Chapter 485: Meeting Bibi Dong Again
At the foot of the Pope's Mountain, Dai Yao ascended the stairs. Each step brought him past familiar scenes from his past, but he felt no inclination to reminisce.
Walking in silence ahead of him were Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, who both refrained from speaking as they led the way. Qingluan Douluo also accompanied them, remaining quietly at Dai Yao's side. Guards lined the staircase like statues, adding to the solemn atmosphere. Only the sound of their footsteps echoed along the sacred steps.
"Here we are," said Chrysanthemum Douluo after a short climb. They had arrived at the broad platform in front of the Pope's Palace.
Dai Yao nodded. "Thank you."
Just as he was about to step forward, Qingluan Douluo's voice sounded softly in his ear. "Dai Yao, be wary. Bibi Dong isn't to be underestimated. If you sense any danger, cause a commotion, and I'll come to get you."
Dai Yao blinked in surprise, then turned to offer Qingluan Douluo a grateful nod. He knew that Qingluan Douluo, his disciple Feng Wutong's master, had always looked out for him in his own way.
Taking a deep breath, Dai Yao stepped forward, facing the grand doors of the Pope's Palace. He pushed them open with both hands, and the sound of the heavy doors echoed through the vast, empty hall.
Sunlight streamed in, casting his shadow long across the floor and illuminating the throne at the far end. Dai Yao's gaze lingered on the imposing seat, but to his surprise, it was empty. He glanced down and found the familiar figure of Bibi Dong standing below, meeting his gaze directly.
Bibi Dong was still as beautiful as he remembered, seemingly untouched by the passage of time. She wore an elegant purple gown that hugged her figure perfectly, exuding an allure that was almost irresistible. Her long, flawless legs were encased in violet silk stockings, ending in a pair of black heels adorned with gleaming gemstones.
Yet her face remained cold, utterly devoid of warmth, emanating an aura of regal authority that commanded respect and erased any trace of impropriety.
After a moment of silence, Dai Yao spoke, his tone devoid of emotion. "It's been a long time, Bibi Dong."
Seeing this woman who had once been close to him, yet had ultimately become his adversary, Dai Yao felt a mix of emotions but kept his guard up, ready for any sign of aggression from her.
"It has… indeed been a long time," Bibi Dong replied, her voice barely above a whisper as she regarded him from beneath her ornate purple-gold crown, her Pope's staff in hand. Her gaze wavered, and her tone held a strange hesitancy.
This moment had been years in the making for her.
Back then, because of Hu Liena and Qian Renxue, she had chosen to kill Dai Yao, to end everything before it grew more complicated. But as he left, Dai Yao had entrusted her with his soul power, a gift of immense strength he had acquired through grueling trials, in a gesture of trust and concern for her. It was only then that she realized the depth of his care.
And yet, she had been the one to push him away, even attempting to kill him.
Now, as she looked at him again, memories of their shared hardships in the Rakshasa trials, of the unspoken bond they had formed, resurfaced painfully. She had once turned to Yu Xiaogang for hope; now, after everything, it was Dai Yao who had replaced him in her heart.
The chance to make amends was finally here, and she would stop at nothing to make it right.
At her silent command, the great doors of the hall shut with a resounding thud, sealing them off from the outside world. With a surge of spirit power, she further shielded the room, ensuring they would not be disturbed. She then began to approach him slowly, the clicking of her heels echoing in the vast chamber.
Noticing her advancing, Dai Yao tensed. "Bibi Dong, what do you intend to do?" he demanded, his voice sharp.
Judging by the aura she exuded, her strength had indeed reached Level 99.
Without hesitation, he unfurled the cloth from his back, and the Sea God Trident leapt into his hands, humming with power as he leveled it at her. The trident's oceanic aura clashed with Bibi Dong's protective barrier, causing waves of energy to ripple outward.
The power of gods was an even match.
"Sea God Trident… You've inherited the Sea God's power," Bibi Dong murmured, momentarily taken aback.
Realization dawned on her—this explained Dai Yao's years-long absence. She had suspected he would receive a divine inheritance, but the Sea God's inheritance on Sea God Island, known for its exclusivity, was beyond her expectations.
Recovering her composure, Bibi Dong resumed her slow approach, her voice softer. "Dai Yao, I bear you no ill will. I've waited too long for this moment. If you could forgive me… I would pay any price to make things right."
To Dai Yao's shock, her tone held an unfamiliar pleading quality.
But he quickly scoffed, his expression cold. "Forgive you? Is this your idea of making things right, Bibi Dong? Trapping me in the Pope's Palace? Don't think I've forgotten that you tried to kill me!"
"I left you a letter explaining the truth, telling you everything! And yet, after all these years, what have you done? The spirit beasts hiding in the Hall of Consecration—the traitors among us—still remain! Don't tell me you're 'powerless' to act against them!"
Bibi Dong smiled faintly, leaning on her Pope's staff as she stopped before him, allowing the Sea God Trident to press against her chest. "You're right; I was wrong, and I will regret what I did for the rest of my life. But I know the truth now, and that's why I haven't acted rashly. We're at war with the two empires, and the Church's forces are spread thin. Moving against the soul beast infiltrators now could incite violent backlash from the Hall of Consecration."
Her reasoning was logical: the Pope's forces were already stretched across multiple fronts in the war, and a direct confrontation with the Hall of Consecration would jeopardize their entire strategy.
Dai Yao narrowed his eyes, though he still harbored doubts.
If Bibi Dong were truly willing to do anything to earn his forgiveness, then why hadn't she eliminated the very ones who had driven him away in the first place?
The truth, he suspected, was that she had not acted because she still valued their influence in her bid for conquest.
