Bibi Dong's Engagement, the Clash of Two Conflicting Fates

Mobilize the army to kill all able-bodied people in impoverished regions, physically eliminate the population with no value, and prevent them from rebelling.

Although the second method was inhumane, it was also the most perfect solution. It required no imperial effort to manage them and eliminated future trouble once and for all.

After all, killing people was always easier than managing them.

As for which path the rulers of these two great empires would ultimately choose, no one knew.

Within the heavenly curtain.

Bai Fan set his development plan into motion, and more and more young people began joining the big family of the group.

Although these people were ordinary citizens incapable of fighting Soul Masters, Bai Fan still welcomed them warmly.

These steady streams of young and able-bodied recruits represented not only strength, but also a will to resist.

As long as the will endured, the struggle would never cease.

Of course, Bai Fan would not send them to their deaths. He arranged for them to make connections throughout society and draw in more Soul Masters dissatisfied with the empire, gradually expanding his own manpower.

At the same time, he modified Bibi Dong's self-created soul skill and taught it to everyone in the group, allowing ordinary people to unleash power through their blood and vital energy.

"Young men, listen to me. Our group is only just getting started. I do not ask you to achieve anything great. I only ask that you leave whole and return to me whole."

"Our top priority right now is to improve our group's structure and strengthen its power."

"I hope every person in this group remembers at all times that everything we do is for ourselves, for the parents, wives, and children waiting at home, and for a better tomorrow."

"Brother Gang is mighty! Long live the group! Victory to the group!"

Bai Fan looked at the flourishing group and nodded in satisfaction. "Da Niu, I need you to manage our group in my place from now on. I have matters of my own to attend to."

"Alright, Brother Gang. You must be careful when you go out. You are our backbone. As long as you are here, our group will never fall apart."

Bai Fan patted Da Niu on the shoulder. "Work hard. I think highly of you!"

Bai Fan left the group with Little Golden Dragon, his thoughts drifting restlessly along the way.

"Sister Dong, have you been well these past four years?"

For no apparent reason, Bai Fan found himself missing Bibi Dong and wondering how she had spent the past four years.

"Little Golden Dragon, do you think Sister Dong has been bullied by Qian Xunji?"

"Little Golden Dragon, reason tells me that I cannot keep interacting with Sister Dong. Over these past four years, I have tried my best to forget her, but why do I still think of her for no reason?"

Now, Bai Fan could only confide his feelings in Little Golden Dragon. Perhaps saying them aloud would make him feel a little better.

"Little Golden Dragon, I truly do not want to interfere with Sister Dong's life, but I cannot stop myself from thinking about her."

"Let's go to Spirit City and take a look at Sister Dong from the shadows. Just one quiet glance from afar."

Little Golden Dragon merely listened silently as Bai Fan poured out his heart. It did not know why Bai Fan was so conflicted; it only knew that he missed Bibi Dong terribly at this moment.

Bai Fan had always hoped to forget someone by burying his memories. Little did he know that memories were like fine wine—the longer they were buried, the richer they became when recalled.

Beautiful memories would always suddenly surge into one's heart at an unguarded moment, and all the buried emotions would erupt in an instant.

One man and one dragon arrived in Spirit City, where the bustling streets remained as lively as ever.

Without realizing it, Bai Fan walked up to the stall that sold sugar cakes.

Little Golden Dragon no longer liked sugar cakes, and Bai Fan had lost his initial enthusiasm as well.

Perhaps he had come here only to remember the scene of their first meeting.

Suddenly, a smooth voice called out to Bai Fan. "Handsome fellow, I see your brows are tightly furrowed and your complexion is dim. Do you have something troubling you? Why not let this old man tell your fortune?"

Bai Fan looked toward the source of the voice and saw the fortune teller who had been beside the stall last time.

The man was young, and his expression carried the air of a street thug, making it difficult to believe he was truly a fortune teller.

Bai Fan happened to have nothing to do, so he casually agreed, wanting to see what this fortune teller was really up to.

The young fortune teller studied Bai Fan's palm before beginning his divination. As he continued, his expression grew increasingly grave.

"Handsome fellow, since you have decided not to disturb her any longer and have chosen to let her go, do not engage in meaningless actions again. They will do you no good."

"Let me offer you some advice. Be yourself, stand firm in your convictions, and do not let worldly emotions trouble you. Otherwise, you will only suffer endless setbacks."

At that moment, Bai Fan suddenly felt that this fortune teller might actually know something. "Could you be more specific?"

"Handsome fellow, heavenly secrets cannot be revealed. If I say too much, it will shorten my life. I believe you understand what I mean. It is nothing more than your own heart causing trouble—you are unwilling to acknowledge and accept this outcome."

Seeing how resolute the fortune teller was, Bai Fan could only leave helplessly.

Alone before his stall, the fortune teller muttered softly, "The Hongrui Fate and the Heavenly Mourning Fate actually appeared in the same person. I hope you hold fast to your original heart and do not let the Heavenly Mourning Fate interfere with you. This world needs to change."

Bai Fan wandered aimlessly by himself. His heart was in complete turmoil, and his thoughts swayed back and forth.

Just as he was feeling lost and unsettled, an announcement swiftly spread throughout Spirit City.

"Did you hear? The Pope of our Spirit Hall is going to marry the Saintess."

"When? I remember the Saintess is only sixteen, isn't she?"

"You fool! They are getting engaged first. The formal wedding will be two years from now. Our Pope and the Saintess are a perfect match, truly made for each other."

The discussions of Spirit City's residents made Bai Fan's body tremble. "She's getting married?"

After recovering his senses, Bai Fan laughed bitterly. "Isn't this the ending I wanted from the beginning? Sister Dong will no longer be violated by Qian Xunji. Everything is moving in a better direction. I should be happy."

"Right now, I am only Yu Xiaogang. Perhaps our meeting from the very beginning was an arrangement forced by fate. That damned fate loves creating tragedy, but I refuse to fall for your tricks."

Bai Fan left Spirit City silently with Little Golden Dragon. Before he knew it, several tears had slipped from the corners of his eyes.

The emotions he had suppressed for so long flooded into his heart like a burst dam.

Just as the fortune teller had said, the Hongrui Fate and the Heavenly Mourning Fate converged within him. Bai Fan himself was a contradiction.

The Heavenly Mourning Fate corresponded to Yu Xiaogang's original destiny, while the Hongrui Fate corresponded to Bai Fan's destiny.

Fate wavered between the two destinies, toying with Bai Fan again and again.

Only when Bai Fan completely let go of Bibi Dong could the Hongrui Fate suppress the Heavenly Mourning Fate.

Just as the fortune teller had said, being troubled by worldly emotions would only make Bai Fan suffer setbacks. Only by letting go completely could he sail smoothly onward.