At this moment, Bibi Dong addressed the crowd once more: "The Soul Master Tournament has successfully concluded, and we regret the unexpected dangers that arose. As a gesture of apology…"
The audience was quick to accept the compensation offered by Spirit Hall. After all, the appearance of two gods was beyond Spirit Hall's control.
Members from other empires, who generally harbored some dislike for Spirit Hall, held their tongues. Though two deities had attacked Spirit Hall, the organization had managed to fend off the threats and even appointed Su Ming as the new Holy Son, complete with divine inheritance. Few dared to provoke Spirit Hall further, fearing they might never make it out of Spirit City if they angered anyone.
Meanwhile, spies from smaller countries mulled over whether it might be wiser to advocate for their nations to align with Spirit Hall. While it hadn't yet declared itself a nation, they sensed this might be inevitable. Perhaps an early alliance would secure some advantages.
Soon, most people dispersed, leaving Su Ming surrounded only by his close companions. The rest, including Yu Feng and his group, departed in dismay, unsure how they'd explain matters to the academy upon their return.
They figured it was best to inform the crown prince tomorrow. In hindsight, they weren't sure if his illness and absence from the tournament had been a blessing or a curse. Given the prince's relationship with Su Ming, he might have convinced him to stay if he'd been present today.
Su Ming then glanced at Ning Rongrong, feeling slightly troubled. Now that he had left Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Rongrong likely wouldn't return either. Even as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's little princess, she would still face questioning if she went back.
He sighed, thinking about whether Uncle Ning and Sword Grandpa had returned, though Bone Grandpa had to remain at the clan headquarters. He remembered how easily Rongrong had accepted his joining Spirit Hall over her own clan, only to realize she'd known everything from the diary realm. It seemed only he had been left in the dark.
The system: …
Sensing Su Ming's hesitation, Ning Rongrong spoke up, "Su Ming, it's fine. I'll stay here in Spirit City for now. My father and Sword Grandpa should be back soon, and they can pick me up. Besides, with Xiao Wu and the others here, I'd be lonely going back alone."
Su Ming exhaled. "Alright then, but when your father and Sword Grandpa arrive, I'll talk to them. Hopefully, it won't come to blows."
Rongrong smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. They understand the situation, and you've always treated them kindly. I'm sure everything will work out. Then we can be together again!"
Xiao Wu and the others joined in, saying, "Don't worry, Brother. We'll all stay at the hotel with Rongrong, and with your new role as the Holy Son, you must have a lot to handle. We'll be fine."
"Alright, but Xiao Wu, I'd like you to stay back for a moment," Su Ming said, somewhat cryptically.
Xiao Wu wondered if this meant he wanted her to see her mother. Would it go that smoothly, though? Besides, Bibi Dong was still recovering from her injuries and would need time to recuperate.
Bibi Dong, knowing why Su Ming wanted Xiao Wu to stay, refrained from commenting, thanks to the diary realm's insight.
"Alright then," Ghost Douluo said calmly. "I'll escort the others back to the hotel while Su Ming and Xiao Wu stay behind with Yue Guan and Her Majesty."
He was thrilled—his disciple had finally joined Spirit Hall, ensuring his legacy!
Bibi Dong then led Su Ming and Xiao Wu toward the Supreme Pontiff's Hall, while Qian Renxue slipped away to the hotel, resuming her disguise as Xue Qinghe.
Not long after she returned, there was a knock at the door.
"Your Highness! Your Highness! We have news to report!"
Qian Renxue paled slightly, opening the door to find Yu Feng and the others. She had anticipated their urgent visit and was glad she'd returned promptly.
After listening to their report, she replied slowly, "So… Su Ming feels alienated as a commoner under the empire's structure. When Spirit Hall offered him the Holy Son title, he and the others joined? And as for Tang San, he was saved and chosen by two gods, while Su Ming gained a god's inheritance as well?"
Yu Feng nodded quickly. "Yes, Your Highness. Although Captain Su Ming and Deputy Captain Dugu Yan were always good to us, I still have to say… our team's main force is now with Spirit Hall. How are we supposed to explain this to the academy?"
Qian Renxue responded thoughtfully, "Doesn't it seem strange? Why would Su Ming emphasize his status as a commoner? Could it be due to conflicts with nobles that involved his companions?"
Her remark made Yu Feng pause. "Your Highness… could it be that Fourth Prince Xue Beng's mockery of Su Ming's commoner status and attempts to harass his female companions led to all this?"
Qian Renxue smiled subtly, thinking her plan was working perfectly. Blaming Xue Beng for this would surely anger Emperor Xue Ye. The poor health brought on by prolonged poisoning would soon lead to Xue Beng's downfall.
Inside the Supreme Pontiff's Hall, Bibi Dong looked at Su Ming, amusement flickering in her gaze. "Su Ming, amid all the chaos, you called me by name, didn't you?"
Su Ming internally sighed. Keep up the act if you want; I won't call you out on it.
He replied steadily, "My apologies, Teacher. In the heat of the moment, things were chaotic, and my focus was on keeping everyone safe."
