"What did you say?!" Her voice changed slightly. Though she tried to suppress it, it was clear she was no longer as calm as before.
"Is there anything wrong with what I said?" Su Cheng feigned confusion. "Your Holiness, are you all right?"
Bibi Dong took a deep breath, shaking her head slightly in disappointment. "You are different from him. You don't understand."
Su Cheng's eyes flickered, and he did not continue to provoke her. He continued, "I have no need to prove anything to anyone. As for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, they owe me nothing. If Your Holiness intends to use this as leverage, your calculations may be mistaken."
At this moment, Bibi Dong had not yet been influenced by the Rasetsu God's divine will. Her hatred had not fermented for over twenty years, so she could still be considered half a normal person, without self-destructive tendencies.
Naturally, he wanted to maintain a higher stance.
This would help him gain more advantages without letting Bibi Dong achieve her goal too easily. Otherwise, it would not be easy to earn her trust.
"So, what do you want? The former Pope, Qian Xun Ji, is already dead, and the Martial Soul Hall holds no deep grudges against you."
"Indeed." Su Cheng nodded. "I am currently alone. Joining the Martial Soul Hall is not impossible, but I have two conditions."
"What are your conditions?"
"First, I want the authority to enter the Martial Soul Hall's library, and the freedom to access all materials."
He had coveted the Martial Soul Hall's library for a long time.
This request was not related to his later plans, or rather, whether he could access the library or not had little impact on his overall strategy.
However, after spending so long in this life simulation, he had already realized that the rules of this world corresponded entirely with reality; knowledge was not false.
At least now, with his 0.5-level innate soul power, this posed no real obstacle.
Learning more unrecorded secrets here—even if the mission failed—would allow him to bring those memories back to reality, and it would not be entirely wasted.
"No problem."
For this request, Bibi Dong did not hesitate to agree.
In fact, this was a lever she had prepared long ago. When Yu Xiaogang first came to the Martial Soul Hall, he spent every day in the library.
Su Cheng nodded and continued, "Second, give me a disciple as my successor, someone with top-tier talent. I know my own limits; I have no chance to become a peak-level expert. Therefore, this person must have sufficient talent."
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong's first reaction was surprise, followed by amusement.
She acknowledged Su Cheng's ability and intelligence, but she found this request utterly absurd.
A mere 20-plus-level Great Soul Master daring to demand that the Pope of the Martial Soul Hall find him a disciple with top talent—where did this confidence come from?
Handing over the Martial Soul Hall's finest disciple would be, in her eyes, misleading the youth.
She was about to refuse outright and ask him to make another request.
Then she paused.
That woman, upon learning of Qian Xun Ji's death, had been demanding to return to Martial Soul City to learn the truth. Previously, Bibi Dong had not agreed.
However…
She looked at Su Cheng, and after a moment of silence, said, "There is one person who fits your requirements. If you can persuade her, it would be fine for you to be her teacher."
"Your Holiness will not intervene?" Su Cheng asked, feigning confusion.
At this, a flash of complex emotions—disgust, pain, indifference—passed briefly through Bibi Dong's eyes.
Coldly, she said, "It's not like I'll be her teacher, so it's naturally up to you. If you're unwilling, make another request."
Though she spoke this way, she was not optimistic about Su Cheng.
Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue were distant in relationship, but she understood her personality: strong-willed, prideful, cold, and highly self-opinionated.
With Qian Daoliu supporting her in the background, decisions she made were very hard for outsiders to interfere with.
Back then, to prevent her from challenging Bibi Dong in the future, she had been sent to Tian Dou Empire under provocation—forced away using psychological tactics.
Given Su Cheng's current abilities and his complete lack of understanding of her character, his chances seemed slim.
Thinking this, Bibi Dong prepared to give a few pointers.
If Su Cheng succeeded, he would undoubtedly slow Qian Renxue's progress—a scenario she would gladly see.
