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Quest Maker: 178
🕑 Added 2021-10-18 12:58:24 +0000 UTCTitle: The Devils' Whisper
"First things first, I wanted to ask you about something... do you remember the tour Dai Taiyin gave us in the palace? The mural regarding the Tiger God of theirs..."
"Of course, I do. But the tour was one of the least memorable parts of the day," Bibi Dong replied.
"That day, you stated that Gods are just stronger men and women and beasts. But you brushed off the later questions... now, I request that if you know something, will you tell it to me. In exchange—"
"No need for trade on this matter," Bibi Dong stated coldly, "As you provided me with information not only regarding your identity, but also mine... it would be only natural to answer your questions without further costs. And... I despise the fact that I'm being offered wealth in exchange for talking."
"Oh, there's a misunderstanding," Ja Sun smiled, "I wasn't offering any item, but my true thoughts on what I feel presently, about our situation as a whole within the Spirit Hall."
Bibi Dong thought for a moment and then nodded, "I see. Well, back on topic... I do know something about Gods. It is a topic only passed down in very few factions and only verbally. Even if written records are passed, they are destroyed once the message is understood... these are the things Master taught me. He didn't particularly state the matter of the path ahead of Titled Douluo, but how the various factions function. Although, I don't know if he himself knows about the path ahead. But it is likely that he does."
"And... for a particular reason, I also know one method of becoming a god..." Bibi Dong looked at Ah Yin and Ja Sun, gauging their reaction. Aside from a slight moment of surprise, they didn't reveal a whole lot of emotion which, in return, surprised Bibi Dong.
"The path I know of can be described in one word— Inheritance," Bibi Dong heaved a deep sigh, "In reality, I came to understand this path only a few months before I met the two of you. The Gods did exist. They might even now. What I'm trying to say is that just like a Titled Douluo is given a personal title, the term 'God' is a title given to a group of individuals— humans— who step on the road ahead of the Titled Douluo.
Rank 100, in essence, is Godhood. Or the first step of the next path."
Ja Sun and Ah Yin nodded.
"As I said, I came to understand this knowledge a few months before meeting you, and at that time, I was inside the Slaughter City. It took me a little over 1 year to complete my 100 victories in the Slaughter Arena and then I passed the underground trials before exiting it and gaining a domain.
But... when I came to the outside world, it wasn't the true exit. I was brought into a small shrine."
Bibi Dong calmly explained the situation.
According to her words, the small shrine was even smaller than a living room in space and it was made out of unknown pitch-black material with a purple shine to it. On the platform, only an arm-sized Scythe was present.
"Everything was strange. But there was a divine imprint coded in the Scythe and as I touched it, the scythe entered my body. The next thing I knew, I was back at the original exit. From the imprint, I came to understand that the Scythe was a powerful artifact left by a goddess named Rakshasa. She has been dead for many years and before her passing, he left the Scythe as a moderator of her will. The Scythe itself has a consciousness and it chose me because of my second martial soul... the one I gained from my biological mother.
Since this is an inheritance, the Rakshasa Goddess didn't want any unworthy being to accept her powers. Thus, there are five trails for me to accomplish."
"Trials? What happens when you succeed?"
"I become a god," Bibi Dong shrugged.
"Anyway," she shook her head and remarked with a bleak expression, "All the trials have a limit of ten years each. Failing to achieve my goals will... cause my death. In fact, do you remember my outburst when we first met? Most of it was caused by the raging consciousness of the Scythe inside of me but now it has slumbered again after you directed your killing intent towards it.
For reasons unknown, the scythe is deeply timid to your kind of killing intent."
Bibi Dong revealed the matter.
"What are the trials?" Ja Sun inquired with a nod.
"Absorb the soul of a rank 99 spirit master or an equivalent spirit beast.
Reach rank 99.
Complete my set of Spirit Bones.
Tame the Scythe.
And accept the powers of the Rakshasa Goddess."
Ja Sun and Ah Yin finally revealed stronger emotions.
"Isn't it hard/ It's amazing!"
Ah Yin and Ja Sun were speechless for completely different reasons.
