After a full day of travel, it wasn't until nightfall that Dai Chengfeng finally pulled the carriage to a stop in front of an inn that was neither luxurious nor particularly grand but was clean and tidy.
Dai Chengfeng, along with Bibi Dong and Qiu'er, had a simple dinner before retreating to their adjacent rooms upstairs.
However, Dai Chengfeng naturally didn't plan to sleep in his own room.
As soon as night fell, he softly knocked on the door of the neighboring room. Upon hearing a cold "Enter" from inside, he immediately pushed the door open.
The room was modestly sized, with simple furnishings.
At this moment, Bibi Dong was sitting at the edge of the bed.
She appeared to have just finished bathing, her long, damp purple hair cascading over her shoulders. Droplets of water slid down her delicate collarbone, disappearing beneath the neckline of her soft, form-fitting purple silk nightgown.
The soft lighting accentuated the alluring curves of her figure, while the lingering steam mingled with her signature cool, faint fragrance, silently filling the room with a sense of lazy seduction.
"Teacher."
Bibi Dong did not look up. She remained leaning against the headboard, her fingertips unconsciously twirling a strand of wet hair, as if resting or lost in thought.
Seeing this, Dai Chengfeng closed the door behind him and locked it. His gaze fell upon the breathtaking sight of her purple silhouette illuminated by the candlelight, causing his Adam's apple to involuntarily bob.
He slowly approached the bed and naturally sat down beside Bibi Dong.
The mattress dipped slightly under his weight.
Dai Chengfeng turned his head, his warm breath almost brushing against Bibi Dong's pale, sensitive neck. Then, a heated kiss landed there.
The sensation of her damp, cool hair, the warmth of her freshly bathed skin, and her subtle, icy fragrance…
Everything combined to stir Dai Chengfeng's heart.
However, the kiss lasted less than a second.
A cool, small hand came across, pressing against Dai Chengfeng's chest with disdain, pushing him back slightly.
At this moment, Bibi Dong finally raised her eyes. Her violet irises reflected Dai Chengfeng's figure under the lamplight.
"Your soul power hasn't recovered yet?"
Bibi Dong's sharp gaze seemed to pierce through his soul. Though her voice carried little emotion, it exuded an overwhelming pressure, as if she could see through everything.
And with that single, seemingly casual question, it felt like a thunderclap exploded in Dai Chengfeng's mind!
In an instant, all traces of lust vanished. A chill ran up his spine, and every muscle in his body instinctively tensed. The smile on his face froze instantly.
Oh no!
Alarm bells rang loudly in Dai Chengfeng's mind.
We're returning to Spirit City…
Previously, he had pretended to no longer be under the control of Bibi Dong's spiritual seed, using the excuse that his soul power had disappeared!
But now?
Shouldn't his soul power have "recovered" by now? After all, they were heading back to Spirit City.
Still, Dai Chengfeng decided to feign ignorance, stalling for time—one day at a time…
Although Bibi Dong's question clearly indicated she had noticed something!
But, Dai Chengfeng still nearly blurted out in surprise, "How is that possible?"
"Teacher, my soul power won't recover for another half month."
As he spoke, Dai Chengfeng leaned closer again, attempting to use intimacy to deflect Bibi Dong's sudden probing.
Soon, Dai Chengfeng's lips once again approached Bibi Dong's delicate neck, but…
"Enough."
Her icy voice carried a trace of impatience.
However, though her tone was cold, Bibi Dong made no move to push Dai Chengfeng away, allowing him to continue kissing her neck. Her violet eyes, however, remained fixed on his profile.
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Bibi Dong's lips. "Dai Chengfeng, do you really think I'm a fool?"
This definitive statement from Bibi Dong shattered every shred of false hope in Dai Chengfeng's mind!
He muttered under his breath, "How could this happen…"
His heart raced. She knew!
She had known all along!
But when?
Was it when he took the Dragon Pill in Tian Dou City?
Or some detail he inadvertently revealed during the day?
Or…
With her unfathomable spiritual power and experience, had his disguise failed from the very beginning?
But…
If she had already seen through him, why bring it up now? Why hadn't she said anything in Tian Dou City?
Countless thoughts swirled madly in Dai Chengfeng's mind. He could feel the rising chill emanating from the person beside him.
And just as Dai Chengfeng was contemplating how to respond to Bibi Dong's sudden confrontation…
Bibi Dong spoke again.
"I don't care whether or not you're still under the influence of my spiritual control."
After a brief pause, her gaze grew even sharper and more serious: "But…"
"Everything that has happened between us—if you dare utter even a single word to a third party…"
Bibi Dong leaned forward slightly. Her face, which could captivate the world, now resembled a demon from the underworld, radiating an undeniable aura of death:
"You will die… in the most horrific way."
"You should know this very well!"
Though Bibi Dong had long realized that Dai Chengfeng was no longer under the control of her spiritual seed, she didn't understand how he had managed to resist her spiritual influence. Nevertheless, what was done was done.
For the sake of her divine trial, for the ritual that must be completed…
Even knowing that Dai Chengfeng was fully aware, Bibi Dong understood that she had no choice but to continue.
She couldn't interrupt her divine trial or the possibility of ascending to godhood.
Moreover, during their time in Tian Dou City, Dai Chengfeng, while fully conscious, had not revealed their secret to anyone. Bibi Dong believed he understood the stakes.
Since that was the case, she could only let things unfold as they were…
"That wretched Rakshasa Goddess!"
Thinking this, Bibi Dong clenched her fists tightly, her eyes brimming with anger. "If not for Her insistence on setting this fifth trial, none of this would have happened!"
Bibi Dong directed all her fury toward that divine being.
For a moment, Bibi Dong fell silent, and so did Dai Chengfeng.
The room descended into a brief, oppressive silence.
The flickering lamplight cast shifting shadows across their faces.
After a long while, Dai Chengfeng's back was drenched in a fine layer of cold sweat.
He stared into Bibi Dong's emotionless violet eyes, harboring no doubt about the truth of her words…
The consequences of leaking their secret would be far more terrifying than he could imagine.
After another moment, Dai Chengfeng finally snapped out of his thoughts, slowly lowering his eyelids to conceal the complexity in his gaze.
"Disciple…"
Dai Chengfeng took a deep breath. "I will obey your command."
"This matter… is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me."
Bibi Dong scrutinized the deliberate sincerity on Dai Chengfeng's face. The swirling anger and murderous intent in her proud violet eyes receded slightly.
"…Hmph."
Finally, she let out a short, cold snort. "I hope you mean what you say."
With that, Bibi Dong closed her eyes slightly and said no more. Seeing this, Dai Chengfeng instantly understood that Bibi Dong was tacitly permitting him to continue their unfinished "business."
"It seems this esteemed teacher, though disdainful in words, is surprisingly honest in action."
Dai Chengfeng chuckled inwardly. Looking at Bibi Dong before him, he tore open her collar, revealing a hint of snow-white skin.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)