Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends

That's Bai Xue. Qian Renxue's daughter.

Bibi Dong looked at the girl who was bowing her head, awkwardly yet happily adjusting the cheap seashell bracelet on her wrist, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

She disliked the Qian family; she disliked them to the core.

The family that inherited the six-winged angel martial soul symbolized divine authority and also represented her unbearable past. Along with Qian Renxue, who shared the blood of the Qian family, she had always resisted and distanced herself from them.

But when it came to the girl in front of him... Bibi Dong found that she didn't seem to be as resistant as she had imagined.

Was it because of her thick, jet-black hair, unlike the signature blonde hair of the Qian clan? Or was it because of her obsidian-like black eyes, which were now shimmering slightly because of an inexpensive bracelet?

Her black hair and black eyes diluted the marks of the Qian family on her, making her look more like an independent and brand-new individual.

One, seemingly not so closely connected to those past events that annoyed her.

Bibi Dong watched Snow White's eyes narrow slightly as she licked the sugar figurine, watched her curiosity about every ordinary thing on the street, and watched her follow the boy named Lin Wan. She had none of the airs of a princess of Tian Dou, but was just like an ordinary girl next door.

This appearance was subtly different from the image of the princess she had seen in the intelligence reports—a princess with exceptional talent in cultivation and a calm and obedient personality.

Is this the daughter Qian Renxue raised?

Bibi Dong couldn't quite describe her feelings at that moment.

She felt a mix of surprise, curiosity, and a subtle sense of relaxation that she herself hadn't even noticed.

At least, she doesn't look as annoying as Qian Renxue did when she was a child.

Snow White was unaware that a complex gaze was fixed upon her. She put on the bracelet, quickened her pace to catch up with Lin Wan, and her mood seemed to lighten thanks to the small adornment on her wrist.

The two strolled around for a while longer, passing a stall selling various kinds of roasted soul beast meat. A rich aroma wafted towards them. The oil dripped onto the charcoal fire, making a sizzling sound, accompanied by an enticing caramelized fragrance.

Snow White's steps unconsciously slowed again. The meals in the palace were always refined and nutritious; she had never tasted such rustic, straightforward, and fragrant food.

This time, Lin Wan didn't need her to ask; he simply bought two skewers of meat, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sprinkled with unknown spices, and handed one to her.

Snow White took the skewer, looking at the large chunks of meat on it, unsure where to begin. She carefully blew on them, then, imitating the others around her, tentatively took a small bite.

The meat was firm and chewy, with a unique flavor profile from the spices and charcoal that filled her mouth, unlike anything she had ever eaten before. Although the seasoning was a bit too strong for her delicate palate, the novel taste experience made her take another bite.

"Is it good?" Lin Wan had already finished half of her own skewer, and seeing her taking small bites, she casually asked.

"Mmm!" Snow White nodded vigorously, oblivious to the little oil stain that accidentally got on her lips, her eyes sparkling. "It tastes different from the ones in the palace."

Bibi Dong watched from afar as Snow White awkwardly ate her kebabs, seemingly out of place yet strangely integrated into her surroundings. She watched Snow White's eyes light up slightly with the deliciousness of the food, and the silent yet energetic boy beside her…

This scene, so full of everyday life, was something she had never imagined would be connected to Qian Renxue's daughter.

She thought she would see a little princess, raised by Qian Renxue and Qian Daoliu according to a template, exactly like Qian Renxue. But what she didn't expect was a girl who was full of curiosity about everything ordinary people do, and who could even show genuine joy because of a skewer of barbecue or a cheap bracelet.

Was it because of that kid named Lin Wan? Bibi Dong's gaze swept over Lin Wan. He was indeed a rare genius; the information showed that he had a close relationship with Queen Eva and was currently the core of the Tian Dou Royal Academy team. Was it he who influenced Bai Xue, causing her to show such a different side of herself?

Or is it that this is part of Bai Xue's nature, but it was suppressed by the palace and cultivation, and now, in this unfamiliar city, she has relaxed her restraints a little and it has naturally come out?

