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Chapter 154: Pope Bibi Dong
🕑 Added 2025-01-06 18:30:25 +0000 UTCUnder Chrysanthemum Douluo's guidance, Yang Podi followed him to a villa. The interior of the villa was exceptionally exquisite, and behind it lay a vast garden filled with various rare and exotic flowers and plants. This seemed to be Chrysanthemum Douluo's home.
Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled as he spoke to Yang Podi, "Yang Podi, do you know where I've brought you?"
Yang Podi simply smiled, "Judging by the decoration of the house, it should be your residence, senior."
Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded slightly, "And do you know why I brought you here?"
"You must have sensed the aura emanating from my body and noticed the differences in my physique. Perhaps it's due to something I consumed," Yang Podi replied.
Chrysanthemum Douluo immediately asked, "Do you know what you ate?"
Yang Podi thought for a moment, "A Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. Unfortunately, I've already consumed it, and I doubt there's another one left on the entire Douluo Continent."
Chrysanthemum Douluo spoke again, "Do you know the effects of the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum? How could you so casually consume it?"
Yang Podi shook his head, "Without that Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, how could I have attained a ten-thousand-year fourth ring? Senior, your martial soul is the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum; you should be even more aware of its effects."
Chrysanthemum Douluo pondered for a long time before speaking, "Yang Podi, I would like to take you as my disciple. Would you be willing to acknowledge me as your master?"
Yang Podi merely smiled, "Senior, with my current strength, do you think I still need a master?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo seemed slightly surprised by this response, "Yang Podi, your potential is limitless. At the mere age of nineteen, you've already reached rank sixty-seven. Clearly, you have your own cultivation methods and plans. Indeed, I have nothing to teach you in terms of cultivation."
Yang Podi quickly said, "You flatter me, senior. Although I have my own cultivation methods, this garden full of rare and exotic plants, aside from us of the Breaking Clan, probably no one else on the continent truly understands them."
Chrysanthemum Douluo became intrigued, "You, too, have studied rare and exotic plants? Where did you obtain that Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum?"
"Senior, when I was with my elders seeking my fourth soul ring in the Star Dou Forest, I discovered that Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum. I suppose I was fortunate."
Chrysanthemum Douluo considered this for a moment, "The core area of the Star Dou Forest is rarely explored by humans. Given its abundant spiritual energy, it's indeed possible for a Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum to grow there. However, a single Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum can only enhance your physique. It wouldn't have been sufficient to resist the spiritual shock of a ten-thousand-year soul beast and sustain the absorption of a ten-thousand-year fourth ring."
"Senior, you truly have deep knowledge of rare and exotic plants. In addition to the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, I also found another immortal herb that enhances spiritual power."
Hearing this, Chrysanthemum Douluo muttered to himself, "Although there are many types of immortal herbs, only a few can enhance spiritual power. Wait, could it be that you consumed the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass?"
Yang Podi immediately responded, "Senior, your insight is remarkable. I didn't expect you to deduce that just from a few words. I am impressed."
At this moment, Chrysanthemum Douluo suddenly realized something and urgently asked, "Yang Podi, did you find any other immortal herbs? Do you still have any unused ones?"
Yang Podi remained silent and didn't answer.
Chrysanthemum Douluo, realizing his own abruptness, calmed his excitement and said, "You can rest assured. Whatever we discuss today, I swear I won't tell anyone. I can promise you that much."
After some thought, Yang Podi finally said, "I'm sorry, but the last immortal herb is the Breaking Clan's ancestral treasure. It is currently stored in our clan, guarded by our elders."
Chrysanthemum Douluo, being an expert in plants, immediately guessed after a brief thought, "Your Breaking Clan specializes in refining medicine and poisons. For an immortal herb to become your clan's ancestral treasure, could it be the Fragrant Silk Beauty Immortal Plant? No wonder the Breaking Clan's refining skills have significantly improved in recent years. It must be because of this immortal plant."
