Before the Match

Bibi Dong sat upon the Pope's throne, supporting her head with one hand as she closed her eyes and sank into thought.

Tian'e's breakthrough to Limit Douluo had greatly exceeded her expectations. She had never imagined that an old man whose potential had already run dry could break through once more.

The Worship Hall now had two Limit Douluo, making her path to revenge even more distant.

Her original plan had been to wait until Qian Daoliu sacrificed himself for Qian Renxue's God Trial, then find some excuse to kill off those old undead relics in the Worship Hall.

With Tian'e, at level ninety-eight, being the strongest among the High Priests, it would only cost her, Bibi Dong, the inheritor of the Rakshasa God, a certain price to kill him. By then, no one would be able to stop her from taking revenge on Spirit Hall.

As for Qian Renxue, she did not want to think about anything concerning that daughter. She would take things one step at a time.

She had not expected Tian'e to suddenly break through to level ninety-nine. That made things difficult. Though there was only a single level between ninety-nine and ninety-eight, their strength was an entirely different concept.

A level ninety-eight Super Douluo could be slain by her, Bibi Dong, a God Trial Candidate, if she paid a price. But at level ninety-nine, even if she herself broke through to level ninety-nine, she could not guarantee victory.

Anyone capable of reaching level ninety-nine had talent and combat power scarcely different from that of a God Trial Candidate.

Moreover, who could guarantee that Tian'e, having broken through at such an advanced age, did not have a god backing him?

Even if Qian Daoliu sacrificed himself then, the Worship Hall would still have a Limit Douluo to hold the fort. Bibi Dong would remain constrained at every turn.

What made matters even worse now was that the Worship Hall seemed to have noticed what she intended to do and had begun nibbling away at her authority step by step.

Of course, those were troubles for the future. Her current problem was tomorrow's battle to determine the Saintess.

Bibi Dong doted greatly on Hu Liena and treated her like a daughter, but she knew her limits. Compared to descendants of the High Priests such as Tian Yao, Hu Liena's strength was only on par with those other than Tian Yao.

There was no need to mention Tian Yao. Bibi Dong knew the results of Hu Liena's past battles with her: total defeat.

Of course, that had been in the past. Now, under Bibi Dong's guidance, she was confident Hu Liena might be able to defeat Tian Yao.

But the Worship Hall now had an even stronger Qian Ningshuang.

Though Bibi Dong did not know Qian Ningshuang's exact strength, she could infer from certain information that someone capable of suppressing Tian Yao had left Hu Liena with only the faintest chance of victory.

But if Qian Ningshuang became the Saintess? That would disgust Bibi Dong to death.

Though Qian Ningshuang and Qian Renxue were sisters, Bibi Dong's attitude toward the two was entirely different.

As for Qian Renxue, flesh of her own flesh, Bibi Dong's feelings were complicated. She did not know how to face her.

But toward Qian Ningshuang, she felt nothing but loathing. Did the Qian Family take her, Bibi Dong, for a fool?

Qian Xunji had brought her back shortly before his death. She had the same golden hair as the Qian Family, and the moment she entered Spirit City, she received the same treatment as Qian Renxue. Yet Qian Daoliu had come to tell Bibi Dong that she was merely an adopted granddaughter?

Yes, in Bibi Dong's eyes, Qian Ningshuang was Qian Xunji's illegitimate daughter. As for the Qian Family, aside from Qian Renxue, the daughter related to her by blood, she had always wished she could devour their flesh alive.

More importantly, beyond her disgust for Qian Ningshuang, Bibi Dong also harbored a sliver of fear she could not speak of to anyone.

When Qian Ningshuang had been two or three years old, she had come to Bibi Dong seeking closeness. Bibi Dong had met her twice, and afterward, perhaps because Qian Ningshuang had seen the killing intent in Bibi Dong's eyes, she never again took the initiative to seek Bibi Dong out.

However, while Qian Ningshuang did not seek Bibi Dong out, Bibi Dong had been quite interested in finding Qian Ningshuang.

As she had said, Bibi Dong wished she could devour every member of the Qian Family alive. Since she could not defeat Qian Daoliu and could not bear to harm Qian Renxue, the still-young Qian Ningshuang naturally became Bibi Dong's target.

To act against Qian Ningshuang within Spirit City, she would inevitably have to avoid Qian Daoliu's notice. No one on the continent could evade Qian Daoliu's gaze within Spirit City.

But Bibi Dong could, because she was the inheritor of the Rakshasa God. So long as she used Rakshasa Divine Power, avoiding Qian Daoliu and striking at Qian Ningshuang would be effortless.

On the very day Bibi Dong had prepared to make her move against Qian Ningshuang, she discovered that she could not find her!

She was certain Qian Ningshuang had been inside the Qian Family Residence at the time, yet she could not find her. Or rather, it was not that she could not find her—she simply could not see Qian Ningshuang.

There was not a single trace of Qian Ningshuang's life anywhere in the entire Qian Family Residence!

It was as though the Qian Ningshuang she had seen before had merely been her own illusion, as though such a person did not exist in this world.

It was as though everyone in Spirit City had woven a lie, a lie about Qian Ningshuang, a lie that there was such a person as Qian Ningshuang in Spirit City!

Yet when she encountered Qian Ningshuang again a few days later, she could see her once more.

