"Dark Demon Evil God Tiger?" The Azure Bull Python recalled for a moment and nodded. "Of course I remember. That guy was rampant in the forest. Later, Erming and I joined forces to drive him out. It took a lot of effort. If its cultivation increases for a few more years, we probably won't be its match."
"Do you know where it is now?" Brigitte pressed.
Da Ming shook his head: "I haven't seen it since I drove it out of the Star Dou Great Forest. That guy is very cunning, he might be hiding in some deep mountain forest or some unknown dense forest."
The trail went cold.
"Auntie Brigitte, why are you asking about that guy?" Erming asked curiously from the side. "That guy is no good, he's got a sinister aura, he's really wicked. Could it be...?"
Brigitte didn't explain much, simply saying, "Yes, it's because the little mirror needs it. For some special reason, we have to find it."
Da Ming and Er Ming exchanged a glance. Although they were puzzled, they did not ask any further questions.
Since there's no clue as to where the Dark Demon God Tiger is, Dongfang Jing and Biji can't just wander around aimlessly like headless flies.
After pondering for a moment, Biji suggested to Dongfang Jing, "Disciple, since we can't find the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger, let's look for other targets first."
"In this forest, there is a tribe whose king also meets your assessment requirements."
"What ethnic group?" Dongfang Jing asked.
"Human-faced Spider." Bi Ji slowly uttered four words. "This race is inherently cruel, taking pleasure in torturing and killing other soul beasts. They are evil soul beasts through and through. And their king, the Human-faced Spider King, is currently at a cultivation level of about 50,000 years, which just happens to match one of your three goals for the fourth test."
"Alright, let's start with that!" A fierce glint flashed in Dongfang Jing's eyes. "Two ten-thousand-year-old beasts, one is the Human-Faced Spider King, and the other is tentatively designated as the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger. As for the hundred-thousand-year-old evil soul beasts... are there any in the Star Dou Great Forest?"
"No." Biji shook her head. "Although the Starry Sky is vast, evil soul beasts with a cultivation of 100,000 years have either been eliminated by Di Tian long ago, or they are hidden so deeply that even I don't know about them."
This is a bit troublesome.
Finding a 100,000-year-old soul beast, especially one with evil attributes, is extremely difficult.
Just as Dongfang Jing was stroking his chin, pondering where to look for his target, a sudden inspiration flashed in his mind.
He thought of a spirit beast.
"Master, don't worry, I already have a goal for ten thousand years."
Seeing that he had an idea, Brigitte did not ask any further questions, but said, "Alright, let's take it one step at a time and go find that human-faced spider king first."
...
On the other side.
The magnificent Martial Soul City, the Papal Palace.
Yu Xiaogang stood in front of the hall, looking up at the building that symbolized the highest power on the continent, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
He finally came.
"Halt! Who goes there?!"
Two armored guards blocked his path with their crossed spears.
"I am an elder of the Spirit Hall, and I request an audience with His Holiness the Pope," Yu Xiaogang said in a deep voice, suppressing his discomfort.
"Elder?" One of the guards looked him up and down, his face showing undisguised contempt. "I've been guarding this gate for years, and I know all the elders in the Spirit Hall, but I've never seen anyone like you."
"Ha! Judging from your weak aura, how could you possibly be an elder of my Spirit Hall?! You worthless piece of trash, how dare you shamelessly come to see His Holiness the Pope? You're truly a toad lusting after a swan!"
The guards' mocking laughter was like sharp thorns, piercing deep into Yu Xiaogang's heart.
His face turned ashen instantly, and his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.
Just a few days ago, he was a teacher at the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, and he was respected wherever he went.
But now, even a lowly guard dares to humiliate him to his face!
"How dare you!" Yu Xiaogang roared.
However, the guards didn't take him seriously at all and brandished their spears.
"What? You piece of trash, you want to make a move?"
In order to seek revenge and to prove himself, Yu Xiaogang ultimately swallowed his anger.
He took out a token from his pocket.
That was the Pope's Decree from the Spirit Hall that Tang Hao gave him back then.
...
Papal Palace.
Bibi Dong, dressed in a long, shimmering gold dress, sat quietly on the papal chair, handling official business.
Her flawless face bore a hint of weariness, but it did not diminish her noble and dignified demeanor in the slightest.
A maidservant approached respectfully and knelt on one knee.
"Your Holiness, there is a man named Yu Xiaogang outside the hall requesting an audience. He claims to be an elder of the Spirit Hall."
Yu Xiaogang.
Upon hearing these three words, Bibi Dong's pen tightened slightly.
A deep scratch was left on the expensive animal hide scroll.
Her body stiffened for a moment, then returned to normal.
But a subtle ripple stirred within those otherwise calm and serene purple eyes, unnoticed by anyone.
Why is he here?
What is he doing here?
Is it because his disciple died that he came to me for help?
Or is it...?
In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Bibi Dong's mind.
There was resentment, hatred, and unwillingness, but also a hint of... excitement.
That man was her only dream during her teenage years.
It was a nightmare too.
But she...can't forget him.
That pure and beautiful time was the only bright spot in her dark and repressive life.
The maid knelt on the ground, and seeing that His Holiness the Pope did not react for a long time, she was somewhat frightened and did not dare to raise her head.
The entire study fell into a deathly silence.
After a long while, Bibi Dong slowly exhaled.
When she raised her eyes again, all that remained was a cold indifference.
"Tell him to get out."
"yes."
The maidservant, feeling as if she had been granted a pardon, quickly rose and prepared to leave.
However, just as she was about to leave the main hall, Bibi Dong's voice rang out again.
"...etc."
The maid froze, then quickly turned around and knelt down again.
Bibi Dong's fingers tapped the table unconsciously, making a soft "tap, tap, tap" sound.
She was torn between her inner thoughts and her own conscience.
Reason told her that she should get that man as far away as possible.
However, emotionally, she couldn't help but want to see him again.
In the end, the unwillingness and obsession in his heart prevailed over reason.
"...Take him to the side hall to wait."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The maidservant respectfully withdrew.
...
Side hall.
Yu Xiaogang sat in a chair, waiting silently.
Twenty minutes had passed since he entered the side hall.
A maidservant did come to serve him tea and water.
Just after he took another sip of tea,
The palace doors were finally pushed open from the outside.
A graceful and noble figure slowly walked in.
Yu Xiaogang suddenly raised his head.
More than twenty years later, he finally saw the woman who had haunted his dreams again.
Now, dressed in papal robes and wearing a purple-gold crown, she exudes an aura of authority and dominance that commands life and death, making people afraid to look directly at her.
Time seems to have left no trace on her face; instead, it has made her more beautiful, more mature, and full of fatal allure.
Looking at the stunningly beautiful woman before him, Yu Xiaogang felt a sharp pang in his heart.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat dry and unable to utter a single word.
In the end, all the words I wanted to say were reduced to a dry, hoarse cry.
"Dong'er..."
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(End of chapter)