Seeing this scene, outside the Heavenly Screen, Yu Xiaogang's heart was out of balance to the extreme.
Previously, he could still deceive himself by saying that Qian Xunji's valuation of Su Chen was merely temporary exploitation.
Saying things like the Pope's Token and the Holy Son's position were all just pie in the sky.
As for letting Bibi Dong get close to Su Chen, it was just to trap the other party, and it was simply impossible to truly let Su Chen and Bibi Dong be together.
But now, Qian Xunji in the Heavenly Screen had personally uttered those words.
For a moment, a myriad of feelings surged in Yu Xiaogang's heart, staring fixedly at the Heavenly Screen with eyes full of resentment and unwillingness.
"Why?"
"Why was it beatings, scoldings, and a direct drive away when it came to me back then!"
"And now, for this Su Chen, you are actually willing to marry off Bibi Dong!"
"Qian Xunji, you blind old thing!"
"If you had been willing to treat me well back then, how would I have turned into this state today, and how would I have become a laughingstock to the world!"
Inside the Pope's Palace.
Looking at the picture in the Heavenly Screen, Bibi Dong also wore a face full of disbelief.
In her cognition, Qian Xunji should have been coveting her all along.
If not for this, why would he have driven away Xiaogang back then and done such beastly things!
Yet right now, Qian Xunji in the Heavenly Screen seemed to have completely changed into a different person.
Not only did he not stop it, but he instead took the initiative to bring up an engagement.
"That's not right..."
"This simply isn't him..."
Bibi Dong gritted her teeth, a cold light flashing in her eyes.
"How could that beast possibly have such a thought!"
Inside the Hall of Enshrinement.
Qian Daoliu stood with his hands behind his back, quietly watching the Heavenly Screen.
After a long while, he softly sighed.
"If this Su Chen were in our world, that would be great."
"Perhaps many things would not have turned into the way they are today."
Inside the Crown Prince's Residence.
Qian Renxue looked at the Heavenly Screen, her expression growing increasingly strange.
The corner of her mouth couldn't help twitching slightly, murmuring in a low voice:
"How come just watching a Heavenly Screen..."
"And Father has married Mother off!"
"What kind of matter is this!"
[Hearing that her teacher was actually going to arrange an engagement between her and Su Chen, Bibi Dong was too excited to speak.]
[Immediately afterward, she hurriedly looked at Su Chen beside her, her eyes filled with unconcealed surprise and anticipation.]
[On the other hand, Su Chen frowned slightly.]
[In an instant, many thoughts flashed through his mind.]
[If he agreed.]
[The relationship between him and Spirit Hall would indeed become more stable.]
[In the future, whether it was mobilizing resources or checking higher-level secrets, it would be much more convenient.]
[Yet similarly, once the engagement was set, it would also be equivalent to him being completely tied to Spirit Hall.]
[By then, every move he made would be subject to more restrictions.]
[And this was clearly not what Su Chen wanted.]
[For the sake of research and becoming stronger, he was destined to travel the continent in the future.]
[Thinking of this, Su Chen already had a decision in his heart.]
[However, considering that Bibi Dong's Twin Martial Souls had great significance to his research.]
[If he refused too bluntly, causing Bibi Dong to be saddened or even create a rift in her heart, the loss would outweigh the gain.]
[Therefore, Su Chen cupped his hands and, with a trace of apology, tactfully refused.]
["Thank you for the Pope's kind intentions."]
["It's just that my heart is currently entirely focused on research and cultivation, and I'm afraid I won't get married for at least over a decade from now."]
["Dong'er possesses supreme talent and a noble status."]
["I really don't want to delay her for nothing."]
["So for this matter, I ask the Pope to take back the order."]
[Hearing these words, the smile on Bibi Dong's face instantly stiffened.]
[She clearly hadn't expected that Su Chen would actually refuse.]
[The next moment, almost without thinking, she hurriedly spoke out.]
["I don't care!"]
["Really, I don't care at all!"]
["I am willing to wait."]
["How ever long it takes is fine!"]
[Speaking to the end, Bibi Dong looked at Su Chen, her eyes even carrying a trace of panic.]
[She was very afraid.]
[What she feared wasn't that Su Chen wouldn't get engaged.]
[Rather, it was that Su Chen had never liked her at all.]
[Su Chen looked at Bibi Dong's appearance, fell silent for a moment, and then slowly spoke.]
["You don't care, but I cannot not care."]
["My future path is destined not to stay in Spirit City all the time."]
["In the future, I will definitely go to all parts of the continent to search for methods to cultivation further."]
["For this process, even I cannot be sure how long it will take."]
["One year, three years, five years, or even longer, are all possible."]
["If an engagement is settled beforehand under such circumstances, it is unfair to you."]
[Hearing this, the light in Bibi Dong's eyes dimmed bit by bit.]
[Yet at this moment, Su Chen spoke once more.]
["However."]
["If in the future, both of us step into the Title Douluo realm."]
["By then, if you are still willing."]
["I will marry you."]
[As his voice fell, the entire grand hall fell silent for an instant.]
[Bibi Dong's pupils, which had originally dimmed, lit up again almost instantly.]
[She stared blankly at Su Chen, the loss on her face swept away, replaced by an irrepressible joy.]
["Alright!"]
["This is what you said yourself, you are not allowed to go back on your word!"]
[At this moment, Bibi Dong looked at Su Chen, the joy in her eyes almost overflowing.]
[And Qian Xunji on the main seat narrowed his eyes slightly.]
[As a bystander, he saw things clearly.]
[Su Chen's words were merely an excuse.]
[Because he understood from beginning to end that Su Chen was a person who wouldn't care about romantic attachments; the reason he mentioned getting engaged just now was merely to test the waters.]
[Now it seemed just as he had thought.]
