Bibi Dong paused for a moment, then smiled faintly:
"Nana, you must be mistaken. How could I not let the 'Asura Emperor' see you? I have always fully supported your search for the 'Asura Emperor' you speak of."
"We at the Spirit Hall are eager to find talented Soul Masters who possess the Asura Domain."
Hu Liena gritted her teeth, her beautiful eyes filled with complex emotions. Bibi Dong indeed did not stop her from using the power of the Spirit Hall to search for the 'Asura Emperor' on the continent.
But Tang San's words in the Star Dou Great Forest reminded her.
No matter how hard she searched on the mainland, she couldn't find any trace of the 'Asura Emperor,' as if the Asura Emperor didn't exist at all.
There are very few people on the entire continent who can do this.
Besides the two great empires, there's only the Spirit Hall. But now, the two great empires have been almost completely infiltrated by them, and there are no secrets left to keep.
Therefore, the only possibility is the Spirit Hall.
Within the Spirit Hall, the only person with both the motive and the ability is her teacher—Bibi Dong!
To see the 'Asura Emperor,' she was willing to risk angering Bibi Dong today. She knelt, raised her head, and looked defiantly at Bibi Dong high on the throne, saying:
"Teacher, you did not stop me, but you chose a more cruel way, deliberately hiding the 'Asura Emperor'."
"I mobilized the entire Spirit Hall, but I couldn't find a single trace of the 'Asura Emperor.' On the entire continent, the only one with such motive and ability is you, Master!"
"Teacher, the 'Asura Emperor' is the person you sent to protect in the City of Slaughter, right?"
"shut up!"
Bibi Dong's pretty face was filled with anger, and she shouted at him with disappointment.
"You truly are a fine disciple I've trained! You noticed even the slightest clue. But remember, you are the Holy Maiden of my Spirit Hall, not a resentful woman who would rather die than be with a man!"
"Stand up!"
Bibi Dong slammed her papal scepter into the ground, causing a dent and sending shards of stone flying. An invisible wave of energy emanated from Bibi Dong, striking Hu Liena and sending her flying.
Hu Liena fell from the air and landed face down on the ground, blood even trickling from her forehead. She smoothed her disheveled brown hair, wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, and without any hesitation, continued to kneel on the ground.
She knew this would anger her teacher, but she desperately wanted to see the 'Asura Emperor'. Head bowed, her delicate body slowly slumped down, prostrating herself on the ground, her voice mournful as she pleaded:
"Teacher, please, please let me see him!"
"you······"
Bibi Dong stared at Hu Liena, trembling with rage, her body heaving violently, and her breathing becoming heavy.
The Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, a dignified figure, actually risked her life for a man. Wouldn't that make her a laughingstock to the world?
But seeing Hu Liena's pleading expression, Bibi Dong's heart suddenly softened. Back then, hadn't she also begged Qian Xunji in the same way to let her and Yu Xiaogang be together?
Deep in her memory, Qian Xunji's disappointed and disapproving expression resurfaced in her mind.
She also understood the feelings that Qian Xunji had back then.
"Am I going to be that beast who breaks up a loving couple? Is my past fate going to befall Nana as well?"
For a moment, Bibi Dong hesitated.
She turned away, not wanting Hu Liena to see her expression.
But the 'Asura Emperor' was actually played by Dai Yao.
Dai Yao already has a wife in name only, and Dugu Bo's granddaughter has an ambiguous relationship with him. How could she bear to send Hu Liena to Dai Yao's side, to be his confidante without any official status?
She can't do it.
More importantly, her relationship with Dai Yao is also quite complicated...
She watched Hu Liena grow up, showering her with love and care. Hu Liena was her emotional anchor after she was released from the secret chamber.
She saw Hu Liena as a reflection of her former self, equally stunningly beautiful and equally gifted.
She wanted to give Hu Liena a simple and beautiful life, and seeing Hu Liena grow up happily and carefree seemed to make up for her past regrets.
Can she disappoint Hu Liena and lead her down the same path she once followed?
