The Worst-Case Scenario Happens

The next morning.

Pope's Palace.

Bibi Dong sat upright on the papal throne, her expression grave as she looked down at Ye Lingyuan.

Ye Lingyuan knelt on one knee, her right hand over her chest, and said respectfully, "Your Excellency the Pope, I arrived late."

Bibi Dong asked calmly, "Rise. From your perspective, tell me about Wushuang's performance in this mission."

Although she had already heard about it from Ji Wushuang himself, she still wanted to hear how others described it.

Ye Lingyuan rose and replied, "Overall, Wushuang performed exceptionally well this time. He acted decisively, without the slightest hesitation. Every strike at the end was fatal."

"Moreover, Wushuang knew exactly what he was doing. Though it was his first time killing someone, he learned to regulate himself and showed no signs of discomfort."

"I originally thought he would at least feel somewhat unsettled, but his performance far exceeded my expectations."

A smile gradually appeared on Bibi Dong's lovely face, growing ever more pronounced. After hearing this, she smiled and said, "That is good. It seems I worried too much. I had been concerned that Wushuang might develop some psychological issues."

Ye Lingyuan smiled. "With Your Excellency the Pope's guidance, it is only natural for Wushuang to perform so well."

Bibi Dong smiled faintly and waved a hand. "You completed this mission well. You may return."

"This subordinate takes her leave." Ye Lingyuan let out a breath of relief.

The Pope's Palace fell silent for a moment. Bibi Dong rose and left, heading toward the rear courtyard.

Ji Wushuang slowly opened his eyes. He discovered that he was not in his own residence, and the faint scent of daisies in the air stirred a familiar feeling within him.

"I only showed off a little of what I could do. Why did she suddenly knock me unconscious?"

"I didn't think I was being all that arrogant..."

Ji Wushuang threw back the covers. Other than his shoes, socks, and outer robe being gone, everything else was normal. He then got out of bed and looked around. The bedroom was exceptionally spacious, decorated primarily in gold and white, and carried an air of utmost nobility.

"You came out without even getting dressed?"

A pleasant voice suddenly rang out. Ji Wushuang followed it and saw Bibi Dong sitting languidly on a chaise lounge, her expression unchanged as she read the book in her hands.

Ji Wushuang hurriedly retreated, took out a set of purple clothes from his Storage Soul Tool, and put them on before appearing before Bibi Dong again.

Whenever he had spoken with Bibi Dong in the past, they had been separated by a screen. This was his first time entering Bibi Dong's private chamber, and it was far larger than he had imagined.

"You are even weaker than I expected. I merely patted your shoulder lightly, yet you remained unconscious until now. You have truly disappointed me." Bibi Dong shook her head and sighed.

The corner of Ji Wushuang's eye twitched, leaving him speechless.

A Titled Douluo who was absolutely Above Level Ninety-Five was saying such things to a Level Forty-Four Soul Ancestor. She even wore an expression of disappointment and spoke in the tone of someone lamenting that iron had failed to become steel.

"What? Was your teacher wrong!?"

Bibi Dong narrowed her beautiful eyes and stared directly at Ji Wushuang without blinking.

Ji Wushuang said, "Everything Teacher says is right. This disciple is simply too weak. After giving it some thought, I believe the matter of gaining experience should be postponed a little longer. Once my cultivation is higher in the future, it will not be too late to venture into the world for training."

Bibi Dong raised a delicate brow and rested her cheek in one jade-like hand, silently watching Ji Wushuang without saying a word.

That deep gaze seemed capable of seeing through what Ji Wushuang was truly thinking.

"..."

Ji Wushuang blinked, swallowed guiltily, and felt uncomfortable all over.

Bibi Dong suddenly smiled. "I am very pleased that you can think this way."

Ji Wushuang relaxed as much as he could and asked, "Then this disciple will take his leave first?"

A glint flashed through Bibi Dong's eyes before she smiled and nodded.

"Thank you, Teacher, for taking care of me last night. If you knock me unconscious again next time, just have someone send me back to the academy." Ji Wushuang bowed, then headed to one side. After passing around the screen, the door was right in front of him.

