"Roar!"
A lithe, thousand-year-old ghost tiger roared and pounced on Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong remained expressionless as her second soul ring lit up, and countless purple spider webs appeared out of thin air, instantly binding the Ghost Tiger.
Before Ghost Tiger could break free, a long, white, flaming spear pierced its skull.
The whole process was smooth and seamless.
"Good teamwork."
Ning Lin stepped forward, extinguished the flames, and praised with a smile.
In the past few days, the two have been hunting spirit beasts and collecting medicinal herbs, and their teamwork has become increasingly seamless.
Bibi Dong truly lives up to her title as the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall; she possesses exceptional combat talent. Although she lacks practical experience, she grasps concepts instantly.
Ning Lin's demonstrated strength impressed her greatly.
Whether it was the elusive, eerie white flames or the profound knowledge of the weaknesses of various soul beasts, both of them were awe-inspiring to her.
"All the medicinal herbs are ready."
Ning Lin checked the materials in the storage soul tool and nodded.
"Let's find a safe place and prepare to start refining the elixir."
The two found a secluded cave, where Ning Lin skillfully set up a warning array, and then took out an ancient-looking alchemy furnace.
Bibi Dong stood to the side, watching with wide-eyed curiosity.
This was the first time she had ever witnessed real alchemy.
Ning Lin flicked his finger, and a wisp of pale white flame fell into the alchemy furnace, causing the temperature inside to rise sharply.
Then, one by one, rare medicinal herbs were put into the alchemy furnace in a specific order.
Purification, fusion, condensation...
Ning Lin's movements were fluid and rhythmic, leaving Bibi Dong mesmerized.
Time passed by, second by second.
As the last ingredient was added to the alchemy furnace, a rich medicinal aroma began to waft out from within.
"It's going to work!"
Bibi Dong clenched her fists nervously.
Ning Lin focused intently, forming hand seals as he continuously poured his soul power into the alchemy furnace.
"Condense!"
He gave a low shout.
Buzz!
The alchemy furnace emitted a soft hum, and its lid shot skyward.
Three pills, each the size of a longan, perfectly round and radiating a shimmering, precious light, lay quietly at the bottom of the furnace.
"It's a success!"
Bibi Dong exclaimed in surprise.
"We did it!"
Ning Lin also showed a genuine smile.
The two looked at each other and saw excitement and joy in each other's eyes.
The next moment, Bibi Dong could not contain her excitement and stepped forward to hug Ning Lin tightly.
The soft touch made Ning Lin's body stiffen slightly.
Bibi Dong instantly realized what she had done!
She could feel her cheeks heating up at a visible speed, becoming frighteningly hot.
She released her grip as if electrocuted, quickly stepped aside, and lowered her head, not daring to look Ning Lin in the eye.
The atmosphere inside the cave suddenly became somewhat subtle.
...
Night was falling.
Bibi Dong lay in her sleeping bag by the campfire, but tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.
Her mind kept replaying the moments she had spent with Ning Lin over the past few days.
This man is like a mystery.
Mysterious, powerful, learned, and gentle.
Unlike Yu Xiaogang, who is all talk and no action but no substance, he is not like that.
Every word he said and every action he took was filled with convincing power.
Being with him gives me a sense of security I've never felt before.
This feeling fascinated her, even to the point of addiction.
A young girl's heart is like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples that spread in circles.
Bibi Dong is not an indecisive person.
She is passionate and decisive in love and hate.
Since you've set your mind on it, then go for it!
She sat up abruptly from her sleeping bag and, by the light of the fire, took out paper and pen from her soul tool.
Later, at the training ground on the back mountain, the place where we first met, I'll be waiting for you.
As she wrote those words, her cheeks flushed again.
She folded the letter and quietly placed it beside Ning Lin's pillow.
Just as she breathed a sigh of relief after doing all this, several whooshing sounds suddenly came from outside the cave.
"Your Highness!"
Several guards dressed in the Spirit Hall's standard armor appeared at the cave entrance.
"His Holiness the Pope has summoned you on urgent business. Please return to the Papal Palace immediately!"
Chihiro?
Bibi Dong's heart sank suddenly.
Her teacher, who was aloof and only used and controlled her.
A strong sense of resistance welled up from the bottom of my heart.
She didn't want to go back.
She wanted to stay here, wait for Ning Lin to wake up, and wanted to be with him...
"Your Highness, please don't make things difficult for us."
The guard's tone was forceful.
Bibi Dong's fingernails dug into her palm.
She knew she couldn't resist.
...
On the other side.
The moment the guards appeared, Ning Lin, who had been feigning sleep, woke up.
He didn't move, but listened quietly to the conversation outside until Bibi Dong's presence faded away.
He slowly opened his eyes and picked up the letter from beside his pillow.
[...The training ground behind the mountain, the place where we first met...]
Upon seeing these words, Ning Lin's heart skipped a beat.
A chill instantly shot from the soles of my feet to the top of my head!
The original plot!
Bibi Dong had arranged to meet Yu Xiaogang, but Qian Xunji sent people to take her back to the secret room!
Then, the tragedy that plunged her into darkness for the rest of her life happened!
Today, the course of history has taken a turn.
The person she was dating changed from Yu Xiaogang to herself.
But Qian Xunji's summons arrived as scheduled!
Damn it!
Ning Lin's eyes turned incredibly sinister in an instant.
He would never allow such a thing to happen before his eyes!
Sit and wait to die?
That's not his style!
Ning Lin suddenly stood up, and the letter in his hand was instantly burned to ashes by the pale white flames.
With a swift movement, he transformed into a streak of light and charged headlong towards the Spirit Hall without hesitation!
...
The Spirit Hall, the Papal Palace.
The dome soars high, and the statue of a twelve-winged angel looks down with majesty and solemnity.
Outside the huge French windows, the night was deep, but inside the hall, countless soul-guided lamps illuminated it as bright as day.
The smooth, mirror-like obsidian floor reflected the figure seated on the papal throne.
Qian Xunji wore a magnificent papal robe trimmed with gold, resting his chin on one hand, with a gentle smile on his face, but his eyes were unfathomably deep.
He was making plans.
In his mind, the conversation he had with his father, Sen Daoliu, the Grand Elder of the Hall of Worship, echoed not long ago.
"Dong'er's talent is a miracle that the Spirit Hall has never seen in a hundred years."
"She has to stay no matter what."
"play hard."
play hard...
A slight smile appeared on Qian Xunji's lips.
He certainly understood what his father meant.
Bibi Dong's heart no longer seems to belong to the Spirit Hall, nor to her teacher.
It's alright.
The mind is such an ethereal and elusive thing.
As long as we keep her here, completely and utterly, making her one of our own, an indispensable part of the Spirit Hall...
The heart will stay eventually.
Over time, feelings will inevitably develop, won't they?
(End of chapter)