One Whale Falls, All Things Live

Spirit Hall Empire.

Pope's Palace.

Pope Bibi Dong was bathing. The enormous wooden tub was strewn with flower petals, and a screen blocked the view; only the sound of splashing water could be heard from within.

Bibi Dong extended her slender arm, pushing aside the two soft obstructions blocking her sight, and looked at the Fire Lotus Mark on her lower abdomen. It was still vivid and lifelike.

"Lin Xiao, are you dead or not?"

Bibi Dong was deeply conflicted.

During the first week, she had not dared make any rash moves. After all, that battle had shaken the heavens and the earth, drawing the attention of countless people across the Three Great Empires.

Yet no one knew how it had ended.

Thus, nearly every faction waited—for news of Lin Xiao, for news of that great battle.

However, it was all in vain.

The major factions then began trying to glean information from Phoenix Pavilion, but they came up empty-handed.

"But sometimes, having no news is itself news."

"At the very least, it can be confirmed that Lin Xiao cannot return anytime soon. There is even a good chance that he has gone missing."

Bibi Dong's eyes flickered.

Not just missing—there was no small chance that he was dead.

So, by the second week,

Bibi Dong had begun to grow restless.

Because of Lin Xiao's restrictions, she had long delayed launching a war to invade the continent, fearing that Lin Xiao would detect something amiss.

But now, that concern was gone.

Still, Bibi Dong harbored misgivings.

Until a month had passed.

She could no longer restrain herself.

The phenomenon triggered by Lin Xiao's battle with that mysterious expert a month ago had left everyone utterly stunned—and even Bibi Dong frightened.

Was this the power possessed by gods?

Had Lin Xiao