Chapter 43 – Bibi Dong Backs Her Disciple
Lin Beiya slowly opened his eyes, spreading his hands as he met the gaze of the furious Devil Bear Douluo.
"I haven't fought in many duels," he said calmly, "so I wasn't aware that a Soul Elder-level expert could be this fragile. I'll be sure to hold back next time."
That one sentence nearly made the Devil Bear Douluo's teeth crack from grinding with anger. After gently setting Xiong Chumo on the ground, he took two heavy steps toward Lin Beiya, his eyes burning with rage.
"Well, you sharp-tongued brat," he snarled, "since your teacher doesn't know how to teach you manners, this old man will do it himself! I'll let you learn what humility means!"
As he spoke, soul power surged around his clenched fist, and he raised it to strike.
The moment everyone realized he was serious, the entire arena erupted in alarm.
A Titled Douluo attacking a student—and not just any student, but the Pope's newly accepted disciple—was unthinkable.
The principal's face went pale with horror. Channeling his own Soul Saint power, he leapt from the viewing platform, desperate to intervene—but it was too late. There was no way he could reach them before a Titled Douluo's blow landed.
Amid the panic, Lin Beiya appeared utterly unconcerned. In fact, the corner of his lips curved upward in a faint smirk.
He had already sensed a familiar presence approaching.
Sure enough, just as Devil Bear Douluo's fist was about to strike, a cold, commanding voice echoed through the arena—sharp enough to freeze the air itself.
"Elder Xiong," the voice rang out, filled with quiet authority, "since when did I ask you to discipline my disciple on my behalf?"
The entire place fell silent.
Devil Bear Douluo's fist halted midair. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and his face stiffened like stone. Though he was confident his cultivation slightly surpassed Bibi Dong's, the killing intent radiating from her made his heart seize in fear.
"P–Pope… Your Holiness…"
He turned his head mechanically—and met Bibi Dong's icy, emotionless gaze. In that instant, he knew without a doubt: if he didn't give a proper explanation, she wouldn't hesitate to strike him down right then and there.
Even if he didn't believe he would lose, no one in Spirit Hall dared provoke her, not when the Douluo Hall stood behind her.
After all, reaching the position of Elder required not just strength but political tact as well.
"Please, calm your anger, Your Holiness," Devil Bear Douluo said with a forced smile, retreating slightly. "Since you are here, then I'll leave it to you to discipline your disciple. However, your disciple has just injured my grandson quite seriously. Surely, such recklessness should not go unpunished?"
In a few smooth sentences, he pushed all the blame onto Lin Beiya, pretending as if his grandson hadn't started the fight in the first place.
The watching students immediately exchanged looks of open disdain. Who wouldn't see through that act? If Xiong Chumo hadn't had his grandfather's backing, would he ever have dared to pick a fight with Lin Beiya?
"Oh? Is that so?" Bibi Dong's expression didn't change, though her eyes flicked toward Lin Beiya with mild curiosity.
Lin Beiya shrugged, his tone casual and innocent.
"Teacher, your humble disciple was just minding his own business when Xiong Chumo blocked my way, hurled insults, and forced me into a duel in the Soul Arena."
"There are plenty of witnesses here," he added, "and even the guard dog at the academy gate could testify to it."
"You wouldn't punish me just because my opponent was too weak, would you?"
He then gave a faint grin. "Besides, you know my control well. If I'd used the same strength as that time in the reception hall, forget Xiong Chumo—the entire arena would've been gone."
The students below burst into agreement.
"Yeah! He's right—it was Xiong Chumo who started it!"
"Exactly! He was the one who challenged Senior Lin first!"
Devil Bear Douluo's face darkened further with every word. He knew perfectly well that the matter was settled—no matter how unwilling he felt, he and his grandson would have to swallow this humiliation.
Bibi Dong pressed her lips together, barely restraining a laugh. She had never expected her new disciple to be this sharp-tongued. Every word was like a blade twisting in his opponent's heart.
