Chapter 4: Bibi Dong and the Strange Qian Daoliu
"Damn! One hundred thousand gold spirit coins!"
Unbeknownst to others, Xia Tianling, listening from the side, was also going crazy. That was a full one hundred thousand gold spirit coins! Even one gold spirit coin was enough for him and Old Jack to live on for several months!
"Um, Grandpa Ghost... could you lend me some gold spirit coins?" Xia Tianling asked, pretending to be hesitant and shy.
"Oh? What does a kid like you need gold spirit coins for?" Ghost Douluo asked with a smile.
"I want to give them to my grandfather, so he doesn't have to toil in the fields at his age. When I earn money in the future, I'll pay you back."
"Good! You have filial piety and know how to repay kindness!" Ghost Douluo looked at the slightly embarrassed Xia Tianling with even greater satisfaction. He immediately took out a large bag and a card from his storage spirit tool.
"Su Yuntao, come in!"
Hearing Ghost Douluo's summons, Su Yuntao, who had been bragging to his goddess Si Si next door, immediately entered at top speed.
"This card contains one hundred thousand gold spirit coins, plus five thousand in cash. Take it, buy a decent house in Nuoding City, bring Old Jack over, and give him the remaining money to spend. Find a few more guards from your branch hall; Old Jack is an ordinary person, it's not safe for him to hold such a large sum."
"Yes, subordinate will definitely do his utmost to complete the mission!"
"Consider this money a personal gift to you, Little Tianling. Are you satisfied?" After speaking, Ghost Douluo stared at him with a beaming smile, his eyes looking at him as if he were his own grandson.
"A gift from an elder, I dare not refuse. Thank you very much, Grandpa Ghost! I will definitely repay you in the future!" Outwardly, Xia Tianling looked apprehensive, but inwardly he was blooming with joy. He understood that Ghost Douluo merely wanted to strengthen their relationship, but that was fine too; it counted as repaying Grandpa Jack's kindness for raising him. This large sum of money was enough for Old Jack to live as a wealthy man in Nuoding City, well-fed and clothed for the rest of his life.
Ghost Douluo felt deeply gratified. Then, his expression turned serious. He raised his hand, released his spirit power, and sealed off the entire room's aura.
Xia Tianling knew the main event was coming; Ghost Douluo was about to ask about his True Dragon spirit.
"Tianling, Grandpa Ghost has a question for you. Do you have a dragon-type twin spirit?"
"Yes, Grandpa Ghost. I do indeed have another dragon-type spirit." Xia Tianling hadn't considered hiding it. Unless he never used it, it would be exposed sooner or later. The two Limit Douluo, Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu, weren't fools easily deceived. To fully join the Spirit Hall, honesty was necessary.
"True Dragon, possess!" He gave a low shout, and the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon spirit directly possessed him. A faint dragon might surged around his body. Xia Tianling's eyes turned into golden vertical pupils. Fine scales grew on his skin, sharp claws emerged, and a pair of small dragon horns, barely finger-length, appeared on his head. A phantom image manifested behind him. Horns like a deer, head like a camel, eyes like a rabbit, neck like a snake, belly like a clam demon, scales like a fish, claws like an eagle, palms like a tiger, ears like an ox – its entire body shone with brilliant gold, exactly the image of a dragon from myths and legends!
This suppressive force... it even exceeds the scope of top-tier beast spirits, Ghost Douluo thought, feeling the spirit suppression affecting him. What he didn't know was that the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon was the highest form of True Dragon. It naturally controlled the five elements and commanded the power of heavenly punishment and lightning, being especially effective against evil and ghostly entities.
Such a top-tier spirit... given time, Tang Hao's title as the youngest Titled Douluo might have to change hands.
"Alright Tianling, put it away," Ghost Douluo said. "Come with me to Spirit City today to meet the Pope."
"Okay, Grandpa Ghost."
Xia Tianling, familiar with the original story, understood that Ghost Douluo's rapid arrival in Nuoding City must have been ordered by Bibi Dong.
As the continent's only Agility-type Super Douluo, Ghost Douluo's speed was naturally extremely fast. Even carrying Xia Tianling, he managed to return to Spirit City by evening.
"Little Tianling, when you meet the Pope shortly, don't be afraid. Just answer whatever she asks."
"Okay, don't worry." Reaching the entrance of the Pope's Palace, Ghost Douluo didn't forget to give this reminder before leading Xia Tianling inside.
"Your Majesty the Pope, subordinate has returned to report."
"Enter," a cool voice sounded.
Walking into the Pope's Palace, an exceptionally beautiful woman clad in purple-gold robes, holding a scepter, sat upon a tall throne. This must be Bibi Dong. Just like described in the original work, full of dominant older sister vibes, Xia Tianling thought.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Pope," both said simultaneously.
