Barely Becoming a Titled Douluo, and the Counterattack System Arrives

Since the soul bone was useless to him, and he had other needs right now, Lin Fan figured it was better to trade it for something useful.

After all, while soul bones were indeed rare, this was just an ordinary thousand-year soul bone. It wasn't exactly some priceless heirloom.

Even if it were meant for inheritance, it would need to be at least a few tens of thousands of years old—like those inherited by the Clear Sky Clan—not this mere thousand-year one.

"If you're planning to sell it, name your price. I'll buy it." Qian Renxue had her eyes on the soul bone.

Naturally, she wasn't planning to use it herself, but she could use it later to win over others.

After all, in the marketplace, soul bones were priceless—not because they were too expensive, but because they were too rare to be found at all.

For instance, a thousand-year soul bone might be valued at a million gold soul coins. Yet between a million gold coins and a soul bone, the soul bone was far more tempting to most people.

"You want it? Name your price," Lin Fan said, already aware of her intentions.

After all, with her current identity, Qian Renxue could easily use a soul bone to buy the loyalty of some nobles who didn't support her.

"Name your price," Lin Fan repeated calmly.

Qian Renxue thought for a moment and said, "Two years ago, an auction sold a slightly damaged thousand-year soul bone for nearly two million gold soul coins. Yours is completely intact and unused—how about three million?"

"Deal," Lin Fan agreed readily. "We've known each other for half a year now. I'll sell it to you for three million."

With that, Lin Fan handed the soul bone over.

"Straightforward, I like it," Qian Renxue chuckled as she accepted the soul bone. "However, I only have the one million for the house on hand. The remaining two million—I'll need to return to the palace treasury to retrieve it."

"No problem," Lin Fan replied casually. "You go take care of it. Also, sort out the property documents while you're at it. I'm heading out to buy some furniture."

"Alright, no problem."

Leaving the Douyuan Courtyard residential area, Lin Fan and Qian Renxue went their separate ways at the street corner.

Lin Fan headed toward the commercial district to shop for furniture—beds, sofas, and so on.

Meanwhile, back at the palace, Qian Renxue was on her way to retrieve the money from the treasury.

But just as she passed the courtyard, Snake Lance Douluo stopped her.

"Your Highness, you've returned," Snake Lance greeted her quietly.

"What is it, Uncle She?" Qian Renxue asked, noticing his secretive demeanor.

"Ghost Douluo visited earlier. He said that His Holiness the Pope is now at the Heaven Dou Cathedral. He instructed that you should come immediately if you returned," Snake Lance whispered.

"She's here?!" Qian Renxue was visibly surprised.

"I don't know the reason," Snake Lance replied with a shake of his head.

Qian Renxue's eyes narrowed in suspicion. Could it be because of Lin Fan?

"Let's go. I'll meet her." Qian Renxue's voice turned cold.

The Heaven Dou Cathedral was the branch of the Spirit Hall within Heaven Dou City—there were only two such cathedrals in the entire continent, the other located in Star Luo City.

Inside, Bishop Salas was currently kneeling respectfully in the side hall before none other than Bibi Dong herself.

"Salas, you may leave. No one is allowed into this side hall, and you're not to tell anyone about my presence here," Bibi Dong ordered, sitting with authority, crossing her legs elegantly.

"Yes, Your Holiness," Salas replied respectfully and withdrew.

Chrysanthemum Douluo then asked with some confusion, "Your Holiness, why don't we just go straight to Lin Fan?"

What Chrysanthemum Douluo didn't notice—because he dared not look directly at Bibi Dong—was the trace of complicated emotion flickering in her eyes. After all, no matter what, Qian Renxue was her daughter, born from her flesh and blood.

Bibi Dong explained calmly, "Since we're here, we might as well meet her. Besides, Lin Fan is said to be staying at the Moon Pavilion. If he refuses to cooperate, we can't exactly cause a scene there."

Since they were already in Heaven Dou City, Bibi Dong saw no reason not to meet Qian Renxue. Especially after learning that Qian Renxue had been in contact with Lin Fan.

She wanted to see how Qian Renxue viewed Lin Fan.

Moreover, the Moon Pavilion was the Imperial Royal Etiquette Academy of the Heaven Dou Empire. If they made a move there, it would be like slapping the empire's face in public.

It would be far better if Qian Renxue could lure Lin Fan out discreetly.

Bibi Dong then closed her eyes and rested, saying no more.

Chrysanthemum Douluo, seeing this, dared not interrupt further and continued guarding the entrance.

Meanwhile, Ghost Douluo was stationed at the cathedral gate, waiting to welcome Qian Renxue and her group.

Soon, Qian Renxue arrived at the cathedral, already having dropped her disguise, revealing her true self.

Snake Lance and Porcupinefish Douluo also shed their disguises, now dressed in their Spirit Hall robes rather than their Heaven Dou Imperial Guard uniforms.

At the gate, Ghost Douluo respectfully greeted them the moment he spotted Qian Renxue.

All the other cathedral guards had been sent away long before by Ghost Douluo.

After all, Qian Renxue's true identity was top secret—even Bishop Salas wasn't qualified to know it, let alone ordinary guards.

"Miss, Her Holiness has been waiting for you," Ghost Douluo greeted with utmost respect, ignoring Snake Lance and Porcupinefish entirely.

"Lead the way," Qian Renxue responded coldly.

Ghost Douluo wasn't surprised by her attitude and simply turned to lead the three of them inside.

Soon, they reached the side hall.

Chrysanthemum Douluo opened the door to let them in, then shut it behind them.

Bibi Dong slowly opened her eyes, her gaze falling upon Qian Renxue's face.

For a brief moment, it felt as if she were looking into a mirror—her daughter's features were so similar to her own, it left her slightly dazed.

But Snake Lance and Porcupinefish's respectful kneeling brought her back to reality.

The two knelt on one knee and greeted in unison, "Greetings, Your Holiness, the Pope."

Bibi Dong lifted her hand to signal for them to rise, then addressed Qian Renxue calmly, "You're here."

Qian Renxue met her gaze directly, her tone cold and indifferent as she replied, "The ever-busy Pope herself found the time to visit Heaven Dou City. Surely you didn't come just to check in on me?"

Seeing Qian Renxue's aloofness and obvious disdain, Bibi Dong felt a pang of bitterness inside.

Still, she maintained her composure. "I came to handle some minor matters—and since I was here, I thought I'd check on your progress."

"Everything is proceeding smoothly," Qian Renxue replied firmly. "In another eight to ten years, I'll have most of Heaven Dou's major noble families in my pocket. When the time comes, I'll ascend."

"You've grown up… it hasn't been easy for you," Bibi Dong said with a neutral expression, though her heart was full of mixed emotions.

"It hasn't been hard at all," Qian Renxue replied firmly.

Her entire purpose for infiltrating Heaven Dou City's court was to prove herself—to show Bibi Dong her unwavering will.

"Good. Don't disappoint me." Bibi Dong nodded.

"But Your Holiness," Qian Renxue said bluntly, "you didn't summon me here just for this, did you? I doubt you'd trouble yourself to see me unless it was truly necessary."

She knew all too well that Bibi Dong wouldn't have summoned her unless it directly concerned her.

Bibi Dong had no choice but to ask directly, How long have you been in contact with Lin Fan?