Soul Land—Chapter 124: I Am the Pope
"I'm asking you a question!" Qian Renxue saw Bibi Dong completely unresponsive, instead staring blankly at Ling Qianyao, and couldn't help but feel a surge of anger.
Bibi Dong's lips curled slightly upwards, revealing a meaningful smile, "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong," Qian Renxue laughed in extreme anger, "What exactly did you intend by suddenly attacking just now? Don't tell me you thought I wouldn't dare to fight you?"
"Would you?" Bibi Dong said lightly, turning back to look at Ling Qianyao, "A very good martial soul ability, a thousand-year second soul ring, a ten-thousand-year fourth ring. You are much more outstanding than the information I received indicated."
The information she received... She investigated Qianyao and them. Qian Renxue was startled.
Ling Qianyao cupped his hands calmly. "It's just luck. But Your Holiness, if you're restless every day, your mental strength will be affected, and you might act impulsively. You should be careful."
Bibi Dong's eyes flickered slightly. Did he see something wrong with her soul? No wonder he took the initiative to use his Martial Soul ability—perhaps he was afraid she would hurt Qian Renxue if she lost control.
However, he underestimated her too much. She had already endured the erosion of these evil thoughts for who knows how many years. Qian Renxue's words just now, which slightly pricked a sore spot in her heart, were not enough to cause any ripples.
After the news came from Heaven Dou City back then, she had some guesses about his martial soul ability. This ability to clear the influence of negative attributes was best controlled by her.
She couldn't help but examine Ling Qianyao closely again.
After absorbing the ten-thousand-year fourth soul ring and an external soul bone, and tempering his body daily with star power, Ling Qianyao's cultivation level far surpassed that of his peers.
He was as tall as a pine tree, handsome, with sword eyebrows and starry eyes. A hint of starlight flowed through his hair, making him look extraordinary.
He radiated a sharp, profound aura—an influence of his star sword intent. He didn't need to deliberately emit momentum; his body seemed surrounded by an invisible edge.
'The sword intent was similar to that guy Chen Xin from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect... No, it seems even more profound.' Bibi Dong's heart sank, not because Ling Qianyao's excellence once again exceeded her expectations, but because it negated her previous guess.
She knew the relationship between Zhu Zhuqing and Ling Qianyao, and she knew Qian Renxue very well. Just now, she understood the deep bond between Qian Renxue and Ling Qianyao. She had thought this young man was passionate but heartless.
But now, the presence of that sword's intent revealed Ling Qianyao's true temperament. He was not a heartless person—on the contrary, if someone hurt someone he cherished, he would fight back like thunder.
Thinking of this, Bibi Dong's heart was inexplicably filled with jealousy and desire.
'Qian Renxue, my dear sister—how can you have him, but I cannot?'
'But it's good this way. A genius with a Martial Soul capable of purifying evil thoughts, and such a profound sword intent—he's worthy of joining my army. Let me teach you what true depravity is.' She tightened her grip on the Pope's scepter.
"Huh?" Bibi Dong was startled. Ling Qianyao's figure was blocked by Qian Renxue's body, and she could no longer observe him easily.
Qian Renxue clenched her teeth. "Good sister, you've been looking at him for too long, haven't you?"
For some reason, Bibi Dong's gaze on Ling Qianyao made Qian Renxue feel uneasy. Although she remained calm, a more complicated emotion seemed to be hidden deep within her.
Bibi Dong chuckled. "You're certainly keeping a close eye. I was just looking for a moment. What, you went out to the Heaven Dou Empire to execute an important plan."
"Now, you've given yourself away? You cherish him so much—you can't bear the desire for control in your heart," she added with a teasing tone.
"Heh," Qian Renxue sneered. "Why would I, Qian Renxue, need to control others? Qianyao and I are of one mind; I naturally cherish him.
As for you, for this so-called Pope's throne and ridiculous ambition, who knows how lonely you are in your heart now? You..."
"Enough!"
Bibi Dong's Pope's scepter slammed heavily onto the white jade ground, interrupting Qian Renxue's words.
She turned around and slowly walked back to the Pope's throne. She closed her eyes, then opened them again, and said softly, "Qian Renxue, in this Spirit Hall, I am the Pope. Don't be too presumptuous."
"Hmph." Qian Renxue clenched her teeth, waved her sleeves, and left with Ling Qianyao and the others.
With a heavy bang, she closed the door of the Pope's Palace behind her.
Bibi Dong's expression darkened, returning to her cold, aloof demeanor. She sat down slowly, but a trace of loneliness flickered in her eyes. She gently stroked the Pope's scepter in her hand, lost in thought.
Chrysanthemum Douluo sighed and stepped out from one side. "Your Holiness, the young miss has just returned to the Spirit Hall. Traveling such a long distance must have exhausted her both physically and mentally. She had a dispute with you, so she's probably in a bad mood. She's still young and impulsive—please don't take it to heart."
Bibi Dong was silent for a moment before replying softly, "How could I care about her? You think too much."
Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded slightly, then said, "Just now, I sensed the aura of an immortal herb on the girl who came with them. I'd like to go and take a look."
"It's been a while since they took that Immortal Herbs. What do you want?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled. "To be honest, Your Holiness, there are different grades of immortal herbs. Although my Singular Velvet Sky Reaching Chrysanthemum isn't an ordinary product, there are many more rare immortal herbs in the world.
The scent of the immortal herbs emanating from that girl is not common. Although she has absorbed it, the medicinal power shouldn't be fully integrated into her body yet.
For the sake of my ideals, I want to see the original power of the immortal herbs still within her."
Bibi Dong's eyes flickered slightly. "Among immortal herbs, are there any similar to Ling Qianyao's spirit ability?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo hesitated, then replied carefully, "There are many kinds of immortal herbs with different effects. If you're asking about something similar to Ling Qianyao's ability, I'm afraid there are few.
It's rumored there's an Aromatic Silk Beauty immortal herb that's the nemesis of all poisons. I don't know if it can be considered a purification."
"Alright," Bibi Dong waved her hand. Chrysanthemum Douluo bowed and retreated.
"Ghost, you also need to leave for now."
"Yes."
In the empty Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong was the only one left. She appeared on the balcony on the second floor, gazing at the backs of Ling Qianyao and the others as they walked away. Her eyes were as deep as a pool.
Who knows what she was thinking, she just stood there for a long time, letting the wind make her Pope's robe flutter.
Ling Qianyao and the two others gradually disappeared from sight. Only when not a trace could be seen anymore did Bibi Dong slowly withdraw her gaze?
"When she returned this time, her attitude towards me was no longer as tolerant, or even flattering, as before. She has found her belonging and dependence."
"What about me?"
A low murmur was left in the wind, and Bibi Dong's figure disappeared.
(End of this chapter)