Why Did You Have to Find Dugu Bo? Tell Your Master the Truth
The heavy doors slid open silently, and the three stepped into this cradle of the empire's elite.
The interior of the college is even more exquisite and luxurious than it appears from the outside.
Along the wide main road are rows of Mimicry Training Ground, Simulation different environments such as deserts, glaciers, forests, and volcanoes, where students are diligently practicing their Soul Skill.
The towering soul-guiding tower in the distance emitted a soft light, clearly the core of some kind of large-scale soul-guiding formation.
The magnificent classical architecture and advanced soul guidance facilities coexist harmoniously, showcasing the wealth and power of the Heaven Dou Empire and its unwavering commitment to the cultivation of Soul Master.
Along the way, Meng Shenji carefully acted as a guide, pointing out and introducing the different areas.
"Your His Holiness the Pope, Your His Highness the Holy Son, please look to your left. That is the Heaven Dou Hall, the core teaching area of the academy, where the empire's most outstanding teachers are gathered... To your right is the Martial Arts Arena... And behind it, the Blue Wave Lake, is the best place for Water-type Soul Master to practice their mimicry skills..."
Bibi Dong led Lin Xia by the hand, their steps neither hurried nor slow.
She only nodded slightly occasionally at Meng Shenji's attentive introduction, her purple eyes calmly sweeping over the magnificent or advanced facilities, showing neither amazement nor criticism, as if she were just looking at some ordinary scenery.
Bibi Dong responded calmly:
"Yes, your institution has complete facilities and a superior environment, truly deserving of its reputation as the empire's premier university."
The tone was flat, lacking genuine praise, and more like a diplomatic formality.
These resources, which are priceless in the eyes of others, are indeed difficult for her, the Pope who stands at the pinnacle of the continent, to truly care about.
Bibi Dong was more concerned with the reactions of her disciples and the purpose of her trip.
Lin Xia listened with great interest, her little head looking left and right, her clear eyes sparkling with curiosity. She would occasionally ask Meng Shenji questions about the principles of the facility or the cultivation of Soul Skill, showing that she was very eager to learn.
This allowed Meng Shenji's tense nerves to relax a little.
Meng Shenji led the two without stopping in the main teaching area. Instead, they passed through the bustling area and followed a quieter stone path lined with exotic flowers and plants, winding upwards towards the depths of the back mountain.
The further in you go, the more tranquil and elegant the environment becomes, clearly an area prepared for the most distinguished guests or high-ranking members of the academy.
Finally, they stopped in front of a secluded courtyard halfway up the mountain, surrounded by lush bamboo and ancient pines.
The courtyard has white walls and gray tiles, with a simple and grand style. Pushing open the courtyard gate, there are several spacious and bright rooms inside, with small bridges, flowing water, and exquisite rockeries. The environment is extremely quiet, offering a panoramic view of part of the college scenery while isolating it from the hustle and bustle.
"Your His Holiness the Pope, Your His Highness the Holy Son, this is the residence prepared for you. Please forgive its simplicity."
Meng Shenji bowed deeply, adopting an extremely humble posture.
Bibi Dong's gaze swept over the small courtyard, and she nodded slightly, indicating her approval of the environment.
Seeing that Bibi Dong did not express any dissatisfaction, Meng Shenji felt somewhat relieved and quickly added:
"Please rest for a while. I will arrange for a reliable person to bring you the finest daily necessities. All your needs for food and lodging will be prepared to the highest standard."
"If His Holiness the Pope and His Highness the Holy Son have any further needs, whenever they wish, they need only give the order, and the disciples of the academy, and even I myself, will come to serve you immediately!"
Meng Shenji paused, his voice becoming even more cautious.
"Furthermore, regarding Miss Dugu Yan, whom His Highness the Holy Son wishes to see, I will personally bring her to meet His Holiness the Pope and His Highness the Holy Son after her classes conclude today."
Upon hearing the name Dugu Yan, Lin Xia, who had been standing quietly beside Bibi Dong, Frisk brightened her eyes.
Bibi Dong simply nodded again, her gaze not lingering on Meng Shenji, as if his words were merely a gentle breeze brushing past her ear.
The clear, melodious voice carried its usual aloofness and unquestionable tone.
"Yes, thank you for your trouble."
After saying that, Bibi Dong said no more.
Holding Lin Xia's small hand, he ignored Meng Shenji, who was bowing humbly at the door, and walked straight into the Qing Ya and unique courtyard without pausing.
The heavy courtyard gate closed silently behind them, yet with an invisible force, completely isolating them from everything outside—including Meng Shenji's face, which was filled with respect and trepidation.
Inside the door, Bibi Dong casually set up a Soul Power Barrier to prevent anyone from probing her, before releasing Lin Xia's hand. Her purple eyes swept across every corner of the retreat like the most sophisticated Soul Tool —window frames, beams, pillars, the ground, and even the seemingly random artificial hills and streams in the courtyard.
A powerful spiritual force spread silently, confirming that there were no hidden mechanisms or mechanisms to spy on them here.
After doing all this, Bibi Dong turned around, her gaze landing precisely on Lin Xia, who had been standing quietly to the side.
That look was no longer the dignified aloofness he displayed when facing strangers, nor the extreme doting he occasionally showed when alone; rather, it was a knowing curiosity, full of inquiry and understanding, and a hint of playfulness that was not easily Frisk.
Bibi Dong moved gracefully to Lin Xia's side, leaned slightly forward, and brought her beautiful face closer, almost able to feel Lin Xia's soft breath.
His voice was very low, like a feather brushing against the heart, yet it carried an undeniable Infiltrator power as he asked directly:
"Alright, Xiao Xia."
Bibi Dong's lips curved into a faint smile, yet it seemed to Detect everything.
"Now, there are no outsiders, only my master and my most precious disciple. Tell your master honestly—why is it so important to find Dugu Bo?"
Bibi Dong's purple eyes locked onto Lin Xia's clear eyes, a hint of cunning and an unyielding seriousness in them.
"Don't try to fob me off with things like 'exchanging tips on poison' or 'asking for advice' anymore."
Bibi gently tapped Lin Xia's forehead with her slender, jade-like fingers, the gesture intimate, yet her tone carried a Pope insight.
"You little rascal, with just a glance or a small gesture, your master can tell what's going on in your head."
"Just now in front of Xue Ye and the others, when you mentioned Dugu Bo, the excitement you tried so hard to hide but couldn't suppress, and the fleeting... fervor in your eyes when you mentioned 'pure poison'? It was definitely more than just a simple exchange."
Bibi Dong straightened up, elegantly folding her hands in front of her, and looked at Lin Xia with a composed expression, as if waiting for an answer she already knew.
"Speak, you little rascal!"
Bibi Dong's voice carried a hint of mischievous laughter.
"What are you hiding? What is it on that old poisoner, or in that mysterious place of his, that you are so concerned about, that you would drag your master Norman to this Heaven Dou Empire, and even insist on living in this academy under his name?"
The bewildered and curious expression on Lin Xia's face faded away as if melting snow.
Lin Xia raised her head and met Bibi Dong's purple eyes, which seemed to see into her soul. Instead of panicking at being exposed, she smiled brightly, a smile that carried genuine amazement and a hint of relief.