Chapter 258: Hu Liena Without a Love-Struck Mind
With Sea God Island's unexpected intervention, Bibi Dong was forced to halt her original plan of simultaneously declaring war on the Clear Sky Clan and the Star Luo Empire.
The alliance between the Clear Sky Clan and the Star Luo Empire was already troublesome enough.
Star Luo Empire's million-strong army, bolstered by soul masters from the Clear Sky Clan, was already a serious threat.
Now, with the addition of Sea God Island, the situation had surpassed what Spirit Hall could handle.
In Spirit City, within the Pope's Palace, the grand meeting hall was solemn and silent.
Due to the drastic changes in the Star Luo Empire, Bibi Dong had decided to convene Spirit Hall's highest council to discuss their next course of action.
The Eight Elders were all present, along with the three high-ranking worship members who had defected to Bibi Dong—Third Worship Qingluan Douluo, Fourth Worship Xiongshi Douluo, and Fifth Worship Guangling Douluo.
Seated around an enormous oval conference table, they quietly awaited the Pope's orders.
Bibi Dong, dressed in her luxurious ceremonial Pope's robes, sat at the head of the table.
Standing behind her was her most cherished disciple—Hu Liena.
Due to the butterfly effect caused by Xiao Yu, Hu Liena had never developed the urge to go to the Slaughter City after her loss in the Soul Master Tournament.
Instead, she had obediently followed Bibi Dong's arrangements, spending more than three years training in the Misty Gorge.
As a result, she had successfully advanced to Soul Emperor.
Hu Liena had reached this stage nearly two years earlier than in the original timeline, and the reason was simple.
First, the Slaughter City mainly focused on honing real combat ability and cultivating killing intent.
Since soul skills could not be used there, actual soul power cultivation was slowed.
Upon leaving, a tremendous effort was required to purge the killing intent, which delayed overall progress.
This was why, despite having superior talent, Hu Liena had taken longer than Xie Yue and Yan to break through to Soul Emperor in the original timeline.
Another significant factor was the elixirs from Nine Star Hall.
After witnessing that every main team member from Nine Star Academy had reached the Soul King level during the Soul Master Tournament, Bibi Dong launched an extensive investigation through multiple channels.
If it had only been Xiao Yu, she could have attributed his strength to his god-level martial soul.
But when every member of the Nine Star Academy team possessed power far beyond the Golden Generation, it became apparent that something was off.
One particular anomaly stood out—Ye Lingling of the Nine Heart Begonia Clan.
Records in Spirit Hall confirmed that when her martial soul awakened, her innate soul power barely exceeded level seven.
By any logical measure, she should never have been able to surpass Hu Liena in cultivation, especially considering she was two years younger.
In the end, Bibi Dong deduced that the key factor was Nine Star Hall's medicinal elixirs.
For the sake of her most beloved disciple, Bibi Dong spared no expense in purchasing a pill from Nine Star Hall—one of comparable quality to the one Ning Rongrong had taken.
This was the primary reason Hu Liena was able to reach Soul Emperor two years ahead of schedule.
Xie Yue and Yan also benefited from Hu Liena's good fortune, receiving mid-tier pills to aid their cultivation.
As a result, Xie Yue had reached level 59 and Yan level 58.
It was only a matter of time before both of them advanced to Soul Emperor.
Once Hu Liena became a Soul Emperor, Bibi Dong ignored Qian Daoliu's objections and forcefully promoted her to Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall—the first in line to inherit the Pope's throne.
Since the conclusion of the Soul Master Tournament, Bibi Dong had openly acted against Xiao Yu by ambushing him alongside Third Worship Qingluan Douluo and Fourth Worship Xiongshi Douluo.
As a result, the Pope's Palace and the Worship Hall were now in direct conflict.
Bibi Dong no longer cared to restrain herself.
In the struggle for power, Qian Daoliu—the secluded old hermit—had ultimately lost to Bibi Dong, the so-called "lunatic."
Much of this was due to his earlier inaction and indulgence.
By the time he finally realized the threat, Bibi Dong's influence had already infiltrated the very heart of the Worship Hall.
For now, both sides were maintaining a fragile balance, refraining from outright war.
Bibi Dong scanned the faces of the people seated before her, her voice solemn.
"You are all aware of the current situation. Speak your thoughts freely and quickly."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
The elders exchanged glances, but no one spoke.
The reality was plain to see.
Spirit Hall could handle any one of these forces individually—the Clear Sky Clan, the Star Luo Empire, or even Sea God Island.
Soul masters from Sea God Island would experience a significant decline in strength on land, including Peerless Douluo Bo Saixi.
Even if Bibi Dong couldn't defeat Bo Saixi, as long as she could stall her for a period of time, the other elders and worships could take care of the remaining Titled Douluos from Sea God Island. Once they were free, they could all focus on Bo Saixi together.
But now that all three forces had joined hands, the situation had become far more dire.
Whether in terms of top-level strength, core powerhouses, or even lower-level forces, the enemy's combined power had reached an almost perfect balance.
"Why is no one speaking?"
Bibi Dong's Pope's Scepter struck the ground with a crisp sound.
"Didn't you all usually shout about your willingness to go through fire and water for Spirit Hall?
Why is it that now, at this critical moment, you've all gone mute?"
"Teacher!"
Standing behind Bibi Dong, Hu Liena spoke up.
"Disciple has a thought. I'm not sure if it's appropriate to say."
Hearing her beloved disciple speak, a rare trace of warmth appeared on Bibi Dong's face.
She smiled and said, "Nana, I just said that anyone can speak their mind freely. You are the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall—you don't need to hesitate. Speak boldly!"
The Pope's love for her disciple was undeniable.
Everyone present had the same thought.
Just how deep was this teacher-disciple bond, for Bibi Dong to go out of her way to boost Hu Liena's prestige, even during such an important meeting?
Hu Liena stepped forward, approaching the round table as she presented her view.
"Teacher, esteemed seniors, in my opinion, there are only two ways to deal with the alliance of the Clear Sky Clan, Sea God Island, and the Star Luo Empire.
The first method is to divide them—to incite conflict among them and find an opportunity to defeat them separately.
However, given the current situation, this possibility is quite slim!"
Bibi Dong and the gathered worships and elders nodded in agreement.
As long as Spirit Hall still existed as a common enemy, the leaders of the three factions would never be foolish enough to break their alliance.
Furthermore, among the three, Sea God Island's exact motivations remained unclear.
However, the Clear Sky Clan was obviously trying to restore its former glory, while the Star Luo Empire was most certainly aiming for continental unification.
Their goals did not conflict.
Even if the Star Luo Empire unified the continent, it would never eliminate soul master sects from its territory.
"Nana, continue!"
Bibi Dong gave Hu Liena a look of approval.
This was the Holy Maiden she had chosen—far more pleasing to the eye than that traitorous daughter.
In this regard, Hu Liena truly owed a debt of gratitude to Xiao Yu.
If it weren't for Xiao Yu's unexpected emergence severing her entanglements with Tang San, the love-struck Hu Liena would never have developed such wisdom.
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