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On the blade's edge, a Soul Sage hurriedly approached and knelt on one knee. "Young Master!"
"Is something wrong?" Qian Renxue opened his eyes and asked calmly.
The Cardinal spoke with a tremor in his voice: "The Pope has returned heavily wounded after capturing a 100,000-year-old soul beast. Elder Yuxiao has fallen in battle, Elder Jingang is still being treated, and most of the Soul Masters sent to capture the Pope are also dead. It is said that Tang Hao has successfully broken through to Titled Douluo and possesses a 100,000-year-old soul ring. All of this was caused by Tang Hao."
"I see. You may leave."
Qian Renxue waved his hand, his expression still remarkably calm. The outcome of this situation had already been expected. As long as Qian Xunjie did not change his fighting strategy and went head-to-head with Tang Hao, even if his cultivation reached the peak of level 95, or even level 96, the result would likely be the same. He had even hoped that Qian Xunjie would bring another Titled Douluo with him. Yet, Qian Xunjie had confidently claimed that Tang Hao, being only a Soul Douluo, was no match for three Titled Douluos. He told him to wait for good news, hoping to see what a 100,000-year-old transforming soul beast truly looked like. In the end, Qian Xunjie was utterly humiliated.
In the Pope's palace, Qian Xunjie lay in a hospital bed, pale and weak, with a concave chest. The most skilled healing Soul Masters of the Spirit Palace stood by the bed, constantly administering healing techniques.
Qian Renxue stood beside him, her eyes swollen with tears and full of concern.
As for Qian Daoliu, perhaps feeling embarrassed that Qian Xunjie had been unable to win even with a three-on-one advantage, he was too lazy to visit him. However, the two Titled Douluo guarding outside the room made it clear that Qian Daoliu was indeed worried.
After a round of healing, Qian Renxue kneeled beside the bed, sobbing. "Father..."
Qian Xunjie gently patted her head, forcing a smile. "Don't worry, little Xue. I'll recover in a few months."
"Little Xue, don't disturb the old man while he's healing. He needs to rest."
At that moment, Qian Renxue walked into the room, having suppressed his aura. He silently observed Qian Xunjie lying on the bed.
"Brother."
"Xiaohan." Qian Xunjie looked at Qian Renxue with a somewhat awkward expression. If he had listened to his son and brought along another Titled Douluo, Tang Hao might not have escaped.
"There's no use in regretting what's already done. Instead of dwelling on your failure, focus on healing. After all, we can't have two Titled Douluo elders idly standing guard over you, wasting their time when they should be cultivating," Qian Renxue said indifferently. He then took Qian Renxue's hand and began walking toward the door. "Let's go, little Xue. Time to cultivate."
Just as they were about to step out the door, a purple figure appeared in the doorway. It was Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong had not expected to encounter them upon entering, and she froze momentarily. However, when her gaze landed on Qian Renxue, a clear expression of disgust appeared in her beautiful eyes.
Qian Renxue noticed that Bibi Dong's entire body tensed. After that slap three years ago, she had been avoiding Bibi Dong, and this was the first time they had met face-to-face. Perhaps due to her bloodline suppression and her younger age, she didn't dare mock Bibi Dong for pretending to care now, pretending to show concern for Qian Xunjie's condition.
Qian Renxue simply glanced at Bibi Dong before pulling Qian Renxue away. According to the original plot, the Pope's passing was still three months away. This meant that now was the time for Bibi Dong to show her concern and gain trust. After all, with two Titled Douluo standing guard at the door, she had no opportunity to make a move.
Bibi Dong's feelings toward the siblings were mixed, torn between anger and joy.
Watching the siblings' retreating figures, Bibi Dong finally stepped into Qian Xunjie's room.
"Teacher, are you alright?" Bibi Dong looked at Qian Xunjie, who appeared pale, weak, and with a concave chest. A surge of joy and killing intent boiled within her, "Qian Xunjie is seriously injured! Qian Xunjie is seriously injured! Nine years... nine years... She has finally waited for this moment! Killing Qian Xunjie, devouring his soul, completing the Rakshasa God trial, and avenging herself!"
"Dong'er..."
Qian Xunjie, who had originally fallen into a deep sleep, opened his eyes again and apologized, "Dong'er, I'm sorry. I wasn't able to bring back that 100,000-year-old soul beast for you to use as a soul ring."
"Teacher, it's okay. Your health is the most important thing. I understand your compensation, and I know what you've done for me," Bibi Dong said with affectionate eyes, suppressing her disgust as she took Qian Xunjie's hand in hers.
Upon hearing this, Qian Xunjie was momentarily stunned as he looked at Bibi Dong's worried face. Did… did I manage to move Bibi Dong?
Before he could think further, Bibi Dong gently covered him with a blanket. "Teacher, rest well. I'll come see you later."
Over the following days, Bibi Dong visited Qian Xunjie every day, bringing nourishing soups and medicines to help him recover. She behaved like a thoughtful, attentive wife, and her attitude toward him had completely changed. She even showed a somewhat kinder demeanor toward Qian Renxue.
The actions of Bibi Dong left the two Titled Douluo guarding outside the door somewhat confused. Could it be that after all this, she would get everything she wanted by playing the devoted servant?
Even Qian Daoliu, who had no discernible flaws in his actions, began to believe that Bibi Dong had truly let go of her past grievances and was slowly accepting Qian Xunjie. He couldn't help but smile in contentment.
As for Qian Renxue, she was the easiest to deceive when it came to matters of the heart.
However, on the blade's edge, upon hearing the news, Qian Renxue couldn't help but smile. Bibi Dong's acting was truly impressive. No wonder she was able to kill Qian Xunjie in the original storyline. While Qian Xunjie was under the protection of Titled Douluo, Bibi Dong pretended to be the gentle wife, bringing him genuine healing tonics. But once Qian Xunjie's condition improved and the need for the Titled Douluo's protection faded, it would be the moment when Bibi Dong revealed her true nature. The tonics she had brought would turn into deadly poisons.
No wonder Qian Renxue had coldly mocked Bibi Dong after the failure of the Heavenly Dou infiltration mission in the original plot. He's already dead, and you've gotten what you wanted. It was clear that Bibi Dong had done all this to gain the position of Pope.
Qian Renxue thought Bibi Dong was being kind to her only because she wanted the Pope's position, pretending to be a dutiful wife. After Qian Xunjie's death, she would ascend to the throne and reveal her true face.
Indeed, a spider was always a spider—motionless unless ready to kill.
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye. Bibi Dong arrived at Qian Xunjie's room once more, holding a basket filled with the fragrant scent of medicine.
"Lady Saint," the two Titled Douluo greeted respectfully. After seeing Bibi Dong's actions these past few days, they had come to believe that she would likely become the future Pope's wife, and this respect was inevitable.
"Thank you for your hard work, Elders. As usual, please check the medicine," Bibi Dong said, lifting the basket and offering it to the two Titled Douluo to inspect the contents.
"No need, Lady Saint," the two Titled Douluo waved their hands. Their trust in Bibi Dong had grown significantly due to her considerate care for Qian Xunjie, and they now trusted her about eighty percent.
Bibi Dong's voice grew serious as she insisted, "Please check it, Elders. We can't be too cautious when it comes to Teacher's safety."
(End of chapter)