"Elder Ghost, this child is?" Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow slightly.
Ghost Douluo quickly took out the parchment scroll and presented it to Bibi Dong. "Your Majesty the Pope, the contents herein were witnessed by me personally and are absolutely true."
Bibi Dong glanced over the contents of the parchment. A look of surprise flickered across her stern face, but it quickly returned to its usual impassive state, though now with a faint smile added.
She dismissed her attendants and spoke lightly, "Release both of your spirits for me to see."
Xia Tianling complied, first releasing the "Woodworking Two-Piece Set." Seeing Bibi Dong nod slowly, he then switched to the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon possession.
"Good, very good. Elder Ghost, you have brought a fine seedling back for our Spirit Hall!" Bibi Dong put down her scepter and slowly walked down from the high platform.
"It is merely what subordinate ought to do."
Bibi Dong waved her hand dismissively, walked up to Xia Tianling, looked into his eyes, and said, "Xia Tianling, are you willing to become my disciple?"
"Your Majesty the Pope, I am willing. It is my honor." If having Ghost Douluo as a 'grandfather' earlier was a surprise, then becoming Bibi Dong's disciple was a surprise within a surprise. At this stage, who held more power than the Spirit Hall? Even if she hadn't completed the Rakshasa Trials yet, she was at least at the Super Douluo level.
"Greetings, Teacher." Xia Tianling called her Teacher willingly. Being Bibi Dong's disciple would be immensely helpful for his future cultivation.
"Wait a moment!" Just then, a slightly aged voice came from the entrance.
Instantly, Bibi Dong's brow furrowed. She spoke with a mocking tone, "Grand Elder, what brings you to my Pope's Palace?"
Grand Elder? Xia Tianling pondered inwardly. Then the person arriving must be the Seraphim Douluo, Qian Daoliu. But what is he doing here? My innate spirit power hasn't surpassed Qian Renxue's yet, it shouldn't have attracted him, right?
"Heh, this old man naturally came for this child!" Hearing this, Bibi Dong's expression immediately darkened.
"Grand Elder, please conduct yourself with dignity. This child has just become my disciple."
"Hehehe, no matter. I do not require this child to become my disciple. Just allow me to guide him daily, performing the semi-disciple ritual towards me is sufficient."
Bibi Dong: ???
Xia Tianling: ???
What's going on? Has this old man had a change of heart? Not only Bibi Dong, but Xia Tianling was also baffled. The substance of a master-disciple relationship without the title? What has Qian Daoliu seen in me that he's rushing to offer me benefits?
As the Pope, Bibi Dong's control over her expressions was impeccable. She instantly masked her slight surprise, replacing it with a glare. "Don't even think about it!"
Qian Daoliu also frowned. "What, Bibi Dong? You won't even grant me this bit of face?"
"How much is your face worth?" Bibi Dong clenched her fists, looking ready to engage in spirit possession and fight if things disagreed further.
Seeing this, Xia Tianling's mind raced, and he instantly understood everything. It's not that Bibi Dong doesn't want Qian Daoliu to teach me; she has no reason to refuse such a pure benefit. But because of what the 'Chamber Douluo' Qian Xunji did in the past, Bibi Dong could never give him this face. Of course, it's also possible she fears Qian Daoliu might try to poach me.
If I give Bibi Dong a way to step down gracefully now, then... Thinking this, Xia Tianling stepped forward and hugged Bibi Dong's thigh. Ahem, he originally wanted to hug her waist, but unfortunately, he was only 6 years old, and Bibi Dong's legs were long...
"Teacher, Teacher, please don't be angry. I'll just agree to this old grandpa's request," Xia Tianling said, feigning fear that his teacher and her colleague would damage their relationship. "Even if I perform the semi-disciple ritual for this old grandpa, you will always be my teacher, won't you?" Xia Tianling widened his eyes, looking innocently at Bibi Dong.
"..."
The two stared at each other in silence for a full minute. Bibi Dong tried to read something in Xia Tianling's eyes, but Xia Tianling had a clear conscience; he was telling the truth, so what was there to fear?
"...Alright, I agree. But Qian Daoliu, remember this: he is forever my disciple. You'd best not get any funny ideas!"
"Mm, rest assured, I won't do anything else." Qian Daoliu revealed a slight smile, turned, and left, as if he had genuinely come just to offer Xia Tianling benefits.
Old fox, what on earth are you thinking... Bibi Dong looked down at Xia Tianling, still clinging to her thigh, then at Qian Daoliu's retreating back, lost in thought.
Author's Note: Regarding actions by Bibi Dong, Qian Daoliu, or even other characters that might seem unreasonable, please don't rush to criticize me yet. Please continue reading; there are reasons for these things. The book's outline is well-developed, and characters won't inexplicably do certain things without cause.
(End of Chapter)