"Cut."
Lin Qiu pressed two fingers together like a sword and lightly sliced through the air before him.
Shhk—!
A sword qi, almost impossible to see with the naked eye, shot out.
It was not vast or mighty, only three feet long, yet it was condensed to the utmost.
As it cut through the air, it left behind a black fissure that lingered, unable to heal.
The space before him seemed to have been neatly sliced open by that finger.
Just then.
A white-clad figure was speeding toward the sky above Pope Palace. It was none other than Sword Douluo Chen Xin.
The moment he approached the side hall, he witnessed a scene he would never forget for the rest of his life.
That seemingly insignificant sword qi shot out from inside the hall and soared straight into the clouds!
Faced with that sword qi, the Seven Kill Sword Intent Chen Xin had always been so proud of let out a mournful cry. It was as if it had encountered the emperor of swords, trembling and quailing in instinctive fear!
"What kind of sword technique is this?!"
Chen Xin's pupils shrank to pinpoints, and every hair on his body stood on end.
He had never seen sword intent so pure, so overbearing, and yet so brimming with vitality.
A blade of grass could cut down the stars!
"What astonishing sword qi! And this aura... he's so young?"
Chen Xin's heart surged like a storm-tossed sea.
He had thought only the old monsters in Spirit Hall would be troublesome. He never expected they would be hiding such a terrifying younger generation.
"No, Rongrong is in there!"
He was stunned, but Chen Xin immediately came to his senses. With sword qi this terrifying, what if Rongrong was caught in it...
"Break!"
Chen Xin didn't dare hold back. His peak Level 96 Soul Power erupted without restraint.
Behind him, the enormous Seven Kill Sword Martial Soul shot into the sky, its nine Soul Rings blazing brightly.
He would forcibly suppress the space around them and rescue her first!
"Chen Xin, you dare!"
Just as Chen Xin was about to act, a bone-chilling shout exploded beside his ear like thunder.
The next instant.
A pressure more terrifying than Chen Xin's, interwoven with both evil and holiness, swept over him like a tidal wave.
Purple-black light blotted out the sky.
A peerlessly beautiful figure appeared out of thin air before Chen Xin, blocking his way.
She wore the Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown and held a scepter. Her papal robes stirred without a breeze, and her flawless face was now covered in frost.
It was the Pope, Bibi Dong!
After taking the Extreme Yin Soul Flower, Bibi Dong had reached the peak of Level 98. She was just one step away from entering the ranks of Peerless Douluo.
Now, she struck in fury, her power so overwhelming that Chen Xin's Seven Kill Sword Domain began to crumble inch by inch.
"Bibi Dong!"
Chen Xin's expression changed drastically. A colossal force surged toward him, driving him back dozens of meters.
"This is Spirit Hall, not the backyard of your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"
Bibi Dong's phoenix eyes brimmed with authority. She struck the air heavily with her scepter, and the Soul Power throughout the space instantly congealed.
"You're going to attack my son?"
Her voice was ice-cold, and her killing intent was almost tangible.
Chen Xin took a deep breath, forcing the roiling blood and qi inside him to settle. He lowered his guard and said gravely,
"Your Holiness, this is a misunderstanding. I sensed Rongrong here. That sword qi just now was too dangerous, and I was anxious to save her. I meant no harm."
"A misunderstanding?"
Bibi Dong gave a cold laugh. "My son was only practicing his sword. Where was the danger? You, on the other hand, are a Titled Douluo, yet you would bully a junior by relying on your seniority. Is that the bearing of Sword Douluo Chen Xin?"
Chen Xin was left speechless.
He glanced at the tranquil side hall below and sensed that Ning Rongrong was safe inside. Her Soul Power was even several times stronger than before. He couldn't help but feel startled.
"Your Holiness, since Rongrong is unharmed, then I was indeed rash.
"But Rongrong is the apple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's eye. I ask that Your Holiness show mercy and let me take her home."
"..."
Chen Xin clasped his hands, his stance considerably softened.
The stronger side made the rules.
Bibi Dong's strength was far too terrifying now. Even he had no chance of winning.
Bibi Dong couldn't be bothered to look at him. She said coolly,
"Her legs are her own. If she wants to leave, I won't stop her. But if she'd rather stay and visit my son, then no one can take her away."
"You..."
Chen Xin was furious. This was simply unreasonable.
Just then, the side hall door opened.
Lin Qiu stepped out, looking calm, as if he hadn't been the one to unleash that sword strike.
Ning Rongrong peeked out behind him, still clutching the empty jade box in both hands.
"Grandpa Sword!"
Seeing Chen Xin in the air, Ning Rongrong called out instinctively.
Chen Xin's face brightened. "Rongrong, come here. Grandpa will take you home!"
But, to everyone's surprise,
Ning Rongrong looked at Lin Qiu, then at Bibi Dong, whose presence filled the air. She shrank her neck, then...
She reached out her little hand, clutched Lin Qiu's sleeve tightly, and hid behind him.
"Um... Grandpa Sword, I'm not leaving."
Ning Rongrong spoke timidly. "I want to stay here... um, stay here and... and practice with His Highness the Holy Son."
As if! She'd only just found herself a powerful backer. How could she leave just like that?
Besides, big brother could casually produce a divine medicine like that. He was sure to have more good stuff later.
Go home?
What could home offer that this place couldn't?
Chen Xin: "???"
He stood there, utterly bewildered.
Who am I?
Where am I?
Where had his obedient, well-behaved granddaughter gone?
"..."
Seeing this, Bibi Dong's icy expression melted like snow in the sun, and she broke into an extraordinarily indulgent smile.
She slowly descended beside Lin Qiu, completely ignoring Chen Xin in the air, and gently straightened Lin Qiu's collar.
"Qiu'er, you weren't frightened, were you?"
Her tone was so gentle that she seemed like an entirely different person from the murderous woman just moments ago.
Lin Qiu shook his head, glanced at Chen Xin in the air, and said with a hint of apology,
"Mother, I'm sorry to trouble you. I made a bit of a commotion while testing my sword and startled this senior."
"Silly child, what are you saying?"
Bibi Dong reached out and patted Lin Qiu's head, her eyes full of pride and indulgence.
"This is your home. You can do whatever you want. Never mind the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—even if the sky falls, your mother will hold it up for you."
As she spoke, she turned and glanced at Ning Rongrong, who was hiding behind Lin Qiu.
Her gaze was like lightning. Ning Rongrong shuddered, clutching Lin Qiu's sleeve even tighter.
Bibi Dong sized her up, her gaze lingering for a moment on the Nine-Story Pagoda. A flash of surprise passed through her eyes before she gave a slight nod.
"She's a little spoiled, but her talent is passable. She's just about good enough to be Qiu'er's maid."
Ning Rongrong: "..."
I want to cry, but I don't dare.
Big brother, save me!
This woman is terrifying!
"..."
Looking at the harmonious scene below, Chen Xin knew there was no way he could take her with him today.
Before you continue