"Roar!"
An agile Thousand-Year Ghost Tiger roared as it lunged at Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong's expression remained unchanged. Her second soul ring lit up, and countless purple webs appeared out of thin air, instantly binding the Ghost Tiger.
Before the Ghost Tiger could break free, a spear of eerie white flame had already pierced its skull.
The entire sequence flowed like drifting clouds and running water.
"Nice teamwork."
Ning Lin stepped forward, withdrew his flames, and praised her with a smile.
Over the past few days, they had hunted soul beasts and gathered medicinal herbs together, their coordination growing ever more seamless.
Bibi Dong truly lived up to her position as Spirit Hall's Saintess. Her talent for combat was exceptional; although she lacked practical experience, a single hint was all she needed.
The strength Ning Lin displayed made her see him in an entirely new light.
Both his elusive, ghostlike white flames and his intimate knowledge of various soul beasts' weaknesses left her astonished.
"We have all the herbs."
Ning Lin checked the materials in his Storage Soul Tool and nodded.
"Let's find somewhere safe and fire up the furnace to refine the pills."
They found a secluded cave. Ning Lin expertly set up a Warning Formation, then took out an ancient-looking Pill Furnace.
Bibi Dong watched from beside him, her eyes brimming with curiosity.
This was her first time witnessing genuine alchemy firsthand.
With a flick of Ning Lin's finger, a wisp of eerie white flame fell into the Pill Furnace, and the temperature inside shot upward.
Then, one rare medicinal herb after another went into the Pill Furnace in a precise order.
Purification, fusion, pill formation...
Ning Lin's movements flowed in one unbroken sequence, imbued with a mysterious rhythm that left Bibi Dong dazzled and entranced.
Time ticked past, second by second.
When the final herb entered the Pill Furnace, a rich medicinal fragrance began drifting out.
"They're almost ready!"
Bibi Dong clenched her fists nervously.
Ning Lin remained utterly focused, forming seals with both hands as soul power poured steadily into the Pill Furnace.
"Condense!"
He gave a low shout.
Hum!
The Pill Furnace gave a soft hum, and its lid shot into the air.
Three perfectly round pills the size of longan fruits lay quietly at the bottom, shimmering with a jewel-like radiance.
"We did it!"
Bibi Dong cried out in delighted surprise.
"We succeeded!"
A heartfelt smile spread across Ning Lin's face as well.
They exchanged a glance, each seeing excitement and joy in the other's eyes.
The next moment, unable to contain her excitement, Bibi Dong stepped forward and hugged Ning Lin tightly.
Feeling her softness against him, Ning Lin stiffened slightly.
Bibi Dong instantly came to her senses as well. What had she just done?!
She could feel her cheeks heating up at an almost visible speed, burning fiercely.
She released him as though shocked by electricity and hurriedly stepped aside, lowering her head, unable to meet Ning Lin's eyes.
For a moment, the atmosphere inside the cave grew rather delicate.
Night deepened.
Bibi Dong lay in her sleeping bag beside the campfire, tossing and turning without a trace of sleepiness.
Every little moment she had shared with Ning Lin over the past few days kept replaying in her mind.
This man was like a mystery.
Mysterious, powerful, knowledgeable, gentle.
Unlike Yu Xiaogang, he wasn't all honeyed words with nothing to back them up.
Every word he spoke and every action he took carried a compelling weight.
Being with him gave her a sense of security she had never known before.
That feeling captivated her, even becoming a little addictive.
The maiden's heart was like a stone cast into a lake, sending out ripple after ripple.
Bibi Dong was not someone who wavered indecisively.
She dared to love and dared to hate.
Since her heart had stirred, she had to fight for it!
She abruptly sat up in her sleeping bag and, by the firelight, took paper and a pen from her Soul Tool.
[Later, at the Back Mountain Training Ground, where we first met. I'll be waiting for you.]
After writing that line, her cheeks began burning again.
She folded the letter and quietly placed it beside Ning Lin's pillow.
Only after finishing all this did she breathe a sigh of relief, but suddenly, several sounds of rushing air came from outside the cave.
"Your Highness, Saintess!"
Several guards wearing Spirit Hall's standard armor appeared at the entrance.
"His Holiness the Pope summons you on urgent business. Please return to the Papal Hall immediately!"
Qian Xunji?
Bibi Dong's heart sank.
Her lofty, imperious teacher, who offered her nothing but exploitation and control.
A powerful sense of resistance surged from the depths of her heart.
She didn't want to go back.
She wanted to stay here, to wait for Ning Lin to wake up, to be with him...
"Your Highness, please don't make things difficult for us."
The guard's tone was forceful.
Bibi Dong's nails dug into her palms.
She knew she couldn't resist.
Elsewhere.
The instant the guards appeared, Ning Lin, who had been feigning sleep, became alert.
He didn't move, merely listening quietly to the conversation outside until Bibi Dong's presence faded into the distance.
He slowly opened his eyes and picked up the letter beside his pillow.
[...at the Back Mountain Training Ground, where we first met...]
At the sight of those words, Ning Lin's heart lurched.
A chill instantly shot from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head!
The original plot!
Bibi Dong had arranged to meet Yu Xiaogang, only for Qian Xunji to send men to take her back to the secret chamber!
Then came the tragedy that plunged her entire life into darkness!
Now, history's course had shifted.
The person meeting her had changed from Yu Xiaogang to him.
But Qian Xunji's summons had arrived right on schedule!
"Damn it!"
Ning Lin's gaze turned utterly chilling in an instant.
He would never let something like that happen right before his eyes!
Sit around and wait for death?
That wasn't his style!
Ning Lin sprang to his feet. The letter in his hand was instantly burned to ashes by eerie white flames.
He moved, becoming a streak of light as he charged toward Spirit Hall without the slightest hesitation!
Spirit Hall, the Papal Hall.
Beneath the towering dome, a statue of the Twelve-Winged Angel gazed down, majestic and solemn.
Beyond the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, night had fallen deep, yet countless Soul Guidance Lamps lit the hall as brightly as day.
The mirror-polished obsidian floor reflected the figure seated upon the papal throne.
Qian Xunji wore an opulent, gold-trimmed Papal Robe. He propped his chin on one hand, a gentle smile on his face, yet his eyes were unfathomably deep.
He was scheming.
His recent conversation with his father, Qian Daoliu, the Great Enshrined of the Worship Hall, echoed through his mind.
"Dong'er's talent is a miracle Spirit Hall hasn't seen in a century."
"No matter what, she must stay."
"By any means necessary."
By any means necessary...
A faint smile tugged at Qian Xunji's lips.
Of course he understood what his father meant.
Bibi Dong's heart no longer seemed to belong to Spirit Hall, or to him, her teacher.
No matter.
The heart was far too elusive a thing.
As long as he kept her here first, made her wholly and utterly his, made her an inseparable part of Spirit Hall...
Sooner or later, her heart would stay as well.
Given enough time, affection would surely blossom, wouldn't it?
Before you continue