Ning Lin read them aloud one by one, each sentence like a resounding slap across Yu Xiaogang's face.
Bibi Dong remained silent.
She simply flipped through the books quietly, comparing them page by page.
Inside the library, it was so quiet that only the rustling of turning pages could be heard.
Yu Xiaogang was already ashen-faced and slumped on the ground, too weak to even struggle.
I don't know how much time passed.
Bibi Dong suddenly closed the last book.
She looked up at Yu Xiaogang.
On that stunningly beautiful face, there was no anger, no roar, but instead... a smile.
She laughed.
That smile was radiant, yet it carried a chilling coldness that seeped into one's very bones.
She laughed at her own naivety, her own foolishness, and how she could have been so easily manipulated by such a complete fraudster!
"Hehe... Hahahaha!"
The laughter echoed in the empty library, sounding particularly jarring.
Yu Xiaogang felt uneasy from her laughter and kept backing away.
"Dongdong…"
The laughter stopped abruptly.
Bibi Dong's gaze turned as cold as ancient ice.
"I'll count to three."
Her voice was eerily calm.
"Disappear from my sight."
"one."
Yu Xiaogang shuddered.
"two."
He scrambled to his feet, fear overwhelming all shame.
Before he could even utter the word "three," he had already rushed out of the library without looking back, his back view looking as pathetic as a stray dog.
As the figure disappeared, Bibi Dong's expression finally crumbled, and her body swayed slightly.
Ning Lin reached out and supported her arm.
Thank you.
Bibi Dong steadied herself, thanked him softly, her voice tinged with weariness.
"I've made a fool of myself in front of you today."
She laughed self-deprecatingly.
"I knew what kind of person he was, but I never imagined he could be this shameless."
"He is not shameless."
Ning Lin said calmly, "He simply sees you as a fool who can be easily deceived."
That was a very hurtful statement.
But after hearing this, Bibi Dong sighed with relief.
"Yeah, you idiot."
She raised her head, looked into Ning Lin's clear eyes, and said solemnly, "Scholar Ning, I, Bibi Dong, owe you a favor for what happened today."
Ning Lin smiled and let go of his hand.
"Your Highness is too kind."
"It just so happens to be the right time, and I can't stand the parasites in academia."
He glanced at the sky outside.
"I suppose Her Highness hasn't eaten yet. How about I treat you?"
"There's a restaurant called Tianxianglou in Wuhun City; the food there is pretty good."
Bibi Dong paused for a moment, then nodded.
"good."
...
Inside a private room at Tianxianglou.
The two sat facing each other, but the atmosphere was not awkward.
After their conversation, Bibi Dong's understanding of Ning Lin was re-evaluated.
The man before them not only had unique insights into the theory of martial spirits, but also had a knack for alchemy, pharmacology, and even some ancient stories.
He is witty and knowledgeable, and chatting with him is a pleasure.
Ning Lin also glimpsed another side of this future empress during this conversation.
Stripped of her saintly aura, Bibi Dong at this moment is more like a naive and innocent young girl, full of curiosity about the outside world.
She grew up in the Spirit Hall, and all she did was cultivate.
The people I come into contact with are either teachers or friends, and their minds are as pure as a blank sheet of paper.
No wonder she was easily fooled by a seasoned lover like Yu Xiaogang with just a few words.
Unfortunately, this blank sheet of paper will soon be stained with the darkest color by the person you trust most, in the cruelest way.
"Scholar Ning, can the 'elixir' you just mentioned really help a Soul Master quickly increase their Soul Power?"
Bibi Dong blinked her big eyes and asked curiously.
"certainly."
Ning Lin put down his chopsticks and answered affirmatively.
"I'm currently researching a pill formula called the 'Breakthrough Pill.' If I succeed in refining it, it will be enough to allow Soul Masters below the Soul King level to advance one level without any bottlenecks."
"However, we are still missing a few key ingredients, which we need to find in the Star Dou Great Forest."
"Star Dou Great Forest?"
Bibi Dong's eyes lit up instantly.
"I'll go with you!"
She blurted it out almost without thinking.
"I'm also very curious about alchemy!"
Ning Lin smiled when he saw the expectant look in her eyes.
"good."
The two hit it off immediately, and after finishing their meal, they left Tianxiang Restaurant together.
Just as they reached the street corner, Ning Lin paused, his gaze sweeping towards a dark alley not far away.
There, a venomous gaze was fixed on him.
It's Yu Xiaogang.
He originally intended to deceive Bibi Dong, steal the secrets of the Spirit Hall, and establish his reputation as a "theoretical master".
But now, Ning Lin has ruined everything!
He not only lost Bibi Dong, his biggest backer, but also suffered a complete disgrace in the Spirit Hall!
This hatred cannot be washed away even if all the waters of the three rivers are poured out!
Ning Lin merely glanced at him indifferently before looking away, her gaze as if she were looking at an ant on the roadside.
Just then, a cold, mechanical voice rang in his mind.
[Ding!]
[A major shift in the romantic history of the associated individual 'Bibi Dong' has been detected, and the original romantic trajectory has been completely abruptly cut off!]
[Historical accuracy improved!]
[Congratulations, host, on receiving a special reward—the Strange Flame: Bone Spirit Cold Flame!]
[Bone Spirit Cold Flame: A combination of extreme cold and extreme heat, the supreme flame of all fires, the most suitable flame for refining elixirs, bar none! It can greatly increase the success rate of elixir refining and the quality of the elixirs!]
A pale white flame appeared out of nowhere in Ning Lin's sea of consciousness!
boom!
Without the slightest hesitation, Ning Lin instantly fused the strange fire with his pure fire attribute martial soul!
In an instant, a terrifying aura erupted from his body!
His original crimson flame martial soul began to mutate under the tempering of the Bone Spirit Cold Flame, gradually turning its color to a deep white and emitting a chilling pressure!
And his soul power, driven by this force, continued to rise!
Level 41!
Level 45!
Level 49!
Boom!
The final barrier shattered!
Level 50! Soul King!
Ning Lin slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, which was like a white ribbon that condensed in the air without dissipating.
Perfect timing! This trip to the Star Dou Great Forest will also allow me to resolve my fifth spirit ring issue.
"Ning Lin, you..."
Bibi Dong, standing beside him, stared at him in shock.
The sheer force that erupted just now had startled her.
She could clearly sense that Ning Lin's aura was more than one level stronger than before!
Who exactly is this man?
As Bibi Dong looked at Ning Lin's calm and composed profile, her curiosity grew even stronger.
---
The outer perimeter of the Starry Sky Forest.
The dense canopy blocked out the sun, and sunlight could only filter through the gaps, casting dappled spots of light.
The air was filled with the damp smell of earth and the roars of various spirit beasts.
(End of chapter)