Chapter Eleven: Qian Renxue Meets Bibi Dong

The next day, Ling Xiao woke up and saw Bibi Dong stretching beside him. Not wanting to disturb her, he washed up and quietly left the Pope’s Hall.

“Today, I’ll visit the Offering Hall to see Sister Xue, and bring her a bottle of the Water of Life,” Ling Xiao thought as he walked.

A figure stood watching him leave the Pope’s Hall and head toward the Offering Hall. His gaze darkened as he looked into the hall, a mixture of ferocity and sorrow crossing his face.

Upon entering the Offering Hall, Ling Xiao immediately sensed the aura of Qian Daoliu. Beside him stood another person, also possessing a power level of ninety-nine.

“It seems Golden Crocodile has consumed the Water of Life and broken through, but his strength is still far below the Grand Offering. Only about a tenth of his power,” Ling Xiao muttered, shaking his head. He paid no further attention and proceeded up to the fourth floor.

There, he saw Qian Renxue sitting alone in the main hall, just as before.

But Ling Xiao could clearly feel that she seemed even more sorrowful. Her body had grown thin, and she appeared dazed, her gaze fixed intently on the Pope’s Hall, lost in thought.

Ling Xiao approached her, but she seemed unaware of his presence.

“Sister Xue,” Ling Xiao called softly.

That voice finally pulled Qian Renxue’s attention back. She looked at Ling Xiao, her dim eyes seeming to brighten slightly.

“Xiao’er!” she said, managing a faint smile, but her gaunt face was more tragic than tears.

“Sister Xue, why have you become like this?” Ling Xiao asked, sitting beside her.

Qian Renxue seemed on the verge of collapse, her eyes vacant as if she had accepted life and death alike, indifferent even to the possibility of dying at any moment.

“Xiao’er, do you think I deserve to die?” she whispered.

“Why would you think that?” Ling Xiao inquired.

“Because I am a product of sin!” she said tremblingly, tears streaming down.

“Now I understand why she hates me so much, why every time she sees me, she wants to kill me. I even hate myself enough to wish I were dead.”

“Sister Xue, does Teacher really want to kill you? Then how come you’re still alive and well?” Ling Xiao looked into her eyes.

“Because my grandfather is still alive. He wouldn’t allow her to kill me.”

“Is the Grand Offering stronger than Teacher?”

“Yes. My grandfather is level ninety-nine—there are few in the entire continent who can compare. Besides, there’s Grandfather Golden Crocodile at level ninety-eight. If not for them, I’d be dead already,” Qian Renxue said bitterly.

“But Teacher is now far stronger than the Grand Offering. Even if all the titled Douluos in the Martial Soul Hall joined forces, they couldn’t defeat him,” Ling Xiao said.

Qian Renxue was stunned, incredulous. “Impossible! Isn’t he only level ninety-six? Even if his power has grown, he couldn’t be so strong that my grandfather can’t defeat him!”

“But it’s different now. Teacher’s strength has far surpassed the Grand Offering. Even the entire Martial Soul Hall together can’t beat him,” Ling Xiao insisted.

“Then why…” Qian Renxue began but was interrupted.

“Why hasn’t Teacher come to kill you, right?”

“Yes. She hates me so much—why hasn’t she killed me?” Qian Renxue asked blankly.

“Sister Xue, what do you think? What could be stopping Teacher’s murderous intent toward you, even when you yourself feel you deserve death?” Ling Xiao asked gently.

“Could it be… that she really loves me? Loves this tainted child?” Qian Renxue murmured.

“Sister Xue, you probably already know the answer. I came here just now, and Teacher knew it—maybe she even knew I was coming for you, but she didn’t stop me,” Ling Xiao said. With his current power, he could easily sense everything around.

Qian Renxue fell silent, her eyes vacant, as if deep in thought.

Ling Xiao shook his head and stood, heading downstairs.

He didn’t know exactly what had happened between them, but it was definitely more than hatred; otherwise, Qian Renxue wouldn’t have survived so long.

