The Future Was What Mattered

When Bibi Dong came to, she realized she was lying on top of Li Pu. What had just happened didn't seem to have affected her much.

It was as if her animal instincts had taken over and she'd lost control, laying hands on a child.

"Hiss!"

Just as she was about to move away, she was suddenly pulled back, which woke Li Pu as well.

Bibi Dong didn't know how to face Li Pu. She'd been caught off guard and fallen under the influence!

"I'm sorry! You have to believe me, I'm not that kind of person!"

Bibi Dong was afraid Li Pu would think she was like those wanton women in Slaughter City who didn't care about themselves at all.

Li Pu shook his head, fighting down his embarrassment and inner turmoil. "It's not your fault. Hell Road is full of dangers. It's only natural that there'd be a lust trial."

The disgust he'd felt after his first humiliating encounter wasn't there this time. Instead, alongside his guilt toward Bibi Dong, there was also a thrill of excitement. It seemed he didn't mind Li Pu—in fact, she was willing to accept him.

Then Bibi Dong struggled to get up and separate from Li Pu, but nearly collapsed back onto him when her strength gave out.

Li Pu said bluntly, "The god behind Hell Road is truly disgusting! All gods are the same!"

"Why would you say that?" Bibi Dong couldn't understand.

"I've heard some people in Slaughter City talk about it. When they took the Sea God Trial, quite a few of the trials were disgusting like this. And they required women to take the initiative and satisfy men, just to indulge the gods' perverse tastes." Li Pu exposed the truth.

There was no denying it: hadn't Bai Chenxiang, in the original story, been made to kiss that lecherous fatty for an entire hour?

Bibi Dong's eyes widened. As she got dressed, she asked, "That can't be true, can it? You're saying they're all gods?"

"Gods!?"

Li Pu could only scoff.

Wasn't Douluo's Sea God Poseidon modeled after the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon—a god who spared neither his grandmother nor his sisters? Douluo's Sea God Poseidon was just the same.

"If this wasn't the work of a god, there'd be no reason for us to go through this. They're probably trying to accomplish something!"

"What could the gods possibly want from us? Maybe they're trying to..."

Bibi Dong felt that perhaps the trial was meant to help her find love again.

"Whatever the reason, I'm furious about it."

Li Pu had gotten dressed too. He said indignantly, still feeling the heat below and unable to quell it.

"Don't you like me, Sister...?"

Bibi Dong stared straight at Li Pu and gave him a confession that wasn't quite a confession. Her eyes glistened pitifully; surely any other man would have said yes.

Li Pu's gaze was resolute as he called out, "Have you still not come to your senses?"

Bibi Dong was already clearheaded. Whatever Li Pu said, she was prepared for it.

"I'm older than you, and I even have a daughter..."

Her voice grew quieter and quieter, until it nearly broke into a sob.

There was no one who could withstand the force of that sight.

Li Pu didn't consider himself a Cao thief, but he couldn't deny that Bibi Dong like this was captivating—and she had the appeal of a widow, too.

"Even so, I never expected this to happen. I'll say it again: I don't blame you."

"But don't worry. I can take responsibility. From now on, you'll be my woman."

Bibi Dong was moved, and at the same time, felt even guiltier.

She thought that if only she'd met Li Pu sooner, she could have given herself to him whole. With Li Pu's talent, she believed her teacher wouldn't have objected—and wouldn't have corrupted her.

She shook her head and smiled. "No need. Those words are enough."

Li Pu could tell what Bibi Dong was thinking. After all, in this feudal era, even though strength as a Spirit Master was revered, women were still treated unfairly. No matter how strong a woman was, even if she became an emperor, it was hard to escape the rules that a wife must obey her husband and follow the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. Most of all, she couldn't accept what had happened to her.

But for someone from the open-minded Blue Star, none of this was a problem.

As long as two people loved each other, whatever had happened in the past didn't matter.

"Whatever happened before, it's in the past now. What matters is the future. You shouldn't stay trapped in the past—you deserve a completely new future."

For a moment, Bibi Dong was overcome with emotion.

The blossoming of this new way of thinking seemed to show Bibi Dong a path forward.

She seemed to see an Angel.

An Angel she wouldn't hate.

"Give me a little time to prepare."

Bibi Dong wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, her smile stirring the heart.

At the same time, Li Pu suddenly realized that what he'd done might have been exactly what a certain god wanted—and then some.

He gritted his teeth.

"Damn it!"

"What a vicious scheme!"

At this point, whatever he did would be meaningless. It seemed the outcome was already set, with no way to break through.

Unless he could escape alive!

The situation before him seemed to leave only one choice: give up on Hell Road.

He thought it over carefully. If he gave up on Hell Road, things would likely become even more dangerous.

For a moment, Li Pu didn't know where to make his next move.

He could only keep moving forward for now.

He'd take it one step at a time.

Only by getting out first might he find a genuine chance at survival.

The two continued on, one behind the other, without a word.

After what had happened, neither of them knew what to say.

They had walked for quite a while when Bibi Dong, who had an insect-type Martial Soul and was undeniably powerful, more easily picked up the rustling sound ahead.

"Stop. It seems there's another obstacle ahead—a giant snake."

If Li Pu remembered correctly, it was the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent.

It was definitely stronger than the Dark Gold Three-Headed Bat King, even if its other nine heads hadn't grown yet.

Li Pu had planned to strike first and unleash a barrage of firepower, blowing the damn thing to bits.

Bibi Dong stopped him. "That giant snake is at least ten meters long. Its entire body is wrapped around the narrow path, and with its abilities, it could easily destroy the path. If you attack first, it might destroy the road ahead."

"Then should we just charge through?" Li Pu asked.

Bibi Dong smiled. "I have a way. It hasn't noticed us yet."

Bibi Dong once more used Martial Soul Possession. Eight spider legs sprouted from her back, and then she wrapped her arms around Li Pu.

"What are you planning to do?" Li Pu asked curiously.

Bibi Dong chuckled, then carried Li Pu directly beneath the narrow bridge. With a spider's abilities, it was easy as pie.

Seeing this, Li Pu said, "You might as well swing across on your webs. It'd be faster."

"I was afraid the webs might dissolve. Besides, better safe than sorry."

Bibi Dong had a point, so for the moment, they continued this way.

As the two drew closer, the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent let out a series of croaks from its mouth, like a baby crying. It was trying to lure the unsuspecting trial-taker ahead, but it couldn't see anyone at all.

It was utterly baffled???