In a dark alley in Fontaine City, the overhanging eaves blocked out all sunlight, leaving the narrow path shrouded in gloom.
Zhu Zhuqing was curled up in a corner—it was a dead end.
Dark purple aura oozed from her body, and she let out low, sorrowful whimpers...
Yet it was clear she was desperately suppressing something.
This place was too remote—no one ever came here.
"No… I don't want to leave… I want to stay with Teacher… I won't leave…"
Zhu Zhuqing mumbled incoherently.
Clutching at her hair, the more she thought, the more the voices in her head spiraled into chaos.
Sometimes she was lucid—other times, she was driven to the brink of madness by the noise.
"Shhhhhh…"
A wind stirred above.
Suddenly, Bibi Dong appeared at the mouth of the alley. Seeing Zhu Zhuqing huddled against the wall, a flicker of hesitation flashed through her eyes.
Once upon a time, she had been in a similar state.
And now—she had become the villain pushing others over the edge.
"Zhu Zhuqing, I understand your fear. Once you reach Rank 60, you'll have to leave Mr. Dan Heng.You have no reason to stay."
Bibi Dong's voice was coaxing, persuasive.
Zhu Zhuqing's head shot up. Her bloodshot eyes stared coldly at Bibi Dong.
"You… What did you do to me?"
She gritted her teeth. The dark purple aura around her intensified, almost completely engulfing her.
"I'm just reminding you—how much you don't want to leave.But you must face reality: in less than a year, you'll be forced to part ways.And only I can ensure you stay with Mr. Dan Heng—forever."
Bibi Dong approached, a sick, twisted smile spreading across her face.
"None of us will leave Mr. Dan Heng. He'll love us. He will…"
BOOM—!!
Suddenly, a blast of purple flame exploded from above, blasting apart the rooftop.
It streaked down even faster—heading straight for Bibi Dong.
Startled, Bibi Dong immediately unleashed ten soul rings. One lit up, and she cast out countless strands of purple light, forming a webbed shield that blocked the incoming fire.
"As I suspected—it's you, you wretched woman!""Bibi Dong, you dare stir up trouble? Looks like today's the day I'll kill you!"
Zi Ji cackled darkly as she descended.
Bibi Dong glared at her, fuming.
"You beast. The audacity to covet Mr. Dan Heng—I won't forgive you either!"
"In my dreams, I can do whatever I want! Bibi Dong, come see what Dragon Dragon and I are capable of!"
Zi Ji's right hand transformed into a dragon claw.
The little dragon in her arms pressed a paw to her claw. Instantly, the claw grew larger and sharper, glinting ominously as it sliced through the air with a sizzling hiss.
At that moment, her bloodline surged—from a Hell Demon Dragon to a Dragon King-level.
"Take this!"
Zi Ji dove down in a flash, her claw ripping open dark rifts in the air.
Her claw crashed down on Bibi Dong's head.
Bibi Dong caught it with two spider spears, locking her in place.
"You arrogant creature! Think you're so powerful?!"
With a cold snort, she prepared to drive a third spear into Zi Ji's heart.
But suddenly—
A high-speed shockwave tore through the sky.
At the same time, a gut-wrenching fear gripped Bibi Dong's heart.
Zi Ji burst into laughter:
"Still acting cocky, Bibi Dong? My brother-in-law is here!Get ready to be torn to pieces!"
Bibi Dong panicked. With a flick, she threw Zi Ji aside.
Zi Ji crashed into a building, bringing it down in rubble and dust.
In a flash, Bibi Dong's body transformed into a streak of purple light—
And entered Zhu Zhuqing's body.
Zhu Zhuqing's expression twisted in pain as she clutched her head. Two consciousnesses were now fusing within her.
"Stop resisting… I can give you everything you desire…"
Bibi Dong's voice now echoed from inside Zhu Zhuqing.
"No… Get out…"
Oddly, Zhu Zhuqing became a bit clearer in thought—her instincts rejecting the fusion.
BOOM—!!
A sonic boom echoed above.
Clouds gathered rapidly, and soon—
A torrential downpour began.
SPLAAAAASH—!!
All around, people scurried for shelter.
But no one noticed the collapsed building where Zi Ji had landed.
Before Zhu Zhuqing stood two figures—
Dan Heng and Bi Ji.
Dan Heng glanced at the sky. This sudden storm wasn't his doing, nor Dragon Dragon's.
And… this wasn't natural weather at all.
Looking around, he realized—the entire world had turned gray with heavy clouds.
Then, he looked at Zhu Zhuqing—drenched by the rain. Her soaked clothes clung to her body, hair stuck to her pale skin, and her beautiful face twisted with pain.
