Chapter 268: The Madwoman
Inside the Papal Palace, in the Pope's private chamber.
Bibi Dong, who had been seated in meditation, slowly opened her eyes. If anyone were present, they would have been shocked to see that her eyes were completely blood red, as if they could drip blood at any moment.
Her fingernails, now five inches long and pitch black, starkly contrasted against her pale, delicate skin.
The once noble and stunning beauty now appeared twisted and terrifying, with thin, crimson scars marring her face.
Behind her, a shadowy, evil figure loomed, its form indistinct yet radiating a sinister aura.
Bibi Dong took a deep breath, and dark purple energy surged over her body.
Gradually, her horrific transformation faded, and she regained her original, elegant appearance.
"It's close! Very close now!"
"My foolish daughter wasted all her precious time on a meaningless political game. By the time she completes her Nine Trials and inherits the divine throne, I will have already ascended to godhood!"
"When that time comes, no one will be able to stop me. Qian Daoliu, your son destroyed me, so I will destroy everything that belongs to your Angel Clan!"
Her eyes gleamed with dark, ruthless hatred.
For years, consumed by vengeance, Bibi Dong had been spiraling into madness.
She had one singular goal to destroy Spirit Hall.
Or rather, to annihilate the Angel Clan's legacy.
This deep seated desire had always been buried in her heart, hidden from everyone.
Ironically, Spirit Hall's expansion and rise to power in recent years were largely due to her efforts.
She had gradually seized control, weakening the Qian family's influence while formulating the Spirit Empire plan.
Even sending Qian Renxue to infiltrate the Heaven Dou Empire had been her doing.
But in reality, the whole coup scheme was nothing more than a smokescreen.
Her true goal had always been to delay Qian Renxue's ascension to godhood.
Ever since receiving the Rakshasa God's Trials, Bibi Dong had sensed a divine revelation her own daughter was destined to become the Angel God.
This premonition had come from the Rakshasa God's power itself.
For the Angel and Rakshasa Gods were mortal enemies, and no one understands their adversary better than their own foe.
Upon confirming Qian Renxue's fate, Bibi Dong became determined to hinder her progress.
So, she had manipulated her daughter goading her, provoking her, driving her into requesting to go undercover in Heaven Dou.
If Qian Renxue had not voluntarily insisted on going, no one not even Bibi Dong herself could have forced her.
After all, she was the only heir of the Angel bloodline, backed by an Ultimate Douluo grandfather.
Only by making her believe it was her own choice could Bibi Dong ensure no one would oppose it.
Once Qian Renxue was sent away, Bibi Dong had free rein to reshape Spirit Hall.
She transformed what was once an isolated religious order into a political powerhouse seeking world domination.
Before Bibi Dong took over, Spirit Hall had been a neutral sanctuary, an untouchable holy land for all soul masters, existing purely to worship the Angel God.
Despite its strength, it had never posed a threat to the two great empires.
But once Bibi Dong rose to power, she set a different course.
It was clear to any observer Spirit Hall was no longer satisfied with remaining neutral.
She was plotting to seize the world.
At first glance, it seemed like a move fueled by ambition.
Even her own daughter likely believed she was simply a cruel, power hungry ruler.
But in truth, Bibi Dong's hatred clouded mind had only one true purpose the downfall of Spirit Hall and the destruction of the Angel Clan.
Everything else?
Just a grand deception.
Bibi Dong rose to her feet, her pope's robe shimmering as it draped over her alluring figure, once again transforming into the poised, regal ruler.
Then, suddenly
"HAHAHA! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
A chilling, nightmarish laugh filled the chamber.
The dark, monstrous shadow reappeared behind her, exuding pure malevolence.
A madwoman.
That was what Bibi Dong had become.
Of course, the Rakshasa God's influence played a major role in her madness.
Her irrationality and paranoia were largely the result of divine corruption.
Otherwise, her absurd, contradictory actions in the original timeline would never have made sense.
White Cloud City – City Lord's Mansion.
At that moment, Ye Cheng was personally instructing Bo Saixi on how to condense her own soul rings.
Coincidentally, all of her soul rings had shattered, making her the perfect candidate to transition into a Divine Ring Master.
Since she was already living in the mansion, Ye Cheng took the opportunity to guide her through the process.
After some brief hesitation, Bo Saixi agreed to his offer.
Given her current state, if she didn't return to Sea God Island and seek the Sea God's help, her powers would never recover.
Once a soul master's rings shattered, they could never be replaced through traditional means.
The slots occupied by the lost rings remained permanently locked.
This was an unbreakable rule otherwise, soul masters could simply replace their old rings with stronger ones at will, which would completely break the balance of the system.
For this reason, a soul master whose rings had been shattered was essentially crippled.
But now…
Ye Cheng was about to rewrite that fate.
Inside a quiet meditation chamber, only Ye Cheng and Bo Saixi were present.
No one else was allowed to disturb them.
Ye Cheng had already transmitted the entire soul ring condensation technique into Bo Saixi's mind through mental transmission.
Now, he was guiding her step by step.
"Deep breaths…"
"Relax… take it slow…"
Under his soothing, steady voice, Bo Saixi began her first attempt at condensing a soul ring.
The dangerous 'ring shattering' process had already been completed, so this step was far less risky.
As Ye Cheng's divine energy helped stabilize her, the process proceeded smoothly.
Around Bo Saixi, strands of white light flickered merging, intertwining…
Until finally, a brand new ten year soul ring appeared!
Bo Saixi's eyes fluttered open, staring at the ring encircling her body.
"Amazing… This is truly incredible…"
Her voice trembled with awe.
Only by experiencing it firsthand could she truly comprehend how profound this transformation was.
A self created soul ring entirely free from the constraints of the past system.
Unlike a bestowed god given ring, this was a power she had forged herself.
A feeling that was completely different.
She was no longer bound by fate.
She was breaking free.
(End of Chapter)
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