[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-douluo-the-exiled-immortal-descends-sword-and-wi":3,"chapter-douluo-the-exiled-immortal-descends-sword-and-wi-douluo-the-exiled-immortal-descends-sword-and-wi-chapter-156":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Douluo: The Exiled Immortal Descends, Sword and Wine Slay the Gods",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1550598,2014,"Chapter 156: Bibi Dong’s Invitation, and the Sudden Killing Intent","douluo-the-exiled-immortal-descends-sword-and-wi-chapter-156",156,"\u003Cp>In front of the Pope's Palace, the scent of wine and delicious food filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides the geniuses from the various academy teams, there were also a small number of remaining audience, numbering up to several hundred people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over a dozen gathered at a single table,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>cups clinking, chatter rising—lively and boisterous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Spirit Master tournament, which started at 5 p.m., had gone through fierce battles and the award ceremony, and it was now 7 p.m.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhexian held a Clear Spring Wine Gourd, sipping mouthful after mouthful, quietly recovering his Spirit Power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze drifted past the noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sinking sun tore the clouds into blood-red tatters,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>like war-torn banners strewn across the dimming sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, idol, why do you look so down?\" Yu Feng placed his wine pot on the table, his eyes bleary with drunkenness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Spirit Hall is rich and powerful!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even the Fragrant Pavilion can't compare with wine like this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Doesn't suit my taste,\" Li Zhexian began, but before he could finish—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yo-ho!\" Friends from the next table squeezed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make room! Make room!\" Huo Wu dragged Shui Bing'er over and forced her into a seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wushuang simply crossed their legs and sat on the table's corners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's rare to hear brother Zhexian be picky about wine. This wine is indeed a little too sweet!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhuqing led the awkward Xiao Wu to stand on the outside. \"Li Zhexian...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can we join too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for Li Zhexian to respond, Huo Wu stood up and dragged the two of them to her side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's there to be polite about! Haven't we all been to the Fragrant Pavilion together before?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This table had originally seated only Li Zhexian and the seven from Emperial Batle Team,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>with room to spare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it was completely packed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at these eager, lively faces, Li Zhexian slowly exhaled his pent-up breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile touched his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their laughter drew many glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People looked toward the group of spirited youths at the very front,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>their eyes inevitably drawn most to the white-robed youth at the center—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>their gazes filled with envy and awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At another table, Spirit Masters from Heaven Dou City scribbled furiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Record it all!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Sword Wine's bonds with others are truly remarkable!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's enough to make one envious just to watch!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The banquet was not yet half over\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>when an unexpected figure staggered toward Li Zhexian's table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing who it was, everyone frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Tianheng's voice turned cold:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why don't you sit with your Spirit Hall? What are you doing here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan ignored his question, and ignored the angry glares from the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fixed his eyes on Li Zhexian,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>his sole remaining left hand holding a cup of wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhexian didn't rise. His tone was calm: \"What is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've come to have a drink with you.\" Seeing that Li Zhexian made no move, Yan showed no anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, his pale face curved in a thin smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he leaned down,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the cup in his left hand tapping against Li Zhexian's before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bent down,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>lifted his cup,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and lightly tapped it against Li Zhexian's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that brief lean forward,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he locked eyes with Li Zhexian, and whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Zhexian…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what if you've won?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll be waiting to see the moment you die with regret!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he threw back his head, drained the cup in one gulp,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then laughed loudly and turned back to Spirit Hall's table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Xiaotian frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhexian, what did that guy say to you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Wushuang frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should we beat him down before we leave Spirit City?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He won't live past tonight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhexian's smiling words turned the table's warmth instantly cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before anyone could ask further—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a chorus of respectful voices rose around them:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Greetings to Her Holiness the Pope!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>to see Bibi Dong, clad in resplendent robes,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pope's scepter in hand,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>walking toward them with regal grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhexian exchanged glances with his companions, then rose and bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Greetings, Your Holiness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please rise.