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"Mmm~"
At this moment, as soul power flowed into her body, Hu Liena, who had fallen unconscious due to oxygen deprivation and exhaustion, gradually regained consciousness.
"This is…"
Looking at the ceiling of the Pope's Palace, she blinked in confusion, glancing around.
Her entire body froze.
Dai Chengfeng stood shirtless, his muscles perfectly sculpted like a work of art. Beads of sweat slid slowly from his neck down to his firm chest.
And she… was lying in Dai Chengfeng's arms.
Her earlobes turned slightly red as flashes of what had happened earlier came rushing back. She quickly pushed Dai Chengfeng away with all her strength.
"I'm sorry, Teacher. I lost."
Hu Liena walked to Bibi Dong and knelt on one knee, her voice trembling with guilt and self-reproach.
"Na Na, it's not your fault. Stand up."
Seeing Hu Liena's self-blame, Bibi Dong gently shook her head and softly consoled her.
Why don't you show the same tenderness to your own daughter?
A faint flicker of anger flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes.
But Hu Liena remained kneeling in place, unwilling to accept defeat. She bit her lip tightly. "But…"
"There's no 'but' about it."
"Oh, by the way, from now on, Dai Chengfeng will also be my disciple, just like you."
"What?!"
Hu Liena's head shot up in shock as she looked at Bibi Dong incredulously.
After all, her teacher was notoriously strict when it came to taking disciples. She herself had endured countless trials before finally being accepted as a disciple.
But then again, even she, a disciple personally nurtured by her teacher, had been easily defeated by Dai Chengfeng. So perhaps it wasn't so surprising that her teacher would take him as a disciple.
In the end, Hu Liena gave Dai Chengfeng a deep look before slowly rising to her feet.
"Teacher, I will definitely defeat Dai Chengfeng!"
At the same time, she silently vowed in her heart: Hu Liena, never forget the humiliation of today!
Bibi Dong nodded approvingly.
Meanwhile, Qian Renxue spoke up again. "Sister, what do you mean, your disciple?"
"Dai Chengfeng was clearly someone I discovered first. Now you want to take him as your disciple? Do you understand the concept of first come, first served?"
Hearing this, Bibi Dong coldly stared at Qian Renxue. "Is this why you came to see me at the Pope's Palace today?"
"What else?"
Qian Renxue fearlessly locked eyes with Bibi Dong, her tone sharp and confrontational. "Do you really think I'd come here just to see you? Sister!"
"Hmph~"
Bibi Dong let out a cold laugh, nodding slightly, though a flicker of loneliness that was hard to detect flashed in her eyes.
"First come, first served?"
Bibi Dong raised her purple-gold scepter and looked at Qian Renxue. "In the Spirit Hall, only the strong are respected!"
"And!"
"Dai Chengfeng possesses extraordinary talent. Only I can cultivate him into a true powerhouse. He rightfully belongs under my tutelage."
However, despite her words being extremely assertive, Bibi Dong did not outright reject Qian Renxue's proposal. Instead, she turned her gaze toward Dai Chengfeng.
"Dai Chengfeng, it's your choice!"
"Do you want to become my disciple and the future core force of the Spirit Hall, or…"
As she spoke, Bibi Dong pointed at Qian Renxue standing opposite her. "Choose to pledge allegiance to her?"
Upon hearing Bibi Dong's words, Qian Renxue couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease.
After all, the other party was the Pope of the Spirit Hall, while she had remained relatively unknown over the years.
But outwardly, a mocking smirk curved her lips as she confidently strode toward Dai Chengfeng.
She couldn't afford to lose in terms of presence.
Clang—
Seeing this, Bibi Dong lightly tapped her purple-gold scepter on the ground, producing a crisp sound.
Then, with equal confidence, she stepped forward to stand in front of Dai Chengfeng, facing Qian Renxue.
It was as if she were saying: A daughter will always be just a daughter!
For a moment, Dai Chengfeng found himself standing between the two women, caught in the intense aura radiating from both sides.
What a… delightful dilemma?
Dai Chengfeng looked at the fiercely opposing widowed Pope Bibi Dong and the little angel Qian Renxue. Though he understood that their actions were likely driven by their mother-daughter rivalry, he still found it amusing.
After all, just earlier, he had been worried about whether he would survive in the Spirit Hall. But in less than half a day, the situation had flipped—he was now choosing between them.
As Dai Chengfeng stood there, seemingly deep in thought, Qian Renxue could no longer bear the silence and broke it first.
After all, on paper, she was clearly at a disadvantage.
But Qian Renxue refused to lose!
Especially not to… her sister!
"Dai Chengfeng, although I've kept a low profile in recent years, my plans for the future of the Spirit Hall will undoubtedly give you a broader stage to showcase your abilities."
"And, my grandfather is none other than Qian Daoliu, the Grand Worship of Douluo Hall!"
"If you follow me, you'll receive his guidance."
As she spoke, she unconsciously took a step forward, her eyes filled with expectation.
"Hmph!"
Bibi Dong let out a cold snort, lightly tapping her scepter on the ground once more. "Grandfather? Qian Renxue, you're still just a child who hasn't grown up!"
"You… what do you mean, Sister?"
Bibi Dong sneered, glancing at Qian Renxue without answering.
Instead, she confidently looked at Dai Chengfeng. "Dai Chengfeng, I am the Pope of the Spirit Hall, holding the most top-tier resources and legacies of the Spirit Hall."
"Choose me, and I will help you fully unleash your potential in the shortest time, making you a peak powerhouse of the Douluo Continent!"
Her words carried an undeniable authority, exuding the regal aura of someone who had been Pope for many years. The temperature around them seemed to drop a few degrees.
At this moment…
Watching the scene unfold into such a dramatic confrontation, Qian Daoliu was utterly bewildered.
He muttered inwardly: Did I wake up too early today?
How am I seeing Bibi Dong and Xiao Xue, this mother-daughter pair, competing for a single person?
And allowing the other party to choose?
What makes this Dai Chengfeng so special that both Xiao Xue and Bibi Dong are so intent on winning him over?
Frowning, his gaze shifted back and forth between Dai Chengfeng, Qian Renxue, and Bibi Dong, trying to find the answer.
But in the end, he could only shake his head helplessly, his confusion growing thicker.
Beside him, Yue Guan and Gui Mei were equally incredulous. After all, the two figures in front of Dai Chengfeng—one was the Pope of the Spirit Hall, and the other was the young mistress of the Spirit Hall, the cherished granddaughter of Qian Daoliu, the Grand Worship of Douluo Hall.
On any ordinary day, even catching a second glance from either of them would be considered a stroke of immense luck.
And yet now, it wasn't just about being chosen—it had escalated to outright competition, even to the point where Dai Chengfeng was in the position to choose between them…
"Is this what it means to be a genius?"
"Having great talent truly lets you do whatever you want… I'm envious!"
Tears involuntarily slid down Yue Guan's cheek, while Gui Mei nodded in admiration.
Only Hu Liena continued to stare at Dai Chengfeng, clenching her fists tightly in frustration: No matter who you choose, Dai Chengfeng, I will definitely defeat you and avenge my humiliation! I swear it!
"Dai Chengfeng, what is your decision?!"
Finally, Bibi Dong spoke again, her eyes faintly glowing red as she gazed at Dai Chengfeng, awaiting his response.
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