"Bibi Dong, don't even think about it!" Hearing Bibi Dong wanted to take Tang San's possessions, Yu Xiaogang flew into a rage.
"Xiaogang, knowing full well Tang Hao is the Spirit Hall's enemy, yet you took Tang San as your disciple."
"Are you trying to destroy the Spirit Hall?" Bibi Dong's voice turned icy.
Since Yu Yuanzhen was here, it meant the previous investigation about him purchasing pills from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan or rather, the pills' purpose could be inferred.
Yu Xiaogang might have obtained those pills.
"The grudges between previous generations shouldn't involve the next. Xiao San won't destroy the Spirit Hall."
"Fine. Then the 100,000-year spirit beast and external spirit bone shall serve as collateral."
"I'll be taking them now."
When Bibi Dong's gaze swept over her, Liu Erlong broke out in cold sweat. She sensed inexplicable hostility from the Pope's eyes not the enmity between foes, but something more complex, tinged with resentment.
Liu Erlong even wondered if her perception was just nerves. Instinctively, she tightened her grip on Xiao Wu and the external spirit bone.
However, the next moment
A sweet taste filled Liu Erlong's mouth as an invisible pressure sent her flying like a broken kite.
"Stop! Bibi Dong!"
"Useless." Bibi Dong shook her head. "Two Soul Sages and you, Yu Xiaogang a mere Great Soul Master below level 30 aren't even qualified to touch me."
With that, she used spirit power to pull the unconscious Xiao Wu and Eight Spider Lances toward her.
"What if you add me to that count!"
Bibi Dong's brows furrowed slightly when her spirit power was forcibly repelled.
Tang Hao stood holding the Clear Sky Hammer, using spirit power to lift Xiao Wu and the Eight Spider Lances. His tattered cloak fluttered in the wind.
"Tang Hao, daring to appear before me do you truly believe I won't kill you?" Bibi Dong's expression chilled.
"Ridiculous!" Tang Hao laughed wildly, tossing the spirit bone and Xiao Wu to Yu Xiaogang.
"Back then, even Qian Xunji wasn't my match, let alone you, Bibi Dong."
Though Tang Hao spoke arrogantly, handing the items to Yu Xiaogang revealed his caution.
Why Yu Xiaogang instead of Flender? Simple not out of trust, but because Tang Hao knew of Bibi Dong's past with "Grandmaster" Yu Xiaogang.
Before a Title Douluo, giving them to level 29 Yu Xiaogang or level 78 Flender made no difference.
Moreover, while Bibi Dong's aura seemed slightly unstable, it felt stronger than Yu Yuanzhen's.
Tang Hao knew his own condition the fight with Yu Yuanzhen hadn't been as effortless as it appeared.
His internal injuries had worsened.
Having detonated all but his ninth spirit ring Ah Yin's 100,000-year ring recovery would take considerable time.
Keeping the ninth ring was precautionary.
A 100,000-year ring's explosion was incomparable to lesser rings.
But unless absolutely necessary, Tang Hao wouldn't sacrifice Ah Yin's ring. That was "love."
"Tang Hao, with your injuries and mere 95th-rank strength, what makes you think you can fight me?"
As Bibi Dong spoke, her spirit rings rose one by one.
Two yellow, two purple, four black, one red.
Not yet undergoing her ninth trial nor preparing to ascend, Bibi Dong could currently wield her full power that of a 98th-ranked Title Douluo.
However, having recently battled Qian Daoliu and used her ninth ring to revive once, she hadn't fully recovered, operating at roughly 97th-rank strength.
Her rings matched Tang Hao's pre-detonation setup, but compared to his single red ring now, Bibi Dong's oppressive aura far surpassed the injured Tang Hao.
"So terrifying," Flender thought, astonished.
This was the Pope's power?
Just her emanating presence exceeded both the Clear Sky and Thunder Douluos.
From past accidental revelations by Xiaogang, Bibi Dong's age likely under fifty made her talent even more frightening.
