Bibi Dong stood near the luxurious carriage, her arms crossed over her chest as she stared at Xuan Yan.
Xuan Yan inwardly sighed 'Well, fuck...'
Beside him, Mo Xie had also come to a halt, her gaze shifting between him and Bibi Dong.
She subtly tugged at his sleeve, whispering, "Brother Yan... why is she looking at you like that?"
Xuan Yan simply adjusted his expression to one of calm indifference and turned to Mo Xie. "Go ahead and enter the other carriage,"
Mo Xie hesitated, glancing once more at Bibi Dong before nodding. "Alright," she said softly.
Without another word, she stepped toward the second carriage, where a Spirit Hall attendant helped her inside.
The moment Mo Xie disappeared into the other carriage, Xuan Yan sighed inwardly and turned toward Bibi Dong.
She was still staring at him.
Her gaze was piercing, as if she was reading his every thought.
With a resigned sigh, he took a step forward. "Teacher."
Bibi Dong raised a delicate brow. "You're finally back."
But before he could come up with a response, Bibi Dong turned slightly, gesturing toward the carriage beside her. "Enough standing around. Get in."
He hesitated for half a second before sighing and stepping forward.
The carriage was grand, lined with gold and deep violet embroidery and it is the personal transport of the Supreme Pontiff herself.
He climbed inside, settling onto one of the plush seats.
Moments later, Bibi Dong followed, closing the door behind her.
The carriage started moving.
A thick silence filled the space.
Xuan Yan leaned back slightly, his eyes scanning Bibi Dong's expression.
She looked as composed as ever, but he could sense something lingering beneath the surface.
She is furious.
Well, he can't blame her, as it is understandable why she is angry at him.
"Uhmm..." Xuan Yan tried to speak, but Bibi Dong just stayed silent crossing her arms across her chest as she stared outside.
Welp.
Seeing her reaction, Xuan Yan leaned back on the seat and closed his eyes.
After a few hours, they finally reached the Spirit Hall and both of them stepped down from the carriage.
Xuan Yan glanced at Mo Xie who was getting down from the carriage.
However, Bibi Dong raised her gaze and spoke "Take her back to her home..."
Hm? Xuan Yan was surprised as he expected Bibi Dong to investigate the both of them.
Well, even if she investigated them separately, Xuan Yan and Mo Xie already talked about how they should keep Xiao Wu's presence a secret.
Several Spirit Hall attendants immediately approached Mo Xie, guiding her back to another carriage for her return trip.
Mo Xie blinked in surprise but didn't resist.
She threw a glance at Xuan Yan as if asking if she should say something, but he gave her the slightest shake of his head.
Understanding his silent message, she simply nodded and got into the carriage without a word.
Without another word, Bibi Dong entered the Spirit Hall and Xuan Yan quickly followed.
She was silent as she reached her private quarters and entered the house.
Xuan Yan followed her into the house.
After reaching the main hall, Bibi Dong let out a deep breath and took the Pope crown from her head as she glanced back at Xuan Yan.
"Come to my room..."
Bibi Dong turned on her heel, her long flowing robes trailing behind her as she ascended the stairs leading to her private chambers.
Xuan Yan sighed inwardly before following her.
He had been missing for days, wandering deep into the Star Dou Forest, spending time with a certain little rabbit, and even helping someone obtain a spirit ring... all without informing her.
To make matters worse, he had returned as if nothing had happened, casually stepping out of the forest without so much as an explanation.
Yeah, he was in trouble.
Reaching the second floor, he watched as Bibi Dong pushed open the doors to her private chambers and stepped inside without a word.
He hesitated for a second before following her in.
A large desk was placed near the window, covered with neatly stacked scrolls and documents.
To the side, a luxurious couch sat near a fireplace, and beyond that was her massive canopy bed draped in silk.
Bibi Dong removed her outer robe, revealing a fitted purple dress underneath.
She walked over to the vanity, placing the Pope's crown on it before running a hand through her long, silky violet hair.
Letting out a sigh, she sat on the bed "Do you have any idea how reckless you were?"
Xuan Yan exhaled, tilting his head slightly. "I wasn't reckless. I-"
"Don't," Bibi Dong interrupted.
"Don't even try to make excuses, Yan'er."
"You disappeared into the Star Dou Forest, one of the most dangerous places in the world, without informing me. Do you have any idea what could have happened?"
With a soft sigh, he tried to explain "But teacher, I was not in any danger there."
Bibi Dong scoffed, crossing her arms. "You were in the Star Dou Forest. There is always danger."
