Bibi Dong was surprised while reading Su Ming's diary; she hadn't expected Ghost Douluo to resist the allure of an external spirit bone. He was truly a good teacher.
The other heroines seemed to agree, feeling that Zhuqing was lucky to have such a teacher—a stark contrast to a certain "theory master."
"But you know, I, Su Ming, am not one to take advantage without giving back. I've already promised Ghost Douluo that I'll give him a celestial herb as a thank you when the time is right. Plus, I let him absorb the ten-thousand-year-old Shadow Devil Lizard left leg bone that Zhuqing had."
"Since Ghost Douluo is Zhuqing's teacher, it's best if he's as strong as possible. That way, if I'm not around, he can protect her well."
Reading this made Zhu Zhuqing feel warm inside. Su Ming genuinely thought of each of them, and perhaps this was one reason Xiao Wu and Rongrong wanted to stay by his side.
"According to Old Monster, we'll be facing the Star Luo Royal Academy team the day after tomorrow. The outcome is already clear—Star Luo has no chance. Even if I just play a supporting role and let Zhuqing and Xiao Wu take the lead, they don't stand a chance."
"Even if they use their martial soul fusion technique, Hell White Tiger, what difference will it make? With Zhuqing and Xiao Wu's attacks, Dugu Yan's snake venom, and my enhancements, there's no way we'll lose. Absolutely no chance."
"My only dilemma now is how to get a read on Zhu Zhuyun's true intentions. Were her actions in the original story driven by some hidden reason, or was she just being calculated?"
"Even if I reassure her about the Star Luo Empire, convincing her to speak honestly might still be a struggle. She probably won't want to reveal the truth."
"This is tough. If only the system could give me a truth-telling ability, even if it was just one-time use! But this system has been eerily silent lately. I called out to it during my last training session, and it didn't respond."
"If it weren't for the daily diary rewards, I'd think the system was broken. Are you there, System?"
"I'm sure this lazy system is watching me write right now and won't even pop out to say a word!"
The system: …
Su Ming continued to write playfully, waiting for a response that never came. After a few seconds, he gave up, realizing the system only seemed active when the midnight rewards rolled around.
The girls couldn't help but laugh at Su Ming's grumbling. They didn't understand why the system stayed silent, but it was amusing to see him try.
Dugu Yan looked thoughtful, pulling out the Mind Reading Card the system had given her previously. Originally, she'd planned to use it on Yu Tianheng in a match, to hear him confess why he'd tried to get close to her. Now, she had a different plan: finding out what Zhuqing's sister was truly thinking.
If there really was a reason for Zhu Zhuyun's actions, Su Ming could find a way to help. The Star Luo Imperial Family's competition was harsh, and Zhuqing's family was bound tightly to them as subordinates for life.
Since the system ignored him, Su Ming continued writing, mentally cursing it. Not even an explanation? Fine!
"After we returned, we asked Old Monster about the recent matches. It was unfortunate that Blazing Fire Academy had the bad luck of facing the Spirit Hall team and ended up losing."
"I wonder how Huo Wu feels about it. I guess I'll see her in a couple of days."
Huo Wu, reading this, was reminded of her frustrating match against Spirit Hall and clenched her teeth. From the start, she'd known her team was at a disadvantage, but Hu Liena's Spirit Emperor-level strength struck her hard.
At the beginning of the match, while her support teammates were still on the field, Huo Wu used her fourth soul skill, Fire Dance, combined with auxiliary support to unleash the maximum power of their fusion. She'd hoped this might clinch victory, but Spirit Hall's team anticipated the move. As soon as she began, Hu Liena and Xie Yue activated their own fusion technique.
The red mist their fusion created covered the arena just as Huo Wu's fusion neared completion, and she couldn't move or dodge. As the mist enveloped her, her senses dulled, and she felt her attack weaken. The debuffs were from Spirit Hall's fusion.
Even her mental strength was affected, preventing her from locking onto her opponents. Her attack went off course, and she had to surrender. Their ultimate move wasn't enough, so they had no choice.
Huo Wu's sense of defeat gnawed at her. "It's only because they've had more time with the diary that their cultivation is so high! Hmph!"
Hu Liena wasn't much older than her, yet her strength was leaps and bounds above Huo Wu's, leaving her feeling indignant.
"Another surprise was Hu Liena. I mean, has she hacked the game or something? Her soul power is actually at level 67, which is ten levels higher than in the original story. It's unreal!"
"I get that my presence could cause unexpected changes in a parallel world, but this one's too much!"
"Xie Yue and Hu Liena are full-blood siblings, yet the level gap is this big? Did Bibi Dong give Hu Liena a bunch of soul bones or something to boost her quickly, worried about my strength?"
Bibi Dong: Just because I'm the Pope doesn't mean I can casually dip into the Spirit Hall's treasure trove!
Although Spirit Hall had the largest soul bone reserves on the continent, the demand among talented spirit masters and elders was high. Without a compelling reason, even Bibi Dong couldn't distribute them freely without causing unrest.
It was likely for this reason that she offered three soul bones as the championship prize, intending them for the Golden Generation. She hadn't expected Shrek to claim them in the end.
Su Ming actually guessed one thing correctly: Bibi Dong had indeed secretly provided Hu Liena with extra resources. She'd drawn a fifty-thousand-year-old left leg bone from the treasury, specifically to enhance Hu Liena's agility by 300%, increasing her ability to evade incoming soul skills.
With Su Ming's own team as a threat, Hu Liena's ability to handle close-range fighters like Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing had to be reinforced. She couldn't afford to be cornered without a chance to react.
