School? Even a dog wouldn't go.

Qian Xunji spoke suddenly, his tone much lighter than before: "Dong'er, you should keep that Deng Tianxin by your side more often from now on."

Bibi Dong was slightly stunned, then nodded: "I was already planning to take him as my disciple, so naturally, I will keep him close."

"It's not just about teaching him cultivation," Qian Xunji set down his teacup, looked at Bibi Dong, and said earnestly, "His God of Love Martial Soul is very special. Letting him observe you more will be beneficial to you."

Qian Xunji paused, then added, "It is a good thing that you have come to your senses. Your teacher is very pleased."

Bibi Dong looked at the relieved expression on her teacher's face and suddenly felt a strange pang in her heart.

Only then did she realize how much distress her relationship with Yu Xiaogang had caused her teacher.

This made her feel even more grateful toward Deng Tianxin; if not for that little brat's relentless verbal assault, she might still be trapped in that situation, unable to find her way out.

She would never admit this to Deng Tianxin's face, not even if it killed her.

That little brat was already arrogant enough; if he knew she was grateful to him, his tail would likely wag all the way to the heavens.

After a long while, Bibi Dong left the Pope Palace.

On the way back, Bibi Dong was in quite a good mood, but when she returned to the Saintess Palace and saw Deng Tianxin, she froze.

She saw Deng Tianxin lying on a lounge chair, acting like a pampered master.

Deng Tianxin saw Bibi Dong place her teacup on the table and said: "Old hag, where did you go so early in the morning?"

Old hag.

These two words were like a spark, instantly blasting Bibi Dong out of the warm, sentimental, and grateful atmosphere she had felt back at the Pope Palace.

She stood at the entrance of the Saintess Palace, watching Deng Tianxin on the lounge chair with his legs crossed, wiggling his little feet, looking exactly like a retired old man. The veins on her forehead began to throb visibly.

"What did you call me?" Bibi Dong's voice was terrifyingly calm.

Deng Tianxin picked up his teacup, blew on the steam with practiced ease, took a small sip, and then slowly looked up, blinking his large, innocent eyes: "Old hag, in our village, 'old hag' is a term of endearment for elders."

"A term of endearment?" Bibi Dong sneered and stepped inside. "Then when you called me 'auntie' yesterday, was that also a term of endearment?"

"That's different," Deng Tianxin set down his cup, straightened his little face, and corrected her solemnly. "'Auntie' is an honorific for young, beautiful women, while 'old hag' is a respectful term for elders of high virtue and prestige. Although both are compliments, their scopes of application differ."

Bibi Dong took a deep breath.

Stay calm, Bibi Dong told herself.

This little brat just helped you see Yu Xiaogang's true colors yesterday, and even your teacher showed you a rare smile because of him.

He is a hero, a lucky star, and a key student hand-picked by your teacher.

You must endure it; you cannot hit him the moment you return.

Looking at Deng Tianxin's leisurely appearance, Bibi Dong only felt that he had never suffered the "beating" of schooling.

Wait... schooling?!

Bibi Dong suddenly thought of a way to torture Deng Tianxin: send him to school.

For a child, nothing is more torturous than school.

Thinking of this, Bibi Dong looked at Deng Tianxin with a face full of smiles.

Deng Tianxin saw Bibi Dong's smile and felt goosebumps break out all over his body.

Bibi Dong walked up to Deng Tianxin with a cheerful smile and said: "Little Tianxin, I have something to tell you."

Deng Tianxin looked at Bibi Dong with wariness: "Speak your mind, and spit it out if you have something to say."

Bibi Dong kept her smile: "In one month, you are going to the Spirit Hall Soul Master Academy."

Deng Tianxin sneered: "School? Not even a dog would go."

After saying this, Deng Tianxin felt something was off, as if he had just insulted himself.

The smile on Bibi Dong's face did not disappear; instead, it deepened.

Deng Tianxin was all too familiar with that smile; it was the same one she wore yesterday when she was about to spank him.

"Not even a dog would go?" Bibi Dong repeated, her tone impossibly gentle, then reached out and pinched Deng Tianxin's chubby cheeks, pulling them slightly. "Try insulting yourself again?"

"Mmph, let go, let go!" Deng Tianxin waved his short arms and finally managed to break free from Bibi Dong's clutches.

Deng Tianxin rubbed his reddened cheeks and protested indignantly, "That's corporal punishment! It's abuse! I'm going to report you to the Spirit Hall Human Rights Committee!"

"There is no Human Rights Committee in Spirit Hall," Bibi Dong said expressionlessly.

"Then I'll go establish one!"

Bibi Dong ignored his nonsense and sat down in the chair next to him.

She studied the arrogant little brat before her, and the more she looked, the more she felt her decision was brilliant.

This little brat was lawless in front of her, calling her an old hag and telling her to spit it out—his attitude was even more arrogant than the Pope's—all because he was too idle.

If she gave him something to do, he wouldn't have the energy to stir up trouble.

And in this world, for a six-year-old child, nothing was more torturous than school.

Waking up early every day, not allowed to talk in class, and having to do homework after school—just imagining Deng Tianxin sitting at a desk, looking utterly hopeless, made Bibi Dong feel refreshed.

"The Spirit Hall Soul Master Academy is one of the best soul master institutions on the continent," Bibi Dong switched to a professional tone. "It has a strong faculty and a complete teaching system. You will be able to learn soul master knowledge systematically, which will be good for you."

"Not going," Deng Tianxin said, lying back down on his recliner and crossing his legs. "I'm a genius with innate full soul power at level twenty. You want me to go to class with a bunch of brats? Isn't that just a waste of my time?"

Bibi Dong's eyelid twitched. Brats? Aren't you a brat yourself?

"Besides," Deng Tianxin continued, sounding quite righteous, "I already have you as a teacher, so why would I need to go to school? Or do you think you aren't as good at teaching as the school instructors?"

This tactic of advancing by retreating was executed quite beautifully, tossing the problem right back at Bibi Dong.

She certainly couldn't admit that she was inferior to the school's teachers, could she?

However, Bibi Dong clearly wasn't falling for it.

Bibi Dong smiled slightly and reached out to pat Deng Tianxin on the head. "There's no need to provoke me. I am your cultivation mentor, but you need to go to school to systematically learn cultural subjects, basic spirit master theory, and the general history of the Douluo Continent. This is for your own good."

"For my own good?" Deng Tianxin rolled his eyes. "You just want to see me suffer."

He could already imagine the scene of Bibi Dong laughing heartily in her heart.

Deng Tianxin pondered whether he should pull a big prank on Bibi Dong in the future.

Bibi Dong's smile stiffened for a moment before she withdrew her hand as if nothing had happened. "Think what you want. Regardless, school starts in a month, and you must go."

"I'm not going." Deng Tianxin crossed his arms over his chest, striking a pose of absolute non-cooperation.