Secret Room

The fall of a Titled Douluo, even one of the lowest rank, was enough to draw the attention of every major faction.

Within the Great Soul Arena, few people considered this possibility, aside from those who had been watching everything unfold.

The Heaven Dou Empire, Spirit Hall.

The conflict between these two great powers had always existed, yet now it was about to grow even more intense because of one person.

When the Netherworld Nine Nether Phoenix let out its first cry, the continent was shaken once more. Titled Douluo of every rank felt uneasy, as though something that should not exist had appeared on the continent.

In the central region of the Star Dou Great Forest.

The place was tranquil and peaceful, like a paradise untouched by the world. Lush trees surrounded the enormous lake at its center, faint ripples drifting across its surface. A pair of vast, bright eyes shone within it like a moon illuminating the night.

The lake began to churn, and a dark figure extended from within. Its immense shadow seemed capable of swallowing even the moon.

It had the head of an ox and the body of a serpent, exuding overwhelming pressure.

Beside the lake sat another figure, as large as a small mountain, quietly crouched at the side.

These two figures were the two overlords of the Star Dou Great Forest: the Sky Azure Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape.

Yet at this moment, both had been disturbed by the fluctuations caused by the birth of the Netherworld Nine Nether Phoenix.

"Has another powerful Soul Beast been born? But why does its aura feel so strange?" The Sky Azure Bull Python's deep voice rang out, causing space itself to tremble and plunging the great forest into silence.

"Humans, Soul Beasts... I wonder how Xiao Wu is doing?"

"Da Mao, why did you stop me from going to find Xiao Wu that day?" the Titan Giant Ape asked with a resentful expression.

Such a human-like expression appearing on a Soul Beast was already strange enough. Coupled with the Titan Giant Ape's face, that resentful look was truly unbearable to witness.

If the Sky Azure Bull Python could roll its eyes, it certainly would have done so now.

"What would you have accomplished by going? She is with humans. If you rashly went to find her, you would only put her in danger. Besides, there seems to be another presence there."

"What kind of presence could possibly frighten you?" The Titan Giant Ape's gorilla-like face was full of disdain.

"Do you remember that kind of Soul Beast that appeared thirty years ago?"

"Thirty years ago? You mean those Soul Beasts that were hard as rocks and incredibly annoying? Why bring that up all of a sudden?"

Thirty years ago, without any warning or sign, Honkai Beasts had suddenly appeared in the forest. The Sky Azure Bull Python had initially believed them to be a new species, but they even attacked their own kind. They were creatures that went mad at the sight of any living thing.

They had been troubled by them for a long time. Yet whether they hunted or drove them away, nothing worked.

After paying a terrible price to kill one, another would appear not long afterward. Only one emerged each time, yet they gave the two forest overlords endless headaches.

At that time, Xiao Wu's mother was still alive, but even she had no solution.

Until one day, a human appeared. She had no powerful Soul Power fluctuations, yet she seemed to be the natural bane of those Soul Beasts. She could kill them with ease and even absorb their Soul Rings.

From then on, the unrest among the Soul Beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest finally subsided, while that human became a Soul Master who specialized in hunting those creatures.

She had no Soul Power fluctuations, yet her strength was terrifying. White Soul Rings surrounded her from head to toe, and she descended like a heavenly deity, invincible and unmatched.

They had once secretly appeared in the middle region to observe her, but she seemed to possess countless eyes and saw through their identities immediately. Not only did she not covet their Soul Rings like other Soul Masters, she even chatted with them.

She truly was a strange person.

Yet one day thirty years ago, she suddenly vanished, just as suddenly as she had appeared. From then on, those mad Soul Beasts disappeared as well.

Until today, when one had appeared once again.

"What? Da Mao, you're not fooling me, are you?!"

"This was reported by the other Soul Beasts. Once those creatures appear, our clans will face utter annihilation. Do you think they would make something like that up?"

"This... could that person have appeared again?"

