On the Continent, Only I Understand You

"Let him in."

Bibi Dong stood facing the palace window, letting the wind blow over her. Hearing the report, she narrowed her eyes. Heh, someone really had come to court death? She approved Xu Yu's request for an audience.

After receiving the notice, Xu Yu walked in uneasily. He had no choice but to take this risk.

He would have to face this sooner or later anyway. He might as well gamble on it. After so long, even the greatest anger should have faded by now, right?

He did want to roam the world carefree and unburdened, but he was not Long Aotian, nor did he have a system. It was dangerous to survive out there. Whether capturing soul beasts or raising them, he needed the support of a major power, and on Douluo Continent, there was no better choice than Spirit Hall.

As for Shrek Academy?

To hell with Shrek. Spirit Hall would prevail!

In the original story, Shrek had been favored by fate. Now, the situation had been muddied by the fluttering wings of him, this Little Butterfly. Following Shrek's usual path would only lead to death. The plot had already begun to change.

The biggest change, aside from anything else, was that Bibi Dong had not let Shrek Academy go. That alone spoke volumes.

Upon entering Pope's Palace and seeing the stunning beauty standing by the window in the gentle breeze, Xu Yu could not help but admit that, even though this was only his second time seeing her, she truly deserved to be called the number one beauty of Douluo Continent. She was breathtakingly gorgeous.

Of course, Xu Yu did not dare reveal such thoughts. The instant Bibi Dong's exquisitely beautiful face turned toward him, he seized the initiative.

"Your Excellency the Pope, boohoo! I have finally seen you! I deeply regret leaving the city without permission and failing to heed your instructions. Heaven was wrong, Earth was wrong, but most of all, I was wrong. Do you know how I spent these days outside? I could neither eat nor sleep, like a child separated from his mother, unloved by anyone!"

"I have not eaten or slept for two whole months. Yet the moment I saw Your Excellency today, I immediately felt refreshed and clear-minded, like a salted fish turning over, a fish leaping through the Dragon Gate, as though I had been reborn. That comfort, that satisfaction of gaining a new life, came rushing over me and could not be stopped."

As he said this, Xu Yu suddenly stretched his body out in comfort, freely breathing in the fresh air of freedom with wildly exaggerated movements.

As Bibi Dong listened, though her expression remained blank, her body stiffened slightly for a moment. That flattery... she almost could not bear to reprimand him.

She waved away the guards behind Xu Yu, who had long since been dumbfounded. Then Bibi Dong's lovely face abruptly turned cold as she snorted, "You certainly know how to talk. But do you think this matter of making me wait in the cold wind for two hours can simply be forgotten?"

Wasn't it half an hour? Xu Yu muttered, but fortunately, he had come well prepared. It was just that this preparation was a little... painful.

"This student has never expected to receive Your Excellency's forgiveness. I also know that waiting in the cold wind for two hours cannot possibly be offset by merely two months of being unable to eat or sleep."

Those words left even Bibi Dong feeling a little embarrassed. She had the sense that Xu Yu was implying something, yet she could not call him out on it. She could only wait for what he said next. Judging by his tone, there was more to come, and sure enough—

"For this reason, before coming to Pope's Palace, this student had already covered himself in thorns and come specially to beg forgiveness." With that, Xu Yu took off his coat and bared his upper body.

Normally, if Xu Yu dared behave so rudely before her, Bibi Dong would have flown into a rage. Yet this time, she did not. Instead, her expression softened slightly.

She rose to her feet and stared intently at the thorns covering Xu Yu's body, as well as his scarred back.

This boy's willpower!

Was strong!

"Put your clothes on!" Bibi Dong waved her jade-like hand, and every thorn on Xu Yu's back vanished, leaving only the horrifying wounds across it.

Xu Yu also knew when to stop. It was enough that he had made his intentions clear. If he kept acting, he would expose himself. Still, acting aside, these injuries were real. He had gritted his teeth and pressed those thorns against his back himself.

