Bibi Dong's Invitation

The night was deep, the stars were dense, and the sky was filled with the brilliance of countless twinkling stars.

Wang Dong'er sat in front of Lu Jing, looking at the books he had brought back from the Scripture Depository. Her peerless beauty was full of curiosity as she asked, "You were busy all day for this?"

"What else?"

Lu Jing shrugged and reminded her, "Don't underestimate this thing just because no one cares about it and it's just gathering dust in the Scripture Depository. It will play a crucial role for us going forward."

"Hm? What do you mean?" Wang Dong'er's interest was piqued, and she couldn't help but press further.

"It's just..."

Just as Lu Jing was about to answer Wang Dong'er's question, a voice called out from outside, "Young Master Lu Jing, Your Majesty the Pope requests your presence!"

"Bibi Dong? What does she want with you?" Wang Dong'er frowned slightly upon hearing this, asking in confusion.

"It's probably because of what happened during the day," Lu Jing guessed as he stood up.

"What happened during the day? What happened?" Wang Dong'er pressed.

Lu Jing didn't hide anything and briefly explained the situation.

"So that's how it is."

Wang Dong'er nodded thoughtfully. After a moment of silence, she asked with some worry, "Will you be alright? Should we ask Qian Daoliu for help and have him back you up?"

"There's no need for that."

Lu Jing shook his head and said softly, "Bibi Dong isn't that foolish. She wouldn't choose to oppose me and Qian Daoliu just for Yan. If she's looking for me, it must be for something else."

"Sister Dong'er, you should get some sleep. I'll be back soon!"

With that, he turned and walked out of the room.

Watching Lu Jing's retreating back, Wang Dong'er bit her lip, her hands clenched tightly on her lap.

At this moment, the Pope's Palace was brightly lit, yet it couldn't hide a deep silence.

Lu Jing stood before the heavy, carved wooden door of the study, his thoughts racing.

He hadn't taken the conflict with Yan during the day to heart, yet he hadn't expected the Pope to be alerted so quickly.

He gently knocked on the door. A cool and authoritative female voice came from within, "Enter."

Lu Jing pushed the door open and entered.

The study was filled with warm, bright light, illuminating the room as if it were broad daylight.

Bibi Dong was seated behind a large desk. Unlike her usual ceremonial attire during the day, adorned with the Pope's robes and a purple-gold crown, she was now wearing a form-fitting purple casual long dress. The soft fabric perfectly outlined her mature, voluptuous, and graceful curves.

She lowered her head slightly, her waterfall-like purple hair cascading over her shoulders, revealing a fair and beautifully sculpted neck. She was intently reviewing the documents in her hands.

Her profile, bathed in the lamplight, was breathtakingly beautiful. It held a hint of domestic softness and tranquility, less of the Pope's unapproachable majesty, but the dignity and bearing settled in her brows remained undiminished.

Hearing footsteps, she raised her eyes. Her deep purple irises looked towards Lu Jing, and she put down the quill in her hand.

"Little Jing is here," she said in a calm voice, even with a hint of imperceptible gentleness.

She stood up, her long dress trailing on the floor, and elegantly walked around the desk, gesturing to the soft velvet sofa beside Lu Jing. "Sit down."

Lu Jing followed her instruction and walked to the sofa, but he didn't sit down immediately.

Bibi Dong personally picked up the white jade teapot from the coffee table and poured him a cup of clear tea. The misty steam carried a faint aroma of tea, filling the air.

This made Lu Jing even more confused. The Pope summoned him late at night, not to reprimand him, but to treat him with such courtesy?

"Your Majesty the Pope."

Lu Jing accepted the teacup, feeling the warmth of the porcelain against his fingertips. He decided to get straight to the point and asked, "May I ask why you've summoned me so late at night?"

Bibi Dong sat down on the sofa opposite him, crossing her legs gracefully. She smiled slightly upon hearing his question, a smile that further enhanced her already stunning beauty, but also made Lu Jing more vigilant.

She looked at Lu Jing with interest, her tone carrying a hint of teasing, "You're so smart, why don't you guess?"

Lu Jing pondered for a moment, then looked directly at Bibi Dong. "Is it because of... Yan's matter from earlier today?"

Bibi Dong nodded slightly, confirming his guess. "Yes and no."

She picked up her own cup of tea, blew on it gently, and continued, "I already understand what happened. Yan was the one who provoked you first and tried to snatch your belongings. You were acting in self-defense. He was simply outmatched, and his injuries were his own fault."

Now Lu Jing was truly puzzled.

If she wasn't here to blame him, why bring it up specifically?

His expression was calm as he tentatively asked, "Then... what is this about? Did Hu Liena ask you to stand up for him?"

Bibi Dong shook her head, put down her teacup, her gaze calm and unwavering, and said softly, "That child Nana, though a bit too simple-minded, wouldn't bother me for something like this. She's just blaming herself, thinking it all started because of her."

"Then..." Lu Jing was completely bewildered.

Bibi Dong didn't answer immediately. She stood up and walked slowly to the large floor-to-ceiling window, her gaze fixed on the deep night outside and the twinkling lights of Martial Soul City within it.

Her back, enveloped by the purple long dress, appeared graceful and solitary, as if bearing immeasurable weight.

After a long silence, she finally spoke slowly, her voice carrying a distant and heavy tone, "Little Jing, do you know the current situation of Martial Soul Hall? And... how should its future path be walked?"

Lu Jing was slightly taken aback, not expecting Bibi Dong to suddenly ask him such a grand question.

He thought for a moment and replied cautiously, "Your Majesty the Pope, matters like these should be discussed with the Great Enshrined, or perhaps explored with Sister Xue'er. I am insignificant and my knowledge is shallow. Talking to me about this... probably won't be of much practical use."

Bibi Dong didn't look back, but her voice was exceptionally clear: "Perhaps you're not capable now, but what about your future? What I value is your potential, as well as your unique insight. Speak freely, don't hold back."

Lu Jing looked at Bibi Dong's back, which appeared somewhat lonely yet incredibly resolute by the window, knowing this was not the time to refuse.

He took a deep breath, organized his thoughts, and began to speak, "If I'm not mistaken, Martial Soul Hall's future goal, and its only choice, should be... to unify the continent."

Bibi Dong's shoulders twitched almost imperceptibly by the window.

She slowly turned around, her stunning face showing undisguised surprise and intense interest, her purple eyes flashing with sharp light: "Oh? Tell me your thoughts."

Since he had already started speaking, Lu Jing no longer concealed anything, laying out his analysis completely: "Martial Soul Hall has a legacy of ten thousand years, profound foundations, its Soul Master strength surpasses the continent, and it enjoys extremely high prestige among the populace. It can be said that it has both foundations and status. However, Martial Soul Hall lacks a structured, large-scale army. Without an army, it cannot carry out large-scale territorial occupation and governance, which is the biggest shortcoming restricting Martial Soul Hall from advancing further."

He paused, observing Bibi Dong's expression. Seeing that she was listening intently, he continued, "Sister Xue'er's infiltration of the Heaven Dou Empire, transforming into Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, indicates grand ambitions. Once she successfully controls the highest power of the Heaven Dou Empire, or even successfully ascends the throne in the future, then the Heaven Dou Empire's vast army and administrative system will be utilized by Martial Soul Hall. At that time, Martial Soul Hall's final shortcoming will be filled. With Martial Soul Hall's ambition and strength, it naturally cannot remain content in a corner. Launching a war, sweeping away Star Luo, and unifying the Douluo Continent is almost an inevitable choice."