Red Phoenix Star Moves

The thought came so abruptly, so clearly, carrying an unquestionable intimacy and promise!

Lin Hai's fingertips trembled, and the flowing melody of his zither instantly went off-key, producing several harsh, discordant notes.

Like a thunderclap, the noise instantly shattered the mournful atmosphere filling the hall!

Upon Pope's Throne, Bibi Dong was the first to awaken from her reverie. The rare vulnerability in her eyes vanished at once, replaced by unfathomable calm.

Without drawing attention, she turned slightly, her Soul Power surging as she quietly evaporated the lingering moisture from her face.

Beside Lin Hai, Hu Liena's intoxicated, moved expression froze instantly before turning blank. Her beautiful fox eyes blinked again and again, plainly asking:

"Who am I? Where am I? Why did the music suddenly go off the rails?" Her bewildered expression was adorably amusing.

Worship Hall.

Qian Daoliu's brows drew together slightly, then he relaxed. The corner of his lips even lifted in an almost imperceptible smile as he shook his head and sighed softly:

"In the end... still too young."

Sunshine Flower House.

Yue Guan was immersed in an enchanting dream with "Old Ghost," just about to touch upon the source, when the sudden broken notes ruthlessly cut him off!

He snapped back to his senses, so furious he nearly crushed the delicate flower in his hand into a ball. He spat and cursed:

"Pah! You half-baked little bastard, ruining this old lady's... cough, this old man's state of mind! Bad luck!"

At the same time, from hidden corners throughout Spirit Hall, more than a dozen curses and sighs rose almost simultaneously—some regretful, some angry, some still unsatisfied...

By the time Bibi Dong had suppressed the last ripple in her eyes and turned back with her composure restored, she was met by her young disciple Lin Hai's turbulent, indescribably complicated gaze.

That look... was so intent it was almost scorching!

Within it churned regret too dense to dissolve, bottomless disappointment, and even... a faint yet alarming longing for something unattainable?!

Bibi Dong's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and an unprecedented panic quietly took root.

He was her disciple! A child not even ten years old!

Yet he was staring at her with such a gaze... one filled with the complicated emotions of a grown man!

His eyes seemed almost tangible, nearly piercing through her dignity as Pope.

If anyone else saw this, Spirit City would probably have ten or eight scandalous versions of the tale circulating by tomorrow!

"Cough!"

She forcibly suppressed the strange feeling. Her voice rose deliberately, carrying her usual papal authority, though the faint unsteadiness at its end betrayed her:

"You little brat, snap out of it!"

Startled by her voice, Lin Hai woke as if from a dream. He hurriedly raised his hands and vigorously rubbed his face, trying to wipe away his runaway emotions completely. His face instantly became a picture of utter embarrassment.

Damn it! This misunderstanding was huge!

Being a rebellious disciple was one thing, but being one at the ripe old age of eight... absolutely not!

He had to salvage this quickly...

"Uh... Teacher..."

He cleared his throat and did his best to make his expression look sincere and innocent.

"Your disciple was just... immersed in understanding my new soul skill! This Third Spirit Ring skill specializes in purifying evil thoughts and stabilizing the mind."

"I was thinking that perhaps it could ease Teacher's chronic headaches a little? It's just... well..."

He held up his thumb and index finger, leaving only the tiniest gap between them, and said awkwardly:

"This soul skill has a teeny-tiny, practically negligible side effect..."

Bibi Dong lowered her gaze, her long lashes concealing every thought. Her tone was so calm that no emotion could be heard in it:

"Mm. This soul skill's effects are unusual. It indeed has no place in ordinary situations."

She paused, her fingertips unconsciously stroking her scepter.

"Yet if it can be used at a critical moment, it may produce an unexpected result. As for a minor side effect..."

She raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over Lin Hai's still-embarrassed face.

"It is only natural that any skill of exceptional power comes with certain costs."

Naturally! Lin Hai thought to himself. If this effect were used on a battlefield—

For example, at Jialing Pass in my previous life, if I played "Light of Friendship" right there, perhaps the Spirit Empire and the Heaven Dou Star Luo allied forces could turn weapons into friendship and hold a gathering on the spot!

Though absurd, the thought also proved the potential power of this soul skill from another angle.

"This so-called side effect must be closely related to the artistic conception of the tune you played."

Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed slightly as she seemingly casually asked:

"What was that piece called...?"

"'Tomb of Deep Affection,'" Lin Hai answered frankly.

Tomb of Deep Affection...

The three words landed in Bibi Dong's ears like a stone cast into a lake, stirring indescribable ripples in the depths of her heart, which had lain still for many years.

Was it... played for me? An almost absurd thought flashed uncontrollably through her mind.

Yet her expression remained calm, and her tone revealed not the slightest irregularity. "This piece... did you compose it?"

"That's right. It was composed by Lin Hai."

Lin Hai answered without blushing or missing a beat. Lin Hai composed it—nothing wrong with that.

Bibi Dong lightly tapped her fingers against her scepter, her emotions unreadable.

"Passable. In the future... compose a few more tunes that are upright and tranquil, and play them for your teacher."

She deliberately emphasized the words "upright and tranquil," casting Lin Hai a meaningful glance as if to say:

Little brat, keep your mind on the proper path. Stop dwelling on crooked nonsense like love and romance, or the wondrous uses of Whale Rubber!

To Lin Hai, her words somehow... carried a faint trace of tsundere pride?

"Sure thing, leave it to your disciple!"

Lin Hai readily agreed, then seemingly pulled two exquisite Jade Bottles out of thin air.

"Teacher, my Bu Yuan Cauldron has achieved modest success, so I specially refined two bottles of perfume."

Respectfully, he indicated one of them to Bibi Dong. "This bottle is Condensing Frost Containing Sandalwood. It calms the mind and soothes the spirit, and may help Teacher sleep peacefully through the night."

Then he shook the other bottle, which was more brightly colored. "This bottle is Flowing Fragrance Intoxicating Fruit. It was specially refined for Nana and can slightly enhance the bewitching effects of her martial soul."

"Wow! Is that for me?"

How could Hu Liena care about restraint any longer? Her fox tail practically started wagging as she rushed forward in a single step.

She all but snatched the perfume meant for her and hugged it to her chest, lovingly stroking the Jade Bottle with sparkling fox eyes.

"Thank you, Junior Brother! Senior Sister loves it!"

Bibi Dong quietly glanced at her eldest disciple, whose eyes lit up at the sight of "fragrance," and gave an almost inaudible sigh. What misfortune for this sect...

Seeing this, Lin Hai curled his lips into a triumphant smile and smoothly slipped the sandalwood bottle into Bibi Dong's somewhat stiff palm.

"Teacher, this perfume may perhaps also slightly ease your headaches. It's only that your disciple is still new to refining, so its effects are rather weak."

He paused, confidence shining in his eyes.

"However, absorbing the Third Spirit Ring just now has given your disciple some insight. When I return, I'll sort through it and create a Secret Method for calming the mind and stabilizing the soul to offer Teacher. It will surely ease your persistent ailment!"

His tone was certain, as though creating a Secret Method were as easy as lifting a hand.

"If Teacher still feels unwell after trying it, just summon your disciple. I'll play another piece for you!"

The passive soul skills from three soul rings only needed slight modifications to become a ready-made Secret Method. It couldn't be smoother!

Still... my martial soul is too monstrous. I need to keep it tightly hidden. Let the persona of "heaven-defying comprehension" shoulder the shock value instead!

Managing one's image wasn't just a rule in the Three Kingdoms and Chinese entertainment—it was a universal law across all worlds!

The corners of Bibi Dong's eyes twitched slightly as she listened. Creating a Secret Method? He made it sound like going to the kitchen to stir-fry a dish! This brat...

Yet she maintained a teacher's calm exterior.

"Mm, you are thoughtful. You and Nana may withdraw for now and focus on your cultivation."

"Yes, Teacher." x2

Only after the two young figures disappeared beyond the hall doors did the imposing figure seated upon the throne seem to instantly cast off an invisible burden.

Bibi Dong's slender, pale fingers suddenly clenched tightly around the papal scepter, her knuckles turning slightly white. Her long, straight legs unconsciously pressed tightly together.

An intoxicating blush, like a rose beginning to bloom, rapidly spread from her swan-like neck to the roots of her ears, ultimately staining that flawless, breathtakingly beautiful face.

"This... rebellious disciple!"

A low rebuke filled with embarrassment, anger, and emotions too tangled to name slipped through her tightly clenched pearly teeth, fading into the vast, lonely hall.