Soul Land: Bibi Dong Is My Martial Soul

Chapter 87: The Pope, Bibi Dong

"Brother, I can't bear to part with you!"

Outside the Heaven Dou Imperial City, in a secluded area, Xiao Wu's eyes were red as she gazed reluctantly at Tang San.

"Xiao Wu, don't worry. Just return to the Star Dou Forest for now. Once I have the strength to protect you, I'll come find you!"

Tang San, looking at Xiao Wu's tearful face, felt an immense ache in his heart.

However, he knew he couldn't keep Xiao Wu with him now—it would only bring her harm.

"Father, I'll leave Xiao Wu in your care. Please escort her back," Tang San said, turning to Tang Hao.

To be honest, even now Tang San found it hard to believe that his father was a Titled Douluo.

It was difficult to reconcile the image of the father who barely cared for him while growing up, who often needed his help, with the overwhelmingly powerful and domineering Titled Douluo he had recently witnessed.

But the Clear Sky Hammer martial soul they shared confirmed the truth beyond doubt.

"Don't worry, Xiao San. With me here, I'll make sure she returns safely!"

Tang Hao looked at Tang San and used Xiao Wu's situation to inspire him further. "As for you, if you want the strength to protect Xiao Wu, you'll have to train even harder!"

In Tang Hao's heart, a wave of emotion surged. He never thought his son would end up like he once did—falling in love with a soul beast.

Ah Yin, do you see this?

"Yes, I will!" Tang San nodded earnestly.

"Good. Now head back. I'll take her away."

Tang Hao nodded, then left with Xiao Wu.

He hadn't taken Tang San with him because Tang San's current strength was too low. Following him wouldn't yield much benefit in terms of training. Moreover, Tang Hao didn't want Tang San to miss the Soul Master Tournament, a grand stage where soul masters could shine.

For a soul master, not having the chance to display their brilliance on such a stage would be a great regret.

"Xiao Wu, don't worry. I will come find you!"

As Tang San watched Xiao Wu and Tang Hao's figures disappear, he clenched his fists tightly and made a silent vow.

He still had many questions for Tang Hao, but for now, they would have to wait until the next meeting.

At the Seven Treasure Forging Workshop, Su Mo, accompanied by Ning Rongrong, handed over his blueprint to the workshop's craftsmen to forge components for a compound crossbow.

Since the craftsmen had never made such a device before, they were unsure which materials to use.

Su Mo wasn't particularly knowledgeable about this either, so he let them experiment with different options.

The craftsmen of the Seven Treasure Forging Workshop proved to be highly skilled. After three days of trials and adjustments, a modern compound crossbow was successfully assembled in Su Mo's hands.

Su Mo and Ning Rongrong tested the weapon together and were both thrilled by the results.

The compound crossbow's power was astonishing. It could easily penetrate soul masters below level 50, and even level 50+ Soul Kings would struggle to withstand its attack unless they were defense-type.

"This is incredible!"

"This is far more powerful than Tang San's hidden weapons!" Ning Rongrong exclaimed in amazement as she gazed at the compound crossbow in Su Mo's hands.

"Of course," Su Mo explained with a smile. "Tang San's weapons are called hidden weapons for a reason—they're designed for covert use. They focus on being compact and intricate, so their power naturally can't compare to my Soul Hunting Crossbow."

Su Mo was highly satisfied with the crossbow's power. It far surpassed Tang San's Zhuge Crossbow.

But that was to be expected. As Su Mo said, Tang San's hidden weapons prioritized being small and precise. However, such features inevitably came at the cost of reduced destructive power.

Of course, this excluded weapons like the Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus, which incorporated explosives and could be classified as a thermal weapon.

The Soul Hunting Crossbow Su Mo had created wasn't a hidden weapon but a standard weapon designed for direct combat.

In the original story, Su Mo couldn't understand Tang San's decision to equip the Tang Sect's Tang Army with Zhuge Crossbows.

If you're forming an army, how can there be any emphasis on concealment? An army equipped with weapons displayed in plain sight couldn't be considered "hidden."

It would've been better to develop standardized weapons with greater firepower than to pursue compact and intricate designs.

Su Mo believed Tang San absolutely had the ability to design a powerful, standard crossbow.

It was just that Tang San's mind was fixated on hidden weapons, even when creating a direct-combat Tang Army.

"Hmm, Tang San is no match for you, of course!" Ning Rongrong praised enthusiastically.

"Su Mo, thank you. This gift is of immense importance to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"

Ning Rongrong's tone turned serious as she expressed her gratitude.

She had learned that Su Mo planned to give the Soul Hunting Crossbow's blueprint to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, allowing them to produce it themselves.

