The Library Pavilion and Bibi Dong's Attention

A few days later.

Not far from the Papal Hall stood a quaint, three-story pavilion. Three gilded characters adorned the plaque above its entrance: Library Pavilion.

Inside was the most complete collection of books on history, martial souls, Soul Beasts, and related subjects in all of Douluo Continent.

"I'm so tired. I don't want to read anymore."

On the third floor of the Library Pavilion, Hu Liena slumped sideways onto the table. She looked at the boy beside her with open admiration. "You can actually read something this dull. I'm impressed."

Qin Yu turned to her with a faint smile. "If you're tired, you can head back early."

"I wish I could."

Hu Liena pulled a miserable face. "But my teacher says I have to study for a full two hours every day. She quizzes me every night."

"If I can't answer, or I get something wrong, I get beaten."

She hated studying theory more than anything.

She would rather fight someone than memorize all this.

"Oh?" Qin Yu raised an eyebrow, then closed his book with a chuckle. "I do have an idea."

"What is it?"

Hu Liena immediately lifted her head and looked at him expectantly.

"Don't read."

"But what do I do when Teacher quizzes me and I don't know the answers?"

"Think about it. One beating in exchange for a whole day of freedom. Sounds like a bargain, doesn't it?" Qin Yu grinned at her.

"Well..."

Hu Liena thought it over and suddenly felt he had a point.

One beating for a day of freedom? What a deal.

Besides, her teacher would never seriously hurt her.

"Qin Yu, that's a great idea. I'm done reading."

Hu Liena promptly shut her book and prepared to rest her head on the table.

But less than a second later, a cool voice sounded behind her. "It's not a bad idea, but you won't be able to take that beating."

The words hung in the air.

Hu Liena froze. Qin Yu was startled too.

They turned around instinctively. A woman stood there, watching them.

She had long, pale-purple hair, exquisite features, a stunning face, and skin fairer than snow. Even her eyes were pale purple.

Her splendid ceremonial robes lent her an air of elegant dignity without diminishing her authority.

Time had left almost no trace on her face. She looked no different from a beautiful woman of eighteen or nineteen.

"Te... Teacher." Hu Liena's face fell completely. She was terrified.

Qin Yu was surprised, but he stood and bowed. "Greetings, Your Holiness."

"Mm."

Bibi Dong nodded lightly, then shot Hu Liena a glare. "From now on, I'll quiz you at random times every day. Fail to answer, and you'll get a beating on the spot."

"Huh?"

"Don't 'huh' me. Save that for when I beat you."

"Mm..."

Hu Liena lowered her head, quickly picked up her book, and began reading. She looked so earnest that even Qin Yu gave her a second glance.

"And you, Qin Yu."

Bibi Dong turned to him. "Don't think I can't beat you just because you're Spirit Hall's Holy Son and Golden Crocodile Douluo's disciple."

"Teach Nana any more nonsense like that, and I'll beat you too."

"..." Qin Yu's mouth twitched, but he nodded. "I understand, Your Holiness. It won't happen next time."

"Only next time?" Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow.

She's doing this on purpose, isn't she? Qin Yu complained inwardly. Still, he took a deep breath and answered again. "It won't happen again."

Bibi Dong gave a slight nod and waved for Qin Yu to continue reading.

Qin Yu sat down again and returned to his book.

Bibi Dong went to a bookshelf and pulled out a book that looked almost untouched. Words like "martial soul," "theory," and "competitiveness" were faintly visible on its cover.

Then she walked to the window. A ripple passed through her eyes as she gazed out, lost in thought.

"Tea..."

Hu Liena was about to ask Bibi Dong something, but seeing that her teacher was distracted, she turned to Qin Yu instead. "Qin Yu, what does this sentence mean?"

Qin Yu glanced at it, thought for a moment, then explained it to her in simple terms.

Hu Liena's eyes lit up.

She realized his explanation was much easier to understand than the book.

After that, there was no stopping her. Whenever she came across something she didn't understand, she asked him.

Qin Yu patiently answered every question.

Though they spoke quietly, their conversation drew Bibi Dong out of her thoughts.

She turned and looked at them.

Seeing Hu Liena studying so earnestly brought a faint smile to Bibi Dong's face.

But then she noticed Qin Yu's expression as he explained things to Hu Liena, and the distinctive scholarly air about him.

This child...

Bibi Dong's gaze grew distant. Her eyes settled on Qin Yu and stayed there.

Without thinking, she set down her book and slowly approached, arriving behind them so quietly that neither noticed.

Qin Yu kept explaining. Hu Liena kept listening. Bibi Dong kept watching.

And Bibi Dong seemed to edge closer and closer.

"Hm?"

Suddenly, Qin Yu caught a fragrance different from Hu Liena's.

He turned instinctively and found Bibi Dong staring straight at him. The inexplicable tenderness in her eyes was... strange.

???

Qin Yu was utterly baffled.

Hu Liena sensed something was off and turned as well. She jumped when she saw Bibi Dong. "Teacher?"

At her voice, Bibi Dong snapped out of her daze.

She looked at Hu Liena's puzzled expression, then at Qin Yu's equally strange look. After a brief pause, she composed herself. "You explained that well. Carry on."

With that, she turned and left.

Out of Qin Yu and Hu Liena's sight, a blush flashed across Bibi Dong's cheeks.

Once Bibi Dong was gone, Hu Liena patted her chest. "How does Teacher walk without making a sound? She was suddenly right behind us again. She scared me."

"Yeah. She startled me too."

Qin Yu nodded.

"Really? I couldn't tell." Hu Liena looked skeptical.

"You don't have to show it on your face to be startled." Qin Yu smiled.

Hu Liena had no answer, so she changed the subject. "Qin Yu, tell me more about that part from earlier..."

"Sure."

Qin Yu agreed, though he wondered, That look Bibi Dong gave me just now... I must have imagined it.

He pushed the thought aside and continued explaining things to Hu Liena.

But in a shadowed corner beyond their sight, Bibi Dong had returned. Once again, her gaze settled on the two of them.

She appeared to be watching Hu Liena.

But she wasn't. After barely a few seconds, her gaze drifted from Hu Liena to Qin Yu.

Then she lost herself in thought as she watched him.

Mid-explanation, Qin Yu suddenly looked up and scanned the room. Seeing no one, he found it odd. Strange. Why does it feel like someone's watching me?

"Qin Yu, what's this passage supposed to mean?"

"Let me see..."

His train of thought interrupted, Qin Yu resumed explaining the text to Hu Liena, adding a few observations of his own.

The day soon passed.

Qin Yu returned to the Worship Hall, and Hu Liena returned to the Papal Hall.