The moment Qian Xunji's domineering spiritual power touched that cluster of flames, it melted away without a trace, like ice and snow beneath a blazing sun!
Ning Lin's sea of consciousness was as impregnable as a fortress of iron.
Not only had he escaped control, he had turned the scheme against its maker, deliberately pretending to be under its influence.
Now!
Clarity returned to Ning Lin's eyes in an instant.
He ignored Qian Xunji, whose expression had shifted slightly upon his throne, and spared no glance for the clownlike Yu Xiaogang in the corner.
He turned and gazed deeply, with unprecedented tenderness, at the breathtaking woman standing before him—the woman who worried for him, whose heart broke for him.
"Bibi Dong."
His voice was rich and magnetic.
Bibi Dong trembled, staring at him in a daze.
Ning Lin stepped forward, disregarding his injuries, and slowly raised his bloodstained hand to caress her cheek.
"I don't know how to describe this feeling."
Ning Lin's voice was soft, yet carried a power that could pierce the heart.
"We haven't known each other long. So little time that, to outsiders, this might seem like nothing more than a joke."
"But from the first time I saw you in the Library, from the moment we fought side by side in the Star Dou Great Forest, my soul has resonated deeply with yours."
"That feeling transcends time, transcends the mundane world."
"As though I crossed ten thousand rivers and a thousand mountains, traversed endless time and space, just to meet you in this moment."
His words plunged the entire Papal Hall into deathly silence.
The wild delight on Yu Xiaogang's face froze.
The smile vanished from Qian Xunji's face.
Ning Lin did not stop. Gazing into Bibi Dong's phoenix eyes, already brimming with tears, he spoke each word with solemn conviction.
"Bibi Dong, you are the person I've searched for all my life, the one I want to spend the rest of it with."
"Perhaps this isn't the right time to say these things."
"But I'm afraid that if I don't say them now, I'll never have another chance."
"So..."
He drew a deep breath and, with every ounce of strength he possessed, asked the question.
"Will you?"
His words fell into silence.
Bibi Dong could no longer hold back her tears. They streamed down like pearls slipping from a broken string.
She was no longer the decisive, ruthless Saintess of Spirit Hall, nor the future empress who would reign over the world.
At that moment, she was simply an ordinary girl hearing the man she loved confess his feelings before everyone.
All her strength, all her disguises, shattered in that instant.
She nodded fiercely, choking on sobs, yet shouted those words with all her might.
"I will!"
Without hesitation, she reached out with both hands and clutched Ning Lin's hand, as though she wanted to meld him into her very flesh and bone.
In that moment, her teacher, the Pope, the future of Spirit Hall—she cast them all from her mind.
Only the man before her remained in her world.
"Bastard!"
The furious roar exploded like thunder!
Qian Xunji completely lost his composure!
His carefully devised scheme to crush their hearts had not only failed, but had become a stage for his opponent's confession!
This was an intolerable humiliation!
A terrifying pressure of Soul Power erupted from his body, sweeping through the entire Papal Hall like collapsing mountains and a surging tsunami!
"Please calm your anger, Your Holiness! This boy is beguiling everyone with his lies. Her Highness the Saintess has merely been deceived for the moment..."
In the corner, Yu Xiaogang still tried to prove his worth with his endless chatter.
Unfortunately, in his raging fury, Qian Xunji had already lost control.
A mere wisp of pressure that leaked out unintentionally slammed into Yu Xiaogang's chest like an invisible sledgehammer!
"Pfft—!"
Before Yu Xiaogang could even scream, he flew backward like a kite with its string cut, crashed heavily into the distant wall, then tumbled to the floor. He spat out a great mouthful of blood and lost consciousness on the spot.
Qian Xunji did not spare him a glance.
Useless trash.
His eyes were now blood-red, fixed unwaveringly on Ning Lin.
"Good. Very good!"
"Since your love is so deep and true, I'll send you both on your way today!"
"Go be a pair of doomed lovers in hell!"
His first scheme having failed, he unrolled the map and revealed the dagger!
Before his words had faded, Qian Xunji raised his right hand. Brilliant golden Soul Power gathered madly, forming an Angel Holy Sword wreathed in searing flames, which he brought down upon Ning Lin's head!
He held nothing back in this strike!
A Titled Douluo's full-powered blow was enough to raze the entire Papal Hall to the ground!
"No—!"
Bibi Dong let out a piercing scream.
Without a moment's thought, the Soul Power within her erupted!
Two purple Soul Rings—four rings in all—suddenly rose!
Death Spider Emperor! Soul-Devouring Spider Emperor!
Her Twin Martial Souls possessed her simultaneously!
She spread her arms and, once again—and for the last time—stood before Ning Lin without hesitation!
Boom—!!!
The golden holy sword crashed violently into the spiderweb shield Bibi Dong had hastily formed!
The raging shock wave blasted everything in the hall away!
Bibi Dong gave a muffled groan, spraying a mouthful of blood across Ning Lin's chest as the tremendous force hurled her backward.
Ning Lin hurriedly caught her in his arms.
She had actually withstood a strike from Qian Xunji!
Though she had taken only its residual force, she was still gravely wounded, her vitality ebbing to its lowest point.
Yet she continued to shield Ning Lin fiercely. In the phoenix eyes she turned upon Qian Xunji, none of her former respect remained—only hatred etched into her bones.
Now, everyone could see it.
This was no act.
Bibi Dong and Ning Lin truly loved each other.
In the corner, Yu Xiaogang had just stirred back to consciousness. At the sight, his eyes reddened with jealousy, and he nearly went mad.
Useless trash!
Qian Xunji, that useless piece of trash!
The mighty Pope, a Titled Douluo, couldn't even deal with his own disciple!
He cursed inwardly, but dared not make a sound. He could only lie on the floor like a dead dog.
"You... you dare defy me for him?"
Qian Xunji's voice trembled, half from fury and half from being shaken by the resolve in Bibi Dong's eyes.
Bibi Dong was barely holding on.
Ning Lin could feel the delicate body in his arms trembling faintly.
"Wretched disciple!"
Qian Xunji's patience ran out entirely.
"Since you refuse to see reason, don't blame your teacher for showing no mercy!"
He raised the Angel Holy Sword again. This time, the golden flames along its blade burned even more fiercely!
He intended to erase both these eyesores completely, Bibi Dong included!
Just then, Bibi Dong suddenly spoke.
Her voice was weak, yet extraordinarily calm.
"Teacher."
She raised her head, a poignant smile blooming upon her deathly pale, lovely face.
"If you kill him, I'll die before your eyes that very instant."
Qian Xunji's movement stopped abruptly.
He looked at Bibi Dong, his eyes filled with astonishment.
Bibi Dong's gaze was as still as a pool of stagnant water.
"My strength is indeed no match for yours. I can't kill you."
"But I can kill myself."
"If you don't believe me, go ahead and try. See whether your sword is faster, or whether I can shatter my own heart meridians first."
Before you continue