Master, could we... stay with Poison Douluo for a while?

Lin Xia sighed resignedly, but still obediently opened her mouth, letting Bibi Dong stuff another delicate lotus-shaped pastry into her mouth.

The pastry was small and exquisite, melting in his mouth, its sweet aroma spreading on his tongue, slightly easing the sorrow in his heart.

Just then, a series of footsteps, deliberately kept quiet but still quite loud, approached from afar.

Lin Xia subconsciously looked up and saw Xue Ye at the head, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin at the head, along with several important officials and royal guards of the Heaven Dou Empire.

They stood frozen not far away, their expressions filled with barely concealed shock, their eyes all fixed on Bibi Dong's delicate hands, which were gently feeding her disciple snacks with a tender smile.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

The eyes of the high-ranking officials of the Heaven Dou Empire, including Xue Ye, nearly popped out of their sockets.

That Bibi Dong, who sits atop the Pope's throne in the Spirit Hall, Judgment the fate of the continent with a wave of her hand, her gaze capable of freezing steel?

That ruthless, cold-blooded Pope?

At this moment, she is just like a gentle mother in an ordinary family, smiling and even a little playful as she feeds a cute little boy a snack!

The impact of this scene is no less than seeing a giant dragon embroidering in a garden!

In the crowd, Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, also felt her heart skip a beat.

Looking at the genuine, pure, doting smile on her mother's face, and watching her younger brother being carefully fed, an indescribable, intense Covet instantly welled up in her heart.

Qian Renxue's fingers, hanging by her sides, curled slightly, and a pure, undisguised envy flashed quickly in the depths of her eyes—she also wanted... wanted to be treated so gently by her mother!

Even just once!

But she quickly suppressed this emotion with her strong willpower and put on the perfect mask of Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, gentle and calm as jade.

Xue Ye, being the ruler of an empire, quickly regained his composure after a brief moment of unease. He put on a perfectly timed smile that conveyed both imperial authority and politeness, and stepped forward first, bowing slightly in greeting.

"His Holiness the Pope has graced our Heaven Dou City with his presence. We have been so unworthy to receive you. What brings Your Holiness here? If needed, the Heaven Dou Empire will certainly provide full assistance."

Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and the others behind Xue Ye also bowed in greeting.

Bibi Dong's gentle smile vanished the moment everyone bowed, and she reverted to her usual aloof and dignified demeanor.

Bibi Dong nodded slightly in return, her movements elegant yet carrying an invisible sense of distance.

His gaze swept calmly over the crowd, lingering for a half-second longer on Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin, before finally settling back on Xue Ye.

In response to Xue Ye's tentative inquiry, Bibi Dong simply waved her hand casually, as if brushing away a tiny speck of dust, her tone as relaxed as if she were discussing the weather.

"Your Majesty is overthinking this Xue Ye. I have no urgent business on this trip."

Bibi Dong's gaze softened and fell back on Lin Xia, who was trying to swallow her snacks, her doting affection once again evident.

"It's just accompanying my precious disciple out for a stroll, to see the scenery of this continent, and... have some fun along the way."

Before she finished speaking, she noticed that Lin Xia's mouth was empty of pastry. With remarkable ease, she picked up a crystal-clear osmanthus cake from the exquisite tray and offered it to Lin Xia's mouth again, her voice so gentle it could melt water.

"Eat slowly, come on, ah--"

Lin Xia's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. Under the focused gaze of all the imperial leaders present, she felt that the osmanthus cake was a hundred times heavier than the previous dessert.

But Lin Xia couldn't disobey her master's divine will to feed her, so she had no choice but to grit her teeth, open her mouth, Bite again with a "whoosh," stuffing her cheeks full like a little hamster trying to eat.

Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and all the high-ranking members of the Heaven Dou who witnessed this scene were all deeply shocked.

If the previous feeding could have been accidental, then this second, seemingly unconcerned and effortless act completely confirmed the Spirit Hall Pope's unparalleled, almost pathological, doting affection for her disciple!

A clear and powerful thought simultaneously exploded in everyone's mind.

Tens of millions! Tens of millions!

Don't offend this little boy!

Otherwise, this gentle-smiling woman in front of you will instantly transform into the most terrifying vengeful Ferocious Beast, tearing anyone who dares to touch her precious treasure to shreds!

This doting affection is no exaggeration; it's an overwhelming display of protectiveness that sends chills down your spine!

As for Bibi Dong's line about "playing with her disciple"? Nobody would believe that!

Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi exchanged a knowing glance, both seeing solemnity and deep apprehension in each other's eyes.

Bibi Dong's personal visit to Heaven Dou couldn't possibly be just for Water Sport! The problem is, if she's unwilling to talk about it, who dares to press her for details? Who dares to pry?

The situation reached a delicate stalemate for a moment.

Xue Ye, being a cunning old fox, maintained his smile and warmly invited:

"Your His Holiness the Pope and His Highness the Holy Son have traveled a long way and must be tired. The palace has prepared Qing Ya Pokémon Journeys. Would Your Holiness and His Highness the Holy Son be willing to stay at the palace? That would allow me to extend my hospitality."

Ning Fengzhi also stepped forward at the opportune moment and elegantly added:

"If Your His Holiness the Pope prefers tranquility, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect also has several villas in the suburbs, with secluded and elegant environments, where Your Holiness and His Highness the Holy Son can rest."

As Ning Fengzhi spoke, his gaze gently fell upon Lin Xia, carrying the unique affability of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Bibi Dong did not respond immediately to the olive branches extended to her by both sides.

Bibi Dong simply wiped away a few crumbs of osmanthus cake from the corner of Lin Xia's mouth with a handkerchief, then, under everyone's gaze, leaned slightly forward and asked in a tone that was almost consultative and entirely dependent on Lin Xia's wishes:

"Xiao Xia, where would you like to stay? The Imperial Palace? Or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School's villa? Or... is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

This seemingly childish transfer of decision-making power once again sent shockwaves through the hearts of everyone in Heaven Dou.

Such an important diplomatic accommodation arrangement was made entirely based on a single sentence from a seven-year-old child?

Bibi Dong's indulgence of Lin Xia is simply unbelievable!

Lin Xia swallowed the last bite of her pastry with difficulty. Her face flushed slightly from the focused gazes of everyone, but her eyes were unusually bright.

Lin Xia answered clearly without hesitation, tilting her head back and looking at Bibi Dong with clear eyes, her gaze filled with youthful curiosity and excitement.

"Master, I've heard that the Poison Douluo, Senior Dugu Bo, resides within the territory of the Heaven Dou Empire?"

Upon hearing this, many people present changed their expressions slightly.

Dugu Bo?

That Titled Douluo, with his eccentric and reclusive personality, poisonous nature, and long-standing strained relationship with the Spirit Hall?

Lin Xia seemed oblivious to the strange looks from the crowd and continued speaking earnestly, his words revealing an academic enthusiasm beyond his years.

"I... I'm very interested in the science of poisons, and I've done some research on toxicology myself. Ivysaur also needs to absorb various pure poisons to grow."

"The Poison Douluo is recognized as the number one expert in poisons on the continent. If I could stay with him for a while, observe and learn from him up close, and even... exchange ideas with him about mixing, extracting, and counteracting the effects of poisons... that would definitely be of unimaginable benefit to my cultivation and the growth of Ivysaur!"

Lin Xia paused, looking at Bibi Dong with expectant eyes.

"Master, could we... perhaps visit Poison Douluo for a while? I'd like to... seek his guidance!"