" Xuan Ming?" Qian Renxue's expression softened slightly. "Why is he here?"
"Naturally, it's for cultivation," Yue Guan quickly replied. "What else could it be for?"
Qian Renxue remained silent for a moment, then finally relented. "I'll wait until an incense stick burns."
"Please wait a moment." Yue Guan breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly rushed towards the training ground.
Just as Snake Lance and Pufferfish breathed a sigh of relief, they saw Qian Renxue looking in the direction Yue Guan had left, and then stride back towards the council hall.
"Young Master, what's wrong...?"
"I only promised to wait for him for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, but I didn't say where to wait." Qian Renxue without turning her head.
"Can't I go inside and wait?"
Snake Lance and Porcupinefish Douluo exchanged glances, both secretly fearing something was wrong, but they dared not forcibly stop her any longer. They could only helplessly follow behind Qian Renxue, carefully protecting her in case she suddenly did something impulsive.
The moment Qian Renxue stepped into the council hall, a sense of oppression washed over her.
Yu Xiaogang sat quietly to one side, his teacup already cold, his eyes darting around as if deep in thought.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up and his gaze met that of " Bibi Dong," and he also noticed the two Titled Douluo behind her.
He was slightly taken aback. The " Bibi Dong " before him still looked the same, but her eyes held an unfamiliar majesty and coldness that stirred up waves in his heart.
"Compared to... Your His Holiness the Pope." Yu Xiaogang stood up, bowed, and changed his address at the last minute, his tone carrying a hint of reverence.
Qian Renxue glanced at him but ignored him, walking straight to the Pope throne and sitting down in imitation of Bibi Dong's posture.
The Snake Lance and the Pufferfish secretly breathed a sigh of relief and stood silently on either side.
Yu Xiaogang hesitated, each time he tried to speak, he was forced back by the cold gazes of the two Douluo.
Qian Renxue had no intention of saying more. Since she had promised to wait for Xuan Ming for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, she would naturally wait.
An eerie silence fell over the hall.
Meanwhile, Yue Guan rushed over in a hurry and briefly explained to Xuan Ming about Qian Renxue impersonating Bibi Dong.
"Wait, you... you're just going to let her wait there?" Xuan Ming asked.
Yue Guan was taken aback. "What's wrong?"
Xuan Ming was speechless. "She's probably already inside."
Yue Guan's expression froze. "Then what should we do?"
"What should we do..." Xuan Ming turned to look at Bibi Dong.
"Why don't you go and handle things over there first, and I'll stay and watch over the teacher?" Hu Liena suggested.
"What's the use of you guarding her? If her Soul Power has a problem, can you help her?" Xuan Ming sighed, thought for a moment, raised his right hand, and ice and fire energies surged alternately, condensing into a crystal-clear rose. Ice formed the branches and leaves, while the heart of the flower was a leaping flame wrapped in ice crystals, like an eternally burning ice flame rose.
"Give this to her, and ask her to wait quietly until this flower melts, for my sake."
Yue Guan's eye twitched. "How long... can this last?"
"If not deliberately damaged, it can remain unmelted for a month even under the scorching sun."
Yue Guan's expression was strange. "Are you sure this won't anger her?"
"That's why I said, it depends on whether she'll give me that face," Xuan Ming said calmly.
"If she doesn't agree, isn't Yu Xiaogang still there? We can just knock her out and take her away; She Long and the others won't stop us."
"Alright." Yue Guan said no more, and sped away with the Ice and Fire Rose.
As Xuan Ming watched Yue Guan leave, he turned around and met Hu Liena's resentful gaze, her eyes filled with such grievance that she seemed about to burst into tears at any moment.
Helpless, Xuan Ming conjured another ice flame rose and handed it to her.
Hu Liena accepted the rose, the grievance in her eyes instantly vanished, and a slight smile quietly appeared on her lips.
Yue Guan followed instructions and entered the council hall. Ignoring Yu Xiaogang, the prince, she walked straight up to the platform and presented the Ice Flame Rose to Bibi Dong.
"Your Highness, Xuan Ming requests that you grant him the honor of waiting until this flower melts," Yue Guan transmitted his voice.
Bibi Dong examined the rose in her hand, her eyes momentarily glazed over. "He certainly knows how to play the game."
Even so, her gaze Jiujiu on the flames dancing within the ice crystals.
Yue Guan silently stepped aside and chose a spot close to Yu Xiaogang, where it would be convenient to take action.
Time passed in silence, with only the faint sound of the flames flickering within the Ice Flame Rose.
Before I knew it, it was already midnight.
In this eerie atmosphere, Yu Xiaogang grew increasingly uneasy.
He didn't know what " Bibi Dong " meant, and several times he hesitated to speak, but was forced back by the cold gazes of the Snake Lance and the Pufferfish.
I want to say something but can't; I want to leave but dare not.
Finally, the doors to the council chamber opened again.
Qian Renxue shifted her gaze from the roses to Xuan Ming, who had just entered.
Yu Xiaogang turned around, his face instantly turning extremely ugly. "You..."
Xuan Ming seemed not to see him, and walked straight to " Bibi Dong " on the stage, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her up from the throne.
Under the tense gaze of everyone, " Bibi Dong " offered no resistance and obediently followed him out.
Upon arriving at the adjacent side hall, Xuan Ming released his grip. "Change back."
Qian Renxue's eyes flickered. "Didn't you like her like this? Shouldn't you be happy that I've become her?"
"She is her, and you are you," Xuan Ming said.
Stop doing this stuff.
Qian Renxue snorted softly, her body shimmering with light as she regained her original appearance. She crossed her arms and slightly raised her chin. "What, afraid I'll cause you trouble with her face?"