"Bibi Dong. Come out."Dan Heng's voice was cold and firm.
Even though he could crush Bibi Dong with ease—
Now that they shared a body, he didn't dare act rashly.
He was too powerful. If he forcefully entered Zhu Zhuqing's spiritual world, he could accidentally destroy her.
And this madwoman Bibi Dong had discarded her physical body. She now existed in pure spirit form.
"Mr. Dan Heng, don't be impatient,""Soon… I'll return to you a brand-new disciple…"
Bibi Dong cackled maniacally.
"No!! I don't want that!!"Zhu Zhuqing screamed in pain, blood-red eyes trembling.
Bi Ji couldn't bear the sight. She hurriedly cast a healing beam on Zhu Zhuqing. It eased her physical pain slightly—
But the spiritual agony could not be soothed.
"Zhu Zhuqing, stop resisting… Our fusion is the best path forward…"
Dan Heng raised a hand and drew Zhu Zhuqing to him.
He held her by the shoulder, locking eyes with her—and he could see deep into her spiritual world.
Inside, Zhu Zhuqing's and Bibi Dong's spirits were tangled together.
Bibi Dong tried to fuse with her—but Zhu Zhuqing resisted. However, some of Zhu Zhuqing's inner obsessions became footholds for Bibi Dong, preventing a clean separation.
Dan Heng frowned slightly.
"Zhu Zhuqing. Let go of your obsession.I'll lend you strength—so you won't be overtaken by her."
Logically, Bibi Dong could destroy Zhu Zhuqing's soul, but not fully assimilate her.
That this was happening at all… meant Zhu Zhuqing's fixation was the real issue.
She froze—then screamed in even more agony.
She couldn't let go!
Bi Ji anxiously asked:
"Zhu Zhuqing, what is it that you're clinging to? Tell us—we'll help you resolve it!"
Zhu Zhuqing closed her eyes—
Willing to face Bibi Dong's corruption alone rather than reveal her feelings.
Dan Heng's expression darkened. If Zhu Zhuqing refused to cooperate, this would become very dangerous.
Just then, Zi Ji crawled from the rubble. Dragon Dragon clung to her neck, eyes bright—clearly having had fun.
"Huh? Did I just hear that wretched Bibi Dong say she didn't want to leave brother-in-law…?"
Zi Ji approached, rubbing her sore neck and handing Dragon Dragon down into her arms.
"!!!"
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly panicked, kicking her feet, trying to run away.
But Dan Heng held her firmly by the shoulder.
Watching this—
Dan Heng instantly understood.
"Zhu Zhuqing… your obsession… is that you're afraid of leaving?"Bi Ji suddenly asked.
Zhu Zhuqing stopped struggling.
She bowed her head.
Didn't dare open her eyes.
Zi Ji and Bi Ji exchanged a meaningful glance.
If Zhu Zhuqing had to leave one day… would that mean they, too, might have to leave someday?
Dan Heng shook his head.
"There's no need to worry.If you don't want to leave, just stay here—stay at home."
Originally, the promise had been that once one reached Soul Emperor, they would be considered graduated.
That was back when they'd just met, and Dan Heng didn't want complications.
But now, after all they'd been through—if Zhu Zhuqing didn't want to leave, how could he ever send her away?
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes shot open.
She looked at him in shock—
And within her bright eyes, uncontrollable joy erupted.
"Teacher…"
The dark purple aura around her rapidly receded.
Dan Heng nodded, injecting energy into Zhu Zhuqing's body."All right, expel Bibi Dong now."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded forcefully. Right now, she was filled with strength and conviction—no longer would she be affected by Bibi Dong.
As for Bibi Dong, she had fallen completely silent, no longer screaming in madness.
Moments later, a purple figure was forcefully pulled out from Zhu Zhuqing's body—it was indeed Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong did not try to escape. She stood in front of Dan Heng, but her body gave way, and she fell to her knees.
The maniacal smile on her face had vanished.
She only stared at Dan Heng with an extremely complex expression in her eyes.
Letting out a bitter laugh, she said:"Congratulations, Zhu Zhuqing. You got what you wanted…"
At that moment, a golden light flashed in the sky.
Qian Renxue finally arrived. She descended, and upon seeing Bibi Dong's condition, she quickly stepped in front of her.
"Mr. Dan Heng, she hasn't done anything yet, right? Please spare her—for the sake of all the years we've known each other…"
Qian Renxue pleaded anxiously.
Zi Ji immediately snorted coldly and rebuked,"What affection? My brother-in-law has no such relationship with any of you!"
"..."Qian Renxue was rendered speechless and could only look at Dan Heng with pleading eyes.
