Chapter 53: Reunion with Bibi Dong
Year 2631 of the Douluo Calendar (Qian Renxue's timeline).
Spirit City — The Pope's Palace.
Bibi Dong sat gracefully upon her throne, dressed in a radiant golden gown. Upon her head rested the nine-curved Purple-Gold Crown, symbol of the supreme authority of the Spirit Hall. In her slender hand, she held a letter.
"The Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, Dugu Bo? Recruiting him?"
A faint smile curved her lips. "That's quite an interesting proposal."
After reading the letter and understanding Dugu Bo's terrifying group-poisoning abilities—the poisonous mists capable of devastating armies—Bibi Dong's interest was piqued. Someone like that was indeed worth drawing in.
"Everything in the Spirit Hall is finally stabilized. It's time to move again," she thought.
In the year since she ascended to the papal throne, Bibi Dong had gradually brought nearly all factions under her control—except for a few of the high-ranking worshippers. Her grip on power was absolute.
Having made up her mind, Bibi Dong wasted no time. She rose from her throne and headed toward the Douluo Hall, intending to invite Golden Crocodile Douluo to accompany her.
For years, she had labored tirelessly—slaying her enemies, avenging Qian Xunji, and even daring to challenge the Clear Sky Sect. Her courage and achievements had finally earned her the recognition of several Worship Hall elders.
Now, she planned to bring Golden Crocodile Douluo along, both to recruit Dugu Bo and to venture into the ocean to hunt a hundred-thousand-year soul beast—to add another soul ring to her second martial soul.
A few days later — Heaven Dou City, Crown Prince's Mansion.
As night fell, Qi Tian—currently using Qian Renxue's body—was cultivating quietly in the training chamber. Suddenly, he felt a pair of eyes watching him.
His eyes snapped open. The door creaked. A group of figures stood at the entrance.
Leading them was a woman in a magnificent golden robe. Her skin was smooth and fair, her features flawless—beauty so exquisite it seemed to be the handiwork of the gods themselves.
But even more captivating was the aura she exuded—divine, commanding, and utterly supreme.
It was Bibi Dong, the current Pope of the Spirit Hall.
Qi Tian instantly recognized her.
From his perspective, they had only been apart for a few days. But for her, it had been nine long years.
Nine years that left no trace on her flawless figure.
Though now over thirty, she still looked barely twenty—youthful, vibrant, and dazzling. Her elegance and majesty as Pope made her seem even more divine than the woman he had once known.
"Not bad. You haven't neglected your cultivation."
Bibi Dong's expression softened slightly as she nodded in satisfaction, seeing "Qian Renxue" still training diligently while outside the Spirit Hall.
Qi Tian felt a strange wave of emotion wash over him. The scene was too surreal.
"What's wrong? Don't tell me you've forgotten your senior sister already?"
Bibi Dong frowned slightly, her voice carrying gentle reproach.
Qi Tian recovered instantly, bowing with respectful fluency.
"Greetings, Senior Sister!"
Her brows eased. "That's better. Come here—why are you standing so far away?"
Qi Tian obeyed and stepped closer, saluting the others who accompanied her.
"Greetings, Second Grandfather. Greetings, honored elders."
Behind Bibi Dong stood four people: Golden Crocodile Douluo, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, and Soul Douluo Ling Yuan.
"Hahaha! No need for such formality, little miss!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo laughed heartily, his eyes full of affection.
After all, this was his eldest brother's granddaughter and his third brother's granddaughter by marriage—by his logic, that made her his own granddaughter too!
Within the Worship Hall, Qian Renxue was treated as a precious jewel—their collective treasure. Much like how Ning Rongrong was adored by the two protector Titled Douluos of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
"Undo your soul bone disguise," Bibi Dong said calmly.
Qi Tian complied, releasing the disguise granted by his soul bone. At once, Qian Renxue's angelic, flawless beauty was revealed for all to see.
Though still young and not yet mature enough to rival Bibi Dong's full allure, her delicate features already hinted at a future beauty capable of toppling kingdoms.
Bibi Dong gently took Qi Tian's hand, her gaze soft yet evaluating. This was her teacher's only daughter, and that made her someone Bibi Dong could not treat lightly.
Without the tragic "secret chamber incident," she would have still respected Qian Xunji deeply as her mentor.
"Hmm... Not bad. You've improved in just a month," she remarked approvingly.
"Dugu Bo is indeed a talent. The fact that you saw his worth and sought to recruit him shows wisdom befitting a true leader."
