Off-Topic Gossip

It is understandable that Xiao Wu does not know that Bibi Dong is the culprit who killed her mother, as in the original work, she only recognized her after seeing her in person.

But does she not even know her own mother's name?

Wu Xing was somewhat stunned. If he were to expose the identities of the two, he wondered if this mother and daughter would die of social embarrassment.

However, this thought only flashed through his mind for a moment. He was a model youth of the twenty-first century who particularly respected personal privacy; otherwise, he wouldn't have asked group members to enter their own nicknames before joining.

Of course, that rule simply didn't apply to him, the group owner.

In the group chat interface, Ah Rou's tone was gentle and kind. A simple, soothing sentence inexplicably warmed Xiao Wu's heart.

Even though the two had never met, looking at the words of this departed senior, a sense of extraordinary familiarity and intimacy rose from the bottom of her heart.

As for Ah Rou, looking at the text sent by Xiao Wu, her heart also softened.

This child was innocent and kind, treating others with purity. Just being separated by the chat group was enough to make her feel pity.

Especially that nickname, so playful and lively, which couldn't help but remind her of her own daughter.

As for why she didn't think of Xiao Wu, it was simply because while her daughter was lively, she wouldn't have chosen such a flamboyant nickname.

[Seven Treasures Little Witch: Have you all forgotten something? Shouldn't we be asking this group owner why he pulled us in? Aren't you curious about how he managed to do it?]

Once these words were spoken, everyone immediately focused their attention on Wu Xing.

[Jade Phosphorus Yan Yan: That's right, hurry up and explain yourself clearly, or don't blame me for being impolite!]

[Bibi Dong: Little ghost, you had best tell the truth. Do not try any tricks in front of this Pope.]

[Nine-Tailed Sky Fox: That's right, I advise you to answer truthfully. The Martial Soul Hall is not an existence you can afford to provoke!]

[Sea God Island High Priest: Group Owner, who exactly are you?]

Watching the focus shift entirely onto him, Wu Xing clicked his tongue twice. Only Bo Saixi's words were somewhat pleasant to hear.

[Wu Xing: You want to know?]

[Blue Silver Empress: Yes.]

[Ah Rou: Yes.]

[Xue Qinghe: Given the means by which you pulled us into this group, you shouldn't be a simple person, right? Why have I never heard of you before?]

[Bibi Dong: Little ghost, this Pope's patience is limited!]

[Nine-Tailed Sky Fox: Exactly, exactly. You had better speak quickly; don't keep Her Excellency the Pope in suspense.]

[Hundred-Thousand-Year Rogue Rabbit: Nine-Tailed Sky Fox, why do I feel like you're just a dog? Whatever Bibi Dong says, you just follow behind and wag your tail.]

[Jade Phosphorus Yan Yan: Haha, I think so too. Nine-Tailed Sky Fox, how much does the Martial Soul Hall pay you to suck up to her like that?]

[Nine-Tailed Sky Fox: What nonsense are you spouting? Her Excellency the Pope is the idol of every female soul master on the continent; naturally, I admire her immensely.]

[Nine-Tailed Sky Fox: Besides, the Martial Soul Hall distributes Gold Soul Coins to soul masters every month. I am no ingrate; how could I be ungrateful?]

In the high-end single dormitory of the Martial Soul Hall Academy, Hu Liena looked at the messages from the Hundred-Thousand-Year Rogue Rabbit and the agreement from Jade Phosphorus Yan Yan. She was so angry she nearly turned red on the spot. Bibi Dong was the teacher she respected most; if she didn't support her, who would?

If it weren't for the desire to satisfy her curiosity about her teacher's most authentic side in private, she would have wanted to expose her own identity right then and there.

[Xue Qinghe: Nine-Tailed Sky Fox, don't speak so definitively. That is only your personal opinion; it does not represent all female soul masters on the continent.]

[Jade Phosphorus Yan Yan: That's right, that's right. The First Prince said it well. I, for one, don't care for Bibi Dong. Besides, the Martial Soul Hall's monthly distribution of Gold Soul Coins sounds nice, but isn't it just to win people over?]

At the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Dugu Yan saw Xue Qinghe's message and immediately raised both hands in agreement.

Her grandfather was at odds with the Martial Soul Hall, so naturally, she didn't like them either.

Moreover, she now had a preliminary understanding of the chat group. She was using a nickname, and Bibi Dong didn't know who she was.

