After hearing Ye Tian's words, Bibi Dong sat on her throne, lost in thought for a long while.
Her deep gaze stretched into the distance as she took a long breath and said,
"As long as the Elder Hall exists, whatever we do will face immense resistance."
"But no matter what, the reform of the Balak Kingdom must be completed."
At this point, Bibi Dong gripped her scepter a little tighter.
She silently vowed in her heart:
"The Balak Kingdom will become the first stepping stone for me to overthrow the Elder Hall!"
Then, Bibi Dong raised her eyes and looked at Hu Liena:
"You will be in charge of summoning the branch hall masters of Balak Kingdom to Spirit City."
"And also…"
Her gaze shifted to Xie Yue.
"Tell Yan to let the Holy Knights of the Pope's Hall rest well. In a month, there will be big movements."
"Yes," Hu Liena and Xie Yue answered in unison.
"Mhm, if there's nothing else, you may all leave."
Bibi Dong waved her hand indifferently.
"Ye Tian, you stay."
Upon hearing this, Ye Tian, who was about to turn and leave, paused. Under the curious gazes of the others, he remained standing calmly.
Once everyone had left, a faint smile reappeared on Ye Tian's face.
"I wonder what orders my esteemed Pope has for me?"
"With just the two of us here, you don't need to call me Pope."
Bibi Dong sighed tiredly, rubbing her temples.
"Just call me Sister… or Dong'er."
By the end, her voice had softened significantly.
Ye Tian was slightly surprised by this subtle shift.
After all, this was the first time Bibi Dong had taken the initiative to compromise.
He stepped forward, his gaze lingering on her flawless face, and chuckled:
"I think calling you 'wife' would be the most fitting."
Bibi Dong opened her mouth as if to refute him, but in the end, she said nothing.
Before Ye Tian, she gradually removed the mask of the Pope.
No longer sitting stiffly, she leaned lazily against the cold throne, her red lips carrying a trace of amusement.
She gazed at Ye Tian and said,
"I think I finally understand why you chose to stay in East Sea City."
"The three months I spent in East Sea City were probably the happiest time I've had in years."
"Now that I'm back in this grand palace, every step I take, I can feel the weight of the crown upon my head."
"Well then, my dear wife, you can retire from the world of Spirit Masters ahead of time and just take it easy. Come back to East Sea City with me—let the continent drown in its own chaos."
Ye Tian made himself comfortable, sitting directly beside Bibi Dong and casually wrapping an arm around her pale neck.
Bibi Dong did not resist. Instead, she leaned into his embrace of her own accord.
She was truly exhausted and did not want to rest her head against the cold throne.
Shaking her head slightly, she murmured,
"If I did that, wouldn't my two decades of effort go to waste?"
At this, a sigh escaped her lips.
She gazed wistfully at the magnificent hall.
"It's truly laughable… twenty years of struggle, and I can only barely wrestle with the Elder Hall."
"I haven't even resolved the internal strife, let alone pursued the grand ideal of unifying the continent."
"So, you're planning to move against the Elder Hall?"
Ye Tian twirled a strand of Bibi Dong's silky hair between his fingers, playing with it absentmindedly.
"Yes."
Seeing how quickly Ye Tian caught onto the key point, Bibi Dong suddenly raised her head, locking eyes with him.
"Xiao Tian… will you help me?"
There was a rare trace of vulnerability in her gaze.
Coupled with her breathtaking beauty, it stirred a sense of compassion in one's heart.
Their eyes met.
After a long silence, Ye Tian suddenly chuckled.
Pinching Bibi Dong's cheek, he teased,
"Wife, where did you learn this from?"
"The emotional buildup was spot on, but the credibility… is lacking just a bit."
Ye Tian, who knew Bibi Dong best, understood that she was not a woman who needed no help.
But she was certainly not a weakling either.
Her fragile and sorrowful side was something she kept to herself—never showing it to others.
Hearing this, Bibi Dong's delicate expression faded slightly. She brushed her bangs aside somewhat awkwardly.
She hadn't expected Ye Tian to see through her so easily.
This only confirmed further that Ye Tian's mind was incredibly mature.
He was not someone she could simply treat as a young man.
Bibi Dong's voice returned to its usual calmness, her smile unwavering:
"I wasn't pretending. This is just a natural ability women are born with. I simply haven't used it since becoming the Pope."