After seeing the crossbow's performance, Ning Rongrong understood what this meant for the sect.

For a sect that had always been known for its support capabilities and lacked offensive means, this weapon gave their disciples an effective way to attack.

The Soul Hunting Crossbow was simple to use and could be mastered with a little practice, making it perfect for the sect's disciples.

"Since the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect entrusted their little princess to me, how could I not give something back?"

Su Mo ruffled Ning Rongrong's hair with a smile.

"Let's go. We should head to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Your father and the others must already know we're back. If we don't return soon, they might come looking for us!"

After packing up the Soul Hunting Crossbow, Su Mo took Ning Rongrong's hand and led her out.

"Hehe, Dad, Sword Grandpa, and Bone Grandpa must be so anxious by now!"

Hearing Su Mo's words, Ning Rongrong didn't seem embarrassed at all. Instead, she giggled mischievously.

Then, she took the lead, pulling Su Mo along as they made their way toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Meanwhile.

In Spirit City, within the Spirit Hall, inside the Pope's Palace.

"Your Excellency, this is a letter from Bai Baoshan, an elder at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

A Spirit Hall steward handed a letter to Pope Bibi Dong, bowing respectfully before withdrawing.

"A letter from Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"

With a hint of curiosity, Pope Bibi Dong opened the letter to read it.

She was familiar with Bai Baoshan, an elder who had ties to Spirit Hall. However, she wasn't sure what could prompt him to write her a letter.

After scanning its contents, Bibi Dong's sharp eyes gleamed briefly. With a flick of her hand, purple soul power erupted, reducing the letter to ashes.

"Tang Hao… and a transformed 100,000-year soul beast!"

Bibi Dong's voice carried a trace of excitement. The letter mentioned not only Tang Hao but also a soul beast that had taken human form—a 100,000-year soul beast.

According to Bai Baoshan's letter, Tang Hao hadn't revealed his identity openly or confronted anyone directly. His presence was only a conjecture made by the elders.

As for why Bai Baoshan wrote to inform her, Bibi Dong understood. The three Heaven Dou Royal Academy elders were former members of Spirit Hall. Seeing someone suspected to be Tang Hao, a wanted man, they naturally felt obliged to notify Spirit Hall.

After all, Tang Hao had long been on Spirit Hall's most-wanted list.

However, now that the letter had reached her hands, the matter was settled. Bibi Dong had no intention of pursuing it further.

Others might not know the truth behind Qian Xunji's death, but she was all too aware.

In her eyes, Tang Hao was something of a benefactor. Without Tang Hao seriously injuring Qian Xunji, she wouldn't have been able to kill him. Because of this, Bibi Dong had no intention of taking action against Tang Hao.

A 100,000-year soul beast might be tempting, but if the person accompanying it was Tang Hao, Bibi Dong preferred to let it go.

"This time, I'll consider it repayment for your help in injuring Qian Xunji," she murmured to herself.

"Young Mistress!"

"Young Mistress!"

Upon arriving at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with Su Mo, Ning Rongrong was greeted by astonished disciples who hadn't been informed of her return.

After exchanging greetings, the disciples quickly stepped aside, some even appearing a little afraid of Ning Rongrong. Yet, they couldn't help but sneak glances at Su Mo, curiosity evident in their expressions.

"Who's that guy? Why's he with our little princess?"

"He looks pretty handsome. Could he be the Young Mistress's boyfriend?"

"Did the Young Mistress bring her boyfriend back to the sect?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! What if it's not true? If the Young Mistress hears you gossiping, you're done for…"

"Uh… What did I just say? I didn't say anything!"

As they walked along, Su Mo couldn't help but notice the disciples' reactions. He could easily imagine how mischievous Ning Rongrong must have been in the sect.

Most seemed wary of her, yet their fondness for her was also evident from their excitement upon seeing her return.

"Rongrong, it seems that while you were known as a little troublemaker in the sect, everyone still really likes you!"

Su Mo teased with a chuckle.

"Humph! Of course!"

Though she was a bit embarrassed by the reminder of her "little troublemaker" reputation, Ning Rongrong didn't try to deny it.

Pouting slightly, she added, "But those annoying guys dared to gossip about me. Just wait, I'll teach them a lesson later!"

"Yes, yes, Rongrong is the most formidable," Su Mo said with a playful shake of his head.

Amid their banter, the two arrived at the grand hall of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—a majestic and imposing structure.

Upon entering, Su Mo immediately noticed three figures waiting for them.

"Dad! Sword Grandpa! Bone Grandpa!"

Ning Rongrong's face lit up with joy as she dashed toward the three.

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