Chapter 72: Come to the Pope

Since Xiao Wu was killed by Zhou Yu, the Spirit Ring produced can only be absorbed by him.

The Golden Generation of the Spirit Hall has always regarded Zhou Yu as a thorn in their side.

Especially Yan, who resented this younger disciple who rose rapidly and surpassed him.

He spat out in fury: "Zhou Yu, how dare you privately claim that transformed Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast!"

Zhou Yu smirked and retorted: "Senior Yan, you can eat anything, but don't speak nonsense. Several Soul Saints here witnessed it with their own eyes—that rabbit intended to Sacrifice herself to Tang San. If I hadn't acted in time and killed her, you'd all be dragged down with him."

"Enough, stop arguing."

Chrysanthemum Dou Luo interrupted their quarrel and sighed softly: "We suffered heavy losses this time and failed our mission—we can only await the Pope's judgment."

Saying this, he and Ghost Dou Luo led the group back to the Spirit Hall, walking ahead.

…

Inside the Pope Palace.

Elders Ghost Dou Luo and Chrysanthemum Dou Luo, having failed their mission, knelt before Pope Bibi Dong, sincerely begging for forgiveness.

Surprisingly, Bibi Dong did not rage—her expression remained as still as a mirror, utterly unruffled.

She opened her crimson lips and spoke calmly: "Elders, rise."

After speaking, she glanced at Zhou Yu below, then addressed the group: "Though we failed to capture the two major Spirit Beasts and eliminate Tang San, successfully killing that transformed Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast is not without merit."

Then she said sternly: "Zhou Yu, the Soul Hunting Operation begins soon! How far have you progressed with your Desert Eagle and the Gunpowder Formula?"

Zhou Yu stepped forward and replied respectfully: "Your Holiness, research on the Gunpowder Formula has achieved a breakthrough. The Desert Eagle… is now ready for mass production."

"Excellent! With this, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's purchases of Tang Sect Hidden Weapons from Tang San will no longer be a threat."

Once Spirit Masters of the Spirit Hall are equipped with weapons as devastating as the Desert Eagle, removing obstacles from the Three Great Sects will proceed far more smoothly, greatly reducing unnecessary sacrifices.

Bibi Dong was highly satisfied with Zhou Yu's Desert Eagle.

She continued: "Chen Xin and Gu Rong are formidable. But the core of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is Ning Fengzhi. If you get the chance, eliminate him. Understood?"

Zhou Yu nodded: "Your servant understands."

"…"

Hu Liena felt a bitter pang seeing Zhou Yu so favored.

As the revered Sheng Nu of the Spirit Hall, she returned empty-handed from this Spirit Beast hunt, gaining nothing.

Worse still, her beloved Tang Yin's true identity was none other than her lifelong enemy—Tang San.

…

After leaving the Pope Palace, Zhou Yu suddenly stopped Hu Liena and whispered: "Spinster, come to the Pope's room tonight."

Hu Liena paused, startled: "Does Teacher have something for me?"

Zhou Yu walked ahead without turning back: "You'll know when you come."

"You…"

Hu Liena was deeply irritated by his arrogant attitude.

As night fell, she finished dinner, bathed meticulously, adorned herself, then arrived as instructed at the heart of the Pope Palace—the Pope's private chambers.

This place should have been the most heavily guarded, yet not a single guard was visible. As Hu Liena reached the door, about to knock, she heard again the muffled, intimate moans from within.

"…"

Her heart jolted—she whispered in disbelief: "How is this possible? Again this sound! Could Teacher… really be with him…?"

Her most revered Teacher, with a man younger than herself, inside that room…

Ever since she accidentally heard that sound before and saw Zhou Yu emerge from Teacher's room,

Hu Liena had been lying to herself, refusing to believe the truth was as she imagined.

But now, Zhou Yu summoned her here, timed it perfectly, and made her hear it—clearly telling her the truth was exactly as she feared.

"Zhou Yu, you bastard! What are you trying to do?!"

Hu Liena raised both hands, pressing them tightly over her ears, as the cries from within grew louder, almost brazen.

Her mind plunged into unprecedented chaos, causing her feet to unconsciously step back two paces—as if fleeing the sudden storm within.

After a moment, she took a deep breath, trembled forward two steps, then slowly raised her trembling hand and quietly pushed the door open, revealing a narrow crack.

"…"

Through the crack, the scene before her froze her speech.

"How… how is this possible!"

Hu Liena's gaze lifted—and there was Zhou Yu.

"It really is him…"

"T…Teacher! Why…?"

Hu Liena instinctively raised her hand, clamping it over her mouth, terrified of making a sound and alerting those inside.

Unfortunately, just as she did so, Zhou Yu suddenly lifted his head—his hawk-like gaze pierced the air, locking directly onto the door.

Seeing Hu Liena's stunned expression, he did not flinch—instead, he smiled slyly.

"…"

Hu Liena forced down her turbulent emotions, turned, and fled swiftly back to her room.

…

Nearly an hour later, a knock came at her door.

Hu Liena, just beginning to calm down, walked slowly to the door, opened it—and froze.

"It's you!"

She demanded angrily: "What do you want?"

The figure standing outside was Zhou Yu, just finished with his business.

He said lightly, "Nothing. I just came to visit you."

"Visit?"

"Hmph. You used the teacher's orders as an excuse to trick me into going to her room—was it all so I'd see that scene on purpose?"

(End of Chapter)