Ling Yuan narrowed her eyes slightly.
"May I ask what important matter Your Holiness the Pope has with our dear Lin Feng?"
Bibi Dong scoffed as she looked Ling Yuan up and down.
"Our Lin Feng? That sounds very intimate. How's the whole 'three-people-together' thing working out for you?"
Ling Yuan paused slightly, a flicker of awkwardness passed over her delicate face, but mostly she remained composed.
"Very good, extremely good. The joy in it, Your Holiness, is something you couldn't possibly imagine."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Bibi Dong ignored her and started to walk inside with Hu Liena in tow.
Ling Yuan's figure flickered and blocked Bibi Dong's path.
"Your Holiness, please state your purpose. Otherwise, I cannot let you through."
Bibi Dong stroked Hu Liena's head gently.
"This is my personal disciple, Na'er. She wants to see Lin Feng. You're going to stop her?"
Ling Yuan glanced at the slightly flustered Hu Liena and frowned.
"Let them in, Sister Ling Yuan."
The three looked toward the source of the voice.
Bathed in slanting sunlight, Lin Feng leaned quietly against the doorframe. The light cast a long shadow behind him.
Wearing a simple, tailored black outfit, his tall, lean figure stood out. His features had grown sharper and even more handsome. His eyes were calm and deep, and his lips held a faint, unreadable smile.
He bowed slightly toward Bibi Dong and said in a neutral tone:
"Please come in, Your Holiness... and..."
"I'm Hu Liena. Just call me Nana."
Hu Liena, eyes sparkling as she gazed at Lin Feng, quickly introduced herself when she saw he didn't seem to recognize her.
Lin Feng smiled lightly.
"And this junior sister, Nana."
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow, slightly displeased that Hu Liena spoke without permission, but she said nothing. Her eyes remained fixed on Lin Feng at the door.
Compared to a year ago, he looked even better. That resolute, steady aura around him had not faded — if anything, it had become more restrained. And now he exuded a warmth like sunshine, refreshing and gentle.
Bibi Dong's breathing quickened slightly. She lowered her head and led Hu Liena into the house.
As they passed Lin Feng, she glanced sideways at him.
Lin Feng was now slightly taller than Bibi Dong. From her perspective, she had to look up at him.
She was used to sitting on the Pope's throne and looking down on everyone. Peeking at a man like this — especially one so handsome — was a first.
And given Lin Feng's current identity, being the destined one for both Qian Renxue and Ling Yuan, Bibi Dong felt a strange stir in her heart.
"You lead the way."
Her tone had softened, as if returning to the first time she and Lin Feng met — gentle and delicate.
Both Lin Feng and Ling Yuan were briefly stunned.
Lin Feng nodded, somewhat dazed, and led the way alongside Ling Yuan.
Bibi Dong didn't miss the flicker of emotion on Lin Feng's face.
Her brows curved slightly, and a smile touched her lips.
The group sat down.
Qian Renxue and Lin Feng took the main seats, with Ling Yuan beside Lin Feng.
Qian Renxue looked calmly at Bibi Dong.
"What exactly do you want with Lin Feng? Don't give me that excuse about bringing that little girl to meet him."
Bibi Dong smiled lightly and took a sip of tea.
"Scholar Lin Feng's fame has spread throughout the entire spirit master world.As the Pope, of course I must visit such a great contributor to the Spirit Hall.Bringing Nana was secondary. The real purpose was to have a good discussion with Scholar Lin Feng about spirit theories."
Qian Renxue frowned — clearly not buying Bibi Dong's excuse. She glanced at Hu Liena, who was openly staring at Lin Feng in a daze.
Her tone grew heavier.
"And? What do you really want to know — or ask for?"
Hu Liena blinked in surprise. This sister dares speak to teacher like that?Just who is she…?
Bibi Dong looked at Lin Feng, a flash of greed passing through her eyes, though her voice remained gentle.
"I really want to know how Scholar Lin Feng managed to increase his spirit power by over ten levels in just a few months.And how Ling Yuan advanced by three levels and evolved her spirit.Also, about the Du Gu family that joined the Spirit Hall — what's their spirit all about?"
Lin Feng lowered his gaze, weighing gains and losses in his mind.
After a glance at Qian Renxue, he spoke:
"There exists in this world something called Immortal Herbs.They allow spirit masters to undergo a qualitative leap — evolving their spirits and increasing spirit power, with no side effects.That's their true value.These herbs are extremely rare, but they strengthen the body and nourish the soul.Due to their nature, one can usually only take one in a lifetime. Any more would damage one's foundation.All three of us, plus Senior Dugu Bo, have each taken one."
"Is that so…"
Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes. This matched one of her theories.
Such rapid improvement could only be explained by either forbidden spirit master techniques — or heaven-grade treasures, possibly even remnants of gods.
"So, these so-called immortal herbs came from Dugu Bo?You solved his troubles, and he repaid you?"
"Something like that."
Bibi Dong crossed one long, fair leg over the other, arms folded under her chest.
"As the Pope, I'm the last to find out about this?That's rather unreasonable, wouldn't you say, Lin Feng?"
Lin Feng clenched his fists slightly.
"There were only two herbs left. Even if I told you, there'd be no use.Besides, the whale glue extraction project was personally supervised by you.When the herbs' effects are made public, Your Holiness's prestige will certainly rise even higher."
Bibi Dong exhaled slowly and leaned back lazily in her chair, her form graceful beneath the soft folds of her purple gown.
"Still, I'm not the sole manager of this, you know.You'll all get your share of the fame and rewards."
Qian Renxue frowned.
"Don't go too far. If you want something, just say it."
Bibi Dong smiled and looked at Lin Feng, her gaze burning.
"The immortal herbs — I must have a share. Give one to me, and I'll agree to your terms."
"You…"
Lin Feng gently pressed Qian Renxue's shoulder, signaling her to remain calm.
"Fine. But you'll have to make a wager with me."
Bibi Dong paused, surprised at how easily he agreed. Her lips curled, curiosity sparked in her eyes.
"A wager? Let's hear it."
"It's simple. I want to bet that I can — aside from spirit veins — open up a completely new path in the realm of martial spirits."
What Lin Feng didn't expect was that Bibi Dong already deeply believed in his theoretical abilities.
Yu Xiaogang, the man who once haunted her thoughts, had become someone she now desperately wanted dead.
She was ecstatic inside, but on the surface, she remained calm and composed.
"Oh? This spirit vein theory of yours isn't even fully developed, and you want to open a new path?You know, even the so-called 'master' of the spirit master world couldn't do that."
Lin Feng sneered.
"Your Holiness, I'd rather not hear you mention that trash in front of me again.Comparing me to him is an insult."
Bibi Dong stared at Lin Feng's slightly angry face. Her heart raced. This kind of "roleplay" was strangely thrilling.
So, she played along, her expression darkening, voice suppressed.
"Heh… Then tell me, Scholar Lin Feng — what are the stakes, and how long is the wager?"
"The wager: part of your authority over the Knight Order, and the last remaining immortal herb.Timeframe: ten years."
Bibi Dong feigned outrage, her expression shifting between light and dark for a while, before she finally sighed:
"Fine. I accept. But that Knight Order — I'll entrust it only to you."
Lin Feng thought for a moment, then nodded.
Two identical thoughts echoed simultaneously in their minds:
This time, I'm sure to win.
T/N: For up to twelve chapters ahead on this fic and twenty on my other, become a P@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle