The City of Spirit

After nearly half a month of wandering, Bibi Dong brought Nan Feng into Spirit Hall's territory.

"From now on, stay in this little cat's form. Don't go changing into other things," Bibi Dong said sternly, looking at the beautiful golden-furred kitten sitting on the ground.

The Holy Spirit Cat was a rare Light Attribute Soul Beast that lived in Star Dou Forest. It was very timid, and the slightest disturbance would send it fleeing at full speed. As a result, few people ever managed to hunt one for its Spirit Ring.

During their travels, Bibi Dong had taken Nan Feng to explore the outskirts of Star Dou Forest. By chance, they had run into a Holy Spirit Cat, and somehow Nan Feng had managed to turn himself into one, too!

As it happened, this was just what she needed. If she brought back some random person, even a child, Qian Xunji would grow suspicious. But no one would care if she brought back a cat, especially one with the Light Attribute. She could keep Nan Feng by her side without raising any questions.

"Got it." Nan Feng nodded.

The Monkey Talisman's transformation ability required complete information. Simply put, it was like someone's copying Spirit Skill: he needed at least a drop of blood from his target to truly replicate and transform into that Soul Beast. Otherwise, he would only look the part—or, more accurately, become an ordinary animal that looked like the target.

Once he had all the necessary information, however, the transformation went beyond appearance. He could even replicate the Soul Beast's aura and its special powers.

A true Perfect Mimicry!

"Once we're in Spirit City, don't wander off, don't leave my side, and don't approach anyone," Bibi Dong said, picking Nan Feng up and continuing on.

"You're a Soul Beast right now. If you go off on your own, someone could kill you at any moment."

"And don't talk."

She couldn't make sense of it herself. When Nan Feng had first transformed into other animals, he hadn't been able to speak. But after changing forms a few times, he had somehow regained the ability to speak like a human. His voice sounded a little strange, but he really could talk while in an animal's body.

As far as human Soul Masters knew, only Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts could speak human language. If people in Spirit City mistook him for one, it would cause a lot of trouble.

Spirit City.

Thanks to Qian Xunji's publicity, Bibi Dong had become the focus of Spirit Hall once again, even before she had returned.

After Tang Hao, she was the second person in a century to successfully emerge from Slaughter City after undergoing trials there.

Slaughter City was no secret to the great Soul Master powers. Many had gone there to train, but almost all of them had vanished without a trace.

Before Tang Hao, no one had successfully emerged from Slaughter City for several hundred years.

The Clear Sky Sect had publicized Tang Hao's achievement, greatly boosting its reputation and morale.

Now Bibi Dong, the Martial Soul Hall Saintess, had accomplished the same feat. Naturally, Spirit Hall wanted to publicize it, too.

"You're pretty popular, huh?" Nan Feng lay in Bibi Dong's arms, gazing curiously at the bustling city.

Ever since they had neared Spirit City, just about any Soul Master they passed could recognize Her Highness the Saintess.

"It's not popularity. It's that man's doing," Bibi Dong said telepathically.

"Ever since that incident, he's been putting on an act and showering me with attention. He wants his daughter to believe, from the bottom of her heart, that her father is the best person in the world and that I'm the heartless one."

"Oh..." Nan Feng got the gist.

Wasn't this like a rapist trying to make his victim fall in love with him?

What a stupid idea.

"It's the same with all this fanfare. The more he shows how much he cares about me, the worse I look in his daughter's eyes. Once she's completely given up on me, he'll find a chance to get rid of me," Bibi Dong said.

"Then why not put on an act and be a little nicer to your daughter?" Nan Feng asked, puzzled.

Bibi Dong gave Nan Feng a speechless look. "Didn't I already explain?"

Before Qian Renxue awakened her Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, Bibi Dong had simply ignored the child. She hadn't wanted her involved in the matter, so when Qian Xunji acted that way, Bibi Dong had been happy to play along.

That way, she didn't have to stomach pretending to humor Qian Xunji.

Only after Qian Renxue awakened her Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul had Bibi Dong finally given up on the child completely. Then she had been tossed into Slaughter City to fend for herself.

"Oh, sorry. I forgot." Nan Feng fell silent and lay quietly in Bibi Dong's arms, taking in the scenery around them.

Led by a cardinal in red, Bibi Dong walked through the bustling welcome ceremony and arrived before the magnificent Pope Hall.

"Your Highness the Saintess, His Holiness the Pope has been waiting for you for some time." The cardinal bowed slightly.

Bibi Dong nodded and entered Pope Hall.

After walking through an empty corridor, Nan Feng saw a vast, deserted hall. At the far end, atop a raised platform, stood a massive throne adorned with Spirit Hall's iconic Angel Statue.

"You've returned."

The golden-haired man seated on the throne spoke calmly.

Bibi Dong looked up and stopped suppressing the murderous aura within her. The violent Killing Intent of Divine Slaughter's Domain poured out in an instant, startling Nan Feng, who hadn't been prepared for it. His fur stood on end.

As the Killing Intent surged toward Qian Xunji, Soul Power brimming with light and heat suddenly burst forth. In an instant, it illuminated the entire hall and forced Bibi Dong's Divine Slaughter's Domain back.

"So this is what you gained in Slaughter City?" Qian Xunji rose to his feet, a faint smile on his face.

"That's right."

"Thank you, Your Holiness the Pope." Bibi Dong lowered her head slightly, and her Killing Intent faded.

"But it seems you still can't fully control it." Qian Xunji descended from the platform and walked toward Bibi Dong.

"I'm going into seclusion," Bibi Dong said.

Qian Xunji stopped about three meters in front of her, hesitation showing on his face. "Xue'er misses you. Don't you want to see her?"

Bibi Dong said nothing, keeping her head lowered.

Qian Xunji sighed. "Go on."

Bibi Dong bowed slightly, turned, and left Pope Hall.

After Bibi Dong disappeared from the hall, a little golden-haired girl with delicate features stepped out from behind the massive throne on the platform.

"Daddy..."

Qian Renxue approached sadly and wrapped her arms around Qian Xunji's waist.

"Perhaps she has her own reasons," Qian Xunji sighed, gently stroking Qian Renxue's head.

"Mm..." Qian Renxue nodded.

"I know."

Qian Xunji's brows knitted together, but soon smoothed out. "If you miss her, go see her. So many years have passed. Maybe she's come around by now."

Qian Renxue froze. "Really?"

"Of course." Qian Xunji smiled.

"I'll go prepare a gift for Mom!" Qian Renxue ran excitedly out of Pope Hall.

Qian Xunji remained where he was, watching Qian Renxue leave.

"Xiao Xue, don't blame me. I'm doing this for your own good..."

Bibi Dong had only just gained the Divine Slaughter's Domain, and she could barely control her Killing Intent. If Qian Renxue approached her now, Bibi Dong might not be able to hold back, even if she wanted to.

Erasing a stain took time and patience. Once Qian Renxue had completely given up on her mother, everything that followed would be simple.