Chapter 27: Sudden Crisis

Chapter 27: Sudden Change

Suddenly, the joyous expression on Bibi Dong’s face vanished, replaced by a grave look as she turned her gaze toward the outer perimeter of the Star Dou Great Forest.

"What is it, Teacher?"

*An aura of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?* Bibi Dong thought to herself, closing her eyes to sense it more intently.

Seeing her teacher suddenly look solemn and ignore his question, while her spiritual energy surged forth like a tidal wave, Zhong Yan realized she had discovered something. He immediately began to scan the surroundings, alert. Although he knew no soul beast could bypass his teacher’s spiritual perception to reach them, he dared not let his guard down; he could not allow any accident to disturb her.

"Only one? And what is that other strange aura?" Bibi Dong opened her eyes and muttered to herself.

"What do you mean by 'only one'?" Zhong Yan asked, puzzled. Even areas that required his teacher to investigate so carefully were far beyond his current abilities to fathom.

"Let’s go." With that, Bibi Dong grabbed Zhong Yan by the shoulder. With a slight circulation of her soul power, the two of them shot off in a certain direction at an incredible speed.

"Ah!" At such velocity, the wind felt like blades against Zhong Yan’s skin. "Jade Shield!"

As soon as he spoke, a faint golden light shimmered around them, instantly condensing into a cylindrical barrier that encased them both.

"Whew—that’s much better."

Bibi Dong glanced at the shield on their bodies, sensed it for a moment, and remarked, "Your shield is quite impressive. Without using a Martial Soul Avatar, it would be difficult to break through it. Since that’s the case, I’ll pick up the pace."

Because Bibi Dong was gripping his shoulder, Zhong Yan was effectively facing backward. At their original speed, he had only seen a blurred trail of shadows behind them, but now, he could clearly see the lingering afterimages.

"Hiss, so fast. Does this mean I wouldn’t even be able to see an agility-type soul master like Ghost Douluo?"

"You wouldn't even need Ghost Douluo," Bibi Dong answered in a timely manner. "You wouldn't even be able to see a Soul Saint of the agility-attack type. If it were a Soul Saint from the Speed Clan under the Haotian School, they wouldn't even need their Martial Soul Avatar."

Hearing this, Zhong Yan replied, "Either I keep up with them, or..." He paused, a flash of confidence in his eyes as he added proudly, "I'll just make them play with my shield forever!"

*You can always trust in the Geo Archon!*

"Not bad. It’s good to have such confidence. However, when we return, I will arrange for an agility-type soul master to train you. You are forbidden from using your shield, or I will have Ghost Douluo spar with you instead."

Hearing this, Zhong Yan’s spirit instantly wilted. His dream of becoming a "turret mage" was shattered. "I understand, Teacher."

Before long, a vast expanse of fallen trees appeared before them. The debris scattered everywhere was evidence of a massive, intense battle that had taken place.

Zhong Yan, who hadn't seen such brilliant sunlight in a long time, squinted and said, "In this impenetrable Star Dou Great Forest, this is the first time I've seen the sun because of a battle."

Bibi Dong gradually slowed down but did not stop there.

"Teacher, the scale of this destruction… it must have been a battle at the level of a Soul Douluo, right?"

"It was not human."

"Not human?" Hearing this, Zhong Yan was stunned for a moment before realization dawned on him. "A hundred-thousand-year soul beast!"

Bibi Dong hadn't brought him here to run away; clearly, she had designs on that hundred-thousand-year soul beast. *Wait, there are only two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest right now. At this point in time, could it be... Oh no!*

Before he could process the thought, Bibi Dong landed with Zhong Yan in front of a group of people.

Among them, a young man in blue robes was in the process of absorbing a soul ring. By the time Zhong Yan looked at them, the group had already assumed a defensive stance. After all, Bibi Dong had not bothered to conceal her aura.

And Zhao Wuji was no blind man!

Upon landing, Zhong Yan ignored the group entirely and locked eyes with Xiao Wu, who was hiding in the crowd.

*It’s over! It’s all over.*

Seeing the terror and resentment on Xiao Wu’s face, Zhong Yan hurriedly turned his gaze toward his teacher. As expected, Bibi Dong was staring directly at Xiao Wu.

