"Here, Xiao Chen."
During lunch, Bibi Dong kept piling food into Luo Chen's bowl. "This tastes good. Try some."
"Uh..."
Luo Chen looked at the mountain of delicacies before him, then at Hu Liena beside him. The little fox's face was filled with envy.
"Ahem."
Bibi Dong noticed and casually placed a morsel in Hu Liena's bowl as well. "You eat too, Nana."
Then Bibi Dong turned her gaze back to Luo Chen.
With her affection filter switched on, even an ordinary meal kept Bibi Dong watching him without blinking. Xiao Chen is so adorable even when he eats.
"..."
Wang Sheng sat beside Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo. He truly struggled to connect this son-obsessed, lovestruck woman before him with the cold, commanding Supreme Pontiff.
The three felt rather awkward, as though they were completely superfluous.
Yes, eating with Bibi Dong really was quite stressful.
That feeling that everyone except her and Luo Chen was a third wheel was something Wang Sheng, at least, never wanted to experience again.
"Elder Ju, Ghost Elder."
After the meal, Bibi Dong instructed them, "Take the children back to the hotel first. I have something to take care of."
"Huh?"
Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo asked worriedly, "But your safety..."
"I'm practically a Titled Douluo. What danger could there be in such a little place?"
Bibi Dong was a formidable figure who had fought her way out of Slaughter City. In terms of combat strength alone, even Chrysanthemum Ghost Douluo together might not be able to defeat her as she was now.
"She's gone to see Yu Xiaogang, then."
Once he saw that Bibi Dong had really left, Chrysanthemum Douluo could not help muttering, "I honestly don't know what's so good about that good-for-nothing."
Wang Sheng and Hu Liena were clearly very interested.
Wang Sheng was timid and dared not ask further.
Hu Liena had no such qualms and began asking about Yu Xiaogang.
"That good-for-nothing once had a relationship with Her Holiness..."
"Watch your words!"
Gui Mei warned his old friend. He knew Chrysanthemum Douluo sometimes spoke without restraint, but how could they gossip carelessly about Bibi Dong's affairs?
Was he really not afraid that Bibi Dong would settle accounts with him later?
"Uh..."
Only then did Chrysanthemum Douluo realize his indiscretion and hurriedly stop talking.
"Why did you stop, Grandpa Ju? Keep going!"
"Xiao Chen, Xiao Chen, surely you're also...?"
Seeing Chrysanthemum Douluo's reluctance to speak, Hu Liena hurriedly dragged Luo Chen into it.
She knew exactly where Luo Chen stood in their teacher's heart. If something really happened, their teacher would certainly go easy on them with Luo Chen there.
"Nana, that's enough."
Luo Chen said, "Since Teacher doesn't want to tell us, she must have her reasons."
"As her disciples, we should help ease her worries, not cause her trouble."
Although Luo Chen was the junior disciple, Hu Liena had become the one receiving a lecture.
Yet the little fox found nothing strange about it. Instead, she thought Luo Chen was so sensible and his words made so much sense. "Mm-hmm, you're right, Xiao Chen."
"Tsk."
Wang Sheng did not even want to comment on Hu Liena. This master and disciple really had been cast from the same mold-both were such ridiculous simps.
"Hey, you stinking tiger, what was that 'tsk' supposed to mean?!"
Hu Liena was a sweet, clinging little bird with Luo Chen, but with Wang Sheng, she came out swinging. "Are you envious of how close Xiao Chen and I are? Jealous?"
"..."
Wang Sheng maintained that, given his bond with Luo Chen, he had no need to envy her.
How many days had she even known his Luo Chen?
We're ironclad buddies who grew up sharing the same pair of pants!
"Oh, right, right, right. Everything you say is right."
It was Hu Liena's first encounter with this brand of sarcasm, and she was caught completely off guard.
Hu Liena: They're clenching. My fists are clenching!
"Xiao Chen, he's bullying me~~"
The little fox truly was a little enchantress. With that pitiful, aggrieved look, anyone who did not know better would have thought she had suffered terribly.
"Cough, cough, cough."
Luo Chen was about to speak, only to break into a fit of coughing.
"Ah, Xiao Chen, are you all right?"
Seeing this, Hu Liena lost all desire to play the victim and hurried over to check on him.
"This brat."
Chrysanthemum Douluo naturally realized that Luo Chen was faking it.
Still, he did not expose him, merely marveling inwardly, Young people really fucking know how to play.
As for Wang Sheng, he understood Luo Chen better than Hu Liena did.
So Wang Sheng stole a glance at Luo Chen and, sure enough, caught his helpless look.
On one side was his good buddy; on the other was his little senior sister.
Keeping the bowl of water level between them was no easy task for Luo Chen.
Xiao Chen really was right.
Wang Sheng thought, Women will only slow down my cultivation.
