Da Niu's Advice, Bai Fan's Awakening

Beyond the Heavenly Screen.

Inside Pope Hall.

"Go back! She doesn't love Qian Xunji at all. She loves you, you bastard! I'm telling you to go back right now and bring her out!"

Bibi Dong cast aside her dignified image as Pope and screamed at the Heavenly Screen. She crushed the armrest of the papal throne beside her in her grip.

Yet Bai Fan could not hear her cries.

In every corner of the continent, commoners whispered among themselves.

"Did you see the Heavenly Screen? So our former Pope raped our current Pope."

"If you ask me, that's no different from a beast. Does being Pope mean he can rape whoever he wants?"

"All we women want is someone who can love us for a lifetime. The former Pope directly ruined our Pope's entire life."

Inside Consecration Hall, Qian Daoliu held the Angel Sacred Sword and furiously attacked the Heavenly Screen, only to let out a helpless sigh in the end.

Inside Tiandou Palace.

After Qian Renxue, disguised as Xue Qinghe, learned this news, her entire body went cold.

Ever since childhood, she had believed that her mother did not love her. She had never considered the reason behind it.

Now that the truth had come to light, she felt as though the sky was spinning. The tall, majestic image of Qian Xunji as her father suddenly collapsed in her mind.

Within the Heavenly Screen.

Bai Fan vented his pent-up frustration. Little Golden Dragon had no idea why, but he simply stayed by Bai Fan's side.

Once Bai Fan had mostly vented his emotions, he gave one final look in the direction of Spirit City, as though bidding it a final farewell.

Bai Fan returned to the Red Army camp and began focusing on building up the Red Army.

Yet whenever deep night came, Bai Fan chose to numb himself with alcohol.

That day, as usual, Bai Fan sat alone in a tree, drinking beneath the moonlight.

Suddenly, a clumsy figure struggled up the thick branch and sat beside Bai Fan.

"Brother Gang, do you have something on your mind? I, Da Niu, can help share some of your burden."

Bai Fan ignored Da Niu and continued drinking alone.

Seeing that Bai Fan did not respond, Da Niu scratched his head with an awkward grin. He very naturally picked up a bottle of wine from beside Bai Fan and began gulping it down.

"Ah, that hits the spot. It's been a long time since I, Da Niu, drank this freely."

"My pa and ma starved to death when I was nine. Since they passed, this is the first time I've felt so relaxed."

"Brother Gang, you know, before I met you, I drifted through life in a daze. I had no parents, no food at home, and had to rely on the villagers' charity every day."

"Don't be fooled by how dumb I look. I'm actually pretty sharp. In times like these, the Empire has already abandoned us, and the villagers themselves barely have enough to get by. How could I keep relying on them?"

"A lot of times, I wanted to just die and go see my pa and ma down there. But I was afraid my ma would scold me. Back then, she gave all the food to me, and that was why I survived."

"From the moment you helped the elders and villagers of our village, I knew you were a good man—the best person I'd ever met. You taught us ways to stay alive and gave us food to eat."

"Then you formed the Red Army. I know you came from the nobility, and what you're doing could cost you your head. Everything you've done has been for us. From then on, I swore that I would follow in your footsteps, Brother Gang, and help you bear your burdens. That is the meaning of my life."

Da Niu spoke at great length. Perhaps his throat had gone dry, so he stopped and took several huge gulps of wine.

For the first time, Bai Fan truly understood Da Niu. He put an arm around him and gave him a hug.

"It's all right. The darkness will eventually end, and dawn is about to arrive. I will definitely lead you all in creating a harmonious society where every one of you can eat your fill."

"Brother Gang, can you tell me what's in your heart now? Everyone in the Red Army can help share your burden. You don't need to bottle it up and bear it alone."

"Heh, what's in my heart?" Bai Fan laughed at himself. "Da Niu, when you love someone, what matters more—letting them go or staying by their side?"

Da Niu stroked his chin and thought seriously. "I think staying together matters more. I've never been in love, but I just think that if you love someone, you should stay with her."

"But if I interfere, it will only create a tragedy—or rather, repeat one."

"That's not right, Brother Gang. Since you know what will happen if you interfere, why not try to turn the tragedy around? Why give up struggling?"

"If you truly love that person, why not fight for her once, even if the ending may not be beautiful?"

Bai Fan suddenly rose to his feet and shouted at the moon in the quiet night, "Moonlight! I refuse to let things end in regret! I want to fight for myself! Goddamn fate, I will never let you repeat this tragedy through me!"

Da Niu revealed a satisfied expression as he watched Bai Fan regain his vitality.

Beyond the Heavenly Screen.

Bibi Dong wept tears of joy. By now, she had completely immersed herself in the version of herself within the Heavenly Screen, and every decision Bai Fan made caused her emotions to fluctuate intensely.

Inside Shrek Academy.

Yu Xiaogang watched his spirited self on the Heavenly Screen, his heart filled with an indescribable feeling.

Watching himself in the Heavenly Screen struggle for love, he felt unbearably ashamed.

In a quiet garden within Blue Tyrant Academy in Tiandou City.

"Why? Why do you, Bibi Dong, get to have such a wonderful Xiao Gang who loves you?"

"Why are you always one step ahead of me? I hate you!"

Liu Erlong hurled the tea set about wildly, venting the resentment in her heart.

Little did she know that not long ago, she had been smug because Yu Xiaogang did not love Bibi Dong, yet today, the Yu Xiaogang within the Heavenly Screen had completely shattered her defenses.

As expected, goods needed comparing, and people needed comparing even more. The Yu Xiaogang in the Heavenly Screen fulfilled every fantasy the two women had, while the level-29 Xiao Gang was gradually forgotten.

Inside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect.

Yu Yuanzhen watched the Heavenly Screen nervously.

"Second Uncle, what do you think Xiao Gang will do next? He's not going to challenge Qian Xunji to a one-on-one duel, is he?"

"Look at you, acting like everyone is a battle maniac like you with no brains at all. Xiao Gang must have a plan."

Inside Tiandou Palace, Qian Renxue watched the Heavenly Screen. Now that she no longer idealized her father, part of her even hoped that Yu Xiaogang in the Heavenly Screen would successfully take Bibi Dong away.

Within the Heavenly Screen.

Bai Fan began his journey of cultivation. During the day, he locked himself in his room to explore and research, while at night, he meditated and cultivated.

He wished the days could be longer.

Little Golden Dragon was not idle either. At night, he cultivated alongside Bai Fan, while during the day, he hunted soul beasts to supplement the Red Army's nutrition.

Two years passed in the blink of an eye.

That day, Bai Fan was still researching in his room when he suddenly burst out laughing and strode outside.

"I did it! This young master finally succeeded in my research!"