Her voice lowered slightly. "And you weren't alone. That girl.. Mo Xie. I checked her background."
"From a low-class family, a good prodigy with level 8 innate soul power."
"And you of all people offered to help her when that Titan Giant Ape came to take her."
Xuan Yan sighed in his heart and replied "Teacher, she was in need of help."
She tilted her head "And since when have you become so charitable?"
He chuckled faintly "I thought you'd be proud. Isn't Spirit Hall supposed to stand for justice and aid those in need?"
Bibi Dong's lips twitched as if she wanted to smile, but she held her stern expression. "Don't twist my words."
Chuckling, he slowly made his way to her on bed "Teacher, listen to me... I can explain."
Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed as she saw him sitting beside him on the bed "I am listening..."
With a nod, Xuan Yan began to explain what happened in the Star Dou forest—everything except for Xiao Wu.
After hearing the explanation, Bibi Dong took a moment to contemplate what she heard.
She moved a little closer to him on the bed "So.. what is your relationship with that girl?"
Eh? After hearing all of that, that is the first question you ask?
As he blinked his eyes in confusion, Bibi Dong raised her hand to pinch his cheek.
"Ow- teacher?"
Bibi Dong spoke "You went with that girl to get her spirit ring... how close you were with her, so that you even risked your life for her?"
-_-
With a slight cough, he spoke "Teacher, she is a very good friend of mine.. We had the awakening ceremony on the same day and she is like a little sister to me."
Hearing this, Bibi Dong's gaze narrowed "Little Sister?"
With a nod, he spoke "As her brother, it's my duty to protect her, isn't it?"
Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow in amusement "You worry about protecting her… but did you stop to think about what might happen to you?"
"Did you ever thought of me and Nana who would be worried about you?"
Xuan Yan lowered his gaze"Teacher…"
Bibi Dong let out a slow breath and leaned back, the tension in her shoulders easing—but only slightly.
She reached up and undid the pins in her hair, letting the long violet strands fall freely down her back.
For the first time that evening…
She looked tired.
Not physically.
But emotionally.
Then, in a quieter voice, she murmured "You are one of Spirit Hall's most important people, you are important to me... Yan'er."
"You should remember that."
A heavy silence settled between them.
Xuan Yan gave a faint nod and muttered "Forgive me teacher for worrying you..."
Bibi Dong's eyes softened and she reached out patting his head "Never repeat this..."
"And go and eat, you must have not eaten anything good in the forest for two days..."
"Nana also missed, go and meet her."
With a gentle nod, he stood up from the bed and walked out of the room.
His stomach growled slightly, reminding him of the fact that he hadn't eaten anything proper in two days.
Thinking back, the only things he had consumed were fruits Xiao Wu had given him and a carrots she had shoved into his mouth.
A small chuckle escaped him at the memory before he shook his head and made his way toward the dining hall.
As he entered the dining hall, he was immediately greeted by the warm, inviting aroma of freshly prepared food.
Silver platters of delicacies were neatly arranged on a long dining table.
Before he could even take a step further, a figure rushed toward him at surprising speed.
"Yan'er!"
A pair of slender arms wrapped around him tightly as Hu Liena practically threw herself at him, locking him in a firm embrace.
Xuan Yan stumbled slightly at the unexpected impact but quickly steadied himself.
He blinked in surprise as he looked at the girl clinging to him.
Her golden eyes shimmered with a mix of relief and worry, and her usually composed expression was nowhere to be seen.
"Senior Sister?" He blinked in surprise.
"You were gone for so long!" she cut him off, her grip on him tightening.
"You didn't tell me anything, and then I suddenly heard that you went to the Star Dou Forest! Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
Xuan Yan let out a small sigh, guilt settling in as he gently patted her back. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. It was a last-minute decision, and I couldn't inform you before I left."
Hu Liena pulled back slightly, her golden eyes scanning his body as if checking for any injuries.
When she saw that he was unharmed, she let out a deep breath, shaking her head. "You always do reckless things," she muttered, her brows furrowing.
"You have no idea how unbearable it was, not knowing if you were safe."
Xuan Yan chuckled softly. "I'm fine, aren't I?"
She sighed, crossing her arms. "That's not the point. You need to start telling me things before running off into dangerous places."
Xuan Yan smiled. "Alright, Senior Sister, this one time.. forgive me."
Hu Liena took a deep breath and her gaze flickered to the dining table "Come, let's eat.. you must be hungry. Also tell me what happened."
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I hope you guys liked this chapter!