Chapter 43: Illusions Shattered
In the fine iron cage, the girl could only curl up and lie still, her body unable to stretch in the narrow space. But the way her eyes locked onto Bibi Dong—they brimmed with hatred and resentment.
She was a 100,000-year-old transformed soul beast—the Soft Bone Charm Rabbit.
She was Xiao Wu.
Bibi Dong didn't understand why Xiao Wu was glaring at her with such venom. But the moment her gaze fell upon the caged girl, a weight in her heart finally dropped.
She had found the proof she needed—proof that would force Qin Chuan to acknowledge her once more.
With her confidence returning, she withdrew her hand, which had been raised to strike Qian Renxue. Her face softened into a smile as if her rage had never existed.
"Qian Renxue," Bibi Dong said sweetly, "No matter how silver-tongued you are, you can't change the fact that Ah Chuan still holds me in his heart."
Then, turning toward the man on the bed, her expression softened further with warmth.
"Ah Chuan, am I right?"
Qin Chuan frowned.
Something was wrong with Bibi Dong.
Just moments ago, she had been on the verge of losing control, hysterical and violent. Now, suddenly, she looked calm, like everything was within her grasp.
He followed her gaze.
There, in the cage, was Xiao Wu.
He remembered handing her over to Qian Renxue before losing consciousness. Although Qian Renxue was only a Soul Emperor for now, her god-level Martial Soul meant she would rise rapidly.
So it wasn't strange for Qian Renxue to imprison such a precious soul beast.
But what did this have to do with Bibi Dong?
Why did she suddenly regain her confidence?
Qin Chuan was still puzzled when Bibi Dong slowly stepped closer to him, her voice soft and affectionate.
"Ah Chuan, do you truly no longer love your Dong'er?"
"If that's so, why did you risk your life to intercept Tang Hao that day at the gates of the Pope's Palace?"
"You were even willing to face death to kill him."
Qin Chuan was stunned for a moment.
He fought Tang Hao because the man was a threat—one that had to be removed to eliminate future dangers, especially concerning Tang San.
It had nothing to do with Bibi Dong.
Did she think he fought for her?
She seemed to take his silence as embarrassment and smiled gently, her voice affectionate as she continued,
"We've been married for over ten years. You know that my second Martial Soul has never surpassed the Soul Saint level… because I haven't found a suitable soul ring."
"So you took the risk to face Tang Hao because of another motive—"
"—To help your Dong'er capture a 100,000-year-old transformed soul beast."
"Ah Chuan, I'm truly touched. Thank you for everything you've done for me."
Qin Chuan blinked.
Now even his expression looked strange.
Why?
Why was Bibi Dong so certain?
How could she believe that despite everything that had happened, he still wouldn't leave her?
Did she really think that this chaos, this madness, was just a lover's quarrel?
Her delusions knew no bounds.
"By the way, Ah Chuan."
Bibi Dong suddenly shot Qian Renxue a sharp look, her tone dripping with false innocence.
"This little slut tried to steal the soul beast you nearly died getting for me."
She didn't even bother hiding her malice, deliberately provoking Qian Renxue to make Qin Chuan resent her.
"Tell her, Ah Chuan," Bibi Dong pressed, "Wasn't this 100,000-year-old transformed soul beast meant for me?"
She turned to Qian Renxue, her gaze triumphant.
So what if you stayed by his side these past days?
The one he loves…
Has always been me.
Qian Renxue couldn't help but laugh coldly.
The image of Qin Chuan carrying Xiao Wu out of the ruins remained vivid in her mind—his exhausted figure, his resolute voice.
His words back then still rang clearly in her heart.
It was absurd to think he did all that for Bibi Dong.
If Bibi Dong wanted to make a fool of herself, so be it.
Qian Renxue gave Qin Chuan a look filled with pain and sorrow.
"Brother Qin Chuan," she said quietly, "Tell me… was this soul beast not for me?"
Her voice was soft—barely audible, like a fragile thread.
Bibi Dong sneered.
"You stupid girl, you're humiliating yourself."
"Ah Chuan, tell her already. Let her give up once and for all!"
Qin Chuan's eyes flickered.
Even though he still needed time to recover, he suddenly felt an aching weariness in his head.
He could clearly see through Qian Renxue's intent—she wanted to watch Bibi Dong humiliate herself.
Fine.
If that was what she wanted, then he would fulfill it.
More importantly, he could use this chance to completely shatter Bibi Dong's illusions.
Closing his eyes, he made his decision.
Just as Bibi Dong was about to urge him again—
Qin Chuan opened his eyes and looked at her calmly.
"Pope, everything you just said… was all just your own imagination."
Bibi Dong's heart jolted.
Her expression faltered as she instinctively took a step back.
But Qian Renxue stood behind her, blocking her retreat.
"Why not listen to Brother Qin Chuan finish his words?" she said playfully, her face devoid of panic.
"You—!"
Bibi Dong turned, but Qin Chuan's voice cut her off.
"The reason I wanted to kill Tang Hao had nothing to do with you."
"The motives are complicated. I can't explain them all right now. Just know this, Pope—it wasn't for you."
"And as for the 100,000-year-old Soft Bone Charm Rabbit…"
"Didn't Xue'er tell you? I pulled her from the ruins for her. I nearly died doing so."
"I don't know what made you believe such fantasies, but it's time to wake up."
Boom—
His words were like thunderclaps, crashing one after another into Bibi Dong's heart.
Her face went deathly pale. Her legs faltered.
"Ah… Chuan…"
Her lips trembled as she murmured.
Qin Chuan turned his gaze aside, his tone cold and distant.
"Pope, go back. Your current mental state needs rest."
Then, raising his voice slightly, he called, "Rosade, see the Pope out."
Outside the room, the healing Soul Master Rosade stepped forward with a bitter smile.
"Your Holiness… let's return."
…
Bibi Dong finally left.
She was like a broken doll, slumped in her sedan chair, returning to Spirit Hall atop Wuhun Mountain.
As the sedan passed through the square before the Pope's Palace, she gradually regained some color in her cheeks—but her mind was still dazed, her eyes blank.
A palace knight came hurrying to greet her, dropping to one knee.
"Greetings, Your Holiness!"
His voice pulled her from her haze slightly.
She inhaled deeply and walked into the Pope's Palace, climbing onto her throne and trying to compose herself.
But no sooner had she sat down than footsteps echoed from outside.
A figure entered.
It was a Platinum Bishop of the Pope's Palace.
"Your Holiness," he said, kneeling.
"What is it?" Bibi Dong asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"It's the Grandmaster…"
The bishop hesitated.
"Elder Yu hasn't eaten for three days. If this continues… I fear…"
His voice trailed off, but the implication hung heavy in the air.