Douluo: Two brothers in douluo

Spirit City, Supreme Pontiff Hall

Under the radiant chandeliers of the Supreme Pontiff Hall, Xie Yue, Hu Liena, and Yan stood below the grand dais, their faces beaming with excitement.

Winning this year's Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament would earn each of them a precious soul bone as a reward. Not just any soul bone—ten-thousand-year-old soul bones.

Such an opportunity was a dream come true, all thanks to the imposing figure seated above them: Bibi Dong.

"Teacher, none of the teams participating in this year's tournament will be a match for us," Hu Liena said with a confident smile.

The intelligence reports on the competing teams had already been sent to Spirit City. Neither the Heaven Dou nor Star Luo seeded teams were considered a threat—they were nothing more than weak pretenders.

Bibi Dong set the roster aside, her gaze flickering with an unusual glint.

That man… wasn't participating this year?

It made sense. With his current strength, competing against Hu Liena and the others would be outright bullying.

The news of the Golden Holy Dragon Martial Soul emerging in the spirit master world had, of course, reached Bibi Dong. What surprised her was that Li Si had managed to transform his bloodline power into a "Martial Soul."

What amused her even more was his decision to change his name.

"Do you think I wouldn't recognize you just because you changed your name?"

Bibi Dong chuckled to herself.

Indeed, the problem had never been with the Golden Holy Dragon Bloodline. The problem was Yu Xiaogang.

The proof? The same bloodline, in Li Si's hands, had achieved greatness. A Spirit King who could easily defeat a Spirit Saint—truly remarkable.

"Perhaps it's time to accelerate my plans. He… he might just be able to stop me when the time comes."

She sighed softly, her thoughts drifting.

"Very well. All of you represent the future of Spirit Hall, but do not grow complacent. Even against the weakest opponents, show your full strength. Understood?"

Her words were perfunctory, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. The absence of Li Si and Qian Renxue made this year's tournament less significant to her.

"Yes, Teacher (Your Holiness)!"

The three Golden Generation members responded enthusiastically, oblivious to Bibi Dong's lack of interest.

"You may leave. Liena, stay behind."

Xie Yue and Yan didn't think much of it. They quickly bowed and exited the hall. Unlike Hu Liena, they weren't Bibi Dong's direct disciples.

Hu Liena, however, remained calm. As Bibi Dong's personal student, private conversations with her teacher were nothing new.

Once the two left, the vast hall felt emptier, with only Bibi Dong and Hu Liena remaining.

"Nana, you're not young anymore. Have you considered finding a partner?"

Bibi Dong's voice was soft, carrying a rare maternal warmth.

She was thinking ahead. Accelerating her plans would involve many changes. If Hu Liena were officially declared as the Holy Maiden, she wouldn't last two years before the elders forced her out—especially once Qian Renxue returned from her mission in Heaven Dou City.

The Holy Maiden position had always belonged to Qian Renxue, and Hu Liena's status would inevitably become awkward.

Bibi Dong hoped Hu Liena could find someone to settle down with, far away from Spirit Hall and its political struggles.

To her, Hu Liena was more than a disciple. She was the daughter Bibi Dong cherished more than her own flesh and blood.

Hu Liena froze, her cheeks flushing. What was her teacher talking about?

A partner?

"Teacher, I don't have anyone I like. I only wish to stay by your side and serve you for the rest of my life."

Hu Liena's voice was firm, her words sweetly devoted.

But this same devotion was what would eventually lead her to help Tang San in the original timeline—a decision that had dire consequences.

Bibi Dong shook her head helplessly. While she appreciated Hu Liena's loyalty, this wasn't the outcome she wanted.

"Ah, never mind. We'll take it one step at a time. At the very least, I'll ensure Nana doesn't suffer too much."

Bibi Dong sighed inwardly before speaking again.

"Nana, go back for now. If you do meet someone you like, pursue them boldly. Just don't repeat my mistakes—don't fall for the wrong person."

Hu Liena left the hall in a daze, her mind swirling with confusion. Had she just uncovered one of her teacher's secrets?

"Teacher… had a lover?"

Her imagination ran wild. Bibi Dong, the Supreme Pontiff, had once been in love? If she hadn't heard it herself, she would have dismissed it as a ridiculous rumor.

What kind of man could have captured Bibi Dong's heart?

Curiosity filled her mind.

"Liena, what did His Holiness speak to you about? Can I know?"

Yan's voice broke through her thoughts.

He was clearly eager to learn, but his phrasing left an out—if she said no, he wouldn't press.

"Uh…"

It wasn't a big deal, but it wasn't something she could easily share either.

Yan, one of Hu Liena's suitors, would undoubtedly be thrilled to learn that Bibi Dong had encouraged her to find a partner. In his mind, who else among the Golden Generation was worthy of Hu Liena but him?

"Yan, don't make things difficult for Liena. It's not something we need to know."

Xie Yue interjected, sparing Hu Liena from her growing discomfort.

"Yes, yes, you're right."

Yan nodded hastily, his tone sincere. "Liena, I'm sorry for prying. My apologies!"

Yan's apology was genuine—there was no one in the world he'd apologize to so earnestly except Hu Liena.

Hu Liena rolled her eyes at him but didn't press the matter. "It's nothing important. Let's get back to training. The championship must be ours this year!"

"Absolutely! With those weaklings, it'll be a walk in the park!"

"Yan, didn't the Supreme Pontiff just say not to underestimate anyone?"

Xie Yue pinched the bridge of his nose, exasperated by Yan's overconfidence.

"Yeah, yeah, I know…"

Yan waved dismissively, clearly unconcerned.

Xie Yue sighed. Dealing with this guy was exhausting, especially when Hu Liena was involved.

(End of Chapter)