Chapter 25: The Value of Yu Xiaogang

Bibidong furrowed her brows slightly, tightening her grip on the scepter in her hand, feeling that Su Cheng's words seemed to imply something.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Nothing special," Su Cheng shrugged. "I developed this technique for my own special circumstances, and telling you wouldn't serve any purpose. And to be honest, this technique concerns my martial soul. I don't think anyone would want to reveal the weaknesses of their martial soul to the public, right?"

He wouldn't mention anything about Yu Xiaogang or the like. That was a decent chess piece, to be used when the time was right. Talking about it now would be meaningless and would only raise suspicion.

Bibidong was skeptical upon hearing this explanation, but she couldn't fathom that Su Cheng knew about her and Yu Xiaogang's past, and she was unwilling to give up the only hope at this stage.

"Just say it. What benefits do you need before you can hand over the method to remedy martial soul malignant mutation to the Martial Soul Hall?"

Even though Su Cheng had emphasized that this was a technique applicable only to individuals, she had full confidence in Yu Xiaogang.

In Bibidong's mind, that person was a strong and confident individual, a top-notch intellectual in the world. All that was lacking was a plan.

"Oh?" Su Cheng scrutinized Bibidong, saying with a hint of playfulness, "So, Your Holiness, what price are you willing to pay? This kind of technique, in my opinion, is extremely valuable, but the other elders of the Martial Soul Hall may not see it that way. How do you plan to bridge this gap?"

Bibidong's brows furrowed even tighter.

Clearly, with her strength, killing the person in front of her would be as easy as squashing an ant, but the look in the other party's eyes at the moment seemed to see right through her.

"Let's hear what you want first."

"A hundred-thousand-year soul ring," Su Cheng said, extending three fingers. "Three of them."

"What?!" Bibidong couldn't help but widen her eyes in shock, astonished by his shamelessness and greed.

Not only Bibidong, but even Qian Daoliu and Qian Renxue, who were in the Hall of Worship at this time, felt somewhat speechless.

What concept was a hundred-thousand-year soul ring?

For any Title Douluo, a hundred-thousand-year soul ring was a distant dream, and possessing one would make it effortless to fight opponents several levels higher.

Bibidong immediately rebuked, "Impossible! Don't even think about it!"

She realized she had been too hasty in her previous concern, showing excessive impatience. She thought Su Cheng had seen through her intense desire for the technique, hence his audacious request.

But three hundred-thousand-year soul rings were obviously out of the question. She wasn't crazy enough to agree to that.

"Well, it seems there's nothing more to discuss then," Su Cheng shrugged casually, ready to leave.

To her surprise, Bibidong stopped him with a stern expression. "At most, one," she grumbled.

"What?"

"One hundred-thousand-year soul ring in exchange for your technique. I advise you not to be too greedy," she said through gritted teeth.

Su Cheng was somewhat taken aback.

His previous words were mostly probing, and he hadn't actually expected to get even one soul ring.

After all, he had made it clear that this method was only suitable for his personal use.

But now it seemed that this woman was willing to dig deep into her pockets.

However, he couldn't refuse now; rejecting her again would almost be a provocation.

He didn't want to completely anger Bibidong; if she truly lost control, it would be difficult to handle.

As for Qian Daoliu, Su Cheng wasn't sure if he would side with a completely crazy Bibidong.

They weren't that close.

Considering Qian Daoliu's personality, for the sake of the "greater good," it was hard to say what choice he would make when push came to shove.

It's worth noting that Bibidong had been undergoing divine examinations for several years now, making her true strength difficult to gauge.

As for the 99th-level Grand Elder, he was only a deterrent, and Su Cheng had never truly considered him his trump card.

Besides, Su Cheng wasn't prepared to refuse; he was making a great deal.

So, he nodded in agreement right away.

Bibidong, seeing this, gritted her teeth inwardly and sneered, "I'm afraid you won't have the ability to absorb it when the time comes."

"Doesn't matter, it's not meant for me anyway."

"What?" Bibidong's expression immediately darkened. "You're preparing it for Qian Renxue?"

"Obviously."

...

As Su Cheng walked out of the hall, he glanced back at the Papal Hall, sneering inwardly.

Bibidong's blind confidence and worship of Yu Xiaogang struck him as ridiculous.

Su Cheng's earlier words weren't just an excuse. This method of harmonizing attributes was currently only suitable for himself. As for other soul rings, they needed tailored solutions.

The malignant mutation of soul rings was due to attribute accumulation and clashes with the host's body. The principle behind it might seem simple, but figuring out the attribute changes of different soul rings was not that easy.

Moreover, the difference between beast soul rings and tool soul rings was like night and day. With Yu Xiaogang's level, understanding that was nothing short of miraculous. Not to mention his soul ring, Luo Sanpao, which had its own unique complexities, not as simple as a malignant mutation.

What truly surprised Su Cheng was Bibidong's current attitude.

Her demeanor didn't seem like someone dealing with a youthful regretful crush; she seemed to treat Yu Xiaogang as a deity in her heart.

Does Bibidong really love Yu Xiaogang?

Perhaps she did, once upon a time.

As a naive Holy Maiden, infatuated with the erudite but unfulfilled theoretical master, they spent several months together, filling each other's voids.

But after so many years, what love could endure?

After all, at that time, one was a Holy Maiden of the Soul Hall, and the other was a third-rate disciple of the Supreme Pontiff, with completely mismatched identities, unable to openly pursue a relationship.

Considering this, how long could they have truly spent together? They barely even knew each other.

After so many years apart, Yu Xiaogang was probably just a vague memory in Bibidong's mind, to be imagined as she pleased.

Even if Yu Xiaogang himself was as tall as he once appeared to Bibidong, today, he probably wouldn't fit the perfect image she has in her mind.

Moreover, Yu Xiaogang fundamentally lacks the ability.

Su Cheng's speculation is not entirely baseless.

In theory, even if there were lingering feelings, they shouldn't be distorted to this extent.

For the sake of a vague possibility, sacrificing a Hundred-thousand-year soul ring.

After all, Bibidong and Liu Erlong are not the same.

One is the clear foolishness caused by inexperience, and the other is truly brainless; there's a big difference between the two.

Now it seems that this kind of emotion is more like an obsession.

The hatred for Qianxun Ji, the love for Yu Xiaogang, perhaps even including the influence of the Rakshasa Divine Consciousness.

In Bibidong's heart, Yu Xiaogang has become a symbol, her spiritual pillar, and emotional sanctuary.

In this state, if her faith were shattered, who knows what the consequences would be.

With a smirk, Su Cheng shook his head and sighed, "She's truly mentally unstable..."

Today's discovery left him extremely satisfied, and in an instant, more ideas flashed through his mind.

In the endgame, relying solely on Qian Renxue may not be safe; Yu Xiaogang's role might be much greater than expected.

And, exploiting someone like Yu Xiaogang is actually quite simple because his desires are so obvious.