Library Pavilion, Origins of Obsession

"Your subordinate... will do his best to try."

Seeing Bibi Dong's expression gradually turn cold, Lu Yan knew he could not refuse any longer.

If he refused again, he would be ungrateful.

Besides, with his previous experience, even if he fell into danger again, he should be able to handle it more calmly.

Perhaps while helping Bibi Dong, his spiritual power could truly use this opportunity to break through to the Soul Emperor level.

At his words, the corners of Bibi Dong's lips lifted slightly.

Her smile was... beautiful.

Yet Lu Yan could not help recalling the radiant smile of the young Bibi Dong in the dream, when she had stood before him—a smile filled with resolve and innocence.

Compared to the beautiful yet unfathomable smile before him, that one had been more vivid and far less inscrutable.

"Very good. Do not forget again this evening."

Bibi Dong's tone was calm, but it made Lu Yan's heart tighten as he recalled making her wait in vain yesterday.

"Your subordinate will take his leave."

Upon returning to the Elder Hall.

Qian Daoliu guided him for another morning.

That afternoon, he sent him to the Library Pavilion to read its archives.

"Lu Yan, go and read. The wisdom and painstaking efforts of countless senior Soul Masters over their lifetimes are gathered there. It will benefit you greatly," Qian Daoliu said.

A self-created Soul Skill could not be developed in a single day; it required profound accumulation.

Lu Yan respectfully accepted. Holding Qian Daoliu's token, he passed through without hindrance.

The Library Pavilion was majestic and vast, its books categorized and arranged in perfect order.

It truly had the scale expected of the continent's foremost power.

Lu Yan headed directly toward the section on the essentials of Soul Master cultivation.

It was further divided into many categories, covering swords, spears, staves, and clubs, as well as martial soul applications. There were even some simple self-created techniques.

After browsing for a while, Lu Yan found that most of these techniques were rudimentary, far inferior to the Tang Sect Unique Skills.

At most, they allowed Soul Masters to use their own martial souls more smoothly.

However, he also discovered several interesting research notes.

Such as Preliminary Exploration of Soul Power's Essence, Hypotheses on Spiritual Power Application, Hypothesis on Martial Soul Evolution, and so on.

Most of them were merely hypotheses, with very little empirical evidence.

Still, the authors' unconstrained imagination and spirit of exploration benefited him greatly.

Lu Yan immersed himself in them until evening approached, then finally set off for the Guest Courtyard.

The courtyard was quiet and empty.

"Come in."

The voice came from inside the room.

Lu Yan pushed open the door and entered.

The room was more spacious than he had imagined, with exquisite furnishings. Living water had even been diverted along one side, forming a bathing pool.

Bibi Dong was sitting on the edge of the bed, her gaze resting on him.

"Your Eminence the Pope."

Lu Yan stopped three meters in front of her, lowering his eyes and not daring to look directly at her.

"Begin."

Lu Yan did as instructed, skillfully lighting the Calming Incense and summoning his Dream Butterfly Martial Soul.

Under their combined effects, Bibi Dong's breathing gradually became calm and steady. Just as before, she sank into a dream.

With his previous experience, Lu Yan guided his spiritual power inward even more carefully and cautiously.

Before long, the abnormality returned.

Beneath the Brocade Quilt, Bibi Dong's body began trembling uncontrollably.

That dark-purple, sinister aura emerged from within her once more.

His spiritual power was instantly tainted and corroded by it.

So much for keeping me safe...

Lu Yan cursed inwardly, but he had no other choice.

He could only once again guide the Dream Butterfly and sink into that chaotic dream.

The moment he entered, wicked thoughts surged toward him like a tide, attempting to corrupt his mind.

Fortunately, he had the triple protection of the External Soul Bone, Purple Demon Eyes, and Dream Butterfly Martial Soul.

Though Lu Yan struggled, he maintained a thread of clarity upon his Spiritual Platform.

After an unknown amount of time, the surrounding scene gradually stabilized.

This time, he did not fall into that gloomy Secret Chamber. Instead, he found himself in a... peaceful, warm scene.

It was the very Library Pavilion he had visited that day.

Within the dream.

There was not only the young Bibi Dong, but also a young man with a somewhat stiff-looking face and focused eyes, quietly reading nearby.

Yet his gaze occasionally drifted tenderly toward the girl opposite him.

This should be a memory from when Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang were in love... Lu Yan thought.