Still, as the newly crowned Pope, she couldn't afford to make too many enemies yet. She believed Lin Beiya would understand her next decision.
"I've understood the situation," she said finally, her tone calm but firm. "Elder Xiong, you should discipline your grandson properly. If I recall, he's been enrolled in the Advanced Spirit Academy for two years now. So tell me—why exactly is he showing up here in the Junior Spirit Academy today?"
"Uh…"
Bibi Dong's question left Devil Bear Douluo speechless. His lips moved, but no words came out for a long while.
"Enough," Bibi Dong said coolly. "We'll end this matter here. I won't pursue Elder Xiong's grandson for disrupting the academy's order today. Go find a healing-type Soul Master to treat your grandson's injuries."
"Yes… Many thanks for Your Holiness's understanding."
Having lost both in people and in pride, Devil Bear Douluo had no face left to stay. Grabbing his injured grandson, he turned and flew out of the academy in humiliation.
Yet before leaving, he shot Lin Beiya a glare full of venomous hatred—clearly vowing not to forget this grudge.
Lin Beiya couldn't help but feel helpless.
'I just wanted to teach a lesson to make an example of him—did I go too far?'
Whether the "monkey" he punished learned his lesson or not, he'd somehow managed to offend a Titled Douluo in the process.
'Ah, it seems like I really can't stay low-profile no matter how hard I try.'
Seeing that the show was over, the principal finally exhaled in relief. Quickly, he ordered everyone to disperse, exchanged a few polite words with Bibi Dong, and quietly slipped away.
Only the master and disciple were left, staring at each other in silence.
As soon as the last person left, Bibi Dong rolled her eyes at Lin Beiya.
"You really know how to cause trouble for me."
Lin Beiya's polite smile was perfectly composed—but his eyes said something else entirely.
Trouble? Wasn't this trouble caused by her using his name to stabilize her position as Pope? If not for that, he'd still be quietly cultivating in the Douluo Hall, free from all this mess.
Bibi Dong clearly understood the meaning behind his look. She gave an awkward cough but didn't pursue the matter further.
In truth, this side of Lin Beiya pleased her even more. A disciple who was unrivaled among his peers—such fame could bring her immeasurable prestige.
It was the same as when Tang Hao became the youngest Titled Douluo in history, earning the Clear Sky Sect boundless glory. Though that glory didn't even last two days before the Spirit Hall shattered it to pieces, the shockwave it sent across the continent had been undeniable.
"You did well today," she said, her tone softening slightly. "From now on, if anyone comes to provoke you, don't bother holding back—defeat them all. Your teacher will be your shield. Even if others feel unhappy, they'll have no choice but to swallow it."
Lin Beiya nodded. Whether Bibi Dong's words came from genuine care or political calculation didn't matter. As long as she stood behind him, that was enough.
He might prefer to stay low-key, but that didn't mean he'd let anyone step on him.
"Then I thank the teacher for your support. This disciple won't disappoint you."
The sudden respectful tone—and especially the phrase "you won't be disappointed, old teacher"—made Bibi Dong's pretty face darken.
Old teacher?
'Does this brat even know how to talk? I'm thirty-five! Who's the 'old' one here?!'
A sharp glint flashed in her eyes. "Seems like you've got too much energy to spare. Once I finish today's official duties, let's have a little training session. I'll give you some personal instruction."
"…"
'If you want to beat me up, just say so.
Like mother, like daughter—both of them love wrapping their violence in fancy excuses.'
Grinding his teeth internally, Lin Beiya decided he'd better keep his mouth shut in the future. Outwardly, he put on a grateful expression.
"Really? Then I'll look forward to the teacher's guidance."
"You're welcome," Bibi Dong said with a faint smile. "Attend your classes as usual. Meet me tonight behind the Pope's Palace."
A soft breeze brushed past, and her figure vanished without a trace.
Lin Beiya let out a quiet sigh. He had confidence in his endurance—but as he turned toward his classroom, he was already plotting how, once he grew stronger, he'd someday return the favor.
—
End of Chapter