Gu Ran and Ye Lingling went down the mountain together. For greater ideals, they had no choice but to leave.
A few days later, Ma Hongjun fully mastered the Daoist mental technique Tianlin taught him. Together with Qin Ming, he set off for the Extreme North, to the place Tianlin had pointed out.
Before parting, Tianlin used the Soul Reading technique to imprint a segment of his memory deep in Ma Hongjun's mind. He didn't want to alter Ma Hongjun's memories, so this memory would only surface in times of crisis, hoping it could help him at a critical moment.
The once lively Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect now felt a bit deserted.
Of the younger generation, only Tianlin was left.
"A solitary man, huh!" Lying on the rooftop, Tianlin felt a bit lonely.
Actually, there were still many disciples in the sect, but Tianlin couldn't really mingle with them. To those ordinary disciples, Tianlin's status and strength were simply too lofty.
"Xiao Tian, don't be so relaxed. Your friends are working hard, so you can't slack off either. Don't forget about the God Trial. Go into seclusion right now. Within three years, you must break through to the Titled Douluo level," Skydream Ice Silkworm urged.
"I know. But, Brother Skydream, I can't just go into seclusion yet. There are still some things I need to do. I promise you, after I finish this, no matter what happens outside, I won't bother with anything else." Tianlin stood up. He had one more place he had to go. Something Ning Fengzhi guessed, he could figure out with a bit more time.
The Fallen Angel faction had spread Bibi Dong's past under the names of the top three sects, supposedly to provoke a war between Spirit Hall and the upper three sects.
But thinking deeper, Tianlin realized this was just like the previous avalanche—doing the worst thing at the worst time, with the real goal hidden behind it.
The mastermind seemed to love using such tricks. Unfortunately for him, both Tianlin and Ning Fengzhi were not easily fooled, especially now that they were even more vigilant.
The target wasn't the three upper sects, but Bibi Dong herself. He wanted to use this information to destroy her. Once Bibi Dong's greatest secret was exposed, everyone would know about it, and she might truly go mad and attempt to destroy the world.
"World destruction… unless someone is an utterly bored lunatic, who would do that?" Tianlin muttered, "So, the deeper goal isn't world destruction, but to accelerate Bibi Dong's path to godhood."
This was as far as Tianlin could deduce, which was basically the same as Ning Fengzhi's reasoning. The only thing Ning Fengzhi guessed further was the mastermind's real identity, but he wasn't sure yet, so he hadn't told Tianlin.
At this moment, Ning Fengzhi happened to walk into Tianlin's courtyard. Seeing Tianlin on the roof, he said, "Xiao Tian, our disciples in Hanhai City just sent word—Rongrong and the others have already boarded the ship and set out to sea. Also, Gu Ran and Lingling have headed to the Balak Kingdom."
Tianlin nodded. "I think Hongjun and Teacher Qin Ming should be arriving at the Extreme North soon. With the younger generation gone, we have no worries for now. Father-in-law, you must have guessed that person's goal too. He wants Bibi Dong to become a god as soon as possible, so to achieve that, he needs to destroy her first."
Ning Fengzhi smiled with satisfaction. "You've gotten smarter, to figure out this much. So, we have to stop him. The later Bibi Dong becomes a god, the better for us. Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect lacks nothing right now—except time. As for what to do, I'm sure you've thought of a way?"
"Of course. I'm going to play with that Mastermind myself. But father-in-law, I might go a bit overboard this time. Don't be mad at me later!" Tianlin said mischievously.
Ning Fengzhi felt a chill down his back. He knew Tianlin had the same idea as him. The plan was ruthless but effective, though Ning Fengzhi himself would have to suffer a bit.
"Um, Xiao Tian, your father-in-law is getting old, and this reputation wasn't easy to build. Please, try to go easy on me," Ning Fengzhi pleaded sincerely for the first time.
He originally planned to carry out this plan himself, but to achieve the best result, only Tianlin could do it.
"I'll try my best!" Tianlin grinned teasingly, then summoned his magic sword and flew off.
Seeing that smile, Ning Fengzhi knew he was doomed. There was no intention of going easy—he was probably going to be roasted alive.
"No, I, Ning Fengzhi, can't just sit and wait for death. Maybe I should go into seclusion too. As long as this storm passes, even if the sky falls, I won't come out. Otherwise, my reputation will be ruined!"
Ning Fengzhi muttered to himself as he walked back, leaving Tianlin's parents puzzled.
"Has that old in-law gone mad, or is he missing his daughter too much? But he's a dignified Titled Douluo, and Rongrong just left a few days ago," Jun Tianhai said, baffled.
Mentioning Rongrong, Mo Ran immediately got upset. "It's not just your in-law, I'm mad too. What kind of husband is our son? Just married, and he sends my precious Rongrong to some Sea Monster Island, and doesn't go protect her. What if something happens?"
Jun Tianhai was speechless. "It's called Sea God Island, not Sea Monster. Don't worry, Rongrong isn't going alone—a whole group is with her. She'll be fine."
"Hmph, I don't care if it's Sea God or Sea Monster. I only remember Tianlin saying the people there are all as strong as monsters. Poor daughter-in-law."
"Alright, alright, don't be mad. When our son comes back, we'll scold him together." Jun Tianhai helped his wife back inside. Ever since Ning Rongrong left, he felt like Mo Lan's menopause had come early.
Love sickness, it really isn't just an empty saying.
This is also a big reason why Tianlin left so quickly—he didn't want to stay home and get scolded every day. That suffering, better left to his dad.
Tianlin's first destination after leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, however, was the last place he should go: the center of the continent—Spirit City.
The Bibi Dong matter had to be handled first, but since he didn't know who the mastermind was, he decided to cut off their plan at the root, so he could have enough time for secluded cultivation.
He dared to go there for two reasons. First, Spirit City was a huge city, no less than Heaven Dou City. If he disguised himself, who could easily recognize him? Those Titled Douluo elders or worshippers couldn't possibly be patrolling the streets themselves.
Second, with great skill comes great daring. Even if discovered, as long as he didn't face Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu together, even if several worshippers encircled him, they could only defeat—not kill—him.
Tianlin's Martial God and Mountain God were not only as strong as Super Douluo, but also two massive tanks. Most importantly, they were unkillable. Even if destroyed once, Tianlin could re-summon them when his soul power recovered.
Their greatest strength was trading life for life. Facing two desperate Super Douluo, no one could ignore them. Tianlin could have them stall all the masters in Spirit Hall like suicide squads, then calmly escape.