You Remind Me of Someone

"What did you say?!" Her voice shifted slightly. Though she tried hard to suppress it, she had clearly lost her earlier composure.

"Was I wrong about something?" Su Cheng asked, feigning confusion. "Your Majesty the Pope, are you all right?"

Bibi Dong took a deep breath and shook her head somewhat disappointedly. "You're not like him. You wouldn't understand."

A flicker passed through Su Cheng's eyes. He did not continue provoking her and instead said, "Nor do I need to prove anything to anyone. As for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, they owe me even less. If Your Majesty the Pope intends to use this as a bargaining chip, then I'm afraid you've miscalculated."

Bibi Dong had not yet been influenced by the Rakshasa God's divine thoughts, and the hatred in her heart had not fermented for over twenty years. She could probably still be considered half a normal person, without any self-destructive tendencies.

Naturally, he had to hold himself a little higher.

That would let him secure more benefits while also preventing Bibi Dong from achieving her goal too easily. Otherwise, it would instead be harder to gain her trust.

"Then what do you want? The Former Pope, Qian Xunji, is already dead. There is no deep-seated hatred between Spirit Hall and you."

"Indeed." Su Cheng nodded. "I'm alone now, so joining Spirit Hall would not be impossible. But I have two conditions."

"What conditions?"

"First, I want the right to enter the Spirit Hall Library, and I want unrestricted access to all its materials."

He had coveted the Spirit Hall Library for a long time.

This had nothing to do with his later plans—or rather, whether he could enter the Library Pavilion would have little effect on those plans.

But after staying in this Life Simulation for so long, he had already discovered that the rules of this world were completely applicable to reality. The knowledge here was not fabricated.

At the very least, Innate Soul Power of level 0.5 was no longer much of an obstacle to him.

If he learned more secret knowledge here, then even if the mission failed, he could bring those memories back to reality. It would not be a total loss.

"No problem."

Bibi Dong agreed to this request without much hesitation.

In fact, this had been a bargaining chip she had prepared long ago. Back when Yu Xiaogang came to Spirit Hall, he spent every day immersed in the Library Pavilion.

Su Cheng nodded and continued, "Second, give me a disciple to inherit my teachings, one with top-tier talent. I know where my own limits lie. I have no chance of becoming a peak powerhouse, so this person's talent must be exceptional."

Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong's first reaction was surprise, followed by amusement.

She acknowledged Su Cheng's abilities and wisdom, but found his demand utterly absurd.

A mere Soul Grandmaster in his twenties dared to demand that the dignified Pope of Spirit Hall find him an heir, and one with top-tier talent at that. Where did he get such confidence?

If she handed over one of Spirit Hall's outstanding disciples, would that not simply lead them astray?

She was about to refuse and tell him to make another request.

Then her heart stirred.

After learning of Qian Xunji's death, that woman had repeatedly asked to return to Spirit City to learn the truth. Bibi Dong had not agreed before.

But...

She looked at Su Cheng, fell silent for a moment, then said, "There is someone who meets your requirements. If you can persuade her, then it would be fine for you to become her teacher."

"Your Majesty the Pope won't step in?" Su Cheng asked with feigned confusion.

At his words, a complex emotion flashed through Bibi Dong's eyes, mingling disgust, pain, and indifference.

She said coldly, "I'm not the one becoming her teacher. Naturally, you will have to speak with her yourself. If you're unwilling, then make another request."

Though she said that, she did not actually think highly of Su Cheng's chances.

Although Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue had an extremely distant relationship, she still understood something of her personality: domineering, arrogant, cold, and highly opinionated.

With Qian Daoliu backing her as well, it was difficult for outsiders to forcibly interfere with anything she decided.

Back then, in order to prevent her from competing for power in the future, Bibi Dong had sent her to infiltrate the Heaven Dou Empire. She had only managed to force her away through provocation.

Given Su Cheng's strength, coupled with his complete lack of understanding of her personality, his chances were probably slim.

Thinking this, Bibi Dong prepared to offer a few pointers.

If Su Cheng truly succeeded, it would undoubtedly slow Qian Renxue's progress, which was something she would be happy to see.

"This person's talent is extremely high, no less than my own, and she perfectly meets your requirements," Bibi Dong said flatly. "But she is arrogant and indifferent. I suggest that you first build a good relationship with her, slowly move her with your broad knowledge, and then proceed step by step."

Su Cheng sneered inwardly at her words.

What an interesting mother. Not only was she wholeheartedly trying to ruin her own daughter, but after all these years, she did not even understand her that well.

He could understand Bibi Dong's resentment and her disgust toward this daughter, but he did not approve of such behavior. Her own flesh and blood was innocent.

If he truly followed Bibi Dong's line of thinking, then he would have no hope at all.

Doing that would only make Qian Renxue see him as a pawn she could manipulate at will. Turning her into a sharp blade in his hand would be nothing but a dream.

And what was that about slowly winning her over with broad knowledge? Did she think Qian Renxue was just like her?

She was nearly twenty years old, had been a Saintess for so many years, yet had no worldly experience at all. She had been protected too well, and as a result, just anyone could sweet-talk her into circles.

In contrast, Qian Renxue had already spent nearly a year in Heaven Dou City. She had even disguised herself as a maid and stayed by Xue Qinghe's side without being discovered. Bibi Dong could not compare to that level of scheming and shrewdness.

Though he disagreed inwardly, Su Cheng revealed nothing on the surface and merely nodded to show that he understood.

"Tomorrow, someone will deliver a pass for the Library Pavilion. You may read whatever you wish. However, I hope you will continue your research on absorbing soul rings. Spirit City does not keep idlers, and I do not wish to be criticized over this."

"Of course." Su Cheng nodded. "Then, Your Majesty the Pope, I'll take my leave."

Seeing Bibi Dong give a slight nod, he turned and prepared to leave.

Just as he neared the door and raised his hand to push it open, Bibi Dong's voice came from behind him again.

"You remind me of someone."

In the end, she still could not hold it back and softly spoke those words.

Su Cheng had his back to her and did not see the faint expectation and unease hidden in her eyes.

At this moment, she was no longer the cold, proud female Pope from before. Looking at the similar figure before her, she seemed to return to the days ten years ago when she had first met Yu Xiaogang.

"His name is Yu Xiaogang. Have you heard of him?"

Su Cheng narrowed his eyes slightly without turning around, his thoughts racing as he could not understand why Bibi Dong had suddenly lost her mind at this moment.

He had indeed deliberately made his experiences so similar in order to lower Bibi Dong's guard.

But the slight unconscious fondness and the trust it brought were enough. He absolutely could not become Yu Xiaogang's substitute.

Otherwise, if the fake and the real one ever stood together someday, there would probably be serious trouble.

Su Cheng turned to look at Bibi Dong. "My apologies, Your Majesty the Pope. What did you just say?"

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