A hundred-thousand-year soul bone was an extraordinary treasure, one that would make even a Titled Douluo envious and eager to snatch it!
"Would Her Holiness Pope really be able to offer a hundred-thousand-year soul bone?" Neuvillette pondered. Bibi Dong certainly possessed such treasures, but she likely didn't have many to spare. She wouldn't easily give them away, especially when she might not have enough for herself.
Obviously, a hundred-thousand-year soul bone was out of the question.
"Ah, if it's just a soul bone, then it's not worth the anticipation," Focalors said with a smile, shrugging.
Soul bones? Neuvillette's storage soul tool contained a plethora of them!
Yes, a plethora!
They were gifts from several clan leaders, contributions from Shi Nian, and donations from Tang Xiao.
A large pile, indeed.
They were just decorations at this point.
What use did they have?
If the energy in the soul bones weren't so meager, Focalors would have considered converting them into the purest form of energy...
Even the smallest amount of meat on a mosquito was still meat, after all.
Besides the soul bones in Neuvillette's storage tool, he actually had two pieces on him as well.
No, they shouldn't be called soul bones; they were better described as inheritances!
The inheritances of the Water and Fire Dragon Kings were almost entirely imprinted in their divine bones!
Unlike Tianmeng Iceworm, who was a half-baked million-year-old soul beast, the Water and Fire Dragon Kings were true divine beasts and the original Dragon Kings, direct descendants of the Dragon God.
If measured in terms of age, how could they be limited to just a million years?
They were beings very close to the level of a God King!
"Dear, if we consider the market value, even a thousand-year soul bone would suffice," Focalors said.
"It's just that because old Mr. Xue Ye inflated our appearance fee, it has..."
Neuvillette's words made sense. They were merely there to act as hosts and referees.
If priced according to the market, a thousand-year soul bone, valued at several tens of thousands of gold soul coins, would already be a very generous reward.
But because Xue Ye's reward was so outrageously high, it made them feel as if their value had increased. Or perhaps the market value for these roles had risen?
Thinking this way was incorrect. Why should Spirit Hall give them valuable items?
Just because they were powerful, did Spirit Hall have to cater to them?
Yes, exactly because of their strength!
Neuvillette and Focalors instinctively believed that Spirit Hall would also provide valuable rewards. This was perfectly reasonable, wasn't it?
Before they arrived, Bibi Dong had promised a reward that would satisfy both Focalors and Neuvillette. If it wasn't substantial and valuable, how could it possibly satisfy them?
Even Yue Guan, as an observer, thought it made sense—they should be given something precious...
"As long as the reward from Spirit Hall is equal to or greater in value than our appearance fee, it will be fine," Neuvillette remarked.
"Dear, hearing you say that makes me realize it too," Fucaros replied, nodding. "You're right, Spirit Hall owes us nothing. As long as the reward is reasonable, that's enough."
Yue Guan, standing nearby, was baffled and somewhat confused.
Gold soul coins? Thousand-year soul bones?
What are they talking about?
Even if Neuvillette and Focalors accepted such rewards, Spirit Hall wouldn't dare offer them something so trivial!
Wouldn't that be insulting these supreme powerhouses?
Before long, the three of them ascended Holy Sacred Mountain. This wasn't Neuvillette and Focalors' first visit.
The last time they came, it was with Golden Crocodile Douluo.
This time, with Yue Guan leading the way, they encountered no obstacles and headed straight to the Pope's Palace.
The doors of the Pope's Palace were different from usual. Normally, they were almost always closed, rarely opened. Perhaps Bibi Dong disliked the light, preferring not to see the sunlight, so she kept the doors shut.
Today was different—the doors were wide open, as if welcoming esteemed guests.
"Lord Neuvillette, Lady Focalors, please," Yue Guan said, stepping into the Pope's Palace first.
"Uh..."
Upon entering the palace, Yue Guan was stunned.
What was going on?
Normally, the Pope's Palace only had the Pope's throne and no other seats.
Today, below the Pope's throne, sat a woman with an intellectual demeanor, making tea.
Not only were there other seats, but there were also tables, tea sets, and other items.
This woman was none other than Pope Bibi Dong.
"Greetings, Your Holiness."
"Thank you, Elder Yue Guan. You may rest now."
"Neuvillette, Focalors, please have a seat."
Yue Guan: "..."
He felt like a mere tool, summoned and dismissed at Bibi Dong's whim.
Not even invited to have a cup of tea!
Task completed, he was promptly sent away!
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Yue Guan didn't linger and quickly exited the hall. Since Bibi Dong didn't ask him to stay, he had no reason to remain.
Once Neuvillette and Focalors were seated, Bibi Dong continued to display her tea-making skills.
After a while, she served tea to both Neuvillette and Focalors, then finally paused her actions.
"Thank you, Miss Bibi Dong." (Miss because she is not married although whatever was forcefully and it's irrelevant.)
Neuvillette accepted the tea calmly, expressing his gratitude.
He could tell at a glance whether the tea was poisoned, and Bibi Dong hadn't used any such tricks.
Of course, if she had the opportunity, she wouldn't hesitate to poison Navierite and Fucaros.
"To be honest, I truly envy the two of you, Not only are you well-matched, but you also seem like a perfect couple, able to be with the one you love."
"Such a life was something I once yearned for," Bibi Dong said, her tone softer and more reminiscent of a gentle young woman, sharing her past.
"What I sought was so simple, yet fate played its cruel tricks."
Bibi Dong sighed and continued, "Such a simple pursuit, and yet it was destroyed."
"If it were you, would you seek revenge?"
Hearing this, Neuvillette felt a subtle sense of unease. This conversation seemed far from straightforward.
Bibi Dong was discussing this with them?
"Miss Bibi Dong, I know a bit about your past," Neuvillette began cautiously. "Of course, from our perspective, it's not something we would typically discuss."
Bibi Dong's delicate brows furrowed, and she waved her hand dismissively. "It's alright. Let's just talk as friends."
"Today, I'm not the Pope of Spirit Hall, and you're not people of the Soul Fighting Arena. We're just ordinary friends having a conversation."
Though her words were hard to believe, Neuvillette still nodded and said, "As you said, fate can be cruel."
"From Spirit Hall's standpoint, what you did could be seen as betrayal."
"Betrayal?"
This notion hadn't crossed Bibi Dong's mind. Her singular focus had been on destroying Spirit Hall, never considering her own role.
To her, she was the victim.
How could she be at fault?
Everything was Spirit Hall's fault, it was all Qian Xunji's fault!
Yet today, she heard Neuvillette suggesting that her actions could be considered betrayal?