Bibi Dong found herself somewhat unsure.

As she watched Snow White finish her skewers, Lin Wan naturally handed her a clean handkerchief.

Snow White took it, carefully wiped her mouth and fingers, then looked up at Lin Wan, smiled, and said something. Bibi Dong couldn't hear clearly from the distance, but she could see Lin Wan nod.

Bibi Dong unconsciously twirled her fingers beneath her wide sleeves. She suddenly remembered Qian Renxue when she was a child.

That child has always been strict with himself since childhood, demanding that every action conform to the norms. When has he ever had such a relaxed and carefree moment?

A subtle emotion, like a pebble thrown into a still lake, rippled almost imperceptibly across the icy surface of her heart.

Is it a comparison? Or something else? She herself couldn't tell.

She simply looked at the black-haired, black-eyed girl, at the seashell bracelet on her wrist that seemed out of place with her status, at her slightly flushed cheeks from shopping for a while, and at the lingering curiosity and excitement in her eyes.

This child seems...to be somewhat different.

At least, at this moment, looking at her, Bibi Dong's usual resistance and coldness towards the Qian family did not surge up as strongly as expected.

She watched quietly for a moment, and then, just as she had appeared silently, her figure vanished into the flowing crowd, disappearing without a trace. As if she had never been there at all.

On the street, Snow White seemed to sense something and subconsciously glanced in the direction where Bibi Dong had just stood, only to see a bustling, unfamiliar crowd.

"What's wrong?" Lin Wan noticed her movements.

Snow White withdrew her gaze, shook her head, and a faint, slightly puzzled smile appeared on her face: "It's nothing, it just felt like... I felt someone was watching us. Maybe it was just my imagination."

Upon hearing this, Lin Wan sharply scanned the surroundings, but found no unusual aura or suspicious individuals. "It's alright, let's go," he said, remaining vigilant but no longer dwelling on it.

"Hmm," Snow White responded, putting aside the inexplicable feeling in her heart and refocusing her attention on the bustling street.

Chapter 199 The Competition Begins

After a few days of rest, the Soul Master Competition officially began.

There is a special area in Wuhun City that was built specifically for hosting the Soul Master Competition.

The huge circular arena, large enough to accommodate tens of thousands of spectators, was now teeming with people, the noise reaching the sky.

Flags from various academies fluttered in the stands, and Soul Masters and the general public from all over the continent eagerly awaited this competition of the highest level among young Soul Masters.

Although Qian Renxue was disguised as Xue Qinghe on the surface, as Bibi Dong's daughter and Qian Daoliu's granddaughter, she was assigned to a prime viewing spot with an excellent view.

The person sitting next to her was, of course, Snow White.

The seating arrangement was quite subtle. On one side of the platform where they were located were the seats for the high-ranking members of the Spirit Hall, and on the other side were the seats for the members of the Star Luo royal family.

Located between the Heaven Dou and Star Luo factions, yet adjacent to the core area of ​​the Spirit Hall, the implications are self-evident.

When Qian Renxue saw that elegant and powerful figure take his seat in the Spirit Hall's reserved spot, her heart sank.

Bibi Dong has arrived.

Not only did she come, but unlike some other occasions, she didn't just make a token appearance and leave.

She sat there, her face beneath the purple-gold crown calm and undisturbed, her deep purple eyes gazing down at the arena below, as if she were truly just a pope who had come to observe the ceremony.

Qian Renxue sighed inwardly and almost immediately understood what Bibi Dong was thinking.

She stayed here not to watch some boring game; her goal, from beginning to end, was only one person.

It was Snow White sitting next to him.

She was observing, evaluating, and scrutinizing this child with her insightful eyes—a child who carried the blood of the Qian family, whom she loathed, yet seemed somewhat different.

Qian Renxue's hands, resting on her knees, unconsciously clenched, her nails digging into her palms.

She felt a sense of powerlessness, like a mother bird that knows there's a spider web ahead but can't escape with her chicks.

She could only try her best to straighten her back, maintain Xue Qinghe's proper refined demeanor, and suppress all her worries and resistance deep in her heart.

