446. Peak Of The World

Dugu Yan turned her pretty face aside, took the skewer of grilled meat, and shyly asked,
"Your Highness, can’t you give Yan Yan a little sweetness?"

"Sweetness? Sure, how should I give it?"
Qian Renjue raised an eyebrow and agreed with a smile.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"
Dugu Yan laughed sweetly, stood up, and glanced at her best friend.

Ye Lingling said nothing, quietly wiping her lips, which still carried traces of her fiancé's presence.

"..."

Dugu Yan, her face full of gratitude, quickly leaned over and kissed the corner of Qian Renjue's lips.

Face-to-face, she teased, "So? Your Highness, Yan Yan really doesn’t ask for much."

"Hmm~ indeed."
Qian Renjue nodded slightly.

He reached out, held Dugu Yan's chin, and lightly nibbled on her slightly pouty lips before pulling back. With a gentle laugh, he said,

"For now, I can’t give too much. Don’t be disappointed."

"Of course not."

Dugu Yan’s eyes sparkled with joy.

As long as Qian Renjue was willing to give, even just a little, she felt utterly content.

"Alright, Ling Yuan, we should head back."
Qian Renjue released her and stood up.

A shadow landed silently on the rooftop of the tavern, standing beside him.
Short-haired, confident, and full of fiery elegance.

"Your Highness~"
Qian Renjue held Ling Yuan's soft, jade-like hand.

"Lingling, Yan Yan, see you next time. Wait for me to finish my tasks."
The two girls nodded slightly, watching as Qian Renjue disappeared with Ling Yuan.

"Lingling, thank you~"
Dugu Yan touched her flushed lips joyfully and turned to sincerely thank her.

"I didn’t do anything, Yan Yan."
Ye Lingling shook her head lightly, her voice soft.

"Haha~ Then I’ll repay you by being your handmaid when you get married!"
Dugu Yan hooked her arm around Ye Lingling’s and laughed.

"That won’t happen."
Ye Lingling spoke with certainty.

Not just for herself—Qian Renjue would never allow such a thing.

"Fine."
Dugu Yan understood and didn’t press further. Looking at the grill, she asked in confusion,
"So, what should we do with all this leftover meat?"

Ye Lingling thought for a moment and replied,
"Let Yu Feng and the others come and finish it."

"Right! I almost forgot about Yu Feng, that little feminime boy!"
Dugu Yan suddenly realized.

"If he hears you say that, he’ll get red-faced and sulk again."

"Haha~ He’s just so much like a girl!"

"..."


---

Notting City, Notting Academy, Dorm Seven

Xiao Wu lay on the large canopy bed, her face full of smiles and sweetness.

Nearby, a lean boy with short black hair paused his packing and listened to the tinkling laughter.

He glanced at the flowers in the room, resisting the urge to activate his Purple Demon Eyes and see through the canopy.

A smile lingered on his face.

Xiao Wu ended her conversation with Qian Renjue and raised her head, her crimson eyes widening as she scolded,
"Tang Xiao San! What are you looking at? Have you packed your stuff yet? Stop staring!"

"If you keep staring, do you believe I’ll teach you another lesson?!"
Tang San chuckled, finding her crisp voice delightful.

"Xiao Wu, I don’t have much to pack—it’s already done. What about you? Aren’t you going to start?"

"Mind your own business!"
Xiao Wu jumped up, standing on the bed with her hands on her hips.

"All packed, huh?!"
"Then come with me! Let’s have one last sparring match at Notting Academy!"

"Sparring?"
Tang San’s smile froze, but he quickly agreed.

"Alright."
This final sparring session was meaningful, something to look back on, wasn’t it?

Recalling how Xiao Wu almost stomped on him last time, Tang San felt a chill.

He reminded her,
"But let’s stop before it gets too serious."

"Hmph! I’m not stupid; we still have to travel tomorrow."
"Ah! By the way!"

Xiao Wu, just having put on her shoes, suddenly looked mischievous and suggested,
"If you lose, you’ll be my rickshaw driver!"

