Shaking Divine Power

"Try to see if you can purify it. Don't be afraid, I'm here with you; it won't hurt you." Bibi Dong encouraged Qian Yun with her usual gentle tone.

"Alright." Even though he was trembling inside, Qian Yun had no choice but to give it a try! He took a deep breath and slowly covered the mass of blood-colored energy in Bibi Dong's hand with both of his own.

This was the time to give it his all; there was no room for even the slightest carelessness. Qian Yun focused his mind and actively withdrew his spiritual power from the surroundings, concentrating solely on the blood-colored substance before him. Although his eyes were still open, his perception of the world around him had plunged into darkness.

Star Power, laced with flames, surged forth and enveloped the mass of blood-colored energy in the blink of an eye.

"Sss—"

It sounded like a pot of hot oil being poured onto a snowfield; the moment the Star Power touched the blood-colored substance, it emitted a sound that made one's heart shudder.

Qian Yun, however, was overjoyed—it was working! He hurriedly increased his output, ignoring even the most basic defenses; he could be said to be holding nothing back now.

Bibi Dong watched the focused Qian Yun, feeling the blood-colored substance in her hand shrinking, and the joy in her heart grew.

"It's a success, it actually works!"

Although this substance originated from her, it did not truly belong to her. It came from a higher existence: the will of the Rakshasa God.

Ever since she began her God Trial, these substances, filled with countless negative emotions, had been affecting her. Although she was aware of it, she was helpless; after all, once a God Trial began, it could not be stopped, and giving up meant death.

Yet, if she allowed it to continue eroding her, Bibi Dong herself could not say what the final outcome would be.

And just as she was feeling lost, the appearance of Qian Yun was like charcoal in the snow.

Although Qian Yun's strength was still shallow, and he was struggling even against a wisp of Rakshasa God power that she had suppressed, it was a start.

But as his strength improved, perhaps one day he would truly be able to completely eliminate the negative effects brought about by the Rakshasa God power. When that time came, perhaps she could truly achieve immortality!

Not long after, Qian Yun finally managed to burn away the blood-colored substance in Bibi Dong's hand using his Star Power.

Qian Yun let out a long breath. It was truly not easy for a two-ring soul master to shake the soul power of a Title Douluo. This brief effort had completely exhausted his own soul power, and now, even maintaining his Martial Soul Possession state was difficult.

Bibi Dong placed her hand on his shoulder once again, and a gentle, attribute-neutral soul power flowed into his body, quickly filling the void within Qian Yun.

"Xiao Yun, you did very well," Bibi Dong said while channeling her soul power.

Hearing this, the stone in Qian Yun's heart finally dropped. If his Crown Martial Soul had no way to purify her Rakshasa God power, Qian Yun would have almost certainly had to watch helplessly as Bibi Dong headed toward her destruction.

"Teacher, what exactly was that stuff just now? It felt very troublesome," Qian Yun asked, feigning ignorance.

Bibi Dong did not answer directly, but instead asked Qian Yun, "Xiao Yun, you should know what my Martial Soul is, right?"

Qian Yun nodded. As the Pope, her Martial Soul was naturally no secret, though he rarely heard others speak of it openly. "Teacher's Martial Soul should be the extremely rare Twin Martial Souls of the continent, the Death Spider Emperor and the Soul-Eater Spider Emperor, right!"

"That's correct." Bibi Dong felt a stir in her heart. She stared into Qian Yun's bright golden eyes and asked again, "Do you find it strange that a dignified and majestic Pope would have two Martial Souls that sound so evil?"

"Uh, I haven't thought about it."

Bibi Dong sighed inwardly and said softly, "Then will you be afraid of me? After all, my Martial Souls are indeed very evil; they don't seem much different from those of the Evil Spirit Masters, do they! If you see my Martial Souls in the future, will you think that Teacher is an Evil Spirit Master?"

Looking at Bibi Dong's somewhat melancholy expression, Qian Yun understood a little.

Bibi Dong must be feeling embarrassed about the appearance of her Martial Souls. After all, for a girl who loved beauty, a Martial Soul that looked like a monster when used would always leave a knot in her heart, no matter how powerful it was.

"How could that be? One cannot choose their own Martial Soul. Besides, who says that a strange-looking Martial Soul must belong to a bad person, or that a good-looking one must belong to a good person? The continent has no such rule. I can't control what others think, but at least I can be certain that in my eyes and in Xiao Na's eyes, there is no one better than Teacher," Qian Yun said earnestly.

Bibi Dong's eyes crinkled with a smile, and she finally revealed a comforted expression. She had heard similar words countless times since she took power, and they had never caused a ripple in her heart.

But coming from Qian Yun, it was different. Not only because he was her disciple, but also because Qian Yun could now be considered someone who had glimpsed her deepest secrets, making his attitude vital.

"Hmph, you little smooth-talker. You say nice things now, but I'm afraid you'll wet your pants when you see the form of my Martial Soul later," Bibi Dong said with a smile, pinching his cheek.

"So, Teacher, does that mean the blood-colored substance from earlier came from your Martial Soul?" Qian Yun asked.

After hesitating for a moment, Bibi Dong nodded slightly. "You could say it's the price I pay during my cultivation."

"Then, since my Crown Martial Soul is effective for Teacher's cultivation, I can help you purify it from now on!" Qian Yun promised proactively.

"Oh, you are willing to help me?" Bibi Dong said, somewhat surprised.

"Of course. As a student, how could I refuse when it is within my power?"

Bibi Dong looked at him for a long while, her beautiful eyes sparkling. "Very well, then stay at the Pope Hall to cultivate."