Snow White seemed oblivious to the silent undercurrent. Her clear eyes curiously surveyed the magnificent arena and the eager teams below, a touch of girlish wonder on her face.

Only when his gaze occasionally swept towards the Spirit Hall and he saw the Pope sitting high above him would he show a trace of respect befitting his status.

As the Pope, Bibi Dong spoke a few words, her voice carrying throughout the entire arena through her soul power, clear and full of majesty, announcing the official start of the Soul Master Competition finals.

She didn't say much, but her mere presence was enough to make the atmosphere in the arena more solemn and tense.

After the start was announced, she did not leave, but remained seated, her gaze calmly fixed on the arena.

This undoubtedly puts enormous pressure on all participating teams. Being able to showcase themselves in front of His Holiness the Pope is both an honor and a heavy burden.

Lin Wan's team, the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, drew the Beast Academy as their first opponent.

When the match list was announced, everyone on the Heavenly Dou Royal Team 1 wore relaxed and confident smiles.

They had heard of the Beast Academy.

There is only one Soul Master in the team whose Martial Soul is the Crimson Serpent, named Yan Fei, who is considered their core combat force. The rest of the team members are all Soul Venerable level.

For the Heavenly Dou Team One, which boasts Soul King Lin Wan and several Soul Masters such as Yu Tianqing and Ning Zetian, this lineup is undoubtedly a very favorable one.

"We're lucky to get a warm-up in the first game."

Yu Tianqing grinned, flexed his wrists, and the domineering aura brought by the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Martial Soul flowed faintly.

Ning Zetian nodded slightly, his demeanor gentle and refined: "We must not be careless; prudence is the best policy."

"Let's finish this match quickly so we can get some rest!" Yan Xin rubbed her hands together, her eyes full of relief.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the other area, the Beast Academy, was somewhat somber and dejected.

The team members looked at each other, their faces filled with helplessness and frustration.

"How come we ran into them in the very first match..."

One of the team members muttered to himself, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards the direction of Team Tiandou, especially lingering for a few seconds on the silver-haired, blue-eyed boy with an eerily calm expression.

Lin Wan, a Soul King of level 50 or above!

This level alone is enough to instill despair in people.

Captain Yan Fei, a boy with hair as red as flames, didn't look too good either.

He took a deep breath, forcefully boosting morale, and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, cheer up! Even if we lose, we must show the spirit of our Beast Academy! We can't let His Holiness the Pope and the entire audience look down on us!"

Even so, his clenched fists and the hint of helplessness deep in his eyes still betrayed his true thoughts.

They have almost no chance of winning against the Tian Dou team.

The match started quickly.

Both teams' players enter the field.

On the side of the Beast Academy, Yan Fei stood at the forefront, with six team members behind him possessing martial souls. The phantoms of various beast martial souls appeared, and their combined aura was quite fierce.

However, it was obvious to anyone with discerning eyes that their soul power fluctuations were uneven. Except for Yan Fei, who had reached the Soul Master level, the rest were all Soul Venerables, which was in stark contrast to the uniformly powerful aura of the Heavenly Fighting Team.

On the Tian Dou team's side, Yu Tianqing was at the front, Ning Zetian stood in the support position, and Yan Xin, Ye Qing, Jiang Tao, Song Yi, and Lin Wan each took their positions.

The referee swung his arm down: "The match begins!"

On the side of the Beast Academy, Yan Fei took the lead, and four spirit rings, two yellow and two purple, rose up under his feet. The second spirit ring suddenly shone brightly.

"Second Soul Skill, Fire Serpent Dance!"

Dozens of blazing fire snakes instantly surged from his body, twisting and roaring as they covered the formation of the Heavenly Fighting Team, attempting to disrupt their plans.

At the same time, the other members of the Beast Academy also used their soul skills, some rushing in from the flanks, others releasing ranged attacks, and together with Yan Fei's fire snake, they launched a seemingly fierce joint attack.

Faced with this offensive, Team Tiandou moved into action.