Bibi Dong (Part 1)

'A Head Soul Bone, second only to External Soul Bones and Torso Bones in importance and rarity!? And Teacher wants to give it to me!?'

The moment he heard the first option, Yan was utterly shocked.

"Teacher, th-this is far too precious! I can't accept it!"

Yan's face changed dramatically. He even looked around nervously, worried that someone else might overhear the news.

Even Titled Douluo would covet a Ten Thousand Year Head Soul Bone!

As Yan reeled in shock, a doubt quietly arose in his heart. 'Where did Teacher get this Head Soul Bone? Could it have come from the soul beast whose fourth ring he absorbed back then? If so, why didn't he absorb it himself? Everyone knows that soul rings and soul bones come from the same source, and together they grant additional benefits! Don't tell me he simply looked down on a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone!?'

"Don't get excited just yet."

You Chen still spoke in that calm, indifferent tone. "This soul bone is not compatible with you. Even if you absorb it, it will not improve the essence of your martial soul. Considering your future, even though it is a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone, I do not recommend that you absorb it. But you also know how rare soul bones are, especially Head Soul Bones like this. Perhaps even after you become a Titled Douluo in the future, you may not have a single Head Soul Bone. And even if it is not a perfect match, this soul bone can still bring you considerable improvement. So, each option has its own advantages and disadvantages."

According to You Chen's theory, one should not absorb soul bones before obtaining three rings. But Yan was already a Soul Elder, so that was naturally not an issue for him.

For Soul Elders and Soul Ancestors, absorbing one or two soul bones brought far more benefits than drawbacks.

"Now, listen to the second option."

Watching Yan quiet down, You Chen continued, "For this second option, I will not give you anything. You will apply to go alone to Death Canyon for training. Through the pressure brought by the dangers of that extreme environment, you will temper your mental will, allowing it to ascend and break through into the Spirit Sea Realm."

Yan almost did not hesitate. "Teacher, I choose the second one."

But You Chen saw through Yan's true thoughts at a glance. "Don't choose the second option just because you are foolishly worrying about saving things for me. It is only natural for an old man to spend his money on a younger one, so there is no need for you to feel embarrassed about it. This concerns your future. When I am truly about to leave, I will come find you again. At that time, tell me your answer. Remember this: do not make up your mind and then rashly charge into Death Canyon! No matter what decision you make, you must see me first! You are my, You Chen's, disciple! If others find out that the disciple of a theoretical master like me is so reckless and rash, it would utterly disgrace this old face of mine!"

Feeling his teacher's concern for him, Yan silently lowered his head and said in a deep voice, "Understood."

"Is that so? Nana went looking for trouble with that person again today? I understand."

Within Pope's Hall, an incomparably beautiful woman dressed in luxurious robes sat high upon the papal throne, listening to her subordinate's report.

She wore a Nine Curves Purple Gold Crown. A gemstone scepter rested beside her as she lazily leaned against the throne's armrest. Her wide sleeve naturally draped down, revealing a section of her snow-white arm. At a fleeting glance, her smooth skin seemed as pale and tender as if it had been coated in fresh cream, making one's mouth water.

Such peerless beauty could only be maintained through the lavish investment of the most expensive and rare resources. Every inch of skin and every strand of hair represented Gold Soul Coins flowing away in torrents.

Even if ordinary people were born naturally beautiful, blessed with exquisite features and figures, closer inspection would always reveal flaws. They could never compare to the sweetness that wealth brought.

Yet the woman's bearing was so regal and noble. Beneath those papal robes, she possessed an added air of sanctity, making people marvel at her beauty while not daring to harbor the slightest disrespectful thought.

This peerlessly elegant woman was naturally the current Pope, Bibi Dong.

(Bibi Dong.jpg)

As Pope, Bibi Dong displayed an exceptionally strong desire for power. She wanted to oversee every major affair, so naturally, she spent each day hearing reports from behind the curtain.

Of course, as everyone already knew, her desire for power was merely a surface appearance. What truly lurked beneath was a twisted urge for destruction and a longing for revenge.

