Chapter 369: Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang
Inside the Tian Dou City estate, Han Li, Qian Daoliu, and Qian Renxue silently watched the flickering images on the screen.
In Spirit City, Han Li and Qian Daoliu had already made arrangements.
Yu Xiaogang had received the first hand news of Bibi Dong's emergence from seclusion as soon as it happened. Since early morning, he had been waiting at the base of the Pope's Hill.
At this moment, he had already sent in his request for an audience.
Of course, even without the written request, his presence would have reached Bibi Dong's ears regardless.
For her, this had become a habit over the years having the intelligence resources of Spirit Hall wasted on tracking a mere failure. Even Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo had grown accustomed to it.
Bibi Dong was in a good mood, but the aura radiating from her made it impossible for others to share in her joy.
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo exchanged glances before lowering their heads, remaining silent.
Inside the magnificent Pope's Hall, the holy angel mural stood behind the throne, exuding an aura of righteousness and justice.
However, the one seated upon the throne was a stark contrast to this image.
The gloomy, sinister, and predatory aura surrounding Bibi Dong made both elders feel uneasy.
Was this still the Spirit Hall that worshiped the Angel God?
For a brief moment, they felt an unsettling sense of detachment.
Bibi Dong absentmindedly flipped through the recent reports.
She had already cleared the Eighth Trial of the Rakshasa God and obtained the Rakshasa Heart.
However, the price she had paid was enormous.
The aura she could not yet fully suppress was one of its side effects.
She had given herself six months time to recover before undertaking the final Ninth Trial.
According to the Rakshasa God's guidance, the Ninth Trial would not be overly difficult for someone who had already acquired the Rakshasa Heart.
As long as she fully recovered, she would be able to draw the divine weapon and complete the inheritance process.
At that moment, she would become the true Rakshasa God.
Of course, to ensure absolute success, she planned to initiate a continental war while undertaking her final trial.
The war would unleash massive negative emotions across the continent, and that dark energy would serve as the perfect catalyst for her divine ascension.
"Where are the elders of the Worship Hall? Any news of them?"
Bibi Dong asked casually.
In truth, given Spirit Hall's current strength, their absence would not hinder the war.
If anything, it was better this way without them, she would have no reservations.
Once she became a god, they along with the entire Qian Clan would be buried with her, fulfilling her ultimate revenge.
However, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease.
Qian Renxue had only recently begun her divine trials, so she posed no real threat.
No matter how talented she was, it was impossible for her to catch up.
After all, Bibi Dong herself had spent over a decade reaching the final step of her godhood.
Even if the Angel God's trials were easier, she refused to believe Qian Renxue could surpass her.
Her "good little sister" was not worth her attention.
The one she truly wanted to keep track of was Han Li.
In both her own eyes and the eyes of the Rakshasa God, he was far too abnormal.
His growth speed was impossible.
Yet, during the Spirit Master Tournament, he had publicly crushed the two Haotian Twin Stars.
And from what Rakshasa had told her, Han Li's spirit rings were far more valuable than they appeared.
Rakshasa had made it clear: a god had placed a bet on him and a heavy bet at that.
But when Bibi Dong had asked who it was, Rakshasa had remained silent for a long time before refusing to answer.
All she said was:
"Keep an eye on Han Li."
What Bibi Dong didn't know was that Rakshasa herself was also clueless.
The God Realm's ruling council had sealed all information related to the matter.
She could not uncover anything from the Divine Realm.
Her best guess was that it was Shura's doing, but she wasn't certain.
And at this point, she didn't dare probe too deeply.
After all, she had already sabotaged one of Shura's inheritances in the past.
While that incident could be justified as part of Shura's trials, now that she had an official heir, she knew another interference would result in Shura executing her under the guise of divine justice.
Furthermore, she had found no evidence of Shura's divine inheritance on Han Li so she had no grounds to interfere.
"Your Holiness, regarding the Holy Son after your last seclusion, he was seen at the Spirit Research Institute but quickly disappeared afterward."
Chrysanthemum Douluo reported honestly.
"What was he doing at the Spirit Research Institute?"
Bibi Dong frowned.
She couldn't imagine what Han Li would need from that place.
"It is said that the Holy Son overheard restricted research topics during his travels and appeared in person to issue a warning."
Chrysanthemum Douluo recalled the subsequent reports.
He saw nothing unusual about it.
After all, he was in charge of Spirit Hall's law enforcement.
Had Han Li not dealt with it himself, Chrysanthemum Douluo would have ensured those researchers suffered terribly.
In his eyes, Han Li had been too lenient.
Bibi Dong did not press further.
Any news was better than none.
She resumed flipping through the reports until a familiar name caught her eye, causing her to pause slightly.
At that moment, a guard entered, bringing in Yu Xiaogang's request for an audience.
Although he no longer had a Spirit Hall elder's token, the request had been submitted under the name of "Yu Yuanzhen's son".
