"An open dialogue with me?"
Hearing the news circulating from Spirit City, You Chen couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Even with his understanding of Bibi Dong's erratic mindset, he struggled to grasp the logic behind this move.
"Is she planning to confront me publicly? To clear Yu Xiaogang's name? Or is she hoping I'll somehow convince Yu Xiaogang to forgive her?"
He contemplated the appointed time and quickly began crafting a plan in his mind.
As for whether or not he should go?
"This is the perfect opportunity to pour more fuel on the fire, turning this into a continent-wide laughingstock!"
Even if it meant risking the exposure of his connection to his true identity, You Chen barely hesitated.
The progress on Bibi Dong's First Blood mission was already substantial. Securing that reward would set him up for steady growth, even if he chose to lay low afterward.
Of course, the ideal scenario would be if Bibi Dong actually believed the face under the mask had a meaningful connection to Yu Xiaogang and ended up letting the "Masked Assassin" leave unscathed.
"That would be truly hilarious!"
Just picturing such an outcome made You Chen laugh uncontrollably.
Then, a more devious thought entered his mind: "If I achieve this, and reveal to Bibi Dong later that I am the Masked Assassin, how would she react?"
However, his strong mental discipline brought him back to reality.
After reviewing his remaining mission rewards, You Chen decided to spend the days leading up to the appointed time focusing on cultivation.
---
The rare rewards like Insight Spark and Marrow Refinement had already been fully utilized, offering significant progress in his techniques.
Over the past two years, most of You Chen's energy had been devoted to researching Soul Power Borrowing. His foundational martial arts technique, Winds of Change, and others had received far less attention.
His usual approach was to let inspiration accumulate through observation and experimentation before immediately using an Insight Spark to maximize its benefits. As a result, he'd exhausted all stored sparks.
He estimated that five more sparks would allow him to perfect Soul Power Borrowing to the level he had envisioned years ago.
It was precisely this scarcity that fueled his eagerness for Bibi Dong's mission. While Insight Spark wasn't as rare as Marrow Refinement, it still required completing multiple high-difficulty missions to obtain.
For now, his remaining rewards were primarily cultivation aids like medicinal pills, spirit ring and bone lifespan cards, and three unused Origin Glimpse rewards.
---
Preparing to Break Through
To reach the Spirit Realm—the next level of martial spirit mastery—You Chen knew he was on the verge. His current understanding had already scratched the surface.
"The Spirit Realm is essentially a state of overcharged soul resonance. By stimulating a deep connection between one's soul and martial spirit, it unlocks untapped potential, enabling short bursts of extraordinary power. However, the backlash from overexertion leaves both soul and martial spirit weakened."
He felt confident that one or two months of focused meditation combined with an Origin Glimpse would push him across this threshold. If not, using two glimpses back-to-back would certainly suffice.
Without further hesitation, You Chen activated one of the Origin Glimpse rewards from his system inventory.
---
The Appointed Day in Spirit City
The central plaza of Spirit City, always bustling, was now packed to capacity.
"Is that really the Pope?"
"Such beauty and elegance… though who knows what lies beneath."
"Hey, keep it down! Are you tired of living?"
The crowd gawked at the temporary platform erected at the plaza's center. Two seats were placed prominently at the top—one for the Pope and the other seemingly for her guest.
Seated on the left, Bibi Dong wore her full Pope regalia, exuding an air of majesty as she waited. Her cold, dignified demeanor masked the rage simmering beneath the surface.
Although whispers from the crowd pricked at her nerves, she maintained her composure, suppressing the violent urges roiling within.
"For the sake of my beloved Xiaogang, enduring these rumors is a small price to pay."
The platform was divided into levels. At the highest sat Bibi Dong, while the level below was occupied by red-robed bishops maintaining order. Even further down stood her aide, Sup, who glanced up at the Pope's serene appearance with unease.
---
"Will Yu Xiaogang actually show up?"
"I've heard he's just a trash Spirit Grandmaster who's never even broken through to Spirit Elder. There's no way the Masked Assassin is him."
As the people speculated, Bibi Dong's patience began to wear thin. Her delicate fingers dug into her palms, faint blue veins visible on the back of her hand.
"Masked Assassin, I don't know who you are. But if you dare ignore my invitation, even if you're connected to Xiaogang, I won't show mercy!"
At that moment, she looked up sharply.