I, Wang Sheng, don't need women!
Leaving aside the three little ones' endless merry antics, Bibi Dong, who had taken the opportunity to leave, arrived at Yu Xiaogang's residence within Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy.
"Why would Bibi Dong come here?"
"And what exactly was that strange celestial phenomenon yesterday?"
Yu Xiaogang sat behind his desk, pondering. Behind him stood rows of shelves filled with books about Martial Souls.
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang was leafing through the texts he had collected, searching for clues about the extraordinary sight of the sun and moon changing places.
"Xiao Gang."
The sudden voice interrupted Yu Xiaogang's thoughts, and he abruptly stood up. "Bibi Dong!"
"What, am I not welcome?"
"Hmph!"
Yu Xiaogang's expression was cold. He showed no fear of Bibi Dong's status and instead sneered, "The illustrious Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall has come calling. How could I dare not welcome you?"
"You!"
Bibi Dong's delicate brows drew together slightly. She disliked Yu Xiaogang's attitude, but remembering that she was the one who had let him down, she suppressed her displeasure.
"Xiao Gang, I know you hate me."
"But I truly had my own difficulties."
Bibi Dong sighed softly. She did not want to dwell on the matter, since continuing would inevitably bring up the truth about the secret chamber.
Bibi Dong did not want others to know of the humiliation she had suffered. She simply could not bring herself to speak of such a thing.
"I came this time because I have something to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
Hearing that Bibi Dong wanted something from him, Yu Xiaogang thought, Spirit Hall has belittled my theories as utterly worthless, but Bibi Dong knows my talent. Could she have come to invite me to join Spirit Hall?
"If you want me to join Spirit Hall and use my wisdom to help fulfill your ambitions..."
At that thought, Yu Xiaogang said bluntly, "Then save your breath. I won't agree."
"..."
Bibi Dong froze for a moment. Yu Xiaogang's words made her quite unhappy.
What on earth is he talking about?
Although she cared about Yu Xiaogang and acknowledged his wisdom, what was with this assumption that she had come begging at his door?
For some inexplicable reason, Bibi Dong felt that Yu Xiaogang was rather narcissistic.
Yes, I admit that you possess wisdom ordinary people can scarcely hope to match, but Bibi Dong believed her own understanding of Martial Souls was by no means inferior to Yu Xiaogang's.
Did she need to make a special trip to invite Yu Xiaogang back?
Wasn't Yu Xiaogang the one who needed to rely on her position in Spirit Hall?
Honorary elder of Spirit Hall.
That was a title Bibi Dong had once secured for Yu Xiaogang, which Qian Xunji had subsequently stripped away.
She had originally thought that, once she held power, she would find an opportunity to clear Yu Xiaogang's name and restore his title as honorary elder.
But now...
Since Yu Xiaogang looked down on Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong felt there was no need to lavish affection where it was not wanted.
"Xiao Gang, you've misunderstood."
Bibi Dong said, "I came to see you because I've found a way for you to break through your Soul Power limit."
"What did you say?!"
At those words, Yu Xiaogang could no longer maintain his affected reserve. "A way to break through the limit? What way?"
Yu Xiaogang could hardly be blamed for his eagerness. This matter was simply too important to him.
For more than twenty years, ever since he had awakened Luo Sanpao, Yu Xiaogang had constantly thought about how to remedy his poor cultivation aptitude.
For that purpose, he had even left the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and joined Spirit Hall.
Had he not truly exhausted every option, Yu Xiaogang would never have chosen to become a master of theory, using his wisdom to prove that he was not a good-for-nothing.
And even that had been Bibi Dong's suggestion.
Although he resented Bibi Dong for abandoning him, Yu Xiaogang admitted that he could not forget her.
Bibi Dong has always kept my troubles in her heart. She never forgot me!
At that thought, Yu Xiaogang's attitude toward Bibi Dong immediately improved considerably.
"Ahem."
Seemingly realizing that he had become overly excited, Yu Xiaogang once again assumed the bearing of an expert. "Bibi Dong, you know what resolving my Martial Soul's defect means to me. I hope you aren't lying to me about this."
Yu Xiaogang knew Bibi Dong's capabilities.
If it was her, perhaps she really could find a way to resolve his Martial Soul's defect.
But Yu Xiaogang could not accept actually begging her.
He had his own pride, and dignity that he had to uphold.
Yu Xiaogang did not want Bibi Dong to look down on him.
That was how it had been back then. Everyone else fawned over Bibi Dong, while he alone treated her with indifference, and that was what had drawn her attention.
Although times had changed, as the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong certainly had no shortage of flatterers around her.
In that case...
Yu Xiaogang made up his mind. All the more reason not to appear too eager.
However, Yu Xiaogang did not know.
Bibi Dong had seen this entire string of reactions.
Just as Xiao Chen said.