"This person's talent is extremely high, not inferior to mine at all. She perfectly fits your requirements," Bibi Dong said calmly. "However, she is arrogant and cold. I suggest you first cultivate a good relationship with her, gradually impress her with your extensive knowledge, and then act carefully."
Su Cheng, hearing this, only sneered inwardly.
This mother was truly interesting—not only fully intent on manipulating her daughter, but after all these years, she didn't even fully understand her.
He could understand Bibi Dong's resentment and aversion toward her daughter, but he did not approve of such behavior—blood ties are innocent.
If he followed Bibi Dong's approach, there would be no hope.
Doing so would only make Qian Renxue a pawn easily manipulated, and turning her into a weapon in his hands was a pipe dream.
And using extensive knowledge to gradually sway her? Did she think Qian Renxue was like herself?
Nearly twenty years old, serving as a Saintess for so many years yet inexperienced, overly protected, and easily swayed by anyone?
In contrast, Qian Renxue had stayed in Tian Dou City for nearly a year, disguised as a maid by Xue Qinghe without being discovered. Her scheming far exceeded Bibi Dong's capacity.
Su Cheng showed no outward expression, only nodding in understanding.
"Tomorrow, someone will give you access to the library. You can read freely. Regarding research on absorbing soul rings, I hope you continue. Martial Soul City does not harbor idle people, and I do not wish to be criticized for it."
"Of course," Su Cheng nodded. "Then, Your Holiness, I shall take my leave."
Seeing Bibi Dong nod slightly, he turned to leave.
As he approached the door, lifting his hand to push it open, he heard Bibi Dong's voice again.
"You resemble someone."
She could not hold back and softly said it.
Su Cheng did not notice the subtle expectation and unease hidden in her eyes as he turned away.
At this moment, she was no longer the cold and proud Pope from earlier. Looking at the familiar figure before her, she seemed transported back to the days ten years ago when she first met Yu Xiaogang.
"His name is Yu Xiaogang. Have you heard of him?"
Su Cheng narrowed his eyes slightly, not looking back, his mind racing. He did not understand why Bibi Dong suddenly acted this way now.
Crafting such similarity was indeed a way to lower her guard.
But the slight subconscious fondness and trust that came from it were sufficient. He could never truly become a substitute for Yu Xiaogang.
Otherwise, if fake and real ever stood together, there could be serious consequences.
Su Cheng turned to Bibi Dong, "Sorry, Your Holiness, what did you just say?"
..................
Fully Completed English PDF of this fan-fic on my Patreon shop if you want to support and own the full fan-fic in one go. Just grab the PDF and binge the entire story from start to finish!
For now the price of Douluo Adult Novel Had Dropped So Go grab them in Cheap Price Before they Get Bck to there Orignal Price I've uploaded some High Quality english translated fanfic on my Patreon shop! recently Feel free to check it out—if you're interested, you can grab a copy and support me there.
Here are a few titles of recently uploaded fanfics on patreon:
" Douluo Villain Simulator: My First Target Is Qian Renxue "
" Douluo: I Got Assassinated by Yu Xiaogang at the Start "
" BTTH: Starting From Saving Yun Yun "
" BTTH: Adult Continent (18+) "
" Douluo 4: Dragon God Lust (18+) "
" Douluo: Lust God Inheritance (18+) Heavy NTR "
" BTTH: Rampage of the Lust Sect (18+) "
" Douluo: Glazed Sacrifice to Revive the Sect (18+) "
" Douluo: Peerless Bull (18+) "
" BTTH: I'm Just an Alchemist "
" BTTH: Traveling Through with the Ancestral Talisman "
" Douluo: Ranking the Top Ten Peerless Goddesses at the Start "
" Douluo: Transmigrated as Huo Yuhao "
" BTTH: There's Always a Rebellious Disciple Trying to Bully Their Master "
many more up to 150+ are available.
Your support means a lot—thanks in advance, legends!
Patreon.com/UIGOD
(End of Chapter)