His Holiness the Pope

Chapter 3: His Holiness the Pope

Outside Stone Valley.

The night was as dark as ink.

That purple-black figure standing in the darkness finally began to walk in slowly.

She did not walk quickly.

One could even call it quiet.

But as she stepped into Stone Valley, the atmosphere of the entire valley seemed to be pressed down by something invisible.

The wind stopped.

The sand ceased.

Even the faint sound of gravel sliding in the distance became extremely, extremely soft at this moment.

The Little White Cat, crouched in the center of Stone Valley, instinctively tensed his body, his tail bristling with a sharp shwoosh.

"She's here."

"She's really here."

Lin Yan stared at that figure, his round, golden cat eyes slowly widening.

Purple hair.

Papal crown.

Dark robes.

And that kind of pressure that made people instinctively afraid to breathe deeply, even from far away.

At this moment, there was no need for the system to explain anything further.

In all of Martial Soul City, there was only one person who could give him this feeling.

Bibi Dong.

Pope of the Martial Soul Hall.

One of the top-tier powerhouses on the Douluo Continent.

And also the one personally certified by the system as—

[Current Optimal Poop Scooper.]

"..."

Lin Yan was silent for two seconds.

"System."

"That 'optimal' of yours doesn't make me happy anymore when I hear it now."

"It just makes me feel like I'm in trouble, QAQ."

But complaints aside, his gaze never shifted away from Bibi Dong.

The Bibi Dong before him wasn't entirely the same as the impression she gave in the original novel.

Or rather, words in a book were, after all, just words.

Only when seeing her in person did one understand just how strong the contradiction in this woman truly was.

She was very beautiful.

Not a soft kind of beauty, but a cold, almost razor-sharp beauty.

Deep brows and eyes, delicate features, purple hair cascading behind her like cold light flowing in the night.

But the aura she carried was far too cold.

Cold as a blade.

Or like a sunless, frozen pool at the bottom of a ten-thousand-foot abyss.

That aloofness that kept people at a thousand miles' distance was practically carved into her bones.

But beyond that, Lin Yan also sensed something else from her.

Chaos.

Very chaotic.

It wasn't a impurity in her soul power, but a deeper spiritual fluctuation—gloomy, weary, oppressive, like countless fine black threads tangled together. An ordinary person might not even notice it, but the Moon Spirit Cat was especially sensitive to this kind of fluctuation.

With just one look, Lin Yan had a rough idea.

"The insomnia is real."

"The mental strain is real too."

"This Pope doesn't seem to be in a very good state..."

Bibi Dong was watching him too.

She shouldn't have come to Stone Valley tonight.

But lately, the cold, restless agitation in her sea of consciousness had been growing heavier, dragging her entire being into a state where true calm was nearly impossible to find.

By day, she remained the lofty Pope.

Handling affairs, receiving elders, arranging soul hunts, training the Golden Generation—everything ran in perfect order. No one could detect the slightest irregularity from her expression.

But only she knew.

Whenever night fell and silence reigned, those emotions she had crushed down with all her might—the resentment, the erosion brought by the divine trials—would always creep back up, bit by bit.

A place like Death Canyon was always cold, deathly still, steeped in blood and killing intent.

Perfectly suited for her to calm down.

But tonight was different.

When she was still outside the canyon, she had sensed an extremely abrupt aura here.

Clean.

Gentle.

Carrying the faintest, faintest trace of moonlight essence.

In Death Canyon, such an aura simply should not exist.

So she came.

And then, she saw this little cat.

A tiny ball.

Pure white all over.

Crouched in the center of the pitch-black stone valley, its whiteness stood out starkly, as if someone had carelessly dropped a tuft of cloud fluff into hell.

Bibi Dong halted her steps, her gaze pausing slightly.

Since when did something like this appear in Death Canyon?

She did not speak.

Lin Yan dared not move either.

One person, one cat—they simply stared at each other from several zhang apart.

The stone valley was utterly silent.

Only the system's voice echoed faintly in Lin Yan's mind.

[Ding, detected fate node character has been locked.]

[Target: Bibi Dong.]

[Current status: High alert, mental suppression, severe insomnia.]

[Recommendation: Lower hostility, approach actively.]

[Warm reminder: Host's current cat form is the optimal protective coloration. Please do not act foolishly.]