Before she came, Luo Chen had specifically analyzed Yu Xiaogang's personality for Bibi Dong.
Luo Chen had said that, upon hearing the news, Yu Xiaogang would pretend not to care much, even if he was extremely excited.
That child predicted every bit of it!
Watching Yu Xiaogang stubbornly keep up his pretense despite clearly wanting it so much left Bibi Dong with an unpleasant feeling.
She knew that Yu Xiaogang had endured endless humiliation. Now that he saw hope, he could never remain unmoved.
But what was with that tone, as though he were granting her charity?
If he did not want her help, he should not have asked.
He was clearly the one who needed something from her, yet with that attitude, anyone who did not know better would think she, Bibi Dong, was begging Yu Xiaogang.
Is this the kind of person Xiao Gang is?
Once again, Bibi Dong found Yu Xiaogang's personality repellent.
She was no longer the naive Holy Maiden she had been back then.
Rather than making Bibi Dong think him extraordinary, Yu Xiaogang's arrogance and disregard caused her intense physical discomfort.
It was like encountering someone with very low emotional intelligence who could send you blazing with fury in just a few words.
For his safety, I endured Qian Xunji's threats and had no choice but to give birth to that bastard.
Now that I've found a way to resolve his Martial Soul's problem, I came to tell him the good news at once.
Bibi Dong suddenly felt so foolish. So I've been the only one lavishing affection where it wasn't wanted all along.
Yu Xiaogang can't compare to my Xiao Chen at all.
At that moment, Luo Chen's figure surfaced in Bibi Dong's mind, and her heart filled with all his kindness toward her. Xiao Chen is so understanding. To put my mind at ease, he tried everything he could to untie the knot in my heart.
Although he was still just a child, Bibi Dong could clearly feel Luo Chen's gentleness and consideration.
When Yu Xiaogang humiliated me, that child stepped forward and left him speechless, defending my honor as his teacher.
I caused him to be gravely poisoned, yet not only did he not blame me, he kept thinking only of my kindness.
He's suffered so much, yet he still has such a disposition.
Luo Chen's figure grew ever taller in Bibi Dong's eyes. Neither arrogant nor impatient, pure as ice and immaculate as jade.
Bibi Dong believed that even if Luo Chen had not awakened a God-Level Martial Soul, he would still live on with strength and face his future with optimism.
Yu Xiaogang's Martial Soul was defective, but at least his body was sound.
What about Luo Chen?
Before today, he had faced the desperate prospect of an early death.
And their backgrounds were as far apart as clouds and mud.
Luo Chen had grown up in an orphanage, with no father or mother, and no one to care for him.
Even knowledge that was within easy reach for Yu Xiaogang required him to rack his brains to strike up conversations with Su Yuntao and befriend him.
But what about Yu Xiaogang?
He was the young master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, showered with affection since childhood. His father, both patriarch and clan master, had poured resources into him, and he had hardly suffered any hardship at all.
Even when he later left the clan, it was because he could not stand his clansmen's scornful looks.
Scornful looks?
Bibi Dong found it laughable. Before today, who ever thought anything of my Xiao Chen?
An orphan, frail beyond measure, and a walking medicine jar to boot.
No matter how she looked at it, Yu Xiaogang seemed to be living in heaven.
With that comparison, Bibi Dong even felt that Luo Chen could pin Yu Xiaogang to the ground and wipe the floor with him.
Since taking Xiao Chen as my disciple, I haven't given him anything.
Yet Xiao Chen has been thinking of me at every turn.
The moment Luo Chen spoke, he had pinpointed what was weighing on her mind with uncanny precision, and she had hurriedly agreed.
At that thought, Bibi Dong could not help regretting it. What was wrong with me? How could I only see Xiao Chen's concern for me without considering his feelings?
Instinctively, Bibi Dong clenched her fist. When she looked at Yu Xiaogang again, he seemed like an enormous burden she had forced upon her well-behaved, considerate disciple.
Am I really going to make Xiao Chen worry about this because of Yu Xiaogang?
But looking at Yu Xiaogang, who stood before her anxiously awaiting her answer, Bibi Dong ultimately could not harden her heart enough to refuse him.
I really am a shameless woman.
Forget it. I'll consider this repayment for what I owe Yu Xiaogang.
From now on, I won't owe him anything.
Feeling guilty toward Luo Chen, Bibi Dong gave a self-mocking smile and said, "The solution lies with my disciple, Luo Chen."
"Luo Chen?"
Yu Xiaogang thought of the boy who had talked back to him that morning. "The boy you had with you this morning?"
"Yes!"
Hearing Yu Xiaogang mention that morning, Bibi Dong recalled Luo Chen's words, and even her tone grew considerably more forceful. "The Martial Soul that child awakened is called the Sun Disc. It has the miraculous ability to repair other people's Martial Souls."
(End of chapter)