White World – Spirit Hall
"Hehe… looking back at this now, it really is quite interesting."
Bibi Dong laughed softly as she watched the images displayed across the heavenly curtain.
Back then, neither she nor Yu Xiaogang had expected that strange meeting at the banquet to happen.
Especially Yu Xiaogang.
At the time, he had only felt uncomfortable staying inside the crowded hall. Thinking he had found a quiet corner to relax for a while, he never imagined that everything would later be revealed for everyone to see.
Fortunately, the young Bibi Dong had never been someone who cared too much about rigid etiquette or noble formalities.
Otherwise, that single awkward encounter would probably have haunted both of them for years.
"Back then, when I said, 'Perhaps you'll become the first friend I make at Spirit Hall Academy,' I was only trying to comfort myself."
Bibi Dong's smile gradually softened.
"But who could've imagined that things would truly turn out that way?"
"And especially…"
As she spoke, she suddenly turned to look at Yu Xiaogang beside her.
Only then did she notice that his expression seemed unusually strange.
"Xiaogang?"
"What's wrong?"
"Hm?"
Yu Xiaogang snapped out of his thoughts upon hearing her voice.
"Oh… it's nothing."
He waved his hand casually and forced a smile.
"I was just thinking about something else."
Bibi Dong nodded without suspecting anything further.
She quickly found another topic and continued chatting naturally.
Nearby, Hu Liena watched the entire exchange unfold and immediately felt helpless.
Teacher…
It was obvious that Dragon God Douluo had remembered something important after seeing the scene on the heavenly curtain.
And yet, with only a few casual words, he had completely distracted her.
Hu Liena could not help sighing inwardly.
"Should I really call this love-brained behavior?"
From her perspective, Bibi Dong was clearly being led around effortlessly by Yu Xiaogang.
Of course, Hu Liena also believed that given Yu Xiaogang's personality, whatever he was hiding was probably not something harmful.
But even so…
Watching her usually intelligent teacher become this easy to fool left Hu Liena speechless.
Black World – Spirit Hall
At the same time, in another world, another Hu Liena was also watching the heavenly curtain.
Unlike the parallel world version of herself, however, she was not accompanying Bibi Dong today.
The current Bibi Dong had chosen to watch everything alone.
At first, Hu Liena had not understood why.
But after witnessing the scenes from her teacher's past, she finally understood completely.
How could anyone comfortably watch such memories together?
Seeing yourself get separated from the person you loved…
Watching misunderstandings, manipulation, and heartbreak unfold before your eyes…
And then, on top of all that, seeing a parallel-world version of yourself living happily beside that same person—
It was practically torture.
Hu Liena could not help feeling heartache for her teacher once again.
After a moment of silence, she turned toward Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.
"Elders," she asked quietly, "you've both followed Teacher for many years."
"That Yu Xiaogang… did he ever contact Teacher again afterward?"
Beside her, Xie Yue and Yan immediately perked up their ears.
Clearly, they were curious too.
Chrysanthemum Douluo instantly looked annoyed.
"Oh, stop asking about these things."
"I think it's better if the three of you don't know."
The answer itself was enough to make everyone understand.
If Yu Xiaogang truly had continued interacting with Bibi Dong…
Then perhaps there would already be another man living within the Supreme Pontiff Palace.
Chrysanthemum Douluo shivered slightly at the thought.
Then he glanced at Ghost Douluo beside him.
"Old Ghost…"
"I think we should stay farther away from Her Holiness for a while."
"How about taking an external mission and leaving Spirit City temporarily?"
Ghost Douluo nodded without hesitation.
"Agreed."
Unlike the younger generation, the two elders understood Bibi Dong far too well.
As the heavenly curtain continued revealing the past…
There was a very real possibility that their Pope's emotions would completely explode.
And when that happened?
The safest place would definitely not be nearby.
The Heavenly Curtain Continues
After tasting the snacks Bibi Dong had brought over, the atmosphere between the two gradually relaxed.
They began chatting casually about random things.
Just like in the past, Bibi Dong excitedly shared all kinds of stories she had heard throughout Spirit City.
Rumors.
Scandals.
Secrets.
Interesting events.
Nothing escaped her attention.
However, as her strength and status gradually increased, she encountered an unfortunate problem.
More and more people began recognizing her.
At first, Bibi Dong had loved wandering through Spirit City listening to ordinary people gossip freely.
Back then, she could hear all kinds of outrageous stories.
Rumors about the Upper Three Sects.
Secrets involving the Lower Four Sects.
Even messy romantic affairs involving the imperial families of the Heaven Dou Empire and Star Luo Empire.
Those stories had fascinated her endlessly.
But after becoming famous within Spirit Hall, everything changed.
