Dai Chengfeng's words abruptly pulled Bibi Dong out of the brief warmth. God inheritance? This was not an unfamiliar term. Qian Daoliu had pursued the seat of the Angel God all his life, and she herself had long been chosen by the Raksha God, though that inheritance was filled with distortion and malice. However, for multiple gods to reveal traces across the continent simultaneously was absolutely not ordinary.
"Are you sure the information is reliable?" Bibi Dong sat up straight, her eyes deepening. Her fingertips unconsciously stroked the Tears of the Wind God; beneath the cold gem, there seemed to be an extremely faint pulsation of airflow, like breathing.
"Verified from multiple sources; the probability is extremely high." Dai Chengfeng put away his laziness, his slender fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop. "The news from the Extreme North comes from several adventurer teams who survived by luck; their descriptions are consistent, mentioning unprecedented energy eruptions and illusions appearing in the perpetual freeze core region, suspected to align with ancient Ice God legends. The anomalies at Sea God Island were widely witnessed by coastal fishermen and merchant ships; they say the mist that never disperses around the island briefly vanished, with a golden pillar of light shooting into the sky, accompanied by a grand virtual image. There are also some scattered, unconfirmed rumors that in the depths of the Great Star Dou Forest, around the Slaughter City, and even in the ruins of some long-extinct ancient kingdoms, soul masters with keen perception have detected abnormal energy fluctuations of different attributes."
Bibi Dong fell into deep thought. The God Realm stood high above and usually would not interfere with the lower world so intensively. Unless... something had changed within the God Realm itself, or a screening and arrangement covering a vast scope had already begun. The occasional restlessness of the Raksha God's cold and evil divine consciousness also seemed to corroborate this.
"For us, this is an opportunity, but also a risk," Bibi Dong said slowly, her voice restoring the calm and decisiveness belonging to the Pope. "If we can further obtain detailed information about other God Inheritances, perhaps we can find a way to balance or even... transform them from within. But at the same time, if Tang San, the Clear Sky Sect, or even the Star Luo Empire gets favored by a certain god first, the situation will become even more complex."
"You want to intervene proactively?" Dai Chengfeng looked at the light flashing in her eyes; it was a complex expression mixed with ambition, vigilance, and sharpness.
"Intelligence is the priority," Bibi Dong said decisively. "Elders Ghost Leopard and Spirit Kite specialize in stealth and reconnaissance. Send them to lead elite teams to the Extreme North and the perimeter of Sea God Island respectively; collecting information is the primary task, they must not act rashly. Additionally, transmit orders to all Spirit Hall branches across the regions to closely monitor any abnormal energy reports, ancient ruins movements, or unusual gatherings of soul masters within their jurisdictions, especially those related to keywords like 'God,' 'Inheritance,' or 'Trial.'"
"Alright, I will arrange it." Dai Chengfeng nodded. "Additionally, the Tears of the Wind God... since you've been wearing it recently, have you felt any special sensations?"
Bibi Dong was slightly stunned. She touched the necklace. "It seems a bit more... 'active' than before. Especially when I use soul power, or when my emotions fluctuate, I can feel a faint response of airflow. But it's very vague."
Dai Chengfeng took her hand and slowly injected a trace of extremely pure and gentle wind-attribute divine power into the necklace. Inside the gem, it was as if a sleeping nebula was lit up, circulating with a hazy azure blue halo, more obvious than any time before. A clear breeze that calmed the mind and spirit swept out invisibly, dispersing the stagnant air within the hall, and even suppressing the yin-cold divine power belonging to the Raksha God within Bibi Dong's body by a few degrees.
"The connection between it and you is deepening." Dai Chengfeng's eyes held gratification and a trace of exploration. "The Tears of the Wind God is not an ordinary divine tool; it was once part of the Wind God's authority and possesses spirituality. This 'activity' might be related to the changes in the 'general environment' caused by the emergence of God Inheritances in the outside world. Try to communicate with it more, using your spiritual power, not your soul power."
Bibi Dong attempted to wrap a wisp of spiritual thread around the gem. At first, it was like a stone sinking into the sea, but after a moment, an extremely subtle perception, as if listening to distant wind sounds, feedback returned. It was not language, but more like a transmission of emotion and imagery: vastness, freedom, protection, and a trace of... imperceptible desolation and expectation.
"I seem... able to feel a little," she said somewhat uncertainly.
Dai Chengfeng's smile deepened. "Very good. This is a beginning." He paused, his tone becoming slightly heavier. "However, Dong'er, matters concerning gods are unpredictable. The Tears of the Wind God can protect you, but the Raksha inheritance might hurt you. Before we can fully clarify the movements of the God Realm, your reliance on the Raksha divine power needs to be more cautious."
Bibi Dong understood, of course. The Raksha divine power was a double-edged sword; it gave her power and a shortcut to quick success, but it also eroded her mind at every moment, amplifying the darkness and paranoia within her heart. The appearance of the Tears of the Wind God was like a solid dam, temporarily blocking that corrupt and turbid tide, but behind the dam, the darkness was still surging.
"I know." She gripped his hand tightly in return, drawing in that reassuring warmth and support.
Just then, a respectful announcement came from outside the hall: "Your Holiness the Pope, Holy Maiden Hu Liena requests an audience."
Bibi Dong and Dai Chengfeng exchanged a glance. Dai Chengfeng's figure quietly vanished behind the curtains of the side hall, his aura perfectly concealed. Bibi Dong adjusted her appearance, sat upright on the Pope's throne, and restored her usual majesty and coldness on her face. "Enter."
Hu Liena stepped in gracefully. A white Holy Maiden robe trimmed with gold edges accentuated her graceful figure. On her naturally charming face was a perfect amount of respect and a trace of imperceptible worry. She bowed in salute. "Teacher."
"What is it?" Bibi Dong's gaze swept over her disciple. Hu Liena's talent and mental nature were both excellent; she was the heir Bibi Dong had carefully cultivated. However, recently, there was always a faint sorrow hovering between this child's brows.
"Teacher, regarding Tang San..." Hu Liena spoke, a trace of complexity in her voice. "Our people report that he left Tian Dou City yesterday; the direction seems to be towards the Great Star Dou Forest. Accompanying him are Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun from the Shrek Seven Monsters, as well as Master Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong."
The Great Star Dou Forest? Bibi Dong's fingertips tightened slightly. Could Tang San's target also be related to those rumors of "God Inheritances"? The depths of the Great Star Dou Forest were indeed one of the most mysterious regions on the continent, possibly hiding ancient secrets.
"Do you know the specific purpose?" Bibi Dong asked.
Hu Liena shook her head. "Their whereabouts are very concealed; our people dare not follow too closely for fear of being detected. We only overheard that before departing, they seemed to have had a secret meeting with Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Additionally..." She hesitated for a moment. "Tang San's soul power improvement speed is indeed shocking. According to the latest assessment, he may be close to the peak of Soul Emperor, or even... touching the threshold of Soul Saint. His combat ability, I fear, far exceeds that of his peers."
A flash of cold light appeared in Bibi Dong's eyes. Peak Soul Emperor? How long has it been! The advantage of Twin Martial Souls, plus that woman's 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone, not to mention the covert support of the Clear Sky Sect... This child's growth could no longer be described simply as "exceptional talent"; he was simply a favorite of fate! Just thinking of his face similar to that woman's, and that Yu Xiaogang was currently accompanying him, the suppressed violence and hatred in the bottom of Bibi Dong's heart couldn't help but surge.
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read a completed exclusive novel (Over 250 Chapters) + get up to 30 Chapters ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)