Seeing the tension, Xie Yue quickly tried to smooth things over.
"Nana, don't blame Yan. I'm sure he has his reasons. If it were me, I wouldn't easily reveal my trump card in front of others either."
"But we're best friends!"
Hu Liena was still a little upset.
In her view, since they were friends, there should be no secrets between them.
"Alright, you know about it now anyway, don't you? If it weren't for Yan, we might not have made it out of that wolf pack alive."
As Xie Yue finished speaking, he patted Yan on the shoulder, as if to signal him not to mind his sister's fussing.
Yan grinned. Of course, he didn't take it to heart.
"The fewer people who know about my external spirit bone, the better. So I'll need you two to keep it secret for now."
"Don't worry, we won't tell anyone. But you won't be able to hide it from the Pope and the two Elders," Xie Yue replied.
"I know," Yan nodded.
Afterward, the three of them set up their tents and decided to rest there for the night. They would return to Spirit City in the morning.
Late at night, as silence fell, Hu Liena lay awake, turning over restlessly.
She just couldn't figure it out—why had Yan changed so much?
Not only had his attitude toward her become different, but his strength had also grown by leaps and bounds.
He was clearly still the same Yan, yet to her, he somehow felt like an entirely different person.
The next day, the three left the Death Canyon.
Several days later, the familiar city walls of Spirit City came into view. All three couldn't help but smile in relief.
They walked side by side through the city gates and into the bustling, energetic heart of the city.
Together, they made their way to the Pope's Palace to report back to Bibi Dong.
As Yan ascended the marble steps leading to the grand hall, he could feel the solemn and imposing aura surrounding him from all directions.
The magnificent, golden palace towered at the center of Spirit City like an unscalable peak — a symbol of the Pope's majesty and authority.
Just as the three reached the vast plaza before the palace, they saw two figures emerging from its grand doors.
Even from afar, Yan recognized them immediately — Bibi Dong's two trusted subordinates, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei.
Yue Guan was, as always, dazzlingly elegant.
His long, silky hair cascaded naturally over his shoulders, swaying gently with each step. His face was smooth and pale as porcelain, his eyes gleaming with a mysterious luster, as though they could see straight into a person's heart.
Tall and graceful, every movement exuded innate refinement. His ornate robes, embroidered with exquisite chrysanthemum patterns, perfectly complemented his graceful temperament.
Gui Mei, in contrast, presented a stark difference.
His face was indistinct, his figure ghostly and hard to discern. A shroud of black robes enveloped him, deep as the night itself, as though capable of swallowing all light. His presence was eerie, elusive, and unfathomable.
The three disciples quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Elders."
Their voices were synchronized and filled with reverence.
Yue Guan smiled softly, his eyes glimmering with warmth.
"You three are back. The Pope is waiting inside. Go on in."
"Yes, Elder."
Yan happened to meet Yue Guan's gaze for a brief moment.
From the look in the elder's eyes, he could sense that Yue Guan already knew about his external spirit bone.
Then, the three proceeded toward the great doors of the Pope's Palace.
Inside, the grandeur of the hall took their breath away.
Golden splendor filled the space — the vaulted ceiling was inlaid with glittering stars, as if the night sky itself had been turned upside down and embedded overhead.
Yet, in sharp contrast to its magnificence, the hall felt vast and cold.
Dim light filtered through tall windows, casting mottled shadows that lent the chamber an air of mystery.
The marble floor gleamed like a mirror, reflecting the faint glow, sending chills through the heart.
At the far end of the hall, upon the elevated Pope's throne, sat a woman of unparalleled beauty and regal bearing.
Her gaze was deep and penetrating, as though it could pierce through all illusions and reach the very depths of one's soul.
She was the Pope of the Spirit Hall — Bibi Dong.
"Greetings, Your Holiness."
The three bowed in unison.
A faint smile curved Bibi Dong's noble face — soft and warm as the spring sun.
"You've returned. Very good. It seems you completed your mission ahead of schedule."
Her voice was gentle yet commanding, carrying a quiet power that filled the hall.
Xie Yue stepped forward as their representative and gave a detailed report of their experiences and achievements in the Death Canyon.
When he mentioned Yan's acquisition of an external spirit bone, Bibi Dong's eyes brightened slightly — though the expression quickly faded, as if she had already known.
After listening to the report, Bibi Dong nodded, evidently satisfied.
"You've done well. You have not disappointed my expectations."
Then her gaze shifted to Yan.
"Yan, you're quite fortunate to have obtained an external spirit bone. Let me see what it looks like."
As soon as Bibi Dong spoke, Xie Yue and Hu Liena tactfully stepped aside, leaving space for Yan to display his spirit bone.
Yan took a deep breath. As his spirit power surged with his will, blazing crimson wings unfurled behind him — like a phoenix reborn from the flames, majestic and awe-inspiring.
Each wing spanned three meters, strong and vibrant, as if they were truly part of his body. Every feather burned with searing flames, radiating his fierce and unique power.
Bibi Dong examined the wings closely, a flicker of admiration passing through her eyes.
"Impressive. This external spirit bone is quite remarkable. You may put it away now."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Yan retracted his wings smoothly. The ease and precision of his control did not escape Bibi Dong's notice — she was clearly impressed.
She herself possessed an external spirit bone — wings as well.
But unlike Yan's, hers consisted of six wings, each thin as a cicada's wing, known as the Six-Winged Purple Light Wings.
She had spent great effort and time learning to control them.
Now, seeing Yan's effortless mastery, she couldn't help but feel a hint of surprise — perhaps his physique was naturally more suited to such fusion.
"Yan, this external spirit bone will greatly enhance your strength. Make good use of it.
But don't let it make you arrogant. Remember — it's a double-edged sword. It can bring you power, but also trouble.
Until you're strong enough to protect yourself, never reveal it lightly before others."
"Yes, I understand."
Bibi Dong nodded gently, her voice softening.
"Very good. You and Xie Yue may go now. Nana, stay."
"Yes, Your Holiness."
Yan and Xie Yue bowed once more, then turned and left the Pope's Palace.
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