"After all… there was no one worth using it on."
"So, you decided to test it on me?"
Ye Tian narrowed his eyes slightly.
Bibi Dong smiled and tilted her head, "You don't like it?"
"There's a hint of personal gain mixed in, which makes me feel like you're not being entirely honest." Ye Tian said bluntly.
Hearing this, Bibi Dong's smile grew even deeper.
She straightened up, staring directly at Ye Tian.
"But aren't you also a dishonest man?"
"For instance… you have both me and Nana by your side."
Ye Tian's face turned slightly red at that remark.
With a swift motion, he pulled Bibi Dong into his embrace, his lips brushing against her ear as he murmured,
"Can you really blame me for that?"
If it weren't for Bibi Dong's meddling, he and Hu Liena would likely have remained just friends.
"I suppose not. That's my fault."
Bibi Dong chuckled, seemingly seeing right through Ye Tian's thoughts.
She then leaned in, their noses touching, and gave him a soft kiss.
In a delicate voice, she whispered,
"Help me resolve my regrets, and for the rest of my life, my heart will belong to you."
"Wow, that's a pretty straightforward deal."
Smacking his lips as if savoring her taste, Ye Tian leaned back slightly, gazing at Bibi Dong with amusement.
"Yes, a straightforward deal."
Bibi Dong's deep eyes locked onto his.
"But after all this time together, do you really think I have no feelings for you?"
"Hmm… a transaction mixed with emotional bonds." Ye Tian rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Bibi Dong's gaze drifted past him, settling on the empty grand hall.
"I don't crave power itself."
"I only want to see the result."
"Whether I succeed or fail, once it's over, my regrets will be gone."
"As for the rest of my life, it's yours to decide."
"So, in the end, love is just another form of transaction."
Ye Tian sighed softly.
Then, he suddenly chuckled, pressing his forehead against hers.
"But I quite like it."
If he were being honest, did he love Bibi Dong deeply?
There was some emotional connection, but at most, they were just close friends.
Ye Tian was well aware—there was no such thing as love at first sight.
Most of the time, it was simply lust at first sight.
And he had to admit, Bibi Dong was indeed… irresistible.
So, he had no problem following this natural law.
"Well then… shall I see you in my chambers tonight?"
Hearing this, Bibi Dong was momentarily stunned.
She hadn't expected Ye Tian to accept so quickly.
She had assumed he would at least spend a few nights deliberating.
After all, what she had just proposed… wasn't entirely true.
Could she truly let go of her regrets so easily?
Unifying the continent…
Success would be grand.
But if she failed—death would be a mercy.
The repercussions would be catastrophic, affecting her loved ones and allies.
Bibi Dong had not expected Ye Tian to agree to such a gamble so readily.
With his intelligence, he was fully aware of the risks.
Could it be… that he truly loves me?
For the first time in a long while, Bibi Dong hesitated.
Staring into Ye Tian's resolute gaze, she found herself asking in an uncertain tone:
"Shouldn't you… think it over a little more?"
"Rest assured, every decision I make is carefully thought out."
Ye Tian spoke calmly and confidently.
Even though opposing the Spirit Hall meant facing hidden dangers, as long as he endured for another two years and waited for the system rewards to settle, everything would fall into place.
Right now, he simply wanted to challenge himself before reaching true invincibility.
Seeing Ye Tian's composed demeanor, Bibi Dong exhaled softly.
She felt as if the pressure weighing her down had suddenly lessened.
Perhaps this was the influence Ye Tian had on her, Bibi Dong thought.
As long as Ye Tian was by her side, she felt like she could face anything.
So, she could still embrace the word "love" after all.
Bibi Dong suddenly smiled brightly.
Her smile was more radiant than ever, like a fully bloomed rose that had shed its thorns.
Despite trying to hold back, her eyes still welled up.
She gently spread her arms and, like a little girl, leaped into Ye Tian's embrace.
She nestled her head against him, as if trying to imprint his scent onto herself forever.
"Thank you, Xiao Tian."
This time, it was Ye Tian's turn to be dumbfounded.
What just happened?
Wasn't this supposed to be a straightforward deal?
Why did it suddenly feel like he was the one confessing?
As expected, a woman's heart was as deep and unfathomable as the ocean.
