Bibi Dong: Apologize to Nana!

Spirit City, a side hall of the Pope Hall.

The towering window lattices stood half closed, leaving the hall dim and cold.

Bibi Dong sat upright on the throne at the head of the hall, her slender, fair fingers resting on its gilded armrest.

After using Rakshasa evil thoughts to severely wound Tang Xiao that day, she had spent several days in secluded meditation.

Upon emerging, she had faced a backlog of administrative affairs submitted from various regions. Only today, after working without pause, had she found time to summon her personal disciple.

Below the steps, Hu Liena stood with her head lowered.

A large, dark-red abrasion that had yet to fade remained on her fair cheek, and the corners of her eyes were damp and red.

The moment Bibi Dong's gaze landed on that injured little face, her elegant brows knitted and her purple eyes darkened. She asked sternly:

"Tell me, how did you get that injury?"

Hu Liena's slight shoulders trembled. She instinctively turned her head to hide the injury on her right cheek and stammered:

"Teacher, I'm fine... I was just careless while walking a few days ago and fell on the stone steps."

Bibi Dong's gaze turned cold.

That abrasion had clearly come from being blasted away by a powerful external force and scraped against something. How could an ordinary fall have caused it?

"You would still lie before me?"

Bibi Dong's voice deepened:

"Tell me truthfully. Who struck you?"

Hu Liena's eyes immediately grew redder, tears pooling in them as she looked utterly torn.

After a moment's hesitation, she finally spoke through quiet sobs:

"That day... I went to the top floor of the library to borrow a rare volume and happened to run into Qian Renxue..."

She timidly stole a glance at Bibi Dong's expression, her voice growing weaker:

"She demanded to know what right I had to go up there, and I told her truthfully that you had given me permission.

Who knew she would suddenly fly into a rage after hearing that and say I wasn't worthy?

She kicked me straight out of the library's top floor..."

Crack.

Bibi Dong's fingers abruptly tightened around the armrest, and the air pressure in the hall plummeted.

Kicked straight down from the top of a seven-story library-Nana was only ten!

To think Qian Renxue was so brutal by nature!

Fury instantly surged into her chest, and Bibi Dong demanded in an icy rage:

"Since you were injured, why didn't you tell me?"

Hu Liena kept her head firmly lowered, her two little hands anxiously twisting the hem of her clothes as she whispered tearfully:

"I knew she was your biological daughter. I didn't want to... affect your relationship with her."

After speaking, she sniffled and quietly added:

"Teacher, please don't blame her. It was all my fault. I won't provoke her ever again."

As she looked at her disciple swallowing her grievances below the steps, the chill in Bibi Dong's eyes deepened.

Hu Liena was the successor she had personally nurtured. For Qian Renxue to dare strike so viciously, she clearly had no regard for her!

In her fury, Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes, yet a trace of doubt arose deep within her heart.

She could not help recalling all the unusual things about Qian Renxue since her return.

In the past, whenever Qian Renxue saw her, her eyes had always held tense stubbornness and repression.

Yet when they had passed each other in the corridor that day, the girl had inexplicably burst into a laugh.

Bibi Dong tapped the armrest lightly with her fingertips, her expression dark and unreadable.

This daughter had always valued rules and missions more than her own life. How had five years undercover seemingly changed her so much?

Meanwhile, on the mountain behind the Worship Hall.

Ever since bringing back a large collection of ancient scrolls from the library's top floor that day, Qian Renxue had spent dozens of days in seclusion in her bedchamber on the rear mountain, neglecting food and sleep.

Ancient hide scrolls and bamboo slips were piled like mountains on her desk, and she had read every volume several times.

By now, she not only knew the forms and medicinal properties of immortal herbs such as the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass, Infernal Delicate Apricot, and Aromatic Silk Beauty like the back of her hand.

Following the records in the ancient texts, she had also conducted deeper research into Soul Masters' physiques, meridians, and Soul Power.

She had poured her efforts into studying physiques and meridians not merely to understand how the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well tempered the body.

It was also because she had grown more concerned about that younger brother in the courtyard in Heaven Dou City who could not move.

Counting the days, it was time to return to the Heaven Dou Empire.

