Qian Renxue was extremely displeased with Bibi Dong's sudden summons, even considering accompanying Su Cheng to the Hall of the Pope, but he stopped her.
Su Cheng didn't want the conflict between the two to escalate further, reaching a point of no return.
Moreover...
If even Luo Leilei could recognize him, how much did Bibi Dong remember about the simulated world? What had she learned from the other world? Would she fully connect her two selves? Although they didn't spend much time together, Su Cheng could sense that she had indeed changed.
During the three months he lived in the Spirit City half a year ago, as a newly appointed elder, he participated in several high-level meetings.
Unlike the first simulation, Bibi Dong didn't seem as paranoid anymore.
In both speech and behavior, she resembled more of a Pope than a powerful soul master.
In the meeting hall of the Hall of the Pope, Bibi Dong suppressed the strange emotions on her face upon seeing Su Cheng enter.
There was actually one thing Su Cheng guessed wrong.
When he first arrived in the Spirit City, Bibi Dong did indeed immediately know of his return.
But it wasn't from a spiritual probe. Inside the Spirit City, she didn't need to constantly release wide-ranging perceptions.
Nor was it from others informing her. She learned about it through a soul connection.
More precisely, it came from that faint starlight rooted deep in her soul, which she had always been unable to touch or use.
Half a year ago, after that dream, Bibi Dong inexplicably obtained this thing.
Although she could never touch this speck of starlight, it continued to emit light.
Like a magical transmutation device, it converted the dark and evil thoughts lurking deep in her soul into her own spiritual foundation, then countered the evil energy deep in her soul.
Thanks to this, she didn't need to worry too much about the pressure of the Rakshass God's Trial in a short time, and she had enough patience to wait for Su Cheng.
Otherwise, in her previous tense mental state, when faced with unexpected events, her response would only be more aggressive than Qian Renxue's.
And just after Su Cheng returned to the Spirit City, Bibi Dong also had a strange intuition.
Because of this subtle connection, she couldn't wait to see him.
Looking at Su Cheng, Bibi Dong's eyes showed a hint of brilliance.
"You've reached Soul Saint?!"
"That's right."
"I remember the last time you left the Spirit City, you said you wanted to absorb the sixth soul ring to become a Soul Emperor? It's only been half a year, right?"
"Yeah, I got some opportunities."
Su Cheng nodded casually, but secretly observed her change in expression.
He really wanted to know what Bibi Dong's current situation was.
How much memory remained, how much rationality and knowledge it brought, what changes would occur in her mentality...
At the same time, with the constant infiltration of the Shura Divine Sense, would it overwrite that layer of rationality?
But if Bibi Dong really remembered a lot of things, how should he position himself?
If things really developed unexpectedly, whether it was good or bad for their relationship, for the Hall of the Pope, Su Cheng couldn't figure it out himself.
He was never good at this.
"Oh, by the way, do you remember the thing you promised me before?"
Unexpectedly, Bibi Dong didn't continue to inquire about his cultivation and opportunities, but asked another question.
Making him pause, "Which thing are you referring to?"
Bibi Dong frowned slightly, seeming a little dissatisfied.
"Three months from now, it will be one year since our agreement. By then, Qian Renxue will be personally guided by me and the High Priest. You and her will spend some time apart."
"Oh, you mean that. I remember." Su Cheng nodded, then said frankly, "Little Xue has made rapid progress recently. By then, she won't need you or the High Priest to guide her, and you won't be able to guide her."
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow, seeming somewhat unconvinced.
"Su Cheng, you may not know that there is a legendary God's Inheritance within the Hall of the Pope. Qian Renxue has the opportunity to become the next Angel God."
"..."
Su Cheng glanced at her, but didn't immediately speak.
Something didn't seem right.
In theory, Bibi Dong shouldn't know about the Angel God, let alone be so sure.
Even if she did know, how did she know that Qian Renxue had the chance to become a god, and why did she tell him?
After a moment of silence, Su Cheng tentatively said, "Your Holiness, I thought your relationship with Little Xue wasn't too good."
"You misunderstood." Bibi Dong sighed lightly, her expression somewhat helpless.
"Due to some past experiences, Qian Renxue has always been immature and has a deep misunderstanding of me. You've spent a lot of time with her, so you should understand her personality.