"No, we can't do that..."
Bibi Dong struggled inwardly.
She closed her eyes, slightly raised her head, and slowly exhaled the stale air from her chest. After a long while, Bibi Dong turned around, looked at Hu Liena who was still kneeling on the ground, and sighed softly:
"Get up. I agree to let you see him."
Upon hearing Bibi Dong's words, Hu Liena abruptly raised her head, her face filled with joy. She then slammed her head heavily onto the ground, blood seeping from her forehead, but she paid no heed, expressing immense gratitude:
"Thank you, teacher! Thank you, teacher!"
Seeing Hu Liena kowtowing repeatedly, Bibi Dong quickly stopped her, her heart aching with unbearable pain.
"Alright, you don't need to thank me. I can let you see him, but I can't guarantee how he will treat you."
Bibi Dong said calmly.
She didn't want to hurt Hu Liena, so she agreed to Hu Liena's request, but that didn't mean she agreed to Hu Liena being with 'Shura Emperor'.
Since she couldn't stop Hu Liena, why didn't she just have the 'Asura Emperor' reject her? Then, no matter how devoted Hu Liena was, she wouldn't remain infatuated with someone who didn't love her at all...
"Thank you, teacher. I'll be more than satisfied if I can meet him."
Hu Liena's somewhat disfigured face was filled with joy, and she didn't take Bibi Dong's words to heart.
She is the current Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall. Not only is she of noble status and outstanding appearance, but she also has many suitors in the Spirit Hall. Moreover, her talent is extremely amazing, otherwise Bibi Dong would not have made her the Holy Maiden.
She was confident that few men in the world could resist her charm, so she lowered herself to pursue the 'Asura Emperor', not believing that he would not be moved.
Even if she wasn't tempted, she was prepared for a long battle.
She didn't believe that the 'Asura Emperor' would be so heartless as to reject her.
Seeing Hu Liena's joyful expression, Bibi Dong sighed inwardly. How similar this was to how she herself had fallen in love with Yu Xiaogang! Was fate so cruel to the two of them, master and disciple?
······
valley.
As the sun began to set, Dai Yao leaped out of the waterfall, concluding his cultivation for the day, focusing on consolidating his soul power. Currently, he didn't need to increase his soul power level; consolidating his unstable soul power was the most important thing.
Several maids took towels and dried the water off Dai Yao's body. Just then, Feng Wutong came forward, her slender hands combing through Dai Yao's damp golden hair, the faint fire elemental energy drying the moisture in his hair.
"Thank you, Wutong."
Facing the refreshing evening breeze, Dai Yao turned to the side, looked at the beautiful Feng Wutong, and smiled.
Feng Wutong smiled faintly and said:
"Young master, do you need to thank me? Zhuqing is waiting for you over there."
Dai Yao glanced apologetically at Feng Wutong, then looked at Zhu Zhuqing.
At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing was sitting on a rock on the shore, her long black dress adding to her depth and elegance.
Her stunning figure was largely concealed by the loose-fitting long dress, but the black dress cinched at the waist, outlining her slender waist like a deadly blade.
Dai Yao has experienced this feeling many times.
With her two slender arms supporting her legs and her head, Zhu Zhuqing was staring blankly at the roaring waterfall.
Dai Yao slowed his pace and sat down next to Zhu Zhuqing. Zhu Zhuqing had already noticed Dai Yao's arrival and naturally rested her head on Dai Yao's shoulder.
"Brother Yao, wouldn't it be great if things could stay like this forever?"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were filled with reluctance.
Although they spent few years at the Spirit Hall, it was undoubtedly the most peaceful time of their lives, free from worries and troubles.
Of course, this applies to Zhu Zhuqing.
After all, Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong have teachers at the Title Douluo level, and there are very few clueless flies bothering them.
Therefore, when they heard that Dai Yao had decided to establish a sect and would be leaving the Spirit Hall for a short time, although they would follow Dai Yao without hesitation, they were still somewhat reluctant to part with him deep down.
