Xiao Gang Would Have to Suffer for Now

Before long, Yu Xiaogang was "happily" helped away from the Pope Palace by Brother Jie and the others.

Qian Xunji called Bibi Dong over, looked at Bibi Dong, and smiled gently:

"Dong'er, you've worked so hard lately organizing the Continental Theory Competition. I'm very pleased to have entrusted you with such a heavy responsibility."

After a round of pleasantries and compliments, Bibi Dong lowered her eyes and spoke in a flat tone:

"Serving the Spirit Hall is my duty, Master. You flatter me."

But in her heart, alarm bells had already been ringing.

'That Qian Xunji, he almost drove me crazy these past few days! He dumps everything on me, you really deserve to die!'

'I haven't even had time to see Xiao Gang, and I have no idea how those four guys have tortured him. With Liu Erlong around, they should be able to handle things a bit, right?'

'The way he's being so overly attentive now, he's definitely up to no good again.'

As expected, Qian Xunji sighed softly:

"I have summoned you here today because I have important matters to discuss with you. The Spirit Hall is preparing to launch an expedition against Sea God Island, the very island I discussed with you last time."

"Just now Xiao Gang Grandwet, with his profound understanding of righteousness, volunteered to serve as the vanguard envoy, vowing to use his invincible theories to persuade them to surrender through intellectual debate and to enhance the prestige of our mainland."

At first, Bibi Dong was secretly pleased when she heard that they were going to attack Sea God Island, but she suddenly became anxious when she heard what happened next.

"Teacher, you mustn't! My Xiao Gang Soul Power is too weak; how can I go to Sea God Island?"

Qian Xunji's smile gradually faded, and his gaze shifted slightly:

"This is an excellent opportunity for Xiao Gang Grandwet to prove his great theory to the entire continent, even better than becoming famous in a theory competition."

"Dongzi! You're doing everything you can to stop me. Don't tell me you don't want Xiao Gang Grandwet to prove himself? Something's not right with you."

The heavy accusation was slapped on Bibi Dong's throat, silencing her completely. She didn't even realize that Qian Xunji had changed how he addressed her.

She had personally experienced the terror of Sea God Island in her previous life. If she let Xiao Gang go to sea alone with the mission, would he still be alive?

Bibi Dong suppressed her anger and bowed to request permission:

"This disciple meant no offense. Since Xiao Gang has made up her mind, as the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, this disciple is willing to accompany the advance delegation to sea and uphold the prestige of our Spirit Hall!"

Qian Xunji's lips curved slightly, revealing a gentle smile:

"I am very pleased that Dong'er has such a kind intention. However, sending someone out to sea first is extremely dangerous. I have watched you grow up, and I am still uneasy about it."

Qian Xunji paused, then continued:

"Alright then, to ensure that Xiao Gang Grandwet also has combat capabilities, I will invite his two friends, Liu Erlong and Flender, along with his four confidants. I believe Xiao Gang Grandwet will definitely achieve great things with them."

These words made Bibi Dong's heart sink.

Liu Erlong is one thing, at least she's on the same front against Brother Jie and his group of four. Flender, that sycophant, is dispensable. But Brother Jie and his group...

"No..."

Before Bibi Dong finish speaking, Qian Xunji said unhappily:

"What, do you want something to happen to Xiao Gang? They have Trinity Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Brother Jie and the others' theories can also help Xiao Gang. Dong'er, you don't want anything to happen to Xiao Gang on Sea God Island, do you?"

You don't want to either!

Who invented those damned four words?!

Bibi Dong felt a surge of impotent rage.

She was filled with pent-up frustration with nowhere to vent it, and in the end, she could only lower her head helplessly and reply:

"... Disciple obeys."

Go ahead, and prepare early.

As the sun sets, it paints the surging sea with a dark red glow.

A ship named the Radiant Sacred Dragon after Yu Xiaogang's evolved Martial Soul, in order to show off its high-class status, was already cutting through the waves on the sea.

On the deck, Liu Erlong leaned against the railing alone, letting the sea breeze tousle her hair. Her eyes were sunken, and her gaze was filled with an undisguised daze.

That scene at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was etched in her heart day and night.

At that time, Yu Xiaogang begged her for help, but she gave in to Brother Jie's words, "You wouldn't want your husband to have no theories to study, would you?" and became an incompetent wife.

This self-blame tormented her, keeping her awake all night. She hated the four inseparable scholars, and even more so, she hated her cowardly act of backing down at the last minute.

During these days, she simply couldn't face Yu Xiaogang.

A series of light footsteps approached from afar, and Flender approached with a cautious, ingratiating smile on his face.

"Sister Erlong, you've been standing here in the wind for so long, you might catch a cold, or..."

Liu Erlong was already annoyed, and seeing Flender's obsequious, long face, her pent-up anger finally found an outlet.

"Give me..."

Her eyes reddened, and she wanted to point at Flender and scold him sternly, but in the end she couldn't help but think of their past friendship.

"Boss Fu, can you leave me alone?"

Flender's heart was filled with bitterness and sorrow once again. He was ultimately just a sycophant who couldn't get a house, and could only obediently retreat.

Bibi Dong, watching all of this from the upper terrace, remained indifferent.

