Qian Renxue didn't respond, only pursed her lips and turned to stride quickly toward the door.
But just as her hand was about to touch the latch, her footsteps abruptly halted.
The next moment, as if having made some firm resolution, she swiftly turned around and walked a few steps to stand before Su Yu.
Before he could react, her cool fingertips gently cupped his cheeks, carrying a barely perceptible tremble.
A soft sensation brushed against his cheek—like a feather's touch, or a snowflake landing, gone in an instant.
Qian Renxue abruptly released her hands, her face flushed as if about to bleed, her eyes darting away, too embarrassed to meet his gaze. Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum, yet tinged with urgency:
"Th-This is your reward! I... I'm leaving first!"
Before the words faded, she had already turned and dashed out the door like a startled bird, her skirt sweeping the ground, leaving behind a flustered rustle of wind.
Su Yu stood frozen in place, his hand still resting on the cheek she had touched, his fingertips seemingly retaining her lingering warmth.
"What a tsundere little pup!"
Su Yu touched his own face and headed toward the adjacent room.
Two more days passed, and Chrysanthemum Douluo successfully helped Poison Douluo's family neutralize the toxins.
Only Dugu Yan's case was somewhat troublesome. She was still too young, so her detoxification would have to wait until she grew older.
However, Chrysanthemum Douluo had also prepared some potions to suppress the toxins within her. As long as she took them regularly, the toxins wouldn't pose a problem.
With matters here resolved, the two of them brought Dugu Bo's family along and returned to the Martial Soul Holy City.
Inside the Papal Hall—
A guard in light armor entered, knelt on one knee, and reported to Bi Bidong:
"Your Holiness the Pope! Chrysanthemum Douluo and His Highness Su Yu request an audience outside the hall!"
"Let them in!"
"Yes, Your Holiness the Pope!"
Su Yu, Dugu Bo, and Yue Guan entered together.
"Teacher! I have fulfilled my mission and successfully persuaded His Eminence Poison Douluo to join our Spirit Hall!"
Bi Bidong glanced at Dugu Bo below, a flicker of delight in her eyes.
She hadn't expected Xiao Yu to actually bring Dugu Bo over.
"Well done!"
Then, Bi Bidong shifted her gaze to Dugu Bo beside him.
"Welcome, Poison Douluo, to our Spirit Hall!"
"Your Holiness the Pope! Should you have any needs in the future, I, Dugu Bo, will not refuse!"
"Excellent, Poison Douluo. From now on, you shall hold an honored position in my Papal Hall!"
"If I recall correctly, your granddaughter Dugu Yan is nearly of age to enroll in school. I will personally arrange for her to study at the Martial Soul Academy!"
"Thank you, Your Holiness the Pope!"
After arranging accommodations for Dugu Bo, Bi Bidong instructed Yue Guan to take Dugu Bo to his residence first.
Once the two had left, Bi Bidong turned her attention to Su Yu.
She had noticed something off about Su Yu's aura from the moment he entered.
"Xiao Yu, you... have you broken through?"
She clearly sensed that the aura around Su Yu had changed. Had he really advanced to Soul Elder in just these few days?
Before the words fully left her mouth, Bi Bidong had already descended from her throne, her dark Pope's Robe sweeping the floor, stirring a faint current of air.
She walked up to Su Yu, reached out, and gently grasped his wrist, sending a soft yet refined stream of Soul Power quietly into his body.
The Soul Power circulated once through Su Yu's meridians, and everywhere it passed, it sensed a steady and solid flow of Soul Power.
There was not the slightest sense of instability that often accompanies breakthroughs achieved through unorthodox means; his foundation was unbelievably solid.
"Xiao Yu, tell your teacher the truth—how exactly did your Soul Power break through?"
"Teacher... blah blah... mumble mumble... and that's how it happened!"
"So, Dugu Bo took out his treasured herbs to thank you all?"
"Yes, Teacher. That Old Poison didn't even recognize them—he had so many precious herbs just stored away!"
"Only Uncle Guan and I knew what they were, so these herbs didn't go to waste!"
"So, Dugu Bo really took out his treasured herbs?"
Bi Bidong pressed, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
"Exactly!"
Su Yu's eyes lit up, his tone growing more excited.
"That Old Poison didn't even recognize most of them himself—all those precious herbs were just gathering dust!"
"Only Uncle Guan and I knew their value."
Su Yu said, a flash of pride in his eyes before adding,
"Teacher, I also brought back an herb that's perfect for you!"
Before the words faded, he retrieved a gleaming white jade box from his Soul Guidance Device, presenting it to Bi Bidong with both hands.
Bi Bidong looked at the exquisite jade box, a flicker of delight quickly passing through her eyes as she reached out to take it.
Her fingertips touched the lid, feeling a slight coolness.
She gently opened the box, and a peculiar herb came into view.
The herb was extraordinarily strange: one half was pitch black as ink, utterly devoid of luster, as if soaked in deepest night. A single touch sent a bone-chilling cold spreading through the skin.
The other half was snow-white, warm and smooth with a faint glow, like condensed pure moonlight. Where it was touched, a gentle warmth slowly flowed.
The black and white halves were distinctly separate on the same plant, yet miraculously coexisted.
It appeared somewhat eerie but also held an indescribable harmony, making it unforgettable.
"What is this?"
Bi Bidong's voice carried a note of surprise. She had seen countless exotic flowers and rare herbs, but never anything so peculiar.
"Teacher, this is the Yin Yang Twin Birth Herb."
Su Yu explained, unable to hide his excitement.
"Look at the black and white colors—they represent the two extreme forces of yin and yang. It's an extremely rare Immortal Herb."
"The conditions for consuming this herb are extremely strict. Only those with Twin Spirits can withstand its medicinal power."
"After consumption, the yin and yang forces will act on the two Martial Souls separately, greatly promoting the evolution of the Twin Spirits."
"Not only that!" Su Yu continued.
"It also strengthens the foundation, nourishes the bones and muscles, and greatly benefits your Soul Power foundation."
Bi Bidong gazed at the Yin Yang Twin Birth Herb in the box, light swirling in her purple eyes.
She naturally understood the value of this Immortal Herb, especially for her, as a possessor of Twin Spirits—it seemed tailor-made.
She slowly looked up, meeting the expectant gaze of Su Yu before her, a warm feeling rising in her heart.
Bi Bidong reached out and gently drew Su Yu into an embrace.
The fabric of the Pope's Robe felt slightly cool, but it couldn't conceal the rare softness within.
Her voice was very soft, carrying a trace of barely perceptible tenderness:
"Thank you, Xiao Yu."
Su Yu, caught in her embrace, was momentarily stunned before raising his arms to gently hug her back.
"Master, quickly absorb this Immortal Herb! I'll stand guard for you. I believe it will definitely allow your Martial Soul to evolve!"
"Alright!"
Bi Bidong led Su Yu to the back of the hall.
Although Bi Bidong had told both him and Hu Liena that she possessed Twin Spirits, she had never revealed her Martial Soul in front of either of them.
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