Truly, in reality, I am meek and submissive; on the internet, I strike with heavy fists.

Qian Renxue argued back again. Bibi Dong only felt a stifling sensation in her chest, and Jade Phosphorus Yan Yan's defense only made her grit her teeth.

But for the sake of the Martial Soul Hall's grand plan.

I will endure!

[Bibi Dong: Nine-Tailed Sky Fox, pay them no mind. Let these people who hide their heads... let them say what they want. As long as you stand with the Martial Soul Hall, this Pope will never treat you poorly.]

[Nine-Tailed Sky Fox: Thank you, Your Excellency the Pope. I swear to follow you to the death.]

[Jade Phosphorus Yan Yan: ..., such a sycophant.]

[Ah Rou: Bibi Dong, you really do know how to buy people's hearts.]

[Hundred-Thousand-Year Rogue Rabbit: Disgusting, how shameless. I have never seen such a thick-skinned and shameless person.]

[Nether Shadow: Actually, I think the Martial Soul Hall's monthly distribution of Gold Soul Coins is indeed a good thing. We shouldn't judge or attack them solely based on that.]

[Ning Shui Fei Luan: Hmm, truth be told, I agree with this point. Even if it is to win hearts, it is understandable. Neither of the two great empires has such boldness.]

Watching the conversation go off-track again, Ning Rongrong held her forehead, feeling her heart was very tired.

She just wanted to know Wu Xing's identity information; why was it so difficult!

To be able to silently pull Bibi Dong, the Pope of the Martial Soul Hall, the First Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, and even the deceased Ah Rou into such a strange place—could he be a simple person?

Instead of thinking about how to extract intelligence and seek potential benefits for their own sects, factions, or families, they were fixated on trivial matters and disputes. Did they have no vision or sense of the big picture?

Or are you all just a bunch of airheads with big chests!

Ning Rongrong subconsciously looked down at her own small chest—well, just a budding lotus—and her face flushed slightly.

For the first time, she felt that this sentence actually made a lot of sense...

[Blue Silver Empress: I keep hearing you talk about the Pope this and Pope that, but shouldn't the Pope of Martial Soul Hall be Qian Xunji?]

Ah Yin could not help but speak up at this moment. She clearly remembered that before she sacrificed herself, she had been hunted down by the Pope of Martial Soul Hall. When did it become Bibi Dong?

[Everyone: ...]

Ah Yin's remark made everyone gasp once again. Where did this old hag pop out from, and why was she so ill-informed?

Qian Renxue, in particular, felt her pupils constrict. She had never seen her father's face for as long as she could remember.

A name buried deep within her heart, one she had long ago deliberately sealed away, was suddenly spoken aloud, causing her heart to tighten and her fingertips to clench.

From childhood to adulthood, within the high walls of Martial Soul Hall, no one dared to mention her father in her presence.

Bibi Dong never spoke of him, her eyes filled only with disgust. The elders were all tight-lipped, and even her grandfather, who loved her the most, told her very little about her father, as if Qian Xunji had never existed at all.

The only thing she knew was that her father had died at the hands of Tang Hao.

Now, Ah Yin's casual question allowed her to see the information she had been longing for.

As for Bibi Dong, seeing this group member called Blue Silver Empress utter the name Qian Xunji, her heart sank heavily. Her expression turned somewhat ferocious, and the hand gripping the Pope's scepter trembled slightly.

Qian Xunji!

This name plunged her back into those unbearable and painful memories!

Meanwhile, where Wu Xing was, he had originally intended to have a good time bragging with these people. Seeing the conversation go off the rails again and descend into bickering, he couldn't help but chuckle. He pulled out some beer, peanuts, and melon seeds, fully adopting the posture of a bystander waiting for them to finish their fight before making his entrance.

After all, isn't the protagonist always the last one to make a grand appearance?

He wasn't in a hurry to show off his profound nature, but he didn't expect the drama to keep growing, becoming so addictive he couldn't stop watching, eventually even touching upon the Secret Room Douluo.

Perhaps he was too excited and engrossed in the chat group, or perhaps his focus was entirely elsewhere; as he reached for the melon seeds on the table, he lost his footing and stumbled, lunging forward from his chair toward the table, accidentally triggering the screenshot transmission function in his mind.

[Wu Xing: Eating-melon-picture.JPG.]