However, a barely noticeable glimmer of joy flashed through Bibi Dong's beautiful eyes. Her red lips curved slightly as she called out softly:
"Come in!"
The next moment, the doors slowly opened, and a young man dressed in black fitted clothing walked in.
Bibi Dong looked at Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo and said coldly:
"Elder Ju, Elder Gui, report the remaining matters tomorrow. The Holy Son and I have important matters to discuss."
"As you command, Your Holiness. We shall take our leave first!"
Yue Guan and Gui Mei exchanged complicated looks, then turned to Jin Lingfeng beside them and said:
"Greetings, Holy Son!"
The two then turned and quickly left the Papal Palace, not daring to linger for even a moment. The doors slammed shut behind them.
After they left, Jin Lingfeng hurriedly jogged up to her, calling out sweetly:
"Sister Dong'er!"
He then came before Bibi Dong, crouched down, and gently massaged her legs wrapped in flesh-colored stockings with both hands. His touch alternated between light and heavy, the force perfectly controlled to make her as comfortable as possible.
The coldness on Bibi Dong's face instantly vanished, replaced by a gentle smile. She took a deep breath, feeling utterly relaxed, then poked the boy's head with a finger and asked:
"Feng'er, why did you suddenly come to see me today? And why are you being so attentive? Did you run into some trouble and need my help?"
Jin Lingfeng rhythmically kneaded and pressed Bibi Dong's legs with both hands as he said with a grin:
"No, Sister Dong'er."
"I received word that Xue'er will return to Spirit City tonight."
"The day after tomorrow is her seventh birthday. I'll celebrate it with her then, and I hope you can come too..."
Unexpectedly, the smile on Bibi Dong's red lips vanished at once, replaced by deep sorrow. She sighed.
"Feng'er, do not bring this up again. I absolutely will not attend Xue'er's birthday, and Xue'er does not wish to see me either..."
"I still have matters to handle. You should go back first..."
As Bibi Dong spoke, she leaned her right arm against the Papal Throne and supported her head, slowly closing her eyes. A trace of sadness appeared on her face.
Seeing her like this, Jin Lingfeng could only swallow the words that had reached his lips. He rose regretfully and left the Papal Palace.
The instant he turned around, Bibi Dong opened her eyes. Looking at the boy's lonely figure, she could not bear it as she thought:
"Feng'er, since you sincerely want to help Xue'er and me reconcile, then I'll go the day after tomorrow."
"I only hope Xue'er won't be too angry or disappointed when she sees me..."
Night fell, and the stars shone brilliantly.
In the courtyard, a handsome young man dressed in black fitted clothing strolled beside the pond. Looking at the blooming lotuses in the water, a faint sadness appeared on his face.
"The day after tomorrow is Xue'er's birthday, but Bibi Dong refuses to show up. What a pity."
Jin Lingfeng sighed helplessly, picked up a small stone, and tossed it across the water, sending ripples spreading outward.
Suddenly, a golden ball of light appeared in the dark sky and steadily approached from afar.
Jin Lingfeng's gaze sharpened, then an excited, joyful smile appeared on his lips. It was Qian Renxue, coming from the main hall.
Her entire body overflowed with golden Soul Power, while two exquisite wings condensed behind her. Bathed in golden light, she resembled a noble goddess, radiating an immensely powerful aura.
"Xue'er, you're finally back."
"I missed you so much these past month and more."
Jin Lingfeng smiled happily, waving his arms as he shouted.
After a while, two clicks sounded as Qian Renxue's high heels touched the ground. She came before Jin Lingfeng.
Qian Renxue had gone to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain spirit rings. With Innate Soul Power at level 20, she possessed level 20 Soul Power the moment her martial soul awakened. After absorbing two spirit rings, her Soul Power had surged to level 25.
Moreover, during the month and more that she had been away, Qian Renxue realized that she constantly worried about Jin Lingfeng, the person in Spirit City whom she had once hated most. She missed him and only wanted to obtain her spirit rings as quickly as possible so she could return to see him.
The two had made an agreement: if Jin Lingfeng could still defeat her after she obtained her spirit rings, she would have to give him a chance to pursue her. Qian Renxue found herself strangely looking forward to it, though her proud nature naturally kept her from showing it.
"Hmph, you smooth-talking fellow."
"Who knows whether you went around flirting with other girls while I was gone?"
Qian Renxue dearly missed the fellow before her, yet she still spoke words that went against her heart to needle him.
There was a hint of nervousness hidden in her eyes. She stared at Jin Lingfeng, unwilling to miss any change in his expression, secretly worrying whether he had started liking someone else during her absence...
Jin Lingfeng looked into Qian Renxue's eyes and spoke sincerely:
"Xue'er, listen to yourself. The person I like is you, so how could I possibly like someone else?"
"Forget about you being gone for only a month. Even if you were gone for a year or ten years, I would still wait silently here for your return."
He spoke affectionately and instinctively reached for Qian Renxue's hand, but she dodged him. He could only scratch his head awkwardly.
Qian Renxue felt sweet inside. After all, what girl would not want to hear such sweet words from a boy she liked?
However, her pride got in the way. Her face remained slightly cold as she said calmly:
"Tch. A man's mouth is a liar's ghost. I won't believe you."
"Come on, Jin Lingfeng. I have already obtained two spirit rings, and my Soul Power is level 25."
"As long as you can still defeat me now, I'll give you a chance to pursue me!"
As Qian Renxue spoke, her cheeks flushed slightly. She had decided to go easy on him by not using her second soul skill, Angel Wings. Otherwise, if she flew into the air, Jin Lingfeng would have no chance of defeating her...
However, because of Bibi Dong, Jin Lingfeng had not yet recovered from his low mood.
He shook his head and said bitterly:
"Xue'er, I'm very sorry, but I'm not in a good mood today. How about we fight tomorrow instead?"
"My Soul Power has reached level 10 now. I'll definitely be able to defeat you tomorrow..."
Jin Lingfeng's sincere words fell into Qian Renxue's ears, but they made her so angry that her teeth itched.
"Jin Lingfeng, you bastard! You're infuriating me!"
"I spent more than a month in the Star Dou Great Forest just so I could duel you."
"Today, I finally came back, and you're telling me you're not in the mood!"
"I think seeing me is what put you in a bad mood! You hypocrite! You said you liked me—bah!"
"Hmph, since you don't want to fight me, then I insist on fighting you!"
"First Soul Skill, Angel Assault!"
Qian Renxue bit her lips and glared fiercely at the hateful fellow before her. Golden light condensed around her right hand as she punched toward him.
She did not want to act this way, but she simply could not control herself. It had not been easy for Qian Renxue to face her feelings and decide to go easy on Jin Lingfeng, giving him a chance to pursue her. Yet he had actually refused. How could someone as proud as her endure such grievance?
However, the moment she threw that punch, Qian Renxue regretted it. Her Soul Power was already level 25, and her first spirit ring was over 410 years old, making its power extremely formidable. What if Jin Lingfeng could not block it and was injured?
The next moment, just as Qian Renxue's fist was about to strike Jin Lingfeng in the chest, he finally moved!
A purple thousand-year spirit ring rose beneath his feet, causing his strength to surge. He extended his palm to meet Qian Renxue's fist and dissolved the power of her soul skill with overwhelming force.
Then, Qian Renxue lost her balance and fell heavily toward the ground. Jin Lingfeng reacted in time, wrapping both arms around the girl's waist as he smiled teasingly.
"Xue'er, you lost. From now on, I can pursue you openly..."
Before you continue