"Kind of, but not entirely, because Teacher Xin said that Slaughter City will still be managed by the two new Slaughter Kings and us three judges. Teacher Xin won't easily intervene."
"However, Teacher, I… I have an impolite request, and I still hope Teacher will grant it to disciple."
On Hu Liena's naturally charming face, there was some hesitation. Her small hands twisted behind her back, and finally, she couldn't help but speak.
A rare unease lingered in her voice. Even in front of Bibi Dong, whom she respected deeply, she seemed unusually uncertain, as if afraid that the next words would bring irreversible consequences.
"What is it? Speak."
Bibi Dong suddenly had a bad premonition.
The shift was subtle but unmistakable. Hu Liena's demeanor—normally composed, confident, even slightly playful—was now restrained. The faint blush on her cheeks, the way her gaze avoided direct contact, the nervous tension in her fingers…
This was not something trivial.
"Teacher… Disciple must first state that disciple is very grateful for Teacher's nurturing, and has absolutely no intention of betraying the Supreme Pontiff Palace. Disciple will always be a member of the Supreme Pontiff Palace, it's just… it's just that disciple has someone I admire, and I have already received his acknowledgment."
The words landed like a stone in still water.
Bibi Dong's eyes sharpened instantly, the temperature in the hall seemingly dropping by several degrees.
When Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong heard this, she already realized something was wrong, but Hu Liena closed her eyes, knelt down with a thud, and bravely said:
"Teacher! I want to go to Heart of Fire Academy to become a disciple and study! To become Teacher Xin's disciple!"
Silence.
The entire hall froze for a heartbeat.
"What?! What did you say?!"
Bibi Dong instantly turned red.
The reaction was immediate and intense. Even the Supreme Pontiff Scepter in her hand trembled slightly as she stepped down from the throne, her robes sweeping across the marble floor with a sharp rustle.
Holding the Supreme Pontiff Scepter, she walked directly down the steps, staring wide-eyed at Hu Liena kneeling before her.
Her gaze was no longer calm. It was a mixture of disbelief, shock, and something dangerously close to personal offense.
"Teacher, I was wrong! I will always be your disciple! I don't want to betray you!"
Hu Liena panicked immediately, bowing her head lower as if trying to erase the misunderstanding with sincerity alone.
"It's just that in Slaughter City, Teacher Xin sighed and said that since I already have a teacher, if he were to accept me as a disciple again, Teacher you would be unhappy, and it wouldn't be proper for a teacher and student."
Her voice grew softer as she spoke, almost pleading.
"I really am not ungrateful, trying to betray Teacher, but Teacher Xin is really too handsome and talented, Woo woo woo~"
The final words came out in a rush, as if she herself felt embarrassed admitting them.
Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong's anger instantly subsided.
The shift was so sudden it felt almost unnatural. Her expression softened mid-breath, and the tension in her aura dissipated as quickly as it had appeared.
She didn't know what kind of circuit formed in her mind, but she actually personally helped Hu Liena up, being incredibly kind, which left Hu Liena completely bewildered:
"Nana, Teacher is not angry with you. After all, Teacher Xin is a master of the world, and his teaching talent is indeed stronger than mine. It's inevitable that you would be moved."
Her tone was gentle—almost indulgent.
That alone made Hu Liena freeze in place.
This reaction… was not what she had expected at all.
"You just said that Teacher Xin didn't keep you because he was considerate of me?"
This sentence indeed made the Supreme Pontiff overjoyed.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile formed at the corner of Bibi Dong's lips. Her eyes brightened slightly, as though a long-held suspicion had just been confirmed.
Hmph! This little Dean Xin, he's seemed cold to me these past two years, but he actually cares about me in his heart! What a man who says one thing but means another!
Hu Liena nodded, and in a moment of haste, blurted out: "Yes, yes, and in Slaughter City, I also heard Teacher Xin mention his criteria for a partner, it seems to be: independent, mature, steady, dignified, strong… Even if it's a teacher-student romance, Teacher Xin doesn't mind worldly opinions."
That last sentence was the final spark.
Bibi Dong's expression changed completely.
Her heart, usually calm and calculating, suddenly felt unusually active. Thoughts that she would normally dismiss without hesitation now began to align in a strangely convenient way.
Hearing this, Bibi Dong's heart was already churning with uncontrollable joy. She couldn't help but smile in front of Hu Liena:
Aren't these criteria tailored for Pope?
Teacher Xin, oh Teacher Xin, you really are interested in Pope!
I knew it! When you asked Pope to feel my bones during the Soul Master Competition, you were trying to seduce me!
The more she thought, the more convinced she became.
Every past interaction, every subtle gesture—suddenly all seemed to take on a different meaning.
"Go, Teacher permits it. As long as you are sincere in your studies and it benefits your progress, you may go. Moreover, Teacher will go with you!"
Her voice rang out decisively, filled with unexpected enthusiasm.
"But remember, you must not have any other impure thoughts. It's normal for you to like someone of Teacher Xin's caliber, but you must not lose your sense of propriety, understand?"
Her tone turned slightly serious again, though not without a hint of indulgent amusement.
As Hu Liena stood there, still processing the abrupt reversal, Bibi Dong's gaze drifted slightly upward—toward the distant direction of Heart of Fire Academy.
A faint smile lingered.
The game… was becoming more interesting.