"..."

Lin Yan's little face stiffened.

"Was that last line something you added yourself?"

But the system was right about one thing.

This cat form right now was indeed his greatest protective coloration.

Transform?

Don't even think about it.

Not to mention he didn't have the ability right now—even if he could, he wouldn't choose this moment to reveal his hand.

On the Douluo Continent, a special little white cat could barely get by on cuteness.

But a mysterious youth of unknown origin suddenly appearing deep in Death Canyon? That would only be suspicious.

The former had a chance of being taken in.

The latter would most likely be swatted to death with one palm.

"So... I'd better just honestly be a cat."

"Cats are good, cats are wonderful, the cat way is the way of survival OvO."

With that thought, Lin Yan forcibly suppressed the nervousness in his heart and quietly cranked [Mimic Breath] to its maximum.

The aura he had already suppressed quite a bit was pressed down another notch.

The faint moonlight luster at the tips of his ears completely faded away.

The Calming Bell around his neck was also mostly hidden by his fur.

At this moment, he looked just like the most ordinary little white cat, barely born.

Of course.

That was setting aside the fact that he had appeared in Death Canyon.

Having done all this, Lin Yan didn't charge forward immediately.

Because he knew very well that the more someone like Bibi Dong was involved, the less he could gamble on her reacting like an ordinary person.

Pounce straight at her?

No.

Too deliberate.

Run away on the spot?

Even worse.

With a Title Douluo's perception, if he dared to turn his head now, she'd likely see through his guilt in the next second.

The best move was instead to let her feel his "harmlessness" first.

With that thought, Lin Yan took a deep breath and forced himself to relax.

Then—

He gently lay down.

His ears drooped slightly.

His tail curled around to his front paws.

The whole cat shrank into a ball, looking small and soft, carrying just the right amount of tension and bewilderment.

Like a real stray kitten that had wandered into a dangerous place.

The next moment, he tried to activate [Purring Dream].

"Purr..."

"Purr..."

An extremely faint purring sound slowly emerged from his throat.

It was very quiet.

If it were an ordinary person, they might not even hear it clearly.

But in this overly silent Stone Valley, it stood out sharply.

At the same time, beneath his fur, the Calming Bell gave a barely perceptible tremor.

Ding.

A sound so faint, like moonlight gently touching the water's surface.

Barely there.

Gone in a flash.

Bibi Dong's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

In that instant, a trace of cold, stabbing pain that had been churning in her sea of consciousness inexplicably eased by half a notch.

The margin was tiny.

But as a soul master of her level, she was most sensitive to her own state.

So she noticed it immediately.

This wasn't an illusion.

Her gaze toward the little white cat finally shifted in earnest.

There was scrutiny.

There was surprise.

And there was a faint hint of curiosity, so subtle she might not even have acknowledged it herself.

"Interesting."

Bibi Dong finally spoke.

Her voice was low, cold.

Yet incredibly pleasant to hear.

But that coldness didn't diminish with her tone; instead, it made those simple three words carry an overwhelming pressure.

Lin Yan's small body trembled slightly.

It wasn't an act.

He really couldn't handle it.

Even a casual remark from a Title Douluo carried an absurdly immense aura.

"Steady, don't panic."

"She hasn't made a move yet, which means there's still a chance."

"If I win this gamble, from today onward This Cat moves straight into a top-tier mansion; if I lose... then there's no tomorrow."

Thinking this far, Lin Yan steeled himself.

Not only did the purring not stop, it grew even softer and gentler.

"Purr... purr..."

The system also promptly popped up a notification.

[Ding, Purring Dream activated.]

[Ding, Softening the Heart of the Beholder activated.]

[Target hostility decreased.]

[Current compatibility: 82→87.]

Staring at that line of numbers, Lin Yan nearly teared up from emotion.

It went up!

It really went up!

This meant the path was right!

And after standing still in place for a few breaths, Bibi Dong finally began to walk toward the center of Stone Valley.

One step.

Two steps.

Three steps.

She didn't walk fast, yet Lin Yan felt the pressure growing heavier and closer with each step.

By the end, he even had the illusion that the air itself had turned thick and sticky.

This was the natural suppression of the strong over the weak.

Even though Bibi Dong hadn't deliberately released any pressure, her mere approach was enough to make a century-old soul beast instinctively tremble.