[Thinking of this, Qian Xunji didn't have a very good method either; for a person like Su Chen, the harder he was pushed, the more counterproductive it would be.]
[In the end, Qian Xunji only sighed softly.]
["So be it."]
["This matter, let it rest for now."]
["We'll talk about it later."]
[Hearing this, although Bibi Dong felt a bit regretful, having Su Chen's promise just now made her already very satisfied.]
[However, right at this moment.]
[Su Chen suddenly cupped his hands once more.]
["Pope, I have another favor to ask."]
[Qian Xunji raised his eyes to look at him.]
["Speak."]
[Su Chen calmly spoke.]
["I want to go out for experiential training."]
[As soon as these words came out, the smile on Bibi Dong's face instantly stagnated.]
[Qian Xunji's gaze also deepened by a few fractions instantly.]
[Su Chen, as if he didn't see the two people's reactions, continued to speak.]
["During these days, I have already read quite a few ancient texts inside Spirit Hall."]
["My theories have also had no small development, but if I blindly stay in Spirit City, it is ultimately still not enough."]
["Wanting to continue perfecting the cultivation methods, I still need to personally go and see more Soul Beasts and more Spirit Masters."]
["Only by doing so can I completely perfect all theories."]
[Hearing these words, Qian Xunji did not immediately agree.]
[While Bibi Dong subconsciously clenched her sleeves tightly.]
Inside the main hall, silence fell for a moment.
Qian Xunji watched Su Chen, his fingers slowly tapping on the armrest, but his eyes grew increasingly profound.
He admitted that Su Chen's reason for leaving was indeed very sufficient.
But the problem was, Su Chen's talent was simply too high.
So high that he could not help but feel wary.
If Su Chen never returned to Spirit Hall after leaving this time.
If Su Chen turned to join other forces.
That would absolutely be a disaster for Spirit Hall.
Thinking of this, a cold killing intent even quietly flashed in the depths of Qian Xunji's eyes.
It was true that he admired Su Chen, but the prerequisite was that Su Chen had to be under his control.
Just then, Bibi Dong, who was on the side, suddenly spoke up.
"Where are you going?"
"Can I go with you?"
She looked at Su Chen, her voice full of anxiety.
She did not want to let Su Chen leave.
And even less did she want to let Su Chen leave alone.
Upon hearing this, Su Chen first glanced at Bibi Dong, then calmly spoke.
"Just going to visit some cities."
"And incidentally, to come into contact with different Spirit Masters, Soul Beasts, Martial Souls, and environments."
"Calling it training is also fine."
"If you want to go, it's naturally not impossible, but..."
Speaking up to this point, Su Chen's voice paused slightly.
Immediately after, he looked at Qian Xunji on the main seat.
The meaning was already clear beyond doubt.
After all, Bibi Dong was the Saintess of Spirit Hall.
If she wanted to leave Spirit City, she naturally needed permission from the Pope, Qian Xunji.
Bibi Dong also immediately understood Su Chen's meaning and hurriedly looked at Qian Xunji.
Her beautiful eyes were full of pleading.
"Teacher, I want to go with Su Chen."
"I promise I won't mess around."
"Moreover, my current Cultivation Realm has already reached Soul Emperor, and I'm just lacking practical experience, so traveling outside might not be a bad thing for me."
Looking at Bibi Dong's appearance, the killing intent that Qian Xunji had secretly harbored slowly dissipated, and he already had a new decision in his heart.
This was just right; with Bibi Dong by his side, even if other forces wanted to win over Su Chen, they would have no way to do so.
And he could also use the name of protecting the Saintess to arrange for experts to follow in secret, thereby keeping an eye on Su Chen.
Thinking of this, Qian Xunji spoke indifferently.
"Very well."
"Since Dong'er wants to go, then go together."
"However, during the time you are out, you must listen to Su Chen's arrangements and not be willful."
Hearing this, a look of surprise instantly appeared in Bibi Dong's eyes.
"Thank you, Teacher!"
Su Chen also slightly cupped his hands.
"Many thanks to the Pope for fulfilling this."
Qian Xunji nodded.
"Since you have decided to go, then prepare well."
"In addition, you must remember that your own safety is the most important thing."
"If you truly encounter matters that cannot be resolved, return to Spirit Hall immediately."
Bibi Dong immediately nodded in agreement.
Su Chen did not say much more.
That night.
Gui Mei's figure appeared once again before Qian Xunji.
"Pope."
Qian Xunji stood with his hands behind his back and spoke indifferently.
"This time you are out, you will follow in secret."
"While protecting Dong'er, keep a close eye on Su Chen."
"If anyone wants to win him over, transmit the message to me immediately."
"If he shows signs of turning against Spirit Hall..."
Speaking up to this point, Qian Xunji's voice paused for a moment.
The next moment, his tone had already turned cold.
"Do not act first."
"At least, do not act rashly before Dong'er leaves his side."
Gui Mei felt a shiver in his heart, then bowed and accepted the order.
"Yes!"
The next morning.
Su Chen and Bibi Dong left Spirit City.
And in the shadows where no one noticed, Gui Mei's figure also followed silently.
The scene changed.
Time began to pass rapidly.
In the blink of an eye, another half a year had passed.
During these six months.
Su Chen and Bibi Dong had traveled through many places.
Small border cities, bustling large cities.
They also saw many scenes, such as the debauchery at noble banquets.
Children in slums starving to the point of being on the verge of death.
They had seen Spirit Masters high and mighty.
And had seen ordinary people trampled upon like weeds.
Along the way, the naive smile that originally belonged to the young girl on Bibi Dong's face had become less and less frequent.
She had seen many things she had never truly seen before.
But Su Chen did not have many feelings about it.
In these six months, they had also encountered Fallen Soul Masters and evil people more than once.
