Hu Liena's Seductive Charm: Be My Woman!

After the finals ended.

Lin Tian did not return to his residence immediately.

A red-robed bishop came before him and bowed.

"His Holiness the Pope invites you to Pope Hall."

"Now?"

"Now."

Hu Liena stood beside Lin Tian.

She had just put away the Wisdom Skull. Her platinum uniform was still neat, though the black stockings beneath her short skirt were stained with dust from the Soul Battle Platform.

She raised a hand and straightened Lin Tian's collar.

"Teacher is looking for you. It should be about the champion's reward."

"She has already handed it out."

"Then it must be something else."

Hu Liena withdrew her hand.

"I'll go with you."

The red-robed bishop lowered his head.

"His Holiness the Pope has invited only Lin Tian."

Hu Liena looked at him.

"I am the Holy Maiden, and also a member of Spirit Hall Academy's team."

"The finals have just ended. I cannot let the captain meet Teacher alone."

Lin Tian turned his head slightly.

"I'll go take a look. I'll be back soon."

"You promised to cultivate with me tonight."

Hu Liena lifted her eyes to him.

"I remember."

"Then I'll wait for you in the cultivation room."

She reached out and took Lin Tian's hand, her fingers gently closing around his palm.

"Don't let Teacher keep you too long."

"She won't."

Lin Tian turned and followed the red-robed bishop away.

Hu Liena remained where she was, watching the two figures disappear into the passageway.

She lowered her gaze to look at her own hand, then turned and returned to her residence.

Pope Hall.

The doors stood open.

The setting sun shone through the high windows, falling across the long steps within the hall.

Bibi Dong sat upon the Pope's throne.

She had changed out of the ceremonial gown she had worn during the grand ceremony, but her purple-gold dress still draped to the floor.

A narrow slit ran along the side of the skirt.

Black stockings wrapped her long legs, revealing a pale ankle as she crossed them.

The Pope's crown had been placed to one side.

Her brilliant golden hair fell behind her shoulders, making her seem less solemn than she had at the ceremony and more at ease.

Lin Tian walked to the center of the hall.

"Your Holiness the Pope."

"Come here."

Bibi Dong raised a hand.

Lin Tian ascended the steps and stopped three paces away from her.

Bibi Dong studied him for a moment.

"In the three final matches, you used only two martial souls."

"That was enough to win."

"You did not even fully unleash your fifth soul skill."

"I used it in the last match."

"That was only to break the Hell White Tiger."

Bibi Dong picked up the teapot on the table and poured two cups of tea.

"Sit."

Lin Tian sat down opposite her.

Bibi Dong pushed one of the cups toward him.

"This is Snowbud Tea from Pope Hall's collection."

Lin Tian lifted the cup and took a sip.

"It tastes good."

"Only good?"

"It is better than the tea in Heaven Dou City."

Bibi Dong looked at him.

"When it comes to tasting tea, you are more straightforward than when facing women."

"Tea does not ask too many questions."

"If women ask too many questions, are they not worth answering?"

"That depends on the question."

Bibi Dong lifted her own teacup.

Her purple-gold sleeve fell against the tabletop, revealing a pale section of her wrist.

"Then let me ask you."

"Please speak, Your Holiness the Pope."

"Are you willing to remain in Spirit Hall?"

"I am already the captain of Spirit Hall Academy."

"I mean after you graduate."

Lin Tian set down his teacup.

"That depends on the arrangements."

"Your plans are to continue cultivating?"

"Yes."

"What if Pope Hall provides you with cultivation resources?"

"I can use them."

"What if I allow you into Spirit Hall's core area to consult more ancient texts?"

"That would also be acceptable."

Bibi Dong set down her teacup.

"You accept the resources, yet you are unwilling to make a commitment."

"If something is useful, I will naturally accept it."

"Do you think what I have offered is not enough?"

"The terms are not enough."

"What terms do you want?"

Lin Tian looked at her.

"I'll tell you after I have thought it through."

Bibi Dong did not respond immediately.

She rose to her feet, her purple-gold dress sliding down from the chair.

Her black-stockinged legs stepped down the stairs, while the hem of her skirt swayed lightly with each step.

She walked to Lin Tian's side and reached for the teapot on the table.

"Sit closer to me."

"This is already close enough."

"Are you afraid of me?"

"No."

"Then come over."

Lin Tian stood and sat beside her.

Only a palm's distance separated them.

Bibi Dong poured another cup of tea and placed it before Lin Tian.

"Nana cultivates with you every day?"

"Yes."

"She is already level fifty-two."

"Her foundation is sufficient."

"Did you also give her the Whale Rubber?"

"She prepared it herself."

"You were responsible for suppressing the energy within it."

"Yes."

Bibi Dong's gaze fell on Lin Tian.

"She trusts you greatly."

"She is my teammate."

"You always answer with teammate."

"That is the truth."

"But the truth is not limited to that."

