Let's switch perspectives. Over at the Spirit Hall's Pope Palace, Bibi Dong received a report sent by Snake Spear Douluo.
The Spirit Hall has three centers of power: the Pope Palace, the Elder Hall, and the Douluo Palace.
The Douluo Palace is the highest-ranked institution in the Spirit Hall, but only deceased Title Douluos can reside there. It's merely symbolic, so decision-making power rests in the hands of the Pope Palace and the Elder Hall.
Apart from the seven priests with spirit power above level 96, the Pope Palace holds the supreme authority.
Although Snake Spear is a Title Douluo, he is not qualified to become a Priest. The priests usually do not interfere with Spirit Hall's affairs, so he serves Bibi Dong. However, as he was tasked with protecting Qian Renxue, who is the granddaughter of the 99th-level Limit Douluo, Qian Daoliu, he remains neutral between the Pope Palace and the priests, acting as a mediator.
As a Title Douluo Elder of the Spirit Hall, he knows some details of Bibi Dong's past, including her relationship with Yu Xiaogang. He cleverly prepared two sets of reports.
One report for Qian Renxue included information related to Yu Xiaogang.
The other report, sent to Bibi Dong, omitted the parts about Yu Xiaogang and focused solely on Lan Si's exceptional talent. It mentioned that Lan Si possesses twin spirits and, at just over 12 years old and at level 30, managed to kill a 2,500-year-old Soul Devouring Spider alone. He was now absorbing the soul ring that exceeded his limit.
"Twin spirits, with the spirits being a Mutated Green Lotus and a cone-shaped hammer not inferior to the Clear Sky Hammer, imbued with lightning attributes. Interesting."
In the spacious and bright hall, Bibi Dong reclined lazily on her broad throne. Supporting her cheek with one hand and holding the report in the other, she muttered to herself.
She had a tall figure, a dazzling golden dress that fit her from head to toe, adorned with over a hundred red, blue, and gold gems. Her Nine-Curve Purple Gold Crown on her head radiated brilliance.
A scepter nearly two meters long, encrusted with countless gems, lay beside her. Her fair skin and nearly flawless appearance made her seem extraordinary. The intangible aura of nobility and sanctity emanating from her made people feel the urge to bow in worship.
A golden-haired girl of about 17 or 18 entered the hall and respectfully greeted Bibi Dong, "Teacher, what are you reading?"
"Elder Snake Spear has sent news that they encountered a genius with twin spirits in the Star Dou Forest," Bibi Dong replied with a playful smile.
"Twin spirits? Like you, Teacher?" Hu Liena's face showed disbelief.
Bibi Dong nodded slowly, her noble face serene.
"Teacher, will he join our Spirit Hall?" Hu Liena asked with a serious expression.
A genius with twin spirits is a double-edged sword. If he joins the Spirit Hall, it will be a significant boost. However, if he joins other forces or establishes his own, he could threaten the Spirit Hall in the future. Talented individuals have strong influence, and there are numerous forces opposed to the Spirit Hall on the Douluo Continent. Thus, dealing with such a genius must be done cautiously.
"Whether he joins the Spirit Hall or not, the key is whether he can survive this trial. Do you know? He is currently absorbing a 2,500-year-old Soul Devouring Spider as his third spirit ring," Bibi Dong's noble face revealed a hint of a mocking smile.
Long ago, Yu Xiaogang once summarized the limits of spirit ring absorption based on data collected over the years. Ahem, research:
First spirit ring: 423 years;
Second spirit ring: 764 years;
Third spirit ring: 1760 years;
Fourth spirit ring: 5000 years;
Fifth spirit ring: 12000 years;
Sixth spirit ring: 20000 years;
Seventh spirit ring: 30000-50000 years;
Eighth spirit ring: over 50000 years;
Ninth spirit ring: over 100000 years.
Although the Spirit Hall never officially recognized it, Bibi Dong was an exception.
Her first spirit had its rings acquired according to these limits: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black, and Red.
For her second spirit, due to the rarity of 100,000-year spirit beasts, she set the minimum age for hunting spirit rings to over 50,000 years, absorbing any suitable one she encountered, apart from the 100,000-year rings.
But Lan Si intended to break this limit. He absorbed a 2,500-year-old Soul Devouring Spider, a soul beast known for its ferocity and brutality, as his third spirit ring, nearly 700 years beyond the limit. It was simply wishful thinking.
The horror of the Soul Devouring Spider is known best by her, for her second spirit is the evolved version of it, the Devouring Spider Emperor. The violent and brutal energy contained within its soul ring is not something a mere level 30 quasi-Spirit Elder could bear.
"A 2,500-year-old Soul Devouring Spider…" Hu Liena exclaimed upon hearing this. Her eyes gleamed with disbelief, her small, rosy lips forming an 'O' shape as she cried out, "Teacher, didn't you say the upper limit for the third spirit ring is 1,760 years? Absorbing a 2,500-year-old ring—isn't he courting death?"
"Who knows? We'll find out soon whether he lives or dies," Bibi Dong chuckled.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the hall, and a red-robed bishop quickly entered, kneeling, "Your Majesty, the Pope."
"Well? Is the boy dead?" Bibi Dong asked casually.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, according to the latest information from Elder Snake Spear, Lan Si has succeeded. He also acquired an external spirit bone from the Soul Devouring Spider—eight spider legs." The red-robed bishop held up a letter with both hands, his voice trembling.
"What?" Bibi Dong's calm demeanor shattered. She immediately used her Death Domain's teleportation ability to appear before the bishop, snatching the letter.
The letter clearly detailed everything, bearing the exclusive seal of the Spirit Hall elders and the handwriting of Snake Spear Douluo.
Snake Spear Douluo would never dare deceive her, which meant this news was true.
An external spirit bone. This genius with twin spirits, Lan Si, now possessed an external spirit bone, specifically from the Soul Devouring Spider. If he fully grows and doesn't pledge loyalty to the Spirit Hall, he will become a greater threat than Tang Hao.
At this moment, the red-robed bishop, still trembling, spoke again, "Your Majesty, there is one more matter I need to report."
As he spoke, he glanced at Hu Liena standing nearby.
Understanding the implication, Bibi Dong gestured for Hu Liena to leave.
Though curious, Hu Liena dared not disobey her teacher's command. She bowed respectfully and exited the hall.
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