Wang Dong'er's Analysis

Moonlight flowed like water, quietly spilling across the courtyard and corridors of the Worship Hall.

Lu Jing returned and pushed open the door to his room, still carrying the lingering fragrance from the depths of the Pope's Palace and doubts he could not shake.

He closed the door behind him. Only a single soft lamp was lit inside, casting faint shadows across his young yet overly composed face.

He walked to the window and looked out into the heavy night, trying to sort through the deeper meaning behind Bibi Dong's strange "show of goodwill."

Yet his thoughts were a tangled mess. Bibi Dong's inscrutable gaze beneath the flickering candlelight in the Pope's Palace study, Yan's desperate gasps on the floor, and those gentle words—I only wanted to see you... Countless scenes intertwined, making him frown deeply.

"Knock, knock, knock."

The soft knocking sounded especially clear in the silent night, interrupting Lu Jing's thoughts.

Who could it be this late? Lu Jing was somewhat surprised, but he still turned and walked to the door, pulling it open.

The person standing outside was none other than Wang Dong'er.

The bright corridor lights outlined her slender figure.

She had clearly just finished bathing and had changed into a soft, moon-white silk nightgown. The thin fabric clung to her body, outlining the budding curves of a young girl.

Her long pink-blue hair hung damply behind her shoulders, tiny crystalline droplets still slowly falling from the tips, sparkling like crushed diamonds beneath the light.

The lingering mist gave her already jade-white skin a faint rosy glow.

Her clear pink-blue eyes held undisguised concern and curiosity as they looked straight at Lu Jing.

"Xiao Jing?"

Her voice was soft and warm from the bath as she asked quietly, "Why did you come back so late? Bibi Dong called for you... nothing happened, right?"

Lu Jing stepped aside from the doorway. "Come in and talk."

Wang Dong'er stepped inside.

Lu Jing casually shut the door. As the door cut off the outside view, it felt as though only the two of them remained in the room, along with the tranquil moonlight filtering in through the window.

She did not immediately head for a chair. Instead, she stood before Lu Jing, her pink-blue eyes locked onto him like searchlights, clearly reflecting his still-furrowed brows. She repeated, "What exactly did Bibi Dong want with you? Was it because of what happened with Yan during the day?"

Seeing the sincere concern in her eyes, Lu Jing felt a touch of warmth in his heart.

In this unfamiliar era ten thousand years in the past, Wang Dong'er was the only companion he could talk to and truly trust.

He shook his head, walked to the table, poured himself a glass of water, then sat in the chair across from her. Without hiding anything, he recounted everything that had happened in the Pope's Palace study exactly as it had occurred.

He began with pushing open that heavy carved wooden door and Bibi Dong's elegant appearance in her casual purple gown.

Then came her questions about the future direction of Spirit Hall, his exposure of her strategic intent to use the Heaven Dou Empire's army to make up for Spirit Hall's shortcomings, and Bibi Dong's clapping approval as she praised him for being clever.

Then she abruptly brought up his daytime conflict with Yan and said, On the contrary, I will help you.

After that, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan threw the blood-covered Yan, filled with fear and despair, onto the floor like cargo. Finally came Bibi Dong's cold judgment—As long as you nod, I can kill him right now—and Lu Jing's refusal on the grounds of avoiding losses for Spirit Hall and showing Hu Liena some respect. In the end, Bibi Dong had Yue Guan drag away the heavily injured Yan, followed by those baffling final words: I only wanted to see you, and let you see my sincerity and attitude in handling this matter.

Lu Jing's voice was calm, and his account was clear. He laid out every detail for Wang Dong'er, including Bibi Dong's seemingly gentle but actually oppressive manner, Yan's miserable state, and his own confusion and vigilance.

"And then I came back. Even now, I still haven't figured out what she was trying to accomplish with all that."

After speaking, Lu Jing picked up his glass and took a sip. Looking at Wang Dong'er, he asked, "Sister Dong'er, what do you think? What was she after?"

Wang Dong'er listened quietly, her pink-blue eyes narrowing at times and flashing with thoughtful light at others.

When she heard that Bibi Dong had actually suggested killing Yan to help Lu Jing, her brows knitted tightly as well.

After Lu Jing finished, she fell silent for a moment, seemingly processing the absurd chain of events.

"Bibi Dong..." Wang Dong'er softly repeated the name, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the smooth tabletop.

