Chapter 277: Bibi Dong: "Divine Envoy, You've Finally Returned"
The Next Day, Supreme Pontiff Palace
Excitement filled Hu Liena's heart as she entered the solemn hall of the Supreme Pontiff Palace after two long years. Her gaze passed over the remaining two members of the Golden Generation and focused on the poised, graceful figure seated atop the high throne—Bibi Dong.
"Teacher!" Hu Liena exclaimed.
For once, Bibi Dong's usually indifferent expression softened with a trace of happiness. In a flash, she was at Hu Liena's side, looking with pride at her cherished protégé whom she hadn't seen for two years. "You've done it, Nana," she said, her voice filled with warmth.
Nearby, the other four elders of the Supreme Pontiff Palace, all Title Douluo, smiled approvingly, while Yan and Xie Yue gazed at Hu Liena with newfound respect. Hu Liena, indeed the brightest star of the Golden Generation, had successfully braved Hell Road—a feat few dared even imagine.
For Yan especially, the sight of the now even more radiant Hu Liena only deepened his admiration. Since returning from the Valley of Death, he had tried a few times to seek out Dai Yao to learn his "secrets" for winning over a woman's heart. But Dai Yao had mysteriously vanished.
It wasn't until he'd asked the Supreme Pontiff herself that he learned Dai Yao had gone out to "train."
Bibi Dong turned, her voice echoing powerfully across the hall. "From this day forward, I hereby name Hu Liena as the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall. In three days, we will hold the official investiture ceremony, and all red-robed cardinals within Spirit City are required to attend!"
"Your Eminence is wise!" the crowd responded respectfully.
Everyone recognized Hu Liena's achievements. Despite her defeat to Dai Yao in the previous Soul Master Tournament, surviving Hell Road had already proved her worth and potential to one day inherit the position of Supreme Pontiff.
"All of you may go now. The Holy Maiden and I have a few things to discuss," Bibi Dong commanded.
The elders nodded and respectfully left the Supreme Pontiff Palace. With a heavy clang, the grand doors closed, leaving only Bibi Dong and Hu Liena in the vast hall.
Bibi Dong tenderly caressed Hu Liena's face and spoke with concern, "Nana, you've grown so thin. How have these two years been for you?"
Hu Liena nodded softly, her gaze slightly averted to avoid accidentally showing any of her lingering killing intent toward her teacher. "Thank you, Your Eminence, for your concern. I was well."
Sensing Hu Liena's reserved manner, Bibi Dong sighed. Her high position meant that true affection had always eluded her. The lofty heights were cold and isolating, as the old saying went. Even though she regarded Hu Liena as her own daughter, the gulf between their positions kept the girl from crossing certain boundaries.
Suppressing another sigh, Bibi Dong led Hu Liena to a seat beside her, asking gently, "Was there anything worth noting in the City of Slaughter? And what about Hell Road? How did you manage to pass? My own experience was a harrowing one, a near-death journey."
As she spoke, her eyes glinted subtly.
She had arranged for Dai Yao to assist Hu Liena in the City of Slaughter while ensuring he kept a low profile. Now she hoped to get a sense of whether he had followed her orders from Hu Liena's account.
Recalling the past two years, Hu Liena began recounting her experiences. Bibi Dong's gaze grew thoughtful as she listened. When Hu Liena had finished, she said with a hopeful tone, "Teacher, I could not have survived Hell Road on my own. It was thanks to the Shura Emperor that I was able to complete the trial."
"His spear technique is impeccable, and he possesses the Killing God Domain. He's an extraordinary talent. Please, teacher, do whatever you can to bring him into the Spirit Hall!"
Seeing the light in Hu Liena's eyes, Bibi Dong sighed inwardly. She understood that Dai Yao must have been aloof toward Hu Liena, keeping emotional distance as instructed. And yet, despite his cold demeanor, his life-saving kindness had stirred something in this talented young girl.
Bibi Dong understood Hu Liena's feelings all too well; she herself had once been as young and innocent…
But she would never allow Hu Liena to become emotionally entangled with Dai Yao. The young man already had complicated bonds with Zhu Zhuqing, Feng Wutong, and Dugu Yan—relationships that could not simply be undone. She couldn't let Hu Liena walk willingly into heartbreak.