Qian Yun asked in surprise, "What about the academy? Aren't we supposed to go for advanced studies?"

"That doesn't matter. Xiao Na will make the arrangements as usual. As for you, I certainly won't let you be idle. You will join the Enforcement Team of the Pope Hall and go on missions with them," Bibi Dong said, patting his shoulder with a smile.

Qian Yun's mouth twitched. He had thought he would have it easy, just staying in the Pope Hall to bury himself in cultivation, but it seemed things were taking a turn for the worse.

He knew exactly what kind of missions the Pope Hall Enforcement Team handled; he didn't even need to think about it—they were definitely dangerous and thorny tasks! This wasn't the petty squabbling of the academy; these were missions where people could actually die.

"Scared?" Bibi Dong teased, then feigned sadness. "Sigh, if you're scared, you can just go to the academy. Pretend I never said that."

"Who's scared? I'll go!" Qian Yun said, biting the bullet. Although the Pope Hall Enforcement Team was dangerous, the rewards were equally generous.

Even if it was just to earn the gold coins to compensate Beast King Village in the future, he had to give it his all.

"Not bad, like a real man." Bibi Dong nodded with satisfaction. Even though this disciple was still weak, his character and appearance were very much to her liking.

Following this, there was another surge of energy, and with Bibi Dong's help, Qian Yun finally returned from the peak of the clouds to the familiar Pope Hall.

Qian Yun straightened his clothes and took the initiative to ask for leave. "Teacher, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

"Mm." Back in the Pope Hall, Bibi Dong returned to her usual majestic and cold demeanor.

Watching Qian Yun's departing back, Bibi Dong felt a complex mix of emotions.

The purpose of him calling Qian Yun aside for a private talk was actually very simple: he wanted the boy to learn his own iron-fisted side.

He hadn't expected Qian Yun to possess the miraculous ability to purify negative effects. Unknowingly, the relationship between the two of them had moved beyond that of master and disciple, becoming something much closer.

"Qian Yun, whether this world is ultimately good or evil, let us witness it together," Bibi Dong murmured to herself.

After all, she was still that iron-fisted Pope; how could she easily change her own perspective?

In her eyes, the world remained just as disgusting, making one want to smash it into the ground.

However, Qian Yun seemed to hold the complete opposite view, and Bibi Dong did not force her own on him. Just as she had said, what this world was truly like was something they still needed to witness together.

In truth, Bibi Dong's desire to keep Qian Yun in the Pope Hall was driven more by her own selfishness. According to her original plan, Qian Yun was undoubtedly the best candidate for the next Holy Son.

But now, the situation had changed significantly, and Bibi Dong had higher expectations for Qian Yun:

Not to serve as the Holy Son of Martial Soul Hall, but to stay by her side and assist her!

As she pondered, Bibi Dong vaguely recalled that Qian Daoliu of the Douluo Hall had once said that from then on, the position of Holy Son of Martial Soul Hall could only be held by a Bright Angel. However, now that the old immortal only cared about that woman, it didn't matter what the martial soul of her appointed Holy Son was—as long as it didn't have wings, anything would do!

"Heh, the position your Qian family had reserved... now, anyone but an angel can sit in it."

Thinking of this, a sense of unstoppable pleasure welled up in Bibi Dong's heart.

Qian Yun returned to his residence and stood before the main gate, wondering how to break the news to Hu Liena. After all, having spent so many years together, they had long grown accustomed to each other's presence. Now that they had to suddenly part ways, let alone Hu Liena, even Qian Yun, who had lived a second life, felt a deep sense of reluctance.

He stepped over the high threshold and walked past the rockery with its murmuring stream. He did not head to Hu Liena's room, as he knew that during this relatively idle time, she would usually be somewhere else.

Lost in thought, Qian Yun finally arrived in front of a large courtyard. The autumn breeze was slightly chilly, golden leaves drifted about, and an ancient tree of unknown age stood silently in the center of the yard.

Time had entered autumn, and the weather was beginning to turn cold. Hu Liena, dressed in autumn attire, sat on a swing hanging from the tree branches, closing her eyes to feel the breeze brushing against her ears, looking perfectly content.

Qian Yun's feet crunched on the fallen leaves covering the ground. The young girl, who had been immersed in her own world, finally opened her eyes and said joyfully, "Qian Yun, you're here."

Looking at the beautiful girl before him, Qian Yun nodded slightly and silently reached out to pluck a leaf that had fallen near her ear.

Hu Liena seemed to sense the change in Qian Yun's mood and asked softly, "What's wrong... have things changed?"

Qian Yun let out a soft sigh. Truly, nothing could be hidden from Hu Liena, so he admitted it honestly, "I might not be able to go to the academy with you. Teacher has arranged for me to stay in the Pope Hall to cultivate."

Hu Liena suddenly gripped the ropes of the swing tightly, turning her head away as her eyelashes trembled, though she said with feigned indifference, "Oh, then you cultivate well. Don't embarrass Teacher!"

Having said that, Hu Liena jumped off the swing and walked forward without looking back. As she brushed past Qian Yun, her eyes shimmered with crystalline tears.

Hu Liena was very quiet and sensible; she didn't cry, make a scene, or ask for comfort. Yet, this only stung Qian Yun's heart all the more. Watching her slender back, Qian Yun clenched his fists, "Xiao Na, parting is not the end. I said before that I would always stay with you. Now I will say it again: I, Qian Yun, am willing to walk with you forever!"

Hearing Qian Yun's resonant, firm words behind her, the tears that had filled Hu Liena's eyes finally fell, and she nodded heavily, "Mm!"