She recalled the historical records' assessment of this Pope—an exceedingly deep schemer.

Suddenly, she looked up at Lu Jing. A flicker of understanding passed through her eyes as she tentatively asked:

"Is it possible... that she's trying to win you over?"

"Win me over?"

Lu Jing raised a brow. He was not surprised by that conclusion; he had considered that possibility in the Pope's Palace during the day.

He set down his glass, his tone carrying a trace of confusion and doubt. "I thought of that too. But just because of this? Using Yan's life as a prop, even willing to sacrifice a core member of the Golden Generation? Isn't that too great a price? Besides, Yan belongs to the Pope's Palace and is loyal to her. What kind of attempt at winning me over is that? It doesn't make sense logically. Does she think I'd be so grateful that I'd immediately side with her?"

Lu Jing's doubts were entirely reasonable.

Bibi Dong's actions had been too abrupt and too extreme, utterly contrary to common sense.

Yet upon hearing this, Wang Dong'er's lips curled into a knowing smile.

She rose to her feet and walked before Lu Jing, leaning forward slightly with elegant poise.

She extended a slender, jade-white finger, carrying the fresh, faint fragrance of her bath, and gently tapped Lu Jing's forehead. The gesture held the affectionate reproach of an older sister as she smiled and enlightened him.

"You silly boy, Xiao Jing!"

Her voice was crisp and pleasant as it echoed through the quiet room.

"Of course she wasn't expecting to win you over immediately with one little performance of killing Yan! That would be far too naive. She's just setting the bait!"

Wang Dong'er withdrew her finger. Her pink-blue eyes shimmered with insight as she analyzed, "Think about it. First, she discussed Spirit Hall's grand vision of unifying the continent with you and made it clear that you're a smart person who can see through the essence of things. That alone was a form of recognition and importance. Then, when dealing with Yan, she put on a full display, showing her sincerity and attitude by backing you up and even appearing willing to put righteousness above personal ties. What is that called? It's a pledge of allegiance! Or rather, she's showing you her so-called preference and stance."

She paused, watching the thoughtful expression on Lu Jing's face before continuing.

"She wants to use this incident to leave a deep impression on you—compared to the strict, lofty Worship Hall, Bibi Dong, the Pope, treats you, Lu Jing, differently. She's willing to pay any price to protect you. She's planting a seed in your heart: She's very good to me. I'm special to her. As for the price? In the eyes of someone like her, Yan's life may truly be nothing more than a disposable chess piece. If sacrificing Yan can win your favor, or even shake your sense of belonging to the Worship Hall, she would absolutely do it."

Wang Dong'er's voice carried the calmness of someone who could see through people's hearts. "Her real move comes later! This was only groundwork, a way to send you a powerful signal. To let you know that her attitude toward you is different from her attitude toward everyone else in the Worship Hall. Once that impression of I'm special to her takes root in your heart, when she later approaches you and helps you with access to the Scripture Depository, other resources, or even some ambiguous promises, you'll be much more willing to accept them and less guarded. Boiling a frog in warm water—get it?"

As Lu Jing listened to Wang Dong'er's analysis, his eyes gradually brightened. Right. He had only been fixated on how abrupt and unreasonable the matter of killing Yan was, yet he had overlooked the coherence of Bibi Dong's entire chain of actions—from high-level conversation that established common ground and recognition, to decisive means that displayed preference and sincerity. She had been creating a special relationship.

She had never expected to succeed in one go. She was laying out a plan, building the groundwork.

"So that's how it is..."

Lu Jing slowly nodded, and some of the fog in his heart seemed to clear. He said quietly, "She's casting a long line. Her so-called sincerity and attitude are the beginning of that line."

It seemed having a companion was quite nice after all. Everyone had blind spots, times when they failed to think of something, and that was when the importance of a companion became clear.

"Exactly!"

Wang Dong'er affirmed, "A show of goodwill—and an active one at that, even one that goes a little overboard—so you'll remember the favor she did you."

Her tone shifted, turning serious as she asked, "So, Xiao Jing, what do you think we should do?"

Lu Jing raised his head and met her clear, resolute gaze. "Sister Dong'er, what do you think?"

Wang Dong'er answered without the slightest hesitation, "Naturally, we should remain on the Worship Hall's side!"

Her voice was clear and decisive, carrying the determination of the Clear Sky Sect's Young Master.

