"Bibi Dong."
Zhu Zhuqing froze for a moment when she learned the real name of Zhou Sitong's mother. The name felt familiar, as if she had heard it somewhere before.
Inside the carriage, silence reigned.
Bibi Dong, restored to her usual appearance, exuded an imposing aura, sitting at the forefront with an air that compelled reverence. As the Supreme Leader of the Spirit Hall, having occupied this position for over a decade, such authority was natural.
Suddenly, Zhu Zhuqing's expression changed.
From confusion to fear, her eyes betrayed a hint of unease.
"You recognize me?"
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's reaction, Bibi Dong immediately realized that her identity had been uncovered.
"You… you are the Spirit Hall's leader!?"
Zhu Zhuqing stammered, her throat tightening, palms sweaty.
"That's right. I am the current Spirit Hall leader, Bibi Dong. And this boy… is my long-lost… silly son," Bibi Dong said, ruffling Zhou Sitong's head playfully.
"Mom!" Zhou Sitong protested.
"…"
Zhu Zhuqing was utterly stunned.
This perfect woman, combining power and status, was the Spirit Hall's Supreme Leader—and…
Zhu Zhuqing recalled spending half a year addressing her as "Mom," and a wave of nervousness and unease swept over her.
Bibi Dong's reputation preceded her.
Praised as the most outstanding leader in Spirit Hall history, she had brought the organization to unprecedented heights, rivaling the might of one of the two great empires.
Her iron-fisted rule was legendary.
Zhu Zhuqing had heard tales that despite being a woman, Bibi Dong acted decisively, eliminating those who disobeyed her without mercy.
Yet, during the past six months, Zhu Zhuqing had seen none of this in Bibi Dong—only her maternal affection, which had greatly benefited her.
During Bibi Dong's half-year stay in Tiandou City, she had played the role of a mother rather than the Supreme Leader. Those were some of the happiest memories of her life.
Upon returning to the Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong resumed her revered position as the leader.
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing still in shock, Bibi Dong shook her head slightly—she had acted too hastily. Zhu Qing was only thirteen; suddenly realizing so much, while interacting with the woman who was feared across the continent and calling her "Mom" for half a year, was naturally overwhelming.
The carriage fell silent again.
Zhu Zhuqing tried to maintain composure, clutching the blanket, her expression serious, avoiding Bibi Dong's gaze.
"Zhu Qing, look at me." Bibi Dong suddenly commanded.
Zhu Zhuqing froze, trembling as she lifted her head. When their eyes met, Bibi Dong could see the girl's anxiety, like a startled cat.
"…"
Biting her lip, Zhu Zhuqing drew a deep breath, forcing herself to maintain eye contact, though her mind raced like ants biting her from inside.
"Since you are to be my son's future wife, you are my daughter-in-law. Privately, call me Mom, just like Sitong does. Don't be so nervous. The Supreme Leader is still human, with her own children. I saw you comfortably call me 'Mom' before, why the anxiety now? Remember, just treat me like when we were in Tiandou City," Bibi Dong said casually.
For Zhu Zhuqing, that was easier said than done.
Now she understood why the Xingluo royal family had canceled her engagement with Dai Mubai. With Bibi Dong's power and backing, who could resist her?
Previously, Bibi Dong had already made concessions, and it took careful deliberation by the royal family to ultimately agree to cancel the marriage.
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's conflicted expression, Bibi Dong sighed helplessly: "I should've known better!"
The situation was irreversible.
"Zhu Qing, relax. I am not the Supreme Leader right now, only Sitong's mother. Just like in Tiandou City, call me 'Mom' again."
Bibi Dong smiled, but Zhu Zhuqing hesitated, lips slightly parted, unable to speak.
Before learning Bibi Dong's identity, she had felt fearless.
Now, knowing the woman she had called "Mom" for half a year was the Supreme Leader, Zhu Zhuqing was overwhelmed.
The Zhu family had long-standing ties with the royal family, with arranged engagements for their daughters. Without accidents, Zhu Qing or her sister would have become the crown princess or even empress.
Yet Zhou Sitong's arrival shattered Zhu Qing's carefully arranged fate! She became the first Zhu daughter in history to have her engagement canceled, gaining freedom and never being bound by a royal marriage again.
