At those words, the entire hall fell silent.
Ning Lin's heart was shaken to its core.
He stared in shock at the woman in his arms.
He had always thought he was using his knowledge of the plot to win over this future empress.
Only now did he understand.
The woman before him had answered his confession with her life—with everything she had.
In that instant, the original story, the plot, the mad empress—all of it vanished like smoke.
He, Ning Lin, had truly fallen for this woman who would risk everything for love.
Qian Xunji's chest heaved violently, and the light of the Angel Holy Sword in his hand flickered.
He stared fixedly at Bibi Dong, searching her eyes for the slightest wavering.
But there was none.
Only a deathly still resolve.
He knew she meant every word.
If he truly killed Ning Lin today, Bibi Dong would follow her lover into death without a moment's hesitation!
He had lost.
Lost utterly and completely.
"Fine... fine... fine!"
Qian Xunji ground his teeth, forcing the words through them.
He slowly put away the Angel Holy Sword and turned his gaze on Ning Lin, the murderous intent in his eyes almost taking tangible form.
"Get out!"
"Disappear from my sight this instant!"
"Today, I'll spare your life."
"But remember this: if you ever dare come even half a step near Dong'er again, I'll tear you into ten thousand pieces!"
Supporting Bibi Dong, Ning Lin gave Qian Xunji a long, hard look.
He said nothing, merely engraving the man's hypocritical, vicious face into his memory.
He knew that today, a blood feud had been forged.
It would not end until one of them died.
Meanwhile, an even more malicious thought was taking root and growing wildly in Qian Xunji's mind.
Dong'er, do you think this will protect him?
You're far too naive.
Once I take you into that Secret Chamber and make you wholly mine, I'll subject you to the most savage torment, day and night.
Then we'll see whether you still have the strength to think about that lover of yours!
After leaving the Papal Hall, Ning Lin supported Bibi Dong as they made their way through Spirit City's dark, secluded alleys.
He was not dejected.
Quite the opposite—his heart burned with fervor.
For the very moment he carried Bibi Dong through the gates of the Papal Hall, the system's notification had sounded in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing the hidden mission: Facing Death to Live. You have won Bibi Dong's true love.] [Mission reward: second Heavenly Flame—Phoenix Undying Flame!]
Phoenix Undying Flame!
These two Heavenly Flames would be his greatest trump cards for securing his place in the world—and even defying heaven to change his fate!
After settling Bibi Dong in a secluded Safe House, Ning Lin dared not delay for even a moment.
He dared not gamble on Qian Xunji's character.
That sanctimonious hypocrite had been driven into a corner today. There was no way he would let the matter rest.
He could go back on his word at any moment.
So tonight, Ning Lin had to put his plan into action!
He found an out-of-the-way inn, rented a fine room, and laid down layer upon layer of restrictive wards.
Sitting cross-legged, Ning Lin willed a dazzling flame into his palm, as though it were woven from countless colorful feathers.
Phoenix Undying Flame!
Without the slightest hesitation, Ning Lin opened his mouth and swallowed the Heavenly Flame!
Boom!
Violent flame energy exploded inside his body!
It was a terrifying heat capable of melting steel in an instant!
Yet strangely, even as that power destroyed his meridians, it released an unceasing stream of life energy that swiftly repaired the damage.
Destruction before renewal, rebirth through nirvana!
Through this ceaseless cycle of destruction and rebirth, Ning Lin's Soul Power began to surge wildly!
Rank fifty-two!
Rank fifty-five!
Rank fifty-eight!
At last, before dawn arrived, he smashed through his Soul Power bottleneck!
Rank sixty!
Soul Emperor!
Nine ranks in a single night!
Ning Lin slowly opened his eyes, sensing the surging power within him, yet he felt not the slightest joy.
This still wasn't enough.
Qian Xunji was a rank ninety-five Titled Douluo!
A rank sixty Soul Emperor was still nothing more than an ant before him.
To gain the strength to fight him, Ning Lin needed something more.
Without pausing for a moment, Ning Lin vanished from Spirit City in a flash.
His destination: the Sunset Forest in the Heaven Dou Empire!
Relying on his memories of the plot, he followed the familiar route straight toward that deadly place—the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!
After he passed through the poison formation, the view suddenly opened up.
A spring lay quietly before him, half fiery crimson and half frosty ice blue, surrounded by countless immortal herbs rarely seen in the outside world.
But Ning Lin had not come here to cultivate.
He carefully skirted the lethally poisonous spring water and entered the herb garden.
Octagonal mysterious ice grass, infernal delicate apricot, singular velvet sky chrysanthemum...
He harvested one precious herb after another, his eyes gleaming.
He was going to refine a special Breakthrough Pill!
A heaven-defying Breakthrough Pill that would grant him the power to contend with a Titled Douluo for a short time!
Its name was the Heavenly Unity Pill!
Meanwhile, in Spirit Hall's Papal Hall.
Qian Xunji sat on his throne with a dark expression, issuing an order to a shadowy figure below.
"Pass down my command. Starting today, I will enter seclusion to pursue a higher realm. No one is to disturb me."
"Yes!"
The shadowy figure accepted the order and withdrew.
Then Qian Xunji appeared like a phantom in Bibi Dong's bedchamber.
"Dong'er."
His voice had regained its usual gentleness.
Bibi Dong looked at him, her eyes full of wariness and disgust.
Qian Xunji paid it no mind and smiled. "I don't know when I'll emerge from this seclusion. The Secret Chamber beneath my study hasn't been tended to in quite some time. Go clean it for your teacher."
At his words, Bibi Dong's slender body shuddered, and her face instantly turned deathly pale.
The Secret Chamber!
As intelligent as she was, how could she not know what that Secret Chamber meant?
It was her teacher's absolute Forbidden Grounds, built from special materials that could block all Soul Power fluctuations and sound.
Even the Great Enshrined of the Worship Hall would have no way of detecting what happened inside!
That old bastard...
He had gone completely mad!
Looking at the hatred in Bibi Dong's eyes, Qian Xunji's smile turned mocking.
"What? You don't want to?"
He slowly stepped closer and spoke softly, in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"My dear disciple, did you think finding some stray man would let you defy me?"
"Don't be naive."
"In this world, without strength, everything else is merely drifting cloud."
"Your love, your dignity—they aren't worth a single coin in my eyes."
With that, he straightened, turned, and strode away laughing.
Bibi Dong stood alone, chilled to the bone.
She clenched her hands, and a resolve to burn jade and stone alike flashed in her eyes.
Qian Xunji.
You want to possess me?
Keep dreaming!
I'd rather die than let you have your way!
The Sunset Forest, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
At the center of the herb garden, Ning Lin sat cross-legged.
An ancient-looking pill cauldron floated in the air before him.
In his left hand burned the ghostly white Bone Chilling Flame.
In his right burned the dazzling Phoenix Undying Flame.
Before you continue