Chapter 94: Bibi Dong Arrives at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect
Several days had passed since the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's visit for the pills.
Now, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect welcomed an unexpected guest.
"Qinghe, what brings you here today?" Ning Fengzhi set down his teacup, his gaze lingering on the golden-haired young man.
"It's like this..." Xue Qinghe explained the troubles he had been facing in the Heaven Dou Empire.
"Pills that break through bottlenecks?" Ning Fengzhi sounded slightly surprised. "The nobility are that desperate? But the Breakthrough to Elder Pill isn't easy to obtain."
The Breakthrough to Elder Pill only helped Great Soul Masters advance to Soul Elder, with the side effect of slowing future cultivation.
Even so, the nobles couldn't be deterred?
Xue Qinghe picked up a teacup from the nearby table, took a sip, and sighed helplessly.
"You mentioned before that the Breakthrough to Elder Pill and Breakthrough to Master Pill were accidental creations by His Excellency Dugu Bo."
"The soul masters in the Heaven Dou Empire aren't particularly strong. A Soul Elder is already considered a core force."
"His Majesty sent me to ask if these two pills could be mass-produced."
Truthfully, Xue Qinghe didn't hold much hope. But since Emperor Xue Ye had ordered it, he had no choice but to bring it up.
"It's very difficult." Ning Fengzhi sighed. "A few days ago, Yu Yuanzhen of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan also came, asking if we had any Breakthrough to Elder Pills left in stock."
"I told him no. As for whether more can be refined, I later asked Elder Dugu. He said it might be possible, but he didn't sound certain."
"Is that so..." Xue Qinghe was curious. Yu Yuanzhen, a level 95 Title Douluo, had personally come to buy a Breakthrough to Elder Pill?
What scheme is the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan plotting?
"By the way, I haven't asked about your soul power level in a long time. Would you mind telling me?"
As a teacher, not knowing his disciple's strength seemed somewhat neglectful.
Ning Fengzhi decided to shift the topic to Xue Qinghe's own affairs.
"I just obtained my third soul ring." Xue Qinghe sighed.
"The medicine you gave me improved my cultivation speed, but I've already fallen far behind. I doubt I'll ever catch up to soul masters my age."
"His Majesty has even given me extended leave, saying I shouldn't let my duties interfere with cultivation."
"Emperor Xue Ye must still be concerned about the Swan martial soul's difficulty in reaching higher levels."
"Perhaps." Xue Qinghe sighed again. "His Majesty's health has worsened compared to four years ago. Who knows how long he has left? Maybe just a year or two."
Xue Qinghe was truly open with Ning Fengzhi even divulging confidential details about Emperor Xue Ye's condition.
"Qinghe, you should prepare yourself in advance. That way, even if His Majesty passes one day, he can rest in peace."
Ning Fengzhi wore a sorrowful expression, even appearing genuinely grieved at the thought of the emperor's impending demise.
Inside the hall, aside from the Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo standing motionless like statues, Dugu Yan and Ning Rongrong chatted idly in the distance, seemingly indifferent to the conversation between Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe.
But in reality, their ears were perked up, their eyes occasionally flickering toward the angelic girl's acting and the sect master's calm observation.
Life is a play all about acting. Two old foxes.
Just then
The sound of hurried footsteps caught Ning Rongrong's attention. She looked toward the door.
A Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect soul master quickly entered the hall.
He rushed to Ning Fengzhi's side, leaned in, and whispered urgently.
"What?!" Ning Fengzhi's pupils contracted sharply, his normally composed demeanor cracking.
He took a deep breath and dismissed the messenger.
"Teacher, what happened?"
Xue Qinghe had never seen the unflappable Ning Fengzhi react like this.
"The Pope of Spirit Hall has arrived right at our gates. I have no idea what she wants."
Ning Fengzhi looked troubled.
"Bibi Dong?"
Xue Qinghe's eyes widened, her hand on the table trembling slightly.
"Let's go meet her." Ning Fengzhi stood. "Since she waited for an announcement, she's coming as a guest. No need to worry too much."
He walked toward the exit but noticed Xue Qinghe hesitating.
"I... I shouldn't go..."
Under Ning Fengzhi's gaze, Xue Qinghe fell silent for a moment.
"But doesn't Heaven Dou trade with Spirit Hall? Haven't you always handled those matters?"
"This..." Xue Qinghe's words caught in her throat. How could she explain?
Should she tell Ning Fengzhi she didn't want to see that woman?
That would be absurd.
"Your Highness, if you're concerned, I can use a barrier to block Bibi Dong's detection. We can observe from the side."
The Sword Douluo spoke up.
"R-Really?" Xue Qinghe frowned, skeptical.
That woman's strength was no joke. Could a mere level 96 Sword Douluo really hide from her?
Curious about Bibi Dong's purpose, Xue Qinghe ultimately decided to join the group as they went to greet her.
Near the sect's entrance, hidden by the Sword Douluo's barrier, Ning Rongrong and the others watched as Ning Fengzhi and the Bone Douluo went ahead to receive Bibi Dong.
"Your Holiness, it's been too long! When the magpies sang this morning, I knew an honored guest would visit!"
Meeting Bibi Dong at the gates, Ning Fengzhi wore a warm smile.
"You flatter me, Sect Leader Ning." Since she was here to ask a favor, Bibi Dong set aside her usual arrogance.
"My visit today is to ask for your assistance. If successful, Spirit Hall will reward you handsomely."
"Whether it's soul bones or secret techniques anything Spirit Hall possesses you may choose freely."
"What does Your Holiness need from me?" Ning Fengzhi didn't answer immediately, taking a moment to consider.
"Such a generous offer suggests this matter isn't simple."
"I heard the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect recently auctioned a Breakthrough to Elder Pill at the Heaven Dou Auction House. I wonder if Sect Leader Ning could refine one for me."
"The Breakthrough to Elder Pill? That..."
"Is there a problem, Sect Leader Ning?" Bibi Dong's heart sank.
She had thoroughly investigated the pill before coming. It was an accidental creation by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
From within the barrier, the Sword Douluo and the others watched the exchange.
While the trio observed with amusement, Qian Renxue disguised as Xue Qinghe barely restrained herself from storming out to confront Bibi Dong.
Why does she want the Breakthrough to Elder Pill? Even if she needed it, why come personally?
Couldn't she send Ghost Mei or Yue Guan?
Are all of Spirit Hall's people dead?
Even if they were busy, a Soul Douluo would suffice!
Since when does the Pope handle such trivial matters?!
"Elder Sword, do you know why the Pope of Spirit Hall would go to such lengths for a single Breakthrough to Elder Pill?" Xue Qinghe asked.
"I don't. If you're curious, you can ask Fengzhi after this."
The Sword Douluo's expression remained impassive as he watched the negotiations unfold.