At the sound of that name, Bibi Dong's movements visibly faltered.
If this had happened nine years ago, anyone who dared mention Qian Renxue in front of her—even someone closest to her—would have immediately stirred up the strongest aversion and disgust in her heart.
Qian Renxue was a product of the most humiliating, darkest memory of Bibi Dong's life.
But over these nine years,
Lin Yuan had been like an invisible bond, quietly melting the layer of ice around her heart, bit by bit.
Especially as she watched Lin Yuan and Qian Renxue grow up together, playfully bickering all the while, and grow ever closer, Bibi Dong's resistance toward Qian Renxue had gradually faded away.
Now, hearing Lin Yuan mention her to her face, Bibi Dong couldn't even muster a trace of anger.
"You little rascal."
Bibi Dong reached out and lightly poked Lin Yuan on the forehead.
She picked up the delicate teacup on the table and took a small sip, then spoke with a hint of teasing complaint.
"By my count, that little girl's been undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire for quite a few years now."
"But come to think of it, that girl really is blessed with a pretty face. She's quite beautiful."
Bibi Dong set down her teacup and looked at Lin Yuan's smiling face, her eyes brimming with affection.
"Since you like her so much and think about her all day long..."
"Then we might as well have her marry you and become your wife one day."
"After all, Aunt Dong will make the decision for you. No one can stop it."
At her words, the smile in Lin Yuan's eyes deepened.
"You said it, Aunt Dong. I'll remember that."
Just as the two were enjoying their easygoing banter,
a hurried but deliberately hushed patter of footsteps suddenly came from outside the Saintess Palace.
A moment later, a personal guard knelt on one knee outside the door. His respectful voice carried through it.
"Reporting to Your Highness."
"A middle-aged man has arrived outside the city gates with a child."
"The man says his name is Yu Xiaogang and specifically requests an audience with Your Highness."
Yu Xiaogang!
The instant Bibi Dong heard those three words, the atmosphere in the Saintess Palace plunged.
The gentle smile on her face vanished, and a layer of icy frost instantly formed in her beautiful eyes.
Even the air around them seemed to turn sluggish beneath the invisible pressure of her Soul Power.
If Bibi Dong had still been the woman who clung to fantasies of the past, hearing that name might have stirred some emotion in her.
But after years of Lin Yuan's companionship and influence, she had long since seen that good-for-nothing for what he truly was.
Especially after what had happened nine years ago on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
That shameless coward, incapable of handling things himself, had actually stooped so low as to attack Lin Yuan, who had been only six years old at the time!
From that moment on, the last tiny trace of old affection Bibi Dong had felt for Yu Xiaogang vanished without a trace, replaced by intense loathing and revulsion.
And now that shameless wretch actually had the nerve to come to Spirit City and ask to see her?
"No!"
Bibi Dong spat out the single word coldly, her voice utterly devoid of feeling and thick with disgust.
"What stray dog thinks it can come to the Saintess Palace and make a scene?"
The guard outside felt the terrifying chill radiating from within the palace and shuddered.
"Understood. I'll drive him away at once."
Just as the guard was about to rise, Bibi Dong seemed to think of something. Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and an intensely mocking glint flashed in them.
"Wait."
"Tell him I won't see him today."
"If he really has something to discuss, he can bring it up at the Spirit Hall's main hall three days from now."
Bibi Dong wanted to see what tricks this good-for-nothing, who fancied himself a genius, could come up with after shamelessly showing up at her door.
"Understood!" The guard withdrew after receiving his order.
Lin Yuan sat to the side the whole time, watching Bibi Dong handle things so decisively. The corner of his mouth lifted.
Outside Spirit City.
Yu Xiaogang still carried himself like a sage. With his hands behind his back and eyes half-closed, he waited for Spirit Hall to welcome him with the highest honors.
Tang San, standing behind him, had been caught up in his confidence and felt that his teacher truly did possess extraordinary abilities.
Before long, the guard who had gone to deliver the message returned.
When Yu Xiaogang heard the clatter of armored footsteps, a smug smile immediately spread across his face.
He slowly opened his eyes and was just about to put on the air of an elder and step into the city.
But the guard abruptly stopped, fixed him with a cold stare, and planted the butt of his spear heavily on the ground again.
His manner was strictly official, cold and impersonal.
"An order from Her Highness the Saintess."
"She won't see you today."
"If you have urgent business, you may discuss it at the Spirit Hall's main hall three days from now."
The guard's curt message landed like a resounding slap across Yu Xiaogang's face.
His raised foot froze in midair, and his confident smile stiffened completely.
"Y-You said what?"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened as he glared at the guard.
"Are you sure you gave her my name? I'm Yu Xiaogang! How could she refuse to see me?"
This was nothing like the scene he had imagined, with Bibi Dong hurrying out to welcome him!
The enormous disappointment made his heart seize up.
Several Soul Masters entering and leaving the city stopped to watch him, looking at him with mocking eyes as if he were an idiot. A few even snickered under their breath.
Tang San stood to the side, watching everyone point and stare. He felt a surge of heat rush to his head, and his face turned bright red.
He stared at his teacher, speechless, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Wasn't this the teacher who'd claimed he could make people obey with a crook of his finger?
They hadn't even made it through the city gates before he'd been thrown out in front of everyone!
Feeling the mocking gazes around him, Yu Xiaogang's face burned.
He hurriedly lowered his stiff leg, then coughed heavily twice, trying to salvage what remained of his shattered dignity.
"Well... ahem."
Yu Xiaogang turned toward Tang San, whose face was full of embarrassment, and forced a smile more painful than tears as he tried to smooth things over.
"Xiao San, there's something you don't know."
"Pope Qian Xunji spends most of his time in seclusion. These days, all the major and minor matters of Spirit Hall fall on Bibi Dong's shoulders."
"She's swamped with work. She must be handling some extremely urgent sect business right now and can't get away. It's only natural."
"She said we could discuss things in the main hall three days from now, which means she takes my arrival extremely seriously and plans to receive me in the most formal setting."
As he spoke, Yu Xiaogang nodded, as if hypnotizing himself.
Tang San twitched the corner of his mouth. Though he thought his teacher's explanation was full of holes, he could only go along with it.
"You're right, Teacher. Let's find an inn outside the city and stay there. We can come back in three days."
The master and disciple turned away, looking utterly bedraggled.
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