\" Bibi Dong's voice was calm as she sat down in the main seat. Her appearance made the relaxed atmosphere stiff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On her stunning face,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a faint smile appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do not mind me,\" she said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This Pope would not spoil your enjoyment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at those words—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere at the banquet table had only just begun to ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a while, maids moved between the seats, adding food and refilling cups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bibi Dong suddenly spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice carried over the entire hall, drowning out the noise:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In this year's Spirit Master Tournament, this Pope has witnessed the rise of many promising talents.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And among them, Heaven Dou Imperial Battle Team's Li Zhexian…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze fell directly on the white-robed youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Would you be willing to join my Spirit Hall?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused briefly, then continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you agree, you may enter the Elder Hall directly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And become the youngest Elder in the history of the Spirit Hall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire hall fell silent in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless shocked, envious, and jealous gazes shot toward Li Zhexian like arrows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A personal invitation from the Pope!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The position of Elder promised!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What boundless glory this was!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Sword Wine will definitely not agree!\" The Heavenly Dou City Spirit Master wrote without stopping. \"But the Pope herself extended the invitation!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Truly an unparalleled honor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Write it down! Quickly, record it all!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Shrek's table—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Xiaogang's brows tightened, then he let out a weary sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until this very moment, he had been the youngest Elder in Spirit Hall's history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Rongrong lowered her head, sorrow deepening across her delicate face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhuqing could at least remain at Li Zhexian's side, but Ning Rongrong lacked even the courage to approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang San and Dai Mubai wore icy expressions, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhexian…\" Feng Xiaotian and the others looked at him nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As heirs of sects and academies,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Zhexian truly entered Spirit Hall, moments like this—drinking and laughing together at the same table—might never happen again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they knew his temperament—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the title of Elder of the Spirit Hall was a station equal to their own Deans and Sect Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the weight of countless stares—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhexian met Bibi Dong's gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then spoke calmly, uttering two words that shocked everyone present:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't want to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His companions beside him let out a quiet breath of relief, their admiration for him rising even higher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A hero truly emerges from the young.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bibi Dong's tone remained unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>she said nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that the Pope seemed to let it pass,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhexian's friends finally eased their hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere regained some liveliness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this was in front of the Pope's Palace, and no one dared to be too unrestrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the setting sun fully sank into the sea of clouds, leaving only faint crimson streaks along the horizon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the grand banquet had reached its end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A red-clad cardinal hurried to Bibi Dong's side, whispering some report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guests, already rising to their feet, paid it no mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together, they bowed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, Your Holiness the Pope,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And prepared to depart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhexian followed Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Yu Tianheng and the others, turning to make his way down the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Zhexian, remain a moment.\" Bibi Dong's cold voice echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This Pope has questions for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhexian's steps halted abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly closed his eyes, then snapped them open—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a gleam of sword qi burst forth, brushing aside the strands of hair at his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned, answering calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it Your Holiness wishes to ask?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Yu Tianheng, and the others, along with all of Li Zhexian's companions, fell silent and turned back as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An oppressive tension, suffocating and strange, spread without warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that very moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the last trace of the sun's outline sank completely below the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darkness fell like a curtain, leaving only a few bloody streaks of red fading along the sky's edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone stopped in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They turned back—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>to see Bibi Dong, her ornate white gown seeming darkened beneath the gray heavens, her presence towering higher and higher in their senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling stillness blanketed the mountainside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air itself seemed to solidify,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>so heavy it was hard to breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Bibi Dong's indifferent voice was heard, rippling out in the rising night wind, each word like ice: \"Half a year ago...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Six Spirit Kings and eleven Spirit Elders of Spirit Hall\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>were slain near the Wind-Gathering Mountains of the Star Luo Empire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The killer was a master of the sword.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On the corpses of those seventeen deacons…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Most bore traces of sword intent identical to yours, Li Zhexian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1461,"2026-06-06T07:17:02.445Z",1,"novelbin.me","8e6d62fc5d26ee9aecbda328fa543becb300bb37248524ed3615ffb1691a2cfd","douluo-the-exiled-immortal-descends-sword-and-wi-chapter-378","douluo-the-exiled-immortal-descends-sword-and-wi-chapter-155",442,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdouluo-the-exiled-immortal-descends-sword-and-wi-cover.jpg"]