The days following their confrontation in the pavilion were marked by a palpable awkwardness between Chu Tianxiu and Bibi Dong. She did not summon him, and he did not seek her out. Chu Tianxiu knew she was wrestling with a profound internal conflict, but he was also quietly pleased. The fact that she had not immediately struck him down for his declaration proved that he had already carved a significant place in her heart.
Having lived and taken his meals with Bibi Dong since his arrival, Chu Tianxiu had no assigned quarters of his own. He thus moved into the dormitory provided by the Spirit Academy.
A week passed in this uneasy quiet.
Chu Tianxiu was lounging in his dormitory when the door burst open. Yan and Xie Yue entered, carrying a large quantity of high-quality spirit beast meat.
"Boss! We brought you your lunch!" they announced, their demeanor noticeably obsequious.
Indeed, they had become his loyal followers. Since the day he had unleashed his ten-thousand-year spirit ring and dominated the entire elite class, their collective respect had been irrevocably won. In the Spirit Hall, a place where strength was paramount, his power had earned him the right to their deference.
He ate the lunch they provided while they enthusiastically offered to massage his shoulders.
"Boss, how were you able to fuse a ten-thousand-year spirit ring as your first?" Xie Yue asked, his voice full of awe.
"My physical body was strong enough to withstand the spiritual ferocity of the beast," Chu Tianxiu replied casually.
"Then, boss, what methods did you use to train your body?" Yan pressed, his eyes shining with the hope of a secret technique.
Chu Tianxiu's next words shattered that hope. "Spend a few years in the Soul Beast Forest. Fight spirit beasts with your bare hands. After a few years, you will be able to do it too."
The two were horrified. 'A few years? We would not last a week!'
At that moment, a maid from the Papal Palace entered. Chu Tianxiu recognized her and knew that Bibi Dong must have important business; otherwise, she would not seek him out during this strained period.
The maid bowed. "Lord Tianxiu, His Holiness the Pope requests your presence."
As soon as she finished speaking, Chu Tianxiu was on his feet. He nodded to Yan and Xie Yue and followed the maid out.
She led him to the Papal Palace and departed. Chu Tianxiu pushed the grand doors open and walked in. Bibi Dong was seated on her throne once more, her celestial face as composed as ever, though Chu Tianxiu's keen eyes detected she had lost a little weight.
She also observed him. After months of constant companionship, his sudden absence had been felt. But she was still conflicted, trapped between her past and the unsettling future this disciple promised.
A week apart, and she noticed he had grown taller, now almost 1.6 meters, making it hard to believe he was not yet seven years old.
Finally, she broke the silence, her voice carefully neutral. "Little Xiu, in three months, there will be a grand competition to select the next Holy Son of the Spirit Hall. I have registered you."
Chu Tianxiu nodded to show he understood and turned to leave. He was employing a strategy of feigned indifference.
Just as he was about to disappear from her sight, her voice, laced with unconcealed concern, called out from behind him. "Qian Daoliu's faction will be fielding participants. Be careful."
Chu Tianxiu paused for a single heartbeat, then continued walking without looking back.
After he was gone, Bibi Dong murmured to the empty hall, "Tianxiu, what am I to do if that day ever comes?"
Just as Chu Tianxiu exited the Pope's Hall, two familiar figures appeared before him: Ju Yueguan and Ghost Douluo.
Chu Tianxiu's face lit up with a genuine smile as he rushed over. "Uncle Ju! Uncle Gui! I missed you!"
The two Title Douluos had grown genuinely fond of the Pope's prodigious disciple. Ju Yueguan was bound by gratitude for the external soul bone and his stake in the clothing store. Ghost Douluo, often isolated due to his martial soul and appearance, cherished the child's unreserved friendship.
Ju Yueguan pinched his cheek affectionately. "Little Tianxiu, your Uncle Gui and I taught that Dugu Bo a lesson on your behalf. And we gave that fool, Xue Xing, a stern warning on our way out."
Ghost Douluo's raspy voice held a teasing note. "Little Tianxiu, when will you find an external soul bone for your Uncle Gui?"
Chu Tianxiu smiled. "Dugu Bo's home in the Sunset Forest has many rare flowers and herbs, even a unique chrysanthemum. I will retrieve it for you soon. Speaking of which, where is Dugu Bo now?"
"He is still a Title Douluo. It was not appropriate to bring him directly into the Spirit Hall," Ju Yueguan explained. "After our… discussion, we left him in the care of your business manager."
Hearing this, Chu Tianxiu led the two of them to the Dongxiu Clothing Store. Upon entering, the shop assistants immediately called for Old Lange.
The old man hurried over,放下 his account books. "Young boss! Our Dongxiu Clothing Store has now opened more than twenty branches in the surrounding cities. Our daily income from the cheongsams alone exceeds 200,000 gold soul coins!"
Chu Tianxiu and the two Douluos were very satisfied. "Grandpa Lange, you manage the store alone in my absence. You have worked hard. How about this—I will grant you another ten percent of my shares."
Old Lange was moved to tears, overcome with gratitude for the young man who had changed his fortunes.
While rewarding his manager, Chu Tianxiu did not forget his main purpose. "Grandpa Lange, where is the person Uncle Ju and Uncle Gui brought?"
"I will take you to him at once." Old Lange led them through a maze of corridors to a small, secluded room, opened the door, and tactfully withdrew.
Chu Tianxiu entered and finally saw Dugu Bo, the man who had slaughtered a city for Tang San in the original story. However, the present Dugu Bo was unconscious, his long green hair disheveled.
Chu Tianxiu looked at the two Douluos with a flat expression. "How did he end up in this state?"
Ju Yueguan had the decency to look slightly embarrassed. "Well… I had recently broken through to level 96. My control was perhaps… a little excessive."
Chu Tianxiu did not press the issue. He walked up to the unconscious Dugu Bo, whose body emitted a faint, toxic odor. Chu Tianxiu sat beside him, protected his own hand with soul power, and began methodically slapping the man's cheeks.
Slap… Slap slap slap… Slap…
Dugu Bo only stirred when his face was swollen. The first thing he saw upon opening his eyes was a young boy, calmly slapping him.