Before meeting Dai Mubai, Bibi Dong had entertained the fantasy of Hu Liena and her team winning the championship and claiming the three soul bones as their prize.
But after seeing Dai Mubai, that dream shattered instantly.
Forget about Hu Liena and the others merely being Soul Kings— even if they were Soul Sages, they likely wouldn't stand a chance against this prodigy!
Sure, Hu Liena and Xie Yue had a powerful martial soul fusion ability, but fusion skills weren't omnipotent. This golden-haired youth had already reached such a terrifying level of soul power at his age. To assume he lacked hidden techniques was naïve at best.
"Would you be willing to join Spirit Hall?"
Bibi Dong's expression softened slightly. To be honest, she was rather satisfied with this potential son-in-law: strong, monstrously talented, and even reasonably handsome.
Her standards were undoubtedly higher than her own younger self's, but admitting that aloud? Never. Her pride wouldn't allow it.
"Join Spirit Hall?"
Dai Mubai raised an eyebrow, giving Bibi Dong a curious glance. Did she not know who he was?
If she didn't know his identity, how could she have learned about his connection to Qian Renxue?
Dai Mubai's mind churned with thoughts.
"I'm the prince of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Mubai. And the Pope wants me to join Spirit Hall?"
Bibi Dong: "..."
She genuinely hadn't known Dai Mubai's identity.
The Grand Worshipper, Qian Daoliu, had specifically arranged for the tournament to be held in Spirit City to meet his future grandson-in-law. Considering the timing of Dai Mubai's departure from the Worship Hall, who else could that grandson-in-law be?
Silence engulfed the room.
"Well then, Your Holiness, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Dai Mubai said calmly, neither rejecting nor accepting the offer. However, with his identity laid bare, Bibi Dong had no valid reason to press further.
"Leave," she finally said, waving him off.
Once Dai Mubai exited the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong reclined in her throne and sighed heavily.
"Xue'er, how could you be with the prince of the Star Luo Empire? His status alone means you should never have been together!"
"And now... it's too late to act against him."
"Teacher, I finally understand how you felt back then," she murmured bitterly.
Qian Xunji's Voice in Her Memory:
"I told you that you and Yu Xiaogang couldn't be together! Not only is he from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, but he's also a complete failure!"
Bibi Dong felt torn. Dai Mubai's status as a prince of the Star Luo Empire jeopardized her plans to unify the Douluo Continent. With his genius and monstrous talents, he could very well become the greatest obstacle in her path.
Yet, he was Qian Renxue's fiancé. While she could ignore Qian Daoliu's opinions and kill Dai Mubai, she couldn't disregard Qian Renxue's feelings. Eliminating him would sever her already fragile relationship with her daughter entirely.
After a long pause, Bibi Dong summoned Ghost Douluo, Gui Mei.
"Gui Mei, I need all the information on Dai Mubai."
Little did she know that once Gui Mei completed his investigation, she would be furious, declaring Qian Renxue foolish for falling for a scoundrel. But that, of course, was a matter for another time.
Dai Mubai, meanwhile, had already come to understand his "father-in-law," Qian Xunji, quite well. Becoming like Qian Xunji, however, was a line he dared not cross.
Back at the hotel where the Shrek team was staying, Dai Mubai was met with curious stares from his companions.
Qian Renxue had reverted to her original form when she sought out Dai Mubai earlier and took him to the Worship Hall. Naturally, this left Zhu Zhuqing and the others full of questions.
"Boss Dai, who was that golden-haired big sister?" Ma Hongjun asked first.
Qian Renxue's beauty far surpassed that of the Shrek girls, and her noble, holy aura elevated her further. Without exaggeration, she could be called the most beautiful woman on the Douluo Continent.
"Fatty, scram…"
Dai Mubai quickly shoved Ma Hongjun aside. Noticing the unfriendly looks from Zhu Zhuqing and the others, he realized he'd better explain himself properly, or he'd be sleeping in the hall for the next few nights.
"Uh... that's Xue'er," he said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.
Dai Mubai had mentioned Xue'er before, though the group didn't know who she was. They had never seen her, nor did they even know her real name.
"If you can manage, I don't mind," Dugu Yan teased with a playful wink.
As someone who joined the group later, she didn't feel she had much say in such matters.
The other women nodded in agreement. They had no objection—as long as Dai Mubai could "handle" everything.
Dai Mubai: "..."
"Yanzi, the 'handle' you're talking about, is it what I think…"
"Shut up!"
Before Ma Hongjun could finish, Dugu Yan glared at him and snapped sharply.
"Yes, yes, yes…" Ma Hongjun immediately backed down. Despite recently breaking through to Soul Ancestor rank, he was still no match for Dugu Yan, a Soul King.
"Everyone, it's getting late. Head back to your dorms and rest. Later, I'll come by to discuss soul skill applications with you," Dai Mubai announced with a straight face.
He planned to prove, through action, whether or not he could "manage."
Hearing this, the girls blushed. Late? The sun is still shining high in the sky!
But discussing soul skills? That was serious business! Without further protest, they headed to their dorms in unison.
"Boss Dai, do we really need to discuss soul skills in the dorms? We're all brothers—"
Before Ma Hongjun could finish, Dai Mubai kicked him out of the hotel.
"Don't ask questions you shouldn't. Go watch the matches in the arena!"
"???"
After dealing with Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai turned to Oscar.
"I get it. I'll go watch the matches myself. I love watching matches!" Oscar said, rising to leave without waiting for further prompting.
Satisfied, Dai Mubai nodded and set his sights on Tang San.
Tang San: "..."
He didn't quite understand.
With Ma Hongjun and Oscar gone to watch matches, it wouldn't hurt for him to do the same. After all, gathering intelligence on opponents was essential.
"Dai Mubai, I'm heading to the arena to scout the competition. Aren't you coming?" Tang San asked as he reached the door.
"No, I'll pass. I trust your ability to lead Shrek Academy to victory. You've got this!" Dai Mubai replied confidently.
Pleased with the response, Tang San nodded and headed for the arena.
Dai Mubai rolled his eyes. Tang San is way too easy to deal with.
After standing in place for thirty seconds, Dai Mubai finally headed toward Zhu Zhuqing's dorm…
(End of Chapter)