Seeing Liu Erlong's incompetent appearance, Bibi Dong felt a deep sense of mockery.

A weak and incompetent woman is utterly useless except for taking her anger out on her backup options.

But Bibi Dong also harbored a burning anger within her. As Brother Xiaogang's loyal sycophant, she could not tolerate the four scholars continuing to act recklessly under her nose.

Bibi Dong headed straight for the discussion room that had been specially set up on the warship.

Unexpectedly, I ran into Brother Jie.

Bibi Dong stopped him in an icy tone. "Stop."

Upon hearing this, Brother Jie stopped and grinned, "Oh, Your Majesty, you seem to be in high spirits, coming to inspect the sea view as well?"

Bibi Dong stared directly at Brother Jie:

"Stop grinning at me. You've been detaining Xiao Gang day and night, trying to sow discord between us. I seriously suspect you have ulterior motives. Leave him immediately, or don't blame me for being impolite."

Her Soul Emperor aura spread out, causing the wooden walls on both sides of the corridor to tremble slightly.

Brother Jie released his Soul Power to resist the oppressive force, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm:

"Saintess Hall Highness, you are quite imposing. Xiao Gang is a close friend of ours, so how could you say he harbors any ulterior motives?"

Bibi Dong had no intention of arguing with him. She did not release her Martial Soul, but merely released a small amount of Soul Power from her palm, extending a sharp palm wind, intending to forcibly capture him.

Brother Jie is not weak either. As a Soul King, although he has no chance of winning against Bibi Dong, he can still put up a fight.

He stumbled as he sidestepped.

"Clatter."

With a crisp thud, an object slid off the robe and rolled to Bibi Dong's feet.

Brother Jie feigned annoyance and exclaimed, "Oh no! My theory presentation slides!"

Brother Jie gave Bibi Dong a deep look, but showed no intention of picking it up, and quickly retreated to the discussion cabin.

Bibi Dong frowned slightly, bent down and picked up the Image Recording Stone. Her intuition told her that this Image Recording Stone was not simple.

She quickly returned to her cabin, closed the door tightly, and raised her hand to create a soundproof barrier.

With a mix of surprise and unease, she slowly channeled her Soul Power into it.

The light screen spread out in the cabin, and the projected image drained most of the color from her face.

Inside the light screen was a blank room she had never seen before. Yu Xiaogang was bound hand and foot to a wooden chair and surrounded by four scholars.

Brother Jie's slow, leisurely voice came out:

"Xiao Gang, what is 1000 minus 7?"

Immediately following was Yu Xiaogang's trembling voice:

"9...993..."

Brother Billy shouted in a deep voice:

"Too slow! Subtract another 7!"

Yu Xiaogang was almost choked with sobs:

"9...986! Don't rush me, this Grandwet is calculating!"

The sound of Brother Wei followed one after another:

"Such a slow and drawn-out calculation clearly indicates slow thinking. A-Jiao, bring me the textbook. If you can't answer this, we'll have to punish you by making you memorize aerodynamics."

With a soft sound, Brother Billy took out a round theoretical "scroll," shook it rapidly in his hand, and immediately produced a low buzzing sound.

Buzz--Buzz--Buzz--

Yu Xiaogang exclaimed in terror, "No, I don't want to memorize! That's not my forte! My forte is Martial Soul Theory!"

Image Recording Stone Brother Jie, seemingly having anticipated that Bibi Dong would see it, suddenly raised his voice a few decibels and said to Yu Xiaogang:

"Xiao Gang, our journey to Sea God Island Sea God Island is extremely dangerous. What if something goes wrong on the way, or we suddenly die unexpectedly..."

"Oh dear, the Douluo Continent won't just have all sorts of theoretical research Image Recording Stone appearing; it might also have--"

"Records of the Aerodynamic Theory Research by Xiao Gang Grandwet"

"The Truth About Theoretical Circles: The Unspoken Secrets of Lone Bamboo and the Grandwet"

"These kinds of picture books and story collections will spread throughout the entire continent overnight, and everyone will have a copy."

Bibi Dong, staring at the image on the Image Recording Stone, was shocked. Brother Jie had never intended to tell Xiao Gang these words; he had clearly planned to say them to her on purpose.

This Image Recording Stone was also recorded before he set off.

This is a blatant threat.

If anything happens to any of the four of them, Yu Xiaogang's research theories will spread throughout the entire Douluo Continent.

Bibi Dong's eyes were bloodshot, and she was panting heavily. Her hands were pressed on the table, and the tabletop cracked under the crushing weight of her Soul Power.

She wished she could immediately use the deadly venom of the Death Spider Emperor to poison all four of Brother Jie Xiao Gang, and then make them feed to the Sea Soul Beast.

Anger surged in her chest, but under the suppression of her composure honed from decades as Pope in her previous life, Bibi Dong's frantic thoughts gradually cooled down.

Since Brother Jie dared to give her the Image Recording Stone, it means that they definitely don't only have one of these Image Recording Stone that can ruin Xiao Gang's reputation.

If they lose their composure now, and Brother Jie and the others truly refuse to yield even to the death, Xiao Gang's reputation will be ruined.

She could only wait for the right opportunity, an opportunity to capture all four of them at once. Until then, she could only...

First, let's make things difficult for the Xiao Gang...