Bibi Dong's Change

On the way back to Worship Hall, a smile unconsciously appeared on Bai Wanwan's lips. She looked to be in an exceptionally good mood.

In Bai Wanwan's view, her gains from visiting Papal Hall today had been quite satisfactory.

Although Yue Guan's answer had been somewhat evasive, it was also a form of declaration.

As for Bibi Dong, that had simply been an unexpected delight.

Though her answer to Bibi Dong's question might have been a little cruel, it was an undeniable fact. In fact, even before Bibi Dong asked that question, she had likely already had an answer in her heart—one nearly identical to Bai Wanwan's.

After all, times had changed. Qian Renxue was no longer the little girl who secretly grieved in the garden, but the twenty-one-year-old Young Master of Spirit Hall, capable of standing on her own.

If it had been when she was young, Bibi Dong might have been able to mend their shattered relationship simply by showing a gentler side, caring for her more, or coaxing her a little.

But now Qian Renxue had grown up. She was no longer a child who could be placated so easily. Trying to repair that broken bond now was practically a hopeless endeavor.

Thus, Bibi Dong's question had seemed to seek an answer, but it had actually been more like a declaration—a declaration that she intended to change. She had also wanted to use Bai Wanwan to indirectly gauge Qian Renxue's reaction.

Bai Wanwan was quite optimistic about Bibi Dong's change.

There was no question about Bibi Dong's strength.

In the original story, even while focusing her efforts on Worship Hall, Bibi Dong had still casually wiped out the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. She had even nearly turned the tide and unified the continent while fighting on two fronts.

Well, the only reason she failed was because the Child of Destiny had a resurrection token, and there were also two crafty old bastards in the God Realm interfering in the dark.

If Bibi Dong had a clear mind and focused outward, Bai Wanwan felt that she could easily crush Ning Fengzhi, the man famed for his great talent, with one hand and pound him into the ground without the slightest issue.

Even if the sect masters of the Upper Three Sects were tied together, Bai Wanwan felt Bibi Dong could still grind them into the dirt.

After all, in a sense, the foundation Spirit Hall had accumulated over tens of thousands of years was simply too solid—so solid that the Two Great Empires had to follow its lead, the Upper Three Sects had to avoid its edge, and all of the Lower Four Sects had drawn close to Spirit Hall.

Bai Wanwan walked along the smooth path and soon arrived at the entrance to Worship Hall.

She entered Worship Hall.

Bai Wanwan swept her gaze around the main hall. Qian Renxue was the only one sitting there, eating fruit. None of the other worshippers were present.

"Sister~"

Bai Wanwan called softly, walked over to Qian Renxue, and naturally sat on her lap. "Where are the other worshippers?"

Qian Renxue wrapped an arm around Bai Wanwan's waist, picked up a fresh piece of fruit, and held it to her lips. "My Grandfather went back to rest."

"Grandfather Golden Crocodile went home to visit his descendants. Your Grandfather went with him."

"The other worshippers returned to cultivate."

"And I was waiting for you to come back."

A faint smile appeared on Qian Renxue's lips. "How did things go when you went to Papal Hall to see Yue Guan? Did it go smoothly?"

Bai Wanwan took a bite of the fruit Qian Renxue fed her, the flesh puffing out one side of her cheek slightly.

"Quite smoothly."

"But when I was coming back, I ran into His Holiness the Pope. She asked me a question, and I think I need to tell Sister about it."

A trace of seriousness appeared in Bai Wanwan's eyes.

Qian Renxue had been smiling, but the instant Bai Wanwan mentioned His Holiness the Pope, her smile vanished at remarkable speed, leaving her expression utterly blank.

"Oh~"

"What did she ask?"

Qian Renxue asked indifferently.

Of course, that attitude was not directed at Bai Wanwan, but at His Holiness the Pope.

"His Holiness the Pope asked me whether a broken mirror between mother and daughter could ever be made whole again."

Bai Wanwan told her truthfully.

Hearing that, Qian Renxue frowned imperceptibly. A hint of contemplation surfaced in her eyes, but she quickly regained her calm.

"Mm. As for the matters between me and that woman, Wanwan, don't involve yourself in them anymore. I'll handle them myself."

Qian Renxue reached out and pinched Bai Wanwan's cheek. Her gentle tone carried a touch of seriousness.

"Mm~"

Bai Wanwan hummed softly and said nothing more. She merely shifted position, straddling Qian Renxue's lap and resting her head against Qian Renxue's shoulder.

Qian Renxue held Bai Wanwan close with one arm while gently stroking her hair with the other. A thoughtful look appeared in her eyes, as though she were considering something.

The hall gradually fell silent.

Neither of them spoke again.

Time passed little by little.

Qian Renxue, lost in thought, suddenly heard faint snoring beside her ear.

Looking at Bai Wanwan sleeping against her chest, Qian Renxue smiled. She cast aside what she had been pondering and gently stroked Bai Wanwan's ice-blue hair.

"I should still exercise a little restraint in the future. Staying up all night really does tire Wanwan out."

Qian Renxue murmured softly, though her heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment.

Yes, the accomplishment of establishing her status as the elder sister.

Papal Hall.

Inside the quiet study.

Bibi Dong sat before her desk, her fingertips rhythmically tapping its surface, producing a steady tapping sound.

"I wonder if she passed on my words. And what kind of reaction will Xue'er have when she hears them?"

Bibi Dong murmured to herself, her gaze gradually turning toward Worship Hall.

Her reason for asking Bai Wanwan that question was much as Bai Wanwan had guessed. While making her declaration, she had also wanted to indirectly see Qian Renxue's reaction.

After all, once she had thought many things through, she truly intended to repair this relationship that had long since been broken.

Though she knew it would be difficult, and though Bai Wanwan had given her the same answer she already held in her heart, just as Bai Wanwan had said, as long as one tried, anything was possible. Even if the hope was slim, there was still a possibility.

But if she did not try, there would be no possibility at all.

Still, repairing this shattered relationship was not something that could be done overnight, and for the moment, she did not even know where to begin.

"Ah~"

With a soft sigh, Bibi Dong withdrew her gaze from the direction of Worship Hall, lowered her head slightly, and silently began making calculations in her heart.

After a long while.

Bibi Dong slowly raised her head, a bitter smile appearing on her face. She had considered many possible approaches, but after only briefly thinking them through, she dismissed every one of them, because none had any possibility of being carried out.