A small black dot appeared in the sky, rapidly approaching.
Though lacking wings or visible spirit rings, the figure effortlessly glided on the wind, descending with the grace of an immortal.
The crowd gasped at the sight. Many had heard tales of the Masked Assassin's exploits, but witnessing his ethereal presence left them awestruck.
Landing lightly at the top of the platform, You Chen's voice rang out in the hushed plaza:
"What a grand welcome."
Bibi Dong studied him deeply before responding. "You certainly have courage. Knowing this is a trap, you still chose to come. Masked Assassin, you've earned my respect."
You Chen replied casually, "For Her Holiness to personally invite me, wouldn't it be rude to refuse?"
As Sup had warned, the moment Bibi Dong chose to engage him publicly, You Chen had already won. The mere act of dialogue elevated him in the eyes of the people.
Despite the risks of this meeting, the potential rewards were too tempting for You Chen to ignore.
He reached up to remove his mask.
"Stop!"
Bibi Dong raised her hand sharply. "Keep the mask on."
You Chen chuckled. "What's this? The Pope feels shame in seeing an old lover's face?"
His teasing tone made Bibi Dong's face darken, while the crowd erupted into murmurs.
"Silence!"
Her voice echoed, her icy authority silencing the masses.
---
Bibi Dong forced her emotions back under control. "For Xiaogang's sake… I must endure this."
Unbeknownst to her, the Rakshasa God's influence within her was beginning to stir. Her volatile emotions, suppressed under layers of logic and will, were slowly pushing her divine inheritance toward chaos.
"Masked Assassin, if you truly represent Xiaogang's will, I can forgive this insult. But if you're playing with me…"
A flash of purple light crossed her eyes. The killing intent she had worked so hard to suppress began leaking out, suffusing the plaza.
Sup, standing below, felt a chill run down his spine and dropped to one knee involuntarily.
He sighed inwardly. "Her Holiness's will is immovable now. There's no stopping this."
A red-robed cardinal flared his spirit power, sweeping a cold gaze across the crowd. "During this public dialogue, any who speak out of turn will be detained immediately! You've been warned!"
While the cardinal's warning wasn't directed at anyone specifically, it had enough authority to make the crowd fall silent. After all, no one wanted to risk imprisonment, especially with the unfolding drama promising to reach its climax.
The audience settled, their eyes fixed on the stage.
---
Bibi Dong, her face cold and dark, turned her gaze to You Chen and said, "Enough with the unnecessary theatrics! You're not him! Yu Xiaogang's innate spirit power was less than Level 1—he could never reach the level of a Spirit Douluo! All you've done is use some face-changing technique or skill. Masked Assassin, that mask is your real face, isn't it?"
Hearing her sharp words, many spectators nodded in agreement, aligning with the rumors they'd heard. Suspicion crept into their minds about the credibility of the Masked Assassin's earlier claims.
Some self-proclaimed experts inwardly praised Bibi Dong, thinking her move was a strategic way to restore her reputation.
---
You Chen, however, merely shrugged and smiled. "If you say so."
He lowered his hand, abandoning his previous feint to remove the mask.
This initial verbal exchange and his gestures had merely been probes to gauge Bibi Dong's attitude. Now, he was almost certain:
"This fool… she's mistaken me for someone speaking on Yu Xiaogang's behalf! What kind of twisted logic is this woman following?"
Bibi Dong's earlier words, "Enough with the unnecessary theatrics," were a clear signal that she wanted him to cut to the chase.
At first, You Chen had thought she wanted to confront him directly. But it was becoming apparent that wasn't the case.
In Bibi Dong's mind, there seemed to be a mutual understanding—a tacit agreement that both were here to resolve the "misunderstandings" of the past.
Following this thread, it was clear that in her view, the Masked Assassin and Yu Xiaogang were on the same side. She wasn't confronting the assassin; she was using him as a proxy to address Yu Xiaogang directly.
---
From behind the mask, You Chen's lips curled into a sly smile. His voice, however, carried a sharp edge of anger.
"Fine, let's get straight to the point. Bibi Dong—no, Pope—what do you, this disgusting b***h, have to say for yourself?"
The audience collectively froze, their eyes widening in shock.
Gasps filled the air despite the cardinal's earlier warning. While no one dared speak aloud, the synchronized sound of sharp intakes of breath echoed through the plaza.
