The other party replied almost instantly, every word dripping with hostility.
[I Have No Mother: Spirit Hall was destroyed in the end. Where did you think its pope came from? You chose this path yourself, Bibi Dong!]
The words were like a sharp blade, stabbing straight into Bibi Dong's most sensitive nerve.
"I chose it?"
Bibi Dong laughed in fury, killing intent spilling from her as purple-black Soul Power gathered faintly behind her into the sinister phantom of the Spider Emperor.
No one in this world had ever dared speak to her like that!
Heaven Dou City, secret chamber beneath the Crown Prince Mansion.
Looking at Bibi Dong's furious reply in the Diary, Qian Renxue felt a rush of satisfaction unlike anything she had ever experienced.
Her handsome face, disguised as Xue Qinghe, was alight with the pleasure of revenge.
"Hmph. My good 'sister,' did I hit a nerve?"
Qian Renxue lightly tapped her fingers on the desk.
Ever since she had read the Diary and learned that Bibi Dong's madness would lead to the destruction of the Spirit Hall Empire—and that even that so-called "Little Scumbag" would be able to lord it over her—her resentment toward Bibi Dong had skyrocketed.
The dignity of a pope, the bond between mother and daughter—all of it seemed so ridiculous in this moment.
Since Qin Feng's Diary had given her a way to vent, she had no reason to hold back.
[I Have No Mother: Is it just the few of us, or are the others simply not saying anything?]
After sending the message, Qian Renxue glanced at the ID [Poison Fairy].
That Dugu Yan didn't seem inclined to butt into their argument. She had remained silent the whole time.
It left Qian Renxue a little disappointed.
Still, making that high-and-mighty woman so angry she was practically hopping mad was reward enough for today.
Outside the staff dormitory building at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Qin Feng emerged, looking refreshed.
After being tempered by the Dragon Elephant Prajna Art and the Chaos Green Lotus, he had undergone a profound transformation from the inside out.
His formerly pale skin now had a healthy bronze hue. His features seemed sharper and more defined, and his eyes gleamed like stars. Every movement radiated a confidence that seemed to come naturally.
"Now this is how a transmigrator should look."
Qin Feng lowered his gaze to his strong, capable hands and thought to himself.
Before, even with the title of special recruit, he had been nothing more than a poor kid with some talent in the eyes of those noble youths.
Now, he had what it took to crush every last bit of their contempt.
"The assessment, huh..."
Qin Feng looked toward the heart of the academy, the corner of his mouth curling in a carefree smile.
"Then let's play."
Heaven Dou Royal Academy nestled among mountains and waters, with breathtaking scenery and buildings of extravagant splendor.
As the top Soul Master Academy in the Heaven Dou Empire, it gathered the finest young talents from across the empire.
Those admitted were either wealthy or noble, and most had impressive talent.
Twenty-five levels was barely the entry threshold here.
The team assessment was being held at the Soul Fighting Arena behind the main teaching building.
It was already packed with people.
Besides the official members of the Heaven Dou Royal Team, plenty of students had come to watch after hearing the news.
Everyone wanted to see how the special recruit who had dared offend their leader, Yu Tianheng, would meet his end in the ring today.
At the center of the arena,
Yu Feng had been waiting for quite some time.
Arms crossed over his chest, he watched Qin Feng stroll up onto the platform with a mocking grin.
"Well, look at you. Had a wash?"
Yu Feng exaggeratedly sniffed the air. "Not bad. That slum stink has mostly faded."
Laughter rippled through the crowd below.
Qin Feng remained impassive, ignoring the lowbrow taunt. He simply said, "Cut the chatter. What's the test?"
Yu Feng sneered and wagged a finger.
"Simple. All you have to do is stay on your feet under my attacks for the time it takes one incense stick to burn. Then you pass."
"Of course, if you get on your knees right now, kowtow to Boss Yu, and apologize, maybe I'll go easy on you."
Qin Feng was about to respond when a cool, sharp voice suddenly rang out from the edge of the arena.
"Wait!"
The crowd parted of its own accord.
Two graceful figures approached.
The one in front was Dugu Yan.
Today she wore a form-fitting dark green leather outfit that showcased her fiery figure to the fullest. Her short purple hair fluttered in the wind, and her emerald eyes held a chilling glint.
Beside her walked a young woman in a black dress.
A black veil covered the girl's face, leaving only her clear, watery eyes visible.
She was slender and tall, her long legs appearing and disappearing beneath the swaying hem of her skirt. Her skin was so fair it was almost translucent, and her entire presence was cold and distant.
Ye Lingling, a Nine Heart Begonia Soul Master.
The moment Dugu Yan appeared, the atmosphere in the Soul Fighting Arena changed.
The students who had been jeering fell silent, their eyes filled with apprehension.
The granddaughter of Poison Douluo was a notorious Little Witch at the academy. No one dared provoke her.
Watching Dugu Yan stride over, Qin Feng summoned the Diary in his mind.
[Why is Dugu Yan here? What is this little minx up to?]
[Look at that fierce expression. Is she still holding a grudge over what happened a few days ago?]
[Come on, it wasn't like I took a chunk out of her. I just bumped into her by accident. What a petty woman.]
Dugu Yan stopped in her tracks, barely managing to keep herself from exploding on the spot.
She clenched her teeth, her gaze raking over Qin Feng like a blade.
"Bumped into her"?
The things you wrote in your Diary—did you think that was just a simple bump?
In your dreams!
Dugu Yan took a deep breath, forcing down her shame and anger, then turned toward Yu Tianheng, who was standing nearby and enjoying the show.
"Tianheng, come here."
Yu Tianheng paused, then broke into what he thought was a charming smile and hurried over.
"Yanyan, what brings you here? This little matter is best left to Yu Feng, so you don't have to sully your eyes."
But Dugu Yan paid no attention to his flattery. Instead, she pointed at Qin Feng on the platform and said coldly, "I want you to go up there yourself."
The smile froze on Yu Tianheng's face.
"What?"
"I said I want you to assess him yourself."
Dugu Yan raised her voice, her tone brooking no argument. "And don't hold back!"
Her words sent a shock through the crowd.
Yu Tianheng's eyes widened in disbelief.
Was she asking him, heir to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and a level-thirty-nine Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder, to assess a level-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster?
And he was supposed to go all out?
That was beneath him!
"Yanyan, th-that's not really appropriate, is it? Yu Feng can handle him just fine. If I step in, I might accidentally cripple him..."
"..."
Danger glinted in Dugu Yan's eyes as she glared at Qin Feng. "If anything happens, I'll take responsibility! What, do my words mean nothing to you?"