Inside a side hall of the Pope's Bedchamber, Bibi Dong finally managed to break free from Lin Tian's embrace. After carefully instructing the maid to look after the Holy Son, she hurriedly turned and left.
After Lin Tian had kept her busy on the bed, she was drenched in sweat and felt terribly uncomfortable.
Right now, she had only one thing on her mind: returning to her bedchamber for a relaxing bath.
The main hall of the Pope's Bedchamber, bathing room.
The brightly lit room was filled with rising steam. Droplets gathered on the jade dome overhead, as crystal-clear as diamonds.
From the distinctive copper incense burner, a wisp of fragrant aloeswood drifted on the breeze, lingering throughout the Papal Hall and filling the room with a refreshing calm.
Behind a tall, intricately carved sandalwood screen, the steady trickle of water rang out. Rising steam mingled with the scent of roses, filling the air. Through the screen's scattered openings, a glimpse could be seen of a peerless beauty bathing in the pool.
As water splashed, a broad expanse of her beautiful back came into view. Her skin was fair as snow, captivating anyone who saw it.
The peerless beauty bathing there was none other than Pope Bibi Dong, who had just hurried back from the side hall.
On the rosewood clothes rack beside the pool, the Pope's robe had been casually draped. A pair of black stockings she had worn earlier had been tossed aside as well.
In the large bath before her, strewn with rose petals, steaming water as rich as nectar reached the Pope's chest, rising to just beneath her delicate collarbones.
The vivid rose petals soaked in the bathwater released a lovely fragrance, intoxicating anyone who breathed it and making it impossible to tear themselves away.
After resting in the pool for a moment, the beauty raised her snow-white, lotus-root-like arms. Her hands were soft as young shoots, her skin as white as snow, and her red lips gleamed. Her entire body seemed like fine white jade, glowing with an unusual luster.
Pope Bibi Dong scooped up a palmful of bathwater and poured it over her collarbones. Droplets rolled down her skin, making a soft, tinkling sound.
After bathing, the peerless Pope picked up a few rose petals and crushed them between her palms. Then she gently rubbed them against her swanlike jade neck, adding a touch of special allure.
A stick of incense later, the peerless Pope finished bathing and slowly rose from the pool. Under the glow of the jade lamps, her snow-white skin looked even more radiant.
Seeing this, Hu Liena, who had been waiting beside the bath, hurriedly offered her a fresh robe with both hands. Bibi Dong flicked her arm, and the robe flew onto her body, wrapping around her entire figure.
After briefly drying her hair, Bibi Dong walked across the damp floor on her long, shapely legs and sat down at her personal dressing table.
"Teacher, let me help you with your hair."
Hu Liena carefully stepped forward, then leaned toward the Pope's ear and asked softly.
"If that's the case, then I'll have to trouble you, Nana."
Bibi Dong nodded and gestured for Hu Liena to help her get ready. As her other personal disciple, Hu Liena was someone Bibi Dong doted on.
Not only could she enter the Pope Palace whenever she pleased,
she could even enter the bathing room and the redwood bedchamber.
"Teacher, you're so beautiful."
As she brushed her teacher's hair, Hu Liena praised her.
"Nana, don't tease your teacher! I'm old and faded. How could I still be beautiful?"
Bibi Dong's cheeks flushed at Hu Liena's praise. Faced with her beloved female disciple's teasing, she didn't know how to respond.
"Teacher, you're not old. To me, you're the most beautiful person on the entire Douluo Continent! You're far more beautiful than those imperial concubines and consorts!"
Hu Liena looked up at Bibi Dong, her little face utterly serious.
"How can you think I'm more beautiful than them? You've never even seen them!"
Bibi Dong wiped the droplets from her neck and looked at Hu Liena in confusion.
Hadn't Nana been training at the Spirit Academy this whole time? How could she have seen those concubines and consorts?
"Teacher, I really did see them. At the Spirit Awakening Ceremony not long ago, both the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Dou Imperial Family had consorts and concubines in attendance. After I finished training my Soul Power that day, I sneaked out and happened to spot them in the stands!"
"Teacher, I'm sorry. I've disappointed you!"
As she spoke, a trace of guilt crossed Hu Liena's face. She had promised her teacher that she would focus on training her Soul Power, but she'd still sneaked out.
"Nana, you're someone I value. I told you to train hard because I have high hopes for you. By acting this way, you're not letting me down—you're letting yourself down!"
Bibi Dong looked at Hu Liena, a hint of anger in her rose-red eyes.
She had taken Hu Liena as her disciple intending to make her the next Saintess of Spirit Hall. But now that Lin Tian had inherited the position of Holy Son of Spirit Hall, she would instead train Hu Liena to become Lin Tian's right-hand woman.
With Spirit Hall surrounded by powerful enemies, Hu Liena should train her Soul Power diligently and strive to become a Titled Douluo as soon as possible, so she could protect the Holy Son.
"Nana, you're my most beloved disciple. I want you to become a Titled Douluo as soon as possible and protect the Holy Son."
A flicker of disappointment passed through Hu Liena's eyes, but she quickly composed herself.
"Teacher, I've already reached the three-ring Soul Elder stage. Given enough time, I'll surely become a Titled Douluo and bring glory to you!"
Hu Liena lifted her chin and spoke to Pope Bibi Dong with conviction.
"Good girl. I believe in you!"
Bibi Dong felt a measure of guilt toward Hu Liena.
After all, she had originally intended to name her the Saintess of Spirit Hall. But ever since Lin Tian came along, the little boy had taken over her every thought.
That was also why Bibi Dong was especially indulgent toward Hu Liena.
"Nana, I believe in you. Given time, you'll become the pride of our Spirit Hall!"
Once she had finished getting ready, Bibi Dong reached out and gently stroked Hu Liena's head.
"Go back to your bedchamber and get some sleep. You have to get up early to train tomorrow, so don't waste any more time."
"Yes, Teacher."
Hu Liena nodded, then bowed and took her leave.
Now, once again, Bibi Dong was alone in the vast Pope Palace.
Looking at the peerless beauty in the dressing mirror, Bibi Dong couldn't help feeling wistful. So what if she was the most beautiful woman under heaven?
With no one to admire her, she could only gaze at her own reflection and feel sorry for herself!
As the Pope of Spirit Hall, everyone around her feared her authority. Only Lin Tian, that little fellow, was always clinging to her side.
That little fellow even dreamed of being intimate with her...
It seemed she still had a certain appeal after all!
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