Origins Don't Matter

The mountain path was uneven. He walked slowly and steadily, afraid of jostling the person on his back.

The night wind was a little chilly, so he circulated the meager Soul Power within him—although he had yet to awaken his martial soul, he had long begun meditating to cultivate his spiritual power and basic Soul Power. Outsiders simply did not know.

A faint protective barrier formed around his body, blocking the cold wind.

As he walked, he could not help complaining inwardly.

Come to think of it, he really had Yu Xiaogang to thank. If not for him serving as a cautionary example with his Light Sacred Dragon Luo Sanpao, he would not have secretly started meditating and cultivating at the age of three.

Now, it seemed the results were indeed quite good. At the very least, the foundation of his Soul Power and physical condition was far more solid than that of his peers.

Bibi Xu curled his lip. When the chance came, he would not mind venting his mother's anger for her and letting this so-called "Master" taste what it was like to suffer a setback.

He strolled along at an unhurried pace and reached the foot of Worship Hall Mountain after roughly half an hour.

Just as he arrived before the stone steps, Bibi Xu stopped.

A white-robed figure stood at the top of the stairs. With golden hair and beard, a solemn face, and a faint holy aura surrounding him, it was none other than Spirit Hall's Grand Worshipper, Qian Daoliu.

He had clearly been waiting there for a long time.

Bibi Xu was not surprised in the slightest. Who was Qian Daoliu? A Rank 99 Limit Douluo, the Angel God's Grand Worshipper—his senses encompassed all of Spirit City.

There was no way he could have been unaware that Qian Renxue had secretly slipped out. His failure to appear earlier probably meant he tacitly approved of Qian Renxue associating with him.

With Qian Renxue on his back, he bowed slightly and performed a proper junior's salute. "Grand Worshipper."

Qian Daoliu's gaze fell upon him, his expression complicated.

To be honest, he had never particularly liked this child.

His origins were unknown. He had appeared out of nowhere outside Killing City, been picked up by Bibi Dong and treated as her own, and taken away attention that should have belonged to Xue'er—along with what little warmth Bibi Dong possessed.

A few years ago, it was not as if Qian Daoliu had never considered sending the child away, or simply disposing of him in secret to prevent future trouble.

But after observing him over the years, he had never made a move.

For one thing, there was Xue'er. She was aloof by nature and had grown up in Worship Hall. Those around her were either servants who revered and feared her or stern worshippers. She did not even have a playmate her own age.

Only when she was with Bibi Xu would she laugh, play, and speak her mind like an ordinary child. The last time Xue'er had fallen ill with a fever, the name she murmured in her delirium had been "Ah Xu."

For another, the child himself was far too extraordinary.

At six years old, his mind was as steady as an adult's. He handled people and matters flawlessly, observed every courtesy, never overstepped his bounds, yet never allowed himself to suffer a loss.

More importantly, his constitution was exceptionally unusual. His affinity for dark and killing auras was terrifyingly high, and he could even quietly soothe the restless killing power within Bibi Dong.

Two years ago, Bibi Dong had suffered a backlash while cultivating Rakshasa Divine Power. Her baleful aura had swept through the entire Holy Maiden Hall, and even Titled Douluo had not dared approach.

Yet this three-year-old child had stumbled inside, hugged Bibi Dong's leg, and called out, "Mom." The overwhelming baleful aura had actually begun to subside.

After that incident, Qian Daoliu had completely abandoned the thought of touching him.

Keeping him around was good for Bibi Dong, good for Xue'er, and perhaps not a bad thing for Spirit Hall either...

Still, the child hid himself too deeply. Despite his young age, there was an unfathomable depth in his eyes. Whenever Qian Daoliu was watched by him, he sometimes even felt as if he had been seen through.

"Thank you for bringing her back." Qian Daoliu stepped forward and gently took Qian Renxue from Bibi Xu's back, carefully cradling her as though she were some priceless treasure.

He lowered his head to look at his granddaughter, sleeping peacefully in his arms. His gaze softened for a moment, but when he looked at Bibi Xu again, his usual solemnity returned. "It is late. Go back early, lest your mother worry."

"Yes." Bibi Xu saluted again. "This junior will take his leave."

With that, he turned and left without the slightest hesitation or a single extra question.

His sense of propriety was impeccable.

