Chapter 51: The Giant Spider's Shadow Seals Its Prey and Becomes the Master of the Secret Chamber
"So…"
Lin Qingmo looked at Xiao Wu, his voice exceptionally gentle.
"My attraction to you is mostly desire, not a burning, all-consuming love. And I can't promise that I'll only ever belong to you in the future."
He laid bare his most honest—yet potentially hurtful—side before her.
The choice was hers.
His tone remained casual, almost detached.
"…"
Xiao Wu lifted her head. Her pink eyes shimmered brighter than before, yet no tears fell.
It was as if she had already understood something.
If it were the innocent, carefree Xiao Wu of the past, she might have longed for a flawless, fairy-tale romance.
A love as pure as the stories—where the prince and princess lived happily ever after.
But after hearing Sister Ah Yin's story… after learning of Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai's twisted engagement…
Her perspective had quietly changed.
Xiao Wu could clearly sense it—there had always been a transparent barrier between Lin Qingmo and herself.
He was gentle, considerate, protective… yet that gentleness never crossed a certain line.
Like friendship wrapped in warmth, but tinged with distance.
Just like what he had mentioned in the chat group…
Her future self had once sacrificed everything for Tang San.
"Maybe it's because he knows the future…"
Xiao Wu murmured.
"Qingmo won't accept me completely. He's afraid of repeating the same mistake… afraid I'll walk the same path as before…"
She knew she tended to overthink.
But she didn't care.
What she knew was this—
Lin Qingmo was the one who didn't care that she was a soul beast.
The one who, shortly after meeting her, had warned her to hide indoors to avoid being discovered by a Titled Douluo.
The one who ruffled her hair, held her hand, and smiled at her with quiet warmth.
"Ah Qing…"
Xiao Wu's voice was soft, yet carried an unshakable firmness.
"Even so, I still only love you."
She looked straight at Lin Qingmo, her eyes sparkling like starlight.
"No matter who you truly love, Ah Qing… I only hope you'll never hate me."
After saying that, she took a deep breath, as if making an incredibly important decision.
"Actually… I have a secret."
Her voice trembled, but she forced herself to continue.
"I am… a hundred-thousand-year soul beast who transformed into a human."
Even though she knew Ah Qing already understood—he had seen it all in the chat group—she still wanted to tell him herself.
To expose her entire existence before him, without reservation.
Lin Qingmo listened in silence.
When she finished, he smiled.
A smile as warm and gentle as spring sunlight.
"I know."
Those three words completely settled Xiao Wu's heart.
No shock.
No fear.
No rejection.
Only calm acceptance.
Having confirmed Xiao Wu's feelings one final time, Lin Qingmo decided to stop holding back.
He had never been someone who hesitated once he made up his mind.
"Since that's the case, Xiao Wu…"
His voice softened, almost poetic.
"Let's try dating."
As he spoke, he slowly leaned closer. The distance between them shrank little by little.
Xiao Wu could smell his clean, refreshing scent. His face drew closer, and she could feel his warm breath brushing against her skin.
"!!!"
Realizing what was about to happen, she nervously shut her eyes. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, like fragile butterfly wings.
"Qingmo's going to kiss me…!"
Her heart overflowed with anticipation—and a shy sweetness.
However—
Just as their lips were about to meet, the world abruptly changed.
An aurora-like radiance flashed across the skies of Suo Tuo City.
Snap!
The lights in the room went out instantly—not a normal blackout, but as if some overwhelming force had forcibly extinguished them.
Darkness swallowed the room.
In the next moment—
An oppressive wave of soul power crashed down like a tidal flood, suffocating and absolute.
It far surpassed the level of Soul Emperors… Soul Saints… perhaps even approaching the realm of a Titled Douluo!
Lin Qingmo and Xiao Wu had no time to react.
Their vision went black as if struck by an invisible hammer, consciousness instantly torn away.
Their bodies collapsed onto the soft bed.
In the darkness—
A black-robed figure silently appeared beside the bed.
Like a shadow born from the night itself.
She had arrived at the fastest speed she could manage.
The black-robed figure stared down at the unconscious Xiao Wu. Exhaustion flickered in her eyes, mingled with emotions far too complex to name.
Jealousy.
Resentment.
A chilling urge to erase her existence.
Yet above all—
Cold, restrained calm.
After a long moment, she looked away.
She did not harm Xiao Wu.
Instead, she carefully lifted Lin Qingmo into her arms. Her movements were gentle, reverent—like handling a priceless treasure.
The hem of her robe brushed across the floor without a sound.
And then, like a phantom, she vanished with him.
Leaving behind only Xiao Wu lying alone on the bed… and the lingering, terrifying aura of soul power hanging in the air.
…
That day, a great figure from the Suo Tuo City branch of the Spirit Hall arrived.
A private zone was sealed off, forbidden even to attendants.
The soul power of a Titled Douluo enveloped the area completely, isolating it from the outside world.
At the center of the chamber lay an enormous velvet bed, soft enough to swallow one whole.
A faint orchid fragrance filled the air—elegant, yet carrying a subtle chill.
The black-robed figure placed Lin Qingmo gently onto the bed.
Then, she removed her hood.
Bibi Dong's peerlessly beautiful face was revealed beneath the candlelight.
Her pale skin gleamed softly, while turbulent emotions churned deep within her purple eyes.
Tenderness.
Obsession.
A distorted, possessive desire.
She leaned down slowly, her slender fingers brushing across Lin Qingmo's cheek. The cool touch made him frown faintly in his sleep.
As if she were savoring a rare delicacy.
"Ah Qing…"
Her voice was soft, dreamlike—yet carried an undeniable authority.
"From the moment you became my disciple… You were already mine."
Her fingers traced his brows, his nose, each movement delicate and lingering.
Finally, they paused at his lips.
"No one is allowed to claim your precious first moments."
Her voice dropped, growing dangerously calm.
"Not Xiao Wu… not Ah Yin… no one."
Over the years, Lin Qingmo had become the single ray of light piercing her frozen world.
She watched him grow.
Watched him trust her. Rely on her.
This feeling—of being needed by him—had long since turned into an addiction.
In her heart, Lin Qingmo had already become her possession.
She would not allow anyone to take what belonged to her.
Especially not the most irreplaceable things.
The candlelight flickered.
Shadows stretched along the wall, warping and twisting.
Gradually, the silhouette no longer resembled a human.
It transformed into the outline of an enormous spider's web—layer by layer, silently wrapping around the figure on the bed.
Sealing him within a domain that belonged to her alone.
End of Chapter