Yang Wudi's voice was very low. Tang San noticed that as he spoke, the clothes on his body were trembling faintly—he was clearly forcing down his emotions with great effort.
"Because of the diversity of formulas, mixed poisons have always been the most difficult to neutralize. And this particular lethal toxin, which our Break Clan spent years researching, is something no outsider could possibly cure. Even consuming antidotes of the heavenly treasure grade would only suppress it temporarily, and when it rebounded, the eruption would be even more violent. If not for Dugu Bo's method of fighting poison with poison, even ten Emperor Xueyes would have perished long ago."
"After this toxin was developed, it was classified as one of our clan's forbidden substances due to its overwhelming ferocity. Back then, after the Clear Sky School shut its doors, the four single-element clans were forced to scatter. We came under attack from Spirit Hall. In that battle, not only was my only son killed miserably, but my own younger brother, Yang Wushuang, was captured by them. From that day forward, there was no word of him. This Seven-Colored Glutinous Poison—within the Break Clan, only Wushuang and I knew how to use it. When I saw this toxin in Emperor Xueye's body, I realized that Wushuang hadn't died after all. He had become a lackey of Spirit Hall."
At this point, Yang Wudi paused. In his eyes, dark flames seemed to dance. "I would have preferred him dead. I'd rather he not have become an accomplice of Spirit Hall."
Tang San sighed softly. "Life is precious. Perhaps he had his own unspeakable difficulties? This matter ultimately stems from the Clear Sky School and Spirit Hall. Elder, please don't dwell on it too much."
Yang Wudi was silent for a moment, then looked at Tang San and said, "Sect Master, if the day ever comes when you encounter him, please allow me to kill him with my own hands." After these words, his gaze turned abruptly cold and sharp. He gave Tang San a slight bow, then strode away.
Watching Yang Wudi's somewhat desolate and unyielding back, Tang San sighed inwardly.
"That old goat still has that same wretched temper. Tch—" The sudden voice startled Tang San. His gaze sharpened, and he retreated rapidly, positioning himself in front of his bedchamber door. Xiao Wu was sleeping inside, and the fact that someone had managed to approach this close without his knowledge—even with his spiritual power extending a hundred meters in every direction—sent a chill down his spine. The hair on his body stood on end, and cold sweat drenched his back.
"It's me." A white flash, and a figure stood before Tang San. It was none other than the Hall Master of the Agility Hall, Bai He.
Seeing it was one of their own, Tang San let out a great sigh of relief. "Grand-Uncle, you're going to scare someone to death. I was wondering who else had abilities like yours. I wasn't actively projecting, but my spiritual sense can still detect everything within a hundred meters. The only person who could slip in undetected must be you."
Bai He smiled faintly. "Don't place too much faith in spiritual sense. Any form of detection has blind spots. Spiritual sense is no exception. Once my speed reaches a certain level, combined with certain techniques, unless you're concentrating with your full attention, it's very difficult to notice me."
Tang San chuckled. "Among Soul Masters, probably no one can compete with you in speed. But what did you mean by your words just now? Elder Yang, he—"
Bai He sighed. "The Break Clan was originally led by the two brothers, Yang Wudi and Yang Wushuang. In their youth, they relied on each other. Yang Wushuang was captured because he was protecting Yang Wudi. The bond between them was extraordinarily deep. Sect Master, if we ever truly face Yang Wushuang in the future, could you, for my sake, spare his life?"
Tang San nodded silently.
Bai He continued, "Actually, I didn't come to talk to you about the old goat. It's about Chenxiang. She spoke out of turn to you today, didn't she?"
Tang San shook his head. "I wouldn't say out of turn. I just don't understand—what did Fatty do to win you over, to the point where you'd agree to marry your precious granddaughter to him? Or were you just joking with him?"
Bai He sighed. "How could I joke about something like this? I truly have agreed. Not because of your relationship with him, but for the sake of our Agility Clan. I only made one condition of Ma Hongjun. In the future, if he and Chenxiang have children, one of the boys who inherits his Phoenix Martial Soul must take over the position of Agility Clan patriarch, and take the surname Bai."
Hearing Bai He's explanation, Tang San immediately understood. So that was it. This uncle of his could truly be called calculating and far-sighted. Fatty's appearance might be lacking—hardly a match for Chenxiang—but one mustn't forget that he was the possessor of the super Martial Soul, the Phoenix. In terms of quality, the Phoenix could rival the Six-Winged Angel. Even if there was a slight gap, it was negligible at best.
