Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends

On the other side, deep within the Hall of Spirits and the Papal Palace.

Bibidon dismissed her attendants and sat alone on the magnificent yet cold papal throne.

The hall was empty and silent, with only the soul-guiding lamps embedded in the dome and pillars emitting a faint glow.

She lowered her head slightly, her gaze falling on her outstretched palm.

There lay quietly a pill the size of a longan. The pill was pale gold, with fine cloud-like patterns on its surface, emanating a gentle yet strange energy fluctuation.

Soul Power Breakthrough Pill.

This was a pill she had specially commissioned from Ge Duo, the now-famous potion-making witch in Heaven Dou City, at a considerable cost, through the Spirit Hall's unique channels.

The medicine has a single and clear effect, helping Soul Masters who have been stuck at a low-level bottleneck for many years due to their limited aptitude to break through the barrier.

Holding the pill, Bibi Dong's usually dignified and profound purple eyes, occasionally flashing with a hint of barely perceptible ferocity, now appeared somewhat empty and lost in thought.

It was as if she could see a long, long time ago through this tiny elixir.

Bibi Dong recalled the young man in the Spirit Hall's library who always carried a pile of thick books, his brows furrowed, but his eyes exceptionally focused and bright.

Yu Xiaogang.

Her... Xiao Gang brother.

Back then, Bibi Dong was not the powerful Pope of the Spirit Hall who is feared by all forces on the continent. She was just a saintess with unparalleled talent, who was highly regarded by her teacher Qian Xunji, but felt lonely because of her high position.

Yu Xiaogang, the son of the sect leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Sect, one of the three upper sects, was of noble status. However, due to a malignant mutation of his martial soul, his soul power could never break through level 30 in his lifetime, and he suffered endless ridicule and contempt from others.

They met in the vast collection of books in the Spirit Hall.

Chapter 145 Her Little Gang Brother

In Bibi Dong's eyes, her brother Xiao Gang was very knowledgeable and had an almost obsessive research and unique insights into the theory of martial spirits. He often expressed opinions that surprised and impressed even a proud woman like herself.

Moreover, unlike others, Xiao Gang did not respect her because of her status or become infatuated with her because of her appearance.

He looked at her as if she were an equal, intellectual companion with whom he could exchange ideas.

He would patiently explain those dry and profound theories to her, and when she encountered confusion in her cultivation, he would use his seemingly unorthodox theories, which often hit the nail on the head, to inspire her.

They spent countless afternoons together in the library, sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows and casting dappled shadows on his focused profile.

The air was filled with the unique scent of old books and ink sticks, as well as his gentle, deep voice.

Her brother Xiaogang would struggle with a theoretical problem, pulling at his hair in frustration, but his eyes would light up instantly when he thought of a possible direction, like a child who had found a beloved toy.

He would blush and awkwardly invite her to sneak out to see the lantern festival in Tiandou City next time. He said the lanterns there were beautiful, and the street food was lively, unlike anything she usually encountered.

At that time, Bibi Dong was happy, with the shyness and anticipation of a young girl.

It was as if, beyond her cold, saintly identity, she had finally touched a touch of ordinary, down-to-earth warmth.

Yu Xiaogang is so talented, Bibi Dong has always thought so.

If his theories could be proven, they would be enough to change the entire landscape of the Soul Master world. If it weren't for that damned restriction of Martial Soul, with his wisdom and comprehension, his achievements would certainly not be low, and perhaps... he could even gain the favor of the gods and undergo divine trials, just like her.

But there are no "what ifs".

All that was beautiful was utterly shattered by her teacher, the former Pope Qian Xunji, in the cruelest and most vile way.

The teacher whom Bibi Dong once respected and regarded as a father figure used the most direct force to shatter her budding love and completely distort her life trajectory.

Thinking of this, Bibi Dong felt a sharp pain in her chest, as if an invisible hand was gripping her heart, making it difficult for her to breathe. Her fingers, which were holding the pill, tightened involuntarily, and her knuckles turned white from the force.

Her brother Xiaogang...

They should have had completely different lives. Perhaps ordinary, but certainly happy.

Instead of being trapped by the label of "waste," drifting aimlessly and aimlessly.

The other was trapped in the magnificent yet chilling Papal Palace, consumed by hatred and darkness day and night, his heart riddled with holes and unrecognizable.

If it weren't for Qian Xunji... if it weren't for him!

A surge of intense hatred, almost tangible, welled up from the depths of Bibi Dong's eyes, nearly shattering the calm facade that maintained the Pope's dignity.

Her aura became slightly disordered due to the intense fluctuations in her emotions, and a chilling sense of oppression filled the air.

After a long while, Bibi Dong forced herself to suppress the surging killing intent and resentment deep within her heart.

His gaze returned to the pill in his palm, his eyes becoming complicated and confused.

She got her hands on the elixir.

But then what?

How should she give him this elixir?

How many years has it been since they last saw each other? More than a decade? Or even longer?

