"Bibi Dong! Why has my disciple become like this?!"
Seeing the drastic change in Ma Hongjun's appearance, Yu Xiaogang almost lost his mind, pointing a trembling finger at Bibi Dong and demanding answers.
Before, Ma Hongjun was just an unremarkable, chubby boy. But now he had become strikingly androgynous; with a little dressing up, he could easily pass for a woman.
Faced with the rebuke, Bibi Dong frowned slightly, but unusually, she didn't get angry. She just silently looked at the Chrysanthemum Douluo beside her.
Seeing the Pope's scrutinizing gaze, the Chrysanthemum Douluo thought to himself, 'What the hell?'
He had offered up such a precious treasure, and not only did he receive no benefit, but now he was being made to take the blame for the unexpected outcome!
If she treated everyone equally, that would be one thing. But this woman was so biased towards her old lover, wholeheartedly prioritizing Yu Xiaogang's feelings over her loyal subordinate's dignity.
This wasn't just unfair; she didn't treat him like a human being at all!
After a moment, the Chrysanthemum Douluo suppressed his displeasure and explained, "Your Holiness, this herb contains a trace of Phoenix Rebirth power. Generally speaking, the stronger the Yang energy of the user, the better the absorption effect. If the Yin energy is stronger than the Yang energy... unpredictable consequences will occur."
Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's expression changed drastically. An image instantly flashed in his mind, causing his body to tremble slightly.
Clearly, after Ma Hongjun was crippled, his Yang energy was severely depleted. This resulted in a deficiency of Yang and an excess of Yin, the consequence of which was the manifestation of female characteristics.
Thinking of this, Yu Xiaogang was furious, glaring at the Chrysanthemum Douluo. "Then why didn't you say so earlier?!"
"You didn't ask."
The Chrysanthemum Douluo spread his hands, his eyes calm and even revealing a hint of schadenfreude.
If it weren't for the Pope's direct order, he wouldn't have bothered with this kind of trash at all, let alone ruin a treasure he had cherished for many years.
"Pfft!"
Yu Xiaogang was so angry that he spat out a mouthful of blood, collapsing weakly to the floor.
Seeing this, a hint of pity flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes. She wanted to inquire about his condition, but due to her status as Pope, she could only rebuke the Chrysanthemum Douluo, saying, "Yue Guan, this time you failed in your duties."
"Your Holiness, I have always followed your orders and dared not be negligent in the slightest."
The Chrysanthemum Douluo paused, then changed his tone, asking with a hint of resentment, "Why would you bother with something as worthless as Yu Xiaogang?"
"Insolence! I am the Pope!"
Bibi Dong slammed her scepter down forcefully and shouted angrily.
When the Chrysanthemum Douluo insulted Yu Xiaogang as worthless, a murderous thought rose in her heart, completely overshadowing the years of hard work Yue Guan had dedicated to her.
At the same time, the Chrysanthemum Douluo's unusual behavior aroused her suspicion.
In the past, Yue Guan would never have dared to disobey her in the slightest, but now he dared to question her decisions openly.
Seeing Bibi Dong's furious anger over Yu Xiaogang, the Chrysanthemum Douluo was first taken aback, then a bitter smile appeared on his lips, his heart filled with extreme resentment.
'As Lin Mu said, Bibi Dong is indeed not worthy of my loyalty.'
But when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. He suppressed his bitterness and bowed to Yu Xiaogang, saying, "Grandmaster, this was my oversight. I apologize."
"What's the use of an apology now that things have come to this?"
Yu Xiaogang sneered. Now that he had Bibi Dong's support, he was acting like a fox borrowing the tiger's might.
At this moment, Ma Hongjun had already stood up from the ground. He quickly noticed the change in his body and hurriedly looked up at Yu Xiaogang, asking, "Teacher, what happened to me?"
Although he lacked certain physical attributes now, he still considered himself a man. How could he accept becoming like the Chrysanthemum Douluo, or even worse?
If he still had his manhood, he wouldn't mind becoming like this. After all, his appearance would be greatly improved. With a little makeup, he could be a handsome, effeminate type, and he could pick up girls just like Dai Mubai used to.
But he lacked the most crucial component. Even if he could attract female Soul Masters, it would be like a skilled chef with no ingredients.
"Hongjun, it's all my fault. I didn't investigate the effects of the herbs properly."
Yu Xiaogang sighed, then forced a tone of encouragement. "However, the change in appearance is not important. Your martial soul has undergone another transformation, and your Soul Power has also increased significantly."
Hearing this, Ma Hongjun barely managed to calm himself down. Although there had been a small mishap, the main goal had indeed been achieved.
Now, his martial soul not only regained the Phoenix Flame but was also unaffected by the Evil Fire, making him a true Fire Phoenix.
According to his teacher, becoming a true Fire Phoenix Soul Master would grant him the chance to receive divine inheritance.
With divine help, he was sure to recover completely.
After a period of self-hypnosis, he finally rallied his spirits and said earnestly, "Teacher, you've done so much for me; this isn't your fault."
"Hongjun, it's good that you've thought this through."
Yu Xiaogang felt a surge of emotion. Even after such an accident, Ma Hongjun's respect for his teacher was truly admirable; he was the perfect disciple in Yu Xiaogang's eyes.
As a teacher, he had to avenge his disciple.
However, since the Chrysanthemum Douluo was an elder of Spirit Hall and they had just joined, it was best not to antagonize him further.
While he couldn't do anything to the Chrysanthemum Douluo, he could persuade Bibi Dong to take action against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Bibi Dong, I have another matter I'd like to ask for your help with."
"What is it?"
"Ning Fengzhi and the Sword Douluo severely injured my disciple, and I swear I will avenge him."
Yu Xiaogang's eyes were bloodshot, his breathing labored, and he roared furiously, "As long as you help me destroy the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I will obey you from now on."
Hearing this, a flicker of interest flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes. Destroying the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was, after all, part of her plan.
If she could use this to control Yu Xiaogang, it would be killing two birds with one stone.
"I can agree to this. But the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is one of the Upper Three Sects, and we need to proceed cautiously."
At this point, Bibi Dong seemed worried that Yu Xiaogang might be dissatisfied, and added, "Before that, Yue Guan, you and Gui Mei will accompany Elder Yu to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to assess the situation."
Hearing this, the Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes were filled with disbelief.
'What a joke!'
He, a dignified Elder of Spirit Hall, was being asked to protect a piece of trash who wasn't even a proper Soul Master, and with two Titled Douluos as bodyguards at that.
Although he was extremely unwilling, he dared not disobey Bibi Dong's orders.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Royal Fighting Team Training Ground.
Everyone had just finished a day's training. Tang San was on his way back to his dormitory to cultivate when he suddenly noticed Xiao Wu with her head down, looking preoccupied.
"Xiao Wu, what's wrong?"
"Brother... Lin Mu... your master said he wanted to hunt down a hundred-thousand-year soul beast. Will he try to take Da Ming's ring?" Xiao Wu looked up at Tang San, her voice filled with worry.
Hearing this, Tang San's expression faltered slightly. No one could resist the temptation of a hundred-thousand-year soul ring, not even him.
Seeing that Tang San didn't reply immediately, Xiao Wu's heart grew even heavier.
Er Ming had already died at Lin Mu's hands; if Da Ming also died, she would have no family left in this world.
At this moment, Tang San stopped, gently patted Xiao Wu's head, and said earnestly, "Xiao Wu, didn't Master say that if there's a way in the future, he will naturally revive your brother?"
Even if Master didn't intend to harm Da Ming right now, he would likely need a ring in the future. After all, hundred-thousand-year soul beasts were a limited resource.
"Brother, Da Ming is my only family left. Please persuade your master not to kill him?" Xiao Wu gripped Tang San's hand tightly, almost pleading.
However, Tang San hesitated only for a moment before shaking his head. "Xiao Wu, a soul beast is a soul beast. You should sever all ties with your past."
"Brother... you've never considered the feelings of soul beasts!"