Although the guards despised Yu Xiaogang's behavior, they still had to follow protocol and deliver his request. Even if he wasn't representing the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, he was still the son of a Titled Douluo.
"Take him to the side hall."
Bibi Dong's face flickered with an imperceptible trace of delight as she gave the order.
Then, she turned toward Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.
"You may leave. I won't be entering seclusion for now. Summon everyone tomorrow for a council meeting here."
The two exchanged glances before bowing respectfully and exiting the hall.
Inside the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong's expression fluctuated sometimes pleased, sometimes irritated, as if she were lost in pleasant memories.
For the first time in a long while, even the oppressive aura that constantly surrounded her seemed to recede.
Meanwhile, in Han Li's residence in Tian Dou City.
Beside him, Qian Renxue had crushed the armrest of her chair with her bare hands.
Even Qian Daoliu's expression had darkened, though he managed to restrain himself better than his granddaughter.
"Judge actions, not intentions. Don't get too caught up in it. Keep watching this doesn't mean anything yet."
Han Li spoke lightly, attempting to soothe Qian Renxue's rising fury.
He didn't have the heart to say the rest of his thought "The worst part is yet to come."
He knew very well that when it came to disappointment, Bibi Dong never failed to deliver.
The main reason he spoke up was to prevent Qian Renxue from losing control.
Her fluctuating soul power had nearly shaken the entire courtyard to pieces, and Han Li had paid for this place.
Even if, technically, everything on Douluo Star belonged to him, there was no reason to waste property needlessly.
Losing a house because of Bibi Dong? Definitely not worth it.
After a long moment, Qian Renxue finally suppressed her anger.
Meanwhile, over in Spirit City, Yu Xiaogang had been escorted to the side hall.
As for Bibi Dong, Han Li withdrew her image from the screen she had gone to change clothes.
Most likely, she was preparing for their meeting.
Even Qian Daoliu's expression had now turned completely grim.
Yu Xiaogang sat in the same seat as before, drinking the same tea, fully prepared for a long wait.
However, to his surprise, Bibi Dong arrived rather quickly this time wearing a white dress.
It was the same color she had worn when they first met, though the style was different.
Even after more than twenty years, the sight of it rekindled a nostalgic feeling a fleeting illusion of that first encounter.
Bibi Dong noticed the hint of reminiscence in his gaze and was pleased.
She sat gracefully at the head of the room and, for the first time, spoke first.
"Why are you here? Haotian Clan has already been wiped out, and that disciple of yours who you treated like your own son is dead."
Her tone was calm yet probing, subtly testing where Tang San stood in his heart.
After all, last time, Yu Xiaogang had risked his life to plead for Tang San's sake.
Yu Xiaogang's face stiffened for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.
"I know. That's not why I came."
"Tang San's death has nothing to do with you. I know it was Han Li who did it, and I have no intention of seeking revenge. Not that I'd even have the ability to do so."
He let out a self deprecating chuckle, intentionally distancing Bibi Dong from the matter.
Bibi Dong observed his expression carefully.
His dejected tone, his assertion that he did not blame her it was exactly what she wanted to hear.
For a brief moment, she almost blurted out that she would avenge him.
But she held back.
It wasn't the right time yet.
Once she became a god, Han Li and Guang Ling both master and disciple would be eliminated.
That was already decided.
Until then, she couldn't afford to tip her hand.
Even if there was no one else around, she had to be careful.
Rakshasa had warned her: Han Li likely had divine backing.
She refused to let her plans be ruined at the final step.
Not even Rakshasa herself knew about Bibi Dong's true intentions.
No matter which god was watching, the Qian Clan would be erased by her hands.
And by then, it would be too late for the gods to intervene because she would already be one of them.
"So, tell me why have you come?"
She asked, masking her emotions.
What she didn't realize was that her every move was being watched from a god's eye view, projected before Han Li, Qian Renxue, and Qian Daoliu.
"I found a flaw in Han Li's Heavenly Mystery Art, or rather, a deliberate omission in the version he published."
Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up as he raised his head to look at Bibi Dong, just like he had in the Spirit Hall's archive over twenty years ago.
Bibi Dong felt momentarily dazed.
His burning gaze made her body heat up slightly.
So, everything was coming back, wasn't it?
She was strong now just a little longer, and no one could stand in her way.
Everything she desired would become a reality.
But at the same time…
She was no longer that innocent Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall.
Yu Xiaogang, still staring at her, felt a cold sweat breaking out on his back.
"…Fine."
Suddenly, he heard her answer.
Yu Xiaogang smiled.
From the moment he saw her outfit, he had sensed a shift but he had still been worried.
His proposal had still been a gamble.
But now, it seemed he had won.
Back in Tian Dou City, as Han Li listened to their conversation, he also smiled.
"As expected… Bibi Dong… it had to be you."
This made things so much easier.
Now, when the time came to kill her, he wouldn't even need an excuse.
(End of Chapter)
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