Zhu Yun, Zhu Qing's sister, often sighed at her misfortune.
Accustomed to social hierarchies, Zhu Qing remained restrained.
Now, facing the radiant aura of Bibi Dong, Zhu Qing remained silent under the immense pressure.
Seeing no response, Bibi Dong sighed—everything had happened too fast; Zhu Qing needed time to adjust.
Zhou Sitong observed Zhu Qing fidgeting with her sleeves, silently bearing pressure few could imagine.
The journey was unusually quiet.
Suddenly, Zhou Sitong's expression stiffened, and he immediately moved to an open space in front of the carriage, sitting cross-legged. This was a moment he had long awaited.
"Sitong, you…"
Zhu Qing looked worried, turning to Bibi Dong. "Mom, what's happening to Sitong?"
Perhaps instinctively, at that moment, her body reacted. Zhu Qing's momentary call of "Mom" had been suppressed until now, and seeing her son in danger triggered her instincts.
"Relax, Sitong is about to break through."
Bibi Dong noticed the surging soul power in her son—a breakthrough was imminent.
Level fifty to sixty was a critical threshold; some soul masters spent their entire lives trying to surpass it.
Zhou Sitong had been aided by rare medicinal herbs since childhood, initially used by Bibi Dong to revive him. She had spared no effort, employing the finest herbs to ensure his survival.
Inside the carriage, as Zhou Sitong awakened, his soul power reached level sixty, allowing him to acquire his sixth soul ring.
"Son, your soul power has reached level sixty," Bibi Dong said with a smile.
"Finally, level sixty," Zhou Sitong nodded happily.
Suddenly, a golden figure appeared at the center of Zhou Sitong's brow.
Xiaoxue held a glowing orb, dropping it before him.
"Congratulations, your soul power has reached level sixty. This is your divine soul ring. Also, the Nine Trials of Fate will begin once you absorb it. Absorb it quickly."
Zhou Sitong took the golden orb, its surface flashing brilliantly, brighter than a luminous pearl.
"Xiaoxue, with my current body… how long will this divine soul ring last?" Zhou Sitong asked eagerly.
"Hmm…" Xiaoxue pondered. "Your body is peak-level. With the Fire Apricot and Octagon Frost Grass, refined in the Ice-Fire Eyes, even absorbing a hundred thousand-year soul ring would pose no problem. Effort is human, success is divine. Whether it becomes a black or red soul ring depends entirely on you."
With that, Xiaoxue re-entered Zhou Sitong's brow.
Holding the divine soul ring, Zhou Sitong wondered—would it be black or red?
"Return to the Spirit Hall to absorb it. The journey is long, with many uncertainties."
Zhou Sitong stored the divine soul ring, planning to complete absorption at the Spirit Hall.
From Tiandou City to the Spirit Hall was half a month's travel. Zhu Qing couldn't fly, so Bibi Dong had chosen to travel by carriage.
But barely out of Tiandou City, Zhou Sitong broke through—plans could not keep pace with change.
Recognizing the urgency, Bibi Dong said, "Son, let's fly to the Spirit Hall."
Having absorbed a divine soul ring herself, Bibi Dong understood the pressure her son faced.
"What about Zhu Qing…"
Zhou Sitong looked at Zhu Qing. With his second spirit and the Blue Silver Emperor's right leg bone, he could fly. Zhu Qing could not.
She shook her head: "It's fine. Your matters are most important. You and… Mom go ahead. I'll catch up by carriage."
Bibi Dong exchanged a glance with her son.
Together, mother and son grabbed Zhu Qing's hands, and with wings unfurling, they shot into the sky!
Five days later.
At the foot of Tiandou Royal Academy, Tang Hao, hiding in the shadows, waited until the last student left, then staggered out.
With panda-like eyes, he looked at the empty academy and muttered, "Does Zhou Sitong have foresight? I've been here for five days and haven't seen him."
Indeed.
Tang Hao had been lying in ambush for five days, hardly sleeping.
Three months prior, Zhou Sitong had almost led the Dark Demon Divine Tiger to kill Tang San, forging an unbreakable grudge.
His legs were numb, yet Zhou Sitong had not appeared. Tang Hao wondered if Sitong had anticipated his ambush and left early.
