Chapter 35: The Immortal Herbs
Inside the Pope's Hall council chamber, Bibi Dong was, as always, occupied with Spirit Hall's endless affairs.
Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from outside.
Ruo Ling walked in with confident strides.
Bibi Dong looked up, surprise flickering in her eyes.
Ever since she had refused his request to go on a training journey, she knew he hadn't given up. She had even instructed Ghost Douluo to keep an eye on him to prevent any solo escape attempts.
"Teacher." Ruo Ling greeted her with a smile, sitting casually at her side.
"What now? You want to go out and train again?" Bibi Dong said, glancing at him impatiently.
"Yes, Teacher. I've reached level 29 now. At my current level, sparring with Senior Sister and the others no longer helps me improve much," Ruo Ling replied with a calm smile.
Such words sounded arrogant coming from a Grand Soul Master, yet they were undeniably true.
"If those three can't satisfy your needs, I can assign a few bishops to spar with you," Bibi Dong said, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Ruo Ling's mouth twitched helplessly. He had long since grown accustomed to her unyielding nature.
After a moment of silence, he decided to voice his real reason for coming.
"Alright, Teacher, if I can't go out, then I'd like to ask for your help with something else."
"Oh?" Bibi Dong looked at him curiously.
"I want the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Split Mind Control Technique," Ruo Ling said seriously.
Bibi Dong froze, needing a moment to process his words.
"You mean that Split Mind Control Technique—of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?"
"Yes." Ruo Ling nodded. "Teacher, you're aware of my Crow Shadow Puppet martial spirit."
"My first ring skill, Dark Weave, lets me control the dark threads to make the puppet fight."
"That requires precise multi-target concentration. The Split Mind Control technique would help immensely."
Bibi Dong frowned, sinking into thought.
She knew of that ability—it was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's most secret art, passed only within the clan. Acquiring it would be nearly impossible, especially given Spirit Hall's strained relations with the Upper Three Sects.
It was difficult. This was only the second personal favor Ruo Ling had ever asked since becoming her disciple.
The first had been for permission to leave and train, which she had firmly denied.
Now came this second request—and again, she found herself unable to grant it.
Over the years, Ruo Ling had repeatedly helped suppress the Rakshasa God's dark thoughts within her. Her dependency on him had grown immeasurably.
She didn't just fear for his safety if he left; she also did not wish to be separated from him.
"Teacher," Ruo Ling said with a mischievous smile, "surely you can grant at least one of my requests?"
In the past two years, he had used Soul Threads multiple times to help her purge the Rakshasa's corrupt influence, which required their spirits to intertwine.
Once or twice would have been harmless, but now their souls were intimately connected.
Bibi Dong had even moved into the room next to his. They ate together, discussed theories often—and Ruo Ling was well aware that in her heart, she saw him as someone even closer than family.
Even if he acted out of line, she wouldn't bear to hurt him.
Looking at him now, so confident and unafraid, Bibi Dong felt both angry and helpless.
"Xiao Ling," she sighed softly, "you know I only forbid you from leaving because I don't want you harmed."
"As for the Split Mind Control Technique, that's an unshared secret of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—and the three great sects are hardly friendly with us right now…"
She trailed off, wearing an uncharacteristically troubled expression.
Seeing the mighty Pope look so frustrated was a rare sight—one that stunned Ruo Ling.
For a moment, even his disciplined mind wavered. She truly looked…endearing.
Steeling himself, he forced his composure back.
"Xiao Ling, why don't you ask for something else instead?" Bibi Dong said gently.
Ruo Ling sighed. He was left with no choice but to play his trump card.
"Teacher… have you ever thought about recruiting the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?" he asked seriously.
"Recruiting them?" Bibi Dong was momentarily taken aback before shaking her head. "You don't understand. The Upper Three Sects have always been united—they all oppose us."
"United?" Ruo Ling smirked. "Then tell me, Teacher—when we destroyed the Clear Sky Clan, why did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan not lift a finger?"
Bibi Dong fell silent.
"Teacher, there are no eternal friends—only eternal interests," Ruo Ling continued.
"But what could we offer them worth their allegiance?" she asked, frowning. "The Seven Treasure Clan is the wealthiest sect on the continent. They are rich beyond measure—even Spirit Hall cannot compare in fortune."
"You're right," Ruo Ling agreed readily, then smiled slyly. "We can't match their riches, but we can offer them something far more valuable."
"And what would that be?" Bibi Dong asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Teacher," Ruo Ling said softly, "you know of the immortal herbs, don't you?"
"What do the immortal herbs have to do with this?" Bibi Dong asked, puzzled.
"I know of a place filled with them," he replied. "Among them, one can evolve the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda into the Nine-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda."
The instant Ruo Ling's words left his lips, Bibi Dong's pupils contracted sharply.
He smiled faintly, pleased to see her stunned reaction.
With their bond as close as it was now, there was no longer any need to keep such secrets from her.
If Spirit Hall obtained the immortal herbs and swayed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to their side, both the Hall and Ruo Ling would gain tremendous power—while severing Tang San's future alliance with that clan.
"Do you realize what you're saying?" Bibi Dong asked, her voice calm but her eyes blazing.
"I do," Ruo Ling answered steadily.
"Where are these immortal herbs located?"
"In the Sunset Forest."
Bibi Dong gazed at him deeply. The certainty in his tone made her start to believe. Still, she couldn't help asking, "And how do you know they're there?"
"I read about it in a book. The descriptions were vivid—and even if I'm wrong, we can check to be sure," Ruo Ling replied coolly.
Bibi Dong's sharp eyes lingered on him. The longer she spent with him, the more she realized he hid countless secrets—but she wouldn't pry.
"Very well," she said at last. "If you insist there are immortal herbs, we'll go see for ourselves."
Straightening her back, she nodded decisively.
"Tomorrow, I'll bring Elder Ju with us. But if we find nothing…"
Her tone trailed into a cold hum, and the dangerous gleam in her eyes made Ruo Ling smile awkwardly, pretending not to notice.
(END CHAPTER)
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