Some were addicted to killing.
Some trafficked children.
Others specialized in abducting women for the amusement of the powerful and for auction houses.
Facing these people, Su Chen never went soft.
After all, in Su Chen's eyes, these people should accurately be called animals, suitable experimental materials.
Because for these animals, Su Chen never needed to consider whether they could withstand the pain of the experiment.
And in this process, after her initial discomfort, Bibi Dong also gradually became decisive.
She began to understand.
For some people, being alive itself is a sin.
In the blink of an eye.
Outside a desolate small town.
Several corpses lay scattered across the ground.
Blood mixed with rainwater slowly flowed on the ground.
Su Chen half-knelt before the corpse of a Fallen Soul Master, constantly recording something in his hand.
Bibi Dong, who was on the side, quietly stood guard by his side. After a moment, Bibi Dong spoke softly, asking with some curiosity.
"This is already the seventh batch, is it still not enough?"
Su Chen said.
"Just about."
"These people are enough for me to complete the current stage of research."
After saying this, Su Chen slowly stood up and extended his right hand, accompanied by a wave of powerful Soul Power.
Instantly, in front of him, ten Martial Soul Abilities of different colors and forms were activated simultaneously.
Flames, lightning arcs, wind blades, ice spikes, earth walls, vines, light swords, tremors, swamps, black mist.
Seeing this scene, Bibi Dong was completely stunned.
"This, this is the Soul Skill you researched!?"
Su Chen looked down at his palm and nodded slowly.
"It can be considered an initial success."
"I can now use Soul Power to simulate ten different Soul Skill effects and release them simultaneously."
"Although the power is not yet very strong."
"But the direction is not wrong."
These few short sentences.
Caused countless viewers outside the Heavenly Screen to instantly explode into an uproar.
"Huo Wu": Ten different Soul Skill effects? This is too exaggerated!
"Feng Xiaotian": No way, is this guy even human? It took me more than five years just to research a single Storm Devil Wolf Thirty-Six Consecutive Strikes, and this guy actually managed to create so many self-created Martial Soul Abilities in just half a year!
"Ning Fengzhi": Incredible! Ordinary Spirit Masters can only release one Martial Soul each time. Even in our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, with the Heart Separation Control secret technique, we can at most release five Martial Soul Abilities simultaneously. If there were any more, it would inevitably lead to Soul Power disorder, backlash, and meridian explosion.
"Ning Fengzhi": Yet he directly released ten Martial Soul Abilities simultaneously; this method is simply heaven-defying.
"Shui Yue'er": Originally, I wasn't very clear about Su Chen's method of cultivation and didn't understand how it differed from our ordinary Spirit Master cultivation.
"Shui Yue'er": Now I have truly felt it; Su Chen's cultivation system is simply more than a little stronger than our Martial Soul cultivation system.
Inside Shrek Academy, Yu Xiaogang watched the scene on the Heavenly Screen, his face ugly to the extreme.
He clenched his fists tightly, his voice trembling.
"Impossible..."
"This is absolutely impossible..."
"Martial Soul Abilities are not generated out of thin air, but are the product of combining a Soul Beast's innate talents with the characteristics of the Martial Soul. Each Soul Skill corresponds to an instinct or talent the Soul Beast possessed while alive."
"He has no Spirit Ring, how could he release so many Martial Soul Abilities at once!?"
"Fake, this must be fake!"
After all, Su Chen's performance on the Heavenly Screen at this moment perfectly refuted his views on Martial Soul Abilities, which were part of his prized Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls.
How could Yu Xiaogang accept this?
Beside him, Tang San was also completely stunned.
He knew better than anyone else just how heaven-defying the means Su Chen was displaying were.
After all, the reason his combat power ranked only second to Dai Mubai among the seven at Shrek Academy, and could even defeat Dai Mubai when going all out, was due to the techniques from his past life in the Tang Sect.
And those were similar to what Su Chen was displaying now.
Just as the entire world was immersed in shock.
The scene on the Heavenly Screen suddenly changed again.
[Above the wasteland.]
[Dark clouds hung low.]
[The air was thick with the scent of blood.]
[And in front of Su Chen and Bibi Dong stood a tall, ferocious figure.]
[That person exuded overwhelming Baleful Qi.]
[Seven Spirit Rings appeared at his feet.]
[It was a Soul Saint-level Fallen Soul Master!]
["Hahahaha!"]
["Two wet-behind-the-ears brats dare to hunt me down?"]
["Today, I will let you know that the majesty of a Soul Saint cannot be profaned!"]
[As the words fell, the Fallen Soul Master roared at the sky.]
[The next moment, his Martial Soul Avatar was activated directly.]
[Violent Soul Power swept across the surroundings.]
Outside the Heavenly Screen, just seeing that power made many people's scalps tingle.
A Soul Saint.
That was an expert capable of suppressing an entire region.
Once a Spirit Master reaches the Cultivation Realm of a Soul Saint, they undergo a qualitative change and formally enter the ranks of experts, simply because a Soul Saint can activate a Martial Soul Avatar.
Therefore, under normal circumstances, even a level 69 Soul Emperor, even if they exhausted all their strength, could not severely injure or defeat a level 71 Soul Saint.
However, after seeing the scene on the Heavenly Screen, everyone fell into silence.
[Watching the Soul Saint whose aura suddenly erupted before him, Su Chen's expression remained calm.]
[He looked at Bibi Dong and said only two words.]
["Together."]
[Bibi Dong did not hesitate at all.]
["Okay!"]
[The next instant, both of them moved simultaneously.]
[Bibi Dong attacked head-on.]
[A series of Martial Soul Abilities erupted one after another, forcibly holding back the Soul Saint's movements.]
[Meanwhile, Su Chen stood to the side and rear, his hands constantly changing gestures.]
