Fire Meow Meow couldn't help but glance repeatedly at the woman, unease creeping into its heart.
Hadn't that monkey who drove it out of the forest once said that humans capable of matching its strength were exceedingly rare?
Even if it wasn't quite the monkey's match yet, it had already stepped into that realm, hadn't it?
So how had it only just arrived in the human world with its master and already encountered such a powerful foe?
The realization was a bit of a blow.
There was no chance of winning in a fight—but this was its master's resting place, after all.
Even if its master wasn't home today for some reason, as long as it held the line until he returned, everything would fall into place.
Its master was the strongest being it had ever seen. This woman, dangerous as she seemed, probably ranked no higher than it did in front of him—just another one to be crushed with a flick of the wrist~
Because it was hyper-focused on remaining alert, Fire Meow Meow hadn't even noticed Aether's return until a figure appeared at the back gate.
It turned and saw him—its guard instantly dropped.
"Rrrow~"
It let out a relieved cry, its flaming body shrinking until it returned to cat-size, then darted over to circle around Aether's feet.
As it did so, it cast smug little glances at the woman still seated at the stone table, as if saying:
Heh heh~ My master's back! Let's see you act tough now! Try showing off again and see what happens!
On the other side, the woman had also long since sensed Aether's arrival, but she didn't rise. Instead, she simply shifted the long legs that, in Aether's opinion, could rival Fire Meow Meow's lifespan in length.
She smiled lightly at him, lifted the teapot, poured another cup, and finally spoke:
"Forgive me for dropping by uninvited, I hope you won't take offense."
Only after saying this did she rise and motion politely with a hand.
"..."
Aether didn't respond, merely walked to the stone table, picked up the teacup, and looked at her across the table.
So the rumors were true—seeing her in person, she's even more arrogant and unrestrained than I'd heard.
I still can't figure out how Yu Xiaogang managed to talk this queenly figure into falling for him…
This woman was none other than Bibi Dong, the current Pope of the Spirit Hall, a titled Douluo whose spirit power had surpassed rank 90.
Aether stopped looking at her and downed the tea in one go.
Watching him drink the tea she poured, Bibi Dong understood that he hadn't taken offense at her sudden visit.
Staring at the youth before her, her emotions were complicated.
She had heard many rumors about him, and now that they met face to face, she didn't find him as mysterious as the stories made him out to be.
The Spirit Hall's intelligence network stretched across the entire continent. She naturally knew he had defeated the Sword Douluo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan all on his own.
But that alone wasn't enough to intimidate her.
In a one-on-one fight, she was confident she could take down that Chen Xin, too.
What truly concerned her was another piece of intel: that this boy could communicate with gods. And she believed it.
After all, didn't the Spirit Hall worship a statue of the Angel God?
The real question was—which god's legacy had this young man inherited?
That was her reason for coming today, partly spurred by the message he'd sent through the steward the other day.
She had lingered in Skywater City just to unravel the meaning behind those cryptic words.
Was it a bluff, or did he genuinely know something? She would find out today.
Seeing Aether finish his tea and remain silent, Bibi Dong curled her lips into a frosty smile.
Raising a delicate hand, she pointed to the fire beast now licking its paw and casually said:
"This soul beast of yours looks quite decent. Why not give it to me? As it happens, one of our elders at the Spirit Hall needs a 100,000-year spirit ring."
"..."
Aether hadn't said a word yet, but Fire Meow Meow froze mid-lick, its tongue still sticking out.
What the hell?! I was just here watching the show, how did the drama land on me?!
This wretched woman—she actually wants to kill me for my spirit ring?!
"ROWR!"
Fire Meow Meow let out a furious roar, its once-clear eyes now blazing with rage.
It stood up, lips curled to bare sharp fangs. In its sweet, childish voice came a fierce challenge:
"You crazy woman, don't think I won't fight you!"
"Keh keh keh keh~ What a feisty little thing."
Bibi Dong chuckled behind her hand—but her smile froze the next instant.
BOOM!
A surge of power, like a mountain crashing down from the heavens, swept toward her with suffocating pressure.
It enveloped her completely.
Her expression turned grim as she instantly activated her spirit power. The Death Spider Emperor spirit flared to life.
Yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black, red—nine spirit rings, each of a different color, rose from beneath her feet, pulsing with intense light.
The clash of forces was nothing short of cataclysmic.
Those in the front yard had already rushed over when Fire Meow Meow roared, now peeking through the doorway. Upon seeing the terrifying aura of Bibi Dong's nine spirit rings, all except Paimon and Yu Keke gaped in shock.
The Shui sisters and Zhu Zhuqing stood there with mouths agape, stammering:
"N-Nine spirit rings…"
"She's actually a Titled Douluo?!"
"A red ring—she's absorbed a 100,000-year spirit beast?!"
"Yue'er, didn't you just suggest kicking her out?"
"…I-I didn't know she was a Titled Douluo~"
"Looks like she's about to fight His Excellency…"
Zhu Zhuqing looked on anxiously at the standoff—between two people, and one beast.
That's right. Seeing her master about to throw down with the woman who'd just tried to murder her for a spirit ring, Fire Meow Meow immediately transformed into her majestic Beast King form.
Her spirit power surged, fully unleashed toward Bibi Dong, and in her gaping maw she began to gather a searing fire breath.
All she needed was her master's command, and she'd torch that vile woman's face on the spot!
"She does look kinda strong~"
Paimon rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"Mhm! Super strong."
Yu Keke nodded vigorously.
Even as she acknowledged Bibi Dong's strength, she wasn't intimidated.
After all, back when her brother and Paimon rescued her at the auction house, that white-haired old man also had a full nine spirit rings—and still got defeated by a single sword strike from her brother.
So when she said "strong," it was only in comparison to herself.
Compared to her brother?
In the words of the academy students:
You still have to train.
"What do we do? Could His Excellency actually lose to her?" Shui Yue'er asked nervously.
"Sis, what are you saying? His Excellency is super strong! But…" Shui Bing'er rebutted aloud, though she, too, was worried deep down.
She had seen Aether fight before—but back then, his opponent was only the not-yet-100,000-year Fire Meow Meow.
And now… this woman had clearly absorbed a 100,000-year ring and was a genuine Titled Douluo!
Even if His Excellency was extraordinary, going head-to-head with someone this powerful…
As they say, love clouds the mind. Though they all believed Aether and Paimon were divine beings from beyond, the way the two carried themselves—easygoing, down-to-earth—never gave off the aura of untouchable gods.
Instead, they felt like friends.
And that's why none of the girls could get him out of their minds…
_
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