Moreover, the Phoenix was king of all birds. The Agility Clan's Sharp-Tailed Swift Martial Soul, while extraordinary in speed, was still far inferior to the Phoenix. Bai He intended to use Ma Hongjun to improve the Martial Soul bloodline of the Agility Clan! No wonder he was willing to sacrifice Bai Chenxiang's happiness. And whether she would truly be unhappy remained to be seen—with Tang San as a factor, would Ma Hongjun dare mistreat Bai Chenxiang? It was clear that Bai He had thought long and hard before making this decision. Everyone had their selfishness, and in this matter, Tang San had little grounds to object.
"So that's how it is. As long as Fatty agrees himself, I have no objections. However, I imagine you also hope that Chenxiang will find happiness. On this training expedition, apart from Fatty, everyone else is going as a couple. Why not bring Chenxiang along? It would give them a chance to get to know each other and develop their feelings. Fatty will definitely protect her well. What do you think?"
Bai He was overjoyed to hear this, then smiled bitterly. "My greatest worry was that Chenxiang wouldn't be able to accept it. She's been spoiled by me since she was young. However, in terms of talent for Martial Soul cultivation, she's quite exceptional."
Tang San smiled faintly. "Then it's settled." Bringing Bai Chenxiang along on this training journey was the commitment Tang San had made to Ma Hongjun. Feelings needed time to develop, and whether they could truly develop real affection would depend on Ma Hongjun's own efforts. While Bai Chenxiang wasn't particularly strong in offense or defense, her speed was extraordinary—she would be a more than qualified reconnaissance Soul Master. With her speed alone, she would generally be able to protect herself.
Three days later, after settling all clan affairs, Tang San departed Tian Dou City with Xiao Wu and the Divine Artisan Lou Gao. Before heading to Sea God Island, he first needed to return to the Clear Sky School.
……
Spirit Hall, Papal Hall.
The entire council chamber of the Papal Hall seemed coated in a layer of frost. Only three people were inside. Pope Bibi Dong, seated in the chief position. The Spirit Hall Saintess Hu Liena, standing behind her in terrified silence. And Qian Renxue, who had changed back into women's clothing, her golden hair flowing, her bearing valiant and striking.
Qian Renxue stood ten meters opposite Bibi Dong. The deathly silence in the council chamber had persisted for a very long time. Bibi Dong's piercing gaze was fixed unwaveringly on Qian Renxue's face. But Qian Renxue stared right back without yielding a single inch. Neither spoke, but the oppressive atmosphere made it feel as though Hu Liena, standing behind Bibi Dong, could barely breathe.
"Liena, step out first." Bibi Dong waved her hand. Something seemed to have appeared in her eyes, and something else had disappeared.
Hu Liena secretly let out a breath of relief, responded respectfully, and quickly left the council chamber. Only after she had exited did she realize that her undergarments were soaked through with sweat.
She had followed Bibi Dong for many years, yet had never seen anyone dare meet Bibi Dong's gaze with such eyes. Who was that woman? She didn't look much older than herself. But why was her aura so overwhelming? It wasn't the pressure of a Martial Soul—it was a dominance and majesty that radiated from the very core of her being.
With Hu Liena gone, only Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue remained in the Spirit Hall council chamber. Bibi Dong slowly rose to her feet. Her figure was similar in height to Qian Renxue's, and she walked toward her step by step.
Qian Renxue did not retreat before Bibi Dong's imposing aura. Her expression remained serene, and her gaze was even more intense than Bibi Dong's.
An extremely complex light flashed through the depths of Bibi Dong's eyes. Suddenly, as if all of her aura had vanished in that instant, she sighed and said, "You failed, you failed. Everything can begin again from scratch. In the grand scheme of things, we still hold an absolute advantage."
Qian Renxue said coldly, "I wasn't defeated by Tang San. I was defeated by you. If you hadn't been so impatient, why would I have had to take the risk and act prematurely? Sis—ter—" That last word, which should have been a term of address, she deliberately dragged out, making it sound utterly mocking.
"Sister?" A flash of fury crossed Bibi Dong's eyes. "Fine. Remember this—henceforth, you will always address me this way."
Qian Renxue let out a cold snort. "No, I'll continue to call you Pope. In this world, I have only one relative, and that is Grandfather. Apart from Grandfather, no kinship term will ever cross my lips again. Didn't you once say that my very existence in this world was a mistake? He is dead, and you have obtained what you wanted. But remember this—you are you, and I am me. From now on, we each go our own way. You run your Spirit Hall, and I'll manage the Elder Hall and Douluo Hall. Starting now, you have no authority to mobilize any elder of the Elder Hall."
