Master, I Can Grant You a Wish~

Bibi Dong's voice was tinged with laughter as she gently stroked Lin Xia's flushed cheeks with her fingertips.

Bibi Dong spoke, she began to gently tidy up Lin Xia.

Those hands that once held the power of the Spirit Hall and Judgment the lives of countless people skillfully and patiently untied the tangled knot behind Lin Xia's back.

With a touch of warm, Soul Power, her fingertips gently brushed over the crumpled lace, magically smoothing and straightening them.

"Raise your arm a little, sweetie."

Bibi Dong's voice sounded like she was coaxing her most beloved treasure.

Bibi Dong carefully straightened the crooked shoulder strap and then meticulously arranged the layers of her puffy skirt, letting them drape naturally like newly blooming Viola petals.

Her movements were meticulous, from the bow at the neckline to the ribbon at the waist, and the curve of the skirt, she adjusted everything to the most perfect state.

Throughout the process, Bibi Dong wore that smile that made Lin Xia feel both embarrassed and annoyed, yet also vaguely... strange.

He would even occasionally stop, step back, tilt his head, and examine her closely, his purple eyes filled with undisguised appreciation and fondness, as he softly exclaimed in admiration.

"Hmm, that's much better... My Xiao Xia looks good in everything... This color makes her face look even whiter..."

When the last wrinkle was smoothed out, and Lin Xia, dressed in a gorgeous little dress but no longer disheveled, appeared before Bibi Dong, her eyes shone with an amazing light.

Bibi Dong stood up, took Lin Xia's small hand, and gently spun him around.

The fluffy tulle skirt billowed in an elegant arc as she twirled.

"Alright!"

Bibi Dong's voice was filled with pride and satisfaction, as if she had completed a unique work of art.

She knelt down again, cupped Lin Xia's still flushed face in her hands, looked into his big, watery eyes filled with shame, indignation, and helplessness, and couldn't help but give him a loud kiss on his smooth forehead.

"It's beautiful!"

Bibi Dong praised him sincerely, her eyes filled with pure, unadulterated affection and a strange sense of comfort.

"She's prettier than any other girl! One of Master's biggest regrets in life was never being able to dress his daughter up like this... Today, I've finally fulfilled a small part of that wish."

Bibi Dong looked at Lin Xia's "life is meaningless" yet dared not resist look, her smile deepened, and she whispered:

"Don't worry, only Master knows how adorable Xiao Xia is. This is... a little secret that belongs only to the two of us."

Bibi Dong stretched out her finger and gently stroked the tip of Lin Xia's nose.

"To reward Xiao Xia for being so well-behaved today..."

"Master, I can grant you one wish!"

When Xia heard the promise of a wish, her eyes instantly lit up dramatically, as if they were filled with tiny starlight.

Various plans for the future flashed through her mind, but in the end, Lin Xia didn't immediately make an outrageous demand. Instead, she tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said in a soft but clear voice:

"Master, can I keep this wish for now? I don't think I have any particular wishes right now."

Bibi Dong was slightly taken aback, then a deeper and gentler smile bloomed on her beautiful face. She pulled Lin Xia back into her arms, gently rubbing her chin against the top of his Limber hair, her voice filled with a satisfied sigh.

"Of course, my Xiao Xia. This wish is valid forever. Whenever you think of it, just tell your master."

Feeling this unconditional pampering, Lin Xia felt a warm current flowing through her heart. She nestled obediently in her master's warm embrace, enjoying this rare moment of tranquility where she could shed all pretenses.

The secluded courtyard where the master and apprentice lived was quiet and elegant, with swaying bamboo shadows, isolating them from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

Bibi Dong toned down her Pope majesty, appearing as if she were truly just a gentle mother taking her young child on a trip, patiently accompanying Lin Xia as they read and enjoyed tea.

Lin Xia also Role Play the role of an innocent and curious little Holy Son, occasionally playing with Ivysaur or asking Bibi Dong questions about Soul Beast and Soul Skill. The atmosphere was as warm as the simple joy of family life in an ordinary household.

However, just outside this villa, deep within the imperial palace—the heart of the entire Heaven Dou Empire —the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive, like the deathly stillness before Hurricane.

Inside the imperial study, the lights were bright, but they could not dispel the anxiety that permeated the air.

Xue Ye paced back and forth in front of the massive map of the Heaven Dou Empire, his heavy footsteps striking the hearts of everyone present.

His well-maintained face was now clouded with gloom, his brows furrowed into a deep frown, and fine beads of sweat even appeared on his forehead, which he irritably wiped away with a silk handkerchief.

Ning Fengzhi sat at the lower end, his usually gentle and refined face losing its composure.

His slender fingers tapped unconsciously on the armrests of the pearwood chair, producing a rhythmic, soft sound. His eyes were deep, clearly indicating that he was engaged in an intense internal struggle.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin, like the ancient sword behind him, stood with his arms crossed, ramrod straight, expressionless, but deep within his sharp, hawk-like eyes, a cold and wary light flickered, like Ferocious Beast guarding its territory.

Gu Rong sat on Ning Fengzhi's other side, his massive body leaning slightly forward, his hands resting on his knees, his knuckles white from the force, his cloudy eyes filled with worry and barely Frisk anxiety.

Disguised as Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, Qian Renxue stood quietly behind Xue Ye, maintaining the perfect demeanor of a crown prince.

She took in the anxiety of everyone in the study, her heart a mixture of ice and fire. Seeing how much her nominal "father" and "teacher" feared her mother and brother, she felt a secret pleasure.

However, he still spoke slowly:

"Father, teacher."

Qian Renxue spoke at the opportune moment, her voice as gentle as ever, carrying just the right amount of soothing meaning.

"Perhaps... we're being too tense? The message from Chief Meng Shenji Master is that His Holiness the Pope staying secluded in the academy's villa, only summoning Dugu Yan once to ask her to accompany the Holy Son to play and familiarize him with the environment; otherwise, he has taken no other action."

"Perhaps... the Pope's trip is really just, as she said, to accompany the Holy Son on a tour of the continent and help him relax? After all, that His Highness the Holy Son is still young and at a time when he is playful and curious."

"Relax and accompany the Holy Son on his travels?"

Xue Ye abruptly stopped, turned around, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement and a hint of absurdity. He pointed out the window towards the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, as if a primordial beast were lurking there.

"Qinghe! You're too naive! That's Bibi Dong! The Iron-Blooded Pope of the Spirit Hall!"

"When has she ever had a moment of relaxation? Over the years, how many vassal kingdoms have the two great empires lost under her ruthless methods?"

" Of the Seven Great Sects, the Clear Sky Sect has been forced into seclusion, while the others are all being suppressed by her to the point of suffocation."

"Every seemingly casual 'travel' she undertakes is accompanied by bloodshed and a reshaping of power!"

"At the city gate, her doting attitude towards Lin Xia —who knows if it wasn't just a smokescreen to lull us into a false sense of security!"