They Had Become Mother and Daughter After All

The matter of the new Pope had come to a temporary close.

Of course, it was far from over.

In the days ahead, Spirit City would surely become incredibly lively.

Soon afterward, news of Bibi Dong succeeding as the new Pope spread across the continent. Before the people had even recovered from Clear Sky Sect becoming Rat Sect, they were struck by another shock. One wave had barely subsided before another rose.

Such rapid, successive changes made many perceptive figures secretly wary. They believed that a grand era was approaching and that the times would soon undergo another great reshuffling.

Naturally, some rejoiced while others worried.

For now, none of that mattered.

At this moment, Bibi Dong neither hurried to sit upon the Pope's Throne and experience the supreme splendor of the world, nor returned directly to the residence. Instead, she entered the Worship Hall, a magnificent palace of gold and jade.

This was because, before leaving earlier, Qian Daoliu had sent her a voice transmission, telling her to come to the Worship Hall afterward, as he had something important to tell her.

Bibi Dong did not suspect anything.

As she entered the grand hall, she found that its interior was surprisingly simple, utterly mismatched with its lavish exterior. Aside from a divine statue, an offering table, and seven moderately sized meditation cushions, there was nothing else.

At a glance, it was easy to tell that this was a place for quiet cultivation.

An elderly man in gold robes embroidered with silver sat upon each cushion. Their gazes were calm and indifferent. As expected, they were the seven core priests of Spirit Hall.

When Bibi Dong arrived, Golden Crocodile Priest and Mighty Lion Priest were the first to offer her friendly, kindly smiles.

After all, Bibi Dong's arrangements after bringing them to Clear Sky Sect had amused them for quite some time.

Rat Sect... tsk.

After the two of them, the expressions of the other four priests, aside from Qian Daoliu, also began to crack.

Among them, Jiang Mo and Qian Jun wore the most resentful expressions.

Damn it!

Why had the two brothers not volunteered to accompany Spirit Hall's army to Clear Sky Sect? If they had, they would have been the ones to beat Tang Xiao with sticks and leave their names in history.

How could they have let Mighty Lion, that so-called "stick-wielder" who was no better than them, take the chance?

Ah, what a pity.

As for Azure Luan and Guangling, the remaining two priests, they were also studying Bibi Dong with great interest. They were curious about this second Twin Martial Souls Soul Master in history, one who might soon succeed in cultivating them.

"Honored Priests."

Bibi Dong nodded politely in greeting, then looked toward Qian Daoliu, who sat cross-legged on the first cushion before the divine statue without much reaction.

"May I ask what instructions the Grand Priest has for summoning me here?"

Qian Daoliu narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Now that you have become Pope, there are some things you should know."

"Xue'er, come out."

As his words fell, Bibi Dong froze for a moment. Then she saw a young girl slowly emerge from behind the hall. She had golden hair and delicate features, like a porcelain doll, and was staring at Bibi Dong with large, bright eyes.

There was actually someone else in the hall?

Bibi Dong was secretly startled. She could not imagine that this golden-haired girl, who was clearly still very young, had managed to evade her senses. If the girl had not revealed herself, Bibi Dong truly would not have discovered her.

"Do you know who she is?"

Before the girl could speak, Qian Daoliu pointed at her and asked Bibi Dong again.

Hearing this, Bibi Dong made a silent guess. There were not many young girls qualified to appear in such a setting, and Qian Daoliu had called her "Xue'er." Before long, she thought of someone rumored to have died young—

Qian Renxue!

"She is... Teacher's daughter?"

After hesitating for a moment, Bibi Dong answered with uncertainty.

"Mm."

Qian Daoliu nodded faintly.

"Xue'er, Qian Renxue, is Ji'er's daughter. Do you know why Spirit Hall went to such lengths to spread the news that Xue'er had died young?"

Bibi Dong shook her head.

Qian Daoliu continued explaining.

"Because Xue'er possesses the unprecedented Innate Level 20 Soul Power. From the moment she awakened her Martial Soul, she was chosen by my god. Once she completes the Nine Trials of the Angel in the future, she will become a god."

Innate Level 20... Nine Trials of the Angel... becoming a god...

This string of revelations left even Bibi Dong feeling as though she had been struck senseless.

It was simply terrifying!

Even with Twin Martial Souls and peerless talent, Bibi Dong had never entertained any thoughts about something as illusory as becoming a god.

And now, a living young girl stood before her, one whose identity was that of a candidate to become a god?!

Comparisons really could drive a person mad!

After calming herself down, Bibi Dong spoke with great solemnity.

"I understand. Once I leave here, this secret will rot in my heart."

Qian Daoliu nodded slightly.

"I called you here today not only to tell you about Xue'er. There is one more matter."

"What is it?"

In an instant, Bibi Dong suddenly felt the atmosphere turn a little strange.

"I want Xue'er to acknowledge you as her adoptive mother."

"?!!"

Bibi Dong was instantly dumbfounded.

Was she about to become a mother out of nowhere?!

Behind her, Qian Renxue's face flushed slightly. Unable to help herself, she buried her little head in her still undeveloped chest.

Qian Daoliu glanced at his obedient granddaughter and nodded inwardly before continuing.

"You know Xue'er's situation. Ji'er passed away not long ago, while her mother died in an accident after giving birth to her. Xue'er herself is only ten years old."

"I hope you can take the place of her late mother and become someone she can rely on and her guardian. Spirit Hall will need the two of you to work together and advance hand in hand in the future."

Bibi Dong fell silent.

"Also, this matter concerns Xue'er's future Nine Trials of the Angel."

Qian Daoliu added another sentence, though this time it entered Bibi Dong's mind through voice transmission.

After all, some things could not be stated too clearly, especially not where the person involved could hear them.

Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong ultimately nodded and agreed.

If it concerned a God Exam, then its importance was self-evident. She might have had the right to refuse, since Qian Daoliu presumably would not force his own granddaughter, but she would not refuse.

Setting aside the fact that this would benefit her as well, even without considering personal gain...

Bibi Dong looked at Qian Renxue, and as if possessed, Qian Renxue raised her head to meet her gaze.

As their eyes met, they inexplicably clicked, each feeling a fondness for the other.

She's so cute...

She's so beautiful...

Each of them thought so.

Before they knew it, the seven priests had quietly disappeared.

Bibi Dong noticed, and she understood that they wished to leave her and Qian Renxue a space where they could get along properly, so she did not mind.

At that moment, Qian Renxue slowly walked forward and said timidly,

"Mo... Adoptive Mother, hello. My name is Qian Renxue."

Bibi Dong smiled faintly, bent down gently, and pulled her into an embrace.

"I am Bibi Dong. If you do not mind, you can call me Mom from now on."

"Mo... Mom..."

Leaning against Bibi Dong's warm embrace, Qian Renxue seemed to suddenly think of something. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes, and then she broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.