Dan Heng remained silent. Bibi Dong might not have succeeded in doing anything, but she had almost assimilated Zhu Zhuqing, and before that, had spied on people he cared about.
Let her go? Impossible…
Dan Heng shook his head and said indifferently:"Go reincarnate."
"!!"Qian Renxue's face instantly turned pale.
Reincarnate… That was just a euphemism. In plain terms, he was going to kill Bibi Dong!
Even someone like her, who had managed to recover memories from a past life, had taken tens of thousands of years—and even that only happened after Dan Heng's influence.
If Bibi Dong were to reincarnate, she might fare even worse.
She could be lost for tens of thousands of years, perhaps never waking again.
"No… please don't…"Qian Renxue panicked, shaking her head, looking helplessly at Dan Heng.
"Reincarnation might be better. It would end my suffering… Mr. Dan Heng, before I reincarnate, I just have a few questions I want to ask you."
Bibi Dong forced a smile, her expression calm. She gently patted Qian Renxue, motioning her to move aside.
"Go ahead," Dan Heng said.
"Have you… ever had feelings for me?"
Bibi Dong looked at Dan Heng with hopeful eyes.
"Never," Dan Heng shook his head.
"..."
Bibi Dong gave a bitter smile, let out a sigh, and asked again:"Then, if we had met differently… would you have fallen in love with me? Like the scenario that the Rakshasa God simulated?"
"That never happened. There is no answer."
Dan Heng's reply was cold and devoid of sentiment.
"…I see."Bibi Dong smiled and finally looked at peace.
Qian Renxue grabbed her by the shoulders, crying out,"Don't say that! Hurry and beg Mr. Dan Heng for forgiveness! Tell him you promise never to do such things again! Please!"
As she spoke, panic was clearly written on Qian Renxue's face.
Bibi Dong's lips curled into a faint smile. She reached out and gently stroked Qian Renxue's cheek, her eyes filled with sorrow and guilt.
"Xue'er, the one I've wronged the most is you… Everyone else may have made mistakes, but you are the only one truly innocent…"
"Let me go. Living in this world is nothing but suffering for me. Every day is torment—I'd rather die…"
"Mr. Dan Heng, I beg you… Please do it yourself. If I die at the hands of the man I love, I will have no regrets…"
Bibi Dong looked at Dan Heng, her gaze unwavering.
As if trying to engrave him deep into her soul.
Dan Heng raised a finger and gently touched Bibi Dong's forehead.
A green light flickered.
Bibi Dong slowly lifted her hand, wanting to reach out to touch Dan Heng. But just before their fingers met, her divine soul turned into specks of light and quickly dispersed.
"..."
Qian Renxue covered her mouth and collapsed to the ground in despair. Even the divine power shielding her from the rain disappeared. Rain poured down on her, soaking her instantly.
Bi Ji crouched down beside her, shielding her from the rain.
"Brother-in-law, I… I'll stay here with her for a while…"
Dan Heng gave a small hum of acknowledgment, took Bao'er from Bi Ji's arms, and turned to leave.
Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip and followed closely behind Dan Heng, sticking to his steps, afraid to fall behind.
——
At the hotel.
When Dan Heng and the others returned, Gu Yuena came up to greet them. Noticing that Zhu Zhuqing was clearly in a bad state, she asked curiously:"What's wrong with Zhu Zhuqing?"
Zhu Zhuqing quickly stepped forward and hugged Gu Yuena.
Gu Yuena's expression froze slightly. Zhu Zhuqing's fiery figure was so overwhelming that even she had to admit defeat.
"Master's wife… can I stay in the house… forever?"
Zhu Zhuqing asked softly.
Gu Yuena blinked in surprise, then smiled:"Of course you can. You can stay as long as you like…"
Gu Yuena had lived for who knew how many tens of thousands of years and couldn't quite understand the sorrows of short-lived races.
But she could feel Zhu Zhuqing's sadness and gently patted her on the head."This child, what happened to her?"
Zhu Zhuqing blushed deeply. Seeing Dan Heng and Gu Yuena's reactions, she suddenly realized—perhaps she was just overthinking things…
She whimpered a few times and buried her face in Gu Yuena's chest.
Gu Yuena laughed and exchanged a glance with Dan Heng. After all this time, this was the first time Zhu Zhuqing had ever acted spoiled with her!
Dan Heng shook his head slightly, glanced at the cloudy sky outside, and said:
"I'll be going on a trip. You all should go stay at this place for a while."
He handed Gu Yuena an address—located on a mountain. It was a place they had previously agreed on as a temporary hideaway.
Gu Yuena nodded and asked, "Then, husband, when will you be back?"
"Seven to eight days at the earliest. Maybe up to a month…"
(End of Chapter)