Dai Yao sighed softly. He did want to stay in the Spirit Hall, but the events of the past few years were still vivid in his mind.
Although relations with Bi Dong have eased, one can't be too afraid of the unexpected, so he must find a way out for himself.
This is why he established a sect.
"Don't worry, Zhuqing. Establishing a sect is just to provide us with a way out and to consider our future."
Dai Yao comforted him.
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head, looking at the wooden house behind her with a touch of nostalgia, and said:
"Brother Yao, I'm not blaming you. You've given us so much over the years. It's just that this place holds so many memories for us, and I'm a little reluctant to leave."
"Sister Wutong, it's the same."
As if remembering something, Zhu Zhuqing's pretty face gradually turned red.
Dai Yao was slightly taken aback, but immediately understood the meaning behind Zhu Zhuqing's words. Indeed, this wooden house held a very special significance for both women, so it was no wonder they were reluctant to leave.
He grinned mischievously and whispered something in Zhu Zhuqing's ear. Zhu Zhuqing's pretty face instantly turned bright red. She pinched Dai Yao's waist, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed.
Not far behind the two, Feng Wutong stood by their side. Hearing Dai Yao's whispered words to Zhu Zhuqing, her beautiful face immediately turned blush.
Although Dai Yao's voice was very soft, how could it be hidden from Feng Wutong, who was already at the Soul Emperor level? Moreover, he had no intention of hiding it.
The sun sets in the west, and the crescent moon gradually rises.
Dai Yao's nostrils twitched, his brows furrowed slightly, and he said to Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong:
"You guys go back first, I'll sit for a while longer."
Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong, without suspecting anything, responded and returned to the small wooden house.
After seeing the two women and several maids return, Dai Yao turned his gaze to the shimmering lake and said softly:
"Come out, do I have to invite you?"
A magnificent figure in a flowing purple gown slowly appeared before Dai Yao. Bibi Dong, leaning on her papal scepter, said with some surprise:
"You were actually able to sense my arrival? Is your strength already comparable to a Title Douluo?"
Her beautiful eyes sparkled with extraordinary brilliance.
Dai Yao chuckled and said, "With my strength, how could I possibly detect you? I only smelled the fragrance on you."
Hearing Dai Yao's words, Bibi Dong couldn't help but roll her eyes at him, wondering to herself if her fragrance was really that obvious.
Leaning on her papal scepter, she walked gracefully along the sandy bank in her purple high heels, as if treading on solid ground, so elegant and noble. Turning around, she gazed at the magnificent waterfall that seemed to cascade from the heavens and couldn't help but exclaim in awe:
"No wonder you stay here all day and never go out. With a beautiful woman in your arms and a beautiful view all around, you've certainly picked a good spot..."
As Bibi Dong turned around, Dai Yao saw her low purple ponytail swaying in the wind, and her pair of peach-shaped breasts, tempting him...
He couldn't help but wonder how he had managed to remain so calm when he held Bibi Dong in his arms. He shook his head sharply, clearing his mind of these distracting thoughts, before finally smiling.
"I'm able to live here thanks to you..."
Bibi Dong's pupils contracted sharply, and her grip on the papal scepter tightened involuntarily. She said apologetically:
"I'm sorry, I was wrong to do that..."
Dai Yao also stood up, standing shoulder to shoulder with Bibi Dong, looking at the lake surface indifferently, and said:
"It's not your fault, you didn't do anything wrong. Who knew what would happen next? Tell me, what did you call me here for?"
Bibi Dong tilted her head, looking at Dai Yao's profile, and said:
"Oh? Can't I come to see you if there's nothing wrong?"
Dai Yao chuckled and said, "Of course not, it's just that all these years, you've always come to me for something, haven't you?"
Bibi Dong was taken aback. Over the years, apart from the short six months in the zombie world, hadn't she always assigned tasks to Dai Yao whenever she met him?
A hint of sadness flashed across her eyes, but her expression became even more complicated when she thought about what she was about to tell Dai Yao.
He said in a somewhat low voice:
"I've come here because I need your help with something..."
