Chapter 23 Bibi Dong: Something’s not right...something’s not right.
"I said, I—am—not—going! Are you deaf?!"
These words were like a thunderclap, exploding within the hall!
Not only did they stun Bibi Dong on him throne, but even the attendants standing in the corners, who had been keeping their eyes downcast and minds focused, turned pale with horror. They subconsciously held their breath, wishing they could vanish instantly!
"You—!"
Bibi Dong suddenly stood up from him throne, the scepter in her hand creaking under her grip, her knuckles turning white from the force.
Boundless rage instantly shattered her last shred of reason!
Not only did Qian Renxue refuse, but she actually dared to speak to her like that?!
In her eyes, an extremely eerie purple light flashed suddenly, as if something evil and violent had been ignited in an instant!
"Boom—!!"
A terrifying Soul Power pressure swept out from Bibi Dong without reservation, like a volcanic eruption!
The terrifying aura of a Titled Douluo filled every corner of the hall!
Qian Renxue, who bore the brunt of it, was merely a Spirit Ancestor. How could she withstand such power?
She let out a muffled groan as if struck by an invisible giant hammer. Her petite body was instantly sent flying backward off the ground, slamming heavily onto the smooth, cold floor.
The attendants in the corners were even worse off. Under this terrifying pressure, their legs gave way, and they fell to their knees one after another with a thud. Their faces were pale, their bodies trembling, and they didn’t even dare to lift their heads.
Bibi Dong looked down from him high position at Qian Renxue, who was slumped on the ground with blood seeping from the corner of her mouth, yet still stubbornly looking up at her. There was no pity in her heart, only the violent rage of being defied and a twisted sense of pleasure.
She sneered, her voice like a cold wind from the nine netherworlds:
"Very well! You little wench, to dare despise the Supreme Pontiff and defy an order... your crime is punishable by death!"
Her figure blurred, vanishing from the throne. The next moment, she appeared in front of Qian Renxue, a hand wrapped in Soul Power reaching out ruthlessly to choke Qian Renxue’s slender neck!
The speed was like lightning, the strike ruthless and decisive. She truly intended to take Qian Renxue’s life!
Qian Renxue’s pupils constricted as the shadow of death instantly enveloped her!
Just as that hand was about to touch her throat—
"Buzz—!!"
A dazzling, incomparably holy golden light appeared out of thin air without warning, blocking the way in front of Qian Renxue!
"Bang!"
Bibi Dong’s palm slammed hard against the golden light barrier, producing a dull, heavy boom.
The light barrier didn’t budge. Instead, it erupted with a gentle yet irresistibly powerful counter-force, knocking Bibi Dong back several meters!
The golden light faded, revealing a tall, pine-straight figure in white within.
It was none other than Qian Daoliu!
Protecting Qian Renxue behind him, his gaze was calm yet carried an inviolable majesty as he looked at the ashen-faced Bibi Dong and spoke in a deep voice.
"Bibi Dong! Since Xue’er has already made her choice, as the Supreme Pontiff, you should not make things so difficult for a child! Much less... harbor murderous intent!"
"Grandfather!"
Seeing her grandfather’s familiar and imposing back, the narrow escape caused Qian Renxue’s tense nerves to suddenly relax. Her eyes grew hot as the grievances and fear of surviving a disaster welled up in her heart.
"Qian—Dao—Liu!"
Bibi Dong stabilized herself. Looking at the suddenly appearing Qian Daoliu and the Qian Renxue he was firmly protecting behind him, fire almost spat from her eyes as she squeezed the name out from between her teeth.
Him again! This old thing is always protecting this little wench!
Qian Daoliu said no more, not even sparing the enraged Bibi Dong another glance.
He leaned down, gently helping the injured Qian Renxue up. A warm and pure stream of Soul Power was channeled into her body, stabilizing her injuries.
Then, holding Qian Renxue’s hand, he turned and began walking out of the hall.
