Chapter 21: Bullying with Authority

After finishing her audience with Huliena, Bibi Dong summoned Tang Niannian alone.

As the two young girls brushed past each other, Tang Niannian could clearly sense the hostility radiating from Huliena.

However, Tang Niannian paid no mind to it; from the very beginning, she never intended to regard Huliena as a rival, nor did she plan to befriend her.

In Tang Niannian’s eyes, that fox was unworthy of being her opponent, let alone her friend.

A lovestruck ingrate—beyond saving.

“Your Holiness, the Pope,” Tang Niannian offered a formal bow. This was her first time meeting Bibi Dong. As a disciple of the Offering Pavilion, she technically did not fall under Bibi Dong’s jurisdiction and was granted many privileges, including not having to bow to her. But for the sake of this initial meeting, she chose to show respect to the Pope.

After all, she did not wish to become an enemy of Bibi Dong—for now.

Bibi Dong looked down at Tang Niannian from a lofty height, emanating an aura of authority, as if deliberately exerting pressure. “No need for formalities. I have summoned you this time to discuss a matter. The Spirit Academy needs talents like you. What is your opinion?”

Without any preamble, she came straight to the point. Tang Niannian disliked such half-decidant, half-negotiated questions.

It was clear Bibi Dong was trying to suppress her.

But Tang Niannian was not the kind to endure being oppressed. She lifted her head and met Bibi Dong’s gaze directly. Despite her tender age, her aura was no less imposing than that of a titled Douluo. “Your Holiness should know that whether I attend the Spirit Academy or not will not affect my cultivation. My master personally instructs me. Isn’t that far better than studying at the Spirit Academy?”

Bibi Dong seemed somewhat surprised by this boldness. Her pale violet eyes fixed intently on Tang Niannian. Rising from her seat, she lightly shook the scepter in her hand, and Tang Niannian suddenly felt a strong pressure forcing her to bend forward.

Tang Niannian’s eyes flickered. She frowned and released her spirit power. Her twin spirit rings appeared, preventing her from collapsing to the ground.

Blue Silver Grass and the Eight-span Soul Mirror swirled around her, the Blue Silver Grass entwining the Eight-span Soul Mirror to form a luminous shield in front of Tang Niannian. Thanks to this shield, she was not completely overwhelmed.

Gritting her teeth, she summoned the system. “System, your own daughter is being humiliated—aren’t you going to help?”

The system responded with a hesitant “Uh,” and then explained, “Host, we are a tycoon system, not a god-level system. We don’t have that function. But we just detected a change in Bibi Dong’s emotions; she doesn’t really intend to harm you. Don’t worry. If anything, we can cause trouble for her later. As the saying goes, fortunes shift over time—never underestimate the young and poor!”

“...”

What a load of nonsense.

Two purple spirit rings rose from beneath Tang Niannian’s feet. She almost exerted every ounce of strength to break free from Bibi Dong’s suppression.

At that moment, Tang Niannian was pushed back several steps by the force, but Blue Silver Grass steadied her, and she stopped.

As Tang Niannian struggled free, Bibi Dong’s expression was quite telling—first astonishment, then contemplation, and finally a hint of admiration.

Tang Niannian was a disciple of Guangling, backed by the Offering Pavilion. No matter how displeased Bibi Dong was, she would not truly harm her.

Moreover, whether at the Pope’s Hall or the Offering Pavilion, Tang Niannian served the Spirit Hall faithfully. Bibi Dong had no reason to target her.

Despite knowing that Bibi Dong did not intend to deliberately target her, Tang Niannian couldn’t help but retort, “Your Holiness, is this an act of bullying the weak?”

Her spirit and rings vanished; Tang Niannian was now completely drained of spirit power. Her expression resolute, with a trace of stubbornness in her eyes, Bibi Dong stared at her, momentarily lost in thought.

That same steadfastness and stubbornness—that was once her own.

After a long pause,

Bibi Dong let out a light laugh, “You underestimate me far too much.”

She sat down again and waved her hand; the great doors of the Pope’s Hall closed.

“At the very least, I will close the door and educate you.”

“...”

Tang Niannian frowned, feeling that statement carried a somewhat ambiguous tone.

Bibi Dong leaned back in her chair, crossing her right leg over her left, propping her head with one hand. “Of course, I know it doesn’t matter whether you study at the Spirit Academy or not. What I want is simply for you to join the Academy and become part of it. When the Elite Spirit Master Competition across the continent comes, your contribution will be sufficient.”

“...”

What a clever plan.

Tang Niannian let out a dry laugh. So they wanted to use her as a pawn?

Did they really feel that confident?

Tang Niannian voiced her displeasure, “Your Holiness, I never engage in losing deals. With my cultivation speed and talent, I have no need to gain fame through the Spirit Master Competition. Besides, I may not even value the rewards. Why should I contribute to the Academy, and why must I obey your arrangements?”

The matters she brought up were far beyond what a child of seven or eight would typically consider.

Bibi Dong harbored some doubts but recalled that Tang Niannian had been raised in the Offering Pavilion for a year or two. Such scheming wouldn’t be impossible.

“What do you want?” Bibi Dong asked directly.

Since Tang Niannian refused to take a losing deal, it implied negotiation was possible. Bibi Dong’s intention was not merely about the upcoming Spirit Master Competition but also about controlling Tang Niannian, an unpredictable factor.

If Tang Niannian remained in the Offering Pavilion, that would give another party leverage over her, something Bibi Dong wished to avoid.

Having spoken so frankly, Tang Niannian understood Bibi Dong’s plan. After weighing pros and cons, she made a request: “I want to see the Spirit Hall’s financial records.”

Financial records?

Bibi Dong narrowed her eyes slightly.

Why would this girl want to see the finances?

What did the Offering Pavilion intend to do?

At this point, Tang Niannian only requested to inspect the financial statements. She hadn’t asked for control over the finances. While the records themselves were not overly significant, financial matters were confidential, so Bibi Dong needed to consider carefully.

The main uncertainty was whether Tang Niannian wanted the records for herself or on behalf of the Offering Pavilion.

These were two very different matters.

“If Your Holiness thinks it’s impossible, then forget it. I suppose you can’t force me anyway—I have backing,” Tang Niannian said with a slight smile.

She knew how to wield power to intimidate.

This veiled threat displeased Bibi Dong.

Her thin lips pressed into a tight line, her expression darkening noticeably.