When the four-person group led by Chrysanthemum Douluo reached the foot of Pope Mountain, Bibi Dong had already sensed their arrival.
Hu Liena's advancement to Soul King seemed uneventful at first glance.
Yet Bibi Dong immediately noticed something amiss.
Hu Liena's face was deathly pale, her body weak as if recovering from a serious illness—clearly, something unexpected had occurred.
The grim expressions on Chrysanthemum Douluo and the others showed no trace of celebration.
Something must have gone wrong.
Bibi Dong's anger simmered—how could there be complications absorbing a mere Fifth Soul Ring?
Just as Chrysanthemum Douluo prepared to speak, Hu Liena stepped forward to intercept him.
"Teacher, my Fifth Soul Ring came from a thirteen-thousand-year Three-Eyed Magic Fox. The absorption process went smoothly—I've now reached level 51 as a Soul King!" Hu Liena declared preemptively.
After all, Chrysanthemum Douluo had saved her life, and Hu Liena feared he might face their teacher's wrath. By speaking first as the victim, she hoped to temper Bibi Dong's fury.
Chrysanthemum Douluo shot Hu Liena a grateful glance and wisely remained silent.
"Then explain your current condition," Bibi Dong demanded coolly.
"Teacher, the Three-Eyed Magic Fox not only provided my Fifth Soul Ring but also an External Soul Bone—a Fox Tail," Hu Liena replied, her voice strained with pain.
"An External Soul Bone? Continue!" Bibi Dong pressed, intrigued yet aware this wasn't the full story.
"At that exact moment, an Evil Soul Master appeared unexpectedly. He first lured Elder Chrysanthemum away with two Ten-Thousand Year Soul Beasts, then used Earth Escape Technique to drag me underground. His earth escape skills were so advanced that even Elder Chrysanthemum couldn't counter them... My External Soul Bone was devoured by that Evil Soul Master." Hu Liena recounted the events in a subdued tone.
Bibi Dong could no longer remain seated. She stood abruptly, strode to Hu Liena, and grasped her hand—channeling Soul Power to assess her condition.
The examination revealed alarming fragility in Hu Liena's spinal column—lingering damage from the stolen External Soul Bone.
Purple light flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes as she turned her furious gaze toward Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"I beg for the Pope's punishment!" Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately prostrated himself.
With a cold snort, Bibi Dong pronounced judgment: "I always reward and punish justly. You fell for an Evil Soul Master's scheme, causing Nana to lose her External Soul Bone—that's your crime. Yet you pursued the villain relentlessly and rescued Nana—that's your merit. However, the merit doesn't outweigh the fault. I sentence you to forfeit three years of elder privileges. Do you accept?"
Were it not for Hu Liena's intervention, she would have blasted Chrysanthemum Douluo with a Soul Skill to vent her rage.
An External Soul Bone!
Bibi Dong herself possessed one—six wings from the Purple Wing Spider Emperor that granted flight capabilities far surpassing other Titled Experts' speed, along with versatile offensive applications.
The Fox Tail External Soul Bone would have perfectly complemented Hu Liena's Fifth Soul Ring, elevating her disciple's combat prowess to new heights.
And now it was gone?
Bibi Dong felt like a fireball had exploded in her chest.
"Thank you for your mercy, Your Holiness!" Chrysanthemum Douluo responded eagerly, inwardly overjoyed.
The punishment was far lighter than he'd anticipated—he owed Hu Liena a tremendous debt.
Bibi Dong turned her gentle gaze toward Hu Liena once more. "Child, when you were devoured by the Evil Soul Master, you must have experienced the aura of death. Yet, this was undoubtedly a trial for you.
You are strong.
Losing your External Soul Bone is undoubtedly painful, but the fact that you've recovered so quickly proves to me that your future achievements will be no less than mine!"
Bibi Dong encouraged Hu Liena.
Her tender demeanor left Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yan, and Xie Yue momentarily stunned.
Bibi Dong was already breathtakingly beautiful, but paired with her soft voice and caring expression—
Was this still the same domineering and authoritative Pope?
Yan and Xie Yue couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.
The Pope treated Hu Liena far too well—better than even a biological daughter!
What they didn't know was that no biological daughter could compare to Hu Liena in Bibi Dong's eyes.
Hu Liena's eyes welled up with tears, like a wronged child finally seeing her parents after suffering outside.
The torment and anguish she endured after losing her External Soul Bone—who else could truly understand?
It had taken immense willpower for her to move forward.
She felt that the Pope truly understood her.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, issue an order in the name of Spirit Hall—put out a continent-wide bounty on Evil Soul Masters. Anyone who provides a lead will be rewarded with a Soul Bone!
The moment their whereabouts are discovered, you and Ghost Elder are to take action immediately. Dead or alive—it doesn't matter!"
Bibi Dong returned to her papal seat, issuing the command with chilling authority.
Dare to harm her disciple?
She would make them pay.
"Yes, Your Holiness!"
Chrysanthemum Douluo responded with fervor.
Once this order spread, it would undoubtedly stir a storm of bloodshed across the continent.
It would also be the perfect opportunity to clean up some minor factions.
Chrysanthemum Douluo had many thoughts running through his mind.
Because of Dugu Feng seizing Hu Liena's External Soul Bone, the Douluo Continent was about to be thrown into turmoil.
Meanwhile, the instigator himself, Dugu Feng, silently cultivated in an underground training hall.
As time passed, he continued receiving updates from Old Nine about the outside world.
First was the news from Suotuo City.
Rumors spread of a great battle outside Suotuo City.
Many had witnessed a colossal blue dragon clashing with a black mountain in the sky, the sounds of combat so intense that every Soul Master in Suotuo City had felt it.
Everyone speculated that it was a conflict between Yu Yuanzhen and Tang Hao.
But no one knew the outcome—Suotuo City had long since returned to peace.
This incident finally salvaged some dignity for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.
After all, if the family's direct heir was killed and Yu Yuanzhen didn't even dare to retaliate—
Then the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family might as well give up its status as one of the Upper Three Sects!
The fact that Yu Yuanzhen dared to confront Tang Hao head-on reminded everyone once again—the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family was worthy of being the strongest Beast Martial Soul family.
They had top-tier powerhouses.
Additionally, Dugu Feng also received news that Yu Yuanzhen had once visited Spirit City.
During the same period when the six families held their meeting in Suotuo City, Yu Yuanzhen had gone to Spirit City.
Combined with the news of Yu Yuanzhen's battle against Tang Hao—
Dugu Feng knew the rift between the Upper Three Sects had deepened.
Ning Fengzhi, wary of the Clear Sky Sect's strength, would act even more cautiously in the future.
After this incident, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family would undoubtedly grow closer to Spirit Hall.
A sudden thought struck Dugu Feng.
In the original timeline, Bibi Dong's Soul Hunting Operation primarily targeted the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family.
But given the current situation—would she still proceed the same way?
At the very least, if he were Bibi Dong—
He absolutely wouldn't ignore the Clear Sky Sect's numerous Titled Douluo and allow them to develop unchecked.
She turned her attention to dealing with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family instead.
Once Bibi Dong launched the Soul Hunting Operation again, there would be quite a spectacle to behold.
At that time, the Clear Sky Sect would likely become the main focus.
Now that Bibi Dong knew Tang Hao's whereabouts yet took no action, Dugu Feng didn't believe it was because she was afraid—how could a madwoman feel fear?
This madwoman must be brewing an earth-shattering attack.
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!