"Ehm, now that we're talking about Gods... the Slaughter City is supposed to be the inheritance of a god..." Saying this, she looked at Ja Sun and his lips twitched.
"I don't think I would have gotten any inheritance... let's never talk about it," he pursed his lips. Although he wanted to fish and have a lodge near a lake... it would be better to fish as a god, right?
"Can I see the scythe?" Ja Sun inquired as he recalled the Rakshasa Soul Devouring Technique as it stated that only the Rakshasa Scythe can be used to accomplish the technique.
"Even I cannot control it. From the divine imprint, I came to understand that ordinarily, the inheritance of a god and a goddess is divided into more sophisticated trials but Rakshasa has always been isolated due to her irrational nature. Even her inheritance trials are all extremely... well, dangerous. I don't know how I will reach rank 99 within ten years.
Well... I have a method but it is considered... 'evil.'" She clicked her tongue.
"Do you know what happens after one becomes a god?" Ah Yin inquired. Her specific memories were wiped out regarding turning into a human but she knew that she was a spirit beast and chose to be a human for a reason. What if this was connected? It was a wild conjecture but Ah Yin's intuition told her that it might be connected.
"I don't know, sorry," Bibi Dong smiled.
"Hmm, well, thank you for clearing this matter. If I meet another god... I'll be at my best behavior," Ja Sun leaned back and crossed his arm, "Now, onto another matter."
He looked at Bibi Dong with an amazing intensity. But knowing that it wouldn't be a stupid or an embarrassing conversation, Bibi Dong waited for his words.
"What do you think your master and Redstar would collectively think of me once my identity is exposed?" Ja Sun questioned.
"You'll be chased down for your wealth and given your bounty, the Spirit Hall and the entirety of Orthodox factions would also want a piece of you due to wealth you have received and displayed. If I consider Grandmaster's promise, then even if we rule out all the Titled Douluo, the large population of the Spirit Douluos should be enough to overpower you. Unless you are adept at hiding... which you are."
Bibi Dong gave her answer clearly.
"And what about the team?"
Bibi Dong fell silent.
"It is unlikely... anyone would want to leave you for whatever reason. The only individual I see leaving early on is Hu Lana and that is due to her pregnancy. I do agree that your presence is quite..." blushing a little, Bibi Dong added, "Endearing."
"You mean batshitcrazy," Ah Yin rolled her eyes.
"Hey, let the woman speak the truth. I'm endearing, yes? And what else?" Ja Sun inquired with a grin.
"Let's not diverge from the topic," Bibi Dong scoffed.
"Right, so, we all can agree that my identity exposing to the various factions aside from our teammates is a bad thing due to a general lack of strength, and a heightened love for my presence."
Ja Sun hummed, "Now, what do you think we should do? Because Redstar is a ticking timebomb. He can expose my identity in a minute, tomorrow, or it has already been exposed."
Bibi Dong again fell silent. She hesitated and finally spoke up, "I think that master would end up protecting your identity if you offer the Spirit Hall benefits. Since Grandmaster only controls the Elder's Hall, he has no actual control over other factions inside Spirit Hall."
If it was before she would have stopped at this point, however, she continued, "But... I know that it won't suit you. And personally... I don't wish this kind of restriction on any of you."
Then she suspiciously glanced at Ja Sun, "But I need to be sure that you're not just manipulating me."
"For what?" Ja Sun blinked.
"Personal gains. You could be planning to use me against master for your own benefit and would leave me then..." she felt a little awkward saying the last part.
Ja Sun gazed at Ah Yin for a moment.
"Ah Yin... what's worse? A rose or a Bibi Dong?"
"Roses are sluts waiting to be spread open!" Ah Yin gave a vivid insult as Ja Sun heard her underlying approval. Although he liked Bibi Dong... in the end, openly trying for both of them might end him losing both of them. After all, it was different than just hugging and holding hands.
"What?" Bibi Dong looked at Ah Yin strangely.
"She means roses as known for 'blooming' and she doesn't like it," Ja Sun clicked his tongue as he leaned forward and clasped Bibi Dong's hand.
"First, I want you to have this back."
Looking down, Bibi Dong found the Supreme Pontiff's Writ set on her palms.
