An enraged Qian Xunji sat heavily in his chair, his expression dark and unreadable.
The atmosphere inside the grand hall was tense enough to suffocate anyone present.
Below him stood Iron Wall Douluo and Dragon Scale Douluo. The two titled experts exchanged quick glances but wisely chose to remain silent. Neither dared speak first. They simply waited for their Pope's next command.
After a long silence, Qian Xunji finally asked the question that had been tormenting him ever since the report arrived.
"What exactly does that Yu Xiaogang have… that could attract Donger?"
His voice was low, but the anger beneath it was obvious.
He had personally reviewed all the records regarding Yu Xiaogang. The more he read, the less he understood.
From any perspective, Yu Xiaogang was ordinary at best—and disgraceful at worst.
His innate talent was terrible.
As the son of Yu Yuanzhen, leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Xiaogang's awakening had been considered a humiliation to his family. Expectations had been sky-high, yet the result had been pitiful.
Still, Qian Xunji could have overlooked that.
After all, martial soul awakenings were not something anyone could fully control. Sometimes even geniuses gave birth to mediocrity.
But Yu Xiaogang's later actions made him even more laughable.
Instead of listening to the advice of his father, a powerful Titled Douluo, he insisted on relying on himself and went spirit hunting alone.
He had acted clever while lacking strength.
Worse still, he never openly displayed his spirit ability afterward.
To Qian Xunji, that revealed everything.
If the ability had been impressive, Yu Xiaogang would have shown it long ago.
The fact that he kept it hidden meant only one thing—it was useless.
For a man like that, Qian Xunji had only two words:
Serves him right.
Originally, he had never considered Yu Xiaogang worth even a second glance.
Why would the Pope of Spirit Hall waste time thinking about trash destined to achieve nothing?
Every day, the entire continent produced matters requiring his attention. Powerful sects, political balance, internal management, talent cultivation—these were worthy concerns.
Yu Xiaogang was not.
Yet somehow, that insignificant man had accomplished something unbelievable.
He had entered a relationship with Bibi Dong.
Qian Xunji's prized disciple.
That was what truly enraged him.
The Precious Disciple of Spirit Hall
Bibi Dong had grown up within Spirit Hall.
From childhood onward, she had been cherished by everyone.
Not only because of her terrifying natural talent, but because her personality was genuinely lovable.
She was intelligent, bright, graceful, and polite. Even elders known for their harsh temperaments softened around her.
Qian Xunji's own father adored her.
Several old titled elders spoiled her shamelessly.
Even stern instructors unconsciously favored her.
She was, in many ways, the jewel of Spirit Hall.
With such status, Bibi Dong's standards should have been impossibly high.
And in truth, they were.
During her years at Spirit Hall Academy, Bibi Dong had always been friendly and approachable on the surface. She could speak with anyone and maintain proper manners.
But true closeness?
That was another matter entirely.
She never formed deep friendships.
Even teammates who fought beside her in spirit battles remained only teammates.
Nothing more.
Because of this, many at the academy privately described her as a Blue Flame Cat.
The Blue Flame Cat was a strange spirit beast.
Its body was surrounded by beautiful blue fire, dazzling to behold.
Yet despite its appearance, it was an ice-attribute beast.
Its flames burned with freezing cold.
That perfectly described Bibi Dong.
She seemed warm, cheerful, and easy to approach.
But anyone who truly tried to get close soon discovered a hidden coldness.
No one could truly reach her heart.
And because of that, Qian Xunji had always felt secure.
He believed ordinary men had no chance of attracting her attention.
Yet today, reality had slapped him in the face.
Not only had someone reached her heart—
It was Yu Xiaogang.
That was the part Qian Xunji simply could not accept.
If it had been some brilliant genius, perhaps he could have tolerated it.
But Yu Xiaogang?
A useless scholar with poor talent and no future?
What did that man possess?
Summoning Bibi Dong
Unable to bear it any longer, Qian Xunji made his decision.
"Someone!"
A guard immediately stepped forward.
"Summon the Holy Maiden back at once."
The order spread quickly.
At that moment, Bibi Dong was elsewhere in Spirit City, spending time with Yu Xiaogang and enjoying the sweetness of young love.
Completely unaware that her secret had been exposed, she smiled, bid farewell to Yu Xiaogang, and returned to Spirit Hall.