[One.]
[Two.]
[Three.]
[...]
[In just a short moment, thousands of light swords condensed from Soul Power appeared in the air.]
["Go!"]
[Following Su Chen's cold words, those thousands of light swords surged toward the Fallen Soul Master.]
["Ah—!"]
[A shrill scream instantly resounded through the surroundings.]
[The Fallen Soul Master never dreamed that the young man before him would have such powerful attack methods.]
[Although the power of each light sword was only at the level of a Spirit Ancestor, the sheer quantity was overwhelming!]
[With thousands of swords gathered together, their power was not inferior to a Soul Saint's Soul Skill at all!]
[While the Fallen Soul Master was severely injured and distracted, Bibi Dong made her move.]
[A cold light flashed in her eyes.]
[She closed in instantly.]
[The next moment, her sharp Spider Spear pierced directly through the Soul Saint's vital point.]
[Squelch!]
[Blood splattered.]
[The Soul Saint's body stiffened violently.]
[The vitality in his eyes dissipated rapidly at this moment.]
[Boom!]
[With a dull thud.]
[This Soul Saint-level Fallen Soul Master fell heavily to the ground.]
[Shui Yue'er]: "Dead? He's actually dead? They actually killed a Soul Saint!"
[Huo Wushuang]: "This is too exaggerated! The Soul Saint's Martial Soul Avatar was actually broken by Su Chen's attack!"
[Dugu Yan]: "I'm starting to feel fortunate now. If Su Chen were in our world, I'm afraid no one would be his opponent in the Spirit Master competition a few years from now!"
Inside Shrek Academy.
Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Dai Mubai were all dumbfounded.
They had never imagined that someone could kill a Soul Saint while at a lower rank.
Zhao Wuji's eyes were also wide open, and he couldn't help but ask Flender beside him.
"Boss Flender, could you withstand that attack from Su Chen?"
Flender adjusted his glasses and couldn't help but smile bitterly.
"I could withstand it head-on, but it's hard to say if I'd be able to keep fighting afterward."
"Compared to Su Chen, the Little Monsters don't seem like monsters anymore!"
[After killing the Soul Saint.]
[Su Chen's face was pale, and his body was swaying.]
[That last strike could be said to have drained all his Soul Power.]
[But seeing the effect of the attack, Su Chen couldn't help but reveal a smile.]
[Just as Su Chen was about to fall, Bibi Dong rushed over, grabbed and supported him, her eyes full of heartache, and for the first time, she used a tone of reproach toward Su Chen.]
["I told you before, draining your Soul Power like this puts too much strain on your body, but you just wouldn't listen!"]
[Hearing this, the weak Su Chen managed to show a faint smile.]
["To become stronger, one must make various attempts. At least it worked, right?"]
[Seeing this, Bibi Dong knew Su Chen's stubborn nature, so she didn't say anything more, and supporting Su Chen, they headed toward the nearest city.]
[And in the shadows where the two could not see.]
[Gui Mei was silent for a long time.]
[Even he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart at this moment.]
[Because Su Chen was growing up too fast.]
[It had only been half a year.]
[If he were given a few more years, what level would he reach?]
[At this moment, he finally understood Qian Xunji's worry.]
[The scene changed again.]
[Today, Su Chen and Bibi Dong had just come out of the Star Dou Great Forest.]
[It was already night.]
[The two traveled all the way and finally entered Soto City.]
[The streets were brightly lit.]
[The hawking of street vendors and the laughter of pedestrians mingled together, making the whole city look quite lively.]
[Seeing this, Bibi Dong, who had been Cultivating, traveling, and fighting every day for the past six months, finally couldn't suppress her youthful nature and pulled Su Chen along to look around.]
["Su Chen, let's go check that out!"]
["And over there, it seems very lively too!"]
[Facing Bibi Dong's excited appearance, Su Chen originally wanted to refuse directly.]
[But looking at her eyes, which were faintly filled with anticipation, he ultimately didn't speak.]
["Forget it, consider it compensation for her!"]
[After all, for so long, he could be certain that Bibi Dong had completely fallen for him, but he understood that he was destined not to give Bibi Dong the result she wanted.]
[However, in order to continue studying Twin Martial Souls, he chose to keep Bibi Dong by his side.]
[Thinking this, Su Chen couldn't help but feel a waver in his heart.]
[Thus, the two walked along the night market.]
[Bibi Dong walked in front.]
[Looking at jewelry for a while.]
[Looking at snacks for a while.]
[And then running off to watch the street performers.]
[On that pretty face, there was finally a sense of relaxation and a smile again.]
[Su Chen followed behind the whole time, his expression calm.]
[The next instant, Bibi Dong suddenly stopped in front of a mask stall.]
["This one looks pretty good."]
["This one is not bad either."]
[She picked up a fox mask and compared it against her own face, then turned to look at Su Chen.]
["Which one do you think is better?"]
[Su Chen was about to speak.]
[But the next instant, his eyes narrowed slightly.]
[Because he saw, not far away.]
[A familiar figure was slowly walking past the street corner.]
[That person was dressed plainly, with a buzz cut, and a man and a woman were following him.]
[And that face, Su Chen would never mistake.]
[It was his good younger brother.]
[Yu Xiaogang.]
"Watching Su Chen suddenly stop in his tracks and look toward the street corner, Bibi Dong couldn't help but be stunned, asking in confusion."
""What's wrong?""
"Hearing this, Su Chen withdrew his gaze and gently shook his head."
""It's nothing.""
"Seeing this, although Bibi Dong had some doubts in her heart, she did not continue to ask, merely glancing casually in the direction Su Chen had just looked."
"On the other side."
"Just as Su Chen discovered Yu Xiaogang, Yu Xiaogang also saw Su Chen."
