Bibi Dong, I'm Here

Zhu Shen sat cross-legged on the large bed in the Spirit City hotel, circulating his soul power for the entire night. As the sky outside the window began to brighten, he slowly opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of stale air.

"Refreshing!" He clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within his body. "The soul power density in Spirit City is just different; one night here is worth three days in Nuoding City."

He jumped off the bed and scrutinized himself in the full-length mirror. The man in the reflection had sword-like brows and starry eyes, his golden pupils gleaming, and even a simple grey robe could not hide his tall, upright posture.

"Tsk tsk, handsome, truly handsome." Zhu Shen stroked his chin. "Bibi Dong, oh Bibi Dong, don't get too dazzled by me when we meet later."

[Ding, detected that the host's narcissism level has exploded, triggering a hidden reward: Face Thickness +10%.]

Zhu Shen: "...System, are you insulting me?"

[System prompt: The 'Tell the Truth' function has been disabled.]

Zhu Shen couldn't be bothered to argue with it and pulled "Bibi Dong's Love Letter" from his storage soul tool. The object felt warm and smooth to the touch, carrying a faint, lingering fragrance, yet it was completely blank.

"Can this thing really boost favorability?" Zhu Shen flipped it over and over. "Bibi Dong is the Pope now, a cold and ruthless character... forget it, I'll treat a dead horse as if it were alive." He solemnly tucked the love letter into his innermost pocket.

"San, are you up yet?" Zhu Shen knocked on the door next to him.

Tang San pushed the door open, his eyes clear; he had clearly been awake for a while. "Teacher, this disciple is ready."

"Let's go, time for breakfast. You need a full stomach to have the energy to meet the Pope." Zhu Shen waved his hand grandly and led Tang San downstairs.

The breakfast in Spirit City was indeed sumptuous, and Zhu Shen ordered a table full of food. Watching his teacher devour the meal like a whirlwind, Tang San silently pushed his own fried egg over.

"Teacher, please eat slowly."

"Slow? What's slow? Time is money." Zhu Shen mumbled with his mouth full of meat buns. "When we see the Pope later, be sharp and follow my lead. We're here to discuss a partnership, so we must maintain the right posture... well, mostly my posture needs to be handsome."

Tang San's mouth twitched. "This disciple understands."

After eating, the two set off toward the Pope Palace. Spirit City was truly magnificent, with wide streets and towering buildings, and the patrolling Spirit Master squads all possessed formidable auras. Tang San was overwhelmed by the sights, while Zhu Shen held his head high, striving to radiate an aura of "I am strong and also handsome."

[Ding, detected that the host has activated 'Show-off Mode', triggering an opportunity mission: The Focal Point Before the Pope Palace. Mission requirement: Attract at least one hundred gazes before stepping through the main gate of the Pope Palace. Reward: Evolution Points +20.]

Zhu Shen's eyes lit up. Evolution points! He had been fretting over being stuck at 90/100.

"San, it's time to test your acting skills." Zhu Shen suddenly stopped and looked at Tang San with a serious expression.

Tang San's heart skipped a beat. "Teacher?"

Zhu Shen took a deep breath and suddenly released his Dragon God Martial Soul! Golden light soared into the sky, a majestic dragon shadow circled around him, and four soul rings—two purple and two black—blazed with light, the overwhelming dragon might instantly shrouding half the street.

"Wow!"

"Look! What kind of martial soul is that?"

"Heavens, two ten-thousand-year soul rings! Who is this person?"

"Such powerful pressure!"

Pedestrians and Spirit Masters on the street stopped in their tracks, their gazes of shock, curiosity, and awe focusing squarely on Zhu Shen.

Tang San was completely bewildered by this sudden maneuver, standing frozen and at a loss. He watched his teacher bathed in golden light, struggling to maintain the solemn expression of a "peerless expert," and felt his own cheeks burning.

[Ding, number of gazes: 127. Congratulations to the host for completing the mission: The Focal Point Before the Pope Palace. Reward obtained: Evolution Points +20. Current Evolution Points: 110/100, Dragon God Bloodline purity can be increased to 21%. Do you wish to upgrade?]

