400. My Heart Aches

Bibi Dong’s silence left Ling Yuan restless, unable to calm her anxious mind.

Unable to resist, she raised her head to test the waters.
“Your Majesty...”

“Hmph!”

Bibi Dong let out a cold snort, glaring at Ling Yuan, who was kneeling below her.

Even though Ling Yuan’s mistake wasn’t grave, her actions as a subordinate and future daughter-in-law were still defiant.

As the Pope and her mother-in-law, such behavior was simply intolerable!

“Ling Yuan, considering your previous contributions, I will let this matter slide.”

Hearing Bibi Dong’s words, Ling Yuan felt the weight on her chest begin to lift.

But before she could let out a sigh of relief, Bibi Dong’s tone abruptly changed.

“But you’ll avoid death only to face punishment. I hereby order you to refine 1,000 pills within 30 days.”

Ling Yuan froze for a moment, her lips curling into a bitter yet relieved smile.

At least she wouldn’t be sent away.

Working in the Pill Hall to refine 1,000 pills would be exhausting, but it was manageable—especially since Bibi Dong hadn’t specified what type of pills they needed to be.

“Yes, I accept the punishment!” Ling Yuan respectfully complied.

“Good. I trust you won’t repeat this mistake. If you do, don’t blame me for being harsh when the time comes.”

Bibi Dong excelled at balancing rewards and punishments, striking with one hand and soothing with the other.

Hearing this, Ling Yuan blushed, immediately preparing to thank and pledge her loyalty to Bibi Dong.

It was only then that she realized how foolish she had been earlier!

She had completely forgotten who truly held the reins in this household.

Clearly, it was the Pope herself!

Her path was different from those of the other girls. If she didn’t cling to Bibi Dong’s favor, she’d eventually be sidelined—or worse, lose all opportunities to serve her beloved prince.

“All right, that’s enough,” Bibi Dong said, pinching the bridge of her nose and waving her hand dismissively.

“Now, go to that woman’s residence and bring her to the reception hall.”

“Uh—” Ling Yuan was briefly taken aback.

But having just had an epiphany, she wouldn’t dare to refuse Bibi Dong’s orders. She only hesitated to ask,
“What if she refuses to come?”

“Hmph! Then tell her that Jue himself asked for her!” Bibi Dong growled, her tone sharp.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll handle it right away.”

Ling Yuan rose slowly, turned, and exited the hall.

As soon as she stepped outside, she flew down the mountain at full speed.

I hope His Highness won’t blame me…

The Pope—she’s untouchable!


---

Pope’s Palace, Side Hall

Completely unaware of the conversation between Bibi Dong and Ling Yuan, Qian Renjue sat in the side hall, holding Ning Rongrong in his arms.

He casually chatted with Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo.

“Your Highness, is the wind and lightning power you demonstrated earlier a soul skill?”

Unable to suppress his curiosity, Sword Douluo asked the question on his mind.

“It’s a self-created soul skill,” Qian Renjue replied with a faint smile.

Sword Douluo nodded in understanding.

“Haha, as expected, Your Highness is exceptionally gifted.”

Ning Fengzhi couldn’t help but laugh.
“From today onward, you’ll undoubtedly be recognized as the undisputed leader among young spirit masters.”

“Even the older generation can’t compare to you,” he added.

Qian Renjue shook his head modestly.
“You flatter me, Uncle Ning. As someone from the younger generation, I still have a long way to go.”

“That’s not flattery—Brother Holy Son is the best!” Ning Rongrong chimed in.

Holding a warm cup of tea, she pouted slightly, blowing softly to cool the liquid.

Sip—

She took tiny sips now and then to check the temperature, seizing every opportunity to voice her support.

Qian Renjue couldn’t help but laugh as he ruffled Ning Rongrong’s hair gently, amused by her antics.


"The Holy Son is likely about to become a Spirit Douluo, isn't he?"

Sword Douluo spoke with a quiet tone.