"In an instant, Yu Xiaogang's originally somewhat gloomy mood was swept away."
"Half a year ago."
"He was exposed in public by Qian Xunji; his so-called Martial Soul evolution was nothing more than a complete joke."
"Since then, his status in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect had plummeted."
"No more resources."
"No more flattery."
"Greeting him were only cold, mocking gazes and harsh ridicule."
"Ultimately, unable to bear this, he fled the Sect."
"And now, seeing Su Chen again, that long-lost sense of superiority in Yu Xiaogang's heart emerged once more."
"In his view, no matter how much of a waste he was, he was still a Spirit Master who possessed Soul Power."
"But what about Su Chen?"
"He was still just that waste without Soul Power."
"Thinking of this, the corners of Yu Xiaogang's mouth couldn't help but curl into a smug arc."
"The next moment, he straightened his robes and strode toward Su Chen."
""Yo! Isn't this Yu Chen?""
""Haven't seen you in the Sect for so long, so you were hiding here.""
"After walking up close, Yu Xiaogang spoke with his chin raised."
"That appearance seemed to transform him back into the aloof Young Sect Master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect he once was."
"Su Chen hadn't expected Yu Xiaogang to discover him as well; facing Yu Xiaogang's active provocation, he just looked at him calmly."
""I just happened to come here.""
"His voice was very faint."
"No emotion could be heard."
"But it was precisely this calmness that made Yu Xiaogang inexplicably unhappy."
"Because what he most wanted to see was a look of inferiority and panic from Su Chen."
"Not like this, as if he hadn't put him in his eyes at all."
"Just then, Bibi Dong also walked over."
"She stood beside Su Chen, tilted her head slightly, and asked with some confusion."
""Su Chen, who is this?""
"Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang finally noticed Bibi Dong beside Su Chen."
"Just one glance."
"He was frozen on the spot."
"The young girl wore a purple-black dress, her waist slender, her figure tall."
"That face was so exquisite that it was almost impossible to find a single flaw."
"Her brows and eyes were like a painting, her skin whiter than snow."
"Her long, soft hair hung down, and under the interweaving of the night and the lamplight, it made her appear even more noble and cold."
"Just by standing there, she seemed completely out of place with the night market of Soto City."
"Yu Xiaogang was momentarily infatuated."
"At this moment, a thought arose in his heart."
"She must be his future partner."
"Seeing this scene, inside the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong felt incomparably relieved."
""Sure enough, the one Xiaogang likes the most has always been me!""
"When Bibi Dong felt satisfied, naturally someone else was unhappy; at this moment, Liu Erlong's eyes were bloodshot, and a surge of jealousy and anger welled up in her heart."
"On the Heavenly Screen, it was clearly her who was with Yu Xiaogang, but now, Yu Xiaogang was actually thinking about being with Bibi Dong right in front of her."
"Such a scene, even if she was a hopeless romantic, could not help but make her angry."
"Meanwhile, the bullet comments section also exploded."
"[Spirit Hall Deacon]: No way, this Yu Xiaogang is too shameless! Doesn't he see what kind of trash he is!"
"[Yan]: A waste actually dares to dream of contacting the Pope; he is really courting death. If he dares to appear in front of me, I will definitely teach him a harsh lesson."
"At this moment, the bullet comments section was full of condemnation for Yu Xiaogang. The reason they didn't criticize Su Chen earlier was because Su Chen's talent and brilliance were indeed worthy of Bibi Dong."
"But now, Yu Xiaogang, a waste with a fart Martial Soul, actually fantasized about being with Bibi Dong; how could the people of Spirit Hall endure this?"
"Seeing the insults and mockery toward him in the bullet comments, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but recall the scene of being driven out of Spirit City by Qian Xunji all those years ago. His eyes instantly turned bloodshot, his fingers clenched, and he cursed fiercely in his heart."
""Damn it, damn it! They are all a bunch of blind fools!""
"Seeing Bibi Dong ask, Su Chen did not hide it."
""His name is Yu Xiaogang, my younger brother.""
"Hearing the three words "Yu Xiaogang," Bibi Dong's originally curious expression instantly turned cold."
"When she saw Yu Xiaogang's infatuated look as he stared straight at her, the disgust in her eyes was undisguised."
"Flender, who had been standing behind Yu Xiaogang, was also startled by Bibi Dong's appearance."
"But soon, he steadied his mind."
"After all, in his heart, there was only Liu Erlong."
"Coming back to his senses, seeing Yu Xiaogang still in a daze, Flender ultimately couldn't watch it anymore and coughed lightly."
""Xiaogang, are they your friends?""
"Hearing the voice, Yu Xiaogang suddenly snapped back to reality. Realizing he had been a bit uncomposed just now, he hurriedly forced himself to put on a calm appearance."
""Of course I know them.""
""This is my own brother.""
"When saying this, there was even a trace of faint arrogance on Yu Xiaogang's face."
"If it were before, he wouldn't have wanted to admit his relationship with Su Chen at all."
"In his eyes, having an ordinary person without Soul Power as his brother would only make him feel embarrassed."
"But now it was different."
"His reputation as a waste had completely spread."
"At a time like this, using Su Chen for comparison could instead help him regain a bit of superiority."
"At least."
"In his view, he was still much stronger than Su Chen."
"Flender and Liu Erlong, who were on the side, didn't know much about Yu Xiaogang's affairs, as they had only known each other for a few days."
"So, upon hearing that Su Chen was actually Yu Xiaogang's own brother, although the two were a bit surprised, they didn't think too much about it."
"Flender immediately revealed a smile and spoke proactively."
""I am Flender.""
""This is Liu Erlong.""
""Since you are Xiaogang's brother, you can be considered one of us.""
