Worth

While Ja Sun and Ah Yin continued to achieve their own goals, the situation hadn't stalled in the Giant's Fortress.

The information of the phenomenon that occurred over the Giant's Fortress was quickly spread to various factions, especially the ones around the Giant's Fortress.

"As already expected, this is a last-ditch effort by Bibi Dong to garner attention. When the two of us understand this, why do we need to even bother and play in her tune?" A beautiful, pale-skinned woman with short purple hair sat in front of Tang Peng. Instead of the cold and harsh exterior of the Clear Sky Clan's main branch, the two Titled Douluo and one blonde woman were quite away from the sect's location altogether.

Tang Peng silently stroked his beard and refrained from saying anything and Dai Mu, who accompanied her father-in-law kept her quiet, too.

Seeing this, the woman who sat opposite to them frowned slightly. A moment of displeasure flashed through her eyes but she hid it quickly. Even if a Titled Douluo, she couldn't match Tang Peng's might and needed to show appropriate respect.

"The Clan," Tang Peng began finally, "Is not controlled by me alone. Elders have the right to form decisions and critique my actions. Due to the supply of precious ores for the Strength and Defense Clan, the situation was stabilized. The elders support and invest in the subordinate clans and all the surrounding clans are affiliated to the four attribute clans. However, Bibi Dong has discreetly made contact with the Attack and Speed Clan. These two clans almost always have a unified response. The Attack clan is offered a business partnership for a better quality of herbs."

The woman grew excited, "This proves that the phenomenon is just a ruse."

Tang Peng frowned, "Why are you so certain? How can Bibi Dong cause such a phenomenon?"

The woman grew silent. Of all the things, this was what she was strictly forbidden to expose. Whether Bibi Dong is certain to be a Supreme Pontiff or not is something this woman could interfere with but she didn't dare disregard the direct command of the Elder's Hall. After all, only Qian Xunji had disappeared. Elder's Hall is still very much in place with even more power than usual to fill the gap left by Qian Xunji.

The crimson color was surely made by Bibi Dong's 100000-year-old ring but how she did the other stuff is something the strange woman couldn't understand. Still, one thing was for sure, the Phenomenon was artificial.

Seeing the woman's refusal to reply, Tang Peng added further, "You believe that this phenomenon is somehow Bibi Dong's doing, and the fact that this occurred at the time of their dire situation is suspicious. However, what can you say about Bibi Dong refusing to meet any clan representative and continuously sending many search parties in the Giant's Forest?"

"A lie. Charade," the woman smiled this time, "Now that she has done something to attract attention, Bibi Dong would want to make her situation look mysterious and capitalize on this moment. As long as you wait it out a little, not only will Bibi Dong lose the value of the Giant's Fortress, she would be in need to find a better source of income for herself if she wishes to stabilize herself.

That would draw her attention from the Giant's Fortress and you may reclaim it in time. Yes, this is a long game but you saw how the forest was revitalized quickly. It is useful to you once again. The time and effort you invest will have its return soon."

The woman gave a compelling argument. The revitalization of the Giant's Forest was a combined effort of the couple away from the group at the moment and indeed, the quick progress in its state enticed Tang Peng to play his hand for the territory once again. Of course, there cannot be any snatching without a reason and Bibi Dong has always been diplomatically capable of not giving them one either. The Giant's Fortress was her personal property and not the Spirit Hall's extended territory since she won it in a personal bet alongside her team.

Tang Peng grew silent again. The woman left after a few more reassuring statements and he finally looked at his daughter-in-law.

"What do you think, Mu'er?" Tang Peng inquired.

"I felt a little humbled to meet a female Titled Douluo," Dai Mu muttered while holding her chin thoughtfully.

"I asked you to be present because when it comes to Yuehua, Hao and Xiao lose their cool more often than not. Besides, you would need to learn how to present yourself in front of Titled Douluos so that you don't lose the face of your family."

Dai Mu nodded, "I think that this woman... er?"

She glanced at her father-in-law with an inquisitive gave.

"Her Titled is Firebird and she's a rank 92 Titled Douluo," Tang Peng cleared up.

Dai Mu nodded and continued, "I think Firebird Douluo is right on some levels and there might be a chance for you to regain the Giant's Forest. However... is it really the right thing to do?"

Tang Peng chuckled, "This has nothing to do with Yuehua. Heck, you know Ka-ul's personality well, too. This isn't a personal slight but a political one. Of course, I have resolved to obtain the Giant's Forest back. If Bibi Dong fails to keep a hold of it, this will imply that despite her talent as a spirit master, she isn't who she thinks she is when it comes to political plays. Besides, I don't believe that the actual overlords of the Spirit Hall will let Firebird act personally against Bibi Dong.

