"Fine, it's come to this. Let's drop the matter for now. But let me tell you, if you lose to that Tianlin again, the next time you'll all train in the Disorienting Grand Canyon for three years!" Bibi Dong said sternly.
Hearing this, everyone let out a sigh of relief, though they were still filled with dread. The Disorienting Grand Canyon was a place where only ghosts could survive. Three years there might truly turn them into ghosts.
"Teacher, do you know what Tianlin's abilities are? Why is he able to suppress both Yan and me, and why even our Martial Soul Fusion Skill was ineffective against him?" Hu Liena asked. She needed as much information about Tianlin as possible to ensure victory next time.
The defeat that day had become a lifelong humiliation for her, one that could only be washed away with Tianlin's blood.
"Based on your descriptions, Tianlin is indeed extraordinary. Nana, the reason your charm ability didn't work on him is likely because he has a soul bone protecting him—specifically, a head soul bone that enhances mental power."
"As for Yan's flames disappearing suddenly, that's due to absolute suppression in terms of attributes. He likely possesses the Ultimate Fire. Lastly, his third spirit skill, called Flow of Wind and Water, I believe its effect is to dispel statuses. Your Martial Soul Fusion Skill, while powerful, is still a status-based spirit technique. Naturally, it would be completely countered by him."
Bibi Dong's deduction was impressive—worthy of her title as the Supreme Pontiff and the woman who had once been the lover of the Grandmaster. Just from their descriptions, she had accurately guessed about 80–90% of Tianlin's abilities.
The only thing she got wrong was that Tianlin's protection did not come from a head soul bone but from an external soul bone. After all, such items were so rare that no one would even think of them.
"So, in truth, we had a good chance of winning. If my charm ability didn't target him but instead focused on the other two, we could have easily defeated them. And Yan, if he didn't use fire but switched to earth-based attacks, he wouldn't have been suppressed by Tianlin. As for my brother, he could have killed Tianlin outright. Without using the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, and relying solely on his soul power, which exceeds Level 40, he could unleash his Crescent Moon Slash, something a Soul Elder in the 30s couldn't possibly counter." Hu Liena's battle instincts were sharp. Upon hearing Bibi Dong's analysis, she immediately came up with multiple countermeasures.
"Nana makes sense. This time, we were simply outmaneuvered. Next time, we won't lose to him."
"My Moon Blade will personally take his head next time!"
With Hu Liena's words, Xie Yue and Yan quickly regained their confidence. Ghost Douluo, standing silently to the side, nodded in approval. Hu Liena, as the Supreme Pontiff's personal disciple, was indeed more capable than his students. Failure was not scary; fear of failure was.
She had effortlessly helped the two of them regain their resolve.
"Now, let's discuss the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. What a so-called second greatest clan in the world—four Douluo in their ranks. They've already completely surpassed the Clear Sky Clan of the past," Bibi Dong said, moving on to serious matters. The current strength of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had grown too great, becoming a major threat to her.
"Your Holiness, there's no need to worry. Four Douluo may seem strong, but compared to our Spirit Hall, they are still far inferior," Yue Guan said, trying to reassure her.
Bibi Dong cast a cold glance at Yue Guan. "Fool. Don't forget, among those four Douluo are Sword Douluo, the number one offensive Douluo; Gu Rong, the number one defensive Douluo; and Dugu Bo, the number one group combat Douluo."
"No matter how many Titled Douluo we have, it's meaningless against them. With Dugu Bo wielding his Snow Swan Kiss Poison, he could kill all Titled Douluo below the rank of Super Douluo." Bibi Dong had originally planned to deal with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's Titled Douluo, all of whom were below Level 95.
Now, her plans had to change. However, the highest-ranked Titled Douluo under her command were Yue Guan and Gui Mei. Neither of them could contend with Dugu Bo. Was she supposed to intervene herself?
Bibi Dong quickly dismissed the thought. The next ten years were crucial for her to inherit the position of Rakshasa God. She couldn't risk it for something so minor.
There was only one solution. Bibi Dong glanced in the direction of the Worship Hall. In the future, she might have to pay a price to get those people to act against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
"Enough. You're all dismissed. I need to think this through. Nana, stay behind." Waving her hand, Bibi Dong dismissed Yue Guan, Gui Mei, and the others.
"Your Holiness, about the promise of a ten-thousand-year gemstone soul bone to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, do we need to honor it?" Gui Mei asked cautiously before leaving.
Bibi Dong fiercely struck her scepter against the ground. "Hmph! You made the promise in front of the major clans and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Do you think we can go back on our word? We still have three ten-thousand-year gemstone soul bones in storage. Have Lor Diarra deliver one to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. And remember, do not give them a head soul bone!"
Gemstone soul bones were most suitable for the head, but if used for other body parts, their effects would be significantly weakened. Bibi Dong was determined to minimize their losses.
"Yes!" Gui Mei, fearing Bibi Dong's anger, quickly left with Yue Guan and the others.
In the Supreme Pontiff's Hall, only Bibi Dong and Hu Liena remained.
Hu Liena bowed respectfully and asked, "Teacher, is there something you wish to discuss with me?"
"Nana, I know the words you just said were meant to restore Xie Yue and Yan's confidence. But be honest with yourself—what are your chances if you face Tianlin again in the future?" Bibi Dong pressed her, wanting to hear her true thoughts.
Hu Liena lowered her head. Her teacher was impossible to deceive. "The odds… are less than fifty percent. And as time goes on, those odds will only decrease."
She had taken into account Tianlin's terrifying talent. Even now, while Tianlin was almost ten levels below them, he could still crush them. Once his level caught up, they would have no hope at all.
"As expected. I never thought the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would produce such a prodigy. Apart from 'her', there's probably no one in the world who can stand against him. What a pity…" Bibi Dong thought of Qian Renxue. Her talent was no less than Tianlin's, but her relationship with Bibi Dong was strained—practically hostile.
"Nana, your talent is also among the best. You must believe in yourself. Now, take this and absorb it!" Bibi Dong suddenly took out a deep blue head soul bone.
The soul bone floated into Hu Liena's hands, leaving her shocked. "Teacher, this is…"
"The Wisdom Skull of Spiritual Condensation, from a soul beast over fifty thousand years old. It's an exceptional mental-type soul bone. If Tianlin's advantage in mental power comes from a soul bone, then you'll surpass him in the same way. Do you think the Spirit Hall's soul bones are inferior to those of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?" Bibi Dong declared confidently.
This soul bone had originally been reserved as a prize for the Soul Master Elite Tournament years later. But now, to ensure Hu Liena could defeat Tianlin in the future, Bibi Dong had taken it out ahead of time.
"Thank you, Teacher!" Hu Liena was overjoyed. She knew how precious this soul bone was. With it, her mental power would increase severalfold, and she would no longer fear Tianlin.
Hu Liena's confidence was fully restored. "Tianlin, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—you just wait. I, Hu Liena, will make you pay sooner or later!"