At the mention of Bibi Dong, Ning Zhen was even more pleased.
"Your Holiness, you've delivered an invaluable treasure to my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!" Ning Zhen lowered his voice, barely containing his excitement.
"That child's comprehension is simply monstrous! Over the past year, nourished by the sect's heavenly treasures and aided by a top-tier cultivation environment, her Soul Power has already reached an astonishing level eighteen!"
Level eighteen!
At that number, Yu Xiaogang, standing behind Qian Xunji, felt his heart lurch.
Level eighteen at seven years old?! What did that even mean? He, Yu Xiaogang, was already thirteen and only level nineteen. Was she even human?
Qian Xunji, however, wasn't surprised in the least. Bibi Dong had started over with all her combat experience and insights intact, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had been pouring unlimited resources into her. This pace wasn't even fast. In fact, Bibi Dong might have deliberately held back her cultivation so she wouldn't seem too astonishing.
"Oh? Level eighteen? It seems the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect really is her blessed land." Qian Xunji nodded in satisfaction.
"Since I've come today, may I go see that child? It would also give Xiao Gang a chance to meet her. He's extremely interested in solving the problem of Twin Martial Souls."
"Of course. Your Holiness, this way!" Ning Zhen was itching to show off his precious treasure to the world, so he led the way without hesitation.
A short while later, the group arrived at a secluded courtyard in the sect's rear mountains, where the spiritual energy was abundant.
In the courtyard, seven-year-old Bibi Dong stood beneath a large tree, dressed in an exquisite purple training outfit.
Her little hands toyed with a mass of purplish-black web-like energy. The terrifying precision with which she controlled her Soul Power simply didn't belong in a seven-year-old child.
Hearing the courtyard gate open, Bibi Dong immediately withdrew the Soul Power in her hands and turned around.
But when she saw the white-haired man in white robes walking beside Ning Zhen, her anger surged beyond her control.
Qian Xunji!
That damned beast! He'd sold her to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect like a piece of merchandise, and now he dared to show his face in front of her!
Stay calm... I have to stay calm... I'm still no match for him...
Bibi Dong frantically warned herself. She drew a deep breath, ready to put on her usual obedient, innocent "sweet on the outside, wicked within" mask and go through the motions.
But the moment her gaze passed Qian Xunji and landed on the young man behind him, his hands clasped behind his back and his lean figure standing bolt upright, Bibi Dong felt as though lightning had struck her. She froze in place!
That unmistakable crew cut...
That melancholy gaze, full of unrecognized talent...
And that pretentious pose, forever gazing at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle...
Xiao Gang?
Yu Xiaogang!!!
Bibi Dong's heart nearly stopped. The memories from her previous life, buried in the deepest, softest part of her heart, came flooding back like a dam bursting.
In the darkest days of her previous life at Spirit Hall, he was the only man who had ever given her light and warmth. He was the first love she had thought of day and night, the man she'd been willing to defy Qian Xunji to be with!
Why was he here?
Why was he following Qian Xunji?
Little did she know, Yu Xiaogang already regarded Qian Xunji as his mentor and adoptive father.
Bibi Dong's mind raced, countless thoughts flashing through it. But she quickly forced down the tempest raging within her. Whatever reason Xiao Gang had for coming here, this was the greatest surprise Heaven itself could have sent her!
"Uncle Ning, what brings you here? And these two are...?"
Bibi Dong smoothly put on an innocent, slightly timid little-girl expression and ran up to greet them. Her acting was utterly flawless.
Ning Zhen affectionately patted Bibi Dong's head and introduced the man with a smile. "Dong'er, this is His Holiness the Pope of Spirit Hall. He was the one who discovered you and recommended you to me."
Bibi Dong bowed very obediently to Qian Xunji. "Thank you, Your Holiness, for recognizing my talent."
"Heh, you may rise. It seems you've been doing well at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I can rest easy now." Qian Xunji looked down at Bibi Dong, barely suppressing his laughter.
Keep acting! Go on, keep acting! You've probably already chopped my ancestors into little pieces in your mind, haven't you?
"Dong'er, let me introduce someone else." Ning Zhen gestured toward Yu Xiaogang, who had already begun studying Bibi Dong with scholarly fervor.
"This is Yu Xiaogang of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. His Holiness brought him here today so he could stay at our sect and research Martial Soul Theory. He'll be living here for a while."
Bibi Dong gave a disdainful laugh inside.
Martial Soul Theory? Did a reborn god like her need anyone else to teach her?
But...
If that person was Xiao Gang, that was another matter!
Bibi Dong lifted her head slightly. Her large, dewy eyes stayed fixed on Yu Xiaogang, as if she were looking at a great hero who had descended from the heavens. In a soft, sweet voice, she called out:
"Hello, Brother Xiao Gang... Do you really know how to help Dong'er? Dong'er is so scared she'll explode like the books say..."
That single "Brother Xiao Gang" melted Yu Xiaogang's heart!
Looking at the peerless genius before him—so adorable, so talented that she outshone the entire continent, yet so helpless and so trusting of him—the passion Qian Xunji had inspired in Yu Xiaogang blazed to its peak.
"Don't worry, Sister Dong'er!"
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward, his expression solemn and sacred.
"I, Yu Xiaogang, swear here and now: as long as I'm here, and as long as my theories endure, I'll never let you suffer the slightest harm. I'll protect your future!"
Holy crap!
Standing to one side, Qian Xunji nearly applauded Yu Xiaogang on the spot.
The Grandmaster had gotten into character way too fast!
At that moment, as Bibi Dong lowered her head, a strange glint flashed in her eyes.
She stole a glance at Qian Xunji, who stood beside her with an air of serene indifference.
Originally, her hatred for Qian Xunji was so deep that even all the waters of the Sea God couldn't wash it away.
But now, seeing Qian Xunji personally and safely deliver the love of her previous life—the man she most wanted to see—right to her doorstep...
A ridiculous feeling suddenly welled up inside Bibi Dong.
Qian Xunji, you white-haired old thief. I'll give you this: you know what's good for you.
Good. Very good.
Bibi Dong laughed coldly to herself, yet gazed at Yu Xiaogang with tender eyes.
Since you've been so sensible and so accommodating today, I, Bibi Dong, swear that when the day comes for me to wipe out Spirit Hall...
I'll make sure this unlucky Pope of yours gets to keep his whole corpse!
Before you continue