"I've… vaguely heard about it…"
It was unclear whether Bibi Dong was referring to Qian Xunji or something else entirely. With no better response, Aether could only offer an awkward answer.
"Your Excellency once told me a story. Coincidentally, I have a story I'd like to tell you too."
Bibi Dong rested her chin on her hand. Without waiting for a response, her gaze drifted into the distance as she began recounting a tale from long ago.
A young girl, blinded by love, defied everything for it. In the end, not only did she fail to grasp the love she yearned for, she lost everything.
The one who ruined her… was her teacher, Qian Xunji.
…
From that day on, she set her heart on destroying the forces of that devil. She schemed without pause, never resting, all the way until today.
As Bibi Dong's murmurs brought the story to a close, she turned to look at Aether and softly asked:
"Your Excellency… do you think that girl was wrong?"
"This isn't a matter of right or wrong. Whatever that girl did, I can understand."
Aether shook his head and spoke from the heart.
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong's eyes grew even more profound.
This was the first time she had ever spoken of this to another… and the first time she felt understood.
"Then, Your Excellency… if it were you, would you have done the same?"
Aether shook his head again.
"What would you do then?"
"If I were alone, I'd kill the one who hurt me, burn the world to ash, and build a castle atop the ruins… and live there, all by myself."
"Live alone…"
Bibi Dong gently bit her lip. Wasn't that… exactly what she had always wanted?
"But what about that child?"
Aether's follow-up struck her like lightning, catching her completely off guard. A flicker of panic crossed her eyes.
"Your Holiness… if the day comes when your goal is achieved—what will you do then?"
"I… I'll go find…"
Bibi Dong's mind kept echoing Aether's earlier words. As his question landed, she answered reflexively.
But she only got halfway through before the truth slammed into her—everything had long been scripted by that man, and she was just a clown dancing to his tune.
Yes… all this time, she'd planned to find him once everything was over. But now that idea felt like… a joke.
"Why don't I tell you another story?"
Seeing her shaken, Aether seized the moment, hoping to untangle the last knot in her heart.
He told her the story of Qian Renxue—a child who had yearned for a mother's love and never received it. A child whose father had been killed by that very mother. A child whose journey had led her from longing… to hatred.
He withheld nothing, calling the girl by name: Qian Renxue.
"Remember how I said that first story ended?"
Bibi Dong nodded, her mind in chaos.
"Even though she hated you… in the end, she still protected you. That man is dead. That grudge ended long ago.
But the real culprit behind your suffering… is someone else entirely. Everything you've done, all your efforts—they became the stepping stones for that person's ascension."
"Your Holiness… think carefully. Is that really the ending you want?"
Aether took a sip of tea, drained his cup, and said no more.
He would leave her with her thoughts.
"Your Excellency… what should I do…"
For the first time in years, Bibi Dong felt utterly lost.
She'd just learned truths hidden from the world—truths that shattered the beliefs she had built her life upon.
She no longer knew what path to take.
"Do what you want. But… I hope your ending doesn't mirror that story."
A breeze passed.
Aether's figure had vanished.
All that remained was Bibi Dong, sitting alone beneath the trees, dazed and confused.
"What I want… what do I want…?"
…
Meeting Bibi Dong had just been a brief interlude. Aether had said what needed to be said. What came next for this continent… would depend on how she chose to act.
After spending the night at a farmer's home in a nearby village, Aether, Paimon, and the others resumed their journey—wandering with no particular destination.
Even if the journey seemed aimless, Aether had a rough plan. To lift the seal, he needed to find and complete Commissions.
The tricky part was, Commissions were unpredictable. No one knew where they might appear, or who might carry one.
But they always required a host—usually a person.
As long as they passed through areas with dense human activity, the chances of encountering one would increase.
Months into their travels, the trio and beast finally arrived at a massive city.
"This is… Spirit City?"
Zhu Zhuqing stared at the grand, imposing gates and unconsciously read the three golden characters emblazoned above.
"Wow! This place looks so fancy! There's gotta be tons of yummy food inside!"
Paimon chimed in with excitement.
They'd been living off wild game lately, and the snacks in her portable storage had long since run out.
Now that they were finally in a big city, her appetite came roaring back to life.
Spirit Hall, huh…?
Aether looked up at the towering gates. Who would've thought they'd stumble upon this place by accident?
His memory held little about Spirit Hall—but since they were here, it only made sense to go in and have a look.
It'd be a good chance to let Zhuqing and Keke—both born and raised soul masters—visit the so-called holy land of their kind.
"Come on, let's go."
Aether waved a hand and led the group toward the gate—only to be stopped by the guards.
"Halt! Do you have a pass?"
These guards were far more serious than those in other cities—and their soul power radiated with thick, heavy force.
The four raised their spears in unison, exuding a powerful presence.
A pass?
Isn't this like any other city, where you just pay a toll to enter?
Aether was still confused when Paimon, ever the eager guide, zipped forward.
"We're travelers from a distant land! Just here to stock up on supplies!"
Her natural cheerfulness made her the perfect front-line negotiator.
"Hm? What are you?"
The guards were clearly on alert now. This tiny, fairy-like being had caught their full attention.
By the city's laws, suspicious individuals had to be detained and reported immediately.
And this group—including the floating, talking girl—ticked all the boxes.
Still… Paimon's overwhelming cuteness made one of them hesitate and ask.
"Me? I'm Paimon! A big-time good guy~!"
Paimon pointed proudly at herself.
Unfortunately, the guards weren't buying it. One of them raised a hand, and more guards rushed over from nearby posts.
"Eh? Hey—what are you guys doing?"
Paimon flew behind Aether, peeking out fiercely.
Seriously?
Why do we always run into these annoying guards every time we enter a city?!
Now they're delaying my food again—unforgivable!
_
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