"I don't know, but it is definitely related to her. Recently, I had the other Soul Beasts increase their vigilance. The moment one is discovered, they are to attack together and eliminate it as quickly as possible. You should behave yourself too. Even if Xiao Wu comes, do not approach her rashly."

The Titan Giant Ape nodded gloomily, obediently accepting the warning.

However, the Sky Azure Bull Python gazed into the distance. That was the direction of Suotuo City, and also the place where the Netherworld Nine Nether Phoenix had been born.

This continent seemed to be becoming increasingly extraordinary.

Spirit Hall, inside the Pope's resting chamber.

Bibi Dong frowned deeply, seemingly lost in thought. She had naturally sensed the aura released by the birth of the Netherworld Nine Nether Phoenix, but that was not what worried her at the moment.

Having removed her luxurious Pope's robes, she wore only a thin, pure white gown. Her worried expression, paired with her exquisite features, evoked an overwhelming urge to protect her.

She rose and walked to the bookshelf, reaching out to twist something on one of its shelves.

Click! Click!

A hidden door was revealed behind the bookshelf. Judging from Bibi Dong's expression, this was nothing unusual to her. She stepped inside.

The bookshelf closed behind her as she entered, and the room returned to its former stillness.

Luminous pearls were embedded throughout the long corridor, one every ten paces, making it incomparably luxurious. The corridor was not long, only about a hundred meters.

At its end stood a secret chamber. It was a place Bibi Dong absolutely never wished to enter, yet she had no choice but to come here now.

The secret chamber was constructed from blackstone, its defenses exceptionally sturdy. It could withstand even an attack from a Titled Douluo, making it an excellent fortress—but also the finest prison for confining someone.

Arriving at the entrance to the secret chamber, she brushed her hand across the wall. Some mechanism seemed to be triggered, and the heavy stone door opened, revealing the chamber in its entirety.

As if sensing something, the figure sitting lazily inside turned her head toward the doorway. Her smiling eyes fixed on Bibi Dong's, and her red lips parted as she spoke in a teasing tone.

"Yo! Long time no see! I never thought you'd actually come visit me, Bibi Dong. Those old men have been driving me insane."

The wrist she raised in greeting immediately produced the clang of refined iron. Four not especially thick iron chains bound her limbs, stretching all the way to the wall opposite.

The chains were long, but they still made it absolutely impossible for her to leave this secret chamber.

They were forged entirely from refined iron and weighed an utterly terrifying amount. Runes flickered across them—chains specially designed to imprison powerful Soul Masters.

They were called Soul Devouring Locks.

As the name implied, they were heavy locks that devoured a Soul Master's Soul Power.

Yet judging by how casually she greeted Bibi Dong, she hardly looked like a prisoner.

"She has appeared."

The figure raised a brow, her expression unchanged and her tone as teasing as ever.

"So, you came just to tell me that? How kind of you."

"Think whatever you want."

"Fine! Then I'll take it as kindness. But what does her appearance have to do with me?"

As she spoke, she shifted into another position and stretched lazily. The clanging of refined iron echoed throughout the chamber.

"They won't let her go. I think they've already set a trap and are waiting for her to walk into it."

The figure let out a deep yawn, looking helpless.

"What a bunch of old fools who don't know their limits! They've gone mad dreaming of becoming gods."

Bibi Dong's expression darkened. What kind of attitude was that? She had come all this way to warn her.

Seeing the change in Bibi Dong's expression, the figure arched a brow and strode toward her on those long legs.

With a hook of her index finger, she lifted Bibi Dong's chin. Her face was full of suggestiveness. She was actually half a head taller than Bibi Dong, looking down into her eyes from above.

A smile curled at her lips as she drawled, "You... wouldn't happen to be worried about her, would you?"

Smack! A fierce slap landed on the back of the hand lifting her chin. The crisp sound alone made one's flesh ache.

The figure paid it no mind, still radiating her charm without restraint.

Bibi Dong's face, however, flushed crimson. She wasn't wearing any clothes!

