Angel Mark

"Teacher~"

Ye Yan nestled into Bibi Dong's arms, trying to entice her with his big tail.

"What is it? Are you thirsty again, Xu Xiaoyan?"

Bibi Dong's hand closed around his fox tail. Her disciple was the very picture of someone who never visited a temple without something to ask for. He had been back for days before finally coming to see her; he was certainly up to no good.

A blush spread across Ye Yan's cheeks. What do you mean, thirsty again? You're the one who forces me every time! ₍ᐢ˶•˔กᐢ₎

"All you do is bully me. Hmph ╯^╰ Anyway, enough of that. Teacher, I came to say goodbye. I think it's time I went to Sea God Island to undergo the divine trials."

Bibi Dong's hand paused. Was he leaving already? Although she knew this day would come sooner or later, she still hated to part with him, especially when Xu Xiaoyan was such a philanderer. Things were manageable while she was there to watch him.

But if... if she wasn't by his side, with Xu Xiaoyan's looks and talent, those other wicked women would surely devour him without leaving so much as a scrap.

No. How could she, Bibi Dong, let others enjoy what belonged to her?

"Xu Xiaoyan, let me go to Sea God Island with you. It'll be safer that way, and no one will be able to get any wicked ideas about you."

No, no, absolutely not! If you come along, how am I supposed to woo Bo Saixi, my future first wife?

He gently embraced Bibi Dong and kissed the corner of her mouth. Ye Yan's eyes were dazzlingly colorful, their depths brimming with love.

"Teacher, I would love for you to come with me, too, but as the Supreme Pontiff, you still need to command the Three Halls. For the sake of our grand undertaking, thank you for staying here to oversee everything."

"Mm~"

For once, Bibi Dong looked bashful like a young maiden. How could Xu Xiaoyan's gaze burn so fiercely? It was almost more than she could bear.

Ye Yan took the opportunity to wrap an arm around her shoulders, and the two nestled against each other.

After a long while, Bibi Dong spoke again, her voice having regained its usual composure.

"Xu Xiaoyan, how do you think our Spirit Hall should develop from here?"

Ye Yan pondered briefly. Develop? Once the three of us become gods, we'll all soar away. What else is there to develop? But he certainly couldn't say that. If Dong'er decided she had nothing to do and actually followed him, he would be screwed.

"Teacher, I think we can start by winning over the major sects and the Elemental Academy. They have quite a few high-ranking Soul Douluos and even Titled Douluos. Together, they would make a considerable force.

"As for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, Thunder Academy, and the Breaking and Defense Clans among the four subordinate sects, we can find time to wipe them out. Have Golden Crocodile and the others lead the teams when the time comes. Losing even one Titled Douluo would be an enormous loss.

"We can also secretly win over the various city lords. If they refuse, send elders to wipe out their households. Whether in the Heaven Dou Empire or the Star Luo Empire, surely they can't all be bones too tough to crack?

"The same goes for Gengxin City, that capital of metals. Bring every blacksmith we can win over to Spirit City. They might be useful later.

"Kill everyone who refuses to come. Don't drag it out. If we go soft today, every iron sword and every suit of armor they forge in the future will become a resource used against us.

"And there's also..."

After hearing him out, Bibi Dong's brows furrowed slightly. Xu Xiaoyan seemed a little too bloodthirsty. Wouldn't this provoke resistance among the common people?

Ye Yan scoffed at her concern and pressed his hands against her shoulders. How had he never noticed how naive she was before?

"Dong'er, the road to sovereignty is destined to run with blood. Mercy toward your enemies is cruelty toward yourself. Besides, let them resist however they please. Kill everyone who dares resist. If that isn't enough, eradicate their three degrees of kinship, or exterminate all nine branches of their families."

Bibi Dong wanted to ask more, but Ye Yan pressed his index finger against her red lips.

"Dong'er, once you succeed, great scholars will come forward to argue your case."

"All right, we'll do as you say, then. Xu Xiaoyan, you really are a villain. You look so gentle, yet there isn't a trace of kindness in your heart."

Bibi Dong felt somewhat helpless, but since her dear disciple had said so, they would proceed this way for now and make adjustments if problems arose later.

Ye Yan nodded in satisfaction. It was enough that Dong'er listened to advice. As for kindness... where would you find such a thing in the cultivation world? Perhaps the dead or fools might have a little.

"Speaking of that, Teacher, before I leave, I want to see whether I can bring the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect over to our side. With their support, our plan to seize the Heaven Dou Empire will go more smoothly."

A gleam of shrewdness flashed through Bibi Dong's eyes. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? But that old fox Ning Fengzhi wouldn't release his hawk until he saw the hare. How did Xu Xiaoyan intend to win him over?

Ye Yan understood her look. His fox tail brushed gently over her as he explained his plan to secure their allegiance in exchange for helping them achieve a breakthrough to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

He would bring the Ice and Snow Emperors along, too, offering both favor and intimidation. If Ning Fengzhi truly failed to appreciate the situation, he would have no choice but to tearfully wipe them out on the spot~

While he was at it, Ye Yan also asked Bibi Dong for the fifty-thousand-year Spirit Condensation Wisdom Skull and the thirty-thousand-year Left Leg Bone of Windchasing. He specifically wanted the leg bone as a gift for Ye Lingling.

Bibi Dong readily agreed, but just as Ye Yan reached for the soul bones, she withdrew her hand. The corners of her lips rose in a wicked smile.

"Xu Xiaoyan, these are both top-quality soul bones. Did you think you could get them just by opening your mouth?"

One look at Bibi Dong's wicked smile told Ye Yan exactly what she was thinking. Wicked woman! You weren't like this when you took my two-hundred-thousand-year torso bone. You didn't even thank me-you gave me a sound beating instead! o(´^｀)o

Forget it, forget it. It isn't the first time anyway. Ye Yan obediently knelt before her and began attending to her, while Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes and held his head down.

But even after feeding Ye Yan his fill, she still refused to hand them over. Furious, Ye Yan yelled and called Bibi Dong a bad teacher to her face, even trying to bite her.

Instead, she scooped him up by the waist. Ye Yan cried out in surprise. Teacher, what on earth are you doing?!

Bibi Dong said nothing and simply threw him onto the bed.

"My dear Xu Xiaoyan, you'll be away for so long this time that your teacher can't help worrying. I don't want to be left eating scraps when you return, so~"

Riiip!

Ye Yan's clothes burst apart, exposing his smooth, fair body before her. Just as Bibi Dong was surveying him with satisfaction, the glaring angel design on his abdomen caught her eye.

Noticing the chilling frost in Bibi Dong's gaze, Ye Yan reached to cover it, but she restrained both his hands and pinned them above his head.

"Xu Xiaoyan, can you tell me what this is?"

Bibi Dong's voice was icy, laced with biting killing intent. She truly hadn't expected this little disciple to have such heaven-defying audacity.

You became Qian Renxue's man and still dared come seduce me? What, do you really not know my relationship with her?

Ye Yan was burning with anxiety. He had tried to erase this mark before, but nothing he did could remove it. Who could have known Bibi Dong would suddenly want to sleep with him? Ugh, now I'm in for it. Who knows whether I'll get out of here alive?

"Dong'er, let me explain. Qian Renxue put this on me when I was in Heaven Dou City. Back then, I said I would follow her in exchange for a catalog of immortal herbs. But don't worry, there's nothing intimate between us."

Still trying to struggle against his impending doom, Ye Yan extended his fox tail to coil around her slender waist. Yet the trick that had never failed him before proved utterly useless now, and she stamped it firmly beneath her foot.