What Matters Most to Pope Bibi Dong

Bibi Dong forced herself to calm down, wanting to hear why A-Qing said that.

Could a godhood really be nothing more than a conspiracy?

[Daddy Douluo]: Simply put, the Rakshasa God's ninth God Trial continuously amplifies the evil thoughts in a person's heart, twists their mind, and turns them cruel, bloodthirsty, utterly devoid of humanity. In the end, they completely become a monster of pure evil—a true evil god.

The scene he described was chilling enough just to imagine.

[Daddy Douluo]: Of course, the Rakshasa God himself had a hand in it.

Come to think of it, Bibi Dong being chosen by this god also had something to do with Yu Xiaogang and Spirit Hall.

[Daddy Douluo]: There was too much resentment and pain in her heart. She was chosen by the Rakshasa God, then twisted by the God Trial until she became a monster.

"!!!"

Those final words struck Bibi Dong's heart like a heavy hammer.

She sat blankly on the throne, her Purple Eyes gradually losing focus.

Countless scenes from the past flashed through her mind.

Lin Qingmo was right.

The resentment buried deep in her heart had never ceased, frantically clamoring for the destruction of everything.

"If things followed the original course..."

She muttered under her breath, her voice hoarse.

"Would I really accept the Rakshasa God's God Trial and eventually become the monster A-Qing described?"

Would she become a being of pure evil, without reason and filled only with wicked thoughts, destroying everything?

Bibi Dong suddenly thought of A-Qing—that boy from another world who always wore a brilliant smile.

If she became a monster, would she hurt A-Qing?

The thought made her entire body turn cold.

[Mother Tyrannosaurus]: This...

Liu Erlong looked at the message, unable to find anything to say for a while.

Her feelings toward Bibi Dong were complicated.

There was the hostility toward a romantic rival, wariness toward a powerful opponent, and a trace of... sympathy from one woman to another.

Now that she had heard how tragic Bibi Dong's path to godhood was—

That she would ultimately become a monster without humanity.

The hostility in Liu Erlong's heart inexplicably faded by quite a bit.

In its place was an indescribable sense of sorrow.

"Why go that far..."

Liu Erlong sighed softly.

For power, for revenge, turning herself into a monster.

Was it worth it?

She did not know the answer.

[The Pope Herself]: A-Qing...

Bibi Dong took a deep breath and typed two words onto the Light Screen.

She paused for a long time before continuing.

[The Pope Herself]: Would you hate Bibi Dong?

She asked the question very carefully.

As though she were holding something fragile, terrified of hearing an answer she did not want to hear.

Lin Qingmo was momentarily stunned when he saw the message.

He scratched his head and thought seriously.

[Daddy Douluo]: Hmm... how should I put this? It's complicated.

He first gave his overall assessment.

[Daddy Douluo]: If it's the version of her who has lost her reason and is consumed by thoughts of destroying the world—then probably no one could like her.

It was blunt, but honest.

Bibi Dong's heart sank.

But Lin Qingmo's next message rekindled her hope.

[Daddy Douluo]: But as for Bibi Dong's past experiences... I can't be bothered judging whether she was right or wrong. If you've never suffered what someone else has, don't urge them to be kind.

[Daddy Douluo]: At least, if the real Bibi Dong I've seen in this world can turn back from the brink, I won't hate her.

Those words were like sunlight piercing through dark clouds.

[Daddy Douluo]: Though I haven't met the Pope yet~ The current me isn't qualified to, you know.

The playful tilde at the end lightened the serious mood.

[The Pope Herself]: A-Qing...

Bibi Dong stared blankly at the chat window.

Something warm welled up in her Purple Eyes.

He said... he would not hate the version of her who turned back from the brink.

Ever since she met Lin Qingmo—

That little fellow from another world, fond of snarking, sincere and kind.

Her frozen heart was like the ice sheets of the Far North beneath the warm sun.

Slowly, it was melting, growing warm.

She had begun to enjoy the time she spent talking with Lin Qingmo in the group.

Listening as he shared amusing stories, complained about the plot, and expressed his innocent yet insightful views.

She wanted to watch him grow.

Watch him become the strongest Soul Master on the Douluo Continent.

Watch him... remain this happy forever.

This concern, this warmth, was a light she had never possessed in her decades of darkness.

If becoming a god meant becoming a monster without humanity...

If becoming a god meant giving up everything she had now...

If it meant hurting A-Qing, hurting the people she cared about.

"Then what meaning would such a godhood even have?"

Bibi Dong murmured, her voice filled with resolve.

She took a deep breath, and the confusion in her eyes turned to determination.

Deep within her Purple Eyes, the wild gleam of ambition gradually gave way to gentleness.

"The God Trial... can be set aside for now."

She made her decision.

Rather than becoming the mind-twisting Rakshasa God, she would rather become a Bibi Dong whom A-Qing did not hate.

Someone capable of protecting the people she cared about.

As for revenge, as for her grudges with Spirit Hall.

"Perhaps there is another way to resolve them."

She muttered as new plans began to take shape in her mind.

She did not necessarily have to destroy everything to achieve her goals.

She did not necessarily have to... turn herself into a monster.

Even she was surprised by this change.

Yet it felt so natural.

As though it had always been meant to be.

The discussion in the Chat Group continued.

Everyone was still shocked by the existence of gods and Bibi Dong's path to godhood.

[Little Witch]: So becoming a god requires paying such a huge price.

Ning Rongrong typed with lingering fear.

If that was how one became a god, she wanted no part of it.

She had once been full of yearning for "gods," believing them to be the highest glory.

But now... if becoming a god meant becoming a monster, then she would rather not become one.

[Big-Breasted Kitty]: If becoming a god means becoming a monster, I cannot accept it.

Zhu Zhuqing's message popped up, her tone resolute.

She had already made up her mind to walk her own path.

She would never rely on anyone, nor lose herself for the sake of power.

Becoming a god? If the price was losing herself, then it was meaningless.

[Bingbing]: Hmph, humans really are greedy.

In the Far North.

The Ice Empress sneered.

They wanted great power, but did not want to pay the price?

How could there be such a good deal in the world?

Although she thought the Rakshasa God's godhood was a complete trap.

She also looked down on this human mentality of wanting everything.

[Heavenly Snow Woman]: Divine power truly must be treated with caution.

The Snow Empress's message was comparatively rational.

Having lived for so long, she understood well the balance between power and cost.

The greater the power, the more terrible the price that often accompanied it.

That was the law of heaven and earth.

[Daddy Douluo]: So, godhood isn't so easy to obtain.

Lin Qingmo summed up.

[Daddy Douluo]: Rather than chasing godhoods that might twist your mind, it's better to first improve your own strength and protect the people around you.

[A Rogue Rabbit]: A-Qing is right! Protecting the people around you is what matters most!

[Mother Tyrannosaurus]: That's true enough.

Liu Erlong agreed as well.

She had experienced too much and understood that the essence of strength was not destruction, but protection.

[Bingbing]: Tch, compared to all this sentimental nonsense, I'd rather hear more about gods!

The Ice Empress's message popped up, carrying obvious impatience.

She had no interest in such sickeningly sentimental human talk about "protecting the people around you."

All she cared about was greater power and a broader world.

Lin Qingmo could not help laughing when he saw the Ice Empress's message.

"She really is as pragmatic as ever."

Just then—

"Boom!"

A tremendous crash rang out from the Rose Hotel's lobby!

The battle seemed to have entered a new phase.