Her tone turned gentle yet firm.
"But never neglect your cultivation. Train well. The Spirit Hall's future will one day rest in your hands."
Qi Tian smiled faintly. Bibi Dong's praise didn't stir much emotion in him—he'd seen too much to be easily flattered.
But in his mind, Qian Renxue's voice was bursting with joy.
"Uncle Ghost! Did you hear that? My Senior Sister praised me! This is the first time she's praised me since Father's death!"
Her tone was full of excitement and relief.
Ever since Qian Xunji died, Bibi Dong had been extremely strict with her, making her train relentlessly, even forcing her to eat that revolting whale rubber.
To finally receive her senior sister's recognition… how could she not be happy?
Qi Tian could only respond dryly:
"I heard. Congratulations on becoming the next Pope candidate."
"Alright," Bibi Dong said lightly, "time is short. Where's Dugu Bo? Let's go see him."
Qi Tian nearly choked. With this kind of lineup, going to "visit" Dugu Bo wasn't that basically showing up to scare him to death?
At that moment, Qian Renxue's two bodyguards entered and took the lead.
The group—composed entirely of powerful Soul Masters—moved swiftly through Heaven Dou City without making a sound.
Their cultivation was so profound that not a single guard in the city even sensed their presence.
Before long, they arrived at Dugu Bo's residence.
The mansion was eerily quiet. Deep within, at its core, a poison formation was faintly pulsing with green light.
The moment one of the Spirit Hall members, Ci Xue, saw it, he stepped forward. Summoning his martial soul—the Porcupinefish—he extended a sharp fin and inhaled deeply.
With a single breath, he drew in and purified all the toxic mist surrounding the courtyard until not a wisp remained.
Inside, Dugu Bo—still recuperating from his earlier wounds—suddenly opened his eyes. His expression turned grim.
"Who dares touch my poison formation? Do they have a death wish!?"
Snarling, he rushed out of his chamber—only to freeze at the sight before him.
Several figures stood calmly in his courtyard. And among them, a few faces he recognized.
"Old Chrysanthemum?! You?!?"
Dugu Bo's eyes widened in shock.
He knew that name all too well—Chrysanthemum Douluo, a Titled Douluo of the Spirit Hall, and one of the Pope's personal protectors.
If he were here… then the others with him could only be of equal or greater rank.
"Old poison freak, don't call me that," Chrysanthemum Douluo said with a dark expression. Being addressed by that infamous nickname clearly rubbed him the wrong way. Still, he swallowed his irritation—for now.
There would be time for payback later.
He composed himself and gestured toward the woman standing ahead.
"Allow me to introduce you. This is the Pope of the Spirit Hall, Her Holiness Bibi Dong. And this is the Second Elder of the Spirit Hall."
That was all he said—but it was more than enough.
Just those two titles alone carried a weight heavy enough to crush the air around them. Even someone as proud as Dugu Bo couldn't help but tremble slightly.
The idea of escaping vanished immediately. He wasn't foolish enough to try. Against this kind of power, resistance was meaningless.
His spiritual sense swept through the mansion—confirming that his granddaughter, Dugu Yan, was safe and still meditating. Only then did he relax a little.
He bowed respectfully.
"I have seen Her Holiness and the honored Elder. To what do I owe the visit of such esteemed guests?"
His voice was cautious. Even if he broke through to rank 90 and reached Titled Douluo, he knew—against this lineup, he'd have no chance of survival.
Naturally, Bibi Dong didn't need to speak to someone of his level directly.
Chrysanthemum Douluo stepped forward as her representative.
"Dugu Bo," he said, his tone formal yet firm, "We happened to pass through Heaven Dou City and heard of your impressive strength. The Spirit Hall wishes to extend an invitation—join us, and work alongside our ranks."
The courtyard fell silent. Dugu Bo's face stiffened. He hesitated before answering, his voice low and cautious.
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, you know me. I've long been accustomed to a free and wandering life. If I wanted to join the Spirit Hall, I would have done so long ago. Why wait until now?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes narrowed.
"So you're refusing, then?"
At that moment, a thin, cold voice cut through the air from behind Bibi Dong.
"In that case," the voice said, "Perhaps we should discuss your little visit to the Crown Prince's Mansion the other night."
The speaker stepped forward—a gaunt old man holding a long, sinuous weapon.
A snake lance, radiating faint green light.
Its aura was cold, sharp, and unmistakable.
Snake Lance Douluo.
—
End of Chapter