"I'll wait longer. This time, you will die!" Tang Hao's eyes blazed with uncontrollable murderous intent.
He crawled into the grass, eyes sharp despite dark circles.
At the same time, above the Supreme Leader's hall, three figures descended from the sky.
Hu Liena, leaving the hall, was stunned. She hurried to alert others—no one could fly over the hall, not even a sealed Douluo.
"Teacher? You've finally returned!"
Hu Liena beamed.
"Liena, arrange a secret chamber for me—my usual training chamber! Quickly!" Bibi Dong ordered.
Though confused, Hu Liena immediately prepared the chamber.
This was Zhu Qing's first visit to the Spirit Hall. She was captivated by its wonders, most notably the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python at the foot of the hall, both roaring in fury.
Having ruled Star Dou Forest for a hundred thousand years, today they were mere pets of humans.
Their fate: death.
"Teacher, your training chamber is ready," Hu Liena reported.
"You've worked hard these past six months while I was away," Bibi Dong said, grateful. As her only disciple, Hu Liena was like a daughter to her.
"Son, let's go." Bibi Dong turned to Zhou Sitong. Before leaving, she added: "Liena, this is Zhu Qing, Sitong's future wife. Show her around the Spirit Hall. You've worked hard six months; enjoy a break!"
"Understood, Teacher."
Hu Liena's eyes sparkled as she looked at Zhu Qing.
At first glance, she was captivated.
"This figure… does it exist?" Hu Liena laughed, taking Zhu Qing's hand. "Zhu Qing, I'm Hu Liena. Welcome to the Spirit Hall."
"Hello, Hu Liena. You can just call me Zhu Qing," Zhu Qing replied shyly.
"Come, I'll show you the wonders of the Spirit Hall!"
Inside the secret chamber, Zhou Sitong and Bibi Dong arrived.
Zhou Sitong recognized the place—it was where his father had sacrificed for him, where that night's nightmare for his mother was born.
"Mom, thank you for staying while I absorb the divine soul ring."
Sitting in Bibi Dong's former seat, Zhou Sitong took out the golden divine soul ring, its light illuminating the chamber like daylight.
"Don't worry, son. No one will disturb you."
Absorbing a soul ring required absolute focus; divine soul rings demanded even greater care. They bonded perfectly with the user, forming the most compatible soul ring.
As Bibi Dong left and the chamber doors closed, Zhou Sitong prepared.
"Begin!"
His gaze hardened. Without hesitation, he crushed the divine soul ring. Golden fragments surged into him, warm energy flowing through his body. He closed his eyes, starting to absorb them silently.
At the foot of Spirit Hall Mountain, besides the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python, other soul beasts gathered.
"Where's that arrogance gone?" said the first Thousand-Pound Ant Emperor.
Indeed, the first ant emperor spoke. In Xiaoxue's golden sea, they had become ten-thousand-year soul beasts, entering the peak of their kind.
Following Zhou Sitong to the Spirit Hall, they immediately sought out the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python. A centuries-long grudge fueled their hatred.
These were elite beasts occupying the core of Star Dou Forest, envied by all. None dared challenge them—they were simply too strong.
"You beasts! Align with humans, and your fate is the same as ours—your bodies become human soul rings and bones. What are you even seeking?" Azure Bull Python hissed.
The ant emperors and the two Dark Demon Divine Tigers laughed.
"We sacrifice, unlike you. Though our bodies are destroyed, our souls endure, allowing us to grow stronger upon revival," said the third ant emperor excitedly.
Having witnessed Xiaoxue's power, the captured beasts—except the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python—were guaranteed safety.
After sacrifice, their souls would be preserved, and after Zhou Sitong's final trial, they would revive stronger.
The two beasts remained silent, displeased.
But then…
"Roar!" (And Xiao Wu, the Soft-Boned Rabbit in Tiandou City—don't worry, she'll be with you soon.) the Dark Demon Divine Tiger roared.
.....
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" Douluo: The Northern Extreme Sunset Glow "
" Douluo: Glazed Sacrifice to Revive the Sect (18+) "
" Douluo: My Soul Skills are Optional "
" Douluo: Shocked, I Became Bibi Dong "
" BTTH: Traveling Through with the Ancestral Talisman "
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(End of Chapter)