With a gentle laugh, she said, "It seems my Nana has grown up. You've met a man who has moved your heart. The Shura Emperor possesses the Killing God Domain, which certainly qualifies him. He's worthy of you."
Hu Liena's cheeks flushed. "Teacher, my only intention was to recruit talent for Spirit Hall, not for myself."
Stroking her hair, Bibi Dong responded kindly, "Silly child, do you think I don't understand your heart? Very well, I'll assign you the task of finding him."
"But you must promise me that he won't interfere with your cultivation!" Bibi Dong warned earnestly.
"Yes, teacher," Hu Liena replied, excitement shining in her eyes.
"Good. It's getting late, and you must be tired from your return from the City of Slaughter. Once you're formally inaugurated as the Holy Maiden, you'll need to work on controlling the killing intent within you."
"Only when you've purged it completely will you truly master the Killing God Domain," Bibi Dong advised, laying out her plans for Hu Liena's future.
With a respectful bow, Hu Liena slowly exited the hall, pausing only at the doors to look back before leaving. As she watched her go, Bibi Dong sighed deeply.
"Nana, don't blame me for being heartless. That man known as the Shura Emperor cannot exist in this world…"
Three days later.
After a three-day journey, Dai Yao finally arrived at the gates of Spirit City. Walking down the long corridor leading into the city, he noticed the entire city was decorated more extravagantly than he had ever seen. Curious, he approached a guard stationed by the gate and asked, "Excuse me, is there some special occasion today in Spirit City? Why is it so festive?"
The guard looked at Dai Yao as if he were clueless and gave him a once-over. "Today is the inauguration of Hu Liena as Holy Maiden—one of our Golden Generation. If you didn't know that, why are you even here in Spirit City?"
Dai Yao, who had grown accustomed to his authority in the City of Slaughter, felt a twinge of irritation at the guard's rudeness. Yet he quickly reminded himself he was back in the real world and couldn't act with the same ruthlessness. Taking a deep breath, he suppressed his murderous aura and pulled down his hood.
Two years in the dark, oppressive atmosphere of the City of Slaughter had left his face pale, though his bright golden hair remained unchanged—now grown down to his waist. The guard still looked puzzled, unsure of who he was facing, but the shrewd captain of the guard had recognized Dai Yao immediately. Bowing respectfully, he said, "Mr. Dai Yao, I apologize for this new guard's ignorance. Please, go on in!"
Dai Yao pulled his hood back up, careful to draw no attention, and walked into the heart of Spirit City.
"Boss, who was that?" the young guard asked, surprised to see his captain, who was typically firm and dignified, act so respectfully.
Watching Dai Yao's figure disappear into the distance, the guard captain swallowed hard and muttered, "That… was the one who defeated the Golden Generation—Dai Yao!"
Hearing the name, the young guard felt his heart skip a beat. Moments later, he exhaled deeply as if escaping a narrow brush with death. Luckily, he hadn't done anything to offend him.
When he arrived at the Supreme Pontiff Palace, Dai Yao quietly observed Hu Liena's inauguration ceremony from the sidelines, unmoved by the grand proceedings. He knew exactly where his loyalty lay—when he had advocated for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, he had already chosen his path.
As night fell, the Supreme Pontiff Palace finally quieted. The cardinals and other guests had left for a celebration at Hu Liena's residence, while Dai Yao, summoned by Bibi Dong, entered the palace alone.
"Your Eminence, the task you assigned to me is complete," he said, kneeling and bowing his head respectfully.
But there was no response from the platform above where Bibi Dong was seated. After a moment, Dai Yao felt a warm, firm sensation under his chin and caught a faint fragrance in the air. Startled, he looked down and saw a delicate foot wrapped in a violet stocking, the heel encased in a sharp, purple high heel pressing against his chin. The foot belonged unmistakably to Bibi Dong.
The soft yet insistent pressure lifted his head until his gaze met hers. Standing over him, Bibi Dong's expression held a cold smile tinged with deep resentment.
"My esteemed 'Divine Envoy,' you've finally returned?"
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