Bibi Dong gave a soft snort.
She didn't seem to care much about Qian Renxue.
She reached out her jade-white fingers and gently smoothed Lin Qiu's slightly tousled bangs.
Her fingertips brushed across Lin Qiu's forehead, leaving a cool sensation in their wake.
"That was her own choice."
"She chose her own path. She'll have to bear its hardships herself."
After saying this, Bibi Dong didn't mention Qian Renxue again.
Her gaze fell on Lin Qiu, and a hint of anticipation flashed in her eyes.
"Xiao Qiu."
"Today is a good day."
"The awakening ceremony in the hall is all prepared."
"You're six now. It's time to see what your Martial Soul is."
Bibi Dong had poured all her heart and soul into this adopted son.
It wasn't only because Lin Qiu was sweet and sensible. More than that, he'd made her feel a long-lost, pure familial affection.
There were no exchanges of favors, no schemes and intrigues.
She really wanted to know what kind of Martial Soul this child, whom she loved so dearly, would awaken.
From her observations over the years, although Lin Qiu hadn't awakened yet, his physical condition was absurdly good.
Even if he didn't have Twin Martial Souls, he should at least have a top-tier Martial Soul.
However,
to her surprise,
Lin Qiu shook his head.
"Mom."
"I don't want to awaken today."
Bibi Dong froze.
A flash of surprise crossed her pale-purple eyes.
"Why?"
"Every child on the continent looks forward to this day."
"The sooner you awaken, the sooner you can start cultivating."
"Don't you want to become a Soul Master?"
Lin Qiu leaned back, sinking into the soft cushions.
He settled into a comfortable position.
"It's not that I don't want to."
"It's just that... it doesn't feel like the right time yet."
"I want to wait a little longer."
"Even six more months would be fine."
That reason sounded terribly willful.
It was even a little baffling.
If it had been another elder or bishop, they probably would have scolded him for "fooling around."
But Bibi Dong wasn't just anyone.
She was the most fiercely protective woman on the entire continent.
Hearing Lin Qiu say this, she froze for only an instant before breaking into a smile.
Her smile was dazzlingly beautiful.
"All right."
"Then we'll wait a little longer."
"If you don't want to go, then you don't have to."
"Our Xiao Qiu can awaken whenever he wants."
There was no blame.
She didn't even ask any unnecessary questions.
As far as she was concerned, as long as Lin Qiu was happy, that was all that mattered.
Even if Lin Qiu never awakened a Martial Soul and remained an ordinary person his whole life, she could still provide for him.
And she could do it very well.
Anyone who dared object would be wiped out.
Bibi Dong reached out and gently slipped an arm around Lin Qiu's shoulders.
She pulled him into her embrace.
It was a softness that left him breathless.
Lin Qiu could clearly smell the pleasant, delicate fragrance on her.
"Are you tired?"
Bibi Dong asked softly.
"You just"
"had a fight with Xue'er. You must be exhausted, right?"
"What would you like to eat tonight? I'll have the kitchen make it."
As she spoke, she gently patted Lin Qiu's back.
As if she were soothing a baby.
Lin Qiu rubbed against her in her arms, like a lazy little cat.
"I want sweet-and-sour ribs."
"And crystal shrimp."
Bibi Dong's eyes curved into a smile.
"All right. Whatever you want."
She lowered her head and planted a light kiss on Lin Qiu's rosy cheek.
The gesture was natural and affectionate.
"As long as you're by my side, I'll hold up the sky if it falls."
"You don't need to feel any pressure."
Warmth filled Lin Qiu's heart.
He knew Bibi Dong truly cared for him.
In Spirit Hall, a place full of schemes, this pure affection was all the more precious.
"Thank you, Mom."
News of Lin Qiu refusing to awaken his Martial Soul—
though Bibi Dong had ordered it suppressed—
still spread through Spirit Hall. There was no keeping a secret there.
Especially among those who kept a close eye on the Pope's every move.
The news grew wings and quickly spread throughout the upper ranks.
Worship Hall.
Several old men dressed in golden robes sat together drinking tea.
The atmosphere was rather gloomy.
The one speaking was Demon Subduing Douluo.
He toyed with a Coiling Dragon Staff in his hand, his brows furrowed and his expression displeased.
"Have you heard?"
"That brat the Pope brought back actually refused Martial Soul Awakening."
Qian Jun Douluo, seated across from him, took a sip of tea.
He gave a cold laugh.
"Refused?"
"If you ask me, he's simply afraid."
"He probably tested himself in secret long ago, found out he had a Trash Martial Soul or no Soul Power, and was afraid of making a fool of himself in public. That's why he made up an excuse to put it off."
Demon Subduing Douluo brought his staff down hard on the floor.
It landed with a dull thud.
"Hmph!"
"I knew the Pope had lost her senses."
"She neglects her own young mistress, yet dotes on some outsider's bastard."
"That brat has been here for years. How many rare treasures has he eaten?"
"Even a pig should have turned into a Soul Beast by now."
"And the result?"
"He doesn't even dare awaken a Martial Soul."
The other worshippers around them shook their heads one after another.
In their eyes, Bibi Dong's behavior was simply incomprehensible.
She was not only wasting resources but also disgracing Spirit Hall.
"Should we go talk the Pope into changing her mind?" someone ventured.
"Talk her into it?"
Qian Jun Douluo shot him a sidelong glance.
"Are you going to do it?"
"You know what the Pope's temper is like these days."
"Other than that brat, whose words would she listen to?"
"Last time, Elder Chrysanthemum merely made an offhand remark about the boy, and the Pope nearly threw him into Slaughter City."
At this, everyone fell silent, afraid to make a sound.
No one dared risk drawing her ire again.
They could only grumble in private, lamenting Spirit Hall's misfortune at having produced a "tyrant."
The days slipped by amid all the gossip and rumors.
Spring passed and autumn came.
In the blink of an eye, half a year went by.
During that time, the rumors that Lin Qiu was a "good-for-nothing" and a "coward" grew more and more rampant.
Even some ordinary stewards and disciples started looking at Lin Qiu strangely in private.
There was pity in their eyes, but also contempt.
Inside Pope Palace.
Bibi Dong stood before the enormous floor-to-ceiling window, listening to her subordinate's report.
Her expression darkened by the moment.
A terrifying killing intent spread around her.
The temperature in the entire hall seemed to drop by several degrees.
"A bunch of gossips."
Bibi Dong coldly spat out the words.
"Pass down my order."
"Anyone who dares discuss this again will be executed without mercy."
The steward who had delivered the report trembled from head to toe, then scrambled out on hands and knees.
Bibi Dong took a deep breath and steadied herself.
She turned and strode toward Lin Qiu's bedroom.
She didn't care what others said about her.
But she would never allow those rumors to hurt Lin Qiu.
He was still so young, at an age when he was especially sensitive.
How hurt would he be if he heard those things?
At the thought, Bibi Dong quickened her pace.
She pushed open the door.
But what she saw was a scene of peaceful serenity.
Lin Qiu sat cross-legged on the carpet.
His eyes were closed, his breathing long and steady.
He seemed to be practicing some kind of special breathing technique.
Sunlight streamed through the window and bathed him in a golden outline.
He looked sacred and peaceful.
There wasn't the slightest sign that the rumors had troubled him.
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