"Don't forget our situation. Qian Daoliu thinks rather highly of you and has great expectations for you. Although Qian Renxue has gone to Heaven Dou, she also treats you... rather differently. Most importantly, we have only just arrived, and our foundation is in the Worship Hall. Besides—"

A flash of wisdom appeared deep within her pink-blue eyes as she pointed out the most crucial reason, one based on the outcome recorded in history.

"In the end, Bibi Dong wasn't the only one who became a god! Qian Renxue became a god too!"

Wang Dong'er emphasized her words, her weighing of the situation clear.

"There is no need for us to rashly side with the Pope's Palace while the situation remains unclear and the risks unknown, only to earn a reputation for betraying others and playing both sides. That would only leave us pleasing neither side, and we might even become cannon fodder in the conflict between the two factions. If we stay in the Worship Hall, at least for now, we're relatively secure, have plenty of resources available, and don't need to choose a side immediately."

"You're right."

Lu Jing nodded in deep agreement. Wang Dong'er's analysis coincided perfectly with his previous judgment.

His vigilance and his decision not to change sides had been affirmed.

"The Worship Hall... at least for now, is still our safest foothold. Increasing our strength and finding our way back are what truly matter. As for the Pope's Palace..."

A trace of calmness flashed through his eyes. "Keep our distance and watch how things unfold. We can accept the benefits she offers when possible, but we must never make promises lightly, much less take the initiative to draw close to her."

Although he did not want to return, Wang Dong'er was here, so he had to act as though he wanted to go back. Only with that as a guarantee would she help him with all her strength.

As for later, they would have to see how things developed. If he could change Wang Dong'er's attitude and thinking, that would naturally be best. But if he could not, then he could only send her back alone, or wait until he successfully created his own god position and had the capital to contend with Tang San. Otherwise, he would never return, not even if it killed him.

"Yes, that's it."

A satisfied smile appeared on Wang Dong'er's face, as bright and beautiful as ice and snow melting at the first breath of spring.

Seeing that Lu Jing had already understood, she also set aside her worries.

"Alright, it's late, and you're exhausted. Get some rest quickly. Didn't we say we'd go out tomorrow? Don't overthink it. Let nature take its course and respond to all changes by remaining unchanged," she gently reminded him, her tone returning to its usual softness.

"Mm, I understand. Sister Dong'er, you should rest early too," Lu Jing replied.

Wang Dong'er nodded and said no more, turning to pull open the door.

Her moon-white figure lightly entered the corridor's lamplight, like an epiphyllum quietly blooming in the dark night.

She gently closed the door behind her, leaving the silence once more to the young man in the room.

Lu Jing looked at the closed door and let out a long breath.

Wang Dong'er's analysis had been like parting clouds to reveal the sun, giving him a clearer understanding of Bibi Dong's almost fantastical actions tonight.

Though his doubts had not completely vanished, he at least had a direction for dealing with them.

He walked to the bed and sat down, then extinguished the lamp on the table.

Moonlight streamed through the window, scattering silver frost across the floor.

Lu Jing closed his eyes. The last things to flash through his mind were Bibi Dong's deep purple eyes, abyssal and filled with indescribable calculation, and... Qian Daoliu's vast, ocean-like presence.

"Become stronger. Survive..." he silently murmured, repeating the core goals he had long since set.

Before slipping into sleep, only one increasingly firm belief remained in the young man's heart.

Only by becoming strong enough could he truly gain the power to choose and the confidence to protect himself in this treacherous Spirit Hall of ten thousand years ago.

The Pope's Palace's baited line and the Worship Hall's favor were merely external forces. The only thing he could truly rely on was his own strength.

After all, whether it was Qian Daoliu, Qian Renxue, or Bibi Dong, what they valued was his talent, and even his martial soul.

Even the Six-Winged Angel, a god-level martial soul, could not suppress the destruction brought by the World-Annihilating Black Lotus. If he were Qian Daoliu or Qian Renxue, he too would do everything possible to keep himself close and under control. He just wondered what conditions the three of them would offer in order to win him over.

And later, how should he face Tang San while bringing Wang Dong'er with him? More importantly, if he changed the events of this era, would the future change as well?

If it did, would Wang Dong'er and Bei Bei still exist? Would he still be able to travel here?

At that thought, Lu Jing opened his eyes, his mind filled with countless thoughts. He did not know whether this was a parallel world or a timeline where the future could be changed with ease.