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 Palace and doubts he could not shake.

He closed the room 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 gazed into the heavy night outside, trying to sort out the hidden meaning behind Bibi Dong's strange "show of goodwill."

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

Knock, knock, knock.

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

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 hallway light outlined her slender figure.

She had clearly just finished bathing. She had changed into a soft moon-white silk nightgown, its light fabric clinging to her body and tracing the budding curves of a maiden.

Her powder blue long hair hung damply behind her shoulders, tiny crystalline Water Droplets still slowly dripping from its tips, glittering like crushed diamond beneath the light.

A misty layer of steam surrounded her, lending her already jade-white skin an alluring blush.

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

"Little Jing?"

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

Lu Jing stepped aside from the doorway. "Come in first."

Wang Dong'er stepped inside.

Lu Jing casually closed the room door. As the door leaf that blocked outside eyes shut, it felt as though only the two of them remained in the room, along with the tranquil moonlight shining in through the window.

She did not immediately head for a chair. Instead, she stood before Lu Jing, her powder blue eyes fixed on him like searchlights, clearly reflecting his still-furrowed brow. She asked again, "What exactly did Bibi Dong want from you? Was it because of what happened with Yan during the day?"

Seeing the genuine worry in her eyes, warmth rose in Lu Jing's heart.

In this unfamiliar era from ten thousand years ago, Wang Dong'er was the only companion he could speak with and truly trust.

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

He began with pushing open that heavy Carved Wooden Door and Bibi Dong's elegant bearing in a purple casual dress.

He spoke of how she had asked about Spirit Hall's future direction, how he had exposed her strategic intention of using the Heaven Dou Empire's army to make up for Spirit Hall's weaknesses, and how Bibi Dong had clapped in praise, saying, "Smart!"

He spoke of how she had suddenly brought up his daytime conflict with Yan and said, "On the contrary, I will help you."

Then came Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, tossing 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 Spirit Hall's losses and giving Hu Liena face. In the end, Bibi Dong had Yue Guan drag the heavily injured Yan away, leaving behind that baffling final statement: "I just 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 clear. He presented every detail to Wang Dong'er, including Bibi Dong's seemingly gentle but actually oppressive manner, Yan's miserable state, and his own confusion and wariness.

"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 lifted the Water Cup 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 powder blue eyes sometimes narrowing slightly and sometimes flickering with the light of contemplation.

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

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

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

She recalled the history book's assessment of this Pope—profoundly calculating.

Suddenly, she looked up at Lu Jing, a glimmer of realization flashing through her eyes as she asked tentatively:

"Is there a possibility... that she was trying to win you over?"

"Win me over?"

Lu Jing raised a brow. He was not surprised by the conclusion; he had considered the possibility back at the Pope Palace during the day.

He set down his Water Cup, his tone carrying confusion and doubt. "I thought of that too. But just because of this? Using Yan's life as a prop and even being willing to sacrifice a Core Member of the Golden Generation? The price is too high, isn't it? Besides, Yan belongs to her Pope Palace and is loyal to her. What kind of recruitment 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 realistic.

Bibi Dong's actions had been too sudden and extreme, completely defying common sense.

Yet Wang Dong'er curled her lips into a knowing smile.

She rose and walked before Lu Jing, elegantly leaning forward slightly.

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

"You fool, Little Jing!"

Her crisp, pleasant voice echoed through the quiet room.

"Of course she wasn't expecting to win you over immediately just by staging this act of killing Yan! That would be too naive. She was only laying bait!"

Wang Dong'er withdrew her finger, her powder blue eyes gleaming with insight as she analyzed:

"Think about it. First, she discussed Spirit Hall's grand blueprint of unifying the continent with you and pointed out that you were smart enough to see through the essence of things. That alone was a form of acknowledgment and regard. Then, when dealing with Yan, she put on a full display, showing her sincerity and attitude by backing you up and being willing to put righteousness over kinship. What was that called? A pledge of allegiance! Or rather, she was showing you her supposed preference and stance."

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

"She wanted to use this incident to leave a deep impression on you—that compared to the strict and lofty Worship Hall, Bibi Dong, the Pope, treated you, Lu Jing, differently and would spare no cost to protect you. She was planting a seed in your heart: She treats me well. I'm special to her. As for the price? To someone like her, Yan's life or death might truly be nothing more than a chess piece she could discard at any time. If sacrificing Yan could earn your favor and even shake your sense of belonging to the Worship Hall, she would absolutely do it."

Wang Dong'er's voice held a cool understanding of human hearts. "Her real move comes later! This time was merely groundwork, releasing a strong signal to you. She wanted you to know that her attitude toward you was different from her attitude toward the others in the Worship Hall. Once you have the impression that she treats me especially, then when she later approaches and helps you with permission to enter the Scripture Depository, other resources, or even vague promises, you'll be much more willing to accept them and your guard will lower. Boiling a frog in warm water, understand?"