After several repetitions, Bibi Dong discovered that whenever the Rakshasa Divine Power within her fluctuated, she could not see Qian Ningshuang or anything related to her.

And once the Rakshasa Divine Power within her returned to calm, she could see Qian Ningshuang again.

Most importantly, if it had once been enough for the Rakshasa Divine Power within her not to fluctuate for Bibi Dong to see Qian Ningshuang, then after the sixth Rakshasa God Trial, Qian Ningshuang had become nothing more than a blurry shadow of light in Bibi Dong's eyes.

Even regarding information about Qian Ningshuang, Bibi Dong had to consciously and actively think of it before she could remember. Otherwise, she would overlook Qian Ningshuang herself!

"Teacher, what's wrong?"

Seeing Bibi Dong's left hand trembling, Hu Liena, who had already been standing in the Pope Hall for some time, could not help speaking up.

Hearing her disciple call to her, Bibi Dong opened her eyes and sorted through her turbulent thoughts.

"Nana, when did you arrive?"

"I've been here for a while, Teacher. I saw that you were resting and didn't want to disturb you."

Hu Liena's eyes were filled with filial affection as she looked at Bibi Dong. She was deeply grateful to Bibi Dong, grateful to this teacher who had taken her out of the orphanage.

"Next time, just call for me. Nana, you know that although we are teacher and disciple in name, I have always treated you as my daughter.

"Do not regard me with reverence and fear like everyone else."

Bibi Dong descended from the throne, stroked Hu Liena's head, and gave her this reminder.

"Yes, Teacher."

Nodding firmly, Hu Liena continued, "Teacher, did you call me here for something?"

"I have discussed it with the Second Worship. Tomorrow, the Saintess will be decided at the Martial Practice Arena."

"Ah, it will be decided tomorrow?"

Hu Liena covered her mouth in surprise, her face full of excitement.

She could not be blamed. Three years ago, Bibi Dong had told her that the position of Saintess was hers for certain, but it had been delayed for three years. She had thought it would continue dragging on for a long time.

A trace of awkwardness appeared on Bibi Dong's face. She understood the reason behind Hu Liena's excitement and surprise. At first, she had assumed the Worship Hall would be as it had always been and ignore the affairs of the Pope Hall, which was why she had confidently told Hu Liena the matter was settled. She had not expected Tian'e to emerge and block it for three years.

However, now was not the time to dwell on that. Bibi Dong solemnly said to Hu Liena, "Nana, you know what the Martial Practice Arena is. That means you will have to fight several matches tomorrow before you can obtain the position of Saintess.

"Of course, that is only if you win them all. If you lose, you should understand that the position of Saintess will have nothing to do with you."

"Isn't it just fighting? Even against Tian Yao, I'm confident I can defeat her now!"

Hu Liena's face was full of confidence. Over the past three years, she had worked hard every moment and constantly considered how to defeat Tian Yao. With Tian Yao's Young Lady temperament at the academy, how could she possibly compare to someone who was always striving like Hu Liena?

"But the Worship Hall's side has more than just Tian Yao now. There is also Qian Ningshuang."

Seeing Hu Liena's confident expression, Bibi Dong had no choice but to remind her.

"Qian Ningshuang? Who's that?"

Hu Liena had truly never heard of her.

That was not her fault. Information about Qian Ningshuang had been very well protected by the Worship Hall. Apart from Spirit Hall's upper core ranks and those acquainted with Qian Ningshuang, the remaining people who knew of her could be counted on two hands. Even the major powers had paid an enormous price merely to learn that the Qian Family had a Second Miss.

Furthermore, Qian Ningshuang had not attended Wuhun Academy. For special reasons, Bibi Dong could not possibly take the initiative to mention Qian Ningshuang to Hu Liena, and given the relationship between Tian Yao and Hu Liena, Tian Yao would never voluntarily tell her either.

"Qian Ningshuang, the Grand Worship's second granddaughter. Her Martial Soul is unknown, her level is unknown, and the only thing we know is that Tian Yao is completely no match for her.

"And tomorrow, the Worship Hall cannot possibly refrain from sending Qian Ningshuang out to fight. So, Nana, you must be extremely cautious.

"To be honest, the odds of you defeating Qian Ningshuang are not high. That is why I prepared this for you."

A Spirit Bone shining with a faint blue glow appeared in Bibi Dong's hand. Before Hu Liena could ask, Bibi Dong continued, "This is the Wisdom Skull Bone of Mental Cohesion, a head Spirit Bone more than sixty thousand years old. If you absorb it, Nana, victory tomorrow will be within your grasp."

"Teacher, this is far too precious!"

Hu Liena hurriedly tried to refuse. Between the knowledge she had learned at Wuhun Academy and Bibi Dong's teachings, she understood how precious this Spirit Bone was.

"It is nothing. Given the relationship between you and me, even something more precious would be worth it."

"But, but..."

"Enough. Stop refusing, Nana. I order you, as your teacher, to absorb this Spirit Bone. I will stand guard for you.

"You must understand that tomorrow, you are not merely competing for the position of Saintess. You also represent the honor of my Pope Hall. If you lose, Nana, it will not only mean losing the position of Saintess. My Pope Hall will lose all face as well."

Seeing the expression on Bibi Dong's face, Hu Liena finally accepted the Spirit Bone.

"Yes, Teacher!"