Feeling the warmth against her legs, Bibi Dong blushed. This little one really did seem to like her legs!
"Lin Tian, loosen your hold on Mom a little. You're hugging me too tightly."
After speaking, Bibi Dong patted Lin Tian's little head, telling him to relax.
She was right there; she wasn't going anywhere.
Though Lin Tian was reluctant to heed the gentle request from his pope mother, he had no choice but to let go of the lovely legs he was hugging.
Inside a side hall of the Pope's Bedchamber, Lin Tian and Bibi Dong faced each other.
"Lin Tian, tell me. What's your plan? You aren't going to abandon Mom and join the Worship Hall, are you?"
Bibi Dong sat on a leather sofa in the side hall, her legs crossed.
The silver high heels on her feet gleamed faintly beneath the jade spotlights.
Those long legs were enough to leave anyone staring in a daze.
No matter how powerful Qian Daoliu was or how many monsters the Worship Hall had, Lin Tian only wanted to go there to learn how to cultivate as a Soul Master. In his heart, his beautiful pope mother had long held the number-one spot.
"Mom, I'm going to cultivate at the Worship Hall because I want to improve my strength as a Soul Master as quickly as I can. To me, you've always been the most beautiful and special person in the world!"
Lin Tian didn't bother with much polite preamble. He wanted to cultivate at the Worship Hall because it had abundant resources for Soul Masters, and he wanted to stay by his pope mother's side because she was beautiful and charming.
Although Grand Elder Qian Daoliu had tried to tempt him with his granddaughter, Qian Renxue, in Lin Tian's eyes, Bibi Dong, a beautiful young woman, was the one who truly moved him.
At the little boy's sincere answer, Bibi Dong let out a laugh.
This little one really didn't hide anything. He simply said whatever came to mind.
His frank nature stirred something in Bibi Dong's heart, and she suddenly felt an urge to reward him.
"Lin Tian, you aren't saying all this just to make Mom happy, are you?"
At some point, Bibi Dong's pretty face had turned red.
"Mom, you've always been the most beautiful person in my heart! I'm going to cultivate at the Worship Hall so I can protect you better!"
His words made Bibi Dong's eyes widen.
She truly hadn't expected to hold such an important place in the little boy's heart.
That was quite a surprise!
"Mom, don't worry. I'll never betray you!"
Lin Tian spoke with earnest conviction. His voice was still childish, but his gaze was serious as he looked at Bibi Dong.
"Then you'll have to work hard at your cultivation from now on. Otherwise, how will you be strong enough to protect me?"
Bibi Dong patted her flushed cheeks, trying to calm herself. She truly hadn't expected the little one she'd taken in to say such touching things.
"Mom, I've thought of a good way to become stronger. I wonder if you'll agree?"
Lin Tian blinked his big eyes and slowly moved closer to Pope Bibi Dong.
Seeing the little boy draw near, Bibi Dong's cheeks flushed, and she grew a little flustered.
Lin Tian carefully stepped in front of his pope mother, raised a hand, and gently moved a lock of her wine-red hair away from her ear.
Then he leaned closer and said:
"Pope Mother, I was thinking..."
Lin Tian's words made Bibi Dong feel even more flustered.
For some reason, she found it difficult to refuse the little boy she had taken in.
This child was simply too good at making her feel awkward.
Only after seeing Bibi Dong's face turn as red as an apple did Lin Tian tell her what he had in mind.
"Mother, I've decided to go out and gain experience in a few days. First, I want to find a suitable Soul Beast for my third Soul Ring. Second, I want to travel through the Star Dou Forest and test myself in real combat."
"Great trees don't grow in greenhouses, and eagles can't learn to fly in cages! Only by facing real battles can I grow stronger!"
Lin Tian's words rang in Bibi Dong's ears, leaving her feeling unsettled.
Where had this boy learned to say such things? He was making her feel so awkward.
"If you've really decided to go out and gain experience, I'll have Ghost Douluo accompany you. With him there to protect you, I'll feel more at ease."
"There are plenty of Soul Master forces on the Douluo Continent who harbor ill intentions toward the Spirit Hall. I can't help worrying about you going out alone!"
A trace of worry crossed Bibi Dong's pretty face. It was clear she had reservations about Lin Tian's plan to travel.
"Mom, you haven't been pope of the Spirit Hall for long, and you need capable people around you. It would be better to keep Elder Ghost by your side."
Lin Tian looked at his beautiful pope mother and gently tried to dissuade her.
The two elders, Ghost and Chrysanthemum, served as his pope mother's right-hand men. They could only bring out their full strength when they were together.
Separating them would sharply weaken their fighting power. For Bibi Dong, who had made so many enemies, that would leave a major vulnerability.
As the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, Lin Tian didn't want to see his mother put in danger.
"Lin Tian, I never expected you to think things through so carefully at such a young age. All right, what would you like tonight? I'll make an exception and give you a reward."
Looking at the handsome boy before her, Bibi Dong suddenly felt an urge to reward him.
The boy had been so considerate of her. Bibi Dong was deeply moved.
Whatever Lin Tian asked for tonight, she would do her best to give him. Even if he made an unreasonable request, she would try to accommodate him.
Though the thought made her feel rather awkward, Bibi Dong had decided she would give him a proper reward.
After all, Lin Tian's eyes were usually fixed entirely on her.
"Lin Tian, tell Mom what kind of reward you want. Don't be embarrassed. You can ask me for anything."
As the beautiful pope spoke, her cheeks turned red. Even she was surprised by what she was saying.
What was wrong with her?!
He was only nine years old. How could she say something so embarrassing to a child?!
Even so, she found herself looking at Lin Tian with a hint of anticipation.
But soon, Bibi Dong realized something was amiss.
If the little one asked to stay the night with her, wouldn't that mean...
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