His Holiness the Pope's Self-Strategy

Pope Palace, bedchamber.

In front of the luxurious floor-length mirror, Bibi Dong looked at her own reflection.

Her skin was fairer than snow, and her phoenix eyes held an air of majesty. Time seemed to have treated this woman with exceptional favor, leaving not even the slightest trace upon her face; instead, it had distilled a ripe, breathtaking charm.

"Good skin?"

Bibi Dong sneered, her slender fingers tracing her cheek, yet her gaze was as cold as a stone in an ice cellar.

"A glib-tongued brat."

She tossed the black-covered notebook titled Su Yun's Diary (Copy) onto the table with a crisp snap.

Just moments ago, she had actually, in a fit of madness, read the second entry.

She had originally assumed that the boy, intimidated by her regal aura, would write something akin to a confession.

And the result?

The content was nothing but:

Scared the life out of me?

Up close, Teacher's skin is really good?

This was no Holy Son; this was clearly a lecher!

Had it been anyone else daring to tease the Pope in such a manner, the grass on their grave would already be two meters high.

Yet, Bibi Dong did not strike.

It was not only because of the potential of that Judgment Angel martial soul, but also because this diary was far too bizarre.

She had tried to destroy it with Rakshasa Divine Power, and even tried to isolate it with a spatial soul tool, but all attempts were futile.

The book seemed to be embedded in her very vision; whenever Su Yun put pen to paper, the content would pop up in real-time.

This was a power of rules that transcended Titled Douluo, and perhaps even transcended the gods themselves.

"Haa..."

Bibi Dong exhaled a breath of stale air and sat back down on her high-backed chair.

She rubbed her temples, forcing herself to calm down and summoning the rationality befitting the ruler of Spirit Hall.

"Since I cannot destroy it, I can only utilize it."

"I want to see what kind of nonsense you can spout next."

She opened the diary once more, her gaze skipping over the rebellious words that made her heart race and her face flush, moving toward the content further ahead.

That was the bombshell Su Yun had deliberately added to hoodwink her.

[Sigh, although Dong'er looks imposing now, I know her heart is full of bitterness.]

[In this world, no one understands Bibi Dong better than I do.]

Bibi Dong's mouth twitched. Who is your Dong'er? No one understands me better than you?

What an arrogant, insufferable man.

But the next second, her pupils constricted to pinpricks.

[Her entire life has been a struggle against fate. For the sake of that so-called "Grandmaster," she fell out with Qian Xunji, only to be locked in a secret chamber. That was the nightmare of her life.]

[She hates Spirit Hall, hates the Angel clan, and even hates this world. That is why she began the Rakshasa God Trials, wanting to destroy everything.]

[But, you foolish woman, do you even know you've been played by the Rakshasa God?]

[That Rakshasa God is a cunning old fox; its divine consciousness has been eroding your sanity, amplifying your resentment, and turning you into a madwoman who knows only slaughter.]

[You think you are utilizing divine power, but in reality, the divine power is toying with you. When the battle at Jialing Pass comes, you will realize that everything you did was merely paving the way for that cheater, Tang San.]

[You will die at Tang San's hands, dying without a shred of dignity. And that Grandmaster you pine for so desperately will only hold his Er Long, standing over your corpse, sighing: "Those who commit many injustices are doomed to destruction."]

[Tsk, tragic, truly tragic.]

[I almost want to write the word "Tragedy" for you.]

Silence.

A deathly silence.

The air in the bedchamber seemed to solidify; even the sound of the wind outside the window vanished.

Bibi Dong stared fixedly at those lines of text, her face as pale as paper, her body trembling uncontrollably.

If the mention of the secret chamber had only shocked her, then this description regarding the Rakshasa God Trials and her future fate was nothing short of a thunderbolt, shattering her psychological defenses entirely.

Rakshasa divine consciousness eroding my sanity?

I will be killed by Tang San?

Yu Xiaogang will...

"Impossible..."

Bibi Dong stood up abruptly, knocking over the chair behind her; a loud crash echoed through the empty bedchamber.

"This is absolutely impossible!"

"This Seat possesses twin martial souls and is a level 99 Peerless Douluo, only one step away from godhood! Who in this world could possibly kill me?!"

"Tang San? That brat mentioned in the diary?"

Although she was refuting it, her voice was trembling.

Because only she knew that while cultivating the Rakshasa Divine Power recently, she had indeed frequently experienced restlessness, irritability, and a short temper.

She had originally assumed it was a heart demon, but looking at it now, could it really be a trap set by the gods?

Bibi Dong was a suspicious person, and also an extremely intelligent one.

When all the clues pointed toward a conclusion, no matter how absurd, that conclusion was often the truth.

"Su Yun..."

Bibi Dong picked up the diary again, her expression becoming incredibly complex.

Fear, anger, confusion, and a sliver of hope, like finding a way out of a desperate situation.

If this diary was real, and if the future was truly that tragic, then the only variable that could change everything lay with this convenient disciple!

He knew the future!

He even knew the conspiracies of the gods!

"It seems that This Seat has paid far too little attention to you."

Bibi Dong took a deep breath, the panic in her eyes gradually receding, replaced by the decisiveness and ruthlessness of an empress.

"Someone, come!"

From the shadows, a ghostly figure emerged.

Ghost Douluo, Gui Mei.

"Your Majesty."

Gui Mei knelt on one knee, his voice hoarse.

Bibi Dong stood with her back to him, hands clasped behind her, her voice regaining its usual cold majesty:

"Go investigate someone. Notting City, Tang San."

"I want all the information on his ancestors back eighteen generations, including what age he wet the bed and what color underwear he likes to wear—have it all investigated clearly for This Seat!"

Gui Mei was stunned.

Tang San?

