It seemed that the roar just now had already drained all of Bibi Dong's strength.
Her current appearance held no trace of the commanding dignity of a supreme leader—she looked like a fragile woman, heartbroken and utterly devastated.
"I'm just a traveler, wanting to bring this story to you. I think you deserve to know it."
Aether looked at Bibi Dong gently and then turned to leave the backyard with Paimon and the others.
Acceptance takes time; let her be alone for now…
After so many years, the feelings between them were likely no longer love but a kind of pathological obsession.
Aether believed Bibi Dong was starting to accept the truth.
From the final roar she let out, it was clear she wasn't as stubborn as her memories suggested; that roar was just a desperate refusal to face the outcomes of the story.
Once she calmed down, Aether would try to communicate with her again about other matters.
After all, her goal was to personally destroy the Spirit Hall.
Though it was Yu Xiaogang who first abandoned her, which sparked her desire to leave the Spirit Hall and triggered the chain of events thereafter, that was the root cause.
But undeniably, she had gone through a deep low point in her life, and Aether felt powerless to help…
"Was all this… just a lie?"
After Aether and the girls left, Bibi Dong didn't ask any questions but instead stepped back to sit on the stone bench, murmuring to herself and recalling the past.
Sometimes smiling, sometimes frowning, sometimes showing madness.
The rain finally stopped. Skywater City lay quietly in the darkness.
Perhaps because of the rain, the world here felt cleansed, less suffocating.
"Brother, Paimon, we'll leave first. We'll visit again another day."
In the front yard, Yu Keke's bright eyes looked at Aether and Paimon with reluctance.
"Roar~"
The fiery cat in her arms blinked, answering with a greeting.
The mission given to it by the elder had not been forgotten, and judging by today's performance, it was determined to follow faithfully.
But today, they were just out for a holiday outing.
As soon as Yu Keke appeared, she immediately wanted to find "brother." The Shui sisters and Zhu Zhuqing were eager too, which led to Aether and Paimon's reunion with them.
"Okay, Keke, take good care of yourself~" Paimon waved goodbye, then glanced at the fiery cat.
The fiery cat straightened in Yu Keke's arms, clearly understanding Paimon's subtle hint.
"In a few days, we'll leave. You have to study hard, and then we'll come for you and the cat."
Aether tenderly patted Yu Keke's little head.
Just a few days apart, but the little girl seemed to have grown noticeably.
Before, Aether could easily reach her head without raising his hand; now he had to lift his hand slightly.
It made Aether sigh again—people in this land really grew fast…
Looking at Yu Keke's budding beauty, in a year or so, she'd likely be as tall as Zhu Zhuqing and the others.
If she grows even taller, then she might outgrow him…
"Ahem, alright, go on now."
Aether cleared his throat and pushed aside his wandering thoughts, waving goodbye to the group.
"Farewell, Your Excellency, farewell, Paimon…"
The Shui sisters waved reluctantly, but Zhu Zhuqing said nothing, her jade hands clenched tightly, her face flushed with hesitation.
She hadn't been ready, but hearing the Sovereign say they would leave in a few days made her realize the time left was short.
Zhu Zhuqing's heart stirred again, eager to seize this chance, yet suddenly too shy to speak, her delicate face turning bright red.
"Zhuqing?"
As everyone turned to leave, Shui Bing'er noticed Zhu Zhuqing lingering and called out, reaching to pull her along.
But Shui Yue'er hurriedly stopped her, excitedly whispering:
"Sis! Wait, wait, wait…"
Zhuqing's strange behavior was exactly like her earlier self at the plaza.
Shui Yue'er was thrilled beyond words.
She held Shui Bing'er's arm tightly, ignoring her struggles, staring at Zhu Zhuqing as if waiting for something important.
Here it comes again!
Zhuqing, you can do it!
Shui Yue'er was both excited and cheering silently for Zhu Zhuqing.
What was this little wildcat up to now? Seeing this scene, it felt so familiar.
Aether noticed Zhu Zhuqing's oddity too. Just as he was about to ask, two voices rang out almost simultaneously.
"My Lord…"
"Your Excellency…"
One was Zhu Zhuqing's, the other came from behind.
Facing Zhuqing, Aether was about to listen to her first, but everyone's eyes turned to the back, and he had no choice but to turn as well.
Bibi Dong's demeanor had returned to normal.
The noble grace and queenly aura befitting the Spirit Hall's Supreme Pontiff radiated from her, leaving the young women around her spellbound.
"Wow! This energy… Her Excellency's aura is so strong!"
Shui Yue'er exclaimed, her eyes sparkling like stars.
"This presence… even the headmistress can't compare."
Shui Bing'er murmured with admiration.
Yu Keke quietly watched, her big bright eyes revealing her own astonishment.
The last time she saw someone with such a unique aura was a grown-up Paimon…
"Zhuqing, who is this Excellency? Do you know her?"
Shui Bing'er whispered close to Zhu Qing's ear.
This queenly demeanor perfectly matched the story's saintess. Earlier, she thought the saintess was the academy head, but now compared to this Excellency, though she hadn't met the head, she was sure no one else could match this aura.
"I don't know…"
Zhu Qing shook her head bitterly.
She only knew that this mysterious Titled Douluo was the saintess from the story but didn't know her true identity in reality.
At the same time, she stole a glance at Aether and sighed heavily inwardly.
Just when she had finally gathered the courage to say something to him, fate had interrupted her again.
What to do?
She felt anxious and embarrassed, losing her courage to speak…
"Congratulations, Bibi Dong."
Aether looked at Bibi Dong standing by the door and smiled lightly.
It seemed her situation was better than he had imagined.
_
Please support my patreon, patreon. com/TravelerDouluo
And get early access to my 80 advance chapters.