Credits: Johan Erickson
Perhaps it was because he was so familiar with his surroundings that Yu Xiaogang's numb gaze flickered with a trace of light.
For over three months, he had been confined to a secluded courtyard, surrounded by an eerie silence. He couldn't leave, nor could he hear anyone's voice. The only thing breaking the monotony was the food that mysteriously appeared on the table every time he attempted to escape, only to pass out and wake up again.
He could sense the outside world—the passing of time, the warmth of the sun, and the chill of the night—but it was, without a doubt, a twisted version of solitary confinement. The isolation was driving him insane until Bibi Dong reappeared before him.
Bibi Dong spoke to him, but it was more like a monologue, as though she was indoctrinating him with her ideas—eerily similar to how he had spent decades trying to get others to remember his theories. She told Yu Xiaogang that she would avenge him, but as he racked his brain, he couldn't think of any true enemies. Sure, there were plenty of people who had mocked him, but none of them warranted such hatred.
In contrast, he now only wished to escape Bibi Dong's grasp. He realized his decision to seek her out had been a mistake—she was his true calamity.
Caught between fear and Bibi Dong's bizarre behavior, Yu Xiaogang gradually became numb. She paid no attention to his words, responding in a dismissive, almost indifferent manner, as though she were conversing with someone else entirely. Her attitude left a chilling sensation in the depths of his heart.
He wanted to escape, but it was impossible. The oppressive, sinister aura emanating from Bibi Dong prevented him from even taking a step forward.
Fortunately, she finally led him out of the courtyard. Through the conversations of people around them, he learned that the Spirit Hall had declared the establishment of an empire and planned to unify the continent.
But none of that mattered to him. His soul power was sealed, leaving him powerless. Did she bring him to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect because of his connection to them, as a means of persuading them to surrender? It made sense—Spirit Hall's power had already been demonstrated when they annihilated the Clear Sky Sect. To unify the continent, dealing with the remaining two great clans was unavoidable.
"Xiaogang, we're here. What I promised you will soon be fulfilled," Bibi Dong's voice softened at that moment, her gaze toward Yu Xiaogang turning tender.
"Once the matter with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect is resolved, you'll release me, right?"
Yu Xiaogang's voice was hoarse, his throat aching slightly after remaining silent for so long.
"Yes, I promise you. Once this is over, you'll be free until the war ends."
Bibi Dong rubbed her temples, her expression showing a hint of struggle, as though battling something within herself.
"Good. I hope you'll keep your word," Yu Xiaogang said, taking a deep breath. Once this ordeal was over, he planned to ask his father to send him to an uninhabited, desolate place—the far north's bitter cold would suffice. The recent events had left him wanting nothing more than to stay as far away from Bibi Dong as possible, never to see her again in this lifetime. He no longer cared about reputation or the dangers of his martial soul mutation.
"Alright, Xiaogang. From here on, you must stay close to me," Bibi Dong said with a cryptic smile.
Under Yu Xiaogang's puzzled gaze, Bibi Dong flung a sphere of divine energy into the sky. A dazzling energy burst into a magnificent display like a firework, drawing the attention of the surroundings.
Suddenly, Bibi Dong's divine power pulled him to her side, enveloping him in her domain's energy. No, it wasn't just one domain—there was a second, faint white aura of killing intent surrounding the outer layer of her Deathgod Domain.
A faint unease rose in Yu Xiaogang's heart. But considering she intended to challenge the clan single-handedly, it made sense for her to be cautious.
Encased in her divine power and domains, their speed was astonishing. Before long, they encountered the first group of disciples responsible for guarding the clan's outer defenses. The disciples, alarmed by the disturbance in the sky, had just gathered and were warily watching the intruders.
And then, they saw Yu Xiaogang standing beside Bibi Dong.
Among them was someone who recognized Yu Xiaogang. The disciple frowned, prepared to reprimand him and warn him that he didn't belong here.
But in the next second, he and the others were enveloped by Bibi Dong's Deathgod Domain.
In an instant, over a dozen disciples were consumed by the deathly aura. Their bodies, clothing, and flesh were corroded by the black mist, collapsing lifelessly to the ground. The only things left were scattered personal belongings, clinking ominously as they hit the ground, adding an unsettling chill to the scene.
Yu Xiaogang froze, turning his head to look at Bibi Dong, who stood only a step away.
"Bibi Dong, what are you doing?" he asked, his voice trembling.
"I'm avenging you. You know that, don't you? That leader just now looked at you with disdain," Bibi Dong replied, her tone carrying a hint of grievance.
Hadn't I told you before? Coming to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was to avenge you. Killing that man was perfectly justified, wasn't it? You didn't refute me before, so why are you upset now?
Yu Xiaogang's jaw dropped, his eyes wide in fury and disbelief. His body trembled, his limbs weak from anger.
