Spirit City, Pope Palace.
Bibi Dong was observing the entire Spirit City while also sensing Hu Liena handling administrative affairs.
Various pieces of news from the continent kept gathering, and Hu Liena decisively dealt with each matter one by one.
Hu Liena was becoming increasingly proficient, issuing orders in place of her, the Pope.
During this period, the upper echelons of Spirit Hall had come to know that Hu Liena was Bibi Dong's successor. She was also increasingly embodying Bibi Dong's style—decisive and ruthless in handling affairs—earning the admiration of these Titled Douluos.
These high-ranking members believed that another way Hu Liena resembled Bibi Dong lay in her cultivation. After advancing to Soul Saint, she continued to progress by leaps and bounds. Such talent indeed qualified her to command respect from both superiors and subordinates.
Bibi Dong was very satisfied with all of this.
Watching Spirit Hall operate in an orderly manner, she felt her perspective was novel, as if viewing everything from a god-like vantage point.
She could calmly observe everyone's actions.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, the Clear Sky Sect, the Heaven Dou Empire, Qian Renxue, the Dugu Family, the Star Luo Zhu Family, the Lower Four Sects...
All their movements were clearly understood by Bibi Dong.
That Evil Soul Master must feel the same way!
Secretly observing the entire Douluo Continent, then striking at the opportune moment!
The other party must control an information network spanning the entire continent. Therefore, they could only come from one of the major powers—definitely not someone who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
The other party had also taken action against Tang San multiple times, even provoking Tang Hao and herself into mutual injury. Thus, the Clear Sky Sect could be ruled out.
Among the remaining forces with such capability, only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Dugu Family remained.
And these two sides had even formed a marriage alliance!
The Dugu Family!
Bibi Dong's eyes grew profound as she pondered some conjectures.
This family had always been renowned for poison, skilled at killing in the shadows. Wasn't the Elephant Armor Sect destroyed in just such a manner?
Right, ordinary people would never dare to absorb the stolen Unicorn Earthworm and Netherworld Poison Crocodile.
The toxins within their bodies alone could poison a Soul Master to death.
Only Poison Attribute Spirit Masters would flock to them.
Poison!
The likelihood of it being the Dugu Family was too great!
"Ning Fengzhi, you old fox of the Upper Three Sects! When it comes to the most extensive information channels on the continent, aside from Spirit Hall, it must be you, Ning Fengzhi!
Outwardly low-key, but in reality, you must be involved in no small number of schemes!"
Bibi Dong snorted coldly. The alliance between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Dugu Family indeed had the capability to orchestrate so many incidents.
Bibi Dong's heart gradually calmed.
Secretly observing and deducing her enemies filled her with exhilaration.
It also allowed her to see many things she had previously overlooked.
An unknown enemy was the most terrifying.
Now that I'm about to uncover you, will you still be terrifying?
Bibi Dong felt excited. Just wait—I'm going to absorb the final two Spirit Rings. After that, who can still hinder my progress?
During this time, her injuries had fully healed. As long as she obtained the last two Spirit Rings, she could become a Double Ring Title Douluo.
With the strength of a Double Ring Title Douluo, she could easily complete the Eighth Trial and then inherit the Godhood.
The day of her dreams was not far off.
Excited, Bibi Dong was about to order Chrysanthemum Douluo to capture the candidate Spirit Beasts for her.
However, she sensed the message reported from Death Canyon by Hu Liena.
Instantly, Bibi Dong's eyes widened in fury.
Those were the soul beasts she had prepared for her eighth and ninth spirit rings. Without a 100,000-year spirit ring, high-age soul beasts from Death Canyon were the best alternative.
Now, a spirit beast riot had occurred.
It must be you, it must be you!
Bibi Dong lifted her foot to stride out, but as soon as she stepped beyond the Pope Palace, she halted.
Her heart grew wary.
"Could this be a trap, luring me to act again, only to inflict severe injuries and delay my God Test progress?"
Bibi Dong became anxious and hesitant.
She simply turned and headed toward the summit of Pope Mountain.
Once again, she arrived at the familiar square of the Elders Hall.
Qiandao Liu was still waiting for her before the Angel Statue.
"Greetings, Great Enshrinement.
I have just received news of a spirit beast riot in Death Canyon. It must be the work of the hidden Evil Soul Master, aiming to destroy the soul beasts I prepared for my eighth and ninth spirit rings.
I humbly request the Great Enshrinement to lead the other enshrinements on a trip to quell the riot!"
Bibi Dong finally adopted a somewhat pleading demeanor, speaking with much more sincerity.
Qiandao Liu turned his head in surprise. Was this still the proud Bibi Dong?
"A mere spirit beast riot, and you cannot handle it?" Qiandao Liu said calmly.
"Two and a half years have passed since the battle in Star Dou Great Forest, and my injuries have only just healed. Immediately afterward, the major incident of the Star Luo Emperor's death occurred.
Now, there is another spirit beast riot. This is targeting me.
This Evil Soul Master wants to lure me into action, intending to severely injure me again and delay my cultivation progress.
I absolutely cannot leave Pope Mountain."
Bibi Dong spoke through gritted teeth.
Qiandao Liu's expression remained calm, but his mind was clear as day. The exposure of the two 100,000-year soul beasts in Star Dou Great Forest last time was clearly aimed at Bibi Dong.
The outcome of the battle not only severely injured Bibi Dong but also stole her external soul bone.
This time, with the spirit beast riot occurring, it was indeed possible, as Bibi Dong suspected, that it was a lure for her.
Yet, Qiandao Liu still shook his head. "Unless the Spirit Hall faces life or death, I will not intervene.
Let your subordinate Titled Douluo handle it!"
In truth, he did not want Bibi Dong to become a god either. He understood all too well Bibi Dong's hatred toward the Qian family.
He could sense Bibi Dong's madness to destroy everything, and now he truly had no desire to save the soul beasts she had prepared for her eighth and ninth spirit rings.
Bibi Dong's expression turned cold. "Hmph, Great Enshrinement, I knew you wouldn't help me.
No matter. When this Evil Soul Master becomes a god, let's see what level your granddaughter can cultivate to.
If I'm not mistaken, this Evil Soul Master was nurtured by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Dugu Family.
Your granddaughter has been played for a fool by them, and she even delayed my Soul Hunting Operation, giving them time to grow!
Even the deaths of Snake Spear Douluo and Pufferfish Douluo are inextricably linked to them.
Do you think this Evil Soul Master knows your granddaughter's true identity?
One day, you will realize who was wrong!
Hahahaha!"
Bibi Dong laughed loudly as she walked down the mountain.
Since she suspected the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Dugu Family, she naturally pinned everything on them.
Although there was no evidence, they were the only ones with both the power and the motive to benefit.
Then, this Evil Soul Master, who could even target her God Test and appeared omniscient and omnipotent...
Would the other party know Qian Renxue's true identity?
Bibi Dong had just said it casually, but upon turning around, she was struck with horror.
It was absolutely possible!
After all, Qian Renxue's initial plan had been to annihilate the Dugu Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, but she had ultimately changed her mind.
If the Evil Soul Master came from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Dugu Family, and instead continuously drew closer to Qian Renxue, persuading her to change her mind...
Wouldn't they be the ones to benefit the most?
If before, Bibi Dong had only been suspicious, now she was almost certain that this Evil Soul Master must be a hidden force of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Dugu Family.
(End of Chapter)