Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Villain Life Simulator

"What kind of nonsense are you talking about?"

The smile on Hu Liena's face gradually faded, and a faint frost settled over her alluring features. "Why would I be infatuated with him? Just because he used a few cheap tricks to beat our team in the finals?"

"Is that so? Then I apologize, I misspoke."

Su Cheng saw that her expression didn't seem fake, and he felt a bit surprised, though he could understand it.

He didn't know what situation Tang San was in now, but when that guy entered the Slaughter City back then, his primary spirit hadn't yet transformed into the Blue Silver Emperor, and his appearance hadn't changed either.

From this perspective, it made some sense.

However, Su Cheng's slightly dismissive attitude made Hu Liena frown in displeasure. "Su Cheng, just because you're naturally talented and favored by our teacher, doesn't mean you can look down on others. I'm very grateful that you've helped me in my training this past year, but when it comes to matters of personal reputation, I hope you'll speak more cautiously in the future."

"I understand."

Su Cheng nodded and prepared to turn and leave directly.

"…"

Watching him walk away, Hu Liena gritted her teeth, her mind lingering on a certain rumor that had recently spread among the high ranks of Spirit Hall.

It concerned her teacher, and the man standing before her...

Although the relationship between Su Cheng and Bibi Dong had never been openly discussed, they didn't exactly hide their interactions either.

At the very least, some members of the higher-ups in Spirit City had an inkling of the situation.

To be honest, when she first heard others hinting at this matter, Hu Liena didn't believe it at all, and was even somewhat angry.

In her heart, Bibi Dong was a beacon of light, an untouchable figure. She couldn't tolerate any stain on this goddess-like image.

But as she spent time back in Spirit City over the past year, observing things day after day, she began to realize that many rumors weren't baseless.

In fact, when Su Cheng and his sister had first joined Spirit Hall, Hu Liena hadn't paid them much attention.

She had only vaguely heard that the Pope had taken in a new disciple with exceptional talent.

But at that time, she was preparing for the Spirit Master Tournament, and this pair of siblings rarely showed themselves, so she didn't think much of it.

It wasn't until she learned that they had reached the Soul King and even Soul Emperor levels at a younger age than her—and had no interest in participating in the tournament—that she felt a spark of rivalry.

Even more shocking, after she returned to Spirit City last year, thinking she was already a standout among her peers after her training in Slaughter City, she found out that the brother had become a Spirit Emperor and the sister had reached the level of a Soul Douluo. This revelation deeply struck her.

These two had redefined her understanding of "genius."

In front of them, whether it was her, her brother Xie Yue, or even Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing from Shrek Academy, all seemed ordinary among young spirit masters.

"...Your relationship with our teacher isn't exactly ordinary, is it?" she couldn't help but blurt out.

Hearing her question, Su Cheng stopped in his tracks and replied coolly, "Hu Liena, you can ask her about it yourself. And the same advice goes to you—mind your words when it concerns the Pope's reputation."

Su Cheng didn't care about the external gossip, but because it concerned Bibi Dong, the Pope herself, that made it a different matter.

A few days later, a beautiful blonde woman in a long dress strode into Spirit City, her presence commanding attention and even inspiring fear in those who glanced her way. She was followed by two Titled Douluo-level experts and several powerful spirit masters of the Soul Saint and Soul Emperor ranks.

The woman's expression was cold, and as she walked, she spoke in a low voice. "Uncle She, are you sure that this Su Cheng who joined Spirit Hall is the same brat we met years ago in Heaven Dou City?"

"It should be him," Snake Spear Douluo nodded, walking beside Qian Renxue. "Also, the prodigy who joined Spirit Hall with him is named Su Yue. But oddly enough, they claim to be siblings, not the brother and sister we saw before. And this Su Yue doesn't look like the girl we met back then."

"No matter, we'll know when we see them," Qian Renxue replied, her eyes icy and faintly furious. "Are the rumors about him and Bibi Dong true?"

"Uh…"

Snake Spear Douluo was at a loss for words.

How could he respond to this?

This matter involved the Pope herself. Making vague comments might be excusable, but outright gossip was absolutely out of the question.

Qian Renxue, however, didn't seem to be waiting for his response. She continued, "Because of that scoundrel, our years of groundwork in the Heaven Dou Empire were ruined! What is that foolish woman Bibi Dong thinking?"

Snake Spear Douluo remained silent.

He couldn't weigh in on the complicated issues between this mother and daughter, but to entirely blame their recent failure on that young man was somewhat unfair.

Ultimately, Spirit Hall's recent setback had a lot to do with the emotional strain Qian Renxue had been under and the unusual series of incidents in Heaven Dou City. Many events had happened in quick succession, leading Qian Renxue to act hastily, which resulted in mistakes.

Now shifting all the blame onto Su Cheng seemed more like an attempt to find a convenient target for her anger.

In truth, Snake Spear Douluo was also a bit confused as to why Qian Renxue was reacting so strongly.

Hadn't the two of them been practically strangers all these years?

The Pope had been single for a long time. Even if she did take a lover, it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

Spirit City, the Pope's Palace.

Inside the meeting hall, the atmosphere was stiflingly tense.

At the moment, only two people were in the hall.

Sitting on the high-backed throne was the Pope, Bibi Dong, while ten meters in front of her stood Qian Renxue, tall and radiating an icy aura.

The oppressive silence had lingered in the hall for a long time.

Bibi Dong had been scrutinizing Qian Renxue's fierce expression with a calm face, her thoughts unclear.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Your mission failed, yet you're acting so righteous?" Bibi Dong finally spoke after a long pause, her tone calm. "Besides, we still hold a significant advantage. Our top-tier power far exceeds the two empires. We can start over."

Her temperament had softened a lot since becoming close to Su Cheng.

In fact, today, she no longer felt hatred for this daughter of hers; instead, there was a strange mix of pity and a sense of superiority.

"Failed?" Qian Renxue scoffed. "If it weren't for you, how could my mission have failed? Bibi Dong, you know exactly what you've been doing these past years!"

"What did you just call me?" Bibi Dong's face darkened, her eyes flashing with anger.

But Qian Renxue met her gaze without flinching, sneering, "What would you like me to call you… Pope? Or should I call out that lover of yours to meet me? Does he know you have a daughter who's older than him?"

This identity that she had never willingly acknowledged slipped out now, laced with scorn.

"Silence!"

Bibi Dong's fury intensified, her powerful aura condensed into a palpable wave of pressure that surged forward, forcing Qian Renxue to step back several times before she could steady herself.

Under the weight of this oppressive energy, a thin line of blood trickled from the corner of Qian Renxue's mouth. Yet, she seemed unfazed, continuing to sneer coldly.

Watching the blood on her lips, Bibi Dong hesitated, and her aggressive aura gradually subsided.

"…You may leave now. Go back to the Elder Hall. Since you've returned, the powers of the Elder Hall will be handed back to you—as my compensation to you."

Bibi Dong waved her hand, as though she had no intention of saying more.

"…"

Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

This behavior was entirely different from what she had expected of Bibi Dong.

She was even willing to yield some of the authority of Spirit Hall. Was this really the same Bibi Dong, who was usually obsessed with power?

Moreover, both of them knew that the failure of this recent mission was not Bibi Dong's fault.

In that case, how could it be called "compensation"?

"…Su Cheng…"

She silently repeated this name to herself before giving Bibi Dong a frosty glance, then walked out of the council hall without looking back.

The heavy doors of the council hall closed with a thunderous bang, as if sealing them off in two different worlds.

After Qian Renxue left, Bibi Dong's gaze became lost as she lowered her head, appearing weak, with a trace of apprehension in her eyes.

The past experiences that she had never told Su Cheng about—those untold stories—would likely be uncovered now that Qian Renxue had returned.