"We traded it fairly," Bibi Dong frowned.
"We traded it on the premise that I would want something from you," Ja Sun recalled a corny line from his past world but knowing Bibi Dong, Ja Sun knew that the path of the corn was the right one.
{A/N: If it isn't an indication yet, then I admit that I like cornbringer's works~!}
"You don't want anything from me?" Bibi Dong frowned.
"Let's see," Ja Sun leaned forward before stopping and then looking at Ah Yin, "Could you not stare?"
"Could you not kiss?" Ah Yin snorted.
"Oh... well, you can stare," Ja Sun smiled.
"Just... be quick," Ah Yin grumbled.
'Quick she says while smoldering me for half-an-hour!' Ja Sun turned back with a pleasant expression. His hands slid up the dazed Bibi Dong's hands and then he warmly held her chin in his thumb and index before pecking her lips softly.
"See, I can get anything from you. So, the use of Supreme Pontiff's Writ is no longer needed."
Bibi Dong blinked before hurriedly pulling back. Cheeks flushed and eyes darting around in a fluster, unwilling to match either Ah Yin's or Ja Sun's gaze.
"I should go—"
"Wait, we still haven't discussed about the situation!" Ja Sun smiled, "You wanted proof of the fact that I'm not using you. I still have a lot of things to do to make you believe me."
"I believe you!" Bibi Dong's voice now at a higher pitch as she stated shrilly.
"Oh," Ja Sun leaned back. "Then... do you need some time alone before continuing this discussion?"
Bibi Dong grew silent and now suspiciously gazed at Ja Sun and Ah Yin, "What will the two of you do?"
"Sleep?" Ja Sun cocked his head sideways, "We haven't slept together due to my injury. Maybe we'll do that now," he looked towards Ah Yin and as Bibi Dong saw her clearly brighter gaze, she couldn't help but grit her teeth, "I... want to continue discussing!"
Ja Sun and Ah Yin smiled brightly. In fact, their expression was way better than when they talked about having sex making Bibi Dong realized that despite taking baby steps towards the art of babymaking with Ja Sun, she had still unconsciously let down her guard against the two sly fellows.
---
The next morning, a tired Bibi Dong walked out of Ja Sun's and Ah Yin's living quarters. Ja Sun had finally explained a lot of things to Bibi Dong regarding Hint of Evil and even Bibi Dong began to match the information with the secrets of the Spirit Hall allowing the trio to slowly form a structure of a plan. It all hinged on what face of Qian Xunji was his truth but they began to form various backups, too. It was clear that to form this much of a complicated plan will take more time but Bibi Dong 'reluctantly' accepted to enter Ja Sun's room for discussion.
"Ah, good morning Sister Dong!" Jun'er walked out of her room while holding a cup of warm milk. Her expression pleasant and her mood radiant.
"What happened to you?" She inquired and Bibi Dong waved her hands, "Ka-ul and Ah Yin simply tired me out."
She mumbled while making her way towards the office.
Jun'er, meanwhile, stood rooted in her spot and the moment Bibi Dong entered the office, she rushed towards a particular entrance farther in the corridor.
"Sister Lana! Quickly come out!"
Jun'er began to pound the door hard while thinking how hardly Ja Sun and Ah Yin must have pounded Bibi Dong to tire her out so much.
---
As Bibi Dong feared, the bets against their team had decreased greatly which lowered the value of items the Spirit Hall could demand from other factions.
If their true strength was still not exposed then the leaders of other factions would be blind.
Xie Xan's skills had shocked many and so did the fact that Bibi Dong could freely manipulate poison. It was similar to how Liu Erlong freely manipulated fire but spirit rings had better effects on her attribute.
Till now, Ja Sun had not used his spirit abilities once, and for reasons unknown, he had reached rank 65 after regressing a rank. This already made many believe that the news of Ja Sun's injury was a lie and him puking blood was a sham. Then there was Ah Yin with an orthodox control who had yet to reveal her sixth spirit ring. And amongst Spirit Kings, Jun'er was a terrible opponent to face due to her fifth spirit skill— Alpha's Pack.