The moment people recognized her identity, all the conversations immediately became serious.
Suddenly, instead of gossip, everyone began loudly praising Spirit Hall.
They spoke about Spirit Hall's glorious achievements.
About Spirit Masters defeating evil Soul Masters.
About the greatness of the Pope.
At first, Bibi Dong listened politely.
But after hearing the same rehearsed praise repeatedly, she quickly realized what was happening.
Her teacher, Qian Xunji, had secretly arranged everything.
When she confronted him about it, he admitted it without hesitation.
From that moment onward, Bibi Dong became even more determined to outsmart him.
Whenever she sneaked out afterward, she began disguising herself.
Sometimes she wore wigs.
Sometimes she dressed in completely different styles.
Occasionally, she even altered her makeup and posture.
Every outing became a battle of wits between master and disciple.
And judging from the smile on her face while recounting the stories, she clearly enjoyed it immensely.
"One time," Bibi Dong said excitedly, "I disguised myself as an old woman and wandered to the eastern district of the city."
"I happened to pass by a wedding banquet."
"At first, I only thought it looked lively and interesting…"
"So I just walked in and started eating."
Yu Xiaogang stared at her in disbelief.
"And no one stopped you?"
"No!"
Bibi Dong burst into laughter.
"They actually treated me like a real guest!"
"Then, halfway through the meal, the host came over to toast everyone at the table."
"When he saw me, he froze completely."
She covered her mouth while laughing.
"He stared at me for a long time before finally asking…"
"'Who exactly are you?'"
"Everyone at the table froze immediately."
Yu Xiaogang could already imagine the chaotic scene and couldn't help laughing too.
"And then?"
Bibi Dong proudly puffed out her chest.
"Then I acted like a poor old woman who hadn't eaten in three days."
"I told them I smelled the food from outside and couldn't resist sneaking in."
"And do you know what happened next?"
Yu Xiaogang shook his head.
"The bride and groom actually gave me money."
For a moment, even now, Bibi Dong still looked genuinely stunned by the memory.
"I was completely shocked."
"At the time, I just wanted to join the fun."
"I never expected them to be so kind."
Of course, Bibi Dong had not truly taken advantage of them.
Before leaving, she secretly placed two gold soul coins behind as a blessing for the newlyweds.
Still smiling, Yu Xiaogang shook his head helplessly.
"I honestly never imagined that the disciple of Spirit Hall's Pope would behave like this."
"I thought you'd be the obedient and dignified type."
"Hmph!"
Bibi Dong immediately straightened her posture proudly.
"Who says the Pope's disciple can't have this kind of personality?"
"When I'm beside Teacher, I follow every rule perfectly."
"I maintain etiquette."
"I behave properly."
"I complete every duty expected of me."
"Even the etiquette instructors can't find fault with me."
Then her expression softened slightly.
"But when it's my own time…"
"When I'm simply being myself…"
"Why shouldn't I live the way I want?"
At that moment, Bibi Dong looked like a proud peacock showing off its feathers.
And strangely enough…
Yu Xiaogang found himself completely convinced.
After all, she was right.
She had already fulfilled every responsibility expected of her.
As the Pope's disciple, she was outstanding.
As a Spirit Hall genius, she was flawless.
So when she temporarily set aside those identities…
Why shouldn't she be free to act according to her own wishes?
Looking at Bibi Dong's bright smile, Yu Xiaogang suddenly found himself reflecting on his own life.
As the son of a Titled Douluo, he had also fulfilled his responsibilities.
He had worked hard.
Studied tirelessly.
Done everything expected of him.
Yet…
What about Yu Xiaogang himself?
Not the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Not the disciple of some great figure.
Not someone burdened by family expectations.
But simply—
Yu Xiaogang.
What did he truly want?
The question lingered quietly in his heart.
For the first time in many years, he found himself seriously thinking about his future.
Not the future others wanted for him.
But the future he personally desired.
And strangely enough…
The person who had made him start thinking this way was the girl sitting in front of him now.
The cheerful, rebellious, intelligent girl who constantly challenged the rules around her.
Bibi Dong.
As the sunlight gradually dimmed outside the window, the two continued talking without realizing how much time had passed.
They discussed stories from Spirit City.
Soul Master theories.
Interesting people they had met.
Dreams.
Ambitions.
And countless other things.
At some point, Yu Xiaogang realized something surprising.
Talking with Bibi Dong felt easy.
Comfortable.
Natural.
There was no pressure.
No need to pretend.
No need to constantly worry about expectations or status.
For perhaps the first time since arriving at Spirit Hall Academy, Yu Xiaogang truly felt relaxed.
And that feeling…
Was something he had not experienced in a very long time.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)