Chapter 258: Bibi Dong's Demand, Lei Prison Vine's Warning
Night had fallen. In the Spirit City, inside the Hall of the Pope, Dai Yao looked up at the grand structure perched atop the mountain, his mind filled with questions. Today marked his official entry into Spirit Hall, and he had barely escaped a series of banquets with several red-robed bishops eager to make his acquaintance when Bibi Dong had summoned him to the Hall at night.
"Why would Bibi Dong want to see me this late?" he wondered, frowning slightly.
He wasn't one to assume he could instantly charm Bibi Dong into some romance; after all, she was the legendary Pope, a figure of peerless beauty who had long inspired awe. But after seeing her overwhelming strength and authority in person, all his earlier fantasies had been dispelled. Bibi Dong was an unparalleled leader in this era, despite her sometimes obsessive and extreme nature—a characteristic he knew was due to her past hardships.
Dai Yao doubted she could easily let anyone into her heart. And, just as the story told, her heart was probably still fixed on Yu Xiaogang, even to the point of self-inflicted suffering.
Pushing down his doubts, Dai Yao put on a respectful expression and entered the Hall of the Pope.
"Greetings to Her Holiness the Pope," he said, keeping his eyes lowered.
"Rise," came Bibi Dong's cool voice from her throne high above. He stood, watching her carefully.
Bibi Dong nodded slightly, her pale lips parting as she spoke with crisp brevity: "Sit."
Following her indication, Dai Yao sat down somewhat cautiously and, raising his gaze to meet the Pope's, he gathered his thoughts and said, "Your Holiness, may I ask what you needed me here for at this hour?"
Typically, it was unheard of for a ruler to summon their officials so late at night, and Dai Yao had just joined Spirit Hall. His superiors were meant to give him space on his first day.
Seated on her throne, Bibi Dong rested her delicate chin on one hand, her long, slender legs crossed and clothed in a silk-like purple stocking, lightly swinging. One hand casually held the Pope's scepter, making her imposing aura feel even more daunting.
A subtle smile played at the corners of her mouth as she tapped her finger rhythmically on the scepter. Her tone sounded casual, but there was a sharp edge to her question: "Now that you've formally joined us in Spirit Hall, have you encountered any discomfort?"
"Everyone has treated me most generously," he replied sincerely. "My only concern is the arrangement of my residence."
Bibi Dong smiled and nodded, replying, "Hu Liena will take care of the estate for you in due time."
"Thank you, Your Holiness, for attending to such details for me," Dai Yao said gratefully.
The Pope had innumerable responsibilities requiring her judgment, so to be concerned with his personal affairs was indeed unexpected. Yet it puzzled him that Hu Liena seemed to appear by his side more often than not lately, enough that even Zhu Zhuqing had felt a pang of jealousy. Were it not for his knowledge of Hu Liena's loyal nature, he might have thought she'd developed feelings for him.
When the formal pleasantries were over, Bibi Dong's gaze sharpened, and she got to the point of the night's summons.
"Dai Yao, can you tell me your secret to absorbing spirit rings beyond your level?"
His second spirit ring was a millennium ring, and his fourth a ten-thousand-year ring—a shocking feat by any standard. Such a configuration shattered the spirit world's long-held rules on spirit ring limits. If Dai Yao's method could be shared, it would revolutionize the power of spirit masters across the continent, naturally empowering Spirit Hall.
The question made Dai Yao tense. He replied, "Your Holiness, the ability to absorb spirit rings beyond one's level lies in one's physical strength. The stronger the body, the greater the spirit ring it can withstand; it's not about a fixed limit."
Bibi Dong's finger stilled on her scepter, her expression thoughtful. After a moment, her tone turned probing, skeptical: "I see. But as I recall, in your younger years, you suffered frequent bullying and malnourishment, and your physical condition was poor. That doesn't align with your explanation, does it? Can you elaborate on how you, in particular, managed this feat?"
Her gaze locked onto his, a surge of powerful spiritual pressure flooding his mind. For a moment, Dai Yao felt an irresistible urge to confess everything. Yet after a few seconds, he fought his way back to awareness, his back covered in cold sweat. Should he tell Bibi Dong about the Chaos Green Lotus spirit?
He understood all too well the gravity of this secret. He hadn't even told anyone except his closest confidantes, like Zhu Zhuqing. Telling Bibi Dong could mean unimaginable rewards and benefits, but a lingering caution held him back.
Weighing the risks quickly, he finally decided to keep his silence on the true nature of his martial spirit. He steadied his breathing and replied, "Your Holiness, absorbing spirit rings above one's level requires two things: a strong physical body and iron willpower."
"When I was still in the Xingluo Empire, I was surrounded by enemies. My only path to survival was to attempt the impossible."
"Facing death either way, I chose to push myself to absorb rings beyond the limit. If I succeeded, I had a chance to live. If I failed, I would have perished anyway. In the end, my determination to survive pushed me through those ordeals."
Recalling the danger he had faced then, Dai Yao made sure to look sufficiently shaken.
