Bibi Dong stared blankly at the Sunstone in her hand.
Silent.
Her murderous aura was dissolved by Su Linfeng's innocence. Her humanity was, in that moment, awakened by his fearlessness and trust. The gradual calming of her emotions was the most subtle form of gentleness she could give him.
Light is only seen in darkness.
At this moment, Su Linfeng was like a beam of light piercing through the darkness of Bibi Dong's life, illuminating the hidden kindness in her subconscious with childlike healing. He satisfied the long-starved yearning in her life for light—and for sweetness.
The Killing God Domain dissipated, and Bibi Dong's eyes regained their usual clarity, though faint strands of tangible black energy still leaked uncontrollably from her body.
This is… the will of the Rakshasa God?
Su Linfeng's gaze flickered. The Golden Flame Domain could break all non-divine domains, but this black aura clung like maggots on bone, impossible to disperse. So, Bibi Dong had indeed drawn the attention of the Rakshasa God after crossing through the City of Slaughter.
Wait. Something was off.
Evil! Destruction! Asura!
Under the Golden Flame Domain's perception, Su Linfeng could clearly feel that hidden within the Rakshasa's aura were three other, even stronger presences.
Not just one—four in total!
Could it be that his Golden Flame power was not stirred merely by the Killing God Domain, but provoked by these other three immense auras?
This was getting… more and more interesting.
"Hmph! Childish!"
While Su Linfeng was still in shock, Bibi Dong suddenly snorted coldly. Violet's spirit power surged upward, and the Sunstone in her palm instantly crumbled into silver dust.
"No one can illuminate the darkness of my world!"
"I can, Sister!"
Su Linfeng blinked seriously. "My Martial Spirit has the attribute of fire—it can light up the darkness!"
"So naïve. You're still too young to understand. Some darkness cannot be lit, even by fire."
Bibi Dong frowned slightly, staring at his tender little face. In her heart, she sighed—after all, he was still just a child.
She must not soften.
Otherwise, it would only become harder to deal with later.
With that thought, Bibi Dong mercilessly flung Su Linfeng aside, her voice regaining its icy edge.
"You had better stay far away from me. Otherwise, one day, I will eat you!"
Su Linfeng's lips moved, mumbling under his breath:
"Again with that line… If Sister wants to eat me, then just eat."
"You—!"
Love and hate are intertwined.
Wounds and redemption struggled within her.
Though Bibi Dong always tried to act heartless, the disappearance of her Killing God Domain already said it all.
She was running away.
Running away from admitting that she had been healed by Su Linfeng's warmth. In truth, she had abandoned the thought of making him her ninth spirit ring as early as three years ago. Now, facing those sincere, fearless eyes, Bibi Dong realized she was falling deeper and deeper.
But Su Linfeng was a transformed spirit beast.
Bibi Dong knew Qian Xunji's greed, the methods of the Spirit Hall, and the fate that awaited Su Linfeng.
Better to leave no regrets at death—
This was the thought in Bibi Dong's heart.
After a long silence, Bibi Dong took a deep breath and said again:
"You've grown up this much, but you've never left this forbidden ground, have you? Just as it happens, I need to visit Spirit Academy. I'll take you with me to see the outside world."
With that, she didn't spare Su Linfeng another glance, striding straight toward the exit of the forbidden land.
Su Linfeng's lips curved upward, and he quietly followed.
Leaving the rear mountain's forbidden zone, they crossed a lush forest and arrived at the three most iconic structures of the Spirit Hall: the Pope's Hall, the Elder's Hall, and the Douluo Hall!
In the central square stood the towering, majestic statue of the Angel God, making the Spirit Hall appear solemn and awe-inspiring, radiating its unique authority.
The Spirit Academy lay within Spirit City, only a thousand meters away from the Spirit Hall.
The Academy itself was equally magnificent.
Ancient architecture, breathtaking surroundings.
"Remember this road."
At a fork with three paths, Bibi Dong stopped and pointed, calmly explaining one by one:
"This way leads directly to Spirit Academy. The second path is the main road to Spirit City's busiest district. And the last leads eastward into the mountains, connecting to the outer edge of the Star Dou Forest."
Star Dou Forest?
Su Linfeng's eyes flickered.
Why was Bibi Dong explaining so thoroughly? Even pointing out the road leading to the Star Dou Forest…
Could she be hinting that he should flee the Spirit Hall someday?
"I remember it, Sister."
Su Linfeng chuckled and reached out to hold Bibi Dong's jade-like hand.
"Let's go. I really want to see Spirit Academy."
Bibi Dong gave a slight nod. Surprisingly, she did not shake his hand off.
Thus, they walked hand-in-hand toward the Academy.
On the way, Su Linfeng couldn't resist his curiosity.
"Sister, can you tell me some stories about Spirit Academy?"
"Mhm."
Bibi Dong nodded faintly and explained as they walked:
"In Spirit City, whether nobles or commoners, as long as a child has soul master talent, they will enter Spirit Academy at the age of six to begin their training as a soul master."
"The Academy is divided into three stages."
"From six to twelve is the beginner stage—focusing on Martial Spirit knowledge and basic cultivation. Twelve to fourteen is the intermediate stage—testing talent and potential through various exams. Fourteen to sixteen is the advanced stage—emphasizing actual combat and psychological fortitude, until they reach graduation standards."
"Sister, then can I… go to school too?"
"You want to enter Spirit Academy?"
"Yes, yes!"
"That might be for the best. At least then… You won't keep pestering me."
As she spoke, the two quickly arrived at Spirit Academy.
At this moment—
Many young students were training hard in the Academy's plaza.
When they saw Bibi Dong approaching, the Academy's headmaster, Salatu, personally led a group of teachers to welcome the Saintess of Spirit Hall.
Bibi Dong waved her hand, signaling them not to be overly formal, and briefly stated her purpose.
Yet, almost everyone's gaze drifted toward Su Linfeng, puzzled about when the Saintess had suddenly gained a child by her side.
After all, except for Bibi Dong, Qian Renxue, and Qian Xunji, no one in the entire Spirit Hall had known of Su Linfeng's existence these past six years.
Moreover, after awakening his Martial Spirit, he had concealed his spirit beast aura. Even a Rank 95 Peak Douluo could not detect his true identity, let alone these Contra-level teachers.
Finally—
Salatu couldn't help asking:
"Saintess, this child is…?"
"His name is Su Linfeng."
Bibi Dong glanced at him calmly and explained:
"I brought him back from outside the city. Seeing his talent, I've brought him here to Spirit Academy."
Su Linfeng looked up at her, flashing his little tiger teeth.
Her attitude—
It seemed to have changed greatly.
"I see."
Salatu and the teachers nodded in understanding.
"Since the Saintess favors this child, his talent must be extraordinary. However, according to Academy regulations, he must still undergo a series of tests. Since he appears to have already awakened his Martial Spirit, let us proceed directly to the combat trial."
As he spoke, Salatu quickly fetched the Academy's student roster, flipping through it as he explained:
"Saintess, you may select any one of these students as his opponent. However, the seven names marked here—Hu Liena, Xie Yue, Yan, Sun Chuantao, Li Kai, Zhang Ping, and Xu Yu—are exceptions. They are the young prodigies personally acknowledged by the Pope himself."
The Golden Generation?
Hearing Salatu's explanation, Su Linfeng's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but glance eagerly toward the training plaza.