Her gaze darted toward Qian Daoliu, searching for denial or anger. But the High Priest's face remained an unmoving mask, cold and unreadable, though his clenched fists betrayed his struggle.
For the first time, Bibi Dong's killing intent faltered. Not because of Qian Renxue's strength—she could crush her like an insect—but because of the timing. Qian Renxue's words carried weight, as though carefully prepared.
'Did she… investigate?'
Still, the greatest threat was Qian Daoliu. Even if she risked her life, she knew she could not stand against a Level 99 Ultimate Douluo. Her spider legs trembled with restrained violence.
Qian Renxue's lips curved into a faint smirk, sharp and calculating. She had already spoken with Qian Daoliu beforehand..
The old man's heart was torn, he did not approve of his son's vile crime, but he could not raise his hand to kill his own blood. Qian Renxue gave him a compromise: let her speak, let and justice would still be served—without staining the High Priest's hands.
Thus, when Renxue stepped into the chamber, she was already armed with strategy.
----
At the very moment she crossed the threshold, her spirit rings flared.
"2nd Soul Skill: Emotion Control."
Invisible waves of calmness spread through the chamber, subtly latching onto Bibi Dong's agitated spirit. At the same time, Qian Renxue's eyes sharpened, delivering precise psychological cues like daggers cloaked in silk.
Unlike before, she did not mask the activation. Her soul ring glowed openly.
Bibi Dong's sharp eyes immediately caught it, her suspicion rising.
'She dares to use a soul skill on me?!'
Before she could speak,Qian Renxue's steady voice slipped in smoothly.
"My second soul skill is an auxiliary ability. I am using it to calm your emotions… nothing more. You have every right to rage, Saint Lady. But rage alone will not give you what you seek."
The venom in Bibi Dong's chest faltered. She was too intelligent not to notice that her breathing had evened, her thoughts, though still furious, were no longer consumed by blind hatred.
The truth was undeniable. Her body itself told her Qian Renxue's words were true.
For the first time since entering, her tone lowered, becoming cold but controlled.
"…Then speak. Tell me, why should I not end this shameless monster now?"
Blood dripped steadily from Qian Xunji's pierced limbs, staining the sheets crimson. His eyes flickered between pain and acceptance. Yet in the corner of his lips, the shadow of a mocking smile lingered.
Qian Renxue's purple eyes narrowed. She had one chance to sway Bibi Dong—not with brute strength, but with carefully chosen words.
Qian Renxue smiled " The position of Pope..."
However she did not stop there and said " Grandfather himself will help you to take over the position, the elders of the elder hall will help you with hunting with your ninth soul beast."
This offer was truly tempting, Bibi Dong smirked and she was about to start laughing before she heard Qian Renxue next words "... Help in hunting of 9 soul beasts for your Second Martial Soul."
Even Qian Daoliu raised an eyebrow at that, because Qian Renxue is really capable of mobilizing the elders as a favor.
Bibi Dong smirked banished before she started to seriously ponder on the proposal.
Bibi Dong's gaze softened slightly, but her eyes were still sharp, scanning every detail of the secret chamber. She released her martial soul, the deathly spider legs retreating like shadows dissolving at dawn, and stepped back. Qian Xunji slumped onto the floor, his body limp and bruised, blood seeping into the crevices of the cold stone.
Qian Renxue's voice was calm, almost coaxing, yet carried an unshakable authority.
"Saint Lady, while I will not stop you from killing him—and no one will hold you responsible for it—I give you my word: justice will be done."
Bibi Dong's lips curled into a faint smirk, though her mind was in turmoil. The tempting offer of full support from Qian Daoliu and the Elders' Hall weighed heavily on her. The thought of hunting the nine soul beasts of her second martial soul—a chance to strengthen her powers beyond anything she had imagined—sparked both excitement and calculation in her.
"But after killing him, you cannot take the position of Pope. Not because of discrimination for your actions, but because the disciple of a previous Pope who kills their master cannot ascend to that role. However, the path to power, influence, and mastery of the Spirit Hall's resources will still be yours, should you choose to accept it."
Bibi Dong's brow furrowed slightly.
This was a calculated trap hidden as a boon by Qian Renxue. As a Sequence 5 Beyonder Qian Renxue is already a genius at maneuvering with words. She knew the promise of power and resources would be irresistible to someone as ambitious and capable as herself, but the subtle restriction of the Pope's position would also temper her actions.
Even Qian Daoliu who understood her words raised an eyebrow at Qian Renxue's subtle manipulation. This was like an open conspiracy. The young girl had structured her words so carefully that all potential objections vanished, leaving only the choice Bibi Dong now had to make: justice, revenge, or calculated patience.
In the corner of her consciousness, Rakshasa Goddess, who had been observing the events unfold through her divine imprint, paused. The dark whispers she intended to send into Bibi Dong's mind to stoke fury and rebellion were halted mid-flow.
'If Bibi Dong cannot become Pope… then the Spirit Hall cannot be fully manipulated as a stepping stone for Asura God's inheritor.'
The goddess withdrew her influence, while silently noting that Qian Renxue's words had already shifted the balance of thought in Bibi Dong's mind. It was no longer an arena for petty revenge; it was a chessboard, and Qian Renxue had moved the key pieces.
Bibi Dong finally spoke, her tone calm but deliberate:
"I believe your promises will be fulfilled soon."
Qian Renxue inclined her head slightly, the faintest smirk crossing her lips.
"Of course."