"I'm afraid you'll anger her," Xuan Ming sighed.
"If she hits me, won't you protect me?" Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow.
"Stop messing around, I have important business to attend to. Don't argue with her." Xuan Ming turned to leave.
"Leaving already?" Qian Renxue grabbed him. "Aren't you going to wait and see the show? Or... are you afraid to watch?"
"..."
Just after Xuan Ming pulled Qian Renxue away, the real Bibi Dong slowly walked into the council hall. Meeting her seemingly gentle yet cold gaze, the two Douluo, Snake Lance and Pufferfish, quickly went to the palace and stood with Yue Guan.
Bibi Dong moved gracefully towards the Pope throne, turned and sat down, her gaze sweeping around before finally settling on Yu Xiaogang. Her voice was cold and clear. "So it was you who, bearing the Pope Token to see me?"
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. " Your His Holiness the Pope, I have something I'd like to discuss with you privately."
Bibi Dong glanced down at the hall below, Yue Guan and the other two understood, turning and leaving the hall.
"Speak," Bibi Dong said calmly.
Yu Xiaogang looked up at Bibi Dong, " Dong'er, how have you been all these years...?"
Bibi Dong's eyes turned slightly cold. "What did you call me?"
An almost suffocating pressure suddenly descended, Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened. He quickly lowered his head, " Your His Holiness the Pope."
Bibi Dong snorted coldly, and the pressure instantly dissipated. " Yu Xiaogang, you didn't come here just to spout this nonsense, did you?"
Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth, " Your His Holiness the Pope, I've come to inquire about the cultivation of Twin Martial Souls. My disciple, Tang San, also possesses Twin Martial Souls, but he's encountered a bottleneck, and I wish to seek your assistance."
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow slightly. " Tang San? Tang Hao's son? Yu Xiaogang, you're getting more and more interesting. Don't you know the relationship between the Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect? Or do you not know what Tang Hao did?"
"I've already shown the Clear Sky Sect enough respect by not attacking Tang San directly, yet you still come to me to ask me about this kind of question."
"What, you want me to help you cultivate the next powerful individual with Twin Martial Souls, so they can oppose me in the future?"
Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened. He hadn't expected Bibi Dong to already know Tang San's background. But since he was already here, he naturally wasn't willing to give up so easily. He raised his head, took a deep breath, and said in a deep voice, "No, if you're willing to tell me, I can assure you that my disciple will never oppose the Spirit Hall in his entire life."
"Hehe." Bibi Dong laughed; she was amused by her own anger.
"You're still the same as before, spouting off without thinking."
Yu Xiaogang was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his head. " Dong'er, I know you still harbor resentment, but it's all my fault. It has nothing to do with Tang San. He's a Kindness and hardworking child, and he deserves a better future."
Bibi Dong's eyes sharpened, and her icy Divine Slaughter's Domain suddenly pressed down. "What did you call me?"
Yu Xiaogang's face turned deathly pale, his legs went weak, and he knelt on the ground. " Your His Holiness the Pope, I misspoke. Please forgive me."
"If I hear that address again, you can prepare to say goodnight to this world." Bibi Dong snorted coldly and withdrew her Divine Slaughter's Domain.
Yu Xiaogang collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. He felt a mix of relief at surviving a disaster and bewilderment. He hadn't expected Bibi Dong to be so heartless and even turn against him.
This was completely different from the reunion he had envisioned!
What exactly went wrong?
Chapter 269 The Shattered Pope Token
"It seems their relationship is more complicated than I thought."
In a side hall of the council chamber, Qian Renxue was forcibly dragging Xuan Ming to watch the spectacle.
"So what?" Xuan Ming, somewhat helplessly.
Now that Yu Xiaogang has arrived, it means that Tang San's mentality has collapsed. Tang Hao is probably with Tang San now, and he has to take Ah Yin there to settle some things.
"Aren't you interested?" Qian Renxue retorted.
"Why would I be interested?" Xuan Ming asked, puzzled.
"You..." Qian Renxue was speechless for a moment.
Aren't you worried...?
"What am I worried about?" Xuan Ming said speechlessly.
Are you worried they'll rekindle their old flame?
Qian Renxue's eyes twitched slightly. "Can you not be so direct?"
"I have no interest in roundabout ways," Xuan Ming said.
"Besides, I don't need to worry about it."
"Why?" Qian Renxue asked.
"You don't care?"
Xuan Ming couldn't help but look at him like he was an idiot. "What am I worried about with that thing?"
"I may be a bit suspicious, but I'm not that insecure, am I?"
Qian Renxue turned her head away, "What if she just has unique tastes?"
"Your taste is quite unique," Xuan Ming said.
"They actually have interest in someone like me."
Qian Renxue retorted defiantly, "Even if my taste is unique, it's still a million times better than hers!"
"Yes, you're amazing. If you're interested, keep watching. I have other things to do." Xuan Ming turned to leave.
Qian Renxue pulled him back abruptly, "Why are you running? Are you scared?"
Xuan Ming sighed, "Okay, I'm scared. Can I hide for a bit?"
Qian Renxue's expression was somewhat complicated, but she still released Xuan Ming.
"Thank you." Xuan Ming turned to leave, but saw Qian Renxue about to rush out, which startled him so much that he quickly stepped forward to block her.
"What are you doing?" Xuan Ming was a little confused.
If Qian Renxue were to go out now, what kind of scene would that create?
"I'll go burn him," Qian Renxue said.
"This has nothing to do with you; it's her private matter," Xuan Ming said helplessly.