Dugu Yan Was Dumbfounded!

The golden rays of the setting sun lazily spilled over the dormitory area of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, which was built against the mountain, casting a warm hue over the exquisite buildings.

Dugu Yan had just finished a day of classes and, feeling a little tired, pushed open the door to her private courtyard. To her surprise, she saw a familiar and dignified figure—Chief Instructor Meng Shenji, who was standing with his hands behind his back under the ancient tree in the courtyard, his brows slightly furrowed, as if deep in thought.

Dugu Yan stopped in her tracks instinctively, a hint of doubt flashing through her mind.

Did the Education Commissioner Meng Shenji come to see her in person?

This is quite unusual.

Although her grandfather, Dugu Bo, held a distinguished position, he was aloof and did not have a close relationship with the academy's higher-ups. Meng Shenji rarely sought her out alone.

"Dream Education Commission?"

Dugu Yan concealed her weariness, replaced it with proper respect, and curtsied slightly.

"You were looking for me?"

Hearing the sound, Meng Shenji turned around and saw Dugu Yan. A complex expression appeared on his face, a mixture of helplessness, a hint of barely Frisk tension, and... sympathy for what the girl before him was about to face?

"Yan Zi, you're back."

Meng Shenji's tone was more solemn than usual. He waved his hand, indicating that he should not stand on ceremony, then stepped forward and lowered his voice, as if afraid that the wind would hear him.

"Come with me, we have an important guest who wants to see you."

"Distinguished guest?"

Dugu Yan raised her delicate eyebrows, her doubts deepening.

Such a formal invitation from the Dream Meng Shenji is extremely rare in the Heaven Dou Empire.

The images of Xue Ye, Ning Fengzhi, and others flashed through Dugu Yan's mind, but none of them seemed quite right.

Looking into Dugu Yan's clear yet questioning purple eyes, Meng Shenji took a deep breath and decided to stop beating around the bush and get straight to the point.

"It's Her His Holiness the Pope of the Spirit Hall, Lady Bibi Dong. She wants to see you."

Boom!

It was as if a silent thunderclap had exploded in Dugu Yan's mind!

"Pope... Pope Bibi Dong?!"

Dugu Yan's voice rose instantly, filled with disbelief and astonishment.

Those beautiful purple pupils suddenly contracted, as if they had heard the most unbelievable thing in the world.

Subconsciously, she extended her slender index finger, pointing to the tip of her nose, her tone filled with an absurd sense of confirmation.

"Me? Pope Bibi Dong... wants to see me?!"

Dugu Yan's actions seemed somewhat silly, yet they truly reflected the turbulent emotions surging within her heart.

The Pope the Spirit Hall —she's a woman standing at the very top of the pyramid of power and military might on the continent!

She was a terrifying figure whom even her grandfather Dugu Bo, spoke of with deep dread and repeatedly refused to be recruited by him!

Why would someone like him seek out a young girl like her who's still studying at the academy?

Yes, it's you.

Looking at Dugu Yan's face, which turned deathly pale in an instant, and her expression as if the sky had fallen, Meng Shenji sighed helplessly.

He understood Dugu Yan's shock; after all, even he himself had broken out in a cold sweat when he received this mission.

Meng Shenji could only nod affirmatively, his tone carrying an unquestionable certainty.

"His Holiness the Pope is currently at the villa in the back mountains and has specifically requested to see you. Please come with me, don't keep His Holiness waiting. As for what His Holiness will ask... it will most likely be related to your grandfather, you..."

Meng Shenji paused, carefully considering his words.

"... Just read the reply and remember to be respectful and not be impolite."

Dugu Yan felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head. Her previous fatigue vanished, replaced by a profound sense of bewilderment and a suffocating feeling as if she were being gripped by an invisible giant hand.

Grandpa... it really is because of Grandpa!

The Spirit Hall has tried to recruit Grandpa more than once or twice, offering increasingly generous terms each time, but Grandpa has always scoffed at them.

But this time, it was Pope Bibi Dong who came?!

This is terrifying!

Has the Spirit Hall lost patience and is preparing to use force?

Where is Grandpa now?

Is there any danger?

Countless chaotic thoughts surged in her mind, and her face fell completely, filled with the sorrow of "Heaven is going to destroy me."

Reject?

Does she dare?

That's Bibi Dong!

Not see?

Does she deserve it?

The immense pressure made her legs feel weak.

"Yes... yes, Committee Member Meng..."

Dugu Yan's voice trembled slightly, and she lowered her head Frisk, like a small animal about to be sacrificed, following Meng Shenji dejectedly, each step heavy.

Going to see that legendary, iron-fisted Pope... she felt as if she were walking into a bottomless ice cave.

Passing through the quiet bamboo path, the elegant courtyard came into view.

The courtyard gate was tightly closed, and an invisible pressure emanated from the silence. Meng Shenji took a deep breath, tidied his appearance, and then respectfully stepped forward to gently knock on the door and announce his arrival.

The door opened silently.

Meng Shenji gestured for Dugu Yan to follow, while he himself bowed and carefully led her inside.

The courtyard Qing Ya, nestled amidst ancient pines and verdant bamboos.

When Dugu Yan's gaze finally fell on the two figures in the center of the courtyard, her breath hitched again, and her heart almost leaped out of her chest.

Bibi Dong!

The woman who only existed in portraits, legends, and her grandfather's fearful descriptions was now standing right in front of her!

There was no Pope or ornate scepter as one might expect, only a simple yet dignified everyday dress that accentuated her tall and perfect figure.

The golden glow of the setting sun outlined her stunning profile, her beauty eclipsing the entire courtyard.

She simply stood there quietly, radiating an invisible, soul-stirring majesty, as if she were the center of this world.

Dugu Yan felt like a tiny speck of dust, instantly enveloped by the other person's aura, not even daring to breathe.

However, what shocked Dugu Yan even more was what happened next.

The Pope, who once commanded immense power across the continent, was not looking down at her with cold indifference.

Bibi Dong was slightly turned to the side, holding a little boy in her arms—that must be the legendary Holy Son Lin Xia.

The little boy was exquisitely beautiful, like a jade doll, and nestled obediently in Bibi Dong's arms, holding a small pastry in his hand.

What left Dugu Yan most dumbfounded was Bibi Dong's expression and actions.

She lowered her eyes, looking at the boy in her arms. Those legendary purple eyes, capable of freezing steel, were now filled with... a gentle tenderness and doting affection?!

She gently embraced the boy with one arm, while her other hand lightly and naturally brushed away a crumb of pastry from the corner of his mouth with her fingertips, her movements full of care and affection.

Is this... is this really the cold-blooded and ruthless Pope the Spirit Hall?

This is clearly... an extremely gentle mother!

The stark contrast caused Dugu Yan's mind to freeze again. The panicked words she had prepared stuck in her throat, leaving her only with disbelief.

"Yan Zi, why aren't you paying your respects to His Holiness the Pope and His Highness the Holy Son!"

Meng Shenji whispered a reminder from the side, his tone anxious.