How dare he!?
---
Contrary to everyone's expectations, Bibi Dong didn't retaliate with immediate violence. Instead, she remained seated, her expression dark and her voice cold.
"B***h? Is that how he sees me? Though there were indeed… misunderstandings between us, things were never as depraved as you're insinuating!"
Her face reddened slightly—not from embarrassment but from simmering anger.
The crowd, utterly confused, exchanged bewildered glances.
Is the Pope here to clear her name?
---
But the truth was far more twisted.
In Bibi Dong's heart, this wasn't about reputation. It wasn't about clearing her name or silencing rumors. No, her true intention was to untangle the hatred Yu Xiaogang held toward her.
To her, the Masked Assassin was merely a vessel for Yu Xiaogang's grievances.
"I can't let Xiaogang be trapped by hatred for someone like me. He deserves a brighter future."
Her thoughts spiraled into self-recrimination. "It must be my fault. My failures, my selfishness… they've held him back. If only I had realized this sooner!"
To outsiders, her logic might seem baffling, even absurd. But to those familiar with Bibi Dong's twisted psyche, it was entirely in character.
---
Bibi Dong's True Self
In her final moments in the original timeline, Bibi Dong revealed her crippling self-doubt to Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong. Despite being the Pope of Spirit Hall and one of the most talented individuals of her era, she genuinely believed she was unworthy of Yu Xiaogang.
Even with her immense power and achievements, she viewed herself as a stain, while Yu Xiaogang—despite his incompetence and flaws—was, in her eyes, flawless.
Her idealized image of Yu Xiaogang had blinded her to reality. Even after their relationship had turned sour, and Yu Xiaogang had publicly denounced her, she still felt obligated to protect and avenge him in secret.
She had slaughtered entire families for daring to disrespect him, all while enduring his scorn.
Her twisted, obsessive love had shaped her decisions, from her self-destructive plots to her ultimate betrayal of Spirit Hall.
Now, standing before the Masked Assassin, Bibi Dong's delusions clouded her judgment once again.
---
The Accusation
"You have a child. Is that a lie too?"
You Chen's sharp question cut through the air like a blade.
Bibi Dong's face turned deathly pale.
Seeing her momentarily stunned, You Chen seized the opportunity to unleash his full verbal onslaught.
His voice grew hoarse with emotion as he played the role of Yu Xiaogang to perfection, delivering a monologue dripping with heartbreak and venom.
---
You Chen's Monologue
"Everything… everything was nothing but a grotesque joke!
Once, we shared moonlit nights and heartfelt conversations. I was a useless man who couldn't break past Rank 30. You were the exalted Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall.
And yet, we ignored the chasm between us. We were like kindred spirits, sharing dreams and secrets. It felt like a beautiful dream…
But it was all a nightmare."
---
Bibi Dong, who knew this was just a performance, couldn't help but feel the pain as though it were real. She stared at You Chen, her mind whispering: "Such deep feelings, such raw emotion… could anyone but Xiaogang understand this so profoundly?"
---
At that moment, You Chen made his move.
With a flourish, he ripped off his mask, revealing a face altered to resemble Yu Xiaogang's—a face twisted with despair and rage.
The crowd gasped in disbelief.
You Chen's voice cracked as he laughed maniacally. "Do you think I truly loved you? No! It was all a farce!
I only approached you to gain access to Spirit Hall's forbidden archives! I never imagined my petty tricks would succeed…
But you, the great Holy Maiden, turned out to be nothing more than a foolish, naive woman! With just a few parlor tricks, you fell for me completely. I bet if I'd asked, you'd have given yourself to me without hesitation!"
---
Bibi Dong's pale face grew even whiter as You Chen's words pierced her heart.
Each sentence felt like a dagger, shattering her carefully constructed illusions.
---
"Why?"
Her voice trembled as tears welled up in her eyes. "Why would you say these things? Xiaogang…"
But You Chen wasn't finished.
"Because I made one mistake… I truly fell for you, you wretched b***h!"
---
Bibi Dong's composure shattered compl
etely.
Her emotions, already stretched thin by her internal struggle, spiraled out of control. Her body trembled violently as dark, malevolent energy erupted around her.
"Ahhh!"
The Rakshasa God's power, drawn by her uncontrollable hatred and sorrow, surged violently, consuming her reason entirely.
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