Bibi Dong's lips curled slightly. She wasn't truly concerned, as she already knew from the diary replica that Su Ming often called her by name. Hearing him accidentally call her that today didn't bother her much. However, she had to mention it—acting oblivious would've been suspicious.
The system: She already gave herself away!
Seeing that Bibi Dong didn't mind, Su Ming continued, "Teacher, do you have a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring and spirit bone from a Soft Bone Enchantress Rabbit?"
Su Ming's question was straightforward.
Knowing Bibi Dong also possessed his diary replica made things simpler. Initially, he'd planned to find subtle ways to probe her after joining Spirit Hall. But now, he realized there was no need.
Bibi Dong was briefly surprised by Su Ming's directness but answered honestly. "Yes, I do have a hundred-thousand-year ring and bone from a Soft Bone Enchantress Rabbit. You're asking if it's Ah Rou's, right? You must be her daughter, Xiao Wu."
At the end, Bibi Dong looked at Xiao Wu, who stood nearby.
Su Ming was taken aback. "Teacher, how did you know Xiao Wu is…"
Without missing a beat, he protectively placed Xiao Wu behind him, playing along with the scenario.
Bibi Dong smiled faintly at his reaction. "Oh, I've known Xiao Wu was a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in human form for a long time. When I met Ah Rou, she mentioned her. If I'd wanted to harm Xiao Wu, I would've done so already."
"And as for why other powerful spirit masters couldn't sense her aura—it's likely due to a special herb she ingested, am I right?"
Bibi Dong then recounted her encounter with Ah Rou and what had transpired between them.
Xiao Wu, unable to hold back, quickly spoke up, "Aunt Dong, can you let me see my mom? I haven't seen her in so long."
Learning of her mother's relationship with Bibi Dong, Xiao Wu didn't hesitate to call her "Aunt Dong."
Bibi Dong nodded. "Of course. I'll awaken her now."
To preserve Ah Rou's spirit, Bibi Dong had previously put her into a deep sleep. Even in danger, Bibi Dong hadn't used Ah Rou's spirit ring or bone abilities, opting to rely on her own Undying Body instead.
Moments later, a radiant red ring appeared beneath Bibi Dong.
"Void!"
With a flash, an exceptionally beautiful woman who shared some resemblance with Xiao Wu materialized from the spirit ring.
As Ah Rou emerged from her spirit ring, she immediately sensed her daughter's familiar aura.
"Mom!"
Xiao Wu, overwhelmed, blinked into Ah Rou's embrace, tears flowing freely.
The two held each other in silence.
Xiao Wu had so much she wanted to say—how she was happy, had someone who cared for her, someone who treated her well—but the words wouldn't come. She wanted only to savor this brief moment. She knew, as a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast herself, that her mother's soul would dissipate faster the longer she remained outside the ring. Ten years had passed since Ah Rou's sacrifice; they couldn't waste time.
Sensing the loss of Ah Rou's spirit energy, Bibi Dong gently reminded her, "Ah Rou, it's time. Don't worry, I'll look after Xiao Wu. You can't stay outside too long, or else…"
Xiao Wu quickly added, "Mom, I'm so happy to see you today. Please go back to the ring for now. Su Ming and I will find a way to save you. Just wait for us!"
Hearing Xiao Wu, Ah Rou glanced at Su Ming. Su Ming gave her a slight nod. She looked pleasantly surprised—this must be Xiao Wu's companion in the human world. Judging by his reaction, he likely knew Xiao Wu was a transformed spirit beast, yet chose not to harm her. Instead, he wanted to help Xiao Wu find a way to revive her. But after so long, her body had likely decayed, and revival seemed impossible.
Still, knowing Xiao Wu was happy and had someone who cherished her was enough.
With that, Ah Rou disappeared back into the spirit ring and bone.
Su Ming turned to Bibi Dong. "Your Holiness, since you were the last one to see Xiao Wu's mother, how did you handle her remains?"
Bibi Dong replied, "I brought her body back to Spirit Hall and buried her in the back mountain. Why?"
Su Ming grinned, "We're going grave-digging! I'm going to recover Xiao Wu's mother's remains!"
Bibi Dong: …
Xiao Wu: …
Upon learning that her mother's remains were nearby, Su Ming breathed a little easier. According to his knowledge, Ah Rou's resurrection required her body, soul, and a unique force to fuse the two.
Even if all that remained of Ah Rou's body was her bones, his self-created spirit skill, Rebirth from Death, could likely restore her body to its original state.
Since the original body could be used, Su Ming wouldn't consider creating a new one due to compatibility issues.
As for the special force required, he had two options, though both required him to become a god first. One way involved evolving his Mangekyo Sharingan to Rinnegan, which would allow him to fuse Ah Rou's body and soul seamlessly (modified evolution method). The other way was to kill Sea God and seize his trident, using Sea God's Light to complete the fusion.
Both methods necessitated godhood, so he needed to improve his strength quickly.
After hearing Su Ming's plan, both Bibi Dong and Xiao Wu relaxed, intrigued by the creative use of the skill.
Moments later, Bibi Dong led them to the back mountain, where Ah Rou was buried.
With a wave of her hand, a dirt-covered box surfaced from the earth.
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