And if they do lose the Giant's Forest, it will be an undermining pressure on Ka-ul and when the talks of his engagement with Yuehua are fully completed, hehe, I will have the upper hand."

Dai Mu pursed her lips. This was the other thing that made her feel strange.

Ja Sun is publicly known to be with Ah Yin, Bibi Dong, and Yuehua. This isn't going to be the first time where a specific person has multiple partners though a woman having multiple male partners is still a rarity. This implied that if not now then in the future, Spirit Hall might just be on good terms with the Clear Sky Sect. This posed the problem of shifting the balance since the Clear Sky Sect and the White Tiger Imperial Clan are now tied by marriage.

This act of the Clear Sky Clan isolating Bibi Dong has caused a few rumors to appear that the Ja Sun's and Yuehua's engagement is still not solidified and may just change entirely.

"Wouldn't this cause a rift between Sister Yuehua and Ka-ul?" Dai Mu inquired.

"Pfft! Rift?" Tang Peng chuckled, "People have married in relationships worse than this. Don't worry about all this."

Dai Mu nodded, "Then I think that what Firebird Douluo has offered is... not good enough."

Tang Peng frowned, "The right to trade within the Spirit City is quite a great boon. No other isolated sect has gotten this yet and we will be able to expand our territory to form more training spots for the members of the main clan."

Dai Mu grew silent. She was well-aware of her father-in-law's personality. Although he spoke cheerfully, it would take one firm stand against his idea for their relationship to worsen. He often held people to double standards. If he makes political dastardly moves then it's alright but if someone else does this to Tang Peng then he would lose all his cool at once.

Besides, Dai Mu also knew why she was brought here specifically.

For an explanation in the future.

When Tang Xiao and Tang Hao find out about this, they will surely feel upset. Yes, Yuehua wouldn't come into harm's way and yes, Tang Peng did it for the Clan, but as brothers, they would definitely feel upset. At that point, Tang Peng could nudge Dai Mu forward since she was present here, too.

Thinking of this, Dai Mu began thinking things through. She could think of one method where she would be able to meet with the third party of the three parties involved and come to terms.

"Well, let's go," Tang Peng coughed.

---

"Sister Mu, you should have just told me the truth," Yuehua revealed a wry expression as she glanced at Dai Mu. All of Bibi Dong's team members were currently residing in the Northern Entrance of the Fortress.

Sitting across Yuehua, Dai Mu shrugged, "Sister Yuehua, do you know how hard it was to sneak out of the main grounds? I mean physically. It's at the top of a mountain and a lair to dangerous spirit beasts. I had to ask Brother Xiao's help.

Anyway, I'm here not only to meet with Bibi Dong but understand what other options can be for something created because of her."

"Sister Dong didn't do anything wrong," Yuehua frowned.

"She didn't," Dai Mu smiled, "But she should be aware that growth comes with obstruction and this is especially true regarding what Bibi Dong truly desires from her goals. She cannot simply step up and become the next to Supreme Pontiff."

"Who told you this?" Yuehua felt slightly alarmed.

"The person targeting your base," Dai Mu only needed to reveal this, and Yuehua was convinced to plan a meeting for Bibi Dong and Dai Mu within fifteen minutes. After all, Bibi Dong was acting as a nanny for Xie Yue since their group really didn't have anything much to do with no new spirit master visiting for a spirit ring.

Though slightly startled since Bibi Dong didn't expect things to turn out like this, she still sat across Dai Mu. There was a period of silence as only the two were in the meeting. Dai Mu was inwardly shaken. Bibi Dong... felt completely different. She looked cold back then, but now, Bibi Dong's aura and mere presence terrified the white tiger deeply.

"I have come to understand that you know the individual who caused this entire, nonsensical mess. Why not do your Sister-in-law a favor and hand out the individual's identity," Bibi Dong began calmly, causing Dai Mu to smile, "I will. But first, I need it made worth my while."

"Oh," Bibi Dong replied with a slightly bored expression, "I get it. You feel that you learn from your setbacks. It's a gift, really." Bibi Dong's words caused Dai Mu to smile. However, Dai Mu's body shivered as a strange chill crept up her body as Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes, "In our team, you've only really faced Ka-ul, and then, too, you were merely a side thought of his. Princess Dai Mu, if you think that little information is worth Giant's Fortress or even any more significant change in the agreement I have with the Clear Sky Clan."

Not expecting such a reaction, Dai Mu fell stunned as she tried to reason, "At least, think about—"

"No," Bibi Dong interrupted, "I won't. Even Yuehua is prepared for this and the general understanding between the two of our parties is that there won't be any personal attacks. Since that is the case, I am free to do what I wish while Yuehua peacefully cultivates."

