Questions surfaced one after another.
Bibi Dong's gaze darkened.
"Send people to the Far North immediately."
"Find out where Qian Chen came from eighteen years ago."
"And find out how long he lived in the Far North, and why the Ice Empress and the Snow Empress took him in."
The Black-robed Deacon bowed his head to accept the order.
"As you command."
"Do not let Qian Daoliu learn of this."
Bibi Dong continued:
"Nor Qian Renxue."
"Understood."
The Black-robed Deacon rose and withdrew.
Bibi Dong stood alone before the raised platform.
Candlelight fell across the portrait in her hands.
Eighteen years ago.
A human child.
The Ice Empress.
The Snow Empress.
And a face so strikingly similar to the one in her memories.
Bibi Dong closed her eyes.
"Why are you still alive?"
Her fingers slowly tightened.
The edge of the scroll crumpled in her grip.
"Why did they take you away?"
After a brief silence, Bibi Dong opened her eyes.
"Qian Chen."
"No matter where you are now, I will find you."
She laid the portrait on the table.
Outside the hall, two deacons entered once more.
"Your Holiness."
"Pass down my orders."
Bibi Dong looked at them.
"Prepare to hunt the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python."
The two deacons raised their heads.
"Those two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts?"
"Yes."
Bibi Dong looked toward the darkness beyond the hall.
"My Ninth Soul Ring still lacks its final two rings."
"This time, I will go to the Star Dou Great Forest myself."
She turned and descended from the platform.
"Continue searching for Qian Chen as well."
"If you find any trace of him, report it to Spirit Hall immediately."
"Do not act on your own."
"As you command."
The two deacons bowed and withdrew.
Bibi Dong stood