Yueguan's expression was grave as he inquired, "Your Holiness, what do you think we should do about the Saint Heir? What if he and Tang San..."
Bi Bidong took a deep breath, gripping the Purple-Golden Scepter in her hand even tighter, "No need, I have my own plans for this matter. You and Elder Gui just need to follow my orders."
No matter whether Xu Sheng and Tang San still had any fraternal feelings, she couldn't leave this hidden danger unchecked. She already had a rough idea in mind.
An idea that might shatter the relationship between Xu Sheng and his disciple, an idea that might even turn Tang San and Xu Sheng into sworn enemies.
Yueguan cast a glance at Gui Mei, then bowed respectfully and said, "Yes, Your Holiness, then Elder Gui and I will take our leave first."
Bi Bidong responded indifferently with a simple "Hmm."
At this moment, she too needed to be left alone to think things over quietly...
Yueguan and Gui Mei exchanged a look and both left the inner hall of the Pope Hall...
...
Flame, who had just come out from the grand soul fighting arena, covered his mouth with a pale face, "Ugh, ..."
The thought of him having blasted his opponent's head with a punch, especially the white fluid that oozed out afterward, made his stomach convulse with nausea that rose instantaneously...
Flame looked ahead and saw Xu Sheng and the others had not left; they were waiting for him in the distance.
He walked over looking very weak...
Evil Moon saw Flame approaching, glanced at him with indifference, and mockingly said in a soft voice, "Tell me, Flame, aren't you a bit too distressed just for killing someone? They don't deserve any pity even in death."
Flame excitedly spoke, gesturing with his hands as he said, "Evil Moon! You don't understand a damn thing, it's not the same at all, I just... I blew the guy's head..."
Hulena frowned slightly, seemingly grasping something from Flame's gestures...
Xu Sheng, who had been silent all this time, spoke up, "We still have a few hours until the Continent's Senior Soul Master Elite Competition starts. Let's head back first..."
He wanted to see how the two people from Shrek Academy were doing with their training.
Evil Moon replied calmly, "Xu Sheng, you've been away for a while, so you probably don't know. Our Martial Soul Hall's Golden Generation doesn't need to attend the opening ceremony of the competition, thanks to His Holiness's decision."
Hulena also nodded in agreement, "Yes, the teacher said we don't need to make an appearance before the finals!"
Xu Sheng chuckled softly, "Sure, but as one of the final teams, you should always go and take a look at the other teams' performance and observe their weaknesses."
He surely couldn't admit that he wanted to check on Tang San and the others, could he?
Before the two could reply, Flame stood up firmly and said, "That's right, this time I agree with Xu Sheng's idea. If we hadn't been caught off guard, our 3v3 soul fight wouldn't have been so tough."
With Flame saying this, Hulena and Evil Moon fell silent...
Indeed, if they had known earlier that the woman had such a troublesome soul skill, Evil Moon could have taken her down instantly, preventing the subsequent embarrassment.
Having realized this, Evil Moon blinked her strange eyes and pursed her lips, "I understand now, let's go. After all, the three of us are the ones really going into the finals, and Xu Sheng is just an additional precaution."
Hulena tossed her hair behind her ear, the strong air of aloofness surrounding her emerging as she smiled, "If that's the case, then let's go. Let's see the standard of the other Soul Master Academies."
...
At this moment, in the Pope Hall nestled under the embrace of an Angel Statue, the setting for the finals had already seen the gradual arrival of various academy teachers and students...
Before long, the entire finals venue was packed with people, and the area directly beneath the Pope Hall was abuzz with a noisy cheer...
"We've finally reached today. I really want to see which team will emerge victorious!"
"They say that the students from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy are very strong this time, I think they have a shot at the championship!"
"I heard that the Golden Generation of the Martial Soul Hall don't even need to compete in the matches to advance directly to the finals, which is probably because His Holiness has a lot of confidence in their abilities."
"Damn, damn, the students from Skywater Academy are all so beautiful!"
"Skywater Academy! Skywater Academy!"
"Go Thunder Academy! Go Thunder Academy!"
...
"Welcome, everyone, to this continental Senior Soul Master Elite Competition. Now, I declare the competition officially open! Please welcome Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of the Tiandou Empire to speak to us all!" Suyun Tao, the host standing in the center of the stage, said with fervor and enthusiasm.
This was his first time being selected to host the competition, and it was said that if he did a good job, he could earn several years' worth of salary!
Therefore, Suyun Tao appeared very enthusiastic and inspiring as he spoke.
Sitting in the seat normally reserved for Xue Ye, Xue Qinghe greeted Ning Fengzhi with a slight nod, his expression calm...
Then, with an aura not in the least inferior to Xue Ye's, he walked toward the center of the stage...
When the genteel and amiable Xue Qinghe stood still, a myriad of different voices suddenly erupted around him...
"Why is the Crown Prince speaking? Where is Emperor Xue Ye?"
"You probably don't know yet, but Emperor Xue Ye fell gravely ill a few days ago and has passed away!"
"What? Such big news, why wasn't it announced?"
"That's unknown, but they're probably afraid of causing chaos within the Tiandou Empire!"
On a special loft in the final contest arena, Bi Bidong looked down at Qian Renxue, who used a soul bone to appear as Xue Qinghe, her gaze unknowingly profound...
Following her commands, Emperor Xue Ye of the Tiandou Empire had recently passed away prematurely, all to use the competition as an opportunity for Xue Qinghe to establish a foundation of power. Afterward, the Martial Soul Hall would cement him as the new Emperor of the Tiandou Empire!
Xue Qinghe pursed his thin lips, his gaze calmly sweeping over everyone. He then slowly began, "Due to my father's unfortunate passing not long ago, I, Xue Qinghe, will take my father's place!"
"All Soul Masters who have made it here are already very outstanding individuals on the continent, and I am sure they have all put in a lot of effort and hard work. I hope you achieve good results in this competition!"
"Good! The Crown Prince is indeed impressive, his demeanor has even surpassed that of Emperor Xue Ye, hasn't it?"
"Yes! I'm sure under the lead of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, our Tiandou Empire will only become more prosperous!"
"It could be that the Crown Prince conspired with others to get rid of Emperor Xue Ye..."
"Don't talk nonsense, if someone hears that, it's an unforgivable crime!"
Before the two could finish talking, they felt their arms being grabbed. Behind them stood several guards of the Martial Soul Hall...
...
Below and to the right of Bi Bidong's loft, Yu Xiaogang frowned and slowly said, "Something's not right! The timing of Emperor Xue Ye's death is too coincidental. Why would it happen specifically during the continental Senior Soul Master Elite Competition?"
The beautiful woman affectionately holding his arm comforted him gently, "Xiaogang, you might be too sensitive. It was said that Emperor Xue Ye was always in poor health. With such a passing, it is likely that it could no longer be suppressed."
Yu Xiaogang instinctively looked up to his left and caught sight of Bi Bidong's serene gaze meeting his...
Deep down, he felt more strongly that the Martial Soul Hall was brewing a massive conspiracy...