"Can I refuse?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Hu Liena's heart surged with huge waves: "How could he refuse? How dare he refuse? Is his brain caught in a door or something?"
Bibi Dong's gentle smile froze for a moment, then she asked, "Why?"
Jiang Chen's small face showed a conflicted expression as he said, "I don't want to leave my hometown, is that okay?"
He didn't dare reveal the real reason, so he could only make up a childish excuse.
Bibi Dong chuckled, her beauty dazzling, "If you become powerful, you can bring honor to your hometown. Your hometown will be proud of you. Follow me, and you can soon realize this dream."
"I really don't want to leave."
Bibi Dong's expression suddenly turned cold, threads of killing intent surging out and enveloping Jiang Chen.
"If you don't agree, I'll kill you right now."
Jiang Chen felt ice-cold all over, as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. Under this killing intent, he inevitably felt fear.
He hadn't expected Bibi Dong to be so ruthless; she wouldn't even spare a child.
What else could he do? Even if he led these people to Holy Soul Village, Tang Hao might not be able to save him.
After all, Tang Hao's old injuries meant he couldn't fight for long. Besides, if a battle broke out in Holy Soul Village, everyone would suffer.
Moreover, Tang Hao still had Tang San as a burden and would absolutely not want to clash head-on with the Spirit Hall.
Even if Tang Hao managed to save him by luck, he would surely take him and Tang San far away. This Douluo Continent would no longer be the original Douluo Continent. Once detached from the original plot, Tang San might not achieve those accomplishments, and following Tang San would lose its meaning for him.
Jiang Chen's heart completely chilled. It seemed the only choice left was to obediently follow Bibi Dong.
If he had to follow Bibi Dong, then he must prepare himself to become enemies with Tang San in the future.
"Tang San." In that instant, a thought flashed through Jiang Chen's mind: he wanted to poison Tang San.
Seeing Jiang Chen standing there in a daze without speaking, Bibi Dong frowned, "Do you choose death, or do you choose to come with me?"
Jiang Chen was suddenly startled awake. He suppressed all the chaotic thoughts in his heart and no longer hesitated. He immediately said respectfully, "Teacher."
Since it was already unstoppable, there was no need for him to make meaningless resistance.
Bibi Dong's icy, beautiful face bloomed like a hundred flowers. "From now on, you will follow me."
With that, she took Jiang Chen's hand and walked outside. Hu Liena followed with a complicated expression.
This trip out, she had unexpectedly gained a little junior brother.
Bibi Dong's hand was very soft and very warm; this was Jiang Chen's first impression.
After leaving the door, everyone was waiting quietly outside.
Bibi Dong looked around and said faintly, "Jiang Chen will be my second disciple from now on."
The elders showed no particular reaction; after all, it was normal for the Pope to take disciples, but Si Si and Su Yuntao were different.
The moment Bibi Dong announced it, they were so excited they nearly went mad.
A Pope's disciple, this was something they hadn't even dared to dream of before.
Su Yuntao had only hoped that discovering a new martial soul would earn him some reward, but this result had far exceeded his expectations.
The child he awakened had become the Pope's disciple; his contribution was unimaginably great.
Bibi Dong looked at the excited Su Yuntao and said, "Su Yuntao, what reward do you want?"
Su Yuntao forcefully suppressed his excitement and said, "Your Holiness, may I consider for a few minutes?"
"You may."
Su Yuntao was overjoyed. He looked at Si Si, and the two spoke in low voices.
A few minutes later, Su Yuntao raised his head and respectfully looked at Bibi Dong, saying, "Your Holiness, I want to become the master of the Notting City sub-temple."
That's it?
Everyone, including the elders and even Bibi Dong, was somewhat stunned.
Su Yuntao's request was really too low.
"You can choose a much greater reward," Bibi Dong said.
"No need." Su Yuntao smiled freely, "My talent is not high, and my innate soul power is only rank two. In this lifetime, I'm destined not to become a powerful soul master. Becoming the master of the Notting City temple is already enough to satisfy me. I will continue to serve the Spirit Hall wholeheartedly in Notting City and discover more children with potential."
Bibi Dong said with satisfaction, "Very good. Our Spirit Hall needs loyal people like you. I declare that you are now the master of the Notting City sub-temple."
"Thank you, Your Holiness, the Pope."
"Alright, I must set off back to Spirit City."
Bibi Dong led Jiang Chen out.
When passing by Su Yuntao, Jiang Chen paused for a moment, "Su Yuntao, I really have to thank you."
Su Yuntao didn't catch the meaning behind Jiang Chen's words and hurriedly said respectfully, "This is what a subordinate should do."
After watching the Pope leave, Si Si leaned against Su Yuntao with a face full of happiness and said, "Brother Tao, you're so amazing."
…
Inside the spacious and luxurious carriage, Bibi Dong said to Jiang Chen, "We are about to head to Spirit City. Do you need to say goodbye to your family?"
Jiang Chen thought for a moment and said, "I have a friend from the same village at Notting Academy. I'd like to ask him to pass a message to my grandfather, telling him that I've gone to the Spirit Hall to study."
"Very well," Bibi Dong said. "Nana, accompany him there again."
Hu Liena took Jiang Chen onto another carriage and headed toward Notting Academy's Soul Master Academy, while Bibi Dong and the others waited at the city gate.
On the carriage, Hu Liena looked at Jiang Chen, whose expression was still somewhat conflicted, and smiled, "Little junior brother, becoming Teacher's disciple doesn't seem to make you very happy."
Jiang Chen forced out a smile that looked even uglier than crying, "No way, I'm very happy. Please take care of me in the future, senior sister."
"Who's taking care of whom is still unknown," Hu Liena muttered. Bibi Dong seemed to favor Jiang Chen more, which made her feel very uncomfortable.
When they arrived at Notting Academy, Jiang Chen jumped down from the carriage, "Senior sister, I can go in by myself."
Hu Liena also got down, "No way. What if you run away again? I don't dare bear Teacher's anger."
Jiang Chen had no choice but to let her follow.
Hu Liena did not go up to the dormitory building. Jiang Chen returned to Room Seven alone.
"Jiang Chen, congratulations. Going to the Spirit Hall to study is also good. This is also what Grandpa Jack hoped for," Tang San said.
Jiang Chen did not tell him about Bibi Dong taking him as a disciple; otherwise, how could Tang San remain calm? He would probably be greatly shocked.
Beside him, Xiao Wu looked at Jiang Chen with a complicated expression. The Spirit Hall was the force she disliked the most.
After Jiang Chen packed up the things he had brought from home, he came before Tang San again.
"Little San, if one day we become enemies facing each other in life and death, what would you do?" Jiang Chen asked solemnly.
Tang San was stunned, then smiled, "How could that be possible?"
"I'm saying if."
Tang San thought for a moment, "If you become someone utterly evil and beyond redemption, I will show no mercy."
Jiang Chen also smiled, "I hope that day never comes, because I'm afraid you will despair."
At the doorway, Jiang Chen turned back once more, "Remember to tell my grandfather that I will definitely come back to see him."
Tang San waved his hand, "Go with peace of mind. When I go home on break, I'll tell him."
Jiang Chen left. In the end, he did not make a move against Tang San.
Only now did he realize that, in his heart, he had already regarded Tang San as a friend.
But if in the future Tang San truly showed no mercy, would he still need to hold back?
Jiang Chen shook his head. It all depended on how Tang San chose.