When Chen Yi set foot in the unusually quiet and empty Pope's Palace, a faint crease appeared between his brows. His spiritual power quietly spread out in an instant, covering every corner of the palace with seamless care. With a flash, he transformed into a blurred purple shadow, dashing through the deserted corridors.
Soon, he arrived at the majestic doors of the inner palace. Pausing for a moment, he still reached out and pushed open the tightly shut door.
Inside, the spacious and elegant inner hall presented itself, brimming with opulent furnishings. In stark contrast to the desolate outer hall, this room overflowed with a lively atmosphere.
The first thing that caught his eye was Qian Renxue, sitting rigidly at a carved wooden table, supporting her head with one hand in silence. Hearing the door open, her body trembled slightly as she looked up. When she recognized Chen Yi, a glint finally flashed in her somewhat dazed golden eyes.
"You came," Qian Renxue's voice was gentle, tinged with a faint sense of relief.
Chen Yi nodded, but his gaze shifted over her, resting on the spacious and ornate bed at the far end of the hall. There, the graceful figure of someone lay quietly—eyes shut, face extremely pale.
Bibi Dong.
Chen Yi's eyes narrowed slightly. He turned to Qian Renxue and asked in a low voice, "What happened to her?"
Qian Renxue stood and came to his side, watching the sleeping Bibi Dong together. Her expression was complicated, unreadable.
"At the time, I was overseeing the reconstruction of Spirit City after the previous battle. Suddenly... a strange voice echoed in my mind," she said softly, barely able to control the quiver in her voice. "The voice told me that Bibi Dong was in grave danger, so I had to come immediately. By the time I arrived, she was already like this—no matter how I called her name, there was no reply."
Despite her grievances and estrangement, the blood bond and lifelong connection between the two women—mother and daughter—could never truly be cut. Seeing the woman who had given her life and so much pain in such a weak state, Qian Renxue found herself battling emotions far more complex than she could show.
"Does the Grand Worship know?" Chen Yi's brows drew together. "Perhaps the Grand Worship know how to awaken her."
Qian Renxue shook her head and tried to explain.
Suddenly, without warning, an enchanting voice—capable of stirring evil desires from the depths of every heart—resounded in the bedroom.
Both Chen Yi and Qian Renxue tensed, glancing toward the source. It came from Bibi Dong's bed!
There, a massive phantom scythe appeared; its dark-violet light flickering menacingly.
Qian Renxue narrowed her beautiful eyes and said quickly, still glancing at Chen Yi, "That's her—the owner of the voice. She claims to be..."
"Rakshasa God," Chen Yi continued for her, gazing at the levitating demon scythe with icy calm, revealing the entity's identity.
As the Rakshasa Scythe shuddered, the sinister voice echoed again.
"Ah... hello, future God King."
Chen Yi's eyes remained steady. He asked directly, "Lord Rakshasa God, may I ask what has happened here?"
Based on previously acquired information and Qian Daoliu's reports, it seemed that when Bibi Dong was imprisoned, the Rakshasa God hadn't fiercely resisted. On the contrary, she had actively severed her divine connection with Bibi Dong and even tacitly approved Qian Daoliu's actions. In other words, this evil god might not be their enemy.
But then: why show up here, at this moment?
The Rakshasa God's mischievous laughter faded. After a long silence, she spoke slowly.
"My divine status... I am the Rakshasa God who presides over 'evil thoughts' in the Divine Realm. My entire divinity leans toward extremes. For such reasons, finding a successor—one truly compatible with my soul, temperament, and destiny—is nearly impossible."
"Even for me, it took thousands of years to find Bibi Dong... such a suitable vessel."
Chen Yi listened, his expression unintentionally peculiar.
Rakshasa God, for someone who found Bibi Dong after millennia, aren't you being too kind to her?
As if sensing Chen Yi's doubts, the Rakshasa God cleared her throat awkwardly. "Actually... it turned out that while Bibi Dong's talent was unmatched, her mental state was severely flawed: obsession, hatred, delusion, madness—all fuel for 'evil', but if unchecked, these would consume her sanity upon inheriting my godhood, turning her into a monster driven solely by destruction."
"That's why I included a Trial of the Heart in the godhood inheritance—to purge her excessive demons. My aim was to help her better control her divine power, not be ruled by it."
Hearing this, Chen Yi could barely hide his scoff. "And you thought she'd change?"
What a ridiculous joke!
For Bibi Dong, betrayed by love, leading the Spirit Hall into wars, conspiracies, and countless deaths... Passing a Trial of the Heart could really redeem her? To Chen Yi, a rotten orange is forever rotten—there's no changing it.
The Rakshasa God, a bit flustered by his directness, muttered, "So... I added a dash of material to the trial. I used the soul fragments of Yu Xiaogang left in this world, merging them, as a trial of memory illusions."
She concluded, "All these actions were pre-approved in consultation with the Seven Elemental Deities."
That didn't concern Chen Yi.
He cared only about the result.
"So then," Chen Yi arched a brow, looking down at the sleeping Bibi Dong, "was there a problem with her trial?"
"Exactly." The Rakshasa God's voice was filled with helplessness and a hint of amusement and annoyance.
"Apparently, the medicine I gave was too strong. Her obsession ran much deeper than I'd ever imagined."
"She's become entirely lost in her perpetual memories, refusing to awaken."
She fell silent, admitting that she hadn't expected such deep madness.
Chen Yi finally pieced together the cause and effect. He glanced at Qian Renxue beside him—her expression complicated.