"Shameless!" Her voice was fierce, as though she wanted to bite her to death.

The figure remained unmoved, the amusement on her face undiminished. She leaned close to Bibi Dong's ear, her tone gentle, her breath fragrant.

"Then what does it feel like to sleep with someone shameless? Hmm~"

The lingering note stirred the imagination.

Her already flushed face grew even hotter. She raised a hand to strike, only for the figure to seize her wrist first and pull her into her embrace.

Her chin was lifted, and scorching heat immediately pressed against her lips. It was so intense that it burned away her senses.

Vaguely, she seemed to feel something enter her mouth. In the storming onslaught, her final line of defense crumbled.

The clanging of refined iron went on and on, while a pure white barrier cut off all outside prying.

Inside the Elder's Hall, an old man frowned deeply as he looked at the blocked image before him. He slammed his palm down fiercely, shattering it in an instant.

His voice was grim, his tone icy. "How are things on Xue'er's side?"

"The Holy Maiden's plan is proceeding smoothly. She is approaching Crimson Kite, but... the Douluo we sent has fallen. His soul plaque has shattered."

Another palm strike fell, full of force.

"Bastard! Bibi Dong, it seems you've sat in that position for far too long."

Inside the secret chamber, the clanging of refined iron had ceased. One or two faint breaths slowly sounded out. Two women with equally stunning figures slept in each other's arms, their faces faintly flushed, while the cold chains had somehow been cast aside.

The figure was still teasing Bibi Dong, drawing out sounds that stirred the imagination, but the awakened Bibi Dong suddenly caught her, helplessly ending her teasing journey.

"You..." Bibi Dong looked faintly angry, as if considering how to punish her.

"I've always believed in mutual consent. I didn't force you."

"You..."

Bibi Dong's face turned even paler. Her originally crimson cheeks, paired with that furious expression, made it impossible to remain serious.

The figure still wore a helpless expression, but the laughter in her eyes made Bibi Dong want to explode. But... she couldn't beat the other woman, so she could only glare at her.

"When are you leaving this place?"

"You want me gone so soon? Back then, you were the ones who would've fought to the death to keep me here."

The shadowy figure watched Bibi Dong's back as she dressed with amusement, licking her red lips as if savoring something. Luckily, Bibi Dong did not see it—otherwise, she would have exploded on the spot no matter what.

Bibi Dong remained silent. She could not be bothered to talk to this person; after three or five sentences, they would definitely start acting like a hooligan, and she could not outmatch them.

"Is this place fun?"

"It's boring. But if you're here, it won't be boring."

"You..."

Bibi Dong was furious. Why was this person still the same as ever?

"I already have a child."

She stressed the words "have a child" heavily, as though afraid the other person might not hear them.

The shadowy figure nodded, looking utterly unconcerned. "Mm! I know."

"Then why..."

"That's a different matter."

Bibi Dong was helpless. It was like this every time she came here, which was why she did not want to approach this place. She could clearly leave directly, yet she had insisted on staying here for so many years.

Glancing at the unused Soul Devouring Lock beside her, Bibi Dong did not know how to express what she felt. In the end, it could only become a sigh.

"Qian Renxue is approaching her."

With that, she left the secret chamber without even looking back. The shadowy figure behind her waved.

"Welcome back next time."

Bibi Dong suddenly stumbled and nearly slipped. She slammed the secret chamber door shut, then left with an angry look on her face.

Inside the secret chamber, the shadowy figure stretched. The seductive expression she had worn in Bibi Dong's presence vanished as she stared blankly at the ceiling.

"Has she arrived? Fu Hua."

PS: She's here, she's here, she's here! A new character—guess who she is! Anyway, she won't be revealed until much later.

PS1: Also, when I wrote this chapter, I was really confused. I swear I was being completely serious.

PS2: Also! Today was the first time I tried liquor-filled Pocky. I'm drunk—wine does not intoxicate people; people intoxicate themselves!