After spending three full days in the Pope's Hall—or, more accurately, in the Pope's bed—Li Chang'an finally returned, rubbing his sore waist, to find Xiao Wu.
Some things, once discovered, become addictive. Li Chang'an had come to realize that his teacher was very much one of those things. Ever since he had "opened the gates" to her heart, she had turned from shy and reserved to… insatiably curious.
At first, Bibi Dong had been bashful and hesitant, but soon she was clinging to him, demanding new "moves." By the end, Li Chang'an had completely satisfied her inquisitive nature.
After all, as a modern young man from the 21st century, he was a student of both theory and practice. Whether through experience or "research films," he had learned quite a bit. To him, even the Pope herself was no challenge—he could make her play along and still crave more.
And so, during those three days, they had explored no fewer than ten new experiences.
Now, at last, Li Chang'an returned to his real task—bringing Xiao Wu to the Pope's Hall to resurrect her mother, and while he was at it, revive Ah Yin as well.
According to the system, Ah Yin's revival would create an entirely new body and new consciousness—a fresh start. That reassurance put him at ease.
And, he had to admit, the idea of "a completely new body" earned the system a mental thumbs-up.
"Brother, where have you been these past few days?" Xiao Wu asked the moment she saw him. She had been bored to tears waiting, and the instant she saw him, her face lit up as she ran over and grabbed his arm.
"I went to the Pope to request her help in separating her soul ring—to resurrect your mother," Li Chang'an said, sitting down on the bed with one hand on his aching back before lying down with a groan.
His waist throbbed. He could really use a tonic.
"Really? That's wonderful!" Xiao Wu exclaimed, tears of joy forming in her eyes as she threw herself into his arms.
"Ah, my waist… don't get too excited yet," he said weakly, patting her back. "Go to the kitchen and ask Chef Wang for my usual recovery meal—he'll know what I mean."
"Okay, Brother! Wait here!" Xiao Wu bounced away happily.
After a meal of wolfberries, lamb kidney, goat whip, and black-bone chicken soup, Li Chang'an took a long nap before finally feeling human again. Then he accompanied Xiao Wu to the Pope's Hall.
By now, Bibi Dong had resumed her formal robes of office and sat gracefully upon her throne. Beside her stood Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo.
"Teacher," Li Chang'an greeted. Seeing her glowing with health while he himself was pale and drained, he finally understood the saying: there are no worn-out fields, only overworked oxen.
He really needed to start strength training.
"Your Holiness," Xiao Wu said softly, bowing. She took a deep breath; this was the woman who had once taken her mother's life.
"There's no need for ceremony," Bibi Dong said gently. "You are Li Chang'an's girlfriend, which makes you one of our own. As for what happened back then… allow me to offer my apology."
Coming from the Pope of Spirit Hall, that simple apology spoke volumes.
"No, no, Your Holiness, please don't say that," Xiao Wu quickly replied, shaking her head. "We spirit beasts have also taken the lives of humans. There's no right or wrong—only survival. But… this time, it is I who must ask you to part with a soul ring."
"Enough courtesy," Li Chang'an interjected, smiling faintly. "Let's begin. I'd like to get some rest after this."
"Very well." Bibi Dong rose gracefully and stepped forward. A golden aura flared behind her, her nine soul rings rising in order—two yellow, two purple, four black, and finally, the brilliant scarlet-red ring.
Li Chang'an activated Soul Ring Rebirth, releasing a cascade of multicolored light that enveloped her last ring.
There was no pain, but as the ten-thousand-year ring separated from her, Bibi Dong's power visibly dipped. The colored glow spread, dissolving the ring's essence—and from it, a faint, feminine silhouette began to take shape within the hall.
A woman with long pink hair appeared, her form ethereal and serene, exuding maturity and gentleness. Even as a mere spirit, her hundred-thousand-year aura was undeniable.
"Mother!" Xiao Wu's eyes filled with tears as she rushed forward, but her arms passed through the phantom. The woman turned, eyes widening in disbelief.
"Xiao Wu? My child, you…" She could scarcely comprehend what was happening. The last thing she remembered was death.
"Mother, it's all right. You're safe now," Xiao Wu said joyfully, explaining everything in a rush. Ah Rou listened quietly, then turned her gaze toward the others.
When she learned that Bibi Dong had voluntarily relinquished her soul ring to make this possible, she felt no hatred—only relief. Life and death were part of the same cycle; right and wrong were not so easily defined.
As for Li Chang'an, Ah Rou's eyes softened with approval.
When she realized he had been the one to bring her back, she bowed deeply in gratitude.
"Mother," Xiao Wu said softly, "you're still in spirit form. Thankfully, your body remains preserved in the Lake of Life. We need to return there quickly."
She glanced at Li Chang'an, who nodded. "I'll take you. I don't want you traveling alone—not after everything that's happened."
"Thank you, Brother." Xiao Wu's tone was earnest; she understood how dangerous things could still be.
After bidding farewell to Bibi Dong, Li Chang'an stored Ah Rou's spirit within his spatial ring, took Xiao Wu's hand, and flew straight toward the Star Dou Great Forest. Midway, he even tore open a spatial rift to shorten the journey. Within an hour, they reached the forest's core.
Xiao Wu descended into the Lake of Life with her mother's spirit, while Li Chang'an remained above—and used the opportunity to take out another item: a small silver-blue seed.
Since he was already in the process of reviving one life, why not bring back Ah Yin as well? Doing so here, near the Lake of Life, would only help her growth.
A brand-new Ah Yin—he had to admit, the thought intrigued him.
He planted the seed gently in the fertile soil, then pulled out a vial of shimmering liquid—the miraculous potion he had obtained after conquering the City of Slaughter.
"'Elixir of Divine Restoration,'" he murmured. "It can bring the dead to life, restore plants to their peak, and even bind lost souls back to their bodies… Truly miraculous."
He uncorked the vial and poured it slowly over the seed.
The soil glowed faintly—life stirring once more.