Timeout

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Unlike what everyone had imagined, despite his rather kind and public image, Qian Xunji only had Bibi Dong enter his office while everyone else was made to wait outside. There could be a number of reasons for it and the group didn't mind but one thing was clear, Qian Daoliu and Qian Xunji were extremely different individuals.

Inside the office, meanwhile, Bibi Dong admired the simple furniture. Qian Xunji had never used lavish luxuries on furniture. Only his chair was slightly better in this office but that was about it. The ink and quill could be bought for a copper each. The table placed on a great discount in one of the stores of the city. Parchments of the lowest quality and so was the lamp. These were merely decorations.

Xunji had never given any written order. His tasks are carried with his verbal consent. The quill and ink are used to send messages and the parchment would end up being destroyed to keep the information covered so there was no reason to be extravagant on the parchments and scrolls in the first place.

*Sigh*

Qian Xunji touched the left side of his forehead, "You wish to spend more time looking for your seventh spirit ring? It is a fact that for beast martial soul users like the both of us, the seventh spirit ring is almost always simply reverting to the True Spirit Avatar that boosts our attributes. For you, it is poison, and for me, it is Sun Fire. Only the Tool Martial Soul users finally get the chance to trump us since their seventh spirit ring, aside from True Spirit Avatar, also has the higher chance of additional skill."

Qian Xunji remained patient and inquired, "But you understand these theories well. You have experienced the profession of teaching others. It is a humbling experience if achieved deeply. Tell me, why this decision?"

Bibi Dong nodded, "My team has certain members aside from Ka-ul who have broken their limits. Ordinarily, they would not have accomplished such acts and even with my tutoring, these acts would have been quite fatal. I am confident in this particular decision because first: If I choose to let go of the development of mental energy then I can employ Ka-ul's specialties and assassinate a willing spirit beast, completely removing the dreadful soul shocks in the process.

But this method is incomplete. Xie Xan admitted that his mental energy is lacking due to this form of advancement and only now is he able to naturally catch up with Hu Lana and Erlong.

If I choose for a complete breakthrough where I also endure the Soul Shock, I can employ Ah Yin's abilities. If Ka-ul can be considered the wild card of the team then Ah Yin is the most orthodox controller and healer."

"Father told me. It's called the Blue Silver Domain, yes?" Xunji questioned to which Bibi Dong nodded.

"Fine. I trust your judgment," Xunji nodded, "But I can only allow you one year to pursue this. As the future of the Spirit City, you understand my goal the clearest. City is just the start..." Xunji narrowed his eyes and added, "So, you cannot waste the value of youth without any equivalent gain."

"I understand. Thank you, master," Bibi Dong smiled.

"Now that your immediate actions are set, tell me, your group doesn't happen to know about your second martial soul, right?"

Xunji observed Bibi Dong carefully and she shook her head calmly.

"Nobody knows."

As she said this, she involuntarily recalled the scene of using her second martial soul and her ability resonating with Ja Sun at the time. She knew that Ja Sun and Tang Yuehua could perform Spirit Fusion... they had the compatibility but Yuehua needed to close the gap first or unforeseen circumstances may occur.

'She is compatible... but so am I...'

Bibi Dong cleared her mind instantly.

"That's good. There is a great ignorance regarding the Evil Attribute. We only call it 'evil' because we have no other name for this attribute and even Hall's record show a similar ignorance on the matter. But the word 'evil' has a different meaning in the outside world and the Successor of my seat can only keep this gift of nature hidden."

Xunji coughed slightly, "Anyway, prepare your teammates for the competition. It shouldn't be hard given that you know the true nature of the other Spirit Sages by now."

Bibi Dong nodded.

"You may leave."

With that, Bibi Dong left the room while Qian Xunji's gaze turned slightly darker.

'Hmm, an expected result. She has lied once, and she will lie again. But it doesn't concern the greater picture. She would have revealed her second martial soul to assist Ka-ul against Ground Devil. For now, the secret is safe, and just for this fact, angering Father further by antagonizing Ka-ul is not necessary.'

"Gui Mei," Xunji called out.

A shadow formed beside him and revealed a pale man with pitch-black hair and narrow eyes. Gui Mei, one of the two Titled Douluo Elders present during Ja Sun's and Ah Yin's initiation into the Spirit Hall.

"What's the status regarding the Brown Road Province?"

"Reporting to the Supreme Pontiff, the citizens of the Brown Road Province are still resisting the preaches of the appointed Cardinal and disrupting the distribution of Pontiff Dharma Statues. Should I coordinate a strike from Hint of Evil and have the Spirit Temple of the region intervene?"

"Hmm... let them be for now. I don't want any unnecessary loss just because of impatience," Xunji mumbled, "Focus on the surrounding provinces and turn the speeches slightly radical. Let the neighbors force the people of the Province into accepting the statues.

Only when the distribution is complete will you let that plague guy affect the kingdom. Nothing fatal and no more than 5000 lives should be taken as collateral damage."