To be honest, this was also the first time Ye Tian had ever seen Bibi Dong cry.
He understood—Bibi Dong had truly opened her heart.
He never expected that he would actually manage to win over Bibi Dong.
Faced with the overwhelming softness in his embrace, for a moment, Ye Tian didn't know where to place his hands.
After all, his feelings for Bibi Dong weren't that deep.
At most, it was lust at first sight.
After all, Bibi Dong had been his first white moonlight.
He struggled internally for a while.
In the end, Ye Tian calmly lowered his hands.
Since she was already in his arms, emotions could be cultivated over time.
How did that saying go?
Affection grows over time.
Yes, that must be it.
The wisdom of ancient culture never lies.
"No need to be so touched, my wife. Have you thought about what I just said?"
Ye Tian gently patted Bibi Dong's shoulder, comforting her.
Bibi Dong, always proud and strong-willed, had only shed tears for a brief moment.
Now, she had completely concealed her emotions, even discreetly using her spirit power to dry her eyelashes.
She sat up straight, pretending to be confused.
"What did you say?"
At that moment, Bibi Dong's heart pounded wildly.
Of course, she had heard Ye Tian's words clearly.
But... she just wasn't ready yet.
"Didn't hear me?"
Ye Tian narrowed his eyes and reached out to squeeze something soft.
Bibi Dong's face instantly turned crimson.
She instinctively glanced around.
Fortunately, the grand hall was empty.
She hesitated before reminding Ye Tian in a low voice.
"Aren't you afraid Nana will find out?"
Ye Tian frowned.
"That's a problem."
After all, he had no idea how much Hu Liena could accept.
Right now, the Spirit Hall wasn't fully under Bibi Dong's control.
If something unexpected happened and the Elder Hall seized the opportunity, Bibi Dong might be forced to step down early.
While contemplating this, Ye Tian suddenly felt something soft press against his cheek.
Raising his head slightly, he realized—Bibi Dong had just kissed him, her face flushed.
Her expression was conflicted as she whispered:
"Three days later... I'll send Nana to the Balak Kingdom on a mission…"
...
Despite the Elder Hall infiltrating the Pope Hall deeply, the government still functioned.
The day after Bibi Dong returned, the Pope Hall issued a decree regarding the selection of officials for the Balak Kingdom region.
Inside the Pope Hall, all officials under the Pope's command had gathered.
Even the two elders, Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo, were present.
Bibi Dong sat majestically on her throne, her eyes sweeping across the gathered officials.
"Is the order clear?"
"Within two days, all departments must complete the necessary arrangements."
"Understood!" The officials responded in unison, bowing respectfully.
Bibi Dong's gaze briefly met Ye Tian's before shifting back to the officials.
With a casual wave of her hand, she declared:
"If there's nothing else, today's court session is adjourned."
As soon as she finished speaking—
A discordant voice suddenly rang out.
"Wait!"
All eyes turned toward the source.
A middle-aged man strode forward aggressively.
It was none other than Qianjun Douluo from the Elder Hall.
Seeing Qianjun Douluo, the hall buzzed with murmurs.
Chrysanthemum Douluo stepped forward with clear displeasure.
"Qianjun Douluo, what business do you have in the Pope Hall?"
Though Chrysanthemum Douluo was only an elder in Spirit Hall, making him technically a rank below a worshipper, the two factions were independent of each other.
So, he showed no fear.
But Qianjun Douluo snorted, displeased.
"Do you, a mere elder, dare speak to me like this?"
"Heh, the Pope Hall has no seats for worshippers." Chrysanthemum Douluo crossed his arms, retorting coldly.
Qianjun Douluo wasn't angered by the remark. Instead, he smirked and turned toward Bibi Dong.
"I'm here to deliver a message from the Grand Worship."
"The Pope Hall's unilateral selection of officials without the Elder Hall's approval violates regulations."
"Thus, the Grand Worship demands that the Pope immediately halt all actions."
With that, Qianjun Douluo sneered at Bibi Dong.
The Pope Hall had taken extreme measures to keep their actions secret, so even the Elder Hall, led by the Grand Worshipper, had no idea what they were planning.
But Qianjun Douluo knew—
No matter what the Pope Hall was trying to do, the Elder Hall had to stop it!
They must not allow the Pope Hall to accomplish anything!
(End of Chapter)