Under the scrutinizing and slightly hesitant gazes of the others, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes also flickered as she subtly observed the minute changes in their expressions.
She then quietly withdrew her hand from Su Cheng's grasp, took a few steps forward, and bowed respectfully before Bibi Dong. "Junior Zhu Zhuqing greets Your Holiness, the Pope."
Bibi Dong did not respond immediately but silently assessed the young girl before her, sensing the changes she had undergone over the past year.
Zhu Zhuqing showed no signs of impatience and did not mention the promise of apprenticeship from earlier. She simply allowed Bibi Dong's almost tangible gaze to sweep over her entire body.
She did not resist even the faint spiritual power contained within that gaze. Instead, she slowly released her own killing intent and the changes in her domain, striving to demonstrate her abilities.
As Bibi Dong's observation deepened, her astonishment grew.
This girl's current state was different from what she had expected.
Having spent a year in the City of Slaughter herself, Bibi Dong knew all too well what condition a person should be in after such an experience.
A person should be brimming with intense killing intent, their will agitated and unstable, and their soul power filled with impurities.
Moreover, Zhu Zhuqing's situation was even more unusual. She had completed nearly ninety battles in just over a year, accomplishing in a little over a year what would typically take others more than two years.
By all rights, the accumulated issues should be more severe.
However, Zhu Zhuqing's foundation was exceptionally solid and robust. Even her killing intent was pure and clear, with no signs of madness.
Bibi Dong even saw a glimpse of her past self in Zhu Zhuqing.
Although Zhu Zhuqing did not possess the inherent advantage of twin martial souls, the quality of her Hell White Tiger martial soul was superior to a single Death Spider Emperor or Soul Devouring Spider Emperor.
Additionally, her physical condition was astoundingly strong.
"Immortal herb?" A sudden thought flashed through Bibi Dong's mind.
She then withdrew her gaze and said indifferently, "I have heard of your performance over the past year. It is even better than I imagined. From now on, you will be my other personal disciple."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing immediately changed her address, her expression exceptionally respectful. "Greetings, Teacher."
Bibi Dong nodded and then turned calmly to the girl standing beside her, Hu Liena. "Nana, this is Zhu Zhuqing, your junior sister from now on."
"Zhuqing greets Senior Sister."
"Huh? Oh, hello, I'm Hu Liena." Hu Liena managed a forced smile, her expression somewhat stiff.
This was not due to jealousy.
Although she had been Bibi Dong's sole personal disciple before, she was not arrogant by nature.
To Hu Liena, Bibi Dong was more than just a teacher; she was also a motherly figure. No matter how many more disciples Bibi Dong took on, it would not affect her status.
Moreover, Zhu Zhuqing's performance in the previous Soul Master competition had been witnessed by everyone.
Her terrifying Hell White Tiger martial soul and her prowess in the arena had put immense psychological pressure on them.
Apart from Su Cheng and Qian Renxue, no one dared to claim they could undoubtedly defeat her.
Even Tang San, with his Clear Sky Hammer and twin martial souls, seemed dim in comparison to her brilliance.
Having such a talented new disciple was undoubtedly a great benefit for both the Pope and the Spirit Hall.
However, Hu Liena's concern stemmed from Qian Renxue.
She knew all too well about the relationship between Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong and had even tried to mend the relationship between the mother and daughter.
But she was merely a small Soul King with neither the strength nor the status. Facing two such formidable women, it was difficult enough to get a few words in, let alone mediate between them.
Now, with Zhu Zhuqing entering the mix, who knows what consequences might arise?
Hu Liena clearly remembered that it was this very girl who had forced Qian Renxue to break the competition rules and attempt to kill her a year ago.
Although Qian Renxue did not use her martial soul true body at the time, it was evidently because the technique required time to activate, and she feared Zhu Zhuqing might surrender prematurely. Otherwise, she would not have held back at all.
She had used nearly all her techniques against Zhu Zhuqing.
Even more astonishingly, despite Qian Renxue's relentless and lightning-fast attacks, Zhu Zhuqing had managed to escape.
At that time, Qian Renxue was not only two major levels above Zhu Zhuqing but also the only person in the Soul Saint stage with a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring.
Yet in the end, she still failed.
This highlighted Zhu Zhuqing's extraordinary potential and combat talent.
However, Hu Liena couldn't blame the girl before her; it was all because of that man.
Thinking of this, Hu Liena glanced at Su Cheng, who stood not far away with a detached expression, and ground her teeth quietly.
Zhu Zhuqing, keenly observant, naturally noticed the change in Hu Liena's expression.
She, however, didn't take any offense. On the contrary, she took the initiative to show goodwill, an innocent and pure smile appearing on her usually cold face. Softly, she asked, "Can I call you Sister Nana from now on?"
Her expression was pure and natural, without any hint of pretense. Deep in her eyes, there seemed to be a subtle hint of sorrow and longing.
Due to the harsh family environment she endured as a child and the lingering influence of memories from twenty years in her dreams, Zhu Zhuqing rarely showed her emotions openly.
Apart from being unguarded in front of Su Cheng, expressing her feelings freely, she was typically expressionless and extremely cold, her emotions never betrayed by her face.