"And if I lose, I’ll hire a luxury carriage!"

"..."



——————

Spirit City, the Pope's Palace

Bibi Dong sat high on the platform, reviewing the recent activities of Qian Renjue with a face full of approval.

Hearing movement outside, she paused gracefully, her beautiful eyes tinged with longing.

"Greetings, Your Highness." ×2
"No need for such formalities, elders."

At the gates of the Pope’s Palace, Qian Renjue walked inside with Ling Yuan at his side, unaware of the strange glint in Ghost Douluo and the others' eyes.

As he stepped into the grand hall, Qian Renjue’s face lit up with surprise and joy.
"Mom!"

Ling Yuan quickly let go of Qian Renjue’s hand and bowed respectfully.
"Ling Yuan greets Her Majesty the Pope!"

"Hmm~"

Bibi Dong nodded slightly, her long hair tied up and her casual dress softening her once icy demeanor into warmth.
As she watched Qian Renjue approach, she smiled and praised,
"Renjue, you’ve done well these past months. Even the Spirit Academy has been expanded."

"I’m just borrowing from Mom’s accomplishments."

Qian Renjue effortlessly sat on the throne.

For years, many intermediate spirit master academies had been collaborating with the Spirit Hall, naturally increasing the number of students at Spirit Academy.

"Haha, still so modest."

Bibi Dong pinched his slightly stern but youthful face. Now, playing with him brought her a new sense of satisfaction—a thrill of control.

With a teasing smile, she added,
"Even the business association around the Star Dou Forest is about to surround it. Is that also thanks to Mom’s efforts?"

"I merely invited shops from the nearby towns to join," Qian Renjue said with a helpless smile, allowing her playful teasing.

"Who knew it would be this effective and expand so quickly?"

"Of course, it expanded quickly."

Bibi Dong gave him a knowing glance, exposing his feigned innocence.
"The Star Dou Forest area is mostly visited by spirit masters, so conflicts are inevitable. After these merchants joined, they not only received exclusive goods but also protection. Naturally, they flocked to us."

"The franchise fees they paid can easily be recovered by selling basic pills, from which we also take a cut."

As she spoke, Bibi Dong analyzed the situation further, realizing that perhaps her abilities weren’t as sharp as her cunning son’s.

After all, this method required no involvement from the Spirit Hall’s forces!

Even the protectors were volunteers recruited from among the civilian spirit masters.
All it took was money and a few pills.

Not only did this method eliminate manpower demands, but the Spirit Hall could even recruit many spirit masters in the process.
Essentially, it was all about shipping goods and collecting payments, yet it expanded their influence significantly.

"At this rate, it seems like Mom won’t be the Pope for much longer."

Bibi Dong sighed, cupping Qian Renjue’s face. She still wanted to do more for him.

"Of course not! Mom can remain Pope as long as she wishes."

Qian Renjue smiled warmly. These past months had already exhausted him.

"Pfft~ It seems Jue isn’t ready to take on this burden yet. Then Mom will hold onto it for a few more years."

Bibi Dong laughed gently, leaning on Qian Renjue’s shoulder, inhaling the faint scent of grilled meat and his youthful fragrance.

From Chrysanthemum Douluo and the others, she naturally knew how Qian Renjue had spent these past months—and even where he had just been.

"Thank you, Mom~"

Qian Renjue whispered softly, leaning in to express his gratitude with a heartfelt gesture.

"Hmm~ It’s what Mom should do."

Bibi Dong, feeling the warmth on her forehead, was deeply satisfied.

Qian Renjue asked softly,
"Mom, is your Rakshasa God trial progressing smoothly?"

"Quite well. I just passed the seventh trial and need to prepare for the next one."

Bibi Dong smiled faintly, her red lips curving gently.

"That’s good to hear."

Qian Renjue nodded slightly.

At her peak strength of Level 99, nothing else could stand in her way.

Once Bibi Dong completed her seclusion, he could visit Zhuqing and arrange her next tasks.