"Yes, I will see to it."

"What is Chrysanthemum upto?" Xunji further questioned.

"He is keeping an eye on the construction of the competition ground."

"Who's with him?" Xunji inquired with a frown.

"A message from Yue Guan (Chrysanthemum Douluo) came this morning. Currently, Redstar is with him, adding a few switches to prepare for the worst."

"No, there's no need for that anymore. This plan is already working. Recall Redstar and let him do his work in the Star Luo Empire."

"Yes, sir."

Gui Mei disappeared in smoke.

'Hmm, father's inheritance states the truth. There are more ways than one to reach that point unless blocked by the higher beings themselves,' Qian Xunji fell pensive.

---

"Woah, your 'room' is actually a house," Hu Lana slumped on the couch and Xie Xan sat next to her. Meanwhile, everyone looked around Bibi Dong's room.

Her brows twitched as everyone except Tang Yuehua had basically started dismantling her new residence: picking things from one spot and then putting it somewhere else. It was honestly infuriating but Bibi Dong controlled her expression instead of snapping at the 'bums' she had invited.

"Alright. We've had our share of fun while returning here. The group seven groups of Spirit Sages should be enough to jolt everyone into practice once again."

"It's really amazing," Oscar wondered, "There are so many young spirit sages."

Taking a seat, Bibi Dong replied with ease, "These are... Spirit Masters developed using special means. Their actual combat ability is lower than ordinary Spirit Sage but every one of them can activate their True Spirit Avatar. After the competition, these spirit sages will be assigned to the Templar Guards under the Spirit Temples in the two Empires."

"Special Means?" Ah Yin looked curious. If there was such a good thing as mass-producing Spirit Sages then shouldn't they get subjected to such a treatment, too?

"Nothing that should concern us," Bibi Dong sighed.

"So... something that would lower the reputation of the Spirit Hall if exposed?" Ja Sun posed and Bibi Dong nodded calmly, not hiding the main factor. Everyone grew silent at this point.

"There are things you guys are better off without knowing," Bibi Dong stated.

"Then... wouldn't it be even better that you personally didn't know it?" Tang Yuehua smiled sadly and Bibi Dong shrugged.

"Responsibilities come with titles. I would want to be the Supreme Pontiff after master, so, I also have to bear its responsibilities. You guys don't."

"I'm hungry. Say, Sister, do you know how to cook? Shouldn't you host us all? We're your first guests," Hu Lana smiled and Bibi Dong sighed.

"I'll get someone—"

"No, no, Cook! Please, cook for us!" Lana pleaded as Bibi Dong's gaze twinkled.

"Fine, I'll let you all taste my special poison cuisine!"

She walked quickly and left everyone frowning. Somehow, they didn't want to eat it anymore. Of course, the rest of the group couldn't get angry at Hu Lana either. She had the nine-month free pass to stupid things and brain farts.

Bibi Dong returned in fifteen minutes, bringing large platters of purple and green that not only looked vicious but nightmare-inducing, too: the floating stuff within the stuff around the stuff.

Everyone silently gazed at the 'dishes' prepared for them.

"Uh... I think I'm hurting a little down there, Xie Xan. Let's go," Hu Lana no longer retained her enthusiasm and excused hurriedly.

"It's a joke," Bibi Dong finally smiled.

"Huh?"

"I'm not a teacher, remember? That means, I get to do stuff like this," Bibi Dong coolly sat down and stored away the literal platters of poison and made the group look pleasantly surprised. Ja Sun and Ah Yin both recalled how Bibi Dong had shown herself to be sweet and innocent once she revealed her face only to reveal her slyness later on.

"Amazing, it is like looking at an entirely different creature," Hu Lana grumbled and eased back on the couch, no longer threatened by the vicious food.

"So, where should we go to eat?" Liu Erlong inquired.

"Hmm... We'll find something. Spirit City is as big as the two Empire Capitals. For now, I just want to relax..."

Bibi Dong leaned back on her chair, whispering softly as she placed her feet on the table. The group agreed and began chatting among themselves only to hear the sound of soft snoring.

Bibi Dong had fallen asleep, her head tilted sideways and the peaceful expression on her face made it plenty care that this nap was more of a mental and spiritual need than just a physical one. After all, Bibi Dong had given her best to teach eight men and women to the best of her capabilities. Although she slept back then, too, it was always scheduled. Her entire life was. So returning home and feeling incomparably relaxed, Bibi Dong slipped into a state of sweet unconsciousness.

"I call the bed!" Hu Lana whispered hurriedly.

"Damn it!" Ja Sun growled, "I call the sofa."

For the next few seconds, everybody decided their spots and fell asleep around Bibi Dong, too, more than eager to share the space like they would share the same tent. Well, except for Hu Lana and Xie Xan. They got the premium bed experience.

But once Bibi Dong woke up, the couple also received the stern berating.

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