Seeing the hint of fear on his face, Bibi Dong felt a pang of empathy, remembering her own desperate, suffocating past. She softened slightly and said, "That must have been hard for you."
"It was nothing," he replied. "Without the hardships I endured, I might not be who I am today."
The tapping of her scepter resumed, each crisp sound echoing in the silence. Though Bibi Dong did feel a trace of sympathy, she remained intrigued—and perhaps even envious—of Dai Yao's secrets. Both Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong had experienced spirit evolution under his influence: Zhu Zhuqing's had ascended to the Nether Sovereign, and Feng Wutong's had transformed into the Divine Vermilion Bird. The common denominator was clear: Dai Yao.
If she could uncover the secret to Dai Yao's spirit evolution, it might increase her chances of successfully undergoing her own divine inheritance.
Divinity—on this entire continent, it represented the pinnacle. Divinity could erase all grudges, heal all regrets. The thought stirred her; her grip on the scepter tightened unconsciously. At last, Bibi Dong broke the silence with her question.
"Dai Yao, tell me—how did Feng Wutong's spirit evolve from a Fiery Bird into the Vermilion Bird?"
Dai Yao's head snapped up to meet Bibi Dong's piercing gaze. Swallowing nervously, he feigned innocence: "Your Holiness, Feng Wutong's name is Wutong—why add a 'Feng'?"
"What do you think?" Bibi Dong's gaze remained steady, seeing through his deflection. Her tone hardened. "With Spirit Hall's resources, there's nothing I can't uncover if I wish to. Now, be honest—I won't shortchange you."
Dai Yao's fists clenched tightly as he exhaled, realizing the time he had dreaded had arrived sooner than expected. With Spirit Hall's strength, it was futile to try to cover up everything; his only choice had been to leave Feng Wutong's alias as it was. Swallowing, he made one last attempt to hedge the truth.
"Your Holiness, Feng Wutong's spirit evolved because she consumed a mystical herb, the Phoenix-Tail Celosia. Its miraculous properties allowed her spirit to undergo a transformation."
He prayed Wutong would never disclose the true reason.
Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed, her gaze colder than ever as she scoffed. "Nonsense."
With a slight movement, her scepter struck the floor, sending a faint wave throughout the Hall. The great doors opened, and a dazzling figure appeared, a bewitching man clad in golden armor.
"Elder Chrysanthemum," Bibi Dong's tone was commanding, "you're highly knowledgeable in rare herbs. Tell me, does the Phoenix-Tail Celosia have the power to evolve someone's spirit?"
Yue Guan hesitated, but under Bibi Dong's steely gaze, he could only sigh, offering Dai Yao an apologetic look. "Your Holiness, the Phoenix-Tail Celosia is indeed a rare herb and can elevate fire-based attributes and even mitigate some negative effects from mutated spirits, but it cannot enhance a spirit's level."
Bibi Dong dismissed Yue Guan with a wave, her frosty gaze fixing on Dai Yao. "Well? Anything more to say?"
Resigned, Yue Guan could only cast Dai Yao a helpless glance before bowing out, leaving the heavy door to close with a final, resounding thud. Dai Yao glanced at the sealed doors, his gaze shifting to Bibi Dong's icy stare that rendered him immobile. He knew she would demand the truth from him, no matter the cost.
At that moment, an indifferent voice reverberated in his mind.
"If you're set on dying, don't drag me with you."
Dai Yao froze, his eyes widening. It was the voice of Lei Prison Vine. What did she mean? If he told Bibi Dong the truth, would it really mean death?
A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Lei Prison Vine was bound to him and had no reason to lie; with her pride and self-assurance, she wouldn't deign to deceive him. Could it be that the threat of death was indeed real?
Swallowing, he clenched his teeth, feeling the weight of Bibi Dong's gaze bearing down on him. "Your Holiness, forgive me, but I cannot tell you."
Bibi Dong watched him, a flash of confusion crossing her face. She had sensed that he was on the verge of speaking but had restrained himself at the last moment. It was as though someone had stopped him.
Yet she was confident that no one would dare intervene here in her Hall, let alone escape her awareness.
Narrowing her eyes, she said coldly, "This is your last chance. Speak."
Dai Yao's whole body was drenched in sweat. Defying a powerhouse like Bibi Dong repeatedly could spell certain death. And yet, Lei Prison Vine's warning loomed in his mind. If she was right, speaking would lead to immediate death. Keeping silent, however, might buy him time, however slim.
Bibi Dong's frown deepened as she watched him, her fingers tapping rhythmically against the scepter, each sound echoing through the silent hall and striking Dai Yao's already frayed nerves.
Finally, after an eternity, Bibi Dong let out a low chuckle. "Very well. If you won't speak, I won't force it. But keep that secret close and safe. You may go."
Watching her smile, Dai Yao felt an unshakable chill. Betraying the Star Luo Empire had already branded him a traitor. But if he lost Bibi Dong's trust, his future within Spirit Hall would be on equally shaky ground.
If he were to abandon Spirit Hall, he would truly become a man with no country and no trust.
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