“May I ask why the Supreme Pontiff is looking for me?” Jiang Mian’s mouth twitched uncontrollably as he cupped his fists and asked tremblingly.
“I don’t know, she just asked me to invite you,” Gui Mei replied truthfully, “You should go quickly.”
Jiang Mian nodded blankly, his mind racing. Bibi Dong wouldn’t be trying to set him up, would she? She shouldn’t impulsively eliminate him. Currently, he didn’t have Xiong Jun and the others protecting him. What should he do?
That shouldn’t be the case, Jiang Mian speculated. He was already her person; how could she possibly harm her own husband?
No, wait! She seemed to have done that before!
In the Supreme Pontiff Palace, Bibi Dong, clad in a Supreme Pontiff robe, wearing a crown, and holding a scepter, sat on the Supreme Pontiff’s throne, appearing utterly majestic and inviolable.
Completely devoid of last night’s ferocity.
Jiang Mian and Hu Liena walked into the Supreme Pontiff Palace. Just as they were about to kneel and bow to His Excellency the Supreme Pontiff, they heard Bibi Dong say, “Jiang Mian, did you send Xie Yue and Yan to the border of the Extreme North?”
“Yes,” Jiang Mian said, feigning an indifferent look as if nothing had happened, “The power of the people is always strong. My action is to make it smoother for His Excellency the Supreme Pontiff to act in the future.”
“I understand what you mean, so I sent Chrysanthemum Douluo to accompany Xie Yue,” Bibi Dong said, “And to clear out the evil Spirit Masters there as well.”
“His Excellency the Supreme Pontiff loves her people like her own children; she truly is a role model for us juniors,” Jiang Mian flattered her without hesitation, “His Excellency the Supreme Pontiff summoned me here not just for this small matter, right?”
“Indeed,” Bibi Dong said calmly, “Last time, you asked me to occupy the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Chrysanthemum Douluo has initially brought back some of the Immortal Herbs from there, but they haven’t been distributed yet. Do you recognize those Immortal Herbs?”
“No, I don’t,” Jiang Mian shook his head sincerely and explained, “Once the Star Dou Great Forest matter is concluded, I will have that person come over to select the Immortal Herbs.”
Upon hearing this, an inexpressible look flashed in Bibi Dong’s eyes. She asked in a low voice, “Who is that person?”
“You’ll know when the time comes,” Jiang Mian didn’t directly answer Bibi Dong. He said lightly, “Zhuqing has already broken through to fortieth rank. I need to take her to acquire a spirit ring. I hope His Excellency the Supreme Pontiff will approve.”
Bibi Dong didn’t speak. Jiang Mian only felt a chill rush over him as Bibi Dong appeared beside him: “You can certainly act as you see fit.”
“This junior wouldn’t dare,” Jiang Mian’s body trembled, feeling as if he would be killed by Bibi Dong the next second. However, fortunately, Bibi Dong hadn’t become that dark yet. She gently patted Jiang Mian’s shoulder and whispered into his ear, “Jiang Mian, why be so distant?”
“Thank you, Supreme Pontiff,” Jiang Mian bowed and slowly retreated out of the hall. Hu Liena was a little at a loss for a moment. Bibi Dong glanced at her and said, “You go with Jiang Mian too. You can look out for each other.”
“Yes,” Hu Liena sighed in relief, quickly got up, ran out of the hall to catch up with Jiang Mian, and the two almost flew, finding Zhuqing and running outside.
“You two are so anxious, what are you going to do?” Zhuqing asked, utterly confused, as the two held her up.
“Taking you to acquire your fourth spirit ring,” Jiang Mian and Hu Liena exchanged a knowing look, directly put Zhuqing into a carriage, and rushed towards the Star Dou Great Forest.
Their movements were so practiced, they were practically repeat offenders.
“It’s too terrifying,” Jiang Mian wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. The femme fatale truly lived up to her name.
Hu Liena clutched her fluctuating chest, still shaken, and said, “I’ve never seen Teacher in such a state.”
Jiang Mian bit his finger. This trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, he had to bring back another top-tier expert. He really couldn't completely entrust his life to Bibi Dong.
“Zhuqing, have you decided what kind of Spirit Beast to acquire?” Jiang Mian looked at Zhuqing and asked, “You’re already fortieth rank now, so the imperial competition should be very simple, right?”
“Not enough,” Zhuqing said, “My elder sister should have also reached fortieth rank. There isn’t a big gap between us yet.”
As Zhuqing said that, Jiang Mian understood. She wanted absolute crushing dominance, not a narrow victory.
Hu Liena smiled, “Little sister, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. After all, you’re only focused on cultivation and have missed out on many joys in this vast World.”
“Nana has a point,” Jiang Mian expressed his deep agreement, “Zhuqing, since we’re out this time, there’s no rush to go back. I’ll take you to explore a bit.”
“Huh?” Zhuqing asked somewhat puzzled, “Is that appropriate? Won’t the Supreme Pontiff blame us?”
“We’re already out, what are we afraid of her for?” Jiang Mian chuckled, “Let’s just have a good time, and then we’ll find you a suitable fourth spirit ring. When we go back, the Supreme Pontiff can’t say anything.”
Oh, you Jiang Mian! Just now, you feared Bibi Dong like a tiger, but now you act as if the Emperor is far away and cannot reach you.
“This place is very close to Heaven Dou Imperial City. Let’s go there to have fun,” Hu Liena looked at the map and suggested, “It’s a good chance to let sister Zhuqing experience the beauty of life.”
“Nana-jie always knows what to say,” Jiang Mian gave a thumbs up and laughed, “Let’s go, Heaven Dou Imperial City!”
The three rode swiftly, reaching the Heaven Dou Empire’s imperial capital in less than two days. Its prosperity surpassed that of Spirit City, as it was the capital of a nation, symbolizing the Empire’s prestige.
Zhuqing looked left and right, observing the rare and unusual things she seldom saw.
After all, Zhuqing had been educated since childhood in the law of the jungle. Everyone was familiar with how brutal the competition in their Star Luo imperial family was.
Therefore, Zhuqing had rarely been exposed to these common things in the eyes of ordinary people since childhood. Her concept was to cultivate continuously, day and night.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have gone to the Star Dou Great Forest alone to acquire her second spirit ring at the age of ten, and of course, she wouldn’t have met Jiang Mian.
Time flew by quickly. In just three short years, Zhuqing had risen from twentieth rank to fortieth rank, truly like a dream.
“Look, there’s a street performer,” Hu Liena, like a lively and curious little fox, tugged at Zhuqing, constantly pointing out fun things to her.
Jiang Mian wisely slowed down the carriage. In Heaven Dou Imperial City, he wasn't afraid of any danger, after all, the Heaven Dou Imperial Crown Prince was one of their own.
Bibi Dong’s daughter, the granddaughter of Spirit Hall’s High Priest Qian Daoliu, had been in disguise in the Heaven Dou Empire since she was very young. Her skill was superb, and her mental fortitude was so strong that no one had ever seen through her identity.
The future Angel God, Qian Renxue!
Jiang Mian whistled. He was calculating the time; by now, those Shrek fellows should have joined the academy founded by Liu Erlong, right?
It would be best if he could run into them. He could beat them up again. He wondered if he could have as much fun beating Tang San to a pulp this time as he did last time.
“Clear the way, idlers! The Crown Prince is traveling; all idlers must retreat!”
A powerful voice echoed through the street. Jiang Mian listened to the sound, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly upwards.
“Qian Renxue is here…”