"So, you're saying that if I didn't have a wife, it would be okay?"
The thick masculine scent filled the air as Qin Xuan leaned closer, and his fragrance reminded Bibi Dong of the time they had snuck into the woods together, making her cheeks flush.
With a pleading look, Bibi Dong whispered with a slight sob, "Please, no, Qin Xuan. I heard from my teacher that you two went through life and death together in the Slaughter City."
"You can't betray your wife, and I can't betray Xiaogang either." Knowing that Xiaogang was still downstairs, she dared not raise her voice too much.
However, Qin Xuan paid no heed, leaning in just like he did in the woods last time. Bibi Dong closed her eyes in pain, tears rolling down her cheeks, silently apologizing to Xiaogang in her heart.
"Is everything you said really true?"
The anticipated moment never came. Instead, Qin Xuan leaned close to her ear and whispered something confusing.
Then, he casually reopened his book and leaned against the wall, reading.
Bibi Dong opened her eyes in surprise, a confused expression appearing on her pretty face. Was there something more to the story?
Qin Xuan didn't dwell on the topic, saying calmly, "Why don't you tell me the real reason you're here? You didn't come all this way, leaving Xiaogang downstairs, just to congratulate me, did you?"
Bibi Dong nodded. "Before I left the Elder's Hall, I overheard my teacher say that your soul power has grown so quickly because you consumed a special herb that strengthens one's foundation. I want to know what that herb is."
"It's a rare herb from heaven and earth that enhances soul power and talent. It's greatly beneficial to martial spirits. Some herbs, if consumed by the right person, can even cause their martial spirit to evolve."
Qin Xuan responded calmly, showing no sign of surprise.
Bibi Dong's eyes lit up. "Then can you..."
"You want to help Xiaogang?" Qin Xuan's gaze grew cold.
Bibi Dong, feeling guilty under his icy stare, took a deep breath, clutching her chest tightly, "Xiaogang is limited by his talent. He'll never break past level 29 in his lifetime. I want to help him."
"Help him? Help a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan disciple?" Qin Xuan said coldly, "You're right. I do know of a herb that can solve Xiaogang's martial spirit mutation."
"But Bibi Dong, or rather, Your Highness the Holy Maiden, do you know that Xiaogang left his clan because he couldn't stand being mocked by his fellow clansmen?"
"Also, did you know that this herb could give any talented soul master in the Spirit Hall the potential to break through to Title Douluo? Even the Title Douluo elders in the Elder's Hall or the Worship Hall would benefit greatly from it."
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong hurriedly tried to explain on Xiaogang's behalf, "That's not true! Xiaogang has left the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and is now a member of Spirit Hall."
"Left the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?" Qin Xuan replied coldly, "Xiaogang hasn't announced to the world that he's left, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan hasn't removed him from their ranks either."
"So now comes the real question: with the amount of Spirit Hall secrets you've shared with him, if a conflict breaks out between the Spirit Hall and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, who will Xiaogang side with? Spirit Hall or his clan?"
Bibi Dong said seriously, "That won't happen. The Spirit Hall is the largest soul master organization on the Douluo Continent, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan is one of the top three sects. There's no reason for them to fight. When I become the Pope..."
Qin Xuan interrupted, "So you're saying you believe that, in the event of a conflict, Xiaogang will side with his family, right?"
"I..." Bibi Dong was at a loss for words.
Qin Xuan continued, "You don't need to make excuses for him. Any person would do the same. His father is the patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and has treated him well. A man who doesn't love his father will never truly love Spirit Hall, a place he only joined midway."
"But, Your Highness, I don't care if Xiaogang loves his family. What I do care about is whether you understand your own identity and position."
"Whether it's you or me, we've been raised by Spirit Hall. Without Spirit Hall to awaken our martial spirits and train us, do you think any of those nobles from the two great empires or the top three sects, who eat people alive, would have bothered to awaken our martial spirits?"
"The answer is no."
"And where would that leave us?"
"Take me, for example. If not for Spirit Hall, I'd likely still be struggling for survival somewhere, living a life of poverty if I were lucky. Where would I have the strength and high status I possess now?"
"That's why I'm always grateful to Spirit Hall for raising me, though there's one exception – Qian Xunji."
"As for you, it would've been worse. In this world of survival of the fittest, without the ability to control your own fate, beauty ceases to be a woman's greatest asset and instead becomes a curse."
"Without Spirit Hall's support and training, with your unrivaled beauty, do you think the nobles of the continent would have let you live in peace?"
"Remember, Your Highness, never forget those who helped you. Don't be the kind of ingrate who bites the hand that feeds you."
Qin Xuan's words left Bibi Dong speechless, but in the end, the power of love can be incredibly blinding.
Ultimately, it comes down to a lack of education. These people were so focused on power that they neglected values like loyalty and integrity.
Sometimes, they aren't ignorant of right and wrong, but they believe love trumps everything. They're willing to sacrifice it all for love, thinking that's the ultimate expression of devotion.
At this moment, Bibi Dong was one of them.
"Qin Xuan, I know you may have some misunderstandings about Xiaogang, but I believe he would never betray Spirit Hall. In fact, right now, he's even working on theories for soul masters for the benefit of Spirit Hall..."
Had it been anyone else, Bibi Dong would have defended Xiaogang much more fiercely.
"Are you sure he's conducting research and not planning to categorize, summarize, or even plagiarize the vast collection of books left behind in Spirit Hall to make a name for himself and shake off the label of 'waste'?"
Qin Xuan asked coldly.
"No," Bibi Dong replied, despite knowing deep down that this path of theory research was one she had suggested to Xiaogang. His access to the Spirit Hall library and knowledge of secrets like the Angel Set of spirit bones were all thanks to her help.
"In that case, let me ask you one more question. You love Xiaogang, right? You're willing to give up everything for him?"
Bibi Dong, thinking Qin Xuan was about to blackmail her again like he had in the woods, blushed and nodded resolutely. "Yes."
Qin Xuan pressed on, "Do you think your teacher would agree with that?"
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