His steps were steady, treating the surging killing intent and pressure within the hall as if they were nothing.
"Stop!" Bibi Dong barked.
Qian Daoliu did not stop, nor did he even turn his head.
Only his flat yet absolutely powerful voice echoed through the hall:
"It is not convenient for this old man to interfere in the affairs of the Supreme Pontiff Palace. But Xue’er... is my granddaughter. Whoever wants to touch her must first answer to the sword in my hand."
As his voice fell, his and Qian Renxue’s figures had already vanished into the light outside the hall doors.
"Ah—!!"
Watching helplessly as Qian Daoliu took Qian Renxue away, her long-prepared killing move easily neutralized and her plan completely ruined, Bibi Dong could no longer suppress the churning rage and frustration in her chest!
She suddenly raised the scepter in her hand and slammed it hard against the floor!
"Boom!"
The entire Supreme Pontiff Palace seemed to tremble for a moment!
Spiderweb-like cracks spread across the solid floor, centered on the tip of the scepter!
The attendants in the hall were scared out of their wits, burying their heads even lower, not even daring to breathe loudly.
After a long time, the storm slowly subsided.
Bibi Dong stood in place, him chest heaving slightly, her beautiful face appearing somewhat distorted by anger.
But the madness in those purple eyes gradually faded, replaced by deep, cold calculation.
Something is wrong... something is very wrong!
Based on her understanding of Qian Renxue, it was impossible for her to refuse her arrangements so resolutely, let alone with such an unprecedented sense of "confidence"!
Much less dare to speak to her so rudely!
Who was it? Who was influencing her behind the scenes? Who changed her mind?
Qian Daoliu? Golden Crocodile and those other old fellows?
They would certainly protect Qian Renxue, but with their mindset, they wouldn’t necessarily teach Qian Renxue to resist her so directly; it was more likely they would use indirect persuasion or provide protection.
There must be someone else!
Bibi Dong’s gaze became sharp.
She slowly turned around and walked back toward the throne, her steps steady, having already regained her usual coldness and majesty.
"Someone, come."
An attendant scrambled forward, prostrating on the ground and trembling as he spoke: "Su... Supreme Pontiff Your Holiness..."
"Go investigate," Bibi Dong sat back on the throne, him fingers lightly tapping the armrest, a cold light flickering in her purple eyes. "Find out exactly who Qian Renxue has been in contact with at the academy these past two days."
Her intuition told her that the key to the problem lay there.
"Yes! This subordinate will do so immediately!"
The attendant felt as if he had been granted a grand amnesty, hurriedly kowtowing before quickly retreating from the hall.
The empty hall returned to silence, leaving only Bibi Dong sitting alone on the high platform.
She looked up at the massive Angel Relief on the ceiling, the corner of her mouth curling into a cold and cruel arc.
No matter who it is, anyone who dares to ruin her plans or interfere with her control...
...will surely pay the price!
...
Night, deep within the Supreme Pontiff Palace, inside the Supreme Pontiff’s private bedchamber.
The misty steam had not yet completely dissipated, and the air was filled with the elegant scent of expensive perfumes.
Having just bathed, Bibi Dong wore only a loose, soft silk bathrobe, him wet long hair loosely pinned up with a simple jade hairpin.
A few strands of hair hung playfully beside her long, fair neck and exquisite collarbones.
The collar of the bathrobe was slightly open, revealing a patch of skin below that was as fine as mutton-fat jade, glowing with an alluring luster under the light.
She stepped barefoot onto the thick velvet carpet, walking slowly toward the large desk.
Several dossiers, just delivered by an attendant, were arranged neatly on the tabletop.
Having shed the heavy Supreme Pontiff robes and majestic crown of the day, the current Bibi Dong had lost some of him suffocating pressure, but gained a sort of lazy and dangerous, eerie beauty.
She sat down gracefully, reached out, picked up the top dossier, and gently unfolded it.