On this day, as usual, she listened to the reports submitted by her aides. Only when she heard matters concerning her personal disciple did her expression visibly shift.

Yet this reaction was not actually because of Hu Liena, but because of "that person" involved in Hu Liena's actions.

Though Bibi Dong herself was unwilling to admit it, her feelings toward You Chen were actually extremely complicated.

No matter how highly she regarded Yu Xiaogang, she had to acknowledge You Chen's talent.

Especially after she had read You Chen's "final work," published shortly before she rose to power—the masterwork titled The Essence of Martial Souls—she had been struck with utter astonishment.

Even if one looked back another ten thousand years through the history of the Douluo Continent, one would not find a genius who surpassed You Chen in theoretical knowledge.

That had been the first thought to naturally emerge in Bibi Dong's mind after she finished the entire book.

As for earlier than that? Well, there were no clear records from further back.

Even though Bibi Dong believed that a large part of You Chen's achievements had been made possible by standing on the shoulders of those before him, that still could not erase You Chen's own ability and accomplishments.

As for comparing Yu Xiaogang to You Chen?

In the original work, perhaps the lack of an outstanding contemporary theoretical master would have allowed Bibi Dong to deceive herself. After all, Yu Xiaogang had read through the collections of both his family and Spirit Hall, then brazenly published their contents in full. To some ordinary soul masters who did not know the truth, he might indeed have possessed a bit of fame.

But in terms of theoretical achievements, any single one of You Chen's accomplishments would have crushed Yu Xiaogang in every respect.

You Chen was already in a league of his own when it came to theoretical knowledge.

It was like how Lu Bu was the unrivaled warrior in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Any general who could fight him without dying had something worth boasting about.

That was roughly You Chen's status in the theoretical world. Whenever he published a paper, any scholar whose work was cited or mentioned in it would feel deeply honored.

The title of "master" that Bibi Dong had once bestowed upon Yu Xiaogang had, by now, become a complete humiliation.

Of course, Bibi Dong would never think that Yu Xiaogang's wisdom and talent were inferior to You Chen's.

She would only think that Yu Xiaogang's talents had gone unrecognized, that he had lost the platform needed to display them, and that he simply had not yet discovered and published theories shocking enough to astound the world.

In short—his future held limitless promise.

This did not mean Bibi Dong was foolish.

In truth, the fact that she could control Spirit Hall and further expand its power had already proven her capability and intelligence.

But to Bibi Dong, Yu Xiaogang was that streak of moonlight in the abyss.

To reveal in her own heart that Yu Xiaogang was merely trash who stole others' fame and deceived her feelings would be like this:

After society had ground you numb, after you felt that the world was covered in darkness and the future held no hope, you could only find solace in memories of that dream lover from your student days—outstanding in both character and studies, pure and beautiful, gentle and kind.

One day, seized by a sudden impulse, you returned to your hometown, wondering whether you might run into that unforgettable figure at a café on some street corner.

Then you really did meet her. But before you could call out her name in surprise and delight, you realized she had not recognized you at all. She merely wore a smile that retained traces of her former beauty, yet was filled with worldly flattery...

She said to you, "Five hundred a time. Add another five hundred for no condom."

That would be a different kind of world collapsing.

Betrayed by her teacher, stripped of her chastity, and further influenced by the divine power of the Rakshasa God, Bibi Dong had already become a madwoman beneath a gorgeous exterior.

Without Yu Xiaogang as her anchor, she would become even more extreme.

People would not voluntarily push themselves into despair.

To Bibi Dong, this world was already a hell as foul as dog shit. Revenge and Yu Xiaogang were the only forces supporting her will to live, so how could she easily give up either one?

Therefore, when it came to the stains on her Xiaogang gege's reputation, she was unwilling even to think about them. She would rather immerse herself in those illusory yet beautiful memories of the past.

As the saying went—the real white moonlight could never compare to the version preserved in one's heart, even if he appeared in person.