"Upgrade!" Zhu Shen was ecstatic and confirmed immediately. A warm current surged through his entire body, and he felt his power solidify once more. Satisfied, he retracted his martial soul, and the golden light and pressure vanished instantly.

"Let's go, San, don't just stand there like a fool." Zhu Shen patted the still-dazed Tang San, acting as if he hadn't just set off a flashbang in the middle of the street.

Tang San followed silently, sighing for the hundred-and-first time. The intervals during which his teacher was "reliable" were truly getting shorter and shorter.

The two finally arrived before the Pope Palace. The massive palace gates were solemn and imposing, with two rows of Palace Guard Knights in bright silver armor standing at the entrance, their auras steady and at least at the Spirit Ancestor level. An old man dressed in cardinal robes was already waiting there.

"Master Yu, young friend Tang San, His Holiness the Pope is already waiting inside. Please, follow me." The Cardinal's attitude was respectful, clearly having received instructions.

Yu Xiaogang straightened his back, trying his best to look like a proper master. "Thank you, Cardinal."

Passing through the long, red-carpeted corridor, the exquisite murals and magnificent pillars on both sides showcased the deep heritage of Spirit Hall. Finally, they were led to a gorgeous gate carved with angel patterns.

The Cardinal stopped and bowed slightly. "His Holiness the Pope is inside. Please, enter."

The gates opened silently inward, revealing a spacious and bright side hall.

Zhu Shen took a deep breath, straightened his collar, touched the love letter prop in his pocket, and whispered to Tang San, "Remember, watch my lead."

Tang San nodded solemnly.

Zhu Shen stepped forward, entering the side hall first. His gaze was instantly locked onto the figure sitting at the head of the room.

The luxurious Pope's robe, the dazzling Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown, the breathtakingly beautiful face, and those deep, icy purple eyes that seemed to see through everything.

It was none other than Pope Bibi Dong.

Zhu Shen's heart skipped a beat, betraying his composure. He took a step forward, performed a standard Spirit Master salute as he had planned, and kept his voice as steady as possible:

"Yu Xiaogang of Nuoding City, accompanied by my disciple Tang San, greets Your Holiness the Pope."

Bibi Dong's gaze fell upon Zhu Shen, and deep within those icy purple eyes, a faint, indescribable ripple seemed to flash by. Her gaze lingered on Zhu Shen's face for a moment before she spoke slowly, her voice cold and majestic:

"Master Yu, no need for formalities. Please, sit."

[Ding, detected that the host has successfully met Bibi Dong, the effect of the "Bibi Dong's Love Letter" prop is triggering... Initial favorability has increased slightly.]

Zhu Shen sat down as instructed, struggling to maintain the demeanor of a serious master, though the corner of his eye couldn't help but glance toward the peerless figure on the main seat. He cleared his throat, preparing to pitch the cooperation proposal as planned.

"Your Holiness, my presumptuous visit today is, in fact, for..."

Before the words had even faded, the "Bibi Dong's Love Letter" tucked against his chest suddenly gave a slight, unprompted tremor! An indescribable warmth instantly radiated outward, pulsing gently as if it possessed a life of its own.

[Ding! Warning! Special energy resonance detected! The activity level of the item "Bibi Dong's Love Letter" has increased abnormally!]

Zhu Shen's body stiffened, and he nearly bolted from his chair. What the hell was this broken item doing? Wasn't it supposed to just provide a minor boost to favorability and be done with it? With a commotion like this... he wouldn't get caught, would he?

He instinctively clutched his chest, his movement appearing slightly abrupt. Bibi Dong, seated at the head of the hall, narrowed her deep, icy purple eyes ever so slightly. Her gaze swept over the spot where Zhu Shen was covering his chest as if it were tangible, seemingly piercing through the fabric to land directly on that blank love letter. The jade-like fingers she had been resting steadily on the armrest curled in a way that was nearly impossible to detect.

The air seemed to freeze for a split second.

Tang San keenly sensed his teacher's momentary rigidity and the almost imperceptible change in the Pope's demeanor, and alarm bells rang in his heart: Teacher... what kind of trouble has he stirred up again? That "love letter"—it isn't just an item, is it? Is it... alive?!