Shaking Divine Power

"Try to see if you can purify it. Don't be afraid. I'm here, and it won't hurt you." Bibi Dong continued to encourage Qian Yun in her gentle voice.

"All right." Though Qian Yun was frightened, he could only give it a try. He took a deep breath and slowly cupped his hands over the mass of blood-colored energy in Bibi Dong's hand.

This was the moment to give it his all. He couldn't afford to make even the slightest mistake. Qian Yun focused and deliberately drew back his spiritual power from the surrounding area, concentrating only on the blood-colored substance in front of him. His eyes were still open, but everything around him seemed pitch-black to his senses.

Star Power surged out mixed with flames, enveloping the mass of blood-colored energy in the blink of an eye.

"Psssh—"

It was like hot oil splashing onto snow. The moment Star Power touched the blood-colored substance, it made a chilling sound.

Qian Yun was delighted. It worked! He hurriedly increased his output, no longer bothering with even basic defenses. At that moment, he was holding nothing back.

Bibi Dong watched Qian Yun's focused expression and felt the blood-colored substance in her hand grow smaller and smaller. Her delight deepened.

"It worked! It really worked!"

Although this substance had come from her, it didn't actually belong to her. It came from a higher existence: the will of the Rakshasa God.

Ever since she began the God Trial, this substance, which contained countless negative emotions, had been affecting her. She had sensed it, but there was nothing she could do. Once the God Trial began, it couldn't be stopped, and giving up meant death.

But if she simply let it erode her, even Bibi Dong couldn't say what the final outcome would be.

Just as she was lost and uncertain, Qian Yun's arrival had been like a timely gift in her hour of need.

Though Qian Yun was still weak, even dealing with a wisp of Rakshasa Divine Power that she had suppressed had been extremely difficult for him.

But as his strength grew, perhaps one day he really would be able to completely eliminate the negative effects of the Rakshasa Divine Power. Then, perhaps, she could truly attain immortality!

Before long, Qian Yun finally burned away the blood-colored substance in Bibi Dong's hand with his Star Power.

Qian Yun let out a long breath. Using the power of a two-ring Soul Master to shake the Soul Power of a Titled Douluo had been incredibly difficult. That brief effort had completely drained his Soul Power. Now, he could barely even maintain Martial Soul Possession.

Bibi Dong rested her hand on his shoulder once more, gently channeling attribute-less Soul Power into him to quickly replenish what he had lost.

"Xiao Yun, you did very well," Bibi Dong said as she channeled her Soul Power.

At that, the stone in Qian Yun's heart finally settled. If the Crown couldn't purify her Rakshasa Divine Power, he would have to watch helplessly as Bibi Dong met her end.

"Teacher, what exactly was that stuff just now? It seemed really difficult to deal with," Qian Yun asked, pretending not to know.

Bibi Dong didn't answer him directly. Instead, she asked, "Xiao Yun, you should know what my Martial Souls are, right?"

Qian Yun nodded. As the Pope, her Martial Souls were no secret, though people rarely brought them up. "Your Martial Souls are the Death Spider Emperor and the Soul-Eater Spider Emperor, two incredibly rare Martial Souls on the continent."

"That's right." Bibi Dong's heart stirred. Gazing into Qian Yun's golden eyes, she asked, "Have you ever wondered why the dignified and imposing Pope has two Martial Souls that sound so evil?"

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

Bibi Dong sighed inwardly and said softly, "Would you be afraid of me? My Martial Souls really are evil. They look no less sinister than those of Evil Spirit Masters. If you see them someday, will you think your teacher is an Evil Spirit Master?"

Looking at the melancholy in Bibi Dong's eyes, Qian Yun began to understand.

Was Bibi Dong embarrassed by the appearance of her Martial Souls? After all, for a girl who loved beauty, even a powerful Martial Soul could be a source of unease if it made her look like a monster when she used it.

"How could I? No one can choose their Martial Soul. Besides, who says that a strange-looking Martial Soul makes someone bad, or that a good-looking one makes someone good? There's no such rule on the continent. I can't control what others think, but I can say for sure that, in Xiao Na's and my eyes, there's no one better than you, Teacher." Qian Yun spoke earnestly.

Bibi Dong's eyes crinkled with a smile, and at last she looked genuinely at ease. She'd heard similar words countless times since taking power, but they had never stirred much in her.

Hearing them from Qian Yun was different—not only because he was her disciple, but because Qian Yun had now glimpsed her deepest secret. His attitude mattered immensely to her.

"Hmph, you little smooth talker. You say that now, but when you see what my Martial Souls look like, you'll probably wet your pants." Bibi Dong smiled and pinched his cheek.

"So that blood-colored substance just now came from your Martial Souls?" Qian Yun asked.

After a moment's hesitation, Bibi Dong gave a slight nod. "You could say it's the price I pay for cultivating."

"Since my Crown Martial Soul can help with your cultivation, I can purify it for you from now on!" Qian Yun promised readily.

"Oh? You're willing to help me?" Bibi Dong asked, somewhat surprised.

"Of course. How could a student refuse when it's within his abilities?"

Bibi Dong studied him for a long moment, her beautiful eyes shining. "All right, then. You'll stay at Pope Hall and cultivate there."