Only after walking out the door did Ji Wushuang finally let out a long breath. He was just about to fly away and escape this "Spider Silk Cave" when Bibi Dong's voice suddenly sounded beside his ear.

"Wushuang, come here."

Ji Wushuang froze, then helplessly retreated back inside.

Bibi Dong did not move. She remained seated quietly on the chaise lounge, watching Ji Wushuang slowly return. She did not speak immediately. After pondering for a moment, she finally asked, "Wushuang, do you want to be closer to your teacher?"

Ji Wushuang frowned. "This disciple does not understand what you mean."

Bibi Dong smiled. "What I mean is that you will no longer need to live in the academy dormitories. Starting today, you will move in here with your teacher."

"Ah?!" Ji Wushuang was startled.

Seeing his reaction, Bibi Dong became rather pleased with herself. Smiling, she said, "From now on, the West Courtyard will be yours. It will be more convenient this way, and you will not have to run back and forth so much, will you?"

"My place is also more spacious. You will not have to worry about the setting when practicing your swordsmanship. For three meals a day, whatever your teacher eats, you will eat as well. You will not be mistreated."

"No, no, no, how can that be acceptable? How can this disciple live here with Teacher? If word gets out, the impact would be far too terrible. It would be detrimental to you!" Ji Wushuang refused repeatedly.

"Hm!?" Bibi Dong narrowed her beautiful eyes.

"This disciple is entirely thinking of your interests, Teacher. Please see clearly..." Cold sweat soaked Ji Wushuang's back.

If he lived in the same courtyard as Bibi Dong, would she not be watching him at every moment?

"It is decided!"

"You do not need to pack anything. Your teacher will arrange it all for you!"

Bibi Dong said flatly.

"Teacher, you... you should think it over again..." Ji Wushuang still wanted to struggle.

Bibi Dong said, "This is something your teacher has considered carefully. It is decided. You need not say anything further."

"You may go take a look at the West Room now. If there is anything you dislike, tell me, and I will have people alter it until you are satisfied."

Ji Wushuang had no power to change the situation. He could only answer, "Thank you for your favor, Teacher. Then this disciple will go take a look."

Bibi Dong smiled and nodded.

With heavy steps, Ji Wushuang entered the West Courtyard at the guidance of a maid. The West Courtyard was only a stone's throw from the East Courtyard where Bibi Dong lived, almost entirely within Bibi Dong's range of perception.

Ji Wushuang had no mood whatsoever to inspect the West Courtyard. After wandering around it once, he returned to Bibi Dong.

Bibi Dong asked with a smile, "How does it feel?"

Ji Wushuang replied woodenly, "Everything is very good. This disciple likes it very much."

Bibi Dong's delicate brows furrowed. "But your teacher feels that... your current expression does not look at all like that of someone who likes it very much."

Upon hearing that, Ji Wushuang's handsome face immediately forced out a smile uglier than crying.

Bibi Dong could not help laughing. "Enough, enough. Your smile is truly awful."

"Teacher, may this disciple go find Yan, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena? I have not told them that I returned yet. And regarding the move, this disciple feels it would be better to tell them as well." Ji Wushuang smiled bitterly.

Bibi Dong readily agreed with a smile. "Go."

Ji Wushuang flew out of the courtyard, looking as though he wanted to cry but had no tears.

Spirit Hall Academy.

Only after Ji Wushuang returned to his dormitory did he finally let out a long breath. He lay comfortably on his bed, feeling as though he had finally returned home. Thinking back on everything that had happened since his return, as well as Bibi Dong's attitude, he could not help sighing repeatedly.

"Isn't this just over for me?"

"I had planned to sneak away while Bibi Dong was not paying attention, but I never expected things to turn into such a terrible situation!"

Ji Wushuang abruptly rose and went to find Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.

Not long after.

In the Bamboo Forest.

The four of them sat down separately.

Seeing Ji Wushuang's troubled expression, the other three were somewhat puzzled.

"Wushuang, you were gone for over half a month. What did you gain?" Yan asked curiously.

Ji Wushuang said, "What I gained is that I used to only kill Spirit Beasts, but now I have also killed Fallen Spirit Masters. I have now been reborn and become a true spirit master. I am completely different from you three little brats."

Yan's face darkened. "Who are you calling little brats!"

