Late at night, in the Papal Hall of Spirit City.
A suffocating atmosphere filled the vast, magnificent hall.
Qian Renxue had shed the crown prince's robes she wore as her disguise in the Heaven Dou Empire and changed back into the court attire of Spirit Hall's young mistress.
Her waterfall of golden hair fell to her waist. Her stunning face was expressionless, showing only the exhaustion of traveling through the night and the agitation she forcibly suppressed.
She stood in the hall, looking up at the lofty Pope's Throne.
Upon the throne, Bibi Dong rested one hand on her scepter, clad in magnificent black papal robes as she looked down at her own daughter.
"Qian Renxue, you really have grown bolder and bolder in the Heaven Dou Empire."
Bibi Dong's icy voice rang through the empty hall.
"I never expected you to hide an unpolished gem with innate full soul power in Heaven Dou City behind the Papal Hall's back. What, are you already so eager to grow wings of your own?"
Qian Renxue froze.
Innate full soul power?
The gifted boy from Heaven Dou City?!
Everything instantly clicked into place in Qian Renxue's mind.
"Innate full soul power... Heaven Dou City..."
Qian Renxue abruptly stepped forward, fixing her eyes on the woman upon the Pope's Throne. Her voice was sharp and trembling.
"It was you! The person who took him from the Star Dou Great Forest... it was you!"
"Little Chen... you have him!"
At this, a mocking smile curled Bibi Dong's lips.
"Indeed. I happened upon him while inspecting the outskirts. A talent seen once in a hundred years-leaving him in your hands would be a criminal waste of heaven's gifts."
Bibi Dong's words brimmed with imperious authority.
"I have already brought that child back to the Papal Hall. From now on, I will personally train him, and he will remain in Spirit City."
Boom!!
Four phantom angel wings of sacred gold faintly appeared behind her, and five Soul Rings emerged. Waves of soul power swept up the curtains around the hall, while Qian Renxue's brilliant golden eyes all but spat fire!
"Bibi Dong! What right did you have to take him?!"
All trace of Qian Renxue's usual elegance vanished. Her nails dug deep into her palms as she furiously shouted.
"He belongs to me! What right do you have to steal him?! Give Meng Chen back to me!!"
"The right of being the Pope of Spirit Hall!"
Bibi Dong slammed the Pope's Scepter against the floor!
Thud!
The immense pressure of a level ninety-six Peak Douluo poured down, mixed with the sinister, defiled Rakshasa Divine Sense, instantly forcing the sacred golden radiance surrounding Qian Renxue back into her body!
"Qian Renxue, remember your place!"
Bibi Dong coldly regarded Qian Renxue, whose face had turned pale under the pressure, her tone haughty.
"Within Spirit Hall, all gifted individuals and resources are under my control! Besides, that child has been perfectly obedient in my bedroom. Whether he wants to return to Heaven Dou with you is not for you to decide!"
"You...!!"
Qian Renxue trembled with fury.
From childhood to adulthood, this woman had never given her even a shred of motherly love, and now...
"Bibi Dong, don't even think about taking him!"
Qian Renxue clenched her teeth. Even as her bones creaked beneath the pressure of a level ninety-six powerhouse, she refused to retreat a single step, even preparing to burn her soul power in a fight to the death!
Just as mother and daughter stood with swords drawn and bows bent-
Hum!!
Boundless, blazing white sacred light spilled down!
The soul power pressure Bibi Dong had unleashed instantly melted away without a trace!
Then an aged, powerful voice rang out with imposing authority.
"Bibi Dong, you have gone too far."
An elderly man in robes embroidered in gold and red approached, stepping through the air.
It was Qian Daoliu, the Great Enshrined of the Worship Hall, one of the world's three level ninety-nine Peerless Douluos!
With a casual sweep of Qian Daoliu's sleeve, the pressure enveloping Qian Renxue vanished like smoke.
Then he stared directly at Bibi Dong upon the Pope's Throne.
"Xue'er bears the Angel Clan's grand plan, a thousand years in the making. Alone in Heaven Dou, she has endured and schemed, treading as though on thin ice. She finally found a worthy talent to accompany and assist her. As Pope, instead of lending her your full support, you snatched someone from a junior. What kind of conduct is that?"