Lin Tian did not reply.

Bibi Dong reached out and smoothed a crease from his shoulder.

Her fingertips brushed past the golden patterns before finally stopping at the edge of his lapel.

"Nana said that you do not like others getting too close."

"She was wrong."

"When Huo Wu approached you, you did not avoid her."

"It was necessary for the competition."

"When she stayed overnight in the hot spring, was that also necessary for the competition?"

Lin Tian raised his eyes to look at her.

"Pope Hall investigates quickly."

"Very little that happens in Spirit City can be hidden from me."

Bibi Dong withdrew her hand and returned to the bench.

"What is your relationship with Huo Wu?"

"Friends."

"What about Hu Liena?"

"Teammates, friends."

"And Xue Qinghe?"

"Friends."

Bibi Dong looked at him.

"Are you the same with everyone?"

"No."

"What is different?"

"Their strengths are different."

Bibi Dong lifted her teacup, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her lips.

"As expected, you only look at strength."

"Strength determines many things."

"Including whether someone can stand by your side?"

"Yes."

"Then what about me?"

She raised her eyes.

"Is my strength sufficient?"

"Yes."

"Only sufficient?"

"You are very strong."

"How do I compare to the Grand Worshipper?"

"Master is stronger."

"You answered quickly."

"That is a fact."

Bibi Dong did not press the matter further.

She raised a hand to support her cheek, her violet eyes resting on Lin Tian.

"Starting tomorrow, come to Pope Hall once every day."

"To do what?"

"Drink tea with me and discuss cultivation."

"Cultivation is fine, but tea does not need to be every day."

"That is an order."

"I am not from Pope Hall."

"You are the captain of Spirit Hall Academy, and you are also the Great Priest's disciple."

Bibi Dong set her teacup back on the table.

"But you also accepted the Soul Bone, Whale Rubber, and token I gave you."

"Those three things cannot buy a daily tea session."

"Then let us put it another way."

She rose to her feet and walked over to Lin Tian.

The slit along the side of her long dress opened with her movement, and her legs wrapped in black stockings came to a stop before Lin Tian.

Bibi Dong reached out and pressed a hand against his shoulder.

"Come to Pope Hall every day, and I will personally guide you once."

"Your cultivation path differs from mine."

"I can guide the circulation of your Soul Power, and I can also tell you about matters within Spirit Hall."

"The condition?"

"There are no additional conditions."

Lin Tian looked at her hand.

"You would not help me for no reason."

"Indeed, I would not."

Bibi Dong withdrew her hand.

"I hope that after the finals, you will enter Slaughter City."

"To protect Hu Liena?"

"Bring her out alive."

"Fine."

"You agreed quickly."

"I had already agreed to this matter."

"So starting tomorrow, you will come here every day."

Bibi Dong walked to Lin Tian's side.

"I will personally prepare tea for you."

"My cultivation time cannot be reduced."

"It will not be."

"And it cannot affect my absorption of Whale Rubber."

"The Whale Rubber in Pope Hall is better than what you have."

Lin Tian looked at her.

"Anything else?"

"Yes."

Bibi Dong opened a wooden box beside her.

Six pieces of pale golden gelatin were neatly arranged inside, their surfaces glowing with a warm luster.

"Come to Pope Hall every day, and take one piece with you."

"Is this an exchange?"

"It is a reward."

Bibi Dong closed the lid and pushed the wooden box in front of Lin Tian.

"If you are willing to stay a little longer, the reward can increase."

Lin Tian put away the wooden box.

"I will come tomorrow."

"What time tomorrow?"

"After cultivation ends."

"That is too late."

Bibi Dong looked at him.

"Come in the morning."

"I need to cultivate in the morning."

"Then come before you cultivate."

"I am not used to changing my schedule."

"You can start getting used to it today."

Lin Tian stood up.

"Is there anything else?"

Bibi Dong did not step aside.

She stood before Lin Tian, her violet-gold dress and black stockings overlapping in the sunset, her presence clearer than the incense burner in the hall.

"Lin Tian."

"Mm."

"The next time we meet, do not call me Your Holiness the Pope."

"Then what should I call you?"

"Bibi Dong."

Lin Tian looked at her.

"Fine."

"Say it once now."

"Bibi Dong."

Her gaze lingered on Lin Tian's face.

"Very good."

Footsteps sounded outside the hall.

Hu Liena had already been waiting outside.

When she saw Lin Tian emerge from the side hall, she immediately went over to him.

"Teacher kept you for so long?"

"She asked me to come to Pope Hall tomorrow."

Hu Liena stopped walking.

"Every day?"

"Every day."

She raised her eyes toward the side hall.

Bibi Dong was still standing beside the long bench.

Her violet-gold dress hung to her feet, black stockings wrapped around her legs, and the sunset fell from behind her, making her figure especially striking.

Hu Liena looked back at Lin Tian.

