When Bibi Dong regained consciousness and opened her eyes, what entered her view was not the Avici Hell of endless suffering and countless wailing souls she had expected, but the sunset, evening clouds, and a smiling Chu Chengzhou?
The next second, the memories previously sealed by the Void Illusion Realm surged up in Bibi Dong's mind.
After it advanced to a rainbow-grade technique, the illusion formed by the Void Illusion Realm did not match real time in its flow.
Within the illusion, Bibi Dong experienced about seven years across two lives, but in the outside world only two to three hours had passed.
Once her memories returned, Bibi Dong, who had already automatically exited the Martial Soul Possession and the Soul-Eating Spider Emperor True Body states, fell silent, dazed in midair.
Recalling everything she had experienced in the illusion, especially the final moment of the "first life," when Qian Renxue shattered the Angel God position to protect her, tears flowed uncontrollably down Bibi Dong's face.
"Esteemed mother-in-law, everything is still in time."
With a faint ripple of space around him, Chu Chengzhou flashed to a stop before Bibi Dong, once again took from his storage-type soul guide the gift box containing the hundred-thousand-year right arm soul bone, and handed it to her.
Bibi Dong wiped away her tears, gazed at Chu Chengzhou for a moment, then raised her hand and pushed back the arm holding the gift box.
"I am not worthy. Give it to Xue'er's grandfather. Young man, you are outstanding."
She gave Chu Chengzhou a long look, finished speaking, then turned and flew toward Spirit City.
"Esteemed mother-in-law, I know I'm outstanding. By the way, don't go looking for trouble with Tang San. He is my big nephew."
Chu Chengzhou accepted Bibi Dong's praise without burden. Then, as if remembering something, he added a reminder.
In the illusion, Tang San had been the number one enemy of Spirit Hall and of the three of them. Bibi Dong would have wished to seize him and grind his bones to ashes.
But the illusion was the illusion, and reality was reality. He could not really set up his big nephew.
Tang San: Uncle, save me.
"Hm? Tang San is your big nephew?"
Hearing this, Bibi Dong, who had been flying back toward Spirit City, froze, stopped, and turned to question Chu Chengzhou.
"Yeah. Tang San's aunt, Tang Hao's younger sister, is my girlfriend."
Chu Chengzhou nodded.
Bibi Dong: "..."
In the next instant, black-violet light erupted. Bibi Dong entered Death Spider Emperor martial soul possession. Her seventh soul ring shone. Transforming into a giant black widow, with the Death and Killing God dual domains blooming, she charged straight at Chu Chengzhou.
A battle between two of the strongest of the age broke out. Even Spirit City more than twenty li away could clearly sense the violent commotion from the fight.
Over half an hour later, the battle ended in a draw. Bibi Dong shot Chu Chengzhou a fierce glare and returned to Spirit City first.
She had not managed to take down Chu Chengzhou, but she had vented her anger.
Chu Chengzhou's words also left his mother-in-law some face.
After all, in the illusion he had put Bibi Dong through the wringer.
Parting in life and death, the terror of eternal Avici, the pain of personally killing her white moonlight, the wishes left unfulfilled. All of this struck Bibi Dong no less than blades and axes to the body.
Afterward, Chu Chengzhou also returned to Spirit City, but he did not go to Bibi Dong. He went to the Worship Hall.
Outside the Worship Hall.
Chu Chengzhou showed his Elder Token and was about to have the hall-guarding knights announce him, when Qian Daoliu's voice came from within the hall: "Come straight in."
Raising his brows, Chu Chengzhou pushed open the heavy main doors and walked in.
The hall was spacious, with little decoration. Most eye-catching was the angel statue within, shining with a faint sacred light.
Before the angel statue stood a tall, golden-haired figure facing the statue, hands clasped behind his back.
"So you finally came?"
Qian Daoliu turned with a smile to look at Chu Chengzhou.
To be honest, Qian Daoliu was fairly satisfied with this prospective grandson-in-law. In particular, although he had not been present at the earlier battle outside the city, he had sensed it clearly.
It was a pity the young man was a bit fickle in love. Otherwise he would have been Qian Daoliu's ideal grandson-in-law.
"Mm. I came to deliver the betrothal gift, and to pay you a visit."
Chu Chengzhou nodded.
"Betrothal gift?"
Qian Daoliu arched a brow, then asked, "Why did you fight Bibi Dong earlier?"
"She accepted Nana's betrothal gift but refused Xue'er's. I tried to force it on her. She said a young man should know his place. As for the result... I at least gave her some face as a senior."
Chu Chengzhou shrugged.
Qian Daoliu: "..."
"How about you accept it?"
As he spoke, Chu Chengzhou took out the betrothal gift prepared for Qian Renxue.
Seeing the hundred-thousand-year right arm soul bone in the box, Qian Daoliu was a bit surprised. He then shook his head. "Xue'er has a mother, and I am only her grandfather. I will not take it. Kid, I have a task for you."
"Please say it."
"Make Bibi Dong sincerely accept this betrothal gift."
Qian Daoliu spoke.
To Qian Daoliu, soul bones and the like were useless. Even a precious hundred-thousand-year soul bone weighed far less in his heart than reconciliation between Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue.
Chu Chengzhou: the true test from Grandpa?
"Rest assured. I will promote reconciliation between mother and daughter."
Chu Chengzhou said with full confidence.
After the earlier journey through the illusion, Chu Chengzhou believed Bibi Dong would absolutely become a qualified mother.
As for whether her love-brained problem remained, he was not sure.
Although in the illusion Bibi Dong personally killed Yu Xiaogang, the world is not short of those who speak of love yet still stab with a knife.
And Bibi Dong happened to have mental illness, and not a mild one. Doctor Chu stated that the treatment is effective, but a cure is not guaranteed.
"Good."
Qian Daoliu nodded in satisfaction.
"By the way, I have a secret method here. It would be best if you can learn it."
Chu Chengzhou took out a few pages pinned together and covered in writing, and handed them to Qian Daoliu.
"Soul Core Method?"
Seeing the title "Soul Core Method" at the start, Qian Daoliu raised his brow. Without doubt, this was a new term.
"A soul core is formed by highly compressing and condensing a soul master's soul power within the body. It rapidly restores soul power, greatly improves soul power quality, and helps break through bottlenecks.
Of course, that is not the most important part. The most important is that each soul core can store a huge amount of soul power, a total not much less than the soul power within the body itself.
With Xue'er's talent, you might find it useful in the future."
Chu Chengzhou explained.