Bibi Dong admired his talent and, as a saintess, granted him the qualification to hold a position at the Spirit Hall's Theory Institute.
It's just a pity...
Ning Lin's martial soul aptitude is truly mediocre, and his soul power improves slowly, ultimately making it difficult for him to achieve great things.
In the Spirit Hall, a place teeming with geniuses, he quickly became just another face in the crowd, forgotten by the busy Pope in the corner of his memory.
Later, he left the Spirit Hall and eventually arrived in Heaven Dou City.
Unexpectedly, this became his only lifeline at this moment!
Tang San, do you want me to die?
Do you want to ruin my reputation and make me just another stepping stone for your glorious image?
I'll do the opposite of what you want!
The despair and deathly aura in Ning Lin's eyes vanished, replaced by a frantic will to survive.
He endured the excruciating pain and focused all his attention on the system interface in his mind.
An illusory scroll slowly unfurled before him.
The scroll contains a biographical record of Bibi Dong's life.
He trembled as he issued the command in his mind.
"Editing...start!"
In the darkness of the dungeon, the last glimmer of light in Ning Lin's eyes flowed into his mind.
On that illusory scroll, light and shadow flowed, revealing countless key moments in Bibi Dong's life.
[Node 1: The Secret Chamber. The peerless Pope Qian Xunji, a sinister smile on his face, pins the Holy Maiden Bibi Dong to the ground...]
[Node Two: Star Dou Great Forest. Young Yu Xiaogang vows earnestly to give Bibi Dong a future...]
[Node Three: The Papal Palace. The newly appointed Pope, Bibi Dong, personally ended Qian Xunji's life...]
One by one, the major turning points that changed the course of history are listed in front of us.
However, Ning Lin knew that the impact of these nodes was too enormous, and in his current state, he was simply not qualified to touch them.
The consequence of forced editing is likely that one's soul will be completely washed away by the torrent of history.
He had to choose a smaller, more inconspicuous fulcrum, yet one that could leverage the future.
His gaze finally settled on a faded, yellowed fragment.
[Node Seventeen: Spirit Hall, Back Mountain Training Ground. Saintess Bibi Dong is perplexed by Yu Xiaogang's "theory"...]
This is it!
Ning Lin had a sudden thought.
"System, lock this node."
"Infuse my presence!"
[Ding! Historical node locked.]
[Building host's historical identity... Successfully completed.]
[Editing permission granted. Please begin your revisions.]
Ning Lin's consciousness seemed to be drawn away by an invisible force, instantly transcending the barriers of time and space.
...
The Martial Soul Empire, the Papal Palace.
Inside the magnificent hall, the dome hangs high, and the carved beams and painted rafters exude majesty and sanctity.
A stunningly beautiful figure sat atop the papal throne, which stood atop the ninth tier.
She wore a purple-gold crown, a magnificent long dress inlaid with gold patterns, and held a scepter nearly two meters long.
With a dignified face and noble demeanor, he exudes an aura of authority even without anger.
She was the most powerful woman on this continent, the founding empress of the Martial Soul Empire, Bibi Dong.
Your Highness, a cardinal is kneeling on one knee, respectfully reporting the latest intelligence.
"Your Majesty, a message has arrived from the Heavenly Dou Empire."
"Tang San, the sect leader of the Tang Sect, announced that Ning Lin, the lord of Tian Dou City, will be publicly executed in three days, on three major charges."
Bibi Dong didn't even lift her eyelids, and her voice revealed no emotion.
"Tang San is just putting on his usual show of eliminating dissidents."
"A city lord of an empire, do you really need to bring such a trivial matter before me?"
Her tone was indifferent, as if she had no interest whatsoever in the person who was about to be executed.
In her view, this was nothing more than another political purge by Tang San to consolidate his rule and eliminate dissidents.
Countless people die at Tang San's hands every day; she has long since become numb to it.
"His Majesty."
Just then, a clear and melodious voice came from the side.
Saint Huliena stepped forward with light steps and bowed to Bibi Dong.
"Teacher, this matter may... be related to our Martial Soul Empire."
"oh?"
Bibi Dong finally reacted, raising her phoenix eyes slightly to look at her most prized disciple.
Hu Liena took out a file and presented it to him.
"I just checked the old records of the Empire. This Lord of Tiandou City had a temporary post in the Theory Institute of our Spirit Hall many years ago."
"and..."
Hu Liena paused for a moment, then said softly.
His name is Ning Lin.
"According to the records, it was you who personally ordered him to be summoned, making an exception for the occasion."
Buzz!
The moment the name "Ning Lin" reached her ears, Bibi Dong felt as if something had exploded in her mind.
Some images that had been buried for a long time and were already blurred suddenly became incredibly clear.
For the first time, her eternally calm expression showed a dramatic change.
"Ning Lin…"
She uttered the name unconsciously.
The next moment.
With a "whoosh".
Bibi Dong suddenly stood up, the base of her scepter striking the ground with a clear, ringing sound.
For the first time, the imperial majesty faded from her noble phoenix eyes, leaving only surprise and confusion.
"Let's go take a look!"
Hu Liena was startled by the teacher's sudden reaction and was somewhat stunned.
Where...where to?
Go to Tiandou City?
For the sake of an unknown minor city lord?
Bibi Dong seemed to realize her loss of composure. She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed the turmoil in her heart, and restored the demeanor of an empress.
She looked at Hu Liena and spoke in a stern tone.
"This person, after all, came from my Spirit Hall."
"Even if it's just a temporary post, he's still a person of my Martial Soul Empire."
"Tang San wants to behead him without interrogation, clearly intending to establish his authority and slap the face of our Spirit Empire."
"I'd like to see if Tang San has the guts!"
These words were reasonable and full of the domineering aura of an imperial emperor.
"Yes! The teacher is wise!"
Hu Liena didn't dare to think too much and quickly bowed in agreement.
"I'll go prepare right away!"
Soon, Hu Liena and the cardinal left the hall.
In the empty papal palace, only Bibi Dong remained.
She slowly sat back on her throne, and the imposing aura she had just forcibly maintained dissipated completely at that moment.
She stretched out her delicate hand and gently rubbed her temples, her mind churning with memories and her heart in turmoil.
Is it really... just a coincidence that we share the same name?
No.
No, it won't.
That name, that face, those clear yet all-seeing eyes...
How could I possibly forget?
...
The tide of memories carried her back to that sunny afternoon.
The Spirit Hall, a private training ground located in the back mountain.
The young woman had just finished a high-intensity soul power training session and was sitting cross-legged, regulating her breathing.
Just then, a slightly hurried sound of footsteps approached from afar.
(End of chapter)