He wasn't so egotistical as to expect her to throw away her ambitions for his sake. But based on what he knew of her character, Bibi Dong was indeed someone who would go to any length to achieve what she wanted. The fact that she hadn't acted on his information only further convinced him that she was lying.
Seeing the mistrust in his eyes, a wave of sorrow washed over Bibi Dong. She knew she had brought this upon herself. With a tremble, she took another step forward, pressing her chest harder against the trident's blade until it punctured her robe and grazed her skin.
"What do I have to do to make you believe me?" she whispered, her voice laced with pain.
When he saw Bibi Dong's action, Dai Yao's pupils contracted sharply. Instinctively, he wanted to pull back, but the memory of her determination to kill him in the past flashed before him, freezing his movement.
"What does it matter if I trust you or not?" he asked coldly.
Bibi Dong met Dai Yao's icy gaze, unguarded, and continued moving forward.
The sharp tip of the Sea God Trident pierced her skin, sinking further, inching toward her heart.
"Madwoman! She's truly mad!" Dai Yao cursed inwardly. He could feel that she wasn't using any spirit power or defenses; if the trident pierced her heart, she'd be beyond saving.
In the original story, Bibi Dong had survived the "No Return" attack from the Sea God thanks to her Undying Body, but here, she wasn't even drawing on her spirit power. There was no way for her to save herself.
"Bibi Dong, what are you doing? Such a pitiful act won't work on me!" Dai Yao yelled angrily.
Despite the searing pain, Bibi Dong acted as though she didn't feel it. When she caught the momentary hesitation in Dai Yao's eyes, a feverish flush rose to her cheeks.
Yes. Just like that.
If she kept going, maybe he would forgive her. Even if her heart were truly pierced, as long as he understood her intentions, it would be worth it.
Ignoring his anger, Bibi Dong moved closer, her expression filled with satisfaction. The trident's blade sank deeper into her chest, blood spilling out, dripping to the floor with a steady drip, drip, echoing through the Pope's Hall.
The sound was like a hammer striking Dai Yao's heart.
"Bibi Dong, do you really want to die?" Dai Yao's voice trembled, despite his anger.
But Bibi Dong showed no hesitation. The flush in her cheeks deepened as she stepped closer, her resolve unwavering, even as the trident's blade reached her heart.
As Dai Yao felt the trident tip nearing her heart, he grew short of breath, and his heartbeat pounded louder. Seeing the determination in her gaze, a pang of hesitation stirred within him.
If he didn't withdraw the trident, Bibi Dong might really sacrifice herself here, driving her heart straight into the blade.
Her life lay in his hands.
Was this why he had returned—to watch her die?
He asked himself this question, and the answer was clear: No. The misunderstandings and betrayals of the past had driven them apart, but he could understand her reasons, even if her choices angered him.
He resented that she hadn't trusted him, that she hadn't given him a chance to explain himself.
Now that she was showing her sincerity with her life on the line, could he really stay so hardened?
Just before the trident could pierce her heart, Dai Yao abruptly pulled back. The blade left her chest, causing her to stumble forward, weakened. Her crown fell from her head, hitting the floor with a series of ringing sounds.
Dai Yao hurried to catch her. Without her spirit power, she was as vulnerable as any mortal, though her body was much stronger.
Dai Yao realized that even as he had withdrawn the trident, Bibi Dong had continued to move forward. If he hadn't acted, she would truly have died.
She had been gambling her life.
"Why are you doing this?" Dai Yao asked, looking at the weakened Bibi Dong in his arms with helplessness in his voice.
With her crown gone, her long, purple hair cascaded over her shoulders, some strands stained with her blood, giving her an air of tragic beauty.
Nestled in his embrace, Bibi Dong finally achieved what she had longed for. Her pale face flushed a feverish red, like the glow of a sunset.
Dai Yao's act of mercy showed he still cared for her. Despite his anger, he did not truly wish to harm her.
In this world, only he cared for her.
"I knew it. I knew you'd forgive me!" she whispered, her voice quivering with joy as she looked up at him, her gaze locked on his face as if he were the only thing in her world. Ignoring her injuries, she wrapped her arms around his waist, clinging to him as if terrified of losing him again.
Feeling Bibi Dong's warmth and sincerity, Dai Yao found himself abandoning the suspicions he once held.
The wounds of the past began to ease, softened by her open heart.
Letting out a soft sigh, he held her gently, his arm around her waist. Casting a quick glance at the bloody wound on her chest, he said, "Alright, focus your spirit power on healing yourself."
He avoided meeting her intense gaze as he spoke.
"No," Bibi Dong replied, refusing without hesitation. "If I weren't injured, would you still hold me like this?"
She looked directly into his eyes, her question piercing through his defenses.
Back in the depths of the Rakshasa trials, during their first shared test, they had supported each other through life and death. Back then, when he had held her to let her rest, it had been the only time since escaping her personal hell that her shattered heart had felt safe.
She had clung to that feeling like a drowning person clutches a lifeline.
And she couldn't bear to lose it again.
Dai Yao's heart skipped a beat.
This woman—this Pope who had ruled with ruthlessness and an unapproachable demeanor—had always guarded the vulnerable part of herself, burying it under layers of coldness and control.
Only through a twist of fate had he earned her trust and been given a glimpse of the wounded, fragile soul she so desperately shielded.
Though he still harbored a trace of resentment, the pain he saw in her eyes stirred a wave of empathy that washed away his anger.
"It seems I can't help this cursed compassion of mine," he muttered under his breath, chastising himself. Then, he held her a little closer, whispering softly into her ear, "You don't have to worry anymore. I'm not going to leave again."
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