Chapter 439: The Death of Yu Xiaogang — Li Zhexian and Qian Renxue Meet Bibi Dong Again (Side Story)

"Bi... Bibi Dong?!"

Liu Erlong’s pupils shrank violently. She staggered half a step backward, her eyes surging with hatred, fear, and a trace of morbid satisfaction.

Those emotions twisted together grotesquely.

Upon hearing that name, the valley master also revealed a look of shock.

Throughout the world, it was said that—

after being defeated by the Creation God, this former pope had abandoned evil, turned toward good, and wandered the continent performing acts of charity.

Now that she saw her in person, she knew the rumors were true.

"Since the Valley Master’s words were true, then you may be on your way."

Bibi Dong’s gaze was calm, without the slightest ripple.

Just a naturally released thread of her aura was enough to silently extinguish the boiling, scorching Spirit Power around Liu Erlong.

Just as she raised her palm, ready to suppress and kill Liu Erlong on the spot—

"Bi... Bibi Dong..."

A trembling voice came from inside the house.

Yu Xiaogang staggered out, supporting himself against the doorframe. His face was filled with uncontrollable resentment and fear.

The pain of that day—when the venomous spider gnawed at him—still clung to him like a curse etched into his bones.

His instinct was to flee.

But the valley master’s earlier words suddenly echoed in his mind:

"Such insidious injuries—there was once someone skilled in this field. The former pope of the Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong."

He took a deep breath, suppressed his trembling, and was about to speak—

when Liu Erlong cut him off.

"Bibi Dong, stop pretending in front of me! I don’t believe you’ve truly abandoned evil!"

"Could it be you’re still delusional about that old affection? Unable to obtain him, so you want to destroy him?!"

"We hid ourselves in such a remote place, yet you still haunt us like a vengeful spirit!"

Liu Erlong darted to Yu Xiaogang’s side, supporting his arm, her expression both triumphant and mournful.

"Xiaogang and I are already bound together as husband and wife!"

"Bibi Dong, stop your foolish fantasies!"

Yu Xiaogang slowly exhaled.

He gently brushed Liu Erlong’s hand away.

"Bi... Dong’er..."

That form of address made Liu Erlong’s body shudder. She stared at him in disbelief.

Avoiding her gaze, Yu Xiaogang fixed his eyes on Bibi Dong and continued:

"I know... that when you injured me back then, it was not your intention."

His Adam’s apple bobbed.

His voice carried deliberate hoarseness and feigned tenderness:

"I promise you..."

"As long as you cure me, I will forgive everything from the past—and reunite with you."

"Xiaogang—you?! How could you—"

Liu Erlong’s face turned deathly pale.

Yu Xiaogang clenched his teeth and said nothing, his gaze locked firmly onto Bibi Dong.

His calculations were already complete.

First, stabilize Bibi Dong.

Once she healed his injuries—

he would then fly away with Erlong, living freely together.

"Are you finished?"

Before either of them could respond—

two cold points of light bloomed at Bibi Dong’s fingertips.

"I’ll send you both on your way."

Spirit Power tore through the air.

It pierced straight through the centers of their brows.

Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong’s eyes widened. Their lips trembled, yet no sound could escape.

Purple spirit flames ignited from the wounds.

In an instant, the two were burned into twin piles of ashes, drifting softly to the ground.

"To encounter you two... perhaps this is retribution for my past sins." Bibi Dong murmured.

A breeze swept through.

The two piles of ashes rolled and scattered across the ground—

yet never mixed.

"I had intended to grant you burial together..."

"It seems, in the end, this was merely a cursed bond."

She turned toward the stunned valley master and bowed slightly.

"Valley Master, may I now request a Hundred Herbs Pill?"

"Of... of course, Your Holiness the Pope!"

"There is no pope anymore," she replied softly.

"Just call me Bibi Dong."

...

Spring snow melted, only to be covered again by fresh white.

In the blink of an eye, it was deep winter the following year.

"The scenery of the northern lands is truly exquisite."

Bibi Dong stood atop a snowy hill, gazing at the silver-clad world, a faint smile touching her lips.

The merchant caravan she had just aided had already departed safely. Only then did she remember that she had yet to add a new grain of sand to her crystal vial.