"Looking at Su Chen, Liu Erlong inexplicably developed a sense of goodwill in her heart, so she said with a smile."
""You can just call me Erlong; my friends all call me that.""
"Hearing this, Su Chen just responded calmly."
""Su Chen.""
""Nice to meet you.""
"Two simple sentences."
"Neither enthusiastic nor impolite."
"Just then, Yu Xiaogang finally couldn't hold back anymore."
"He first straightened his cuffs, then forced a smile that he considered gentle and elegant, and then took two steps toward Bibi Dong."
""I am Yu Xiaogang.""
""Others also call me Grandmaster.""
""May I ask for your name, miss?""
"While speaking, Yu Xiaogang deliberately straightened his posture."
"Watching Yu Xiaogang's performance, Bibi Dong felt a wave of nausea."
"Others might not know, but she had long known Yu Xiaogang's background from her teacher."
"What Grandmaster?"
"He is just a waste who relies on swindling and cheating to get resources."
"Now seeing Yu Xiaogang still dare to put on this hypocritical act, the disgust in her heart could no longer be suppressed; she furrowed her brows directly and spoke coldly."
""Grandmaster?""
""Are you worthy?""
""You are just a waste who only knows how to swindle and cheat; how dare you ask for my name?""
As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding air seemed to go quiet for a moment.
The smile on Yu Xiaogang's face froze on the spot.
Flender and Liu Erlong were also stunned for a moment.
They clearly hadn't expected that this seemingly gentle young girl would be so direct.
Bibi Dong, however, had no intention of stopping, her gaze fixed coldly on Yu Xiaogang.
"You can't even figure out your own Martial Soul, yet you dare to call yourself a Grandmaster? How laughable!"
"Relying on deceit and trickery to swindle resources from the Sect for years, and you still have the face to live!"
These few sentences were like a knife, stabbing fiercely into the most painful part of Yu Xiaogang's heart.
His entire face instantly flushed red.
His eyes were filled with shock, anger, and disbelief.
He didn't understand why this stunningly beautiful girl, whom he was meeting for the first time, knew his background so clearly.
The next instant, as if realizing something, he turned to look at Su Chen, reached out, and pointed at him, his body trembling slightly from extreme rage.
"It's you, right! It must be you."
"Why are you spreading rumors about me outside!"
At this moment, in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, the root cause of Bibi Dong's intense disgust toward him was entirely because of Su Chen.
It must be that Su Chen had spoken ill of him in front of Bibi Dong.
Thinking of this, Yu Xiaogang's heart was filled with resentment.
"Yu Chen, you really are despicable."
"Since you are a piece of trash without Soul Power, is all you can do is stir up trouble behind people's backs?"
Hearing this, Su Chen only gave Yu Xiaogang a faint glance.
He offered no explanation, nor did he bother to explain.
Bibi Dong, standing to the side, was furious; she could not allow anyone to speak ill of Su Chen in front of her.
"Do you think too highly of yourself? Do you really think everyone revolves around you all day?"
"And I'm framing you! How laughable, how could someone like you, a piece of trash who only knows how to fart, compare to Su Chen's talent and brilliance?"
"To tell you the truth, I am the Spirit Hall Saintess, Bibi Dong."
As soon as these words were spoken, Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Liu Erlong were all shaken.
They clearly hadn't expected that this young girl before them had such a prominent background.
That was the Spirit Hall Saintess!
Looking across the entire continent, perhaps only the Crown Princes of the two great Empires could barely compare to her!
Bibi Dong continued, bombarding Yu Xiaogang.
"Now, do you understand?"
"Do you think Su Chen needs to go out of his way to tell me about your pathetic affairs?"
"You really think too highly of yourself."
"Things about you have long since spread among the major factions."
"And that so-called Grandmaster title of yours."
"To put it plainly, it's nothing more than a joke."
"Only you actually take it seriously."
One ruthless sentence after another landed.
Like knives, they stabbed fiercely into Yu Xiaogang's heart.
Yu Xiaogang froze completely.
The color drained from his face.
At this moment, he felt as if his life had hit rock bottom; he had finally allowed himself to fall for a woman.
Yet, what he received in return was such humiliation.
However, besides being angry, there was nothing he could do, because he couldn't beat them.
Yu Xiaogang's lips trembled uncontrollably.
After a long while, he managed to squeeze out a sentence through his teeth.
"Good... very good!"
"You just wait!"
Once he finished speaking, Yu Xiaogang could stay no longer; he turned abruptly and left in a hurried, disheveled mess.
"Xiaogang, wait for me!"
Seeing this, Flender shouted after him and hurriedly followed.
In the blink of an eye, only Bibi Dong, Su Chen, and Liu Erlong remained.
Seeing Yu Xiaogang's cowardly retreat, Bibi Dong couldn't hold it back anymore and let out a chuckle, thinking to herself.
"For Su Chen to have such a piece of trash for a younger brother is probably the biggest stain on his life."
A moment later, as if suddenly remembering something, Bibi Dong turned to look at Liu Erlong, who was still standing in the same spot, and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"They've all left; why didn't you follow them?"
Hearing this, Liu Erlong finally snapped back to reality.
She first glanced in the direction where Yu Xiaogang and Flender had left.
Then, she looked toward Bibi Dong and Su Chen.
After a moment of silence, she spoke.
"Actually... we only met today."
"Counting it up, we aren't very close."
"The reason I was with them is just because I happened to bump into them."
Having said this, Liu Erlong paused.
"Besides, after hearing what you said just now, although I don't know exactly what happened..."
"I can tell that this Yu Xiaogang is likely not a good person."
"Since that's the case, I naturally have no intention of continuing to associate with him."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong was somewhat surprised.
She had assumed that Liu Erlong was on that piece of trash's side, but she hadn't expected the other party to say something like this.
