Chapter 56: Bibi Dong and Liu Erlong's Confrontation
A hundred-thousand-year soul beast — even a Titled Douluo would tread carefully before such a creature.
And yet, this tiny jade vial… contained something capable of threatening one?
"Erlong, if you don't believe me, you can always test the power of this spring water yourself," Bibi Dong said calmly.
With her soul power defense, Liu Erlong could probably endure contact with the spring water for a short while. But if even a drop entered her body, she would definitely suffer serious injury.
"Fine!" Liu Erlong replied, putting away the spiral jade bottle before walking toward the pool.
Her martial soul was the ultimate Fire Dragon. After absorbing the inner core of the Ten-Headed Fierce Yang Serpent, she hadn't grown any additional dragon heads, but she had gained other incredible benefits.
Now, her aura carried the majesty of the Serpent Sovereign—immune to all poisons. The miasma lingering in this place was no longer a threat to her.
Moreover, while her Fire Dragon Martial Soul had yet to evolve into a Ten-Headed Flame Dragon, it had condensed a true Dragon Pearl.
With that Dragon Pearl, her strength had risen to an entirely new level.
Liu Erlong crouched by the pool and dipped her hand into the crimson spring, testing its power.
"Hiss—!"
Her expression froze in shock. Even she—whose flames could burn mountains—felt an intense scorching heat from that water.
Impossible. She had refined her Fire Dragon Martial Soul to a near-perfect level, and yet… she couldn't withstand the heat of this spring?
Quickly withdrawing her hand, Liu Erlong glanced toward the milky-white spring beside it.
The two springs were clearly separated—red and white, blazing and frigid—yet neither overpowered the other. That alone revealed how terrifying their power was.
Circulating her soul power, Liu Erlong dipped her hand into the milky-white spring next. In an instant, a bone-piercing chill surged through her veins.
As expected, she couldn't resist that freezing cold for long either.
If these two types of spring water were ever injected into a person's body… the result would be unimaginable.
Only now did Liu Erlong fully believe Bibi Dong's words. These springs indeed possessed extraordinary power under certain conditions.
"Well? I didn't lie to you, did I?" Bibi Dong chuckled.
Though she had accumulated immense authority after a year as the Pope, in front of her old friend Liu Erlong, she could still reveal a rare hint of warmth.
"Mm. This spring water is truly terrifying," Liu Erlong admitted, her tone mixed with awe and admiration. "But compared to you, it's still not the scariest thing here."
She had noticed earlier—when Bibi Dong collected both types of spring water—her hands had directly touched them, and she had endured it for quite a while.
"Hehe, that's my little secret," Bibi Dong said with a smile. "Anyway, do you need any spiritual herbs? Once you're done picking, let's head down the mountain."
Liu Erlong nodded, collecting a few herbs to nourish her mother's health and train her disciples. Then, she followed Bibi Dong down the mountain trail.
"Erlong, there's something I need your help with," Bibi Dong said suddenly.
"You're already the Pope of Spirit Hall. What could you possibly need my help for? Don't tell me it's about the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?" Liu Erlong asked.
"My father and I already control most of the outer sect and its affiliated forces," Liu Erlong said softly. "But when it comes to the clan's inner circle… we're still far from holding full authority. Our strength isn't quite enough yet."
Currently, Liu Erlong manages Thunder Academy. Many of the younger members of her clan are her students.
Her power alone was enough to command respect—aside from the clan leader, few could stand against her.
"It's not about that," Bibi Dong shook her head. "I need your help finding someone."
She didn't dare mobilize the full strength of Spirit Hall to search openly. If certain corrupt factions—or enemy sects—discovered her interest in a weak soul master, they might target him to threaten her.
There were few she could trust, and Liu Erlong was one of them. That's why she wanted her to keep an eye out.
"Who are you looking for?" Liu Erlong asked curiously.
"His name is Qi Tian," Bibi Dong said quietly. "Perhaps he hasn't been born yet… or maybe he's already a soul master. But one day, he will definitely make his mark on this world."
The moment Bibi Dong finished speaking, Liu Erlong's breath caught—her voice rising in disbelief.
"You said you're looking for who?"
Liu Erlong's eyes widened in disbelief. That name—Qi Tian. Could it be that Qi Tian? The benefactor she knew?
No wonder Bibi Dong also knew about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well… so she was connected to him, too?
Bibi Dong noticed Liu Erlong's sudden change in expression but didn't dwell on it. She calmly shared everything she knew about Qi Tian.
"My benefactor… he's from the future?" Liu Erlong muttered under her breath. "No wonder he hasn't come to see me all this time…"
A swirl of emotions churned within her—sorrow and relief intertwined.
Sorrow that her benefactor had hidden something so important from her.
Relief that his absence wasn't because he'd abandoned her, but because fate itself stood between them.
"Bibi Dong," Liu Erlong asked carefully, "the Qi Tian you're talking about… what does he look like?"
Bibi Dong frowned slightly. Liu Erlong's expression seemed… odd.
Still, she shook her head honestly. "I don't know what he looks like. I've never seen him myself."
"What? You've never seen him either?" Liu Erlong blurted out before she could stop herself. "Don't tell me—you've been possessed by him too?"
Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing within.
"What do you mean by 'you too'?" she asked slowly, her tone sharp as a blade. "Are you saying… there's someone else he possessed before me?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Liu Erlong realized she had slipped up.
"Erlong," Bibi Dong said, her expression darkening, "so you have been possessed by him as well. No wonder he told me to bring you into Spirit Hall… so that's why!"
Bibi Dong finally pieced it together.
The two women stared at each other—eyes locking in silence.
At that moment, they seemed both allies and rivals… confidants bound by fate, yet divided by something unseen.
"Erlong," Bibi Dong said coldly, "forget about the search. I'll handle it myself."
But how could Liu Erlong give up now that she finally had a lead?
"Bibi Dong, it's no trouble," she said firmly. "You're the Pope—you've got far too many responsibilities. Leave the search to me."
"I've been managing Thunder Academy for years, and I was already planning to establish a new one—Sky Dragon Academy!"
"From what you've said, Qi Tian is destined for greatness. Someone with his talent will never stay hidden for long!"
"I'll make Sky Dragon Academy a name known across the entire continent. If he doesn't join Spirit Hall, then he will join my academy!"
Bibi Dong's heart skipped a beat as she listened to Liu Erlong's determined words.
For the first time, she felt as though she had just played a losing move on the chessboard.
She hadn't expected that Qi Tian had possessed not only her, but Liu Erlong as well.
Still, she couldn't outright stop Liu Erlong. She could only subtly intervene.
"Erlong," Bibi Dong said with a faint smile, "since you're planning to establish an academy, allow me to offer some support."
"Your disciple Qin Ming—he's part of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation. This year's Soul Master Tournament champion."
"He's on the verge of breaking through to the Soul Emperor realm, and with his tournament experience, he'll be perfect to help you found Sky Dragon Academy."
Over the past decade, Qin Ming had been training within Spirit Hall and had little contact with his original teacher.
In name, he was Liu Erlong's disciple… but in truth, he was far closer to Bibi Dong—one of her most loyal supporters.
His championship victory had brought great prestige to Bibi Dong's leadership, strengthening her position further.
By assigning Qin Ming to assist Liu Erlong, she could both offer help and keep things under control, ensuring Liu Erlong wouldn't act alone once Qi Tian appeared.
Liu Erlong pressed her lips together, thinking it over. In the end, she didn't refuse.
If Bibi Dong hadn't mentioned him, she might've forgotten this excellent disciple of hers altogether.
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End of Chapter