"If you're interested, senior, you're welcome to visit our Breaking Clan anytime."
Hearing this, Chrysanthemum Douluo's previously excited expression became subdued, "Yang Podi, our Spirit Hall has a grudge against your Breaking Clan. Do you not care about the past hatred?"
Yang Podi shook his head, "Many of my Breaking Clan died in the war back then. But, senior, if you truly wanted to wipe us out, no one from our clan would have escaped alive."
"Moreover, my grandfather and my maternal grandfather already agreed to duel you. Some matters are better resolved through combat than words."
Chrysanthemum Douluo also showed a hint of pride, "I disdain the slaughter of ordinary soul masters. As for the feud between our factions, we'll settle that after my duel with your grandfather."
Yang Podi grew serious, "Senior, I have a question I'd like your guidance on. Would you be willing to help?"
Seeing Yang Podi's serious demeanor, Chrysanthemum Douluo also became solemn, "What do you want to ask? I can't guarantee I can answer it, though."
After contemplating for a moment, Yang Podi said, "Senior, given the current situation, how can my Breaking Clan ensure its survival?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo pretended not to understand, "Yang Podi, you're quite perceptive. I heard your fiefdom is the Almo Mountain. That place isn't bad."
Yang Podi immediately replied, "Thank you for the advice, senior."
The two continued discussing rare and exotic plants, even delving into the pharmacology of immortal herbs. They had a rather enjoyable conversation.
After over an hour of conversation, Yang Podi left Chrysanthemum Douluo's residence and returned to the competition venue. Before leaving, he invited Chrysanthemum Douluo to visit the Breaking Clan after the match.
Upon seeing Yang Podi return, his grandfather Yang Wudi asked worriedly, "Podi, what did that Chrysanthemum Guan want? Did he give you trouble?"
Yang Podi shook his head, "Senior Chrysanthemum Douluo merely invited me to discuss rare and exotic plants. He didn't trouble me."
Yang Wudi finally felt relieved, "That Chrysanthemum Guan, with his martial soul being the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, has spent his life researching plants. But even he has never obtained an immortal herb."
With the conclusion of the third round of matches, the Heaven Dou Second Team advanced to the fourth round. Now, only six teams remained, with the Heaven Dou First Team, Heaven Dou Second Team, and the Spirit Hall Team being the strongest. The other three teams were considerably weaker.
In the fourth round, there were no clashes between strong teams. Although Yang Podi participated, he showed little interest in fighting weaker teams. He simply stayed at the back of the formation, letting the other six members handle the match. Even in a six-versus-seven scenario, the Heaven Dou Second Team easily crushed their opponents and secured victory.
Both the Heaven Dou First Team and the Spirit Hall Team also won their matches and advanced to the fifth round.
As time passed, the finals finally reached the fifth round, and the venue shifted to the front of the Spirit Hall's Pope's Palace.
Early in the morning, the main players and substitutes of all three teams gathered in front of the Pope's Palace, seemingly awaiting the final showdown.
Among the three teams, the Heaven Dou Second Team appeared the most relaxed. Under Yang Podi, a Soul Emperor, they had advanced smoothly, dominating their opponents.
The Spirit Hall Team, however, seemed the most nervous. Representing the prestige of the Spirit Hall and particularly the Pope's Palace, the Golden Generation trio bore immense pressure. After years of grueling training, they had all reached the Soul King level, far surpassing their peers. Each had also earned a Purple Record Medal, a testament to the tremendous resources invested in them. Even their soul bones had been meticulously selected to suit them perfectly.
In a sense, the Golden Generation trio represented the honor of the Spirit Hall. Failure was not an option. Winning the championship was their only goal.
Throughout the competition, they had crushed their opponents. However, the strength of the Heaven Dou Second Team exceeded all expectations, especially with Yang Podi, a rank sixty-seven Soul Emperor, whose performance against the Nether White Tiger of the Star Luo Royal Academy had been effortless.