Lin Yan's paw pads quietly tensed.

If not for reason holding him back, he would have bolted three meters away by now.

Can't run.

Absolutely can't run.

If he ran now, all that purring earlier would be for nothing.

"Calm down."

"You're a Moon Spirit Cat, not a Moon Run Cat."

"Hang in there!"

Finally, Bibi Dong stopped right in front of him.

With the distance closed, Lin Yan could see her more clearly.

There was indeed weariness in her eyes.

Very faint, but impossible to hide.

And the scent on her wasn't the usual floral fragrance women wore; it was more like an extremely cold, faint woody aroma, mixed with a hint of medicinal herbs and the smell of blood.

Not unpleasant.

But one whiff told you this was not someone who would ever let herself relax.

Bibi Dong lowered her head, looking down at the little white cat at her feet.

The kitten looked back up at her.

In its pale golden, round eyes were a trace of nervousness, a bit of wet innocence, and a hint of cowardice it was trying very hard to hide but couldn't quite manage.

"..."

Bibi Dong was silent for a breath.

She could tell—this little thing was afraid of her.

Its ears were nearly flattened.

Its tail was stiff too.

Yet, under these very circumstances, it still dared to stay put, still dared to let out that soft, gentle purring at her.

It wasn't like affection.

It was more like... it was trying to soothe her.

The moment this thought surfaced, even Bibi Dong herself found it somewhat absurd.

A palm-sized kitten.

Comfort her?

But the faint, eased sting in her sea of consciousness kept her from completely denying it.

So she slowly raised her hand and reached toward Lin Yan.

That hand was slender and pale, carrying a hint of coolness.

Her fingertips paused in midair.

They didn't fall immediately.

As if giving him a choice.

Lin Yan stared at the hand hovering before him, his heartbeat suddenly racing.

Here it is!

The critical fork in the road!

Now, either go up and nuzzle.

Or back away and dodge.

The former might unlock the main storyline.

The latter... probably wouldn't get him killed outright, but it would basically mean missing this golden opportunity.

"Go for it!"

"Mansion with a soft bed, or staying a stray cat—it all comes down to this one shiver!"

The next moment, the little white cat let out a very soft "mew."

Then, on unsteady little legs, he took the initiative to shuffle forward two steps.

First, he tentatively touched her fingertip with his nose.

Very cold.

Lin Yan paused, then gently rubbed his head against it.

The movement was very light.

And very soft.

For an instant, Bibi Dong's fingers seemed to stiffen.

Because it had been many, many years since any living thing had touched her like this.

Not cowering in fear.

Not bowing in respect.

Not fawning with ulterior motives.

Just simply, gently rubbing against her.

As if to say: Don't be afraid, I don't bite.

"..."

Lin Yan, of course, had no idea what she was thinking.

All he knew was that the moment his head rubbed against her, the system notifications started flooding in.

[Ding, first active contact successful.]

[Ding, Viewer's Heart Softens effect increased.]

[Ding, target emotional fluctuation decreased.]

[Current compatibility: 87→91.]

Lin Yan barely stopped himself from wagging his tail on the spot.

Success!

And Bibi Dong, after a brief pause, finally let her hand fall.

She gently patted Lin Yan's head.

The motion was awkward.

Even carried a trace of noticeable stiffness.

As if she wasn't used to doing this kind of thing.

But just as her fingertips landed, the Calming Bell chimed softly once more.

Ding.

A little clearer than the last time.

The next moment, the faint, lurking chill in Bibi Dong's sea of consciousness was suppressed by another notch.

This change was far more pronounced than before.

A flicker of genuine surprise finally passed through Bibi Dong's eyes.

Her soul power and mental strength were exceedingly high.

There were very few calming objects that could take effect on her.

Yet this little soul beast, barely a hundred years old, had actually managed to do so?

This was no longer something that could be described as merely "a bit interesting."

Lin Yan also sensed the shift in her emotions.

So, with great tact, he struck while the iron was hot.

The little white cat lifted his front paw, gently resting it on the hem of her robe, and purred even more earnestly.

"Purr..."

"Purr..."

At this moment, he pulled out every cute trick he could think of in his entire life.

The main theme was sincerity.

The main theme was harmlessness.

