Black World – Tiandou Empire, Crown Prince's Residence
Inside the quiet study of the Crown Prince's residence, the air felt unusually heavy.
Qian Renxue stood motionless before the heavenly curtain projection, her golden eyes fixed on the image of the woman she was supposed to call her mother.
Bibi Dong.
The name lingered in her mind, yet the person she saw on the screen felt distant—almost like a stranger.
For years, Qian Renxue had believed she understood her own past.
She believed she knew where she came from.
But now…
Everything she thought she knew was being overturned.
"Uncle Snake Spear… Uncle Porcupinefish…"
Her voice finally broke the silence, soft yet trembling with confusion.
"…is all of this true?"
She didn't turn around.
She didn't dare.
Behind her stood two titled Douluo—
Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo.
Powerful figures who had always been pillars of support in her life.
Yet at this moment…
Even they were silent.
"This…"
Snake Lance Douluo hesitated.
How could he answer?
What answer could he possibly give?
Everything had already been shown.
The heavenly curtain had laid bare the truth without mercy.
There was nothing left to explain.
And yet…
They understood why she asked.
Qian Renxue was not just anyone.
She was the daughter of two of the most powerful figures in Spirit Hall—
Qian Xunji, the former Pope…
And Bibi Dong, the current Pope.
In her heart, there had always been a simple, unquestioned belief.
If two people could give birth to a child—
Then there must have been love between them.
But now…
That belief was crumbling.
The truth revealed by the heavenly curtain was clear.
Painfully clear.
Bibi Dong's heart had never belonged to Qian Xunji.
It belonged to someone else.
Yu Xiaogang.
And that love—
Had been forcibly torn apart.
Qian Renxue's fingers trembled slightly.
She was no fool.
She could see it.
Her mother's eyes in the projection…
They had been filled with genuine emotion.
But that emotion—
Was not directed toward her father.
Instead…
Her father had been the one who stood between them.
The one who severed that bond.
From that perspective—
Qian Xunji was not a hero.
Not even a neutral figure.
He was the villain.
The man who tore apart two people who loved each other.
But then—
A question arose.
If that was true…
Then how…
How did those two people—
Her mother and her father—
Come together?
And how…
Was she born?
Qian Renxue's breathing became uneven.
A terrible thought began to form.
She didn't want to follow it.
Didn't want to think further.
But she couldn't stop herself.
If her mother had never loved her father…
If her father had forced himself into her mother's life…
Then her own existence—
"…No…"
Her body trembled.
Suddenly—
Everything made sense.
All those years.
All those unanswered questions.
Why had her mother never looked at her?
Why had she always been distant?
Cold?
Why had there never been even the slightest trace of affection?
Now—
She had her answer.
And it was one she could not accept.
White World – Spirit Hall
"It's finally over."
Bibi Dong leaned back slightly, her eyes still fixed on the heavenly curtain as the projection from the parallel world came to an end.
A faint light flickered in her gaze.
"Now… it's our turn."
At first, she had been furious.
Furious that the Yu Xiaogang from that world had tarnished her husband's reputation.
But as the scenes unfolded…
Her anger faded.
Because she realized something.
That version of Yu Xiaogang—
And her husband—
Were completely different people.
There was no similarity between them.
Not even the slightest.
So what was there to be angry about?
"Speaking of which…"
A voice interrupted her thoughts.
Yu Xiaogang leaned slightly forward, a faint smirk on his face.
"When it's our turn… all those things you did back then won't stay hidden anymore."
Bibi Dong froze.
Her expression stiffened.
"What things?" a curious voice asked.
Nearby, Hu Liena perked up instantly, her interest piqued.
"What did Teacher do?"
Yu Xiaogang chuckled.
"Well, simply put—"
"You're not allowed to say it!"
Before he could finish, Bibi Dong lunged forward, covering his mouth with her hand.
Her composure cracked.
For the first time—
She looked genuinely flustered.
Yu Xiaogang rolled his eyes and pulled her hand away.
"Now you want to stop me?" he said dryly.
"The heavenly curtain will reveal it sooner or later anyway."
Bibi Dong slumped back into her seat.
Defeated.
"So what is it?" Hu Liena pressed eagerly.
Yu Xiaogang smiled faintly.
"If your teacher doesn't want me to say it… then I won't."
He leaned back comfortably.
"You'll just have to watch."
Hu Liena frowned.
"How mysterious…"
She returned to her seat, though her curiosity burned even stronger.
The Heavenly Curtain Continues…
[Inside Spirit City, a grand hall glittered under brilliant lights.]
[Well-dressed guests moved gracefully through the space, engaging in polite conversation, exchanging greetings, and forming connections.]
[It was a celebratory banquet hosted by Spirit Hall—]
[A grand event commemorating its founding.]
[Leaders from across the Douluo Continent had been invited.]
[Powerful experts, influential figures, and representatives of major factions all gathered under one roof.]
[And beyond the prestige—]
[There was another reason for their presence.]
[The auction.]
[And the treasure exhibition.]
[Even those unwilling to give face to Spirit Hall…]
[Would not miss such an opportunity.]
A Corner of the Banquet
"I really hate wearing this."
Yu Xiaogang tugged slightly at his formal attire, his discomfort obvious.
For someone used to simple, loose clothing—
This was torture.
Beside him, Yu Yuanzhen laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! You still have much to learn, boy."
Yu Xiaogang shot him a sideways glance.
"Really?"
"I saw you shifting around earlier too."
The laughter stopped.
Yu Yuanzhen's face stiffened.
Then—
Slap!
"Ow!"
Yu Xiaogang clutched the back of his head, crouching slightly in pain.
Yu Yuanzhen nodded in satisfaction.
"That's better."
Just then—
A commotion stirred nearby.
Yu Yuanzhen turned his head.
There—
Approaching with measured steps—
Was Qian Xunji.
Dressed in formal robes.
Flanked by two titled Douluo.
And beside him—
Bibi Dong.
"Get ready," Yu Yuanzhen said quietly.
"I'll introduce you."
Yu Xiaogang straightened immediately.
His expression shifted.
Calm.
Polished.
Refined.
Everything the elders had taught him—
Now came into play.
Moments later—
The crowd parted.
And the two groups met.
"It has been a long time," Yu Yuanzhen said with a polite smile.
Qian Xunji returned the gesture.
"Sect Master Yu."
His gaze shifted to Yu Xiaogang.
"This must be your younger son."
"Impressive."
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward.
Bowed.
"Greetings, Your Holiness."
He greeted each person in turn.
Respectful.
Flawless.
Finally—
He looked at Bibi Dong.
She froze for a brief moment.
Then—
Returned the gesture.
A silent exchange.
A fleeting connection.
Behind them—
Yu Yuanzhen and Qian Xunji began their conversation.
Polite.
Formal.
Meaningless.
Even the Douluo nearby grew bored.
But Yu Xiaogang maintained his composure.
A perfect smile.
Unwavering.
Until—
At last—
Yu Yuanzhen spoke again.
"Your Holiness…"
His tone shifted slightly.
"There is something I wish to discuss."
The atmosphere changed.
Everyone's attention sharpened.
The real conversation—
Was about to begin.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)