The last time they met, Qian Renjue was already at the 77th level. Now, more than half a year had passed, and given his talent, it was likely that his progress would be significant.

"Senior Chen Xin, your insight is truly remarkable," Qian Renjue praised, offering a straightforward response.
"In just over a month, I will officially break through to the Spirit Douluo realm."

Thinking of the ice-pure Snow Empress, he added,
"My eighth spirit ring is already prepared."

Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi froze for a moment, his face filled with astonishment.

He was well aware that Qian Renjue's seventh spirit ring was already at the 100,000-year level. The eighth one certainly wouldn’t fall behind.

Unlike Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo’s eyes held a mix of anticipation and a subtle sense of defeat.

He couldn’t help but wonder if, once Qian Renjue became a Spirit Douluo, he would still be able to rival him.

This wasn't mere exaggeration or a lack of confidence in his swordsmanship—it was a keen intuition.

As a swordsman, facing a strong adversary came with an undeniable instinct.

"Brother Holy Son, you're progressing so fast!"

Ning Rongrong chimed in sweetly, her eyes sparkling like stars. She brought the tea she had tested for temperature to Qian Renjue’s lips.

"Brother Holy Son, have some tea."

"Thank you, Rongrong," Qian Renjue replied warmly.

To him, his progress didn’t seem overly fast. Ling Yuan could attest to that. After all, the opponents he was destined to face in the future weren’t mere titled Douluos.

While Qian Renjue sipped the tea, Ning Rongrong’s big, lively eyes turned to her father, filled with a sense of grievance. It was as though she was urging him to leave quickly.

Sword Douluo remained unshaken, but Ning Fengzhi’s expression twitched slightly.

Setting down his tea, he sighed with a sense of melancholy.
Girls truly can’t be held back once they grow up.

Still, Ning Fengzhi didn’t say much. For now, she was still his sweet little girl, and he intended to spoil her for as long as he could.

If he didn’t, there might not be any chances left in the future.

Just as Qian Renjue set down his tea, Ning Fengzhi glanced outside and turned back with a smile.

“Holy Son, it’s getting late. Rongrong was talking yesterday about wanting to explore. I’ll leave her in your capable hands.”

Ning Rongrong’s eyes showed a trace of apology for her father but were filled with excitement. She beamed and nodded vigorously.

“Yes! Yes! I want to explore Spirit City with Brother Holy Son!”

Qian Renjue chuckled, amused by her enthusiasm. He gently pinched Ning Rongrong’s cheek and turned to Ning Fengzhi.

“Uncle Ning, you flatter me. It’s no trouble at all—this is what I should do.”

“Very well,” Ning Fengzhi replied with satisfaction, nodding.

Turning to his daughter, he reminded her,
“Rongrong, you can’t behave recklessly in Spirit City like you do at home.”

“Daddy, when have I ever behaved recklessly?” Ning Rongrong protested, puffing her cheeks in displeasure.

Ning Fengzhi couldn’t help but chuckle helplessly.
His little girl was clearly learning how to act like a proper young lady—but only in front of her fiancé, Qian Renjue.

“Heehee!”

Ning Rongrong quickly broke into a smile. Standing up, she grabbed Qian Renjue’s hand with both of her delicate ones and urged him.

“Brother Holy Son, let’s go!”

“All right,” Qian Renjue replied with a gentle smile.

He stood up, bid farewell to Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, and then led the cheerful girl toward the exit.

“Wait, Brother Holy Son!”

As they reached the door, Ning Rongrong suddenly remembered something. She quickly returned to the table, picked up Qian Renjue’s tea, and drank several sips in quick succession to soothe her throat.

Satisfied, her cheeks flushed red as she waved goodbye to Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo.

“Daddy, Grandpa Sword, I’m off to have fun!”

“Bye-bye~”

Under their watchful eyes, Ning Rongrong followed Qian Renjue, disappearing into the distance.

“Uncle Sword, my heart aches. How about you?” Ning Fengzhi sighed.

“I’m holding it in,” Sword Douluo replied stoically.