[Target (Tang Yuehua) Corruption Progress: 60%]
"She only has rank-nine spirit power—her body's far too weak."
Holding the soft, boneless Tang Yuehua in his arms, Xiao Lin sighed inwardly. He hadn't even fully enjoyed himself before she couldn't handle it anymore. Only someone like Bibi Dong—someone at his level—could withstand the physique of his demon dragon body.
His gaze drifted downward to her faintly swollen belly, and a satisfied, smug grin spread across his face. He felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.
[Friendly Reminder: When a target's level is too low compared to the host's, you may allow them to refine a small amount of your dragon blood to gradually strengthen their bodies.]
"Oh? Now this is useful!"
Xiao Lin's eyes lit up. Slowly strengthening Tang Yuehua's frail body like this wasn't a bad idea at all.
After all, his body was like a divine elixir infused with the essence of heaven and earth—a mere drop of his dragon blood was enough to completely transform her.
Gently laying the sleeping Tang Yuehua down on his arm, Xiao Lin got up and gazed out the window. It was already afternoon.
While Xiao Lin was out "working hard" for the glorious cause of expanding the Dark Demon Dragon Clan, things weren't looking so good back at the Pope's Palace in Spirit City. Bibi Dong sat on her throne, her face clouded with worry.
"Teacher, the Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo elders have been rescued. You can rest assured."
Hu Liena respectfully addressed Bibi Dong, who sat high upon her seat.
"I know. You may leave."
"Teacher, ever since you returned, you've been troubled. Your student wishes to share your burden."
Hu Liena hesitated for a moment, ultimately choosing not to leave.
"If even I can't handle it, what can you possibly do to help?"
Bibi Dong shook her head slightly, rubbing her temple with her slender fingers. If she wanted to save Qian Renxue, it seemed she'd have to ask that person to intervene.
"Go on now. Tomorrow, you'll be heading to Death Canyon for your training."
"Teacher!"
Hu Liena wanted to speak up but held back. She didn't understand—Spirit Hall was so powerful, yet they had suffered such a crushing defeat this time. Her teacher returned in an awful state, barely able to walk, and all the elders who had gone with her remained unconscious even now.
"Your Holiness, I have an urgent report!"
"Hmm? Speak."
"This… Please review it personally, Your Holiness."
The elder glanced at Hu Liena, then silently handed over a sealed letter.
"Nana, bring me the letter."
Bibi Dong's brows furrowed slightly. What could require such secrecy?
"Yes, Teacher."
Hu Liena took the letter and walked step by step up to the throne, handing it to Bibi Dong.
"What?!"
The moment Bibi Dong finished reading, her face darkened, her terrifying soul power nearly spiraling out of control.
"That bastard! Leave me!"
"Yes."
"Teacher… what happened?"
"Nana, I have a task for you."
Bibi Dong's voice turned icy as she spoke. She had a bad feeling. That demon dragon couldn't have possibly released Qian Renxue for no reason.
"Please command me, Teacher."
"I want you to go to Heaven Dou City and secretly investigate whether Crown Prince Xue Qinghe is behaving any differently since being rescued. Report back immediately."
"Remember, do not let anyone discover you. To assist your mission, tomorrow I'll personally select a high-level spirit bone for you."
Bibi Dong took a deep breath, her voice grave as she recalled that eerie and unpredictable power.
"Thank you, Teacher."
Hu Liena's expression turned serious. A mission that required her teacher to personally select a spirit bone for her—this must be extremely dangerous.
"Don't thank me yet. This task is dangerous. You're my disciple and the one I trust most—protect yourself at all costs."
Bibi Dong's face remained somber. Even though Hu Liena would be equipped with a high-grade spirit bone, she wasn't confident—after all, even her own Angelic God disguise had been seen through.
"Looks like I'll have to hasten the process of adding spirit rings to my Death Spider Emperor Martial Soul. I must break through to godhood as soon as possible if I want to suppress that demon dragon."
She clenched her fists secretly, feeling an overwhelming sense of urgency.
Heaven Dou City – Royal Palace
"Sect Master Ning, this whole affair is very strange… That demon dragon appeared out of nowhere, kidnapped the Crown Prince, then vanished—and now the Crown Prince has been returned unharmed. What exactly is going on?"
Emperor Xue Ye wore a deeply troubled expression. The presence of such an unstable factor within his empire made him extremely uneasy.
"Your Majesty, we did discover traces of battle on our way through the Star Dou Forest. It appears there was a clash involving Title Douluo. I do have a theory, but it's unlikely…"
Ning Fengzhi leaned on his staff, glancing toward Emperor Xue Ye seated on the throne.
"Fengzhi, speak your mind."
Sword Douluo Chen Xin, standing nearby, also looked intrigued.
"Well… Here's my guess. A dragon egg appeared in the Star Dou Forest. A Spirit Hall elder discovered it and assigned people to guard it. However, the egg's aura attracted nearby powerful soul beasts. The elder was overwhelmed and had no choice but to hide the egg."
"Coincidentally, His Highness Xue Qinghe stumbled upon it during his visit to the forest and brought it back to the palace."
"Not long after his return, the demon dragon hatched. As we all know, soul beasts like demon dragons often share human desires for wealth and beauty. The Crown Prince is strikingly handsome—perhaps this demon dragon was female and became infatuated with him, thus abducting him from the palace."
"However, the dragon was unlucky. Upon returning to the forest, it was caught in Spirit Hall's encirclement, allowing the Crown Prince to escape."
"This also explains why, according to the Crown Prince himself, the demon dragon suddenly released him."
"Hmm… That does make sense. But Fengzhi, you've got one detail wrong."
"Oh? Elder Bone, where did I slip up?"
"Hehe, I asked the Crown Prince—he said the demon dragon was male. I imagine it abducted him, found a secluded spot, and tried to… force itself upon him. But when it realized Xue Qinghe was a man, it lost interest. Just as it was about to kill him, Spirit Hall's people arrived, forcing it to retreat."
"Ah! Actually… That does sound even more plausible. Otherwise, why would the Crown Prince return in different clothes?"
"Tsk. If that's the case, no wonder his expression was so strange upon his return. We were indeed too hasty earlier. This… isn't exactly something that can be openly discussed."
Emperor Xue Ye nodded slowly but soon looked even more worried.
"Everyone, I'm concerned that this ordeal may have affected Qinghe psychologically… He may no longer be able to produce heirs."
"Well… Your Majesty, even if something did go wrong, there are treatments for such issues."
"Physical treatment isn't the problem. I fear the mental trauma may be harder to heal. The succession to the throne is no small matter. My health declines with each passing day. If the Crown Prince can no longer fulfill his duties as heir, I may need to consider naming a different successor…"
"This… Your Majesty, the future of the Heaven Dou Empire cannot be decided so rashly!"
Ning Fengzhi's eyelids twitched. Xue Qinghe was his disciple—if the Crown Prince were replaced, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would suffer enormous losses.
"Sigh… I know it's not the right time to make such decisions. But Sect Master Ning, I hope you'll… push things along. If the Crown Prince produces an heir soon, then I'll pretend I never said anything."
Emperor Xue Ye let out a deep sigh, dragging his increasingly frail body as he left the hall.
"This…"
Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and Bone Douluo Gu Rong exchanged glances, all wearing helpless, bitter smiles.