Soon, she entered the magnificent Supreme Pontiff Palace.
Its towering pillars and solemn atmosphere were familiar to her, yet today something felt different.
Everyone present wore grave expressions.
Bibi Dong still approached with a smile.
"Teacher, did you summon me?"
Qian Xunji looked down at her from his seat.
His eyes were sharp.
"Donger."
"Answer me honestly."
"Are you in a relationship with that man named Yu Xiaogang?"
As he spoke, the pressure of a Titled Douluo leaked slightly into the hall.
The atmosphere instantly became heavy.
Bibi Dong's smile froze.
For a moment, hesitation flashed in her eyes.
"Teacher… I…"
"Answer the question!"
Qian Xunji's sudden roar shook the room.
Bibi Dong had never seen him like this before.
She felt wronged and frightened, yet she still raised her head and nodded.
"Yes."
The word was soft.
But in the silent hall, it sounded louder than thunder.
Bibi Dong's Defense
Qian Xunji inhaled deeply, forcing himself to calm down.
When he spoke again, his voice was gentler—but only barely.
"Why?"
"He is worthless."
"What exactly does he have that attracts you?"
Bibi Dong immediately replied, her eyes brightening at the mention of Yu Xiaogang.
"Xiao Gang is very kind."
"His knowledge is profound."
"His theories are brilliant."
"His understanding of spirit masters far exceeds ordinary people."
"He sees things others cannot."
She continued listing his strengths one after another.
She knew her teacher looked down on Yu Xiaogang because of his poor talent.
But Bibi Dong did not care.
She liked Yu Xiaogang himself.
His mind.
His sincerity.
His dreams.
Qian Xunji stared at her, unable to understand.
"That's all?"
Could such qualities truly move Bibi Dong?
If intelligence alone was enough, then Spirit Hall Academy had no shortage of researchers and theorists.
Why had she never liked any of them?
Bibi Dong looked directly at him.
"Teacher, I know you think Xiao Gang's talent is poor."
"But talent is not fixed forever."
"With his intelligence, he will definitely find a way to change his fate."
"I believe in him."
Her gaze was unwavering.
For the first time in years, she stood before Qian Xunji not as an obedient disciple—but as a woman defending the person she loved.
Qian Xunji was momentarily speechless.
His disciple had never shown such determination before.
And she was doing it…
For that man.
Fury Behind Restraint
After a long pause, Qian Xunji waved his hand tiredly.
"Go back for now."
"Think carefully about this matter."
Bibi Dong did not move immediately.
Instead, she left behind one final sentence.
"Teacher, I have already thought carefully."
"No matter how many times I think about it…"
"My answer will remain the same."
Then she turned and left.
The hall doors closed behind her.
Silence filled the room.
Iron Wall Douluo and Dragon Scale Douluo lowered their heads, pretending not to notice the murderous pressure gathering in the chamber.
Then—
"Argh!"
Qian Xunji roared in fury.
With one violent sweep of his arm, everything on the desk crashed to the floor.
Documents scattered.
Ink splashed.
Wood shattered.
"Dragon Scale!"
"Iron Wall!"
Both men straightened instantly.
"Present!"
Qian Xunji's eyes were cold.
"Arrange people for me."
"Use whatever means necessary."
"Sow discord. Threaten him. Humiliate him."
"Make that trash leave Donger."
The two titled douluo hesitated.
"Your Holiness… but if the Holy Maiden discovers this…"
Qian Xunji sneered.
"Then don't let her discover it."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Spend money."
"Hire a few thugs."
"Have them pretend to target Donger in front of Yu Xiaogang."
"Say they want to snatch her away."
His eyes narrowed sharply.
"Don't women all like the feeling of being protected?"
"With Yu Xiaogang's pathetic strength…"
"What can he possibly do?"
Qian Xunji's lips curled coldly.
"When the time comes, let him expose his weakness completely."
"Let him appear cowardly, powerless, and useless."
"I refuse to believe Donger will still like him after seeing that."
Iron Wall Douluo and Dragon Scale Douluo looked at one another helplessly.
Then both bowed.
"As you command."
As they turned to leave, Qian Xunji sat back down slowly.
His fists remained clenched.
No matter what happened—
He would never allow Bibi Dong to be taken away by Yu Xiaogang.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)