Doulou Dalu 12

Lin Fan extended his hand with a warm smile. "Ah... friend... OK." Ye Keke hesitated for a moment before timidly shaking hands with him.

Tang Yiran nodded with satisfaction. "The four of you have all entered the inner gate, and from now on, you will be partners. Erlong has just reached level 40, and Xiaofan has just reached level 30. You can rest for a few days. Then, I will take you to the Star Dou Great Forest for training and to find suitable spirit rings for them."

"Xiao Fan, you're only level 30. How did you manage to approach Teacher Yiran just now?" Liu Erlong asked, surprised.

Lin Fan scratched his head and chuckled. "Well… it wasn't my ability. Teacher Yiran held back her spirit skills so she wouldn't hurt me. She retracted the Clear Sky Hammer too quickly, which caused a backlash, and I happened to be nearby."

He stopped speaking when he noticed Tang Yiran staring at him intently.

Liu Erlong nodded. "So that's how it is. But you actually dared to get close to Teacher Yiran's Clear Sky Hammer. You're really reckless."

Lin Fan only smiled in response.

Tang Yiran eyed him with curiosity. How did he remain unscathed when touching the Clear Sky Hammer? Could it be a teleportation skill? But teleportation skills were rare, especially for a soul master below level 30.

Although she remained skeptical, Lin Fan's explanation had preserved her dignity in front of the students, so she decided not to press the matter.

Meanwhile, Lin Fan approached Shui Yue'er, who possessed the Ice Phoenix spirit. "Hello, my name is Lin Fan. It's a pleasure to meet you, partner."

"Hmph." Shui Yue'er merely glanced at him before turning away.

Lin Fan blinked. Damn, she's a bit cold.

Shui Yue'er, dressed in a tight-fitting blue outfit, had short hair, long legs, and a slender figure. She was beautiful, though she lacked the noble, queenly aura of Bibi Dong.

Liu Erlong, who had been watching, suddenly shouted, "Hey, Shui Yue'er, why are you so arrogant? I've disliked you for a long time!"

Shui Yue'er paused and spoke calmly. "Oh? You want to fight? But you, the proud daughter of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex family, are only level 40 and don't even have your fourth spirit ring yet. I don't want to bully you."

"You—!" Liu Erlong fumed and stomped her foot, summoning her Fire Dragon martial spirit.

"Third soul skill: Raging Thunder!"

A massive fireball infused with lightning shot toward Shui Yue'er.

Shui Yue'er remained composed, instantly summoning her Ice Phoenix martial spirit.

"Third soul skill: Frost Barrier!"

Thick walls of ice materialized, absorbing the impact of Liu Erlong's fireball. Shards of ice exploded into the air, but the barrier held firm.

Shui Yue'er countered. "Second soul skill: Frost Blades!"

Dozens of ice blades formed and shot forward. Just as they were about to land, a powerful burst of soul energy shattered them in midair.

"That's enough! Anyone who continues will be expelled from the sect immediately!"

A majestic voice echoed through the courtyard.

Shui Yue'er turned on her heel and left, while Liu Erlong scowled at her retreating figure before walking away reluctantly.

That night, in the quiet of his dormitory, Lin Fan lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His thoughts drifted to Bibi Dong—her noble elegance, her striking beauty. He sighed. "I wonder how she's doing now. I have to ask Tang Yiran if I can visit the Spirit Hall."

A gentle knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Liu Erlong?" he said as he opened the door.

She crossed her arms. "Thinking about someone?"

Lin Fan smirked. "What makes you say that?"

Liu Erlong sat on the edge of his bed, her gaze softening. "I saw the way you spaced out earlier. You miss someone."

Lin Fan hesitated before nodding. "Bibi Dong… she's carrying my child."

Liu Erlong's eyes widened. "You mean…?"

Lin Fan exhaled. "Yeah. No matter what happens, I won't abandon her."

She studied him for a moment before smiling faintly. "You're different from most men, Lin Fan. That's… respectable."

A comfortable silence settled between them before she playfully punched his arm. "Get some sleep. We're heading to the Star Dou Great Forest soon."

Lin Fan chuckled. "Goodnight, Erlong."

---

Wuhun City – Inside the Pope's Palace

Bibi Dong knelt before Qian Xunji, her cold, flawless features unreadable.

"Disciple, congratulations on becoming a Spirit Emperor," Qian Xunji said, presenting her with a soul bone.

Bibi Dong accepted it indifferently. "Thank you. You may leave now."

Qian Xunji hesitated. "Dong'er, I—"

"Don't call me that!" she snapped, her expression frosty. "I once respected you as my teacher, but you are no longer worthy of that title. If you want me to remain in the Spirit Hall, stay away from me."

Anger flickered across Qian Xunji's face. He clenched his fists, soul power surging—only to withdraw it at the last moment. Without another word, he left.

Bibi Dong exhaled slowly. He's dangerous… I have to be careful.

She pressed a hand against her abdomen, using her mental energy to sense the changes in her body. Moments later, her eyes widened in shock, her fingers trembling.

"I'm pregnant…" she whispered.

Her emotions swirled—anger, disbelief, and something deeper she couldn't quite name.

If Qian Xunji finds out, he'll kill my child without hesitation…

A cruel glint flashed in her eyes. No. I won't let that happen. No one will take this child from me.

She clenched her fists. Qian Xunji… if I can't escape him, I'll kill him myself.

Yet, a new wave of irritation surged through her.

"That bastard, Lin Fan… I bet he's living freely while I'm struggling to survive here. Next time I see him, I'll make sure he regrets everything."

Still, as she traced her fingers over her stomach, her expression softened for the first time that night.

She was no longer just Bibi Dong, the future Pope of the Spirit Hall. She was a mother. And she would protect her child—no matter what.