Chapter 28: Before the Match
Bi Bi Dong sat upon the Papal Throne, one hand propping up her head, eyes closed in deep thought.
Tian E's breakthrough to Limit Douluo had blindsided her. She never imagined an old man whose potential was long exhausted could ascend once more.
Now the Hall of Offerings boasted two Limit Douluos—and her path to vengeance grew even more distant.
Her original plan had been simple: wait for Qian DaoLiu to sacrifice himself during Qian Ren Xue's divine trials, then eliminate the Hall Guardians under some convenient pretext. With Tian E capped at 98th level, even as a Rakshasa God inheritor, she could afford the cost to kill them all. No one would remain to stop her revenge against Spirit Hall.
As for Qian Ren Xue—her own flesh and blood—she refused to dwell on it. One step at a time.
But Tian E's sudden leap to 99th level changed everything. That single level wasn't just a gap—it was a chasm. A 98th-level Super Douluo? She could slay with calculated sacrifice. But a 99th-level? Even if she matched his level, victory was no longer guaranteed. Anyone who reached that height possessed talent and combat prowess rivaling a god candidate.
Worse—what if Tian E had divine backing? An old man breaking through so late in life couldn't be natural.
Even if Qian DaoLiu sacrificed himself, the Hall of Offerings would still have a Limit Douluo to anchor their power. She'd remain shackled.
And now, the Hall Guardians seemed to suspect her intentions—slowly, methodically stripping away her authority.
But those were future problems. The immediate crisis was tomorrow's Holy Maiden contest.
She adored Hu Liena like a daughter—but she wasn't blind. Compared to Tian Yue and the Hall Guardians' heirs, Hu Liena's strength was merely average among the elite.
Tian Yue? Forget it. Past spars ended in total defeat for Hu Liena.
Granted, under Bi Bi Dong's tutelage, Hu Liena might now stand a chance.
But then there was Qian Ningshuang—the Hall's hidden ace.
Bi Bi Dong didn't know her exact strength, but reports suggested she dominated Tian Yue. Against her, Hu Liena's odds were bleak.
Yet the thought of Qian Ningshuang becoming Holy Maiden made her stomach churn.
Though Qian Ningshuang and Qian Ren Xue were sisters, Bi Bi Dong's feelings toward them were worlds apart.
Qian Ren Xue—her own blood—filled her with conflicted emotions she couldn't face.
But Qian Ningshuang? Pure loathing.
*The Qian family thinks I'm a fool?*
A golden-haired child, brought in by Qian Xunji on his deathbed, treated like Qian Ren Xue from day one—only for Qian DaoLiu to later declare her a "adopted granddaughter"?
In Bi Bi Dong's eyes, Qian Ningshuang was Qian Xunji's bastard daughter. And aside from Qian Ren Xue, she despised every Qian with a hunger to devour their flesh.
More than hatred, though, she felt something else: fear.
When Qian Ningshuang was two or three, she'd approached Bi Bi Dong with innocent affection. After two meetings, the girl stopped coming—likely sensing the murder in Bi Bi Dong's eyes.
But Bi Bi Dong had every intention of hunting her.
Within Spirit City, avoiding Qian DaoLiu's notice was impossible—for anyone but her. As the Rakshasa God's inheritor, she could cloak herself in divine power and strike unseen.
The day she prepared to act… Qian Ningshuang vanished.
Not physically—she was still in the Qian estate. But Bi Bi Dong couldn't *see* her. No traces, no presence—as if the girl had never existed. As if the entire city conspired to fabricate her.
Days later, Qian Ningshuang reappeared—visible again.
After repeated tests, Bi Bi Dong discovered the truth: whenever her Rakshasa divine energy stirred, Qian Ningshuang became invisible to her—along with all records of her existence.
After passing the Sixth Trial of the Rakshasa God, it worsened. Now, Qian Ningshuang appeared only as a blurred silhouette. Even her name required conscious effort to recall—otherwise, Bi Bi Dong's mind would simply… skip over her.
"Teacher… are you alright?"
Hu Liena's voice broke through her thoughts. The girl had been standing quietly in the Papal Palace for some time, but Bi Bi Dong's trembling left hand finally prompted her to speak.
Bi Bi Dong opened her eyes, composing herself. "Na Na… when did you arrive?"
"A while ago. I didn't want to disturb you while you were resting."
Hu Liena's eyes shone with filial devotion. She owed everything to this woman who'd plucked her from an orphanage.
"Next time, just call me," Bi Bi Dong said gently, stepping down from the throne to stroke Hu Liena's hair. "We're teacher and student in name—but I've always seen you as my daughter. Don't treat me with fear like the others."
"Yes, Teacher," Hu Liena nodded firmly, then asked, "You summoned me for a reason?"
"The Second Hall Guardian and I have agreed: tomorrow, the Holy Maiden title will be decided in the training grounds."
"Tomorrow?!" Hu Liena gasped, hands flying to her mouth, eyes wide with excitement.
Three years she'd waited—ever since Bi Bi Dong first promised her the title. She'd assumed the delay would stretch on indefinitely.
Bi Bi Dong winced inwardly. Her initial confidence had been misplaced—she'd expected the Hall Guardians to stay neutral, as always. She hadn't counted on Tian E's interference.
But regrets wouldn't win tomorrow's match.
"Na Na, you know what the training grounds mean," Bi Bi Dong said gravely. "You'll face multiple opponents. Only if you win them all does the title become yours. Lose even once… and it's over."
"No problem!" Hu Liena's confidence blazed. "Even Tian Yue—I can beat her now! Three years of relentless training… she's been lazing in that academy while I pushed myself every day!"
"But the Hall Guardians won't just send Tian Yue," Bi Bi Dong cautioned. "They'll field Qian Ningshuang."
"Qian Ningshuang? Who's that?"
Hu Liena genuinely had no idea. Qian Ningshuang's existence was tightly guarded—known only to Spirit Hall's inner circle. She hadn't attended the Spirit Hall Academy, Bi Bi Dong avoided mentioning her, and Tian Yue certainly wouldn't volunteer the information.
"Qian Ningshuang—Grandmaster Qian DaoLiu's second granddaughter. Martial soul unknown. Level unknown. But this much is certain: Tian Yue is utterly outmatched by her."
"And tomorrow, the Hall Guardians will absolutely deploy her. So, Na Na… proceed with extreme caution."
"To be honest, your chances against her are slim. Which is why I prepared this."
Bi Bi Dong produced a faintly glowing blue spirit bone.
"This is a Spirit-Concentrating Wisdom Skull—a head spirit bone from a 60,000-year魂 beast. Absorb it, and victory tomorrow is assured."
"Teacher, this is too precious!"
Hu Liena recoiled. Her academy training and Bi Bi Dong's teachings had taught her the bone's immense value.
"What does that matter? For you, I'd give far more."
"But—"
"No more protests." Bi Bi Dong's tone turned authoritative. "As your teacher, I command you: absorb it. I'll guard you personally."
"Remember—tomorrow isn't just about the Holy Maiden title. You carry the Papal Palace's honor. If you lose… Spirit Hall's dignity falls with you."
Meeting her teacher's resolute gaze, Hu Liena finally accepted the bone.
"Yes, Teacher!"