Yue Guan naturally knew what Yin Zhang was hinting at.
The death of the previous Supreme Pontiff, Qian Xunji, had always been suspicious.
Back then, all three of them had been injured by Tang Hao. Qian Xunji's injuries were indeed the most severe, but they were not beyond recovery—certainly not fatal. Yet he still died.
There was no way there wasn't something strange about it.
Moreover, both Yue Guan and Gui Mei knew that Bibi Dong had vanished from the sight of Spirit Hall's upper echelon for several years. She only reappeared after Qian Xunji's death, stepping directly into his position as Supreme Pontiff. How could such a coincidence exist in this world?
They had harbored doubts for a long time, but because of their status, they never dared to probe too deeply.
Now, however, Yin Zhang had directly pierced that thin layer of window paper, causing Yue Guan's previously firm resolve to waver. The question resurfaced in his heart—should he defect, or not?
Seeing the nervous hesitation on Yue Guan's face, Yin Zhang was not worried in the slightest.
At this point, he no longer cared whether Yue Guan and Gui Mei chose to side with the Hall of Worship right now. After all, Bibi Dong was Hu Liena's teacher; she was not someone who needed to be completely abandoned.
When the time came, he would use the full power of the Hall of Worship to apply overwhelming pressure. Faced with that momentum, Bibi Dong would have no chance of resisting.
By then, what Yue Guan and Gui Mei thought would be irrelevant.
More importantly, Yin Zhang still remembered the past—how Bibi Dong and the others had brought him back to Spirit Hall. Among them, Yue Guan had treated him fairly well. Otherwise, Yin Zhang would never have let this matter pass so lightly.
He coughed lightly and continued,
"Elder Yue may not know—or perhaps you already do—but the previous Supreme Pontiff, Qian Xunji, actually had another child. Although she has been away from Spirit Hall for many years, she is still working undercover for Spirit Hall's cause. What I want to say is this: if you still remember the kindness of the previous Supreme Pontiff, it wouldn't be too late to make your decision when all hope is truly gone."
Yue Guan looked at Yin Zhang, deeply shaken.
Over the past few years, even without deliberately paying attention, he could clearly sense the changes within Spirit Hall. More and more Spirit Masters were choosing to side with the Hall of Worship.
The decline of the Supreme Pontiff Palace was inevitable.
Going against the tide would almost certainly end badly.
And this so-called "tide" was nothing more than one side gradually gaining an overwhelming advantage over the other.
After Yue Guan left, Yin Zhang headed straight for Spirit Hall Academy.
Hu Liena was still studying there.
Because she did not want Hu Liena and Yin Zhang to grow closer, Bibi Dong used the excuse of further study to keep Hu Liena at the academy, hoping that time would slowly dull their relationship.
In reality, however, Yin Zhang still visited the academy every few days.
After all, the dean of Spirit Hall Academy was none other than Uncle Qian Gu.
Within the academy grounds, an elderly man with graying temples walked leisurely while holding a porcelain-like little girl in his arms.
As students passed by, they could not help but glance a few times before respectfully greeting him, "Dean."
They were Uncle Qian Gu and Qiangu Bai.
Ever since his granddaughter was born, Uncle Qian Gu had doted on her endlessly. During the day, when no one was competing to carry her, he would personally bring her into the academy, enjoying rare moments of family warmth.
Yin Zhang entered Spirit Hall Academy unimpeded. From afar, he spotted Uncle Qian Gu and Qiangu Bai, who was not even a meter tall.
"Uncle Qian Gu, little Bai, it's been a few days. How have you been?"
As Yin Zhang approached, Uncle Qian Gu shot him an annoyed glance, while Qiangu Bai immediately brightened.
"Uncle-in-law! Uncle-in-law~"
With her short legs, Qiangu Bai ran over and tugged excitedly at Yin Zhang's pant leg.
Yin Zhang laughed and said to Uncle Qian Gu,
"Look at that, Uncle Qian Gu. Xiao Bai likes me so much."
Uncle Qian Gu rolled his eyes.
"If you have something to say, say it quickly. If you have something to let out, don't hold it in. Sister Yunying left Spirit City after midnight—you should know that. Coming to see me now, are you here to ask about her?"
Yin Zhang shook his head.
"I trust Sister Yunying's strength. Even if she goes to Slaughter City, she'll come back safely. I also gave her a trump card—enough to ensure her survival there. If you don't believe me, Uncle Qian Gu, you'll see for yourself once she returns."
Seeing the sincerity in Yin Zhang's expression, Uncle Qian Gu nodded with satisfaction.
"Alright, kid. What did you really come to find me for this time? You don't visit without a reason."
Yin Zhang smiled.
"Uncle Qian Gu, I came to offer you a helping hand."
"A helping hand?" Uncle Qian Gu raised an eyebrow. "How exactly do you plan to help me?"
Yin Zhang replied calmly,
"I want to help you raise your spirit power to Level 90—quickly. Are you interested?"
The moment the words left his mouth, Uncle Qian Gu's eyes lit up.
Although he had not been at Level 89 for very long and logically shouldn't be in a hurry, he knew better than anyone that the higher one's spirit power, the harder each breakthrough became.
If there were a shortcut like before, he would not mind putting aside a bit of pride.
Becoming a Titled Douluo sooner was the correct path.
Yin Zhang smiled to himself.
On the Douluo Continent, there were many opportunities to rapidly increase one's strength. He just so happened to know of one perfectly suited for Uncle Qian Gu.
Uncle Qian Gu's martial spirit was the Coiling Dragon Rod.
From what Yin Zhang knew, the ninth spirit ring for the Coiling Dragon Rod had to come from a true dragon-type spirit beast or, at the very least, a sub-dragon species with Dragon Clan bloodline. Only then could the spirit bind a dragon soul within it and fully unleash its power.
If a different type of spirit beast were used, the effect would be greatly diminished.
And the best candidate was the Sky Azure Bull Python of the Star Dou Great Forest.
According to the original records, the Sky Azure Bull Python was the descendant of a true dragon-type spirit beast and a bovine spirit beast. It possessed an extremely rich true dragon bloodline and was one of the strongest sub-dragon species spirit beasts in existence.
Hunting the Sky Azure Bull Python and letting Uncle Qian Gu absorb its spirit ring would be immensely beneficial.
In fact, after absorbing a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring and spirit bone, breaking through directly to Level 92 would be entirely normal. Failing to reach Level 92 would be the real impossibility.
As for the Titan Giant Ape, it would have to be dealt with as well. Otherwise, if the Sky Azure Bull Python were killed while it survived, it would surely seek revenge against humanity.
Ideally, another high-level Spirit Master should be found to absorb the Sky Azure Bull Python's spirit ring as well. A hundred-thousand-year spirit ring was far too valuable to waste.
As for testing the waters first—Yin Zhang did not yet have a suitable candidate in mind.