Lin Huai withdrew his little hand, still carrying a trace of fragrance.
"Although I made that story up, reality is often crueler than any story."
"You were the Pope for several years, after all. You should know how to deal with traitors!"
He pictured the scene where Hu Liena, for Tang San's sake, killed Gui Mei.
He let out a malicious chuckle.
"Kehehehe..."
Qian Daoliu smacked Lin Huai on the back of the head.
"Behave yourself. You may not care about your image, but I still have some dignity."
Lin Huai rubbed his head and continued:
"Imagine your disciple running off with some little bastard from the Clear Sky Sect one day!"
He pictured that scene, and Hu Liena, in whom he had placed such high hopes,
snuggling against a blond guy holding a giant hammer, bashfully saying:
"Teacher, I'm going to help the Clear Sky Sect. You have to wish me happiness!"
Bibi Dong didn't even let Lin Huai finish.
"Impossible! Nana would never betray me!"
Lin Huai said helplessly, "See? You're getting worked up again."
"Actually, Brother Qian Xunji thought the same thing back then. Did you know that?"
At the mention of the devil who had left her filthy and broken,
Bibi Dong erupted again, instantly unleashing the Martial Soul Avatar of the Death Spider Emperor.
Qian Daoliu lit up his Seventh Soul Ring and, bolstered by Angel Divine Power, suppressed Bibi Dong once more.
Bibi Dong glared at Qian Daoliu with bitter hatred.
"You old bastard, you told him about it?"
When Qian Daoliu didn't answer, Bibi Dong screamed in her mind:
"Rakshasa! If you don't help me, your plan will go up in smoke!"
A shrill, grating voice rang through the hall as the Rakshasa Divine Sense emerged from Bibi Dong's body.
"Yawn—"
"Descendants of that stinking Angel woman, wouldn't it be better to just live your lives? Why do you have to—"
Before the Rakshasa Divine Sense could finish speaking, Lin Huai's domain erupted. Countless terrifying, scarlet tentacles wrapped around it.
"Wait, what is this?"
"Let me go! I'll leave at once!"
A bubbling red swamp appeared beneath the Rakshasa Divine Sense.
No matter how it struggled, the tentacles slowly forced it down into the swamp.
In the end, it had no choice but to use all its divine power, trying to send a message to its true body in the Divine Realm.
But just as the message was about to leave that terrifying domain, the Rakshasa Divine Sense sensed the wisp carrying it being devoured completely.
"No!!!"
Gloop, gloop.
The three of them, Lin Huai included, stared in alarm as the red swamp that had swallowed the Rakshasa Divine Sense slowly disappeared.
After Lin Huai withdrew his domain, the other two turned to him.
"Um, Teacher..."
"I don't know exactly what happened either. There's no point asking me."
Lin Huai rubbed his nose, then suddenly caught a hint of fragrance.
He looked at his palm and realized he'd just touched Bibi Dong's hand. He hadn't expected the scent to linger.
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu opened his mouth, then closed it again.
"Do you feel a weight has lifted from your shoulders?"
"When you think back on what you've done all these years, do you feel a little empty?"
Without Qian Daoliu holding her down, Bibi Dong slumped to the floor.
A pair of long legs clad in black stockings slipped out from beneath her papal robes.
Damn, those legs were a sight to last a lifetime!
No, no! I was about to become the Holy Son. How could I be so shameless?
She nodded, dazed, feeling a sudden emptiness inside.
"You were affected by an Evil God, which clouded your mind.
"This Evil God had a grudge against the Angel God, so you became its pawn in destroying Spirit Hall."
"Whenever you tried to forget the past, did your emotions suddenly flare up, bringing those awful memories surging back?"
Bibi Dong stared in confusion at Lin Huai, who spoke at length.
"But Qian Xunji also..."
Lin Huai raised a hand to stop Bibi Dong.