The place was permeated with the scent of books, and the atmosphere was tranquil. For Bibi Dong, it should have been a beautiful dream she never wished to awaken from.

But Lu Yan knew clearly that beneath this calm, turbulent undercurrents were bound to rage.

Since the Rakshasa God's Mind had dragged him in, how could it spare the true master of the dream?

Lu Yan did not rashly intrude and wake her.

At a time like this, Bibi Dong would likely regard him as an enemy.

With his spiritual power, it was Absolutely Impossible for him to defeat Bibi Dong.

He could only wait.

Sure enough, the good times did not last.

The dream's "villain" arrived right on cue.

Qian Xunji suddenly appeared, radiating fury and pressure.

"Trash. Who allowed you to approach Dong'er?"

Qian Xunji shouted sharply, his eyes filled with contempt and fury toward Yu Xiaogang.

"Dong'er and I love each other and have developed feelings for one another. I hope Your Eminence the Pope will grant us your blessing."

Yu Xiaogang rose to his feet. His tone was somewhat restrained, yet resolute.

Bibi Dong immediately stood beside him as well and pleaded, "Teacher, this disciple truly loves Xiaogang. Please grant us your blessing."

"Wishful thinking. Anyone who disrupts your cultivation and state of mind deserves death."

Without another word, Qian Xunji drew upon his soul power.

Yu Xiaogang was seized by the throat with an invisible force and lifted into the air, his face quickly flushing red.

Even so, Yu Xiaogang struggled to look toward Bibi Dong, his eyes filled with undying affection. "Dong'er, I... love... you!"

"Trash like you deserves to speak of love?"

Qian Xunji sneered savagely and drove a fist into Yu Xiaogang's chest, then used his soul power to bind him in midair.

At the same time, he unleashed immense pressure, pinning Bibi Dong, who tried to rush forward, firmly in place and leaving her unable to move.

"Dong'er, watch carefully. This kind of trash dared to defile something that does not belong to him. There is only one outcome—death!"

Before his words had faded, Qian Xunji condensed a small energy blade in his hand and began slicing away Yu Xiaogang's flesh inch by inch.

Well done!

Yu Xiaogang's miserable screams immediately echoed throughout the dream.

Yet his gaze never left Bibi Dong. The "affection" in his eyes did not fade even at the very end of his life.

"No—!!!"

Bibi Dong let out a heart-rending cry, struggling madly, yet unable to break through the prison of soul power.

Lu Yan watched coldly.

As Lu Yan watched the Rakshasa Divine Power gradually invade, he finally understood why Bibi Dong had become so obsessive, so hopelessly devoted to Yu Xiaogang.

If she experienced such dreams every time she slept.

Anyone would go mad and become obsessed.

The Rakshasa God's Mind truly harmed people deeply.

Lu Yan knew he had to act.

If he delayed any longer, Bibi Dong's consciousness would once again be dragged into the abyss of collapse.

With one step, he crossed the boundary.

Lu Yan instantly appeared beside Bibi Dong. Using what he had learned in recent days, he infused his voice with spiritual power and let out a low shout:

"Bibi Dong. If you do not wake up now, Yu Xiaogang will truly die!"

Though his spiritual power was not vast, it was concentrated at a single point, like a sharp thorn precisely piercing the depths of Bibi Dong's sinking consciousness.

The first time was unfamiliar; the second came naturally.

Bibi Dong's body jolted violently. The confusion and pain in her eyes instantly gave way to clarity, turning into icy coldness.

She glanced at Lu Yan beside her, only to see that after delivering his warning, he showed no attachment. His figure rapidly faded, directly leaving the dream.

Only then did her path of torment begin.

As his consciousness returned, Lu Yan immediately examined himself inwardly.

Sure enough, under the pressure of the Rakshasa God's Mind and his own resistance, his spiritual power had become a little more solid and refined.

He was drawing ever closer to the threshold of the Soul Emperor level.

The risk was great, but the reward was truly difficult to resist.

Lu Yan's gaze inadvertently swept over the bed. The Brocade Quilt had slipped down slightly during its owner's earlier struggle.

It happened to outline a breathtakingly curvaceous silhouette.

Lu Yan immediately looked away without lingering, turned, and quietly left, heading straight back to the Elder Hall.

For the next seven days, it was the same.

And Bibi Dong's condition visibly improved. Waking from her dreams became easier and easier.