Now that Bibi Dong had mended her relationship with Qian Renxue, Qian Daoliu had fully transferred decision-making to her, granting her authority to make calls in Spirit Hall's best interests, so long as she didn't overstep. Even so, providing Hu Liena with the fifty-thousand-year soul bone was the limit, a privilege granted only because Hu Liena was her chosen successor for the Saintess title.
Compared to Qian Renxue, who had earned merit with Spirit Hall for years, Hu Liena's accomplishments still fell short. Qian Renxue had been on her infiltration mission for over a decade, working toward Spirit Hall's long-term goals. Added to this, the recent gifts of two soul bones for Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, plus the three championship soul bone prizes, had taken a toll on the Hall's high-grade soul bone reserves.
Even with these preparations, Bibi Dong felt little confidence that Spirit Hall's team could defeat Su Ming's Heaven Dou team; after all, his team was outrageously overpowered with six members carrying diary blessings, compared to Spirit Hall's sole Hu Liena.
sigh What could she say? Su Ming's team was built to be unbeatable.
Then an idea struck her: wasn't Qian Renxue still young enough to participate? Perhaps she could join the Spirit Hall team and bring her unique strength to this competition!
As for the team roster? Qian Renxue could always be designated as a backup, held in reserve as their secret weapon until the final match. And if her identity as her daughter came to light, that wouldn't bother her. After all, she couldn't care less about Yu Xiaogang's opinion.
Qian Renxue would likely relish a showdown with Su Ming to test who was stronger.
"Elder Ghost!" Bibi Dong's call echoed through the empty hall.
"At your service!" Ghost Douluo appeared immediately at the base of the throne steps.
Standing beside Bibi Dong, Hu Liena was curious about what this late-night summons could mean.
"Elder Ghost, I hear you recently accompanied Su Ming and his young friend to Death Canyon?" Bibi Dong didn't get straight to the point, choosing instead to ask about unrelated matters.
Ghost Douluo respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. Su Ming and Zhu Zhuqing mentioned that once the tournament ends, they're interested in joining Spirit Hall if you're willing. So, they had a request, and I took them to obtain Zhu Zhuqing's fifth soul ring."
"Privately, I even accepted Zhu Zhuqing as my final disciple. She has truly impressed me." Ghost Douluo smiled slightly, lifting his head.
"Uncle Ghost, y-your face!" Hu Liena exclaimed in shock.
Ghost Douluo gave a calm smile. "Nana, Su Ming helped me remove the black markings on my face. Ha ha!"
Bibi Dong and Hu Liena, although already aware, were still taken aback by his new appearance. The "new" Ghost Douluo looked strikingly different.
"Elder Ghost," Bibi Dong said in a measured tone, "since it's late, could you go find Xue'er and bring her here? There's something of great importance for Spirit Hall's honor that I need her to do."
Ghost Douluo didn't entirely understand the request, but he knew he'd soon be informed once Qian Renxue arrived. Without further comment, he left to fetch her.
Meanwhile, Su Ming's diary continued.
"But back to Hu Liena for a second; I have to roast her a bit. Let's be real here—she's a total looks-obsessed, love-struck, ungrateful wolf!"
Thunk!
Hu Liena had a feeling this was coming. The moment she saw her name, a chill ran through her. And now… the moment had arrived.
She glanced nervously at Bibi Dong, who was already emitting a fierce, cold aura. Oh no…
It wasn't untrue that Hu Liena was looks-oriented, but what was this "love-struck" and "ungrateful" nonsense?
Then it hit her. If Su Ming called her "love-struck," was he referring to her crush on Tang San? If that was true, she, her teacher, and her cousin Qian Renxue would all be labeled love-struck! How absurd!
Then, as she read on, her suspicions were confirmed.
"After Spirit Hall's team lost in the tournament, Bibi Dong decided to send the Golden Generation—Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan—to train in Death Canyon. Hu Liena, however, for some baffling reason, decided to go to the City of Slaughter."
Hu Liena: …
"This led to a strange turn in her fate with Tang San. By then, Tang San's Blue Silver Emperor bloodline had fully awakened, and at his father Tang Hao's urging, he, too, ventured to the City of Slaughter to train. Both of them went there to obtain the Killing God Domain."
Hu Liena: I knew it. I'm doomed.
Her face turned pale as she dreaded whatever punishment Su Ming's entry might bring once he finished the diary.
"And with his Blue Silver Emperor bloodline awakened, Tang San's appearance changed dramatically, making him even more handsome—credit to Ah Yin's genes for bringing Tang San's face up a few levels. Of course, since soul skills couldn't be used in the City of Slaughter, Tang San relied solely on his Clear Sky Hammer."
Ah Yin: Was that a compliment or an insult?
"I mean, Blue Silver Emperor had zero self-created soul skills. But at least Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer and his chaotic cloak technique were enough for him."
"Both managed to achieve one hundred consecutive wins in the City of Slaughter. Hu Liena became curious about Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer and his powerful skills. At some point, Tang San realized the 'Yellow Spring Dew' they drank daily was poisonous, so he made an antidote… and then, of all people, offered it to Hu Liena! Talk about interesting."
"Tang San, of course, knew exactly who Hu Liena was, yet Hu Liena had no idea who he was. Knowing she was a member of Spirit Hall and, technically, an enemy, why on earth did Tang San offer to partner with her? Was he just looking for trouble?"
Hu Liena: …
"The reason Tang San gave was that they could both gain the Killing God Domain faster by working together, staggering their training times to avoid facing each other. But here's the part that makes no sense to me: after the tournament, Spirit Hall marked Tang San and Xiao Wu for death. So why, when he had the perfect chance in the City of Slaughter, didn't he just kill Hu Liena? Why did he seek her out as an 'ally'?"
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