The main theme was—this cat just wants to live, and maybe live in a nice house too /

Bibi Dong looked down at the fluffy little creature, and the coldness in her eyes unconsciously faded a little.

She could naturally tell that this was a special Spirit-type Infant Soul Beast.

And its bloodline was not ordinary.

Under normal circumstances, if such a soul beast fell into someone else's hands, it would most likely soon become prey.

But at this moment, she couldn't muster a single thought of hunting it.

For one, this little thing did seem useful to her.

For another...

It was too small.

So small it wasn't even half the size of her hand, white and soft as it curled up in Stone Valley, like a clump of snow.

It was truly hard to associate it with words like "hunt" or "soul ring."

Especially when it looked up at her with those light golden eyes—even Bibi Dong herself had to admit, it was a little... hard to bear.

[Ding, target's "killing intent" has dropped below the critical threshold.]

[Ding, initial fate link can be established.]

[Bind the first poop scooper?]

Lin Yan's eyes lit up.

"Bind! Bind immediately! Bind right now!"

"If I hesitate at a time like this, I'm a stupid cat!"

The next moment, the system panel flickered slightly.

[Ding, binding successful.]

[First poop scooper: Bibi Dong.]

[Current relationship: Approachable.]

[Reward issued: Meow Wish Value ×30.]

[Novice Main Quest has been activated.]

[Main Quest One: Please allow Her Holiness the Pope to sleep soundly for two shichen tonight.]

Lin Yan: "..."

Everything was fine up until that point.

But as soon as this quest popped up, his entire cat went numb.

Two shichen?

Four hours?

Making Bibi Dong—a severe insomniac of this level—sleep for four hours?

System, you really think too highly of me!

But before he could even start complaining, Bibi Dong had already moved.

She bent down.

And gently picked Lin Yan up.

Her movements were still not quite practiced, and one could even detect a hint of long-unused awkwardness.

But they were steady.

He didn't hurt her.

Nor was there any roughness.

Lin Yan's entire cat form froze in an instant.

Held... held up?!

Really being held up?!

In his past life, he'd barely held a girl's hand a few times, yet after crossing over, he was being cradled by the most stunning beauty on Douluo Continent.

This twist of fate was a bit absurd.

Of course.

More importantly, it felt good.

Though Bibi Dong's aura was cold, her embrace was steady and warm. Her wide papal robe draped down, blocking out most of the chilly wind outside.

Lin Yan hesitated for less than half a second before shamelessly curling himself up.

His little head tucked into the crook of her arm.

His tail coiled around.

The whole cat instantly slipped into a "take things as they come" mode of surrender.

"Forget it."

"I'm already on board."

"Jumping off now would be rude anyway."

"Better just be a quiet, well-behaved little white cat for now..."

Bibi Dong glanced down at him.

Seeing that this little creature had stiffened for a moment when first picked up, then quickly and skillfully curled into a ball in her arms, she found him oddly familiar.

The faintest trace of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

So subtle it was almost invisible.

"Quite bold, aren't you."

Her voice remained light.

But compared to the initial coldness, it had clearly lost some of its edge.

Lin Yan pretended not to understand, only lifting his head to give her a soft meow.

"Mew~"

Bibi Dong said nothing more.

She simply held him and turned to walk out of Stone Valley.

The night wind stirred again.

Stone Valley regained a bit of sound.

But once that purple-black figure had completely left, the whole valley felt emptier than before.

No one knew.

From this night onward, a little white cat would appear by the side of the Martial Soul Hall's Pope.

And many fates that should have spiraled out of control would quietly veer off their original paths, starting from this small ball of white fur.

Curled up in Bibi Dong's arms, Lin Yan, after a brief moment of relaxation, finally belatedly remembered something very important.

"Wait."

"Am I... heading straight into the Pope's Palace now?"

"Doesn't that mean I've scored a mansion in one go?!"

At that thought, the little white cat's eyes lit up.

But the system's next line of text quickly brought him back down to earth.

[Friendly Reminder: Host, please keep the main quest in mind.]

[If Her Holiness the Pope cannot sleep soundly for two hours tonight, the bond reward will be halved.]

Lin Yan: "..."

The joy on the little white cat's face faded bit by bit.

After a long moment, he silently buried his head in his paws.

"This cat knew it."

"This system's wool was never free."