Oscar's tofu would also serve to assist others in a timely manner and only the lack of enough spirit energy restricted him.
But it was clear to Bibi Dong that it was due to her strange poison, that also worked as her bodily pheromones, that everyone had grown cautious of their team, more than she wanted.
"Sigh, let's just get it done with. I'm sure that the Clear Sky Clan and the White Tiger Clan wouldn't shy away from the bet. Since the situation has already turned so terrible, we will not begin to use more of our strength just to breeze through the remaining competition.
Although, I reckon that the Clear Sky Clan's main team and a Spirit Sage Dai Taiyin with the ability of spirit fusion with Princess Zhu Ning will be tough opponents.
On that note... Tang Yuehua, is your current objective of meditation complete?" Bibi Dong looked at Tang Yuehua as she nodded with a bright expression.
"Yes. I think the Clear Phoenix won't be so stubborn this time and will hunt spirit beasts stronger than herself. But we will probably require assistance."
Bibi Dong nodded and then closed her eyes momentarily.
"Ah Yin, you two go together. The Star Dou Great Forest is only a few hours away. Ka-ul have your 'friend' join with them. Is he too far away?" Bibi Dong inquired.
"No, he's around here," Ja Sun replied calmly.
Bibi Dong was, of course, referring to his clone. Although it surprised others why Bibi Dong would let two of their members leave, Liu Erlong suddenly spoke up, "Can I join them? I want a sixth spirit ring?"
Bibi Dong looked at Liu Erlong and shook her head. They were already taking a risk but Bibi Dong had enough confidence in Ah Yin's domain and Ja Sun's capabilities.
"Only two can leave at once. We still need seven members here. Ka-ul, disguise yourself and escort the two of them out. We don't want any unwanted attention."
The trio left as Bibi Dong groaned, "So tiring..."
A grin instantly found itself around Hu Lana's and Jun'er's lips.
"Well... you don't have to flaunt, Sister Dong~!" Hu Lana cooed and Bibi Dong slowly opened her eyes. Calmly gazing at Hu Lana, Bibi Dong revealed a strange expression before closing her eyes again.
'I don't care about what they hooked up on before coming here. Junkies, the lot of them!'
Ja Sun used his skull bone's Yin-Yang True Illusion and disguised himself along with Ah Yin and Tang Yuehua. This skill only used his mental energy which he had in a large stock and soon, he escorted the ladies out.
"Alright, be careful," Ja Sun pecked Ah Yin's lips as she nodded with a smirk.
"What?" Ja Sun inquired.
"Nothing... it just feels like old days," she remarked and Ja Sun knew that she referred to the sense of urgency to their situation.
"Well, then we should book an inn for ourselves for the month, huh," Ja Sun grinned, "Finish what we should have started there."
Ah Yin raised her brows and then again exchanged a piece of her soul and dignity for the words she was about to say—
"You mean tasting my sh—"
"Alright, just leave," Ja Sun stepped back with an apparent look of disgust. After all, he had risen from these mundane acts.
"Can we leave?" Tang Yuehua uttered, bashful and quite a bit envious.
"After all this is over, we'll go back there," Ah Yin winked and left with Tang Yuehua.
In the distance, they met with Ja Sun's clone which was an extension of himself but as he leaned in for a hug, Ah Yin delivered a quick kick to the priceless jewels baptized by so many precious treasures yet they ached like a bitch and half. It was clear that Ah Yin's cookie only belonged to the original.
Ja Sun, in his original body, winced slightly. Their minds were connected and although he didn't feel any pain, he still felt bad.
While returning, Ja Sun fell into a deep thought.
'As Bibi Dong stated, only two major competitors left... from the mission against the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, I got many precious jewels. Too many, in fact. They must have a separated treasury cause I received a small vault's worth. These jewels... will finally help me overcome the problem of a source of stable channel for the energy guns. Probably a day or two of consolidation left.
I can then finally try and understand what that Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud really is.'
Ja Sun's gaze twinkled with desire for information. To him, arrays and artifacts were like a beautiful puzzle. He wanted to wait for Sundays, cozy up on a chair, and link the pieces of the puzzles on a clean table. Except, he wanted to do it every. single. day.
