The journey back to Spirit Hall was much quicker than the journey out.
Gui Yuan asked about all sorts of things along the way. Although Bibi Dong remained cool on the surface, she answered almost all his questions.
By the time the two reached the Pope's Palace, evening had fallen, and the setting sun dyed the stone steps before the hall a warm gold.
Sensing Gui Yuan's return, Yue Guan and Gui Mei hurried over.
Hu Liena and Xie Yue also rushed over upon hearing the news, each running faster than the other.
"Junior brother!" Hu Liena called from afar. "How long were you away this time? Almost half a month!"
Then Hu Liena addressed Bibi Dong. "Teacher."
Gui Yuan waved at her. "Well, I'm back now, aren't I?"
Yue Guan looked him up and down, curiosity in his eyes. "What did you gain on this trip? What level are you now?"
Gui Yuan nodded. "Level forty-three."
The corners of Yue Guan's mouth lifted. "Good, very good. At the rate you're improving, there probably isn't anyone in Spirit Hall who can match you."
Standing beside him, Gui Mei refrained from throwing cold water on things for once and merely gave a slight nod.
In fact, both of them could think of another genius, one who was not currently at Spirit Hall.
Qian Renxue!
A direct descendant of the Qian family, with the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul and innate level 20 Soul Power.
She was ten years older than Xiao Yuan and had been carrying out a mission within the Heaven Dou Imperial Family for years. They did not know what level her Soul Power had reached now.
Bibi Dong climbed the steps and turned to face everyone.
Her voice was cool yet authoritative. "Since everyone is here, we might as well take care of something."
She raised her right hand, a purple-gold medal resting in her palm.
The medal was round, its rim inlaid with intricate patterns and the character for "purple" engraved at its center. It reflected a deep luster in the setting sun.
"The Purple Record Medal."
Yue Guan spoke softly, a hint of emotion in his voice.
"You don't see this medal often in Spirit Hall."
Bibi Dong looked at Gui Yuan. "The Purple Record Medal is Spirit Hall's highest recognition for core disciples of the younger generation."
"Only those who meet certain conditions may receive it. Soul Power, combat ability, and contributions are all indispensable."
"Not long ago, Hu Liena and Xie Yue each received a Purple Record Medal."
Hu Liena had been Spirit Hall's youngest recipient of the Purple Record Medal, but that record had now been broken.
"Gui Yuan," Bibi Dong said, looking at him, "with your current strength and contributions to Spirit Hall, you are qualified to receive this medal."
Gui Yuan stepped forward and came to a stop before Bibi Dong.
"Thank you, Teacher."
Bibi Dong pinned the Purple Record Medal to his chest, her fingers lingering on his lapel for a moment.
Yue Guan applauded from the side, an unmistakable smile on his face.
Hu Liena also stepped forward, leaning closer to inspect the medal. "It looks pretty good on you, junior brother."
Xie Yue stood to one side without speaking, but his gaze rested on Gui Yuan with a measure of deeper meaning.
Gui Mei spoke up, a rare occurrence. "Receiving the Purple Record Medal at seven years old-there probably isn't a second such case in Spirit Hall's history."
Bibi Dong swept her gaze over everyone, letting it linger on Gui Yuan for two extra seconds.
"The rest of you may leave. Gui Yuan, stay."
Everyone paused in surprise, but they still left the hall as instructed.
Before leaving, Hu Liena winked at Gui Yuan and mouthed, "I'll come find you later."
The hall doors slowly closed, leaving only Bibi Dong and Gui Yuan in the vast hall.
Bibi Dong stood with her back to him, remaining silent for a long time.
The lingering sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting mottled light and shadows across the floor.
"The Soul Core Theory is a great help to Spirit Hall." She turned around, her gaze calm and earnest. "As your teacher, I have nothing to give you right now."
Gui Yuan was about to speak when Bibi Dong raised a hand to stop him.
"I can grant you one request. Whatever you want, you may tell me. As long as it is within my power, I will fulfill it."
Gui Yuan was momentarily taken aback.
Bibi Dong continued, "Besides that, once your physique is strong enough to absorb a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, I will personally help you hunt one."
Gui Yuan fell silent for a moment before nodding earnestly. "Teacher, I understand. Developing the Soul Core Theory was something I ought to do. There is no need for a request."
On the surface, his response was sincere.
Inside, however, he thought, If I asked you to kill Yu Xiaogang, could you do it?
He knew that if he made that request, there was no possibility of Bibi Dong granting it.
Not only would she be unable to fulfill it, but it might completely destroy the little goodwill she had just developed toward him, so there was no need.
Bibi Dong looked at him, her eyes softening for a moment. "You are considerate. Still, what you deserve must be given. When you think of something you need, tell me. What I said today will always stand."
"All right, go back. Get some proper rest today."
"You still have a sparring match tomorrow."
Gui Yuan paused. "How did you know, Teacher?"
Bibi Dong said flatly, "The way Xie Yue looked at you. I'm not blind."
"Normal sparring is a good thing. You can help each other improve. I won't stop it, and you do need some actual combat."
Gui Yuan: "..."
He bowed, turned, and walked out of the Pope's Palace.
The doors slowly closed behind him.
Night had completely enveloped Spirit City, and dim lights had been lit along the corridors.
Sure enough, Hu Liena was waiting for him at a corner of the corridor.
"Well? Well? What did Teacher say to you?"
Looking at her curious expression, Gui Yuan deliberately drew out his words. "Teacher said..."
"What did she say?"
"She said that when your brother spars with me tomorrow, you can only watch from the sidelines. You're not allowed to interfere."
Hu Liena pursed her lips. "Who said I was going to interfere? I'm just watching."
She suddenly leaned closer and reached out to poke the Purple Record Medal on Gui Yuan's chest. "Now you've got one of these too. You'll have to look out for your senior sister from now on."
Her poking made Gui Yuan take a step back. "You're level forty-four, and I'm only level forty-three. It's hard to say who should be looking out for whom."
The two walked back while trading barbs, Hu Liena's clear laughter and Gui Yuan's occasional retorts ringing out in the night.
Early the next morning.
Several people gathered in the square outside the Pope's Palace.
Yue Guan and Gui Mei stood at the top of the steps with their arms folded, wearing different expressions.
Yue Guan looked eager, while Gui Mei remained as stone-faced as ever.
Hu Liena stood at the edge of the square, tilting her head as she looked into it.
At the center of the square, Gui Yuan and Xie Yue stood facing each other, ten meters apart.
The morning breeze swept past, lightly lifting the hems of their clothes.
Xie Yue wore a light, dark-colored combat outfit. His tone was level. "I want to see how strong you are now."
Gui Yuan flexed his wrists and smiled. "What a coincidence. I also want to know just how strong you've become after obtaining your fourth Soul Ring, Brother Xie Yue."
Their gazes met, and sparks seemed to flicker in the air.
Standing outside the sparring area, Hu Liena made an encouraging gesture at Gui Yuan.
Gui Yuan gave her a reassuring look in return.
Xie Yue: Which one of us is your brother, exactly?
Xie Yue then released his Moon Blade Martial Soul. "Watch out. I won't hold back."
"What a coincidence. Neither will I." Gui Yuan smiled faintly.
Morning light spread between them, shining on the bluestone ground.
The sparring match was on the verge of erupting.