"Brother Qian Xunji certainly shouldn't have done what he did, but you killed him. And not only did his father not blame you, he even supported you becoming the Pope."
"Things like this happen every day in this world. Innocent women are abused by Soul Masters, nobles, and even Wolf Bandits."
"At least you avenged yourself. I ask you, Your Holiness, don't take it out on the innocent. There are still many beautiful things in this world."
So much information flooded her mind all at once that Bibi Dong couldn't quite process it.
Seeing her like this, Lin Huai prepared to leave and give her time to collect herself.
"All right. If you're worried that what happened left you tainted, there's really no need. If you don't believe me, put out an announcement tomorrow."
"Just write that you want to find a father for your child. I guarantee the applicants will line up all the way from Spirit City to Heaven Dou City. Men from eight to eighty will go wild."
Qian Daoliu smacked him again.
"Watch your mouth. We're leaving!"
Looking at Bibi Dong, still sitting on the floor, Qian Daoliu felt conflicted.
"Sigh... You can take the next few days to think it over."
"If you still want to be Pope, then stay on as Pope. I'll also have the Worship Hall gradually step into the open."
"If you really don't want the position anymore, I'll let you leave. I only hope you won't become an enemy of Spirit Hall. I don't want to see Xue'er upset."
With that, Qian Daoliu left Pope Palace with Lin Huai and instructed the Holy Guard not to disturb Bibi Dong for the time being.
When Bibi Dong heard the name "Xue'er," an image surfaced in her mind: the adorable, elfin girl who had been frightened away and driven off by her time and time again, yet kept showing up before her again and again.
A little while later, faint sobbing could be heard in the hall.
"Xiao Huai, how did you know an Evil God had clouded Bibi Dong's mind?"
"I guessed. If I guessed right, everyone's happy. If I guessed wrong..."
"Then Brother Qian Xunji was simply blind when he chose his disciple. We can execute her."
Qian Daoliu looked surprised.
"Weren't you always saying we should squeeze every last bit of value out of traitors?"
Lin Huai looked helplessly at his inflexible teacher.
"How else could I put your and Sister Xiao Xue's minds at ease if I didn't make it sound serious?"
"I admit I'm not a good person, but I won't become a bad one either."
"Besides, our Spirit Hall is a righteous organization. How could we be like those evil factions?"
Qian Daoliu nodded with satisfaction, and his thoughts of bringing him and Xue'er together grew firmer.
As the words faded, master and disciple appeared in front of the Worship Hall.
Guangling Douluo was waiting outside alone. When he saw them return, he shouted excitedly:
"Big Brother, I broke through!"
"My Light Feather Divine Bow has gotten stronger, too!"
Qian Daoliu nodded. It was only what he'd expected, since Guang Ling had already been close to Level 97.
"Congratulations. But why are you waiting outside to welcome us?"
"Do brothers really have to be so formal?"
Looking at the Guangling Douluo, who looked like a teenager, Lin Huai suspected that he'd been kicked out for being too unruly.
Qian Daoliu pushed open the door and walked into the hall.
The three little ones were still absorbing their Immortal Herbs, while the five old men were discussing Soul Cores.
"Big Brother," the five said quietly.
Qian Daoliu nodded to them and led Lin Huai back to the seat of honor.
"Azure Luan, Demon Subduing, how did you fare after absorbing the Immortal Herbs?"
Third Offering Azure Luan Douluo smiled.
"The Immortal Herb stabilized the bloodline of my Martial Soul. I was lucky enough to break through to Level 98."
Demon Subduing Douluo sounded rather glum.
"I'm the only one who didn't break through, though I've already surpassed my older brother in progress."
Qian Jun's expression darkened.
"Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Your Heaven Awakening Sacred Golden Dragon has already begun to awaken. What more do you want?"
Demon Subduing whistled and turned to look out the window, pretending not to hear Qian Jun's scolding.
As they chatted and laughed, Tian Yue slowly opened her eyes.
Before you continue