Stepping out of the Offering Hall, Ling Xiao walked toward a garden, where Hulina was waiting, accompanied by two men.

The moment Hulina saw Ling Xiao, her eyes lit up, and she scooped him up, planting a kiss on his cheek.

“Xiao’er, you’re here!”

The two men nearby gawked in surprise, especially the one radiating a scorching aura, whose eyes nearly popped out, filled with envy and jealousy.

Ling Xiao wiped the saliva off his face, a bit annoyed. “Sister Na’er, could you not kiss me next time? You’re getting drool all over my face.”

At this, one of the men glared at Ling Xiao with burning resentment, about to stand up, but the other held him back.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you know how many people wish I’d kiss them? I’d refuse if I wanted, and you’re complaining?” Hulina snapped.

Before she could say more, a voice interrupted.

“Nana, is this the Holy Son you mentioned? The Pope’s most favored disciple?” a handsome man sitting nearby asked with a smile.

“Yes, brother. Xiao’er is really powerful. Don’t let his young age fool you—together, you two couldn’t even withstand one of his moves,” Hulina said with a mischievous grin.

“That can’t be! Even if he’s the Holy Son, didn’t you say he’s only three years old? He shouldn’t have awakened his Martial Soul yet,” the handsome man said, incredulous.

“Brother, don’t doubt it. Xiao’er can knock you out with just a light slap,” Hulina said, then glanced at Ling Xiao. “Xiao’er, this is my brother Xie Yue, and the other is our childhood friend, Yan.”

“Hello,” Ling Xiao nodded, looking at Yan, who emitted a strange and faintly hostile aura.

Yan shuddered under Ling Xiao’s gaze, feeling as if he were being stared down by a terrifying presence, his blood nearly freezing.

Fortunately, Ling Xiao soon looked away, and Yan breathed a cautious sigh, shooting wary glances at Ling Xiao.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Xie Yue spoke up. “Nana, how did you get so strong so fast? You’re almost at Soul Sovereign level, while Yan and I just broke through to Great Soul Master.”

“Hehe, that’s a secret!” Hulina smiled faintly.

“Oh come on, hiding secrets even from your own brother!” Xie Yue complained.

“If you want to know, ask my teacher!” Hulina said with a raised brow.

Xie Yue’s expression changed; he dared not confront the Pope. He chuckled awkwardly. “Forget it, no need to trouble the Pope over this!”

Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the Pope’s Hall was anything but calm.

Bibi Dong, busy with affairs, suddenly stiffened as a gaunt figure appeared.

Seeing that figure, a murderous intent surged in Bibi Dong’s eyes. A painful memory she wished to forget echoed in her mind, making her clench her fists.

She looked coldly at Qian Renxue. “What are you doing here?”

Qian Renxue stared silently at Bibi Dong. In the past, she might have argued back fiercely.

But now, facing Bibi Dong’s icy expression, she looked apologetic, biting her lip and quietly enduring the pressure mounting on her.

Bibi Dong noticed something unusual. Previously, whenever Qian Renxue saw her, her eyes were full of hatred, pain, and confusion. This time, there was something else—was it remorse?

Bibi Dong looked uncertain, and the pressure gradually eased.

“Mother,” Qian Renxue suddenly spoke, causing a shock in Bibi Dong’s heart, as if a soft spot had been struck.

She called me mother?

But the strange feeling was quickly suppressed, replaced only by anger.

Bibi Dong’s gaze flickered darkly, watching Qian Renxue. She wondered what had happened today—could it be that she had learned the truth of that matter?

Recalling that painful and humiliating experience, a grimace appeared on her beautiful face.

But it shouldn’t be! Qian Daoliu had promised to forever bury that secret. Had he broken his word?

Qian Renxue, seeing Bibi Dong’s changing expression, calmly said, “I already know the cause of everything. On behalf of my so-called father, I apologize to you.”

