly heavier.
Lie Yangtian nodded, stifling his frustration. "Yes... He released an External Soul Bone. It should be the right palm bone of a bear-type Soul Beast. It was very powerful."
A flicker of interest crossed Qian Daoliu's eyes.
Seven years old, Twin Martial Souls, a Food System Soul Elder, and he had defeated Yan in one move.
This little fellow was even more interesting than he had imagined.
"All right, you may leave," Qian Daoliu said calmly. "I'm aware of the matter now. I'll handle it."
Lie Yangtian's heart leaped with joy. "Thank you, Great Enshrined!"
He hurried out of the Worship Hall, a measure of smugness on his face.
Once he was far away, several figures emerged from the back of the hall.
Golden Crocodile Douluo walked out slowly and looked at Qian Daoliu. "Great Enshrined, are you sure you want to help him punish Bibi Dong's disciple?"
There was a hint of teasing in his voice. "Although I have little regard for Bibi Dong, that disciple of hers does sound rather impressive."
Qian Daoliu smiled. "Why would I possibly help him?"
"I merely told him to leave for now."
Golden Crocodile Douluo raised his eyebrows. "Then this matter?"
"Leave it alone." Qian Daoliu waved a hand. "Let Bibi Dong handle it herself."
"A Level 94 Titled Douluo who can't even keep his own disciple in line, and has to come complain to me when someone beats him up. Isn't that disgraceful?"
The enshrined all laughed.
Qian Daoliu looked toward the outside of the hall, his gaze deep.
"As for that little fellow, it seems I gave that token to the right person after all."