"Teacher, don’t!" Zhong Yan said instinctively, watching the soul power swirling in her hands.

Bibi Dong actually paused her soul power, turned to look at Zhong Yan, and said in a calm tone, "You know?"

Zhong Yan knew that Bibi Dong wouldn't stop just because of his plea; it was only because Xiao Wu had nowhere to run. He gritted his teeth and made a decision. "Yes, I know."

At these words, Xiao Wu looked at Zhong Yan in astonishment. She couldn't hide from Bibi Dong, but why did Zhong Yan know her identity? If he knew, then Tang San...

"Since you know, then you should understand. Or perhaps, you want to keep her for yourself? If that is the case, as my disciple, that is not entirely impossible." Bibi Dong’s words carried a note of playful mockery.

She knew clearly that Zhong Yan didn't truly want this hundred-thousand-year soul ring. However, she was curious to see what kind of answer her disciple would give her.

Zhong Yan knew there was no turning back. If he hadn't gone to Nuoding Academy and had instead spent these six years as Bibi Dong's disciple, she might truly have spared Xiao Wu for his sake. But if he hadn't spent those six years at Nuoding Academy, he wouldn't be standing here now, trying to save her.

"Teacher, she is my friend."

"A friend?" Bibi Dong paused, emphasizing the word. "Do you truly consider her your friend?"

"Yes!"

"Hahaha!" Hearing this, Bibi Dong laughed. "If I insist on acting, what will you do? Abandon her to save yourself? If you let go now, I will still treat you as my disciple. But if not?"

Hearing this, Zhao Wuji and the others hurriedly surrounded Tang San, thinking Bibi Dong intended to attack him. Zhao Wuji stepped forward and said, "Pope, I..."

"Be silent. This is not your place to speak. Can you not see that?" Bibi Dong was the Pope for a reason; under her immense pressure, Zhao Wuji was powerless to resist. Despite the humiliation, he could only retreat and stay silent.

"Teacher Zhao," Dai Mubai stepped forward as Zhao Wuji returned. "Tang San, he..."

Zhao Wuji merely waved his hand. This was beyond his control. It seemed he would have to find an opportunity to unleash his full power to hold off Bibi Dong, giving the children a chance to take Tang San and run.

Tang San hadn't finished absorbing the soul ring yet; it wasn't the right time. It was better to let Bibi Dong talk to her disciple. Besides, her disciple seemed to be Tang San’s friend—perhaps there was still a glimmer of hope.

"Teacher, I beg you to spare her. I am willing to..." Zhong Yan gritted his teeth, having made a choice.

"Willing to do what?"

In truth, Zhong Yan had spent too little time with Bibi Dong. Had he been her disciple for a few more years, he would have understood. If he simply made a certain sacrifice and insisted she spare Xiao Wu, she would truly let her go.

Because her disciple had said this rabbit was his friend.

Just as in the past, Bibi Dong had been willing to make sacrifices for the Grandmaster, staying in the Spirit Hall and severing ties with him. But Yu Xiaogang hadn't asked for the reason, hadn't spoken of the past, and hadn't tried to make her stay. He had walked away without looking back, only for news of his wedding with Liu Erlong to arrive later.

Betrayed by the person she trusted most (referring to Qian Xunji), and abandoned by the person she loved most—Bibi Dong was a person who valued emotions deeply. Otherwise, she would not have allowed the Grandmaster to roam free all these years, even letting him publish his theories.

If this disciple before her were just like Yu Xiaogang, she would only be disappointed.

As for the hundred-thousand-year soul ring? Were there not two more in the Star Dou Great Forest? The world was vast; surely it wasn't only found here? Furthermore, having inherited the divine position, she no longer needed to be overly fixated on the age of her soul rings.

In the original story, she initiated the soul-hunting campaign only because she wanted to use the soul power from absorbing the rings to reach level 99 and inherit the divine position.

"Teacher, I am willing to trade something of equal value for her life!"

"Oh?" Hearing this, Bibi Dong felt a sense of relief. He would not abandon his friend, so he would not abandon her either.

After the relief, she felt a flicker of curiosity. After all, in this vast world, how many treasures could truly compare to a hundred-thousand-year soul ring?

Zhong Yan said, word by word, "That is..."