Spirit Hall, Inner Sanctum.
Shi Hao was eventually brought inside.
Along the way, he tried everything he could to break free of the restraints binding his body, but nothing worked.
Annoyed by the struggle, Bibi Dong tapped him twice with two fingers.
Just like that, she sealed his spirit, completely crushing any thoughts of escape.
"Stop wasting your strength… You're not getting out of here," she said calmly, her eyes focused on him.
Shi Hao immediately turned his head away.
"I don't want to talk to a liar…"
Bibi Dong: "…"
This brat was unbelievably irritating. She took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to slap him into the wall.
Even if I deal with this kid, it'll have to be here in Spirit Hall. If I do it outside and get ambushed, that'd be disastrous. Besides, it took three Titled Douluo to bring him down. That alone is humiliating enough.
There was another reason, too—when she touched Shi Hao earlier, she had felt something odd. Something… familiar.
She needed answers. This child was far too mysterious.
"You two, leave us," she said to Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo. They exchanged a glance, nodded, and exited the room.
Now, only Bibi Dong and Shi Hao were left inside the dimly lit chamber.
Big eyes stared at small ones.
Well, the big eyes belonged to Shi Hao—despite being a child, his eyes were unusually large and bright.
Bibi Dong stared at him. That angry face… those sharp, stubborn eyes… there was something familiar about them.
Finally, she asked, "What's your mother's real name? Why did she come to Spirit Hall to cause trouble?"
"Be honest with me."
Bibi Dong figured maybe the boy just hadn't wanted to talk out there. Now that he was captured, perhaps he'd speak more openly.
"What's the point? You're not gonna give her back anyway," Shi Hao snorted coldly. "I've already told you a hundred times…"
"This is different. I want to know your parents' real names," Bibi Dong pressed, eyes narrowing.
Something about this boy's face, especially his brows and eyes—it stirred something deep inside her. Not dislike… but a strange sense of closeness.
"Dad is just Dad! And Mom is Xiaoxue! How many times do I have to tell you!?"
Shi Hao growled, glaring at her. "You must be crazy or deaf, asking the same thing over and over!"
Bibi Dong inhaled deeply, resisting the very strong urge to smack him across the room.
"You're surnamed Shi… So your father's surname is also Shi?"
"Duh." Shi Hao rolled his eyes.
"Shi Hao… Shi… and your mother's name has a Xue in it…"
Bibi Dong chewed over the details. She muttered his name under her breath—and suddenly, her eyes lit up.
Shi Hao… could he be related to Shi Batian?
She had sensed something off earlier. Now she was beginning to connect the dots.
A father with the surname Shi… a mother with a Xue in her name…
Wasn't that a perfect match for her daughter, Qian Renxue, and that man—Shi Batian?
But it had only been a month or two since they parted ways—how could they possibly have a child this big?
The timeline didn't add up at all.
Yet… nothing else made sense either.
So she asked, "Is your father's name Shi Batian?"
"I said, he's just Dad!" Shi Hao huffed, annoyed. "How would I know what his name is? He only ever calls himself Dad!"
Bibi Dong tried again. "And your mother… is she called Qian Renxue?"
"My mom is Xiaoxue! Not Qian Renxue, not Wan Renxue, not whatever-you-said Renxue!"
Shi Hao growled in frustration. In his young mind, Xiaoxue was Mom—that was all he needed to know.
Bibi Dong's expression turned grim.
This child wasn't lying—he was just too young to understand. And that only made her more convinced:
Shi Hao really might be the child of Qian Renxue and Shi Batian.
Despite the impossible timing, she couldn't find a better explanation.
Could it be… that Shi Batian's spirit power messed with the laws of time? That this kid grew faster than normal humans?
That would explain his freakish strength and rapid growth. Either way, there was no denying it now.
If this boy is truly Qian Renxue's son…
Then that made her his grandmother!
"…So I'm a grandmother now?"
Bibi Dong's lips twitched, overwhelmed by the ridiculousness of the situation.
The murderous impulse in her heart vanished instantly.
But one thing still troubled her.
How did he grow up so fast? Some sort of magical herb? A special technique? Either way, this is too important to ignore.
This child was not only Qian Renxue's flesh and blood—he also held unfathomable potential. He could very well be the future pillar of Spirit Hall.
Still, she needed confirmation. This was too big to decide alone.
Maybe… I should ask Qian Renxue directly. See what she knows about this.
Bibi Dong was about to leave when Shi Hao suddenly shouted:
"Give me back my mom! Give her back!!"
"You—! Quit shouting and stay here. Someone will bring you food later. As for your mother… there may be hope," she said, her tone noticeably softer now.
After all, if this boy really was her grandson, she couldn't bring herself to scold him harshly.
"Liar! You're trying to trick me again! Give her back!!" Shi Hao screamed even louder.
"You—!!"
Bibi Dong grit her teeth, then shot a web of spirit silk to seal his mouth shut. With a final glance at the furious boy, she turned and stormed out.
…
Spirit Hall – Worship Hall, Secret Chamber.
Qian Renxue, still meditating, suddenly opened her eyes.
She had sensed something… familiar.
When she saw who had arrived, her expression immediately turned cold. She looked down and said flatly:
"What do you want now? Didn't you say I should rot away in here?"
Her tone dripped with venomous sarcasm.
Bibi Dong's face darkened. She had come here intending to share the shocking news—but seeing her daughter's attitude, she changed her mind.
Forget it. She doesn't deserve to know.
Suppressing her irritation, Bibi Dong said coldly, "I'm only here to ask a few questions. Once I'm done, I'll leave."
"Oh? The great Pope of Spirit Hall needs something from me? That's rare."
Qian Renxue smirked, savoring the chance to mock her.
"Just tell me if you're willing to answer or not."
Bibi Dong's voice turned cold.
Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow. "Of course. But after you ask, get lost. Don't come back."
Even she was curious what Bibi Dong could possibly want from her.
"…Fine."
_
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