"After our last conversation about her, I also reflected on it. Perhaps I was too harsh on her in the past.
"But the Spirit Hall needs her, and everyone is watching her.
"You can't always protect her, and I can't always stand behind her. Qian Renxue is no longer a child; she shouldn't be so childish anymore."
Su Cheng blinked, feeling that her words sounded a bit strange, but couldn't pinpoint what was odd about them.
"What do you think?" Seeing him silent, Bibi Dong asked earnestly.
"Ah?" Seeing her expression, Su Cheng hesitated and nodded, "Well, it seems to make some sense, but—"
"If you think it makes sense, that's good enough." Bibi Dong sighed in relief and continued.
"I know your abilities. Even the Grand Elder praised the set of techniques you developed. However, you saying that we can't guide Qian Renxue is too arbitrary.
The Grand Elder is a ninety-ninth level Supreme Douluo, with extensive experience in soul master cultivation. The God's Inheritance I just mentioned is in the Hall of Worship, where the Grand Elder has been guarding for many years and has a deep understanding of this inheritance.
Don't these knowledge help Qian Renxue at all?"
"I didn't mean that, but—"
Just as Su Cheng was about to speak, Bibi Dong interrupted him again, "If you have any ideas, you can say them in advance. The Grand Elder and I mainly play a supervisory and guiding role."
"...Okay." Su Cheng sighed.
He couldn't be too stubborn in the face of Bibi Dong's attitude.
Indeed, now he had the confidence to converse with everyone on equal terms.
With a sword in hand, except for enemies from the heavens, he was not afraid of any opponents under the god level, and had the confidence to face anyone one-on-one.
But Bibi Dong didn't have any malicious intentions in her words, and always maintained a rational and reasonable demeanor. Moreover, Grandpa Qiandao would never harm his granddaughter, so Su Cheng couldn't find fault with her.
Moreover, if Bibi Dong could reconcile with Qian Renxue, it would be a situation he would be happy to see.
"Alright, it's settled. Come to the Hall of the Worship in three months."
"I understand." Su Cheng nodded, "But don't let Little Xue come into contact with the God's Inheritance you mentioned."
"Hmm?"
"Absolutely not, and I will warn Little Xue about this."
After staring at Su Cheng for a moment, Bibi Dong gently said, "Alright."
Then she asked, "How strong are you now?"
Just as Su Cheng was about to answer, he suddenly had a thought and asked, "Your Holiness, what do you think?"
"..."
Bibi Dong looked at him, but remained silent.
After a while, she suddenly smiled.
In that moment, her countenance seemed to illuminate the entire hall completely.
Even the sunlight streaming in through the French windows seemed dimmer.
She was already extremely beautiful.
But usually maintaining a cold and dignified demeanor, combined with the aura brought by her identity as the Pope, and the hidden ruthlessness beneath the surface after accepting the Rakshasa God's Trial, her appearance was overshadowed by her complex temperament.
Even Su Cheng, now seeing her, regarded her more as the Pope above all, the future Rakshasa God, rather than just a woman.
But if not for this, Su Cheng would find it difficult to completely distinguish the current Bibi Dong from the person in his memories.
"?"
The change in her expression at this moment surprised Su Cheng.
Upon careful thought, since the last simulation, he realized he hadn't seen Bibi Dong reveal such an expression.
"Su Cheng, do you know, I used to think that true geniuses were people like me, who have twin martial souls and full innate soul power, or like Qian Renxue, who possesses divine-level martial souls and innate soul power reaching level twenty."
As she spoke, Bibi Dong moved lightly, walking slowly to Su Cheng's side.
The extremely faint yet distant fragrance drifted into his nostrils unintentionally.
Su Cheng glanced sideways at her.
He didn't expect Bibi Dong to actually mention the twin martial souls, which was not a secret in the Hall of the Pope.
Some senior elders were aware of it, but they clearly wouldn't casually disclose it.
"But after getting to know you, I realized that there's another kind of genius in the world, a true genius."
"A true genius?" Su Cheng raised his eyebrows, unable to help but think of Yu Xiaogang.
Then he chuckled, "I don't think of myself as a genius, just someone who's had some luck."
"That's just your own opinion." Bibi Dong didn't know about his random associations.
