Merry Christmas to everyone! To celebrate the end of the year and the upcoming New Year, I'll be running a discount! 40% OFF WITH CODE 97167. If you've wanted to check out the advanced chapters and Patreon exclusive novel, now's your chance! Discount ends on January 1st 2026 11:59pm AEDT!
---------------------
When Bibi Dong regained consciousness and opened her eyes, she saw not the endless hell of suffering and wailing souls she had expected—but the evening sunset, twilight clouds, and... Chu Chengzhou smiling before her?
The next moment, memories sealed by the Void Illusion Realm flooded back into her mind.
After advancing to rainbow-grade super god skill, the time flow within the Void Illusion Realm's illusion no longer matched reality.
Within the illusion, Bibi Dong had lived through roughly seven years across two lifetimes. Yet in the real world, merely two or three hours had passed.
Memories restored, Bibi Dong—who had already automatically exited her martial soul possession and Venomous Spider Empress True Body state—fell silent, hovering frozen in mid-air.
Recalling everything she had experienced in the illusion—especially that final moment of her "first life," when Qian Renxue had shattered her Angel Godhood without hesitation to protect her—tears uncontrollably streamed down Bibi Dong's face.
"Mother-in-law, it's not too late."
A faint spatial ripple spread around him as Chu Chengzhou flashed before Bibi Dong. He took out the gift box containing the one hundred thousand-year right arm soul bone once more from his storage soul tool and offered it to her.
Wiping her tears, Bibi Dong gazed at Chu Chengzhou for a long moment. Then she gently pushed his arm holding the gift box away.
"I'm unworthy. Give it to Xue'er's grandfather. Young man... you are excellent!"
After a deep look at Chu Chengzhou, Bibi Dong turned and flew toward Spirit City through the air.
"Mother-in-law, I know I'm excellent! Oh—and don't go looking for trouble with Tang San. He's my eldest nephew!"
Chu Chengzhou accepted Bibi Dong's praise with ease, then added as if remembering something important.
In the illusion, Tang San had been the archenemy of the Spirit Hall—and of the mother-daughter pair and master-disciple trio. Bibi Dong had certainly wanted to grind him to dust.
But illusions were illusions; reality was reality. He couldn't actually set up his own eldest nephew.
Tang San: Save me, uncle!
"Hmm? Tang San is your eldest nephew?"
Hearing this, Bibi Dong—who was flying back to Spirit City—stopped mid-air and turned to ask Chu Chengzhou.
"Yes! Tang San's aunt, Tang Hao's younger sister, is my girlfriend."
Chu Chengzhou nodded.
Bibi Dong: "..."
The next instant, dark purple light erupted. Bibi Dong activated her Death Spider Empress martial soul. Her seventh soul ring lit brightly as she transformed into a giant black widow. Death Domain and Killing God Domain bloomed simultaneously as she charged straight at Chu Chengzhou.
A battle erupted between two of the world's strongest experts. Even from over twenty li away in Spirit City, the violent clash could be clearly sensed.
Half an hour later, the battle ended in a draw. Bibi Dong shot Chu Chengzhou a fierce glare before returning to Spirit City first.
Though she hadn't defeated him, she had vented her frustration.
As for Chu Chengzhou—he had left some face for his mother-in-law.
After all, within the illusion, he had truly tormented Bibi Dong.
The grief of parting with loved ones, the terror of eternal damnation in endless hell, the pain of killing her beloved with her own hands, the unfulfilled final wish—this series of trials had struck Bibi Dong as deeply as any blade.
Afterward, Chu Chengzhou also returned to Spirit City—but he didn't seek out Bibi Dong. Instead, he headed to the Hall of Offerings.
Outside the Hall.
Chu Chengzhou presented his Elder Token and was about to ask the Palace Guard Knight stationed outside to report him—when a voice came from within the hall: "Come in directly!"
Raising an eyebrow, Chu Chengzhou pushed open the heavy main gate and walked straight in.
The hall was spacious but sparsely decorated. The most prominent feature was the Angel statue standing within, radiating a faint sacred light.
Before the statue stood a tall figure with golden hair, hands clasped behind his back, facing the statue.
"So you've finally come?"
Qian Daoliu turned with a smile on his face as he looked at Chu Chengzhou.
To be honest, Qian Daoliu was quite satisfied with this prospective grandson-in-law—especially after sensing the battle outside the city earlier. Though he hadn't been present, he had perceived every detail.
The only regret was the young man's promiscuity. Otherwise, he would have been the perfect match for his granddaughter.
"Mhm. I came to deliver betrothal gifts—and to pay my respects to you."
Chu Chengzhou nodded.
Betrothal gifts?
Qian Daoliu's eyebrows lifted slightly. He then asked: "Why did you fight with Bibi Dong earlier?"
"She accepted Nana's betrothal gift but refused Xue'er's. I tried to force it on her, and she said this young man didn't know his place. As for the result..." Chu Chengzhou shrugged. "Well, she's an elder after all—I left her some dignity."
Qian Daoliu: "..."
"How about you accept it instead?"
As he spoke, Chu Chengzhou took out the betrothal gift meant for Qian Renxue once more.
Seeing the one hundred thousand-year right arm soul bone inside the box, Qian Daoliu couldn't help but be surprised. He shook his head and said: "Xue'er has a mother. I'm merely her grandfather—I won't accept it. Young man, I have a task for you."
"Please speak."
"Make Bibi Dong sincerely accept this betrothal gift."
Qian Daoliu stated.
For Qian Daoliu, soul bones were meaningless—even precious one hundred thousand-year soul bones paled in importance compared to the reconciliation of Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue.
Chu Chengzhou: Ah, the grandfather's test?
"Rest assured, Elder. I will help them reconcile."
Chu Chengzhou said confidently.
After the illusion journey, he believed Bibi Dong could absolutely become a qualified mother.
As for her love-struck tendencies—Chu Chengzhou wasn't entirely certain.
Though in the illusion Bibi Dong had killed Yu Xiaogang with her own hands, the world wasn't lacking in lunatics who claimed to love someone while stabbing them with a knife.
And Bibi Dong was precisely such a lunatic—seriously ill at that. Doctor Chu acknowledged the treatment was effective, but couldn't guarantee a full cure.
"Good!"
Qian Daoliu nodded in satisfaction.
"Oh, I also have a secret technique for you. It would be best if you learned it."
Chu Chengzhou took out several pages of paper stapled together, filled with writing, and handed them to Qian Daoliu.
"Soul Core Method?"
Seeing the words "Soul Core Method" at the beginning of the technique, Qian Daoliu raised his eyebrows. Undoubtedly, this was a new term.
"Soul cores are formed by highly compressing and condensing soul power within a soul master's body. They rapidly restore soul power, greatly improve soul power quality, and help break through bottlenecks."
"Of course, none of that is most important. The crucial point is—each soul core can store massive amounts of soul power. The total amount isn't much less than the soul power within one's own body."
"Xue'er has such excellent talent—you may find it useful in the future."
Chu Chengzhou explained.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)