The pressure of a level ninety-nine demigod at the very pinnacle made the entire Papal Hall groan beneath its unbearable weight!
Bibi Dong's expression changed abruptly.
She stared coldly at Qian Daoliu and sneered.
"Qian Daoliu, the Worship Hall has always stayed out of the Papal Hall's affairs. Must you interfere even when I recruit a child of extraordinary talent?!"
"I am not negotiating with you."
Qian Daoliu remained expressionless.
"This boy belongs with Xue'er. That is the decision of myself and every elder of the Worship Hall."
Qian Daoliu looked down at Bibi Dong.
"Bibi Dong, release him. Otherwise..."
Bibi Dong's chest heaved, her eyes flashing with chilling malice and pent-up frustration.
She knew perfectly well that she had yet to truly inherit the Rakshasa Godhood. Against the level ninety-nine Qian Daoliu, she had no chance whatsoever of winning.
"Fine... what a Great Enshrined you are!"
Bibi Dong laughed in the extremity of her rage, sweeping her sleeve as she turned her head away.
"Qian Renxue, he is in my bedroom!"
A short while later.
The door to the Pope's Bedroom was pushed open!
"Little Chen!"
Anxiety and panic filled Qian Renxue's face as she hurried into the inner chamber.
On the large bed, Meng Chen had been chewing his finger in boredom and counting the carvings on the ceiling. The instant he heard that familiar voice, the two gleaming golden rabbit ears atop his head sprang upright!
"Brother Xue?!"
Meng Chen took a closer look. It was none other than Qian Renxue, once again disguised as "Xue Qinghe."
"Waaah! Brother Xue! You're finally here!"
Meng Chen's eyes stung with tears. He immediately sprang up, moving so fast that he seemed to teleport, and crashed into Qian Renxue's arms with a thump!
"Oof!"
Meng Chen's two short little arms clung tightly around Qian Renxue's slender neck. He desperately nuzzled his fluffy little head against her chest, looking terribly aggrieved.
"I was scared to death! Some crazy woman suddenly appeared in the Star Dou Great Forest and dragged me here by force. She even threatened that if I didn't submit to her within three days, she'd... sob, sob, I missed you so much!"
Feeling the warmth in her arms and hearing the little fellow's tearful, sniffling account, Qian Renxue's taut heartstrings instantly softened.
All the murderous intent and hostility faded from her eyes. Qian Renxue tightly embraced the little bundle in her arms, her long, delicate fingers gently stroking Meng Chen's warm, soft golden rabbit ears again and again. Her eyes filled with lingering fear and affection.
"Don't be afraid, Little Chen. Don't be afraid... it was my fault. Your big brother came too late."
A faint sob caught in Qian Renxue's voice as she gently lifted him.
"Come on. Your big brother will take you home right now, back to our Crown Prince's Residence!"
At the bedroom doorway.
Bibi Dong approached at a leisurely pace and happened to witness this tender scene.
Seeing Meng Chen, who usually bared his teeth at her with such ferocity, now nestling obediently and affectionately in Qian Renxue's arms, and seeing Qian Renxue's indulgent, fiercely protective expression...
An indescribable surge of irritation, jealousy, and profound resentment rose in Bibi Dong's heart.
Why?!
Why?!
As Qian Renxue carried Meng Chen out of the bedroom, Bibi Dong could not swallow her pent-up anger and spoke coldly.
"Little fellow, don't be so absolute."
Meng Chen poked his little head out of Qian Renxue's arms.
Bibi Dong raised her chin slightly, concealing the loneliness and resentment in her eyes as she regained the aloof pride and commanding presence befitting the Pope.
"The Heaven Dou Empire is hardly a good place. If one day Xue Qinghe treats you poorly, or cannot give you the resources you want..."
Bibi Dong gave Meng Chen a long, searching look.
"The doors of my Papal Hall will always be open to you!"
Hearing this, Meng Chen gave a little snort and defiantly stuck his tongue out at the esteemed Pope, then swiftly ducked back into Qian Renxue's arms.
Qian Renxue merely left her with a cold, mocking scoff before carrying Meng Chen out of the Papal Hall...
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