Who was that?

What kind of insignificant nobody from some backwater corner was that?

Why was the Pope suddenly paying attention to such an ant?

But he dared not ask, only bowing his head to accept the order:

"Yes!"

"And one more thing..."

Bibi Dong paused, her tone softening slightly, but to Gui Mei's ears, it was even more terrifying.

"Have Elder Ju go to the Holy Son Hall and deliver something to Su Yun."

"Deliver what?"

"A spirit bone."

Bibi Dong said indifferently, "Just say it is a gift from This Seat to congratulate him on his martial soul awakening. Tell him to cultivate properly and stop thinking about all those useless things all day long."

Gui Mei was so shocked he nearly dropped his mask.

A spirit bone?!

That was a supreme treasure that even Title Douluos coveted!

The Pope was actually giving it away so casually to that Holy Son who had no presence?

"Yes... this subordinate will see to it at once."

Gui Mei vanished, filled with questions.

Bibi Dong turned around, looking at the night view of Spirit City outside the window, her fingers gently stroking the cover of the diary.

"Su Yun, since you understand This Seat so well, then This Seat will play along with you."

"Want to be the hand manipulating things from behind the scenes?"

"Heh, the pieces on this chessboard are not so easy to play."

Holy Son Hall.

Su Yun was sprawled on his bed in a completely undignified manner, feet propped up, flipping through the rewards the system had just issued.

[Congratulations to the Host for successfully triggering self-indoctrination (overthinking) in the key character "Bibi Dong." Causality correction value +100.]

[Reward: Mental combat technique -- Telepathy (Pseudo).]

[Note: This skill cannot directly read minds, but it can vaguely perceive the target's emotional fluctuations and their favorability toward the Host. It is an essential divine skill for a player managing their harem or a scumbag fighting for survival.]

"Telepathy?"

Su Yun's eyes lit up.

This thing was great!

With this, he could precisely control the heat of his acting when dealing with big shots like Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue in the future.

For instance, just now, if he had known that although Bibi Dong was angry, she didn't intend to kill him, he wouldn't have knelt so quickly. How embarrassing.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Just then, the hall door was knocked.

Who could it be in the middle of the night?

It wouldn't be that old woman Bibi Dong coming back for a surprise attack, would it?

Su Yun shivered in fright, hurriedly shoved his diary into the system space, straightened his clothes, and struck a cold, aloof pose befitting a Holy Son.

"Enter."

The door pushed open, and a rich scent of chrysanthemums wafted in.

A man wearing flamboyant gold armor, lipstick, and holding a delicate orchid-finger gesture walked in.

Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan.

"Oh my, Your Highness the Holy Son, not asleep yet?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo laughed until he was trembling like a flower in the wind, giving Su Yun goosebumps.

Su Yun gave a dry laugh:

"So it is Elder Chrysanthemum. May I ask what brings you here so late at night?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo swayed his waist as he walked up to Su Yun, pulled an exquisite brocade box from his robes, and handed it over.

"His Holiness the Pope says that the Holy Son awakening a god-level martial soul is a great fortune for our Spirit Hall. She has specially bestowed a ten-thousand-year spirit bone to help Your Highness solidify your foundation."

"And also~"

Chrysanthemum Douluo leaned in close to Su Yun, his powdered face nearly touching Su Yun's, and winked with an ambiguous look in his eyes:

"His Holiness also told me to bring you a message."

Su Yun instinctively took half a step back:

"W-what message?"

Chrysanthemum Douluo pinched his throat, imitating Bibi Dong's tone, and said in a strange, mocking voice:

"She said: The diary is written quite well; write more next time."

Boom!

Su Yun felt as if his skull had been struck by lightning.

This was a threat, right?

This was absolutely a naked, blatant threat!

Watching Su Yun's expression, which looked as if he had swallowed a fly, Chrysanthemum Douluo covered his mouth and giggled, clearly misunderstanding something.

"Oh, don't be shy, Your Highness. To be held in such high regard by His Holiness, you are truly one of a kind."

"Alright, the item has been delivered, so I won't disturb your rest any further."

Chrysanthemum Douluo waved his handkerchief and sashayed away, leaving behind a room full of chrysanthemum scent and a Su Yun left in a state of utter disarray.

Su Yun held the brocade box containing the spirit bone, feeling as if he were holding a hot potato.

"The diary is written quite well..."

"Write more next time..."

Su Yun's mouth twitched, wanting to cry but having no tears.

Was he being pressured for updates?

A dignified Pope, not sleeping in the middle of the night, specifically sending a Title Douluo to demand more chapters?

"Fine, you want to read, do you?"

Su Yun gritted his teeth, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes.

"Since I'm already on this pirate ship, don't blame me for capsizing it!"

"Bibi Dong, you brought this upon yourself!"

"Once I drag all your dusty old secrets out into the light and trick your daughter into a limp, let's see how you manage to keep up that cold, aloof act!"

He summoned the diary once more, penning words down as if they were flying.

This time, he was going to play for keeps.

[Since Dong'er is being so generous as to gift me a spirit bone, I can't very well be stingy myself.]

[I'll take a stroll over to Notting City tomorrow.]

[I hear that hundred-thousand-year-old Rogue Rabbit has already taken human form? Heh, that's Tang San's future wife, and more importantly, the key ingredient to resurrecting Bibi Dong's mother... oh wait, no, the key ingredient to resurrecting that other person.]

[Since Tang San hasn't arrived yet, I suppose I'll just have to reluctantly look after this rabbit for him!]

[Just as that Xu Qi'an from Da Feng once said: listening to music at the brothel is life, while intercepting someone else's wife... ah, ptooey, intercepting someone else's opportunities is work.]

[Can't let work get in the way of living, after all!]