As time passed, things changed. She was no longer the innocent and carefree Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, but the Pope of the Spirit Hall with blood on her hands and a heart filled with darkness.

And him? Is he still that young man, so devoted to theory, with clear and bright eyes?

Bibi Dong dared not inquire about Yu Xiaogang's whereabouts, fearing it would cause her even more pain.

Therefore, she didn't even know where he was or how he was doing.

Moreover, under what identity and for what reason should she send out this pill?

Bibi Dong, the Pope of the Spirit Hall, bestowed a precious pill upon Yu Xiaogang, the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Clan's leader.

How ridiculous and how pathetic this sounds.

Would someone as proud and sensitive as him accept this?

Or will she still feel that this is charity, pity, or humiliation from her, the betrayer?

The thought of Yu Xiaogang's potentially hurt and wary gaze filled Bibi Dong with an indescribable sense of panic and apprehension.

She discovered that even with supreme power and strength enough to shake the continent, she was still like a timid little girl when faced with this long-buried love, feeling anxious, insecure, and at a loss.

This tiny pill, however, now felt as heavy as a thousand pounds in her hand.

To send it or not to send it?

How should I deliver it?

Bibi Dong fell into a long silence.

……

The secret chamber of the Crown Prince's residence in Tiandou City.

Qian Renxue put down the secret report about the mobilization of internal resources of the Spirit Hall, her fingertips tapping lightly on the table, a lingering doubt between her brows.

"Soul Power Breakthrough Pill..." she murmured to herself, her cold voice echoing in the secret room.

"It's only effective for low-level Soul Masters facing bottlenecks, so why would she specifically order this kind of pill?"

Qian Renxue's first thought was that Bibi Dong had encountered an insurmountable obstacle in her cultivation and needed to rely on external forces.

But she dismissed the thought as soon as it crossed her mind. Bibi Dong's strength was unfathomable; she had already reached the pinnacle of the continent. How could such a pill, which only worked on low-level Soul Masters, possibly be effective against her?

If it wasn't for oneself, then for whom?

Qian Renxue's mind flashed to several young core disciples within the Spirit Hall, but she then shook her head.

Those people are all quite talented; they can simply cultivate step by step without needing such a targeted, customized elixir.

Bibi Dong was not the kind of person who would go to great lengths to obtain custom-made pills for ordinary disciples.

She understood that woman: calm, rational, even ruthless. Everything she did was driven by a clear purpose.

Such elaborate preparations must indicate that the object of the matter is extremely special.

But Qian Renxue considered all the possible candidates and couldn't find a reasonable explanation.

An indescribable sense of unease lingered in her heart, as if she had overlooked some important information. This feeling of being out of control over the unknown made her very uncomfortable.

……

In the Tian Dou Imperial Palace, there was a secluded corridor.

Qian Daoliu stood with his hands behind his back, seemingly admiring the scenery in the courtyard, but his mind had already wandered far away.

As the Grand Elder of the Spirit Hall, even though he is currently stationed at the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace teaching Snow White, important developments within the Spirit Hall will still reach him immediately.

Naturally, this also includes the news of Bibi Dong customizing a Soul Power Breakthrough Pill.

Upon hearing this news, Qian Daoliu's usually gentle and calm face instantly darkened, and he let out a barely audible snort.

Chapter 146 Divine Dragon Xisu

A clear look of disgust and anger flashed in the depths of Qian Daoliu's eyes, which had been weathered by time and appeared cloudy but were actually sharp.

He determined the ownership of the elixir almost without thinking.

Yu Xiaogang.

That name, like an old thorn, is stuck in Qian Daoliu's heart. Although it is not fatal, it makes him feel disgusted every time he thinks of it.

A useless person whose martial soul has mutated malignantly and whose soul power can never break through level 30 in his lifetime! A so-called "theoretical master" who can only talk big while holding a few tattered books, but can't even solve his own problems!

To this day, he still can't understand how Bibi Dong, who was once incredibly talented and had high hopes for the Spirit Hall, could have fallen for such a scoundrel.

What angered him even more was that, after so many years, that woman, now the Pope of the Spirit Hall, still couldn't forget that good-for-nothing.

For his sake, they spared no expense in using the resources of the Spirit Hall to obtain custom-made pills from Ge Duo.

Has she forgotten her identity? Has she forgotten the dignity of the Spirit Hall?

An unnamed anger instantly surged in Qian Daoliu's chest. He felt sorry for his son, Qian Xunji, and also felt a pang of sorrow that the Spirit Hall was now controlled by such an emotional woman.

But in the end, he did nothing.

Times have changed. Bibi Dong is now the Pope of the Spirit Hall, holding a prestigious position and possessing unfathomable strength. Although he is a Grand Elder, he cannot interfere too much with the Pope's decisions.

But that dissatisfaction and contempt, like sediment settling in, grew thicker in his heart.

……

Let's return our attention to the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy.