Bibi Dong left the throne room in a daze, her mind still reeling from Qian Xunji's unexpected announcement. The news of him reaching Soul Level 96, a milestone he had not achieved in her previous timeline, was a game-changer.
It shattered the very foundation of her meticulously laid plans. She felt a profound sense of disorientation, as if the ground beneath her had shifted without warning. Her feet carried her along the familiar corridors of Spirit Hall, but her mind was miles away, grappling with this new, terrifying reality.
How could this happen? she thought, the question a frantic echo in her mind. He was a Level 95 for so long. What changed? What did I miss? Her years of foresight, the very advantage she had relied on, had just been rendered partially moot.
She was no longer facing a predictable future, but a chaotic, uncertain present. The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying.
She found herself in a secluded garden, its air scented with the sweet fragrance of night-blooming flowers. The cool evening breeze did little to calm the fire in her mind.
She paced along the stone path, her thoughts a whirlwind of calculations and possibilities. She had to accelerate her plan, and she had to be more ruthless.
She had to get that 100,000-year soul ring now, not later. The thought of confronting Qian Xunji in a one-on-one battle, now that he was a Super Douluo, was a terrifying prospect.
Her heart ached with a familiar, gnawing fear. The fear of being powerless, of being controlled, of being at his mercy. It was a feeling she had carried for years, and it was a feeling she had sworn to never feel again. But here it was, a cold, insidious dread, creeping into her soul.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize how much time had passed until the low, golden light of the setting sun caught her eye. A familiar pang of longing filled her.
She looked at the darkening sky and realized it was time to get her children. The thought of them, of their innocent faces and their pure love, was enough to push the darkness away.
A familiar warmth spread through her chest, a stark contrast to the cold fear she had just felt. She turned and began to walk toward Yue Guan's residence, her steps now filled with purpose.
As she approached Yue Guan's house, she saw her children walking out of the gate, their faces bright with the joy of learning.
Renxue was bouncing happily, her little face alight with excitement, while Yurrichi walked calmly beside her, a serene expression on his face. They were chattering, their voices a happy symphony, their words filling the quiet air.
"Mama!" Renxue squealed, running toward her and throwing her arms around her waist.
"Mom," Yurrichi said, a polite smile on his face as he walked beside her.
Bibi Dong hugged them both tightly, the warmth of their bodies a comfort to her. "How was your lesson, my darlings?" she asked, her voice a soft, loving whisper.
"It was great, Mama!" Renxue exclaimed. "Teacher Yue told us that we've learned most of the common plants and herbs! Now we get to learn about the special ones!"
Yurrichi, in his calm and collected manner, added, "He told us that he will be giving us a precious book in a few days. He said it was very special to him and we must keep it safe."
Bibi Dong's eyes held a sudden, sharp glint of excitement. That book... she thought, her mind instantly going to her plan. She had forgotten all about it in her distress over Qian Xunji's breakthrough.
The herb book! It was a legendary text, filled with the knowledge of rare and powerful plants. A vital piece of her plan. With that book, she could finally find the perfect herbs to cultivate her strength and seek her revenge.
She remembered the aura of those unique herbs near the Yin Yang wall in Dugu Bo's sanctuary, a place that was now hers. She had felt a strange, powerful energy radiating from them, an energy that was both enticing and dangerous.
She remembered the vital warnings that Dugu Bo had given her previously—that some of these herbs contained poisons that could kill a Super Douluo, let alone her.
At first, she hadn't believed him, but then she had tested a small sample, and the results had sent a cold chill down her spine. The poison was potent, a force even she, with her twin martial souls, couldn't resist.
Now, with the herb book, she could finally understand the properties of each plant. She could find the one that would be best for her, the one that would grant her the power she so desperately needed.
She needed to grow strong fast, or she would have no peace of mind. She decided right there and then that she would visit Dugu Bo in a few days, after a brief period of rest, and learn more about these mysterious herbs.
As these evil thoughts filled her mind—thoughts of power, of revenge, of a quick and ruthless path to her goal—the air around her began to grow heavy and cold.
A sinister aura, so subtle that it would have been missed by anyone else, began to emanate from her. Her children, however, were not anyone else. They were her loves, a part of her soul, and they sensed the change instantly.
"Mama?" Renxue asked, her bright eyes wide with worry. "Are you okay? You... you look sad."
Yurrichi, his own calm demeanor shattered, looked at her with a profound sense of fear. "Mom," he said, his voice a small, terrified whisper. "What's wrong?"
Their innocent faces, their pure love and concern, were like a bucket of cold water on her evil thoughts. The sinister aura vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Bibi Dong inwardly scolded herself.
What am I doing? I am with my children, my loves. How can I let such dark thoughts consume me when they are right here? The thought was so repulsive, so alien to her protective instincts, that she instantly forced herself back to a state of calm.
She smiled, a genuine, loving smile that reached her eyes. "I am fine, my darlings," she said, her voice filled with a warmth that was both comforting and real. "I was just thinking about something silly. Don't worry about me."
She then inwardly sighed, a sense of quiet frustration filling her heart. Bibi Dong, she thought, her voice a stern inner monologue, you need to get your act together. No need to overthink this. Just focus and execute your plan.
They continued their walk home, their hands held tightly in hers. The sun was now a brilliant orb on the horizon, painting the sky in a breathtaking masterpiece of colors.
They reached their private residence and went to the balcony, sitting together and watching the sun set. It was a beautiful, peaceful sight, a stark contrast to the storms brewing in her heart.
After their moment of shared tranquility, the twins went to their room to rest, their bodies and minds tired from the day's lessons.
At dinner, Bibi Dong and the twins were surprised to find the dining hall empty of Qian Xunji's presence. The head maid informed them that the Pope would not be joining them for dinner.
This was a rare occurrence, as it was a tradition in the Qian family to have a family dinner, no matter what.
Bibi Dong's heart, which had been so weary, felt a surge of relief. It's good, she said to herself, her voice filled with a profound sense of lightness in her head and thought, I wouldn't have to see his treacherous face now.
The twins, though, were a little sad at their father's absence, but they were comforted by their mother's presence. They ate their dinner, their laughter filling the quiet room.
After dinner, they all went to their rooms. The twins, tired from a long day, fell asleep almost instantly. But Bibi Dong, her mind a flurry of thoughts, couldn't sleep.
She went to her balcony, looking at the moon, a desolate, beautiful orb in the night sky. She thought about how beautiful the moonlight was, and how desolate it also was, a reflection of her own life.
She stood there for a long time, the cold night air a comfort to her. She thought about her children, their innocent faces, their deep love, and a vow filled her heart.
She would not allow anyone to hurt them. She would be a shield, a sword, and a storm, if she had to, to protect them. She would not fail this time.
When she felt sleepy, she went to her bed, and with the twins in her arms, she drifted off to sleep, a vow of protection on her lips and a heart filled with a mother's fierce, protective love.
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Author's Note:
Dear Readers, I know i am being late uploading chapters but what to do when i planned to release it when my views reached 70k. A little goal is harmless one, u wouldn't blame me right? I am working hard also for my novel. If u want to support me then try it.