After finishing, Liu Erlong instead looked at Bibi Dong and Su Chen with eyes full of curiosity.
At this moment, she actually wanted to get to know the two people in front of her.
After all, she had often received care from Spirit Hall in the past and had always had a good impression of it, so she was naturally quite curious about Bibi Dong, the Spirit Hall Saintess.
As for Su Chen.
Liu Erlong couldn't explain why, but whenever she saw this youth in front of her, who always maintained a calm expression, she would feel an inexplicable sense of closeness in her heart.
Just as Liu Erlong wanted to continue speaking.
Su Chen suddenly spoke first.
"It just so happens we want to stroll a bit longer."
"Why don't we go together."
As soon as these words were spoken, Bibi Dong was stunned for a moment; she turned her head sharply to look at Su Chen, her eyes filled with surprise.
Usually, if she wanted Su Chen to accompany her for a walk in the city, she had to take the initiative to drag him along and nag him for quite a while before he would agree.
Yet now, Su Chen had actually taken the initiative to invite someone else to join them?
On the other side, Liu Erlong was also stunned; clearly, she hadn't expected Su Chen to extend an invitation.
However, this was exactly what she wanted, so without hesitation, a bright smile appeared on her face.
"Alright."
Hearing Liu Erlong agree, Bibi Dong finally came back to her senses.
Although she still felt a bit strange.
She didn't overthink it.
She just assumed Su Chen was acting on a whim today.
Moreover, being able to make another friend because of this wasn't a bad thing for her.
Thinking of this, a smile quickly reappeared on Bibi Dong's face; she took a step forward and looked at Liu Erlong, saying.
"Since that's the case, let's formally introduce ourselves."
"My name is Bibi Dong."
Liu Erlong also smiled and extended her hand.
"Liu Erlong."
Seeing this scene, outside the Heavenly Screen, Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong both revealed expressions of disbelief.
One must know that in the past, they were rivals in love; it would have been considered good if they didn't fight when they were together, so how could such a friendly scene as the one in the Heavenly Screen appear?
The next instant, both of them shook their heads simultaneously and cursed fiercely in their hearts.
"Impossible, how could I possibly chat so amicably with that violent dragon woman/stupid woman!"
Meanwhile, inside Shrek Academy, Yu Xiaogang was already crying with envy; back then, had he not fantasized about Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong getting along peacefully and becoming his harem?
Unfortunately, in the end, not only did Bibi Dong abandon him, but he also couldn't be with Liu Erlong.
The Heavenly Screen footage continued.
Friendship between young girls is sometimes just that magical; after chatting briefly, their originally distant relationship suddenly transformed, and at this moment, the two of them were like good best friends who had known each other for years.
Bibi Dong took the initiative to take Liu Erlong's hand.
"Let's go, I'll take you to see around here."
Liu Erlong also laughed.
"Alright."
The two women walked in front, while Su Chen silently followed behind.
Along the way, the two who had just met quickly became warm with each other.
One was the Spirit Hall Saintess, noble in status, yet with few friends she could truly talk to.
The other was straightforward in personality, daring to love and hate, and never liked being coy or hesitant.
When two such people came together, they were unexpectedly compatible.
Bibi Dong led the way while introducing the surrounding streets and shops to Liu Erlong (she was also in Soto City for the first time, so most of what she introduced was made up).
Liu Erlong would ask a few questions from time to time, and occasionally would be made to laugh out loud by Bibi Dong's words.
The afterglow of the sunset fell upon the street, slowly stretching out the figures of the three.
In the blink of an eye, night descended upon the entire Soto City.
Seeing that it was getting late, Bibi Dong suddenly remembered that she hadn't found a hotel yet! She stopped in her tracks and turned to look at the two of them.
"It's already dark."
"We should find a place to rest."
Liu Erlong nodded upon hearing this.
"Indeed."
"Soto City is quite busy at night. If we don't find a place now, I'm afraid there won't be any rooms left later."
After hearing this, Bibi Dong didn't delay any further and immediately led the two of them to search for a hotel along the street.
Before long, a beautifully decorated building appeared in their line of sight.
Above the main entrance of the building hung a very eye-catching sign.
Rose Hotel.
"Rose Hotel?"
Bibi Dong looked at the sign, a hint of curiosity appearing in her eyes.
"The name is quite unique."
"And the environment looks good too. Let's stay here."
With that, she stepped into the hotel.
Su Chen naturally had no objections and followed right behind.
However, Liu Erlong, who was standing to the side, paused slightly after seeing the four characters "Rose Hotel".
Although she wasn't very old, she had been roaming the Soul Master world for years and had seen far more than Bibi Dong.
Therefore, she recognized the nature of this hotel at a glance: it was a couples' hotel...
Thinking of this, Liu Erlong's expression suddenly became a bit strange. She just wanted to open her mouth to warn Bibi Dong, but she saw that Bibi Dong and Su Chen had already walked inside one after the other.
Liu Erlong opened her mouth, but ultimately swallowed her words and helplessly followed.
Upon entering the hotel, soft lights greeted them.
The lobby was covered with a red carpet.
A faint floral fragrance drifted in the air.
Bibi Dong scanned her surroundings, a hint of satisfaction appearing in her eyes.
"This place is indeed nice."
After saying this, she led Su Chen to the front desk.
Behind the counter, a middle-aged man was lazily looking down at his accounts.
Hearing footsteps, he subconsciously looked up.
And that one glance caused him to freeze completely.
The man and two women before him were all exceptionally good-looking.
Especially Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong.
One was noble and stunningly beautiful.
The other was bright and poised.
As for Su Chen, who was on the side, he also had refined features and a calm demeanor.
Even though he had been running the shop in Soto City for so many years, this was his first time seeing such a combination.
