Although he had a general estimation of Bibi Dong in a friendly state, her change in attitude was too drastic.
It could truly be said, one step to heaven, one step to Hell.
For those she liked and favored, she could pour out her heart, but for those she disliked, her ruthlessness was evident.
However, Xin's words immediately left Bibi Dong somewhat bewildered, and she asked, puzzled:
"Since Teacher Xin doesn't hold a grudge for that, and there's no longer any animosity between our Supreme Pontiff Palace and Heart of Fire Academy, and Teacher Xin acknowledges my strength, why are you unwilling to accept me into Heart of Fire Academy to assist Teacher Xin in teaching?"
Her confusion was not feigned. In her mind, her logic was clear and even persuasive. If all past grievances were settled, and if cooperation could benefit both sides, then refusal seemed unreasonable. Especially from her perspective as Supreme Pontiff, she had never been someone who lacked utility. Her presence alone could elevate the reputation and influence of any institution.
"To impart knowledge, teach skills, and resolve doubts—if I were to learn excellent teaching strategies at Heart of Fire Academy and spread Heart of Fire's learning and Cultivate philosophies to the thousands of Spirit Masters in the Supreme Pontiff Palace, changing the current situation of Spirit Masters on the continent, wouldn't that also be a good thing for Teacher Xin?"
As she spoke, her reasoning became more structured, even passionate. It was no longer simply a request for personal involvement, but an argument about influence and reform. In her eyes, Heart of Fire Academy's teaching philosophy was unlike anything she had seen before. If properly absorbed and disseminated, it could reshape the cultivation landscape of the entire continent. That alone was enough reason for her to pursue cooperation relentlessly.
Bibi Dong's words made Xin look at her with new eyes.
Although her actions were often extreme and unpredictable, she was not without vision. Beneath her emotional volatility and authority-driven instincts, there was a strategist who understood scale, influence, and long-term change. That contradiction was precisely what made her both dangerous and compelling as an individual.
"Alas."
Xin sighed.
The sound was quiet, almost lost beneath the drifting cherry blossoms, yet it carried a weight that subtly shifted the atmosphere.
He couldn't directly tell Bibi Dong the real reason.
Because the truth was not something easily explained without revealing deeper limitations of his own system, boundaries of cause and effect, and the delicate balance he maintained with his disciples. Some truths, once spoken, would not only affect Bibi Dong, but also the structure of the academy itself.
He just gave her a deep look, lingered under the cherry blossoms, plucked a Cherry Blossom, and let the petals fall one by one.
Each petal drifted downward slowly, as if marking the passing of a thought he chose not to voice. The gentle motion contrasted sharply with the intensity of the conversation, grounding the moment in silence rather than confrontation.
As the petals landed, Xin took a deep breath, regained his composure, looked at Bibi Dong, and said earnestly:
"In life, many things are not achieved just by wishing; they require a certain destiny.
Although this is not about the grievances between you and me, it can be seen as our shallow destiny, destined to be difficult to get along with harmoniously."
His tone was calm, but firm. It was not rejection born of emotion, but of understanding boundaries that could not be crossed easily. He was not denying her capability, nor dismissing her sincerity. Instead, he was acknowledging a deeper incompatibility—one that had little to do with power or talent, and more to do with direction, nature, and influence.
"If you genuinely wish to come to Heart of Fire Academy and become an assistant teacher, I can give you an opportunity.
However, the price for this opportunity is too heavy, something no Spirit Master can accept… You…"
Before Xin could finish, Bibi Dong responded immediately, her voice cutting through the air with unwavering determination:
"I am willing to accept any price.
Whatever you want, Teacher Xin, I can give it."
Her answer was too fast, too absolute. There was no hesitation, no reconsideration, only a conviction sharpened by years of authority and survival. For her, every obstacle in the world had always been something to overcome through sufficient determination or sacrifice.
"I will now seal all my spirit power.
Teacher Xin, you can do anything you want to me.
I will have no complaints!"
The words fell like a blade into still water.
For a moment, even the drifting cherry blossoms seemed to pause in their descent, as if the world itself was uncertain how to interpret such a declaration. Her posture remained composed, but the meaning behind her statement was extreme—an absolute surrender of power and position in exchange for acceptance.
"Come on!"
Bibi Dong's exquisite figure stood there, her eyes closed, looking as if she had surrendered and was at his mercy.
The silence that followed was heavy, not with desire or indulgence, but with misunderstanding and urgency. What she offered was not just trust—it was the complete abandonment of control, something she believed would demonstrate sincerity beyond doubt.
But Xin did not move.
His expression remained steady, not softened by her declaration, nor shaken by its extremity. Instead, there was only a quiet sadness in his gaze, as though he was looking at someone who had misunderstood the very nature of what he required.
Because for Xin, what he needed was never submission.
It was clarity, stability, and alignment of paths—not surrender born from impulse or emotional extremes.