"Bibi Dong, get up here."
"Of course, teacher."
Qian Xunji leaned back against the pillow, gazing at Bibi Dong's stunning face. He couldn't help thinking that life could hardly get any better than this.
When the battle was over, they washed up, and Qian Xunji straightened his clothes. "Bibi Dong, you did well this time. I'll allow you to cultivate in your own room from now on."
As he spoke, Qian Xunji snapped his fingers.
Bibi Dong felt Soul Power begin to fill the room.
The Soul-Sealing Array was far more powerful than Qian Xunji had imagined. It could not only seal the Martial Soul and Soul Power within a person's body, but also make Soul Power vanish from or appear in an entire area.
The golden years of cultivation were limited. Qian Xunji didn't want Bibi Dong to die too soon.
After all, a Limit Douluo could live to a thousand years old. Even if Bibi Dong bore a child every ten years, she still had enough time to give him at least fifty children.
Besides, letting Bibi Dong cultivate would give her hope.
As long as a person had hope, they wouldn't give up on life easily.
"Teach—teacher, you mean I can cultivate from now on?" Bibi Dong could hardly believe this sudden happiness. She had never imagined that Qian Xunji would give her the chance to cultivate.
It gave Bibi Dong new hope.
She was convinced that as long as she cultivated to the Titled Douluo level, she could leave this wretched place, even if she had to rely on her own strength.
More importantly, Qian Xunji had now given her the chance to cultivate. If she behaved better and became more obedient, would he let her leave the Secret Chamber?
Would he even restore her position as Saintess?
Perhaps she could go a step further and turn Qian Xunji and Leng Lingyuan against each other.
Watching those two turn on each other like dogs fighting over a bone would be a pleasure in itself.
It would be far more interesting than killing them outright.
Qian Xunji had no intention of repeating himself in response to Bibi Dong's surprise. He headed for the door.
Before leaving, Qian Xunji dangled a carrot and issued a warning. "Bibi Dong, as long as you behave and do as I say, anything is possible."
"Of course, if you dare to scheme against me, I'll take back the reward I gave you and make you wish you were dead."
"Teacher, I'll cherish the opportunity you've given me."
"Take care!" Bibi Dong called out, hoping to improve Qian Xunji's opinion of her.
After Qian Xunji had gone some distance, Xue Ying casually locked Bibi Dong's door.
Bibi Dong paid Xue Ying no mind and returned to her room to cultivate.
But she soon realized there was a problem. Although she could cultivate, she still couldn't use her Martial Soul, just as before.
That meant that even if she cultivated to the Titled Douluo level, she still wouldn't be able to leave the Secret Chamber.
In an instant, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over Bibi Dong's head, washing away much of her excitement and joy.
So Qian Xunji still didn't trust me. He was still wary of me.
I'll have to work harder.
Just as I did in my previous life, I'll deceive him and eventually kill him.
If I managed it once, I can do it again in this life.
Bibi Dong closed her eyes and began to cultivate in earnest. Without strength, everything else was empty.
One year later.
Bibi Dong was pregnant with Qian Xunji's second child.
Qian Renxue and Qian Renshuang were a year and a half old.
Qian Xunji hadn't expected it to take so long this time.
The first time, it had taken less than half a month for Bibi Dong to get pregnant.
Those were the days!
Qian Xunji hadn't spent the year sitting idle, either.
First, he had Yue Guan give the order to search for Tang Hao.
Finding Tang Hao would mean finding Ah Yin.
But Tang Hao had hidden Ah Yin so well that, despite the Spirit Hall's men spreading out to search, they simply couldn't find them.
Qian Xunji even wondered if some Deity in the heavens was interfering.
After all, the Douluo Continent was only so big. The Spirit Hall should have been able to find one person without breaking a sweat. Yet somehow, they just couldn't find Tang Hao.
Tang Hao had no idea why Qian Xunji was looking for him. Qian Xunji wasn't foolish enough to reveal his true intentions.
Yue Guan certainly wouldn't dare reveal them, either, and in any case, he was only guessing.
After all, the rumors about Tang Hao being with a Soul Beast might not be true.
The second matter was the great array in the city. He had completed two-thirds of the defensive array and hoped to have both the defensive array and the Soul-Sealing Array set up within three years.
Of course, spending time with Leng Lingyuan, Qian Renxue, and Qian Renshuang was also a must.
The two little ones could run and jump, cry and fuss now. They really kept everyone on their toes.
Though Qian Renxue and Qian Renshuang kept him busy, Qian Xunji was still happy to spend time with them.
Night fell.
After Qian Renxue and Qian Renshuang had gone to sleep, Qian Xunji and Leng Lingyuan finally left Saintess Hall and returned to Pope Palace.
Leng Lingyuan pounced on him like a hungry wolf. "Husband, it's been a while since we were together."
"Xue and Shuang went to bed early tonight. How about we have some fun when we get back?"
"Ling Yuan, there's no need to wait. I'll take you back right now." Qian Xunji swept Leng Lingyuan into his arms and returned to Pope Palace in an instant.
He shut the door, tossed Leng Lingyuan onto the bed, and pressed down over her.
Dry wood met raging flame; one spark was all it took.
But after a while, Leng Lingyuan cried that she couldn't take any more.
So much for "the field never wore out, only the ox grew tired."
She'd better not find out who came up with that saying, or she'd make sure he regretted it.
"Husband, I can't anymore. Please spare me. Why don't you go find Bibi Dong?"
"Ling Yuan, don't talk nonsense. Bibi Dong's pregnant. We can't risk harming the baby."
"Ling Yuan, just hold on a little longer. I'll be done soon." As he spoke, Qian Xunji leaned down to kiss Leng Lingyuan.
"Husband, I really can't take any more. Should I call Xue Ying over?"
"Would Xue Ying agree?" Since she belonged to Leng Lingyuan and was helping him with his work, Qian Xunji naturally had to consider what Xue Ying herself wanted.
"Don't worry, husband. She'll agree." With that, Leng Lingyuan fled the room.
Before long, Leng Lingyuan returned, ushering Xue Ying to the door.
"Madam, this doesn't seem right."
"What's wrong with it? Don't think I don't know what you're thinking."
"Madam, I'm not..."
"Really?"
"I really am not, Madam!" Xue Ying's eyes darted aside.
Leng Lingyuan shook her head and thought, What a silly girl. I haven't even said what you're thinking, and you've already confessed everything.
"Xue Ying, I remember that a month ago, when you were taking care of yourself, you were whispering His Holiness the Pope's name!"
"Ah, Madam, you were spying on me!" Xue Ying's face turned bright red.
"Xue Ying, I'll ask you one last time. Are you going in or not? You'll only get this chance once. If I change my mind, you won't get another."
"Then... Madam, should I go in?"
"Go on, go on."
"Madam, you absolutely mustn't blame me afterward."
"I won't blame you. Go on."
Only then did Xue Ying work up the courage to enter the room.
She came up to Qian Xunji and said timidly, "M-Master, please take good care of me."
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