"It won't end well," Dai Mu sighed and Bibi Dong sneered, "Princess Dai... why did you come here alone?"

"I want to prevent any change in the cordiality formed between the Giant's Fortress and the Clear Sky Sect."

"And what cordiality is that?" Bibi Dong questioned, "Do you mean our agreement to let the Clear Sky members enter the fortress free of cost? That is not cordiality but a transaction.

Since the Clear Sky Clan's Titled Douluo has picked his side, he should be ready."

"Ready?" Dai Mu frowned. This time Bibi Dong chuckled.

"Were you under the impression that I am Ka-ul? Or maybe Ah Yin?" Bibi Dong's stare turned sharp and her expression slightly venomous, "Ka-ul won't bother with this because he will find nothing to his personal benefit. Ah Yin would believe such a conflict beneath her. But the fight the Firebird Douluo picked with is me."

Dai Mu's eyes widened as Bibi Dong responded coldly, "And I would place this clan and that woman to the pedestal they deserve— beneath me."

While Dai Mu left unsure as to how Bibi Dong already knew of the conspirator, the leader of the Giant's Fortress walked within the forest and found Hu Lana and Xie Xan near a bunch of younger mutated giants. It was clear by one look that the growth of forest directly affected the growth of the spirit beasts and that's why this location was the best place to cultivate Giants.

She gazed at the sleeping giants. Even the young ones under the level of 1000 years were as high as four meters.

"I heard from Yuehua that her sister-in-law came with an offer," Hu Lana began, "Did you accept it?"

"I didn't even care to hear it," Bibi Dong smiled. Xie Xan frowned at this and she caught that look.

"You can be candid with me."

"Alright," Xie Xan nodded, "Isn't it too early to even try and challenge a full-fledged sect?"

"We aren't challenging the Clear Sky Sect. It's true that because of the sect's minor clans surrounding us, the path for outsiders is cut off until this situation resolves but that's our target. They know that something happened here. Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo are sure that it's Firebird Douluo whose ambitions are fueled by the support of other Titled Douluos to suddenly emerge from the shadows for the title of the Supreme Pontiff.

The best way to keep this situation in check is to damage the two in a way that they can never or at least, take a long time to recover."

Bibi Dong smiled, "Clear Sky Sect understands that the growth of this forest is directly linked to the emergence of a Nine-headed Giant or an even greater species. They would want it now or some other time. To counter this, we must take what they hold in high value for the time being."

"Property," Xie Xan understood instantly.

"Exactly," Bibi Dong chuckled.

"What about the Titled Douluo from the Spirit City?" Hu Lana questioned with a worried expression.

"Leave that to me," Bibi Dong's spider web mark which was controlled enough to hide at her will appeared on her forehead, revealing her excitement.

"She suddenly gained ambition at the lack of power. That's an ambition without foundation and it's easiest to crush."

"Record these spirit beasts and send it to... the Attack Clan. Let's start with them. They won't leave the Clear Sky Sect but due to their stubborn nature that is boasted to even make Tang Peng feel helpless, they are the best bet to make believe that the Clear Sky Sect is making the wrong choice. Aside from the recordings, prepare the batch of herbs found in the forest."

Hu Lana nodded.

---

It was Bibi Dong had expected. The moment the Attack Clan got their first batch of herbs found only in the Giant's Forest, and the recording of the mutated beasts including the rarer cyclops, the patriarch of the clan instantly caused an uproar by directly questioning the elders of the Clear Sky Clan.

Even if stubborn, the patriarch of the Attack Clan wasn't a Titled Douluo and had no right to disrespect a Titled Douluo. But the elders of the Clear Sky Clan may be part of the older generation but they weren't Titled Douluos.

This made the already apprehensive elders put a damper on Tang Peng's pressure on other clans. After all, by absorbing the spirit rings of the giants early in their cultivation, the younger generation of the Clear Sky Clan was better than its predecessor in many areas. While Tang Peng still held ambition, the elders were older than him, itself. They enjoyed stability and pursued it with a greater intent.

On the other hand, Bibi Dong still refused to appear directly. Dai Mu may have failed to properly sense Bibi Dong's cultivation due to the sheer intimidation she felt but if others realized how she jumped from rank 70 to 78, it would allow many astute masters to put one and two together and realize that dyeing the sky crimson was her work. But there was another thing. The reason why Bibi Dong's crimson ring was kept a secret was because of the accompanying spirit bone.

Should others know of it, Bibi Dong will have a giant target on her back and even the Spirit Hall didn't want to witness this.

Soon, once the situation stabilized on their end, Bibi Dong privately left for the Spirit City after a long time.

***

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