"Qian Renxue, what right do you have to question me?"
As Bibi Dong's words fell, an overwhelming pressure erupted from her body.
Like the wails of hellish ghosts, an icy, sinister aura spread outward, instinctively repulsing Qian Renxue, whose Six-Winged Angel martial soul naturally abhorred such darkness.
Before Qian Renxue could respond, Bibi Dong spoke again:
"Don't think that just because Qian Daoliu backs you, I won't dare kill you."
Her oppressive might swept forward like an autumn gale, crashing toward Qian Renxue's position.
"Young Lady, be careful!" She Long and Ci Xue simultaneously stepped forward, shielding Qian Renxue.
Two yellow, three purple, and four black soul rings abruptly manifested as they unleashed their 92nd-level soul power.
Three years ago, after their fierce battle with the Dark Devilgod Tiger, both had broken through from level 91 to 92.
Yet even so, under this vast, crushing pressure, they could barely resist.
She Long's forehead beaded with cold sweat, while Ci Xue his plump frame offering no advantage fared even worse, his face turning deathly pale.
"Hmph. Overestimating yourselves."
The space around She Long and Ci Xue twisted violently.
A metallic taste filled their throats before they coughed up bright red blood.
Unable to remain standing, the two Title Douluos were forced to their knees by the crushing weight, blood trickling from their lips.
"Enough, Bibi Dong!"
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black seven soul rings rose as Qian Renxue activated her Angel Domain.
A pure, radiant light slightly countered Bibi Dong's pressure, easing the burden on the two Title Douluos and allowing them to stand.
Bibi Dong's expression remained icy, her gaze sharp as blades as she stared at Qian Renxue, her voice dripping with disgust.
"Return to the Heaven Dou Empire and complete your mission. Or are you planning to go back on your word?"
"I'll return to the Heaven Dou Empire. But I will investigate your affairs." Qian Renxue glared back defiantly.
"You dare?!"
Bibi Dong's eyes flashed coldly, and the previously diminished pressure surged once more.
"Guh !"
Blood gushed from Qian Renxue's mouth as she staggered and fell to her knees. Yet her expression remained unyielding.
"Did I strike a nerve, Bibi Dong?"
"Go ahead! Kill me if you have the guts!" She wiped the blood from her lips. "Let's see if Grandfather will avenge me!"
"I've already given him a jade pendant infused with my heart's blood. Even if you kill me, he'll know exactly how I died!"
"Good. Very good." Bibi Dong let out a chilling laugh, her fury palpable. "You've grown up, Qian Renxue. Grown bold."
"Do you know what you remind me of right now?"
"You remind me of that beast, Qian Xunji!"
"Don't you dare speak of Father like that! You have no right!" Qian Renxue snapped.
"Right? Hahahaha!" Bibi Dong's laughter was sharp and mocking before her eyes turned glacial. "Don't push me to slaughter you, Qian Renxue."
Two yellow, two purple, four black, and one blood-red soul ring rose around her.
Bathed in the crimson glow of her ninth 100,000-year soul ring, Bibi Dong looked like a demon straight from hell.
"Qian Renxue, for my eighth Rakshasa God trial, I have a choice I can kill an innate full soul power Six-Winged Angel soul master to complete it."
"By then, I'll be a level 99 Title Douluo. Let's see how that old dog Qian Daoliu dares threaten me!"
"You !"
Bibi Dong strode past Qian Renxue, who stood frozen in shock.
"Qian Renxue, this is your first and last warning. Stay out of my affairs."
"Or else..."
She didn't finish the sentence, merely snorted coldly before walking toward Spirit Hall.
As she retracted her martial soul, the suffocating pressure in the air dissipated.
But the crushed foliage and lingering soul power bore witness to the violence that had just unfolded.
Qian Renxue took a deep breath, steadied herself, and helped She Long and Ci Xue up.
"I'm sorry, uncles. You didn't have to come with me."
Cough! She Long spat out dark blood and cleared his throat. "Nonsense. We swore to protect you, and we'll see it through."
"Indeed." Ci Xue nodded weakly. "But Her Holiness's strength... sigh."
He didn't elaborate, though inwardly, he lamented.
If only the Pope's Hall and the Elder Hall could unite. The entire Douluo Continent would be ours.
And with Young Lady's status, there's no need for her to remain in the Heaven Dou Empire.
In the end, the three departed the scene together.
...
Meanwhile, in a secluded patch of sky far away...
Ning Fengzhi lowered the telescope from his eye, murmuring as he gazed into the distance:
"A shame we couldn't hear them, but from what we saw, my disciple and the Pope seem anything but harmonious."
Through this soul tool called a "telescope," they had clearly witnessed the confrontation between Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong.
The terrifying sight of Bibi Dong overwhelming two Title Douluos without even releasing her soul rings had been transmitted in vivid detail.
"Let's head back first." Ning Fengzhi said to the group.
The Sword Douluo and others nodded. Enveloping everyone in soul power, they flew straight back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Before long, they gathered in the main hall.
"Thoughts, everyone?" Ning Fengzhi opened the discussion.
"Aren't Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue mother and daughter? Why do they act like enemies?"
Dugu Yan voiced her confusion.
After observing for so long through the telescope, she found the situation increasingly unbelievable.
"Sister Yan Yan, haven't you realized yet?" Ning Rongrong spoke up.
"What do you mean?" Dugu Yan turned to her, puzzled.
"Qian Renxue is almost certainly the daughter of Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong. But her birth... may not have been welcome."
"Not welcome?"
"Exactly. The Pope traveled all this way just for a single Breakthrough to Elder Pill and it's almost certain that pill is meant for Yu Xiaogang."
Ning Rongrong paused briefly.
"Yu Xiaogang. Bibi Dong. Qian Xunji. And Qian Renxue."
"Doesn't that suggest something... particular to you?"
"Particular..." Dugu Yan's mind raced as the pieces connected.
Suddenly, her eyes widened in shock.
"N-No way!"
"You mean Qian Renxue is..."
"Precisely what you're thinking." Ning Rongrong nodded.
Ning Fengzhi and the others remained silent, listening to their exchange.
"Qian Xunji was that much of a scumbag?" Dugu Yan's face twisted in disgust.
"The Six-Winged Angel is supposed to be the purest martial soul, isn't it? With his status, he could've had any woman he wanted."
"I remember you mentioning Bibi Dong was Qian Xunji's disciple, right, Rongrong?"
Disgusting. Absolutely vile.
The Pope of Spirit Hall couldn't just break up a couple he had to personally step in?
What kind of depraved monster does that?
Viewed this way, Bibi Dong's hatred for Qian Renxue made perfect sense.