What their relationship would evolve into from now on was something Bibi Dong felt no confidence in.

On the other side, after leaving the Pope's Hall, Qian Renxue did not go directly to see Qian Daoliu in the Elder Hall as Bibi Dong had suggested. Instead, she followed a trace of aura to another room in the Pope's Hall—

Bang!

The golden doors were kicked open, revealing a young man standing inside.

Sweeping a cold gaze over the startled face of Su Cheng, Qian Renxue retracted her leg from kicking the door, a very fake smile forming at the corner of her mouth.

"Well, well, what a small world. Isn't this Su Cheng, the 'pure-hearted' lowborn guy? Fancy running into you here in Spirit City."

As she spoke, her face shifted, the beautiful features transforming as if a mask was lifting, revealing a much plainer man's face underneath.

It was the face of "Xue Qinghe."

"Do you remember who I am?"

"Yes, I remember." Su Cheng nodded, quickly composing himself. "Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of the Heaven Dou Empire."

"Good." Qian Renxue stepped over the shattered door fragments and walked into the room, speaking in a flat tone. "Care to explain why you deceived me back then, and why you stood me up afterward?"

Saying this, she removed her disguise and returned to her original form. Then, as if she were at home, she helped herself to the teapot on the table, poured tea, and drank it.

After all, this place was indeed her domain.

"People naturally aspire to climb higher; it's human nature. Compared to the two empires, Spirit Hall, as the holy land of spirit masters, naturally drew me in more." Su Cheng spoke confidently, then pretended to be puzzled. "If I may ask, who exactly are you…?"

Qian Renxue sneered, setting the teacup down with a sharp clink that splashed tea over the rim.

"I'm your 'beloved'—"

She stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing something.

If that was the case, wouldn't that make this guy her stepfather?

This realization made her expression grow even darker as she clenched her teeth and added, "…Sister."

"You're Bibi Dong's sister? You don't look much alike, and there's a significant age gap."

Su Cheng brought another chair and placed it behind her. "Please, sit."

"You're remarkably calm, with a thicker skin than I expected. No wonder you managed to fool me so thoroughly back then." Qian Renxue mocked, her face darkening.

Su Cheng's words were a veiled confirmation of his relationship with Bibi Dong.

For some reason, she felt an unusual pang of discomfort, as though she had lost something immensely precious.

But with her cunning nature, she certainly wouldn't reveal this feeling to him.

"There's nothing to hide. Love between a man and a woman is only natural. It's not something to be ashamed of. Bibi Dong has her concerns and doesn't want it known, but since you seem to have come from her side, I assume you're aware of the situation?"

"Surely it's because of her power." Qian Renxue sneered. "You're quite skilled and shrewd, even managing to win over someone like Bibi Dong enough for her to make compromises for you."

"…"

"From what I can tell, your talent is even greater than my initial assessment. In fact, you might even surpass me; you're nearing the rank of Title Douluo in just a few years. So, how does it feel to latch onto power? And not just any power—the Pope, at the very top of the continent. Su Cheng, are you even a man? Where is your pride?"

"There's no need to be so harsh; our feelings are mutual."

"Mutual feelings?!" Qian Renxue's fingers clenched unconsciously, and the teacup shattered in her hand.

The sharp fragments cut into her fingers, and the crisp sound jolted her back to reality. She quickly suppressed her emotions, speaking in a low tone. "Do you even know how old she is, spouting all this nonsense about 'mutual feelings'? Are you trying to make me laugh?"

"Well, the age gap isn't really that much." Su Cheng looked slightly embarrassed. "As you know, once a spirit master reaches the rank of Title Douluo, their lifespan can be significantly extended. So for people like us, a few decades' difference doesn't matter much."

"Does that make it the same thing? She was probably having children while you hadn't even been born!"

"But she hasn't had any, has she? Bibi Dong's been single for years; you, as her sister, should understand her struggles. Being the Pope is no easy role."