But now, she smiled softly, her face gentle, without a trace of discord, as if an iceberg had melted, a fleeting flower had bloomed, making people feel a sudden sense of tenderness and even a bit of astonishment.
Even Hu Liena, a staunch supporter of Qian Renxue, couldn't help but be slightly taken aback, her heart rippling with emotion.
Noticing the bloody aura and uncontrollable killing intent emanating from Zhu Zhuqing, and thinking of how she had been fighting alone in such a brutal, hellish environment for over a year, Hu Liena's heart softened. She gently took Zhu Zhuqing's hand and softly said, "Okay."
This sisterly scene left the others momentarily stunned.
Su Cheng, however, felt a chill down his spine. Sensing the unusual situation, he clicked his tongue and averted his gaze.
Bibi Dong watched her two disciples interact with a detached expression, her thoughts inscrutable.
Then she turned to Su Cheng, "Do you have any other matters?"
"No, we're preparing to head to the Hell Road."
"Hell Road?"
The Slaughter King, who had been watching coldly from the beginning, changed his expression slightly, his sharp voice turning grim, "What do you mean?"
"What else could it mean? We're going to the Hell Road. Please, do us the favor," Su Cheng said nonchalantly.
"You didn't say that before," the Slaughter King frowned, looking at him, then at Bibi Dong. "Didn't you say you wouldn't let them challenge the Hell Road?"
"I said they wouldn't go," Bibi Dong pointed at Xie Yue and the others, then continued, "But the three of us will, including this little girl. I only said she wouldn't aim for a hundred victories before."
"You're playing me?!" The Slaughter King's anger surged, his killing intent erupting like a tidal wave, causing the young Soul Masters to pale.
Though he was wary of Bibi Dong and Su Cheng, he wasn't so afraid as to not dare take action.
Xie Yue and Hu Liena exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shock.
They had guessed that this person was strong but hadn't imagined he was this formidable. The mere leakage of his aura made them weak in the knees.
"Don't get agitated." Su Cheng spoke then, his voice carrying a hint of soul power that formed an invisible barrier around their group, calming their spirits while dispelling the oppressive malice.
"If it weren't for the Hell Road, we could've just taken them to the outer entrance. There was no need to enter the Slaughter City."
Seeing him so effortlessly protect the group, the Slaughter King was taken aback.
"We have no interest in the Killing God Domain. Moreover, without achieving a hundred victories in the Hell Slaughter Arena, even entering the Hell Road wouldn't matter much, right?"
Hearing this, the Killing King glanced at Zhu Zhuqing.
Su Cheng had just arrived, so even if he entered the Hell Road, as he said, it was impossible for him to gain the recognition of the killing intent there and obtain the Killing God Domain.
But Zhu Zhuqing was different.
She had already achieved eighty-nine consecutive victories, accumulating a massive amount of killing intent. Of course, even then, her chances of success were slim. Without Bibi Dong, a Killing God, to protect her, entering the Hell Road in this state was almost certain death.
The hundred victories in the Hell Slaughter Arena were not just a selection process; the killing intent accumulated from those battles was a necessary foundation for challengers aiming to earn the title of Killing God.
"I don't feel your sincerity. What if they achieve a hundred victories and want to go to the Hell Road? What then?" The Slaughter King voiced his concern without hope for luck, knowing Bibi Dong's familiarity with the real rules of the place.
If Xie Yue and the others surpassed fifty victories, he could no longer stop them. Reaching a hundred victories meant he had to open the Hell Road portal for them.
This was a rule of the Slaughter City as a place of divine inheritance, a rule the Killing King had to follow.
"You're overthinking it," Su Cheng said coolly. "If we really wanted the Killing God Domain, we could've waited until Zhuqing completed the trials to challenge the Hell Road. It wouldn't have been difficult."
The Slaughter King glanced at Zhu Zhuqing and had to admit there was some truth to this.
He recognized the potential in the Wind King and had previously believed this person had a good chance of successfully passing the Hell Road's trials to become the ninth Killing God in the Slaughter City's history.
"I can open the Hell Road for you, but you must provide the sacrifice yourselves."
"We provide the sacrifice? Is that what you think?" Su Cheng stared at him with a half-smile, his powerful soul force, enhanced by innate power, forming two sword shadows reflected in his eyes.
At that moment, the Slaughter King felt as if he were in a snowy wasteland, surrounded by endless white.
It wasn't a killing purge but the emptiness and extinction of a barren, silent world.
The Sword Intent of the Empty Mountain flashed briefly, bringing immense pressure.
"This man is strong and strange. Even in the Slaughter City, his threat isn't less than that of the Killing God," the Slaughter King thought, feeling some apprehension.
Crucially, it wasn't just Su Cheng there; Bibi Dong, possessing the Killing God Domain, was an even greater threat.
He immediately dropped the matter of the sacrifice.
"I hope you keep your word. If another person gains the Killing God Domain, you won't be able to hide it from me," he said coldly.
He glanced at Xie Yue and the others, his eyes filled with blatant threat.
"You can rest assured about that, so you better not think of doing anything foolish either."
The Slaughter King snorted, "It better be that way. Follow me."