Hearing this, Bibi Dong’s aura burst forth uncontrollably. Qian Renxue was immediately overwhelmed by the pressure, coughing up blood and collapsing to her knees, her face growing even paler.

In the garden, Ling Xiao suddenly glanced toward the Pope’s Hall.

Despite the blow, Qian Renxue’s expression remained unchanged as she continued, “I understand you.”

“Understand me? Do you know what I went through? Do you know how terrified I was? Can you feel that despair and rage? You know nothing, so how dare you say you understand me!” Bibi Dong rose, her face terrifyingly fierce with anger.

“I know. It was my father who wronged you. If it would make you happy, kill me—I would have no complaints.”

Bibi Dong’s emotions gradually settled, and hesitation crept into her eyes. She looked at Qian Renxue with calm, unreadable eyes, as if seeing through life and death. She could kill Qian Renxue with a single move if she wanted.

Yet, for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

After a moment of silence, Bibi Dong said, “Go back. This is your last chance. If you come again, I will really kill you.”

“Mother, have you forgiven me? Can you accept me as your daughter? I truly long for a mother’s love,” Qian Renxue asked, her voice and eyes full of yearning.

Looking at Qian Renxue’s pitiful gaze, Bibi Dong suddenly couldn’t bear to meet it. Her heart hardened, and a surge of soul power instantly sent Qian Renxue flying out of the hall.

When she landed, Qian Renxue coughed up blood again. Seeing the bright red blood on the ground, Bibi Dong felt an unprecedented panic. She had never found blood so glaring.

“Hurry and find some soul doctors to treat her,” Bibi Dong said sternly, turning her back without looking again.

Qian Renxue said nothing, struggling to rise before kneeling stiffly at the gate of the Pope’s Hall, ignoring her injuries.

Feeling Qian Renxue’s pain, Bibi Dong’s panic deepened. Waves of agony crashed against her fragile heart, tears streaming down without her noticing.

She no longer had the dignity of the Pope. Now, she seemed like a wounded little girl.

At that moment, a furious shout came from afar.

“Bibi Dong, how can you treat Xiao Xue like this? She’s your own daughter!”

Qian Daoliu arrived at the gate and tried to help Qian Renxue up, but she was stubborn, kneeling silently.

Sighing, Qian Daoliu began healing her wounds, looking at her with pity. “You’re so stubborn. She never regarded you as her mother—why are you still trying?”

He then looked coldly at Bibi Dong. “Bibi Dong, no mother is as cruel as you. Qian Xunji made mistakes and is dead. The Martial Soul Hall is yours now. If you’re still dissatisfied, come after me, but don’t harm Xiao Xue!”

For some reason, Bibi Dong, who would have argued fiercely before, found herself unable to speak.

“Mother, can you forgive me?” Qian Renxue asked again, her voice very weak.

Hearing her, Bibi Dong’s heart wrenched in unprecedented confusion and oppression.

The empress who once dominated the continent now fled from the Pope’s Hall like a scared child, unwilling to look back at Qian Renxue.

Qian Daoliu spoke again, “Xiao Xue, go get treated first. When you’re better, we’ll talk, alright?”

Qian Renxue shook her head. “No, Grandfather. I must wait for Mother’s answer.”

“Sigh, you really are stubborn,” Qian Daoliu said, knowing he couldn’t persuade her, and waited alongside.

Elsewhere, Bibi Dong returned to her room, quickly locking the door as if chased by monsters.

She slumped against it helplessly, sitting on the floor.

Her thoughts were chaotic. Like a helpless little girl, she held her head, tears streaming.

Suddenly, Ling Xiao entered through the window, having finally escaped Hulina’s embrace.

He approached Bibi Dong, who sat listlessly by the door, and gently asked, “Teacher, what’s wrong?”

Bibi Dong looked up, suddenly hugging him, sobbing softly, whispering, “Xiao’er, what should I do? What am I to do?”

Her tears soaked Ling Xiao’s clothes. Feeling her helplessness, he gently wrapped his arms around her neck and softly asked, “Teacher, are youI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.