The jade bottle chimed softly.

Another grain of sand fell to the bottom of the bottle.

After a year of crossing mountains and rivers, the sand within the vial still formed only a thin layer.

Yet she was no longer anxious.

The path of redemption was never meant to be measured by speed.

After she put away the jade vial,

an omen suddenly appeared between heaven and earth.

Clang—

Clang—

Auspicious celestial tones descended from the Nine Heavens.

Above the northern skies, ten thousand feet of radiant clouds unfurled at once.

Golden light poured down like rain. Seven-colored clouds interwove into twin-lotus patterns, dyeing the endless snowy peaks into a magnificent painted panorama.

Boom—

Boom—

Spirit Beasts of the Extreme North burst from their caves, bowing repeatedly toward the radiant clouds in the sky, as if offering congratulations.

Bibi Dong gazed at the boundless splendor, auspicious light reflecting in her eyes.

"Year One of the New Divine Era... it is the wedding date of Xue’er and Zhexian..."

She bent down and scooped up a handful of crystalline white snow, watching it melt into pure water in her palm.

She raised this blessing high.

"My child, may you forever bathe in the river of love."

Bibi Dong lifted her head and drank the snowmelt in her hand—clear, cool, and sweet.

The northern gale carried snowflakes swirling through the air.

After Bibi Dong erected a protective barrier for the mother ice bear and her cubs, the storm gradually subsided.

She watched as the mother bear gathered her young into her embrace. A trace of warmth surfaced in Bibi Dong’s eyes, and she turned, stepping back into the falling snow.

The next instant—

her footsteps suddenly halted.

Within the drifting snowstorm, two figures stood hand in hand.

Against the pure white world,

the pair resembled immortal lovers from a painting, stealing her breath in an instant.

Her usually gentle eyes rippled with turmoil—panic, longing, timidity—countless emotions surged like a tide.

Whoosh—

The wind ceased. The snow fell silent.

The sky cleared, blue and pristine,

so pure it seemed like a divine miracle.

Under the bright daylight, the figures became clear—

Li Zhexian and Qian Renxue, clad in brilliant red wedding robes.

Bibi Dong’s lips trembled. Her throat felt blocked, and in the end, she said nothing.

Qian Renxue turned her face away, her exquisite features icy and distant.

Yet beneath her wide sleeves, the fingers clasped with Li Zhexian’s had turned faintly white.

Today is the wedding of Xue’er and me." Li Zhexian looked at the flustered Bibi Dong and smiled.

"We came especially to offer you a cup."

"Good! Good!" Bibi Dong hastily rubbed her hands against her sackcloth robe before taking the wine cup.

As she raised it and tilted her head back,

her wide sleeves concealed her face.

Two silent tears fell into the wine, sending out delicate ripples.

She did not see—

that as she drank this celebratory wine mixed with tears,

Qian Renxue finally turned her gaze back.

When she saw the frayed sleeves, the worn straw shoes, and the weather-beaten figure before her, the icy barrier she had forced upon herself shattered at once, crimson flooding her eyes.

"Sigh..." Taking everything in, Li Zhexian let out a soft sigh, then straightened, his expression turning solemn.

He spoke aloud.

Each word transformed into golden Dao patterns,

resounding across all the heavens and myriad worlds.

"Bibi Dong, you have walked the mortal realm, delivering souls from suffering, bearing the pain of all beings, and you swore the great vow: ’So long as suffering remains, I shall never ascend to godhood.’"

"By my decree, I confer upon you the title of—

Tribulation-Delivering Divine Officer."

"You may walk the mortal world, roaming the myriad realms, punishing evil and upholding righteousness."

"When your great vow is fulfilled, that shall be the day you ascend to the Divine Realm and take your place among the immortals."

As the divine voice echoed,

ten thousand rays of radiant light descended from the Nine Heavens, enveloping Bibi Dong.

Her dust-stained sackcloth robe gradually became suffused with divine radiance, and a divine mark shaped like a crystal vial appeared upon her brow.

Within the resplendent light, she slowly bowed, her expression filled with relief and joy.

"Thank you... Creation God, for your decree."