Lin Fan stood at the mouth of the secret passage—it looked like a massive, yawning abyss. Faint lights lined the walls on both sides like the jagged teeth of a beast, vanishing into darkness.
Bibi Dong had already taken a few steps in. Realizing Lin Fan hadn't followed, she turned back.
"Well, well… didn't think even you, Lin Fan, had something you were afraid of," Bibi Dong smirked.
"What's wrong? Afraid I'll eat you alive?" she teased.
Lin Fan nodded seriously. "Yes. I'm afraid you'll eat me."
And not in a good way, he thought darkly. The same way you "ate" Qian Xunji—devoured him completely, body, spirit, and martial soul alike.
The thought of that gruesome end made Lin Fan involuntarily shiver.
"Relax. If I wanted to eat you, I'd at least give you some advance notice," Bibi Dong rolled her eyes. "You're still useful to me for now."
"Your Holiness," Lin Fan forced a smile, "can you at least give me a heads-up about what this is all about? You're giving me chills here."
"If you're not coming, then stand there and let Yue Guan and Gui Mei find you. In that case, I'll eat you right here and now." Her calm tone carried a subtle threat.
Her heels echoed as she strode deeper into the tunnel.
Clack. Clack.
Each footstep echoed like a stab into Lin Fan's nerves.
"Ugh… middle-aged man, about to lose his dignity…" Lin Fan muttered, finally following.
Clunk.
The bookshelf behind them slid shut, sealing the entrance to the secret chamber.
They descended a dozen steps, turned a corner, and then went even deeper underground.
After walking over a hundred paces through twisting corridors, they arrived at a heavy stone door.
Bibi Dong pressed a hidden button, and the stone door slowly slid open to the left.
Inside was a large, circular chamber nearly a hundred square meters wide. Lin Fan entered and shut the door behind him.
At the far end stood a two-meter-tall, purple-black statue of a female figure, leaning against the wall.
It was utterly silent—only their breathing and heartbeats could be heard.
Bibi Dong walked to the center of the chamber, glanced at the statue, then turned to Lin Fan.
"Come over here. Why are you standing so far away?" she asked coolly.
"Ugh, alright. Let's just get it over with…" Lin Fan marched toward her with a look of grim resignation.
As Bibi Dong took a step toward him, Lin Fan instinctively stepped back.
It felt like she might morph into a giant spider at any moment. He couldn't help himself.
Step by step, she closed the distance, and he retreated until his back hit the wall—no more room to move.
"What are you backing away for?" she asked, placing her right hand against the wall beside his head.
Bam!
Lin Fan was pinned—a classic wall slam.
"You've been acting weird since we got here. What's with the nerves? Am I that terrifying?" Bibi Dong asked, looking at him speechlessly.
"N-no, maybe I just have claustrophobia," Lin Fan chuckled awkwardly.
Being dragged into a secret room by a woman who ate Qian Xunji alive—who wouldn't be nervous? I don't want to end up like that poor bastard.
"Oh, right…" Bibi Dong's expression shifted. "You know how Qian Xunji died, don't you?"
"A bit," Lin Fan admitted. "I know he didn't die at Tang Hao's hands. My guess is… he returned to Spirit Hall already gravely injured."
"You guessed right," Bibi Dong said, her voice now laced with hatred. "I killed him. Right here. I used my Soul-Eating Spider Emperor Martial Spirit to devour his flesh… and his martial soul."
Her anger still hadn't faded, even after all these years.
"But that's not why I brought you here."
"Good. He deserved it," Lin Fan nodded immediately. "So… why did you bring me?"
Bibi Dong turned back toward the center of the chamber and approached the purple-black statue.
"This is why," she said softly. "Since you already know I've inherited the legacy of the Rakshasa God, I need your help to pass the Fourth God Trial."
"Me? How am I supposed to help you? Why not ask one of your loyal followers—Yue Guan or Gui Mei?" Lin Fan asked, stepping beside her and examining the statue.
"Because you're the only one who knows," she said plainly. "Well… Qian Daoliu also knows, but I can't ask him, now, can I?"
"After thinking it over, you're the only one who can help. And now that you've reached Rank 96, my chances are much higher."
Lin Fan was stunned.
So she brought me here for a mission, not murder? He had been ready to blow his cover and unleash the Slaughter Sword to escape.
"You should've told me earlier!" Lin Fan laughed nervously. "I've been terrified this whole time."
"Oh? Sounds like you had something to hide," Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes playfully. "Or is it because you didn't want to betray that little Tang Yuehua of yours?"
"Not at all!" Lin Fan replied firmly.
"Really? Are you saying I'm not prettier than your precious Yuehua?" she teased.
"Uhhh, let's just focus on the mission. What do you need me to do? And how long will it take? I've got things to do," Lin Fan quickly changed the subject.
Bibi Dong smiled faintly, then grew serious.
"Alright, listen carefully. I need you to help me defeat the Rakshasa's Soul, the guardian spirit of my Fourth God Trial."
"Half a year ago, I tried once… and failed. I was so close. But the Rakshasa God only gives three chances. I have two left—and I'm allowed to bring one helper."
Lin Fan's brows furrowed. "You're at Rank 98 and still lost? What can a Rank 96 like me possibly do?"
"It's not about raw power," she explained. "The Rakshasa's Soul only has Rank 99 strength. I nearly won. But I need someone to tip the balance."
"When I got my seventh ring for my second spirit, I reached Rank 99, but the Rakshasa's divine power suppresses one level. I have to expend soul power to resist it constantly."
Lin Fan nodded slightly.
"But isn't that unfair to the Rakshasa's Soul? Does god allow help?"
"Yes. There's a rule: If you bring help, that person's soul power will be added to the Rakshasa's Soul as well," Bibi Dong said.
"Wait—then what's the point? Isn't that the same thing?" Lin Fan asked, exasperated.
No. You're different, she said calmly. My instincts tell me you're the one who can help me defeat it. You can overcome your limits—and help me succeed.