She did not pass away peacefully, nor did she die from an illness.
She was hunted down.
The one who hunted her down was a Titled Douluo from the Spirit Hall.
Her initial purpose in coming to the human world was to become stronger and avenge her mother.
But now...
Revenge was no longer the most important thing.
Yi Fei said there was a chance to revive her mother.
But that would require a significant cost and a considerable amount of time.
In Xiao Wu's mind, the memory of her mother's warm embrace surfaced—it was her only solace in this cold human world.
She missed her mother.
Missed her madly.
If... if there was even a one in ten thousand chance to bring her mother back...
She was willing to pay any price.
But what about Tang San?
He was innocent.
He knew nothing.
He had been so kind to her, treating her like his own little sister.
But if she didn't try, if she didn't get close to that one hope—Yi Fei—then her mother would truly be gone forever.
Xiao Wu bit her lip hard, tasting a hint of blood.
She looked up at the clouds in the sky.
The shape of the clouds reminded her of the flower crown her mother used to make for her.
Mother...
Xiao Wu's eyes immediately turned red.
A scalding tear rolled down her cheek and fell to the grass.
She made her decision.
I'm sorry, Little San.
Mother is everything to me.
For her, I must... let you go.
She stood up, wiped away her tears, and her eyes became more determined than ever.
She was going to find Yi Fei.
No matter what it took, she would stay by his side, show him her worth, and make him willing to help her.
As for Tang San... let this kindness end here.
...
At a small town inn on the border of the Star Luo Empire,
Zhu Zhuqing looked at the messages in the Chat Group from Ning Rongrong, who was furious, and fell into deep thought.
[Worlds Number One Princess: I'm so mad! This princess is leaving home! Going to Heaven Dou City! You,???, just wait for me!]
Leave home...
The corners of Zhu Zhuqing's mouth curved into a self-mocking smile.
Wasn't she doing the same?
Except Ning Rongrong was doing it to chase after a man, while she was doing it to save her life.
Her original plan was to flee to the Heaven Dou Empire, find that supposedly extraordinarily talented fiancé, Dai Mubai, and join forces with him to counter the deadly threat from her sister.
But now, she was wavering.
A powerful being from another world, comparable to a god.
A man who could drive even the Pope of the Spirit Hall mad.
A man who... even someone as proud as Dugu Yan would willingly follow.
Staying with Dai Mubai might give her a glimmer of hope.
But staying with Yi Fei... she might see a completely different world.
A world where she no longer had to live in fear, no longer had to live in the shadow of her sister.
Ning Rongrong, the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, pampered and adored, had the courage to leave everything behind and go to Heaven Dou City for her goals.
What was she, a person with no one to rely on and no guarantee of tomorrow, still hesitating about?
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes grew sharper.
She was no longer indecisive.
She stood up, packed her meager belongings, and slung them over her shoulder.
She pushed open the door and looked out at the blinding sunlight and the direction leading to the Heaven Dou Empire.
Dai Mubai...
That fiancé she had never met was no longer part of her plan.
She had only one goal.
Heaven Dou City, Yi Fei.
...
In the Chat Group, the discussion about Qian Renxue's appearance continued.
[Little Ice Cube: She... really went?]
[Bunny is So Cute:...]
[Little Goose: She went. The prince is quite impressive.]
[Is Jade Not Jade: Who? The prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe? Isn't he a man? Is there a second man in this Chat Group?]
[Worlds Number One Princess: I don't care! Yi Fei is mine! No one can take him from me!]
Spirit Hall, Supreme Pontiff Palace.
Having just ordered an investigation into Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, Bibi Dong coldly watched the information in the group, her purple phoenix eyes flashing with a sharp light.
From Yi Fei's previous messages, she could tell that Yi Fei was not fond of the Asura God or Tang San's group.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Besides, her chances of winning against the Asura God and Tang San were too low. Having another powerful being from another world on her side would naturally be better.
The truth of the Rakshasa God Trial had made her suspect everything about the God Realm.
The Angel God trial might not be any cleaner.
Qian Renxue, the heir apparent, seemed glorious but could also be a pawn ready to be discarded at any moment.
Her proactive approach to finding Yi Fei was a smart choice.
She could not wait any longer.
Bibi Dong stood up, her authoritative voice echoing in the grand hall.
"Attendant."
A red-robed cardinal immediately appeared before her, kneeling on one knee.
"Summon Hu Liena to see me at once."
"As you command, Your Holiness!"
Moments later, Hu Liena hurried into the grand hall and bowed respectfully.
"Teacher, you called for me."
Bibi Dong looked at her most outstanding Disciple and nodded.
Her voice revealed no emotion.
"Liena, come with me... on a trip to Heaven Dou City."
The journey to Heaven Dou City was long and tedious.
The Spirit Hall's exclusive carriage was the epitome of luxury, with an interior as spacious as a small room.
The carriage was laid with soft Spirit Beast fur rugs, and a censer in the corner burned incense that calmed the mind.
But Hu Liena couldn't sit still.
She cautiously looked up at her teacher sitting across from her.
Bibi Dong leaned against the soft cushions, her eyes closed in meditation.
She wore a simple purple gown, having set aside the Pope's tiara and scepter, her usual sternness replaced with a hint of feminine softness.
Yet, that inherent nobility and authority still made her impossible to look directly at.
Hu Liena's heart pounded.
Her teacher... was going to see that Yi Fei.
Why?
To win him over?
It must be.
Someone who could foresee the future, with strength comparable to a god, if he could become an ally of the Spirit Hall, then the plan to unify the continent would face no obstacles.
It might even be possible... to defy the God Realm.
As Hu Liena was lost in thought, Bibi Dong's cold voice suddenly broke the silence.
"Liena, do you know why we are going on this trip?"
Hu Liena's body tensed, and she quickly sat up straight, respectfully answering,
"Yes, Teacher. It is to see that Lord Yi Fei. If we can win him over to our Spirit Hall, it would be most beneficial."
Bibi Dong slowly opened her eyes, her beautiful phoenix eyes revealing no emotion.
"Good, you understand."
She paused, her voice taking on a deeper meaning.