The main hall of the Pope's Palace was silent, lit by golden rays filtering through stained glass. Bibi Dong reclined elegantly on her throne, her mind replaying the words Ye Chen had said to her.
For a brief moment, a soft, feminine smile crept onto her usually cold and dignified face—something rarely seen on the Supreme Pontiff of the Spirit Hall. But it vanished just as quickly, replaced with conflicted thoughts that tugged at her heart.
Before she could dwell any further—
"Reporting to Her Holiness, Disciple Yan of the Spirit Hall Academy seeks audience," a respectful voice echoed from outside the hall.
Bibi Dong sat upright, the familiar solemnity returning to her gaze. "Let him in," she commanded with a calm but powerful voice.
Soon, Yan entered, guided by a Soul Douluo elder. He kneeled reverently, his tone respectful yet urgent:
"Your Holiness, the Elder Hall requests your presence. The Grand Priest has a matter he wishes to discuss with you."
"It can't wait until tomorrow?" Bibi Dong waved her hand dismissively. "Leave me. I have no time for trivial matters today."
"Your Holiness, it's regarding Ye Chen... and the mysterious disappearance of the two elders who escorted him back."
At the mention of Ye Chen's name, Bibi Dong's expression tightened. She rose immediately and, without another word, vanished into the inner corridors of the palace.
"Your Holiness? …Your Holiness?"
Left alone, Yan slowly stood and glanced around. With no one else in the hall, a suspicious gleam flickered in his eyes.
"Where did that bastard go? I saw him walk in… he has to be here somewhere."
His gaze drifted toward the eastern wing—Bibi Dong's personal chambers. Frowning, he hesitated.
"He wouldn't… no, that's off-limits. That's where Her Holiness rests! A guy sneaking in there?"
Unable to resist, Yan quietly cracked the door open—and sure enough, inside sat Ye Chen, cross-legged, deep in cultivation, absorbing a spirit ring.
A wicked grin stretched across Yan's lips.
"Hah! So he's hiding in here… absorbing a spirit ring no less. Heaven's really helping me today."
Hatred burned in his eyes. Yan had volunteered to relay the Elder Hall's message just to find Ye Chen and take him out.
News of the upcoming marriage duel had already spread through the academy like wildfire. Even senior students who were away on training missions had returned—this was going to be the fiercest competition in years.
But Yan was only at Spirit Level 42—hardly a contender among the academy's elite. His odds were next to zero.
So he devised a simpler plan:
"If I kill Ye Chen, the duel is called off. And Hu Liena's engagement? Nullified."
He clenched his fists.
"I love her… even if she doesn't notice me. I just need time. As long as she's not married yet, I still have a chance."
Had he known that Hu Liena's heart already belonged to Ye Chen—body and soul—he might have lost his mind.
Moving like a shadow, Yan crept into the eastern chamber, hiding behind a stone pillar to watch.
Suddenly, Ye Chen let out a scream.
Veins bulged on his forehead. Blood trickled from his tightly shut eyes.
Inside his mind, the spirit of the Azure Sky Dragon Fox resisted violently. As a high-level spiritual beast, it sensed Ye Chen's strength as a threat despite his unique soul-nurturing energy. In retaliation, it launched a mental assault—dragging Ye Chen into its illusion realm.
Initially, everything appeared hazy and gray. But the illusion rapidly sharpened into a lifelike scene.
"Where am I…?" Ye Chen muttered, holding his pounding head. He instinctively reached over and shut off an alarm clock by his bed.
Just then, a gentle voice called from the door.
"Chenchen, get up! Time for school. You're in senior year now—don't expect any universities to take lazybones!"
A warm, familiar figure stepped in, placing a glass of milk on the table.
Ye Chen blinked at the woman. His eyes lit up.
"Mom…?"
She smiled warmly.
"You're still top of your class, right?"
"Of course! I'll get into a great university, make lots of money, and take care of you, Mom. Just wait!"
"I don't care about money," she said, ruffling his hair. "I just want you to be safe and happy. That's enough for me."
Then she left the room. The soft rhythm of chopping vegetables echoed from the kitchen.
But in a flash, the scene shattered.
Everything turned white. Ye Chen found himself in a hospital, surrounded by doctors in white coats.
He clutched a pale, cold hand on the hospital bed.
"Mom… look! I made your favorite—tomato scrambled eggs!" He smiled through tears.
"You promised you'd get better. I was supposed to cook for you…"
Tears streamed down his face as he collapsed at the bedside. Everything around him faded into darkness.
In the collapsing illusion, the massive spirit form of the Azure Sky Dragon Fox hovered above, sneering. Though it couldn't speak, its expression clearly mocked him.
"Sleep… join me in eternal darkness!"
If Ye Chen's spirit collapsed here, his consciousness would be destroyed—killing him for real.
Back in reality, Yan had crept closer. Waving a hand in front of Ye Chen's face and getting no response, he grinned.
"Perfect."
With a thought, he summoned his Spirit: the Flame Lord. The room's temperature skyrocketed. Heatwaves rolled off his body, his very presence distorting the air.
But Ye Chen remained motionless.
"Tch… spirit defense, huh? No matter."
Yan's eyes turned ruthless.
"Second Soul Skill: Granite Fist!"
His arm fused with his Flame Lord spirit, transforming into a massive flaming stone fist.
"No more waiting. Time to die, Ye Chen!"
The fire-imbued punch flew forward with a roar of wind, engulfing Ye Chen's body in a massive explosion of fire and smoke.
But just then—
"STOP! YOU DARE?!"
A thunderous voice echoed as a golden flash burst into the hall. Bibi Dong appeared like a lightning bolt, her expression a terrifying blend of rage and anguish.
Seeing Ye Chen's body wrapped in flames, her eyes burned with a pain and fury no one had ever witnessed before.
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To be continued...