"What did Teacher ask you to come for?"

"To discuss cultivation."

"Really just cultivation?"

"And a piece of Whale Rubber."

Hu Liena reached out, took the wooden box, and opened it for a glance.

"Whale Rubber from Pope Hall."

"The quality is not bad."

"You do not have to go tomorrow."

Lin Tian looked at her.

"Why?"

"I have Whale Rubber too."

Hu Liena closed the box and held it against her chest.

"And I can cultivate with you."

"Bibi Dong can too."

Her fingers paused on the lid.

"You called Teacher by her name?"

"She told me to call her that."

"You agreed rather quickly."

"It is only a form of address."

Hu Liena walked to Lin Tian's side and hooked her arm through his.

"I will go with you tomorrow."

"She only invited me."

"I am the Holy Maiden."

Hu Liena raised her chin.

"Pope Hall is also my teacher's place."

Lin Tian did not refuse.

The two walked down the long stairs.

After they had gone some distance, Hu Liena gently pinched one of his fingers.

"When you drink tea tomorrow, you are not allowed to keep looking at Teacher."

"I will be discussing cultivation."

"Then you are still not allowed to look at her legs."

Lin Tian turned his head toward her.

"Her legs are very beautiful."

Hu Liena's steps halted.

"You really dared to say that."

"You asked."

She tightened her hold on Lin Tian's arm again.

"Then tomorrow, you can only look at mine."

"Will you come?"

"Of course I will."

Hu Liena leaned close to Lin Tian's shoulder.

"Teacher wants to win you over, and I need to keep an eye on you too."

"What are you worried about?"

"I am worried she will trick you away with Whale Rubber."

"Six pieces of Whale Rubber are not enough."

Hu Liena looked up at him.

"Then how much would be enough?"

"That depends on what she can offer."

Hu Liena stopped halfway down the stairs.

She reached out to straighten Lin Tian's collar, her fingertips slowly tracing across the golden patterns on his chest.

"I can give you things too."

"What do you have?"

"I have time."

"Time is worthless."

"I have companionship."

"That is worthless too."

Hu Liena's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Then I will add one more reward."

"What reward?"

"You will find out tomorrow night."

She rose onto her toes and lightly brushed against Lin Tian's cheek.

Then Hu Liena let go of his arm, turned, and walked down the long steps.

"Remember."

"Tomorrow, I'll accompany you to see Teacher."

Lin Tian watched her walk away before finally withdrawing his gaze.

A faint medicinal fragrance drifted from the wooden box in his hand.

Inside Pope Hall, Bibi Dong still stood by the window.

She watched the two of them leave side by side at the foot of the steps, then raised the teacup from the table.

"Come once a day."

"I want to see who you'll ultimately choose."

Night blanketed Spirit City.

Lin Tian and Hu Liena returned to their residence.

The wooden box sent by Pope Hall sat on the table, its pale golden Whale Rubber arranged neatly inside. Hu Liena sat beside the table, lightly tapping the lid with her fingertips.

"Teacher certainly is generous."

"Six pieces of Whale Rubber, plus daily guidance in cultivation."

"She's trying to win you over."

Hu Liena raised her eyes to Lin Tian.

"You accepted it?"

"It's useful."

"So you really have to go to Pope Hall every day starting tomorrow?"

"Bibi Dong already said so."

Hu Liena's fingers stopped.

She stood and walked over to Lin Tian.

Her pale golden dress clung to her slender waist, its hem falling just above her ankles. She raised a hand to straighten Lin Tian's collar, but her gaze remained fixed on his face.

"You called her by her name?"

"She asked me to."

"You agreed rather quickly."

"It's only a form of address."

Hu Liena stopped adjusting his clothes.

Her palm rested against Lin Tian's chest. Through his black-and-gold robe, she gave it a light press.

"Then I want to call you Lin Tian too."

"You've always called me that."

"Before, it was a team member calling her captain."

She stepped closer, her long dress brushing against the edge of Lin Tian's clothes.

"Now it's different."

"How is it different?"

"Think about it yourself."

Lin Tian looked at her.

Hu Liena's eyes shifted slightly. Then she withdrew her hand and turned back to sit by the table.

"Today, I received the Wisdom Skull."

"Mm."

"You gave me the champion's reward, and Teacher gave you the Whale Rubber."

She opened the wooden box and took out a piece of pale golden gelatin.

"By that calculation, I received more than you did."

"The Spirit-Concentrating Wisdom Skull is useful to you."

"You're always like this."

Hu Liena put the Whale Rubber back into the box.

"You're obviously concerned about me, yet all you say is that it's useful."

"That's simply the truth."

"Then cultivate with me tonight."

"Sure."

She looked up at him.

"And after cultivation ends?"

"Continue cultivating."

Hu Liena's brows drew together slightly.

She stood and walked around the table to Lin Tian's side.

"The finals are already over."

"You don't need to keep accompanying me to competitions."