"I know you're not fond of such scenes, Xiaogang. But today, keeping you close is the only way I can ensure your safety." Bibi Dong's tone was eerily calm.
"If you don't like it, you can close your eyes. I promise you, it'll all be over soon."
Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed slightly as she observed Yu Xiaogang's reaction, though it was unclear what scenarios she was imagining.
She continued her usual dismissive responses, seeming to follow a completely separate train of thought when interacting with Yu Xiaogang while appearing entirely normal when dealing with others in Spirit Hall.
Unconcerned about concealing her energy fluctuations, she suddenly turned her head sharply toward the path leading to the mountaintop, just as Yu Xiaogang was about to speak. Her reaction was incredibly swift.
"Xiaogang, if you can't stand the sight of bloodshed, remember to close your eyes," she said.
Her body moved rapidly, and with her divine energy, she dragged Yu Xiaogang along with her. The wind rushed past them, making it impossible for him to form coherent words as it filled his mouth.
...
"Holy crap, that's insane."
In Heaven Dou City, inside a quiet courtyard, Han Li found himself at a loss for words to describe the scene unfolding before him. In the end, he resorted to the most straightforward expression to convey his shock.
He was watching a glowing screen in front of him. Beside him stood Qian Renxue, who had only recently left but had been called back again.
The two of them were observing Bibi Dong wielding her twin scythes, her domains activated, charging toward the mountaintop of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect like a war goddess. Her steps didn't falter for even a moment. Their expressions were starkly different.
Han Li's emotional reaction seemed even more intense than Qian Renxue's.
Months ago, Han Li had watched a replay recording sent by his obedient son, so he was aware that Bibi Dong had become increasingly unhinged. Yet witnessing it live was an entirely different experience.
From her dismissive responses earlier to her fleeting demeanor of a vulnerable woman, it hadn't even been a few seconds before she pulled out her scythes and launched a grass-cutting massacre-style assault.
Combined with the sight of Yu Xiaogang crying and shouting beside her, the scene was utterly chaotic. Even for someone like Han Li, who had seen countless wild scenarios online in his past life, this spectacle ranked among the top three. It was simply explosive.
He sneaked a glance at Qian Renxue beside him, regretting his decision to call her back.
Sensing his small movements, Qian Renxue spoke in a calm tone, "It's nothing special. It's not as intense as some of the simulated scenarios from the God Trials. I've experienced three that were even more extreme."
Han Li clicked his tongue but said nothing more. He'd forgotten—Qian Renxue's seventh trial involved confronting her dark side, and her eighth trial included a judgment test. Given that she had prior knowledge of certain truths, Bibi Dong undoubtedly played a significant role in those scenarios.
And then there was the even more brutal ninth trial. The fact that she had become a god meant she had undoubtedly passed it. Though he had helped speed up her progress, it had also increased the difficulty to some extent. Fortunately, the outcome was a positive one.
"Just keep watching. During the God Trials, I even killed you once. You definitely wouldn't want to know the details."
Qian Renxue's faintly spoken words sent a chill down Han Li's spine. But as she stopped paying him any attention, he had no choice but to refocus on the screen before him.
At the mountaintop of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's base.
Bibi Dong's right foot finally stepped onto the last stone stair.
Her shoe landed in a puddle of blood, spilled by someone unknown, yet no blood clung to the sole.
At the forefront of the gathered crowd stood Yu Yuanzhen. His posture was forced upright, but his figure appeared hunched, inexplicably so.
He had already lost his left arm, blood flowing relentlessly from his wounds and mouth, soaking his blue robe.
Having just broken through to Rank 96, he had of course tried to confront her earlier. But in just one move, he lost his arm.
He could tell Bibi Dong was holding back. If she had wanted him dead at that moment, he wouldn't have even survived to be dragged to the mountaintop.
Bibi Dong's lips curved into a faint smile. Beside her, Yu Xiaogang was shouting at her furiously, his face streaked with tears of blood.
Opposite them, some stood like Yu Yuanzhen, their gazes filled with hatred as they looked at Bibi Dong. Others had already fallen to their knees, bowing repeatedly, their lower garments damp—pleading for survival.
"Xiaogang, this is just the interest for all the years they've looked down on and insulted you. Are you satisfied?"
Amid the cacophony of voices, Bibi Dong grabbed Yu Xiaogang, ignoring his curses and pleas, as though she existed in her world.
The mountaintop fell into a deathly silence. It was as if all those present had their throats clamped shut, unable to utter a single word.
How utterly absurd. The sect had already lost nearly half its members to Bibi Dong alone, and the reason for this massacre? Their disdain for Yu Xiaogang?
To think, many of them had recently softened their opinions of Yu Xiaogang after seeing him curse Bibi Dong with such venom. He seemed to embody the spirit of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect—standing and dying with dignity.
Yet now, they realized this pathetic man was the very cause of their sect's destruction.