As Lu Jing listened to Wang Dong'er's analysis, his eyes gradually brightened. Yes, he had only fixated on how abrupt and unreasonable the matter of killing Yan was, yet he had overlooked the coherence in Bibi Dong's entire chain of actions—from establishing common ground and acknowledgment through high-level conversation to displaying preference and sincerity through thunderous methods. She had been creating a special relationship.

She truly had not expected to succeed in one attempt. She had been laying out a plan, setting the stage.

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

Lu Jing slowly nodded, and the fog in his heart seemed to clear somewhat. He said softly, "She was casting a long line. Her so-called sincerity and attitude were the beginning of that line."

Having a companion like this wasn't so bad after all. Everyone had things they failed to think of sometimes, and that was when the importance of a companion showed.

"That's right!"

Wang Dong'er affirmed, "It was goodwill—and proactive goodwill at that, even somewhat excessive goodwill—meant to make you remember what she had done for you."

Her tone shifted, becoming serious as she asked, "Then, Little 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 almost without hesitation, "Naturally, we should continue staying with the Worship Hall!"

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

"Don't forget our situation. Qian Daoliu still values you and has high hopes for you. Although Qian Renxue has gone to Heaven Dou, she also treats you... rather differently. Most importantly, we are newcomers here, and our foundation lies in the Worship Hall. And—"

A glint of wisdom flashed deep in her powder blue eyes as she named the most crucial reason, one drawn from the history book's outcome.

"In the end, Bibi Dong was not the only one who became a god! Qian Renxue became a god too!"

Wang Dong'er's tone grew heavier, showing her clear weighing of the situation.

"We have no need to rashly side with the Pope 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 might even turn us into cannon fodder in their struggle. If we remain in the Worship Hall, at least for now, we are relatively safe, have plenty of resources available, and do not need to immediately choose a side."

"You're right."

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

His original wariness and decision not to change his choice had received support.

"The Worship Hall... at least for now, remains our safest foothold. Increasing our strength and finding a way home are what truly matter. As for the Pope Palace..."

A trace of calmness flashed through his eyes. "Keep our distance and observe what happens. We can accept whatever benefits she offers, but we must never make promises lightly, much less actively draw close to her."

Although he did not want to return either, Wang Dong'er was here. So he had to appear as though he wanted to go back; only by ensuring that could he make her help him with all her strength.

As for what came later, that would depend on the circumstances. If he could change Wang Dong'er's attitude and thoughts, 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 possessed the strength to contend with Tang San. Otherwise, he would never return even if beaten to death.

"Right, that's exactly it."

A satisfied smile appeared on Wang Dong'er's face, like ice and snow melting for the first time, bright and captivating.

Seeing that Lu Jing had figured it out, she finally set aside the worry in her heart.

"Alright, it's late, and you're exhausted too. Hurry and rest. Didn't you say we were going out to have fun tomorrow? Don't overthink it. Let nature take its course and respond to all changes by remaining unchanged," she softly reminded him, her tone returning to its usual gentleness.

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

Wang Dong'er nodded and said nothing more as she turned to pull open the room door.

Her moon-white figure lightly stepped into the corridor's light, like an Epiphyllum quietly blooming in the dark of night.

She gently closed the door behind her, leaving the silence once more to the youth inside the room.

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

Wang Dong'er's analysis had cleared away the clouds, giving him a clearer understanding of Bibi Dong's nearly surreal actions tonight.

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

He walked to the bed and sat down, extinguishing 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, unfathomable as an abyss and filled with indescribable calculation, and... Qian Daoliu's vast, ocean-like aura.

"Grow stronger, survive..." he silently murmured, repeating the core goals he had long since set.

Before sinking into sleep, only one increasingly firm conviction remained in the youth's heart.

Only by becoming strong enough could he truly possess the power to choose and the confidence for self-preservation in this treacherous Spirit Hall of ten thousand years ago.

The bait cast by the Pope Palace and the regard of the Worship Hall were all merely external forces. His only true reliance could be 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.

One had to know that even the Six-Winged Angel, a god-level martial soul, could not suppress the destruction emanating from the World-Destroying Black Lotus. If he were Qian Daoliu or Qian Renxue, he too would do everything possible to keep someone like himself close and under control. He simply did not know what terms the three of them would offer in order to win him over.

And when he faced Tang San later, how should he face him with Wang Dong'er beside him? More than that, if he changed the plot of this period, would the future change as well?

If it did, would Wang Dong'er and Beibei still exist? Would he still be able to travel through time to this place?

Thinking of this, Lu Jing opened his eyes, his heart filled with countless thoughts. He did not know whether this was a parallel world or a timeline where the future could be easily changed.