"So, the Rakshasa God summoned you... hoping you'd enter her illusion of memories and bring her back?"
Qian Renxue nodded with a sigh. "That's right. Rakshasa believes only I am qualified to enter the memory illusion and influence her."
Chen Yi nodded. Considering the complicated, fundamentally irreconcilable relationship between mother and daughter, he understood why Qian Renxue felt she had to try.
"So then..." He let his gaze drift from the levitating Rakshasa Scythe to the solemn Qian Renxue and back, finally voicing the question, "Why am I here?"
The Rakshasa God hesitated, her voice becoming more serious,
"I summoned you here…because I want to make a deal with the future God King."
Now that Bibi Dong—the inheritor—had become obsolete, she had to explore other options.
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow, not refusing outright, and asked curiously, "What deal?"
….
Star Luo City
In the great hall, the tense atmosphere pressed down like a suffocating weight. Emperor Dai Liang of Star Lou, known for his iron will and cold temper, stared at Dai Weisi in shock.
"...Come again?" Dai Liang's voice was hoarse, trembling.
Dai Weisi raised his head, his face equally stern.
"Father, it's an undeniable fact—Clear Sky Douluo Tang Chen and Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi have both fallen!"
"Qian Daoliu, the Grand Worship of Spirit Hall, Chu Shanhe, Sect Master of the Body Sect, and Yuan Hua, Grand Elder of the Body Sect—these three joined forces to strike within Spirit City—suppressing and slaughtering all who opposed!"
"Dead… all dead…" Dai Liang seemed to lose all strength instantly. His tall body swayed and collapsed onto the cold throne, eyes blank.
Two unmatched Douluo! They stood at the very summit of the world's Soul Masters!
Without hesitation, Dai Liang reinstated the Clear Sky Sect as the Guardian Sect of the Star Lou Empire, hoping their strength could resist the rising coalition of Spirit Hall and the Body Sect. And what was the result? It's only been days since Tang Chen's triumphant return and Bo Saixi's awe-inspiring appearance—it seemed like just yesterday.
Yet, in an instant, both died in Spirit City, and the five powerful lords of Seagod Island fell with them!
"Useless! You're all useless!" Dai Liang could no longer contain his rage, slamming his fist onto the throne's armrest, completely disregarding imperial dignity.
"All they do is talk, but in battle they're useless—not even able to stall for time! It's a disgrace!"
His face was pale, chest heaving in anger. After pouring in so many resources and risks, this was all he got—utterly unacceptable.
Dai Weisi knelt on the floor, head bowed, unable to utter a word.
After a lengthy silence, Dai Liang barely suppressed his fury, expression dark as a storm.
"Now... Tang Chen and Bo Saixi are dead, the Clear Sky Sect has perished, Seagod Island lies far beyond our reach. Who else on this continent can oppose the united forces of Spirit Hall and the Body Sect?"
His gaze sharpened. "There is only one path left..."
Dai Weisi instantly looked up at his father.
"Form an alliance with the Heaven Dou Empire!" Dai Liang declared resolutely.
"Only by combining the strength of the two great empires can we form enough deterrence to resist their expansion and preserve our Star Lou Empire's fate and dignity!"
Dai Weisi frowned, hesitating. "This plan is good, Father, but the new Emperor of Heaven Dou, Xue Qinghe, ascended to the throne with the Body Sect's support. They are closely allied. Getting him to join us against the Body Sect will be very difficult."
Dai Liang sneered, eyes flashing with sharp calculation. "Difficult? As long as Xue Qinghe sits on Heaven Dou's throne, he must act in the empire's best interests. Spirit Hall and the Body Sect threaten the foundation of every royal clan. He must understand the adage 'when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold'!"
"What's more," Dai Liang lowered his voice, "the entire Heaven Dou Empire is not ruled by Xue Qinghe alone. With enough incentives, we might win allies from within."
Dai Weisi's eyes brightened with sudden understanding.
"Dai Weisi!" Dai Liang's eyes hardened as he called.
"At your command!" Dai Weisi straightened.
"In three days, I will officially issue an edict appointing you as Crown Prince of the Star Lou Empire!"
"Immediately after your appointment, as Crown Prince and Imperial Envoy, you will proceed to Heaven Dou City and negotiate this grand alliance with Emperor Xue Qinghe—resisting our common enemy together!"
"At the same time," Dai Liang added, "take this chance to contact as many kingdoms, duchies, and nobles within Heaven Dou who are dissatisfied with Xue Qinghe's new regime or hold hatred towards Spirit Hall or the Body Sect. Sound out their attitudes, offer generous benefits, and do everything possible to win more support and allies for our empire!"
In such a crucial negotiation, simply bearing the title "Crown Prince of Star Lou" was not enough. A greater title had to be shown to prove the sincerity and determination of Star Lou.
"I understand, Your Majesty!" Dai Weisi's eyes gleamed with quiet joy. He had dreamed of this day, and now, finally, it was here. Still, he was aware this mission concerned the very fate of the empire—any mistake would be catastrophic. The survival of both empires depended on unity.
"Go, begin preparations. This journey is of utmost importance—be meticulous and thorough," Dai Liang ordered with a wave.
"Yes! Your subordinate takes his leave!" Dai Weisi bowed deeply and left quickly. This was urgent—he had to gather his staff and craft a detailed mission plan at once.
As Dai Weisi reached the palace gates, Dai Liang's icy voice rang from behind:
"Bring those two traitors along as well!"
…