"Not bad. You've broken through to Soul King!" Bibi Dong rarely offered Xu Yu praise. At the same time, she somewhat regretted handing him over to Ninth Elder. She had not expected to misjudge him. It was likely that his Spirit Mutation had enhanced his talent.

It was only a minor regret. Given Bibi Dong's current status, the kind of disciple she took did not matter much to her. Whether someone more talented than her even existed on this continent was uncertain.

"I remember your elder is Golden Goose. I didn't expect you to break through to Soul King after one trip outside. I'm considering whether I should throw you into Death Canyon for some training."

"No!" Xu Yu cried out in grievance. He had only just returned; he did not want to be sent away again.

"Your Excellency, I can do all sorts of things, and I guarantee I'll handle them properly. Long divided, the world must unite; long united, it must divide. Conquering the world can rely on force, but holding it requires culture! I'm quite skilled in that regard."

"Do you know what you're saying?" The earlier part was fine, but the more Bibi Dong listened, the more wrong it sounded. Especially when she heard, "Long divided, the world must unite; long united, it must divide," her mind jolted. Wasn't that exactly the continent's current situation? He had struck straight at her heart.

Had a mere student seen through it? Looking down at Xu Yu, Bibi Dong's heart grew solemn, though her expression held a faint, inscrutable smile.

Though Xu Yu did not know whether that counted as a smile, he would treat it as one for now. It was truly breathtaking! A beauty who could bring down nations! Fortunately, the Two Great Empires were weaker than Spirit Hall. Otherwise, they might have sent armies to seize her.

After that sigh of admiration, Xu Yu knew it was time to say something. He also knew his chance to perform had arrived.

"Your Excellency, since the dawn of civilization, Douluo Continent has existed for tens of thousands of years. Over those tens of thousands of years, the continent's many powers have fought and slaughtered one another for their own interests, leaving the common people to suffer in misery. Within the Two Great Empires, the noble classes have entrenched themselves, while the common people at the bottom have been oppressed generation after generation, unable to rise. The Three Upper Sects have aided evil in order to secure their own positions. Only our Spirit Hall has sought benefits for all the people under Heaven.

"Now, our Spirit Hall has won the allegiance of most soul masters across the land. As long as Your Excellency raises your arm and calls out, all regions will answer, and the world will surely be united. Let carts share the same tracks, writing share the same script, and conduct follow the same standards. If that day comes, Your Excellency's achievements will benefit countless generations to come. Your Excellency's legend will be passed down for eternity, and your statue will be worshipped in grand halls."

Bibi Dong's heart surged with excitement. Her long, slender fingers gripped the armrest tightly, but her face remained impassive. She merely looked coldly at the young man below and said, "Do you truly know what you're saying? Aren't you afraid I'll kill you right now?"

"I'm not afraid! To sacrifice ourselves for a great cause is our honor. And, arrogant as it may sound, among the tens of millions on this continent, I alone understand Your Excellency!"

He really did understand her well... Bibi Dong remained silent, her gaze cold. She wondered when Xu Yu had begun studying her. He truly had guts, daring to study and speculate upon her thoughts. There really were people who did not fear death.

To sacrifice oneself for a great cause! At that moment, Bibi Dong remembered Xu Yu's words—words of fearlessness and unwavering courage.

The only person on the continent who understood her? Heh. Bibi Dong smiled. She truly could not bear to kill him. He was interesting, but whether he truly had ability would need to be tested.

"I know you came to see me today with a purpose. But before that, deal with the matter concerning Shrek Academy. As long as the result satisfies me, I will grant any request you make."

"This is my Pope's Token. Take it." Without even waiting for Xu Yu to decide whether to refuse, Bibi Dong made the choice for him.

A token shot toward him. Xu Yu hurriedly reached out and was forced back several steps before he managed to catch it!

"Seeing this token is like seeing me. Do not abuse my Pope's Token!" After giving Xu Yu a small warning, Bibi Dong dismissed him to prepare for how he would handle the matter.