Otherwise, Xue Ye and the idle people in the palace might grow suspicious.

Qian Renxue changed into a neat golden dress and set off for the mountain behind the Worship Hall, ready to bid her grandfather farewell.

On the rear mountain.

Beside an open training ground, Qian Daoliu stood with his hands behind his back, dressed in plain gray robes, his long golden hair falling neatly down his back.

Hearing Qian Renxue bid him farewell, Qian Daoliu turned around, his deep gaze lingering on her for a moment.

Seeing that his granddaughter looked more composed than when she had first returned to the mountain, Qian Daoliu nodded slightly and dispensed with unnecessary words:

"Since you're leaving today, spar with your grandfather before you go."

Qian Renxue paused briefly, then a measure of fighting spirit kindled in her eyes, and she answered brightly:

"All right!"

Qian Daoliu swept his sleeve, and a sheathed refined-steel longsword landed in her hands.

Qian Renxue drew the sword and stood in the training ground, circulating the Soul Power within her, the sword tip angled toward the ground.

Opposite her, Qian Daoliu stood calmly in place and casually swept his right hand through the air.

A wisp of incomparably pure golden Soul Power surged from his palm, instantly taking the form of an ancient, magnificent Angel Holy Sword!

A level ninety-nine Peerless Douluo's control over Soul Power had already reached a realm where he could lift the heavy as though it were light.

Qian Renxue pushed off with her toes, shooting forward like lightning.

The refined-steel longsword in her hand, wrapped in scorching golden Soul Power, thrust straight toward Qian Daoliu's chest!

The strike was swift and steady, revealing the foundation she had honed in secret over these past years.

Yet Qian Daoliu did not move his feet even half a step. He merely turned his wrist casually, lightly bringing the Angel Holy Sword formed from Soul Power forward to parry.

Dazzling sword light abruptly crossed.

Clink!

A clear ringing sound rang out.

Qian Renxue felt an irresistible surge of deft force pass through her blade. Her entire right arm instantly went numb, and her forward thrust stalled on the spot.

Before she could change her move and retreat, Qian Daoliu flicked his golden holy sword upward.

With merely that effortless second move, his blade struck the weak point along the spine of the refined-steel longsword with unerring precision!

With a sharp clang, the web of Qian Renxue's hand jolted violently.

Her fingers could no longer hold the hilt, and the entire refined-steel longsword was knocked flying, embedding itself at an angle in the soil several zhang away!

From the first exchange to her defeat, it had taken only two brief moves.

Qian Renxue shook her aching wrist, a hint of defiance appearing on her pretty face as she could not help saying:

"Your level is too high, Grandpa. Winning a spar like this isn't fair."

Qian Daoliu dispersed the golden holy sword in his palm. Hearing his granddaughter's complaint, he looked unconcerned and left her with only one remark:

"Go back and reflect carefully on just what the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul has given you."

With that, Qian Daoliu said no more and waved lightly, signaling for her to descend the mountain.

Looking thoughtful, Qian Renxue bowed respectfully.

Just after she turned and walked a short distance away.

The shadows beside a corridor pillar shifted slightly, and an elderly figure with a powerful presence and a stern face quietly emerged.

It was the Second Worship, Golden Crocodile Douluo.

Golden Crocodile Douluo glanced at Qian Renxue, then turned to Qian Daoliu with a smile:

"Big Brother, I'll see her off."

Qian Daoliu nodded lightly.

Ancient trees cast deep shade on either side of the mountain path. Holding up her skirt, Qian Renxue jogged down the white marble steps toward the foot of the mountain.

She was still turning her grandfather's parting words over and over in her mind.

Once she passed through the stone path ahead, she would reach the carriage waiting at the foot of the mountain.

But the instant she rounded the palace wall beside the Pope Hall, a familiar figure suddenly blocked her way.

Qian Renxue's jogging footsteps abruptly halted.

In the middle of the stone path outside the palace wall, Bibi Dong stood before her with an icy expression.

Half a step behind her stood Hu Liena, the corners of her eyes still damp.

Bibi Dong's cold voice came down upon her:

"Stop. Apologize to Nana."