Qian Daoliu stood where he was, watching the small figure disappear at the end of the mountain path, his gaze deep as he wondered about something unknown.

Qian Renxue shifted in his arms and mumbled, "Ah Xu... candy..." before snuggling deeper into his embrace.

Qian Daoliu looked down at his granddaughter, shook his head helplessly, and carried her into Worship Hall.

So be it. As long as he did not interfere with Xue'er's Angel Legacy, and as long as he harbored no disloyalty toward Spirit Hall, allowing him to grow up alongside Xue'er was not impossible.

When Bibi Xu returned to Holy Maiden Hall, the lights were still on.

The moment he entered the courtyard gate, he saw Bibi Dong standing beneath the corridor, draped in a dark cloak. She had clearly been waiting for him.

"You're back?" Bibi Dong's voice carried a trace of reproach but not the slightest anger. "Where did you run off to play? Why are you back so late?"

"I went for a walk at the back mountain and watched the stars for a while." Bibi Xu stepped forward and naturally took Bibi Dong's hand. It was slightly cool, yet soft. "I kept Mom waiting."

"You little thing." Bibi Dong tapped his forehead, then led him inside. "Are you hungry? The kitchen kept some lotus seed soup warm. Go have some before bed."

"Okay."

Mother and son entered the hall. A maid soon brought over a bowl of warm lotus seed soup, just sweet enough—exactly the way Bibi Xu liked it.

Bibi Dong sat across from him and watched him drink it in small sips, her gaze so tender it seemed capable of melting water.

The candlelight flickered, softening her breathtakingly beautiful face. Her usual coldness and murderous aura had faded, leaving only the gentle grace of an ordinary mother.

"Next month is the martial soul awakening ceremony." Bibi Dong suddenly spoke. "Are you ready?"

"Mm, I'm ready." Bibi Xu put down his spoon and nodded.

"Are you nervous?"

"Not at all." Bibi Xu looked up at her and smiled. "With Mom here, I have nothing to be nervous about. No matter what martial soul I awaken, I'm still Mom's son."

Bibi Dong's heart warmed. She reached out and stroked his head. "Silly child. No matter what martial soul you awaken, Mom will give you the best of everything. Even if it is a useless martial soul, Mom has ways to make you a top-tier soul master."

She meant every word.

Over the years, she had watched Bibi Xu grow bit by bit—from a tiny bundle in swaddling clothes into the clever, sensible child he was now. He had long become the most important soft spot in her life.

She had endured too much hardship and suffered too much. She would never let her son suffer even the slightest injustice.

What did martial soul talent matter? With Bibi Dong here, with all of Spirit Hall behind him, even if he possessed a useless martial soul, she could forcefully build him into a powerhouse with herbs, Soul Bones, and the finest resources.

Of course, Bibi Xu knew she would do as she said. But he did not want to rely on piled-up resources.

He wanted to rely on his own strength to stand high enough, then turn around and protect her instead.

"I know Mom is the best." Bibi Xu smiled, obediently finished the last sip of lotus seed soup, and said, "I'll go wash up and sleep now. Mom should rest early too."

"Go on." Bibi Dong watched his retreating figure run back toward the inner courtyard, the smile on her lips lingering for a long while.

Only after the small figure vanished around the corner did the tenderness on her face gradually fade, her eyes turning cold once more.

She raised her hand, and a shadow formed from black Soul Power appeared before her and dropped to one knee.

"How did the investigation go?" Bibi Dong's voice was low and devoid of warmth.

"Reporting to Your Highness, the Holy Maiden, it has been confirmed. This afternoon, several red-robed bishops were privately discussing the young master's origins again. They also said they would make trouble during the awakening ceremony and force you to send the young master away." The shadow's voice was respectful and cold.

A flash of killing intent passed through Bibi Dong's eyes.

"Courting death." She spat out the words coldly. "Handle it cleanly. Don't let Xu know about this filth."

"Yes."

The shadow vanished at once, and silence returned to the hall.

Bibi Dong remained where she was, gazing toward Bibi Xu's room with a complicated expression.

She knew Ah Xu was an exceptionally clever child and might not be unable to guess many things. Yet he never spoke of them, never asked about his origins, and simply remained her son in peace.

Origins did not matter.

As long as she, Bibi Dong, acknowledged him as her son, he was Spirit Hall's rightful young master. Whoever dared gossip would have to die.