"Tsk "
Flender inhaled sharply.
What monstrous aptitude.
He glanced surreptitiously at Tang Hao, whose calm expression finally eased Flender's anxiety.
As expected of the Clear Sky Douluo unshaken in crisis.
"Impressive. You've indeed surpassed Qian Xunji from back then," Tang Hao remarked coolly. "Your current strength must be 98th-rank."
"But you feel significantly weaker than that level."
He then pivoted sharply.
"Hmph! If I could defeat Qian Xunji against the odds, killing you is certainly within my capabilities."
An overwhelming aura erupted as Tang Hao turned to Liu Erlong. "Yu Yuanzhen lives, but he lost."
"My terms: Xiao San's spirit bone and Xiao Wu remain untouched."
"I'll have Xiao Wu help you locate another 100,000-year spirit beast and assist in hunting it."
"Plus sparing Yu Yuanzhen's life that's my final offer."
Tit for tat. If Yu Yuanzhen still refused, then all bets were off.
"I... will convey this to the clan leader," Liu Erlong said, relieved to hear Yu Yuanzhen survived.
Unlike the affluent Seven Treasure Glazed Tile and Clear Sky Clans, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan only had one Title Douluo.
Losing Yu Yuanzhen could knock them out of the Top Three Clans.
Understanding Tang Hao's implication, Liu Erlong took a deep breath and nodded. "Understood, Your Excellency Tang Hao. Thank you for your mercy."
Thus, the Golden Iron Triangle departed together. When Bibi Dong moved to intercept, Tang Hao's hammer forced her back.
Her face darkening, Bibi Dong sneered, "Since you insist on blocking me, Tang Hao, die here!"
With Tang Hao standing firm, Bibi Dong had no choice but to attack.
"Death Spider Emperor, seventh spirit ability..."
Wielding the Rakshasa Scythe, Bibi Dong charged, parrying the incoming Clear Sky Hammer.
"BOOM!"
An explosion radiated outward from their clash.
The shockwave made Liu Erlong and Flender carrying Yu Xiaogang pale. They hastily summoned spirit power to shield themselves and the level 29 Yu Xiaogang.
With mixed thoughts, the trio hastened toward Shrek Academy.
Not far from Bibi Dong...
Within a hidden barrier.
Qian Renxue, Ci Xue, and She Long observed everything.
Using angelic power, Qian Renxue concealed their presence.
At just over level 70, as long as they didn't attack, even Bibi Dong and Tang Hao couldn't detect them.
"As expected, that woman's relationship with Yu Xiaogang is... complicated," Qian Renxue sighed.
Hearing Tang Hao openly admit to killing Qian Xunji puzzled her.
Grandfather Qian Daoliu's inexplicable attitude toward this didn't add up.
After consideration, Qian Renxue ordered: "Uncle She Long, retrieve the external spirit bone and 100,000-year spirit beast."
"The spirit ring can go to that woman, but the spirit bones you and Uncle Ci Xue may divide them later."
"This... really?" She Long was momentarily stunned.
"Yes. I have the angel clan's designated spirit bones and don't need these. Besides, your enhanced strength will better protect me."
Qian Renxue understood the art of managing subordinates.
These two had served her for years with little reward.
"The two bones' values may differ you two can decide how to split them."
"Excellent! I'll retrieve them now."
She Long rubbed his hands eagerly. Valuable spirit bones priceless treasures were always welcome.
"Ci Xue, guard the young mistress. I'll return shortly."
"Understood," Ci Xue nodded.
As She Long prepared to leave, Qian Renxue added:
"Safety first. Be extremely careful. Flender and Liu Erlong don't matter, but Yu Xiaogang..."
"That so-called 'theory master' keep him alive. I have uses for him."
She Long glanced back at Qian Renxue and nodded solemnly. "Understood."
Transforming into golden light, She Long shot toward Yu Xiaogang's group.