After being stunned for two full breaths, the receptionist finally came back to his senses, and a smile involuntarily spread across his face.
"Are the three of you looking to stay?"
Bibi Dong nodded gently.
"Yes."
"Give us two rooms."
Hearing this, the receptionist first glanced at Bibi Dong, then at Liu Erlong, and finally, his gaze fell on Su Chen. The smile on his face suddenly became a bit ambiguous.
"I'm sorry."
"We only have one room left now."
"And at this time, I'm afraid other hotels in Soto City are also mostly full."
After finishing, he cast a meaningful look at Su Chen.
Bibi Dong was stunned upon hearing this.
Then, as if she had thought of something, a faint blush appeared on her fair cheeks.
Only one room left?
Doesn't that mean...
Thinking of this, Bibi Dong subconsciously turned her head to look at Su Chen.
But she saw that Su Chen's expression was calm, as if he hadn't realized there was any problem with this at all.
Seeing this, a faint, indescribable sense of disappointment welled up in Bibi Dong's heart.
On the other side, Liu Erlong's brows furrowed slightly.
The next moment, a powerful wave of Soul Power pressure suddenly erupted from her.
"Open two rooms."
"I know you have more."
The smile on the receptionist's face instantly froze.
Facing a Spirit Master, how could he dare to play any tricks?
"Yes! Yes!"
"My lady, please calm down. I'll open them right away, right away!"
Saying this, he hurriedly lowered his head to search.
Within a moment, he respectfully handed over two room cards.
"Here are two deluxe rooms for the three of you."
"They are on the second floor, right next to each other."
Seeing the receptionist's reaction change so drastically, Bibi Dong couldn't react in time for a moment.
"There really were rooms?"
She blinked subconsciously, feeling a bit dazed.
On the contrary, Su Chen, who was beside her, already understood what was going on.
After taking the room cards, the three of them walked toward the stairs.
After going up to the second floor, the three walked along the corridor.
The floor was covered with a soft long carpet.
The walls on both sides were decorated with highly suggestive murals.
At first, Bibi Dong didn't think much of it.
But the further they walked, the more she felt that these images were not quite right.
Until they were almost at the room doors, she finally couldn't hold it in and turned to look at Liu Erlong.
"Erlong."
"How did you know just now that there were other rooms here?"
Hearing this, Liu Erlong paused.
Then, a meaningful smile appeared on her face.
"Because this place is that kind of place."
Bibi Dong was stunned.
"What kind of place?"
Liu Erlong glanced at her and, without keeping her in suspense, said directly.
"A couples' hotel."
"People who come here to stay are basically all couples."
"The receptionist saw us, one man and two women, so it was natural for him to misunderstand."
As soon as these words were spoken, Bibi Dong froze.
The next instant, her already stunningly beautiful face was once again stained with a blush.
So that was it!
No wonder the receptionist looked at Su Chen with such a strange expression earlier.
Thinking of how she had seriously considered the matter of "only one room left" just a moment ago, Bibi Dong's heart rate suddenly quickened, and she felt her ears burning.
But amidst the shyness, a tiny, uncontrollable expectation welled up in her heart.
If there were ever a chance in the future to be alone with Su Chen...
This thought had only just emerged before Bibi Dong suddenly came to her senses.
How could someone like Su Chen, who only cared about cultivation and researching, be willing to come to a place like this?
Thinking of this, the sweetness that had just risen in Bibi Dong's heart instantly turned into a bit of helplessness.
In the end, she could only clench her fists silently in her heart.
"Forget it."
"Better to focus on cultivation."
"When I become a Titled Douluo in the future, I can make Su Chen fulfill his promise!"
While speaking, the three of them had arrived in front of their room doors.
The two rooms were right next to each other.
Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong were just preparing to return to their rooms to rest.
Su Chen suddenly spoke up.
"Erlong, wait a moment."
Hearing the voice, Liu Erlong subconsciously turned her head.
"What is it?"
Su Chen looked at her, his tone calm.
"Can you lend me a drop of your blood?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the corridor fell silent.
The smile on Liu Erlong's face disappeared almost instantly.
The way she looked at Su Chen changed immediately.
Late at night, and in a couples' hotel, no less.
At this moment, some improper images flashed through her mind almost instinctively.
The good impression she originally had of Su Chen vanished completely.
"What do you mean?"
Liu Erlong stared at Su Chen, her voice already carrying a hint of coldness.
Bibi Dong, who was on the side, was stunned at first, but then she realized what was happening and quickly spoke up to explain.
"Erlong, don't misunderstand!"
"Su Chen didn't mean it like that."
"He just loves researching Martial Souls too much; borrowing blood is only for conducting experiments."
"He has borrowed my blood before too."
"And Su Chen, you too; what you said was too strange. If I didn't know your personality, I would have misunderstood too."
Hearing this, Liu Erlong finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"So that's it."
Afterwards, she didn't hold it against him anymore and extended her hand.
Su Chen took out a test tube.
A moment later, a test tube of blood had been collected.
After the test tube was filled, Su Chen withdrew his hand.
"Many thanks."
Liu Erlong waved her hand.
"It's a small matter."
After saying this, the two women walked into their room.
Su Chen didn't linger either and pushed the door open to enter his room.
After entering the room, Su Chen first locked the door.
Then he walked to the bedside and sat down cross-legged.
He directly took out the test tube containing Liu Erlong's blood.
Under the dim light, the blood in the test tube appeared exceptionally vivid.
The next instant, Su Chen raised his hand, and a point of pale golden Soul Power slowly surged from his fingertip.
The blood in the test tube seemed to be attracted by some force and slowly floated up.
The floating blood finally coalesced into a ball of blood in the air.
Seeing this, Su Chen then controlled the Soul Power within his body to slowly achieve Fusion with that blood ball.