Qian Yun asked in surprise, "What about the academy? Weren't we supposed to go there to further our studies?"

"That can wait. Xiao Na will follow the original arrangements. As for you, I won't let you sit around doing nothing. You'll join the Enforcement Team at Pope Hall and go on missions with them." Bibi Dong smiled and patted his shoulder.

Qian Yun's mouth twitched. He'd thought his life would get easier—that he'd only need to stay at Pope Hall and focus on cultivating. But now it seemed things were about to get worse.

It didn't take much thought to figure out what kinds of missions Pope Hall's Enforcement Team handled. They had to be dangerous and difficult! This wasn't like the academy, where they only played at being serious. People could really die.

"Scared?" Bibi Dong teased him, then put on an exaggeratedly sorrowful expression. "Oh, if you're scared, you can still go to the academy. Just pretend I never said anything."

"Who's scared? I'll do it!" Qian Yun said, steeling himself. The Enforcement Team's missions were dangerous, but the rewards were just as substantial.

If nothing else, he should make the effort for the gold he'd need to repay Beast King Village someday.

"Good. Now that's a real man." Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction. Though her disciple was still weak, she liked his character and looks.

Then came another surge of energy, and with Bibi Dong's help, Qian Yun finally returned from the clouds to the familiar Pope Hall.

Qian Yun straightened his clothes and took his leave. "Teacher, if there's nothing else, I'll be going."

"Mm." Back at Pope Hall, Bibi Dong had once again regained her usual dignified, cool demeanor.

Watching Qian Yun leave, Bibi Dong felt conflicted.

She had called Qian Yun aside to speak with him for a simple reason: she wanted him to learn about her ruthless side.

She hadn't expected Qian Yun to have the miraculous ability to purify negative effects. Without either of them realizing it, their relationship had grown beyond that of teacher and disciple. They had become closer than that.

"Qian Yun, whether this world is good or evil—we'll witness it together." Bibi Dong murmured to herself.

She was, after all, still that ruthless Pope. How could she change her mind so easily?

In her eyes, the world was still as loathsome as ever, something she wanted to knock flat.

But Qian Yun seemed to hold the exact opposite view. Bibi Dong didn't press him. As she'd said, they would have to witness together what kind of world this really was.

Truthfully, Bibi Dong had kept Qian Yun at Pope Hall largely for her own reasons. In her original plan, Qian Yun had undoubtedly been the best candidate for the next Holy Son.

But circumstances had changed considerably, and Bibi Dong had come to expect more of Qian Yun:

Not for him to become the Holy Son of Spirit Hall, but to stay by her side and help her!

As she thought about it, Bibi Dong vaguely recalled Qian Daoliu of Douluo Hall once saying that only a Bright Angel could ever hold the position of Holy Son of Spirit Hall. But now that old fool cared only about that woman, so it didn't matter what Martial Soul this generation's Holy Son had—so long as he didn't have wings!

"Heh, an appointment reserved for your Qian Family. Now anyone but an angel can take the seat."

The thought filled Bibi Dong with satisfaction she could scarcely contain.

Qian Yun returned to his quarters and stood in front of the gate, wondering how to break the news to Hu Liena. They had been together for so many years that they were used to having each other around. Now that they were suddenly going to be separated, Qian Yun—despite having lived a second life—was reluctant to part, let alone Hu Liena.

He stepped over the tall threshold and walked past the rock garden, with its flowing water. He didn't go to Hu Liena's room. He knew where she usually spent her free time.

Still thinking it over, Qian Yun finally arrived in front of a courtyard. The autumn breeze was cool, and golden leaves drifted through the air. An ancient tree, whose age was impossible to guess, stood quietly in the middle of the courtyard.

Autumn had arrived, and the weather was growing cold. Hu Liena, dressed in autumn clothes, sat on a swing hanging from a tree branch. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the breeze against her ears, looking perfectly at ease.

Qian Yun's footsteps crunched through the fallen leaves. The girl, who had been absorbed in her own world, finally opened her eyes and said happily, "Qian Yun, you're here."

Looking at the beautiful girl before him, Qian Yun nodded slightly and quietly reached out to pluck a leaf from beside her ear.

Hu Liena seemed to sense that something was weighing on Qian Yun. She asked softly, "What's wrong... Did something change?"

Qian Yun let out a quiet sigh. Nothing ever got past Hu Liena, so he answered honestly. "I might not be able to go to the academy with you. Teacher wants me to stay at Pope Hall and cultivate."

Hu Liena abruptly grabbed the swing's rope and turned her head away, her brows trembling. But she said as if she didn't care, "Oh. Then cultivate well. Don't let Teacher down!"

With that, Hu Liena jumped off the swing and walked away without looking back. As she brushed past Qian Yun, her eyes glistened.

Hu Liena was quiet and sensible. She didn't cry or make a fuss, and she didn't ask him to comfort her. Somehow, that hurt Qian Yun even more. Watching her slender figure recede, he clenched his fists. "Xiao Na, this parting isn't the end. I told you before that I'd always stay by your side. I'll say it again now: I, Qian Yun, will stay with you for the rest of the way!"

Hearing Qian Yun's firm words behind her, Hu Liena's eyes filled with tears, and at last they fell. She nodded firmly. "Mm!"