First Meeting with Bibi Dong, Drawing Swords on Sight

Seven days later, at the gates of the Papal Palace, Qian Xunji stood waiting early with Qian Renxue. He had given the Palace Guards who were originally scheduled to stand watch that day a paid half-day off.

Everyone on the Douluo Continent knew that Bibi Dong was Qian Xunji's disciple. If Qian Xunji's child called Bibi Dong "Mom" in public, what would that look like? A romance between master and disciple? Across the continent, that was like incest between siblings—no, even more disgusting than that.

The Douluo Continent valued the saying that an elder brother was like a father, and once a teacher, always a father. Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong had been mocked across the continent after unknowingly marrying as cousins, causing unrest within the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. If news of Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong having descendants spread, the reputations of Qian Xunji, Bibi Dong, and Spirit Hall would be utterly ruined.

"Dad, Dad, why isn't Mom here yet?" Qian Renxue tugged Qian Xunji's large hand and hopped anxiously in place.

Qian Xunji said indulgently, "Don't worry, Xiaoxue. Dad received word that Mom will be here any moment now."

With a clatter, Qian Renhan walked over to Qian Xunji carrying a chair in each hand. "Father, Xiaoxue, sit and wait."

Qian Renhan had originally had no intention of waiting for Bibi Dong. From the start, he had planned to have nothing to do with her for the rest of his life. Yet Qian Xunji had specifically gone to Sword Peak and forcibly dragged him here, leaving him with no choice.

"Brother, how can we do that? Sitting while we wait would be disrespectful to Mom." Qian Renxue sounded dissatisfied. At this point, she was still immersed in the fairy tale Qian Xunji had woven for her: Bibi Dong had left to grow stronger so she could protect her. Thus, even though Bibi Dong had never been present since her birth and had not fed her a single drop of milk, Qian Renxue's affection for her was still at its peak.

Qian Renhan replied irritably, "Then stand."

"Xiaohan." Qian Xunji sighed helplessly. He truly did not know how to manage this child.

Outside Spirit City, a luxurious one-person carriage slowly approached. Within sat a peerlessly beautiful woman who looked no more than twenty-five or twenty-six. Her skin was white as snow, her figure tall and proud, as though she had stepped out of an alluring, illusory painting. Yet the murderous intent and bloodshot veins filling her eyes, along with the aura that could erupt at any moment, inspired fear. She was the person the three of them had been waiting for: Bibi Dong.

Feeling the Angel Aura that drew ever closer and made her want to vomit, Bibi Dong's exquisite face twisted with savage fury. First Rakshasa Trial: devour the angel soul of a Six-Winged Angel martial soul master. Qian Xunji, I want you dead. You ruined me and tore Xiao Gang and me apart. I will make you repay it a hundredfold. Not only will I kill you, I will destroy the Angel Clan and destroy Spirit Hall!

After training in the City of Slaughter for two years and traveling the continent for half a year, Bibi Dong had searched everywhere for news of Yu Xiaogang while she traveled to ease the effects brought on by the City of Slaughter. Learning that Yu Xiaogang had become one of the renowned Golden Iron Triangle and made a name for himself had filled her with delight. But after secretly observing him, she discovered that Yu Xiaogang seemed to have fallen for someone else—a woman named Liu Erlong. This caused her hatred for Qian Xunji to multiply countless times over.

When the carriage reached the foot of Papal Mountain, Bibi Dong immediately reined in her emotions. Her expression returned to calm as she buried every thought of revenge in the deepest part of her heart and stepped onto the Papal Stairs.

At the entrance of the Papal Palace, Qian Xunji was the first to notice Bibi Dong with the formidable Mental Power of a Title Douluo. "Xiaoxue, Xiaohan, Mom is here. She'll be up any moment."

Qian Renxue rubbed her numb little legs from standing too long, and her spirits instantly returned to their peak. Her eyes widened to the fullest, and she did not blink, afraid of missing the instant Bibi Dong appeared. Qian Renhan, who had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed, also opened his eyes and yawned. "She's finally here?"

After a while, footsteps sounded, and Bibi Dong finally came into view. Qian Renxue instantly became overjoyed. That perfect bearing, that nearly flawless face, that tall and perfect figure—she had to be her mother.

"Mom!"

Qian Renxue raced toward her, taking two stairs with every step.

"Xiaohan, go!" Qian Xunji grabbed Qian Renhan by the arm and threw him over. He hoped Bibi Dong could forgive him for the children's sake, so he threw Qian Renhan slightly faster than Qian Renxue's short legs could run, ensuring that Qian Renhan and Qian Renxue would reach Bibi Dong at the same time. After all, with twice the power of children, the odds might double.

Unfortunately, Qian Xunji's plan was doomed to fail. Bibi Dong, who had been staring fixedly at Qian Xunji, was drawn by Qian Renxue's cry of "Mom." When she saw Qian Renxue's striking golden hair as she ran over, disgust rose in her heart, and those unbearable memories resurfaced in her mind. Her killing intent erupted at once as she struck out with a palm. Bastard child, get lost!

"Xiaoxue!"

Qian Xunji's expression changed drastically. He had never expected Bibi Dong to attack a child. By the time he wanted to act, it was already too late. Qian Renxue was far too close to Bibi Dong, and because even a vicious tiger would not eat its cub, he had not prepared his Soul Power beforehand.

Seeing Bibi Dong attack her, Qian Renxue froze in fright. "Mom," she trembled.

At that critical moment, Qian Renhan stood in front of Qian Renxue, longsword in hand. Thanks to seven days of training with Guangling Douluo, he had drawn his sword the instant he noticed something wrong with Bibi Dong's expression. He had originally prepared this sword for himself, since he resembled Qian Xunji far more than Qian Renxue did. Yet Bibi Dong had noticed Qian Renxue first and attacked her.

The instant the longsword collided with the Soul Power, Qian Renhan was sent flying. His sword flew from his hand, the web between his thumb and forefinger split open, and he dropped to one knee with blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.

"You!" Qian Renhan clutched his chest with one hand, his eyes locked on Bibi Dong. Even after blocking that strike with his sword, he had been injured this badly. If Qian Renxue had taken it, would she have been left at death's door, bedridden for who knew how long? In the original story, Qian Renxue had told Qian Daoliu that Bibi Dong had nearly killed her. So this was when it happened.

At the same time, Qian Renhan felt a wave of relief. Fortunately, that attack had been aimed at Qian Renxue. If Bibi Dong had noticed him first—a person who resembled Qian Xunji by as much as seventy percent—would she have lost control and erased him with a single palm strike?