Chapter 6: Sixteen Years Later
Although Aotian's divine sense was powerful, he didn't keep it active to observe his surroundings at all times.
When the thought occurred to him to check on Qian Xunji, he discovered that Qian Xunji had already defiled another woman.
A bold guess flashed through Aotian's mind.
"Could it be... that even though I saved Bibi Dong, the plot will still follow its original course? Surely Qian Xunji won't actually father another Qian Renxue, right?"
"If that's the case, it wouldn't be so bad. I look forward to meeting that angel girl," Aotian said with a smile.
If he had to name his favorite women from the first part of *Douluo Continent*, they would be Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue. While the others were fine, they ranked lower in his estimation.
He had been somewhat regretful before, thinking that saving Bibi Dong meant that Qian Renxue would never exist. But now, it seemed very likely she would still appear.
...
On the soft, large bed, Bibi Dong lay staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. She unconsciously fiddled with the hem of her clothes.
Her sleeplessness wasn't due to the day's tragic events, but because of Aotian.
Although she had some favorable feelings toward this man, and he didn't seem to harbor any ill intentions, she had to remain vigilant.
Once bitten, twice shy. The perverse actions of Yu Xiaogang and Qian Xunji had taught her a hard lesson: you can know a person's face, but not their heart.
Sometimes, it was impossible to see a person's true nature unless they dropped their facade.
Therefore, she had to be on guard against Aotian, in case he suddenly revealed a vicious side.
She told herself that following Aotian was merely a last resort. If she were strong enough, she would never have to trouble this man.
As her thoughts ran wild, Bibi Dong occasionally found herself unable to resist turning her head to steal a glance at Aotian, who was sitting on a sofa in the distance.
Aotian sat sideways on the sofa. From her angle, Bibi Dong could only see his sharply chiseled profile.
Aotian swirled the red wine in his glass. As he gazed out the window, he exuded an intangible aura of a man who walked the world alone, steeped in solitude.
Bibi Dong found herself captivated by his appearance and unique temperament. Before she knew it, she couldn't look away.
"What kind of person is he?" she wondered.
Aotian suddenly turned, his gaze meeting hers. He broke into a brilliant smile. "Were you peeking at me?"
Bibi Dong's heart was thrown into turmoil, and her pretty face flushed scarlet in an instant. She quickly pulled the quilt up over her chest, burying her head beneath it.
Her heart pounded. She was both mortified and annoyed that Aotian had embarrassed her again.
Aotian shook his head with a smile. "You're tired. Get some sleep. We'll leave Spirit City early tomorrow morning."
Bibi Dong felt her eyelids grow heavy, and within moments, she had fallen into a deep sleep.
Aotian walked over and gently pulled the quilt down, revealing her head.
Her pointed, oval face held delicate features. She had long, curved eyelashes, a smooth, petite nose, and small, cherry-red lips that were exceptionally tempting.
Aotian pursed his lips into a smile. "A somewhat foolishly cute Bibi Dong... isn't so bad either."
...
Early morning.
Bibi Dong's eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes, but they soon widened.
"How did I fall asleep?" A wave of panic washed over her as she hurriedly felt her clothes, checking her condition.
She breathed a sigh of relief only after finding her clothes intact and feeling no discomfort.
"Since you're awake, don't just laze in bed. Get up and wash. After breakfast, we should be on our way."
Hearing Aotian's voice, Bibi Dong turned her head and saw him looking at her with a half-smile.
Her face couldn't help but blush again.
Bibi Dong felt a little embarrassed, recalling how she had judged a gentleman by her own petty standards.
A fragrant, steaming-hot breakfast, prepared by the hotel, was already laid out on the table.
Aotian sat there, eating with unhurried, methodical movements. A unique air of nobility and elegance emanated from him, once again leaving Bibi Dong mesmerized.
As the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall, she had received years of education in aristocratic etiquette, but when it came to nobility and elegance, no one she had ever met could compare to the Aotian before her.
She didn't know that this nobility and elegance was innate to the Dragon Race. Perhaps some dragons disliked it, but Aotian clearly savored it.
"Is there something on my face?" Aotian asked with a warm smile. "You're staring."