"What's up?"
"I want you to use your identity as the 'Asura Emperor' to reject Nana, making her back down. You know, Nana is my disciple, and I don't want her to..."
At this point, Bibi Dong stopped. Although she hadn't finished speaking, Dai Yao already understood what she hadn't said.
He already had a wife, and Bibi Dong didn't want to drag Hu Liena into the fire as well.
Bibi Dong's feelings were extremely complicated.
She was the one who made Dai Yao use the identity of 'Asura Emperor' to help Hu Liena escape the Hell Road, and now she wants Dai Yao to use the identity of 'Asura Emperor' to reject Hu Liena.
Even she herself felt it was a bit unreasonable.
In the past, she wouldn't have bothered explaining anything to Dai Yao; she would have simply given the order. But now, she didn't want Dai Yao to misunderstand her.
To be honest, she herself didn't know what words to use to define her relationship with Dai Yao.
Friends? Between friends, there's no such intimate behavior!
A lover? Not even close! How could she possibly deserve a love now?
But would she completely sever ties with Dai Yao? Absolutely not! For Bibi Dong, Dai Yao's appearance was like a drowning person grasping at a straw, a faint ray of light appearing in her despair. How could she possibly give up?!
Although she is the current Pope, with a noble status and no one in the world dares to disobey her, she cannot find a suitable identity to get along with Dai Yao.
Perhaps maintaining the status quo is enough...
"Okay, I agree..."
Dai Yao remained silent for a moment before answering expressionlessly.
Bibi Dong bit her thin lips and sighed inwardly. The moonlight was bright, and the lake reflected the countless stars. For a moment, she was lost in thought, gazing at it. Since sitting on that high and mighty papal throne, she had never seen such a beautiful sight again.
After a long while, Dai Yao turned his head and looked at Bibi Dong, who was staring blankly at the lake, feeling helpless.
He knew that Bibi Dong was forced into this situation, and besides, their relationship was somewhat awkward, so how could he drag Hu Liena into it?
The chirping of cicadas filled the dark night; summer had arrived. Dai Yao smiled slightly:
"Nobody comes here, why don't we go into the water and give it a try?"
Bibi Dong was slightly taken aback, then laughed and said, "I am the Pope, why would I like such a thing?"
"You can lie to me, but don't lie to yourself. If you return to the Papal Palace, you won't have this opportunity again..."
Dai Yao sat on the rock, leaned back, gazed at the stars in the sky, and said leisurely.
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong bit her red lips, her eyes sparkling. After a while, she sat on a rock, slowly took off her purple high heels and stockings, and stepped into the water step by step under Dai Yao's admiring gaze.
Every now and then, her jade-like feet would step into the water, splashing up sparkling waves.
Bibi Dong couldn't feel the coldness of the lake water at all, but when she stepped into the water and felt that sensation she had never experienced before, she felt as if her lifeless heart had suddenly skipped a beat.
It was as if that innocent girl who had died had returned in a daze.
Just as Bibi Dong was stunned, a wave crashed towards her.
She reached out to block the wave, but it still splashed onto her face. She had already forgotten that she was a titled Douluo with unparalleled martial prowess!
She stared intently in the direction the waves were coming from, and realized that it was Dai Yao who had deliberately called.
"Why always wear a stern face and act like a cold-blooded pope? When you're too tired, why not stop, look around you, and see that there are many things that can bring you more joy than the goals you're chasing..."
Dai Yao smiled knowingly.
Bibi Dong was startled. But just then, Dai Yao reached his hand into the lake again, and another wave crashed towards Bibi Dong.
"you······"
Bibi Dong retorted angrily, "Do you think I'm easy to bully?!"
She immediately retaliated, splashing waves with her hand towards Dai Yao. Dai Yao was equally merciless, sending waves crashing against Bibi Dong's face until she couldn't open her eyes.
Under the moonlight, amidst the splashing waves, a solemn and noble purple-gold crown was carelessly tossed onto the beach without anyone noticing... (End of Chapter)