"Chen Xuan from Shrek Academy, right? The Pope requests your presence. Come with me."
A figure suddenly appeared around the corner, blocking the way.
"Who are you?" Chen Xuan frowned slightly, looking at the middle-aged man.
It was a man dressed in black attire marked with the insignia of the Spirit Hall. His temples had some graying hair, making him look around fifty or sixty years old.
"Spirit Hall deacon, Black Bishop."
The middle-aged man clasped his hands behind him, speaking indifferently. "Enough with the small talk; come with me. As long as you cooperate, His Holiness won't make things difficult for you."
"I don't believe you," Chen Xuan replied, unmoved.
Earlier, he had sensed something off in Bibi Dong's gaze, one that held hostility rather than the desire to recruit him.
"Don't be stubborn, kid. I admit you're talented, reaching the rank of Soul King at this age, comparable to the Golden Generation, but you're just a Soul King. I advise you not to act rashly."
The Black Bishop paused and continued, "Rest assured, the Spirit Hall has no ill will toward you. His Holiness simply wants to ask you some questions."
"What questions?" Chen Xuan asked calmly while calculating an escape route in his mind.
However, he quickly realized the difficulty. Spirit City was heavily guarded, with over a dozen Title Douluo. Escaping here would be akin to climbing to the heavens.
"You'll know once you arrive." The Black Bishop, hands still clasped behind him, remained calm, showing no fear of Chen Xuan's tricks.
"My patience is limited. Follow me."
After a moment's thought, Chen Xuan decided to follow. He wasn't one to sit idle and let others control him.
The Black Bishop led the way, completely confident and unconcerned about Chen Xuan escaping. It was clear he was confident in his abilities—if a young soul master could escape a Soul Douluo, it would be laughable.
Chen Xuan followed at a steady pace, yet he wasn't resigned to his fate. Along the way, he discreetly dropped a kunai from his sleeve whenever the bishop was out of sight, hidden and unnoticed.
Chen Xuan was content with this, as the bishop's confidence worked in his favor. Since becoming a Soul King, the range of his teleportation technique, Flying Thunder God, had expanded to 600 meters. He strategically placed kunai at intervals, so if anything went wrong, he could teleport out instantly.
After a while, the bishop led him to a palace, the current Pope's Hall.
The palace was spacious and magnificently decorated, standing 100 meters tall like a spear pointing at the sky.
The Black Bishop opened the 20-30 meter doors and led Chen Xuan inside.
"Your Holiness, the one you requested has been brought." He bowed respectfully to the beautiful woman on the throne.
Chen Xuan looked over to see Bibi Dong, her long dress draping over her feet, slender figure, and her legs crossed as she leaned lazily on her chair.
She looked toward the doorway with a slight smile, curiously examining Chen Xuan.
"You may leave," Bibi Dong said, gesturing casually.
"Yes, Your Holiness." The Black Bishop bowed and left, closing the doors behind him.
The spacious hall contained three others of notable status, known as the Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall: Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.
Hu Liena glanced at the door, her beautiful eyes narrowing in surprise. "It's you, the little brother from the spirit beast forest?"
Seeing this fox spirit, Chen Xuan immediately wanted to leave. His experience in the Star Dou Forest had left him with no good feelings toward this woman, who, despite being a lady, enjoyed teasing others.
"Nana, you know him?" Xie Yue was shocked. His sister had never been to the Heaven Dou Empire, so how did she know this guy?
Yan's expression grew darker, jealousy brewing. His gaze at Chen Xuan was filled with hostility.
Nana was his goddess; no man could lay a hand on her. This stranger, appearing out of nowhere, was highly suspicious.
"All right, the three of you may leave," Bibi Dong said, dismissing Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.
Chen Xuan felt a sinking feeling, sensing something was wrong.
The Pope had spoken, and the three had no choice but to head for the door.
"Little brother, you should come find me later," Hu Liena teased, licking her red lips and giving him a wink before leaving. Yan clenched his fist, his face cold, ready to teach Chen Xuan a lesson under different circumstances.
Chen Xuan broke into a cold sweat, noticing a pink light fading from his forehead.
"Cunning fox," he muttered. He had just been attacked mentally; that woman had tried to charm him, just as she did in the Star Dou Forest.
With the three gone, leaving only Chen Xuan and Bibi Dong in the lavish, but somewhat empty hall, Chen Xuan grew more uneasy. Everyone had been dismissed, and she had left him alone—what could she be planning?
He felt she was entirely capable of doing something crazy.
Forcing himself to stay calm, Chen Xuan asked, "Your Holiness, what do you want with me?" His body tensed, instinctively aware of the danger before him.
Bibi Dong's expression was calm, her captivating gaze resting on him with a faint smile. Casually, she said, "So, you don't know what you've done?"
Chen Xuan was taken aback. What was she talking about?
Bibi Dong continued to smile, but her eyes grew colder. "If I have to spell it out for you, things will not end well."
Chen Xuan's heart skipped a beat, feeling both nervous and confused. He couldn't understand how his involvement in Yu Xiaogang's death could lead back to him. Neither Liu Erlong nor Flender had noticed anything, yet somehow Bibi Dong, who hadn't contacted Yu Xiaogang in twenty years, suspected him?
"Is she trying to trick me?" Chen Xuan wondered.
"Your Holiness, I've been at Shrek Academy the entire time," he responded, feigning ignorance.
During that time, he had openly stayed at the academy, while an illusion of him, disguised as Tang San, committed the act. He trusted that the Pope, having suspected him, would have thoroughly investigated everything.
Bibi Dong's expression remained cold and deep as she studied him in silence.
"Trying to create tension?" Chen Xuan thought, maintaining a harmless expression.
Indeed, he had guessed correctly. Bibi Dong had sent out investigators long before the Heaven Dou army arrived, but they had no leads even now.
Since Chen Xuan had been at Shrek Academy on the day Yu Xiaogang was attacked, the timeline didn't align, ruling out his involvement.
Typically, Bibi Dong would rather err on the side of caution, but Chen Xuan was different. He was a talent recommended by Elder Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan multiple times. Additionally, intelligence from Qian Renxue suggested that Chen Xuan's loyalty leaned toward the Spirit Hall rather than the Heaven Dou Empire.
With this in mind, Bibi Dong sighed and withdrew her gaze. The Spirit Hall needed talented individuals, especially those with the potential to become Title Douluo.
"Very well. Come sit," she said casually.
Chen Xuan took a seat, observing the female Pope, wondering what her intentions were.
Without further ado, Bibi Dong stated plainly, "Do you know that Elder Yue Guan has recommended you multiple times, calling you a rare genius? Would you be interested in joining the Spirit Hall?"
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