Bibi Dong's pretty face flushed slightly, and she hurriedly got out of bed. "I'll go wash up."
...
An hour later, the two were ready to depart.
In truth, there wasn't much to pack.
Bibi Dong's storage soul tool contained plenty of clothes.
As for Aotian, he could become the wealthiest man on the planet whenever he wished; there was no need for him to prepare anything.
"Where are we going?" Bibi Dong asked.
Aotian looked north. "First, we'll go to the Heaven Dou Empire, then to the Star Luo Empire. I'm going to take you to try every delicacy this continent has to offer."
Hearing Aotian's grand declaration, a sweet feeling stirred in Bibi Dong's heart.
She lowered her head, her face red, and gently hummed in agreement.
...
For ten years, the two traveled the Continent, living a carefree and happy life.
Aotian took Bibi Dong to taste every delicacy under the heavens. They even ventured into the City of Slaughter, allowing Bibi Dong to acquire the Deathgod Domain.
As for Aotian, he looked down on something as trivial as the Deathgod Domain.
After ten years of traveling, the two returned to Spirit City.
They had come back because they received reliable news: the Pope had died suddenly!
Bibi Dong contacted a female Elder with whom she was on good terms and learned that some time ago, Qian Xunji had led several elders to ambush Tang Hao, a prodigious talent from the Clear Sky Sect's younger generation.
Tang Hao's wife was a 100,000-year-old soul beast who had taken human form. Upon learning this, the domineering Qian Xunji naturally refused to let such an opportunity go.
However, his plan backfired spectacularly. The 100,000-year-old soul beast sacrificed herself for Tang Hao, causing his strength to skyrocket, and Qian Xunji was beaten and severely wounded.
Years ago, Qian Xunji had raped a handmaiden, who later gave birth to a girl. For the past decade, he had treated this handmaiden with extreme cruelty, causing her to harbor a deep-seated grudge. Seizing the opportunity while he was gravely injured, she poisoned and killed him.
The Pope's demise left behind a nine-year-old daughter and a Spirit Hall on the brink of chaos.
It was Aotian who had requested they return. He hoped Bibi Dong would take the position of Pope and become an empress of immense power.
In those ten years, Bibi Dong had already become a Titled Douluo. With Aotian's covert assistance, she easily became the new Pope of Spirit Hall.
From then on, Aotian and Bibi Dong's lives finally settled down.
...
...
Six years later.
Sixteen years had now passed since Aotian's awakening. Bibi Dong had grown from a seventeen-year-old girl into a mature woman in her thirties.
At this moment, in Bibi Dong's bedroom, her face was flushed and her breathing was rapid.
"Stop fooling around!" She slapped away Aotian's restless hand and grabbed his ear.
"Change back to your original form."
Aotian's figure blurred, and in the blink of an eye, he reverted to the appearance of a six or seven-year-old child.
Bibi Dong rapped him sharply on the forehead. Looking at him askance, she said with a charming laugh, "A little brat like you, whose hair hasn't even fully grown in, wants to do adult things with me? Do you even have the ability?"
Aotian pouted. "Can't I just get my hands on you for a bit? Besides, my cultivation technique is about to have a breakthrough. In a few more years, I'll be able to resume my teenage form."
He gazed at Bibi Dong's voluptuous and alluring body and couldn't help but gulp.
Now in her thirties, Bibi Dong had completely shed her girlish immaturity, blossoming into a ripe, juicy peach.
Her curvaceous figure, combined with her stunningly beautiful and rare face, was breathtakingly alluring.
She was still dressed in her magnificent pontiff's robes, her allure blended with papal dignity and nobility—a combination that could easily stir a man's desire to conquer.
Aotian's face was a mask of misery. He felt awful.
He had always heard that dragons were lustful by nature and had merely laughed it off. But now, he was experiencing it firsthand.
A desire countless times stronger than a human's tormented him immensely.
It was especially cruel to have such a peerless beauty by his side, one he could look at but not touch.
Aotian shook his head, suppressing the flames of desire with an immense effort of will.
"I'll set out for Nuoding City tomorrow."
(end of chapter)