The corners of Xie Yue's mouth twitched slightly as well. "You are only two months older than me..."

Hu Liena covered her mouth and chuckled. "Brother Wushuang, you really do seem a little different now."

Ji Wushuang looked himself over and asked curiously, "What is different?"

Hu Liena blinked her beautiful eyes and smiled. "Your gaze is sharper, and you seem more manly too."

"Is my gaze not sharp? Do I not have masculine charm?" Yan protested, flexing his biceps.

Hu Liena rolled her eyes at Yan. "Yan, yours are not even as big as Brother Wushuang's! Stop showing them off!"

Yan's smug smile instantly froze. His face rapidly flushed red as he shouted at Ji Wushuang, "Ji Wushuang, I challenge you to a duel!"

"Hahaha—" Xie Yue could not hold it in and burst out laughing.

Hu Liena could not help laughing either.

Ji Wushuang sighed helplessly. "Our score is currently zero to ninety-nine, but since you are so courageous and sincerely wish to challenge me, I will satisfy you and reluctantly complete my one-hundred-win streak!"

Yan said with a dark expression, "Have there really been that many? I clearly remember there only being ninety-eight matches!"

Leaning close to Xie Yue's ear, Hu Liena whispered, "Brother, Yan is so shameless. He has clearly already lost to Brother Wushuang ninety-nine times in a row, yet he says it was ninety-eight."

Xie Yue smiled. "Yan must have remembered incorrectly."

Yan's face grew even darker.

Ji Wushuang smiled. "Yan, do you remember when you challenged me just after I first enrolled at Spirit Hall Academy?"

Yan thought hard for a long while before suddenly realizing. "So it was that one!"

"Ninety-nine it is!"

"Come on!"

Ji Wushuang sighed helplessly, preparing to grant Yan the achievement of one hundred consecutive losses.

Yan activated Martial Soul Possession, his red hair drifting like blazing flames. The moment the Flame Lord Martial Soul appeared, the temperature within a hundred meters rapidly rose.

"Light Frost, go!"

With a sweep of Ji Wushuang's sleeve, the Peerless Sword Casket suddenly opened. A streak of sword light shot into the sky, then immediately thrust toward Yan.

"Just one sword? Damn it!"

"You really are looking down on me more and more!"

"Second Spirit Skill, Frenzied Flame Boiling!"

Yan let out a low shout.

Ever since following Ji Wushuang's advice, Yan had abandoned his earth attribute and focused on strengthening his fire attribute.

His second Spirit Ring had absorbed a Pure Fire Attribute Spirit Ring, granting him a flame-amplification spirit skill rather than the defensive spirit skill—Granite Rock.

The instant the second Spirit Ring lit up, the blazing flames released by the Flame Lord surged rapidly in temperature, turning dark red and becoming even more violent, filled with destructive power.

"Third Spirit Skill, Hellfire!"

Dark-red flames wrapped around countless fragments of stone and swept toward Ji Wushuang.

Ji Wushuang carried the Peerless Sword Casket on his back and soared into the air. While evading the attack, he directed Light Frost with one hand to counterattack.

"Your ability to fly is way too unfair!" Yan complained as he dodged Light Frost.

Ji Wushuang's response was another flying sword. "Cloud Shuttle, go!"

Yan was not frightened by this. Instead, he grew even more excited and shouted at Ji Wushuang, "I am the second greatest genius of Spirit Hall Academy, yet you are only using two swords against me? You are looking down on me too much! Bring more! More!"

"As you wish." Ji Wushuang slapped the Peerless Sword Casket.

In an instant, four more flying swords shot forth.

Xie Yue helplessly rubbed his forehead. "Could Yan have some kind of masochistic tendency?"

Hu Liena smiled. "Brother Wushuang is just playing with Yan. Otherwise, with Brother Wushuang's strength, one sword would be enough to deal with him."

"That is true." Xie Yue nodded in agreement.

Without anyone noticing, Bibi Dong silently watched everything.

She had thought Ji Wushuang might sneak away, so she had come personally to check on him out of concern.

But what she saw put her slightly at ease.

The corners of Bibi Dong's lips lifted slightly, and a smug smile appeared on her lovely face.

"Under my watch, do not even think about leaving my side!"