Faced with such a formidable opponent, the Spirit Hall Team had every reason to be nervous. Losing would render all their prior efforts and propaganda meaningless, and they'd even have to forfeit the three soul bones. The so-called Golden Generation would become a joke.
The Heaven Dou First Team was also tense. With only three teams remaining, everyone wanted to win. After all, the championship came with three priceless soul bones. But on paper, the Heaven Dou First Team was the weakest of the three, making their bold claims seem laughable.
However, Yang Podi noticed a new substitute on the Spirit Hall Team. This individual was tall, with golden hair and a veiled face. Despite the veil, her eyes exuded an undeniable arrogance.
Yang Podi mused inwardly, I didn't expect her to show up for a mere competition. Now this final match is going to be interesting.
Just then, twelve red-clad cardinals emerged from the side door of the Pope's Palace. The leader announced, "His Holiness the Pope is arriving."
All Spirit Hall members erupted in cheers, shouting, "Long live! Long live! Long live!"
The doors of the Pope's Palace opened, and everyone's gaze converged on the central figure.
Bibi Dong, wearing a golden gown and holding a scepter, stepped out with a solemn expression. Yang Podi, seeing her for the first time, marveled at her perfect figure and stunning beauty.
Behind her were six individuals: Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, Sword Douluo, Ning Fengzhi, Yang Wudi, and Niu Gao.
Apart from Ning Fengzhi, all the others were Titled Douluo. Ning Fengzhi himself, however, was the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, a figure of high prestige and an honorary elder of the Spirit Hall.
As the seven entered, countless people present knelt on one knee. Even the Spirit Hall team knelt. However, no one from the Heaven Dou First Team or Heaven Dou Second Team knelt.
Chrysanthemum Douluo leaned close to Pope Bibi Dong and whispered a few words. Bibi Dong's gaze immediately found two individuals among the teams: one was Yang Podi of the Heaven Dou Second Team, and the other was Tang San of the Heaven Dou First Team.
An intangible pressure seemed to descend on the two.
Yang Podi felt an immense pressure, but to his current strength, this level of pressure was nothing.
Standing firm like a spear planted in the ground, Yang Podi's spiritual sea revealed a silver giant holding the Breaking Soul Spear, unyielding in the face of the pressure, as if ready to pierce through everything at any moment.
As for Tang San of the Heaven Dou First Team, a trace of pain flickered across his face. However, his eyes seemed to turn purple, and a purple light even appeared within them, seemingly about to shoot toward Bibi Dong.
A nearby red-clad cardinal shouted angrily, "How dare you show disrespect to Her Holiness, the Pope!"
Bibi Dong gently waved her jade-like left hand, and the cardinal immediately fell silent.
Bibi Dong first looked at Yang Podi and seemed to offer a faint compliment, "Yang Podi, you are quite impressive. To have achieved such strength at a young age, your future potential is limitless."
Though Bibi Dong's words appeared to be praise, Yang Podi sensed a hint of killing intent. This was something only he, having spent extended time in the Slaughter City, could detect—none of the present Titled Douluo seemed to notice it.
Next, Bibi Dong turned her gaze to Tang San of the Heaven Dou First Team and spoke lightly, "You are the disciple of Grandmaster, Tang San, aren't you? You're impressive, and indeed, you carry some of the spirit and fortitude Grandmaster had in his youth."
Tang San seemed a little surprised but eventually responded properly, "I dare not compare myself to my teacher."
Bibi Dong no longer focused on the two and instead looked at everyone present. She lightly waved her scepter and said, "Rise."
As soon as Bibi Dong finished speaking, everyone who had knelt stood up in unison, as though moving to a rhythm.
Comments
I_Don’t_Believe_It
Thanks for the chapter and did mc already steal the 100,000 year spirit bond that tang hao has hidden?