By now, she had walked a little behind Su Cheng, out of his line of sight, and her face showed a slightly nostalgic and complex smile, her brows and eyes softening a bit.
She continued in a low voice, "You can see through yourself, know what you want, and firmly adhere to your beliefs. Most people in the world can't do this."
"Do you know what I want?" Su Cheng turned to look at her back, somewhat surprised.
"I don't know." Bibi Dong also turned her head to meet his gaze, her eyes as tender as a young girl's.
In that moment, his heart couldn't help but beat a little faster."But surely you're not thinking about how to make Qian Renxue accept Zhu Zhuqing, that little girl, right?"
"...," Su Cheng's eyes twitched at the words.
Threat.
This was definitely a threat.
"Your Holiness, please don't make such jokes," Su Cheng said solemnly, "I've already said that I will keep my promise. I'll come to the Hall of the Worship to help you in three months."
"Of course, I believe you," Bibi Dong smirked, her eyelids drooping slightly, covering the hint of pride in her eyes. She said lightly, "There's nothing else, you may leave now."
She actually wanted to chat a little longer.
But there's always tomorrow, and they've already talked enough today.
"Alright, then I'll take my leave." Su Cheng nodded and was about to turn and leave.
"Su Cheng."
"What is it?"
"Can you show me your soul rings?"
Su Cheng thought for a moment and didn't refuse.
After all, this thing couldn't be concealed forever; sooner or later, it would be revealed to others.
It didn't hurt to let Bibi Dong know in advance.
He immediately summoned the Martial Soul Eternal Sword, and then seven soul rings appeared under his feet.
The crimson sixth soul ring naturally stood out.
But compared to the seventh soul ring, which shimmered with a crystal-like brilliance, it was nothing special.
Bibi Dong stared at the pale pink special soul ring, a hint of astonishment flickering in her eyes.
Then she waved her hand, indicating that he could leave, and surprisingly didn't seem to want to ask about the specific situation of this soul ring.
"Huh?"
At this moment, Su Cheng was actually stunned.
Just now, he vaguely felt a strange fluctuation coming from Bibi Dong's body, and there was a kind of inexplicable familiarity.
But now that Bibi Dong had turned around, he couldn't continue to ask.
Shaking his head, he left the Hall of the Pope with some confusion.
Once he was far away, Bibi Dong, who was alone in the hall, breathed a sigh of relief.
"It must be because of you..."
When that extremely peculiar and gorgeous seventh soul ring appeared, the starlight that had been silently giving her strength in her soul suddenly shone brightly.
It seemed to have established a subtle connection with Su Cheng.
Now she finally knew why this halo had always been in her own soul but could never be touched.
Because it wasn't hers to begin with.
Although she didn't know what this thing was or why it came into her soul.
But she had a vague intuition that this thing would inevitably return to Su Cheng in the future.
On the other hand, Su Cheng, returning to the Elder's Hall, unsurprisingly began to endure Qian Renxue's interrogation.
"So, are you really going to help Bibi Dong in three months?" Qian Renxue pursed her lips, looking unhappy.
"Yeah," Su Cheng nodded, "Actually, your progress now has exceeded my expectations. With your current state, I'll be able to quickly refine new techniques for you. If everything goes well, you might even master the innate power I used before in the remaining time."
This was also the main reason why he readily agreed to Bibi Dong's request earlier.
Whether it was because of the convincing reasons or because he had leverage in his hands, they were just small parts of the reason.
The key point was that Qian Renxue no longer needed him to supervise her cultivation every moment.
In Su Cheng's original estimate, after this year, they would each form a stable core to anchor their own souls, which would be enough for him to develop exclusive techniques suitable for Qian Renxue's twin martial souls.
But now that she had taken a step ahead, it was even better.
The remaining time could be used to start building the basic cycle based on the techniques.
Once the cycle was established, it would truly eliminate the hidden dangers of her twin martial souls.
Unless they wanted to commit suicide, they would never again be on the brink of destruction due to their conflicts.
By then, no matter how they fought, there would be no risk at all.
As for her current situation, Su Cheng already had some preliminary ideas for the techniques.
In the end, it was about seeking common ground while reserving differences.
Although Qian Renxue's two personalities pursued different paths, they were not completely contradictory.