"What did you say?" Bibi Dong's gaze turned sharp once more. Her powerful aura instantly condensed into a pressure so tangible it forced Qian Renxue to stagger back several steps before she could stabilize herself. Under the crushing weight of Bibi Dong's overwhelming presence, a thin line of blood trickled from the corner of Qian Renxue's mouth. But the cold sneer on her face did not diminish in the slightest.
Seeing the blood at the corner of Qian Renxue's mouth, Bibi Dong froze for a moment. The fierce aura around her faltered, then slowly subsided.
"Go. Go see your grandfather. If he also agrees with what you've said, I have no objections." In that instant, Bibi Dong seemed to have aged ten years. One had to remember that although she was actually twenty years older than Qian Renxue, in appearance they looked remarkably similar.
Qian Renxue cast one cold glance at Bibi Dong and walked out without looking back. The doors of the council chamber slammed shut with a thunderous crash, as if sealing them in two separate worlds.
Bibi Dong seemed to lose all her strength at once, collapsing into her chair. Tears flowed uncontrollably down her face. Who could have imagined that this iron-willed Pope could have such a vulnerable side?
The Elder Hall.
This was the largest structure within the Papal Hall complex, and it represented the most powerful force in all of Spirit Hall. Within the towering domed building, the moment one entered, there was a vast hall. The hollowed dome rose nearly thirty meters high, with three surrounding tiers, each containing ten rooms.
Under normal circumstances, the primary condition for residing here was having Soul Power of level ninety or above, possessing the strength of a Titled Douluo. This was where Spirit Hall's true supreme authority lay—even the Pope was subject to its checks. In the end, it all came down to power. If the elders residing here united, they could reduce a city to rubble within a single day. This was no exaggeration.
At that moment, the Elder Hall was utterly silent—not a single servant in sight. As Qian Renxue stepped into the great hall, the pores on her body contracted involuntarily. There, at the innermost end of the hall, before a towering ten-meter sculpture of the Six-Winged Angel crafted entirely from pure gold, a figure stood silently, his back to the entrance, gazing up at the golden effigy.
From behind, it was a man—tall, but not particularly well-built, dressed in a plain gray robe, his black hair cascading down his back, meticulously groomed.
Standing there, he gave off an extraordinarily strange sensation. Qian Renxue, who possessed the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, felt it with particular clarity—as if that person and the Six-Winged Angel statue were one and the same, indistinguishable from each other. It seemed as though the sunlight streaming through the enormous windows was all focused on him alone. Despite his plain attire, his mere presence inspired an overwhelming urge to bow in reverence.
"Grandfather." Still at the entrance, Qian Renxue dropped to her knees with a thud. The stubborn composure on her icy face finally crumbled, and tears streamed down her cheeks.
The gray-robed man slowly turned around. The peculiar aura that had surrounded him moments before vanished completely. In appearance, he looked only thirty or forty years old—quite handsome, with a faint smile on his face. That calm, serene demeanor gave one an incredibly comfortable feeling. Most remarkably, even a Titled Douluo standing here would be unable to detect the slightest ripple of Soul Power emanating from him.
The gray-robed man took a gentle step forward, and in the next instant he stood before Qian Renxue. His movement hadn't seemed fast, yet by the time he reached her, Qian Renxue had already thrown herself into his arms, sobbing openly.
Even the strongest of people had their vulnerable side. Bibi Dong was so, and how could Qian Renxue be any different? Posing as Xue Qinghe for over a decade, the pressure she had endured and the youth she had lost—only she herself truly understood.
"You went to see her?" The gray-robed man gently stroked Qian Renxue's golden hair.
Qian Renxue nodded silently.
The gray-robed man said lightly, "In truth, she is in great pain as well. After all, she was not the one who was wrong back then. Her feelings toward you are not what you imagine them to be."
Qian Renxue looked up at the man she had always considered her only family. "Grandfather, does this mean you won't help me either?"
The gray-robed man sighed softly. "I cannot help. Though she may be aggressive in her methods, she has not done wrong. She is, after all, the Pope of Spirit Hall. Moreover, within Spirit Hall, her influence has already surpassed mine."
"What?" Qian Renxue was stunned, the tears that had been flowing from her eyes suddenly stopping. "That—that's impossible."