The Arachnid's Web (2)

Heaven Dou Empire had barely changed. It was still a wide network of cobblestoned roads decorated with beautiful buildings. Nobles of various states could be seen with their loved ones, mistresses, or secret lovers enjoying themselves in the bustling city filled with various entertainment districts.

It had been a month, but one of the most recent establishments in the form of a 'Moon Pavilion' was now surrounded by soldiers as all the usual customers who would come here to enjoy the music and socialize with others could not even reveal their dissatisfaction.

Within the beautiful ceramic-colored structure said to be glowing in the night as gently as the distant moon, a group of men and a woman sat around a large table, watching a brown-haired woman play a large zither in silence. Only the woman had a calm smile, however, as she noted that a particular, non-sadistic blue-haired woman of her own team played the zither better.

Others were lost in their thoughts. Again, this was a meeting where the two Emperors and the leaders of the top seven, oh, six clans were allowed to enter. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was a hint of the past and to make it a final deal, Bibi Dong did want another clan to enter the informal ranks of the seven. A competition of sorts.

"Supreme Pontiff," Ning Fengzhi smiled, "It's almost five years since the last Continental Competition hosted by the Spirit Hall. Do you intend to continue it?"

The thought of the last competition made Dai Laohu and Tang Peng feel complicated. They were threatened by the fact that Qian Xunji and now Bibi Dong were so strong but... they thirsted to know the fact if Qian Xunji succeeded or not. It would validate that their hardship was not for nothing. A path beyond mortality existed or not— every Titled Douluo at the top of mankind craved to know deep down.

After all, who would want to just decay with time when something as unknown yet legendary as the 'Next' path ahead existed.

"I do... maybe there are talents greater than me just waiting for recognition," Bibi Dong smiled, "It makes me excited at the thought of it."

In this table, even if invited, only Ning Fengzhi, Tang Peng, Dai Laohu, Xue Ye, and Bibi Dong had the right to speak. The leaders of the other three clans could only watch quietly but even of those present, they didn't rebuke Bibi Dong at every chance.

The Dragons used to... and now they are no more.

Besides, Tang Peng was well-aware of the gains his daughter made she also happened to be the fiance of the man Bibi Dong was in bed with. So right now, if Tang Peng declared silent neutrality, even Dai Laohu and his daughter Dai Mu would have to accept things. Of course, Tang Peng was advised by the elders to utilize this chance but he wouldn't.

Tang Peng's loyalty lay with Dai Laohu even if the Clear Sky Clan didn't have to follow his directions.

On the other hand, Dai Laohu was stalling for time, generally. By now, it was clear to the Emperor Tiger that another war was upon them sooner or later. The colors of conquest were beginning to be seen in the eyes of the young Supreme Pontiff who had earned too much too quickly. And his gut told him that the woman will not stop until she has everyone kneeling.

The fact that Xue Ye was so subservient to Bibi Dong wasn't a matter of suspecting that Bibi Dong had some dirt on the Emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire... it was something else entirely.

And... the man was right on the mark.

Sensing something, Bibi Dong's smirk turned cold for a second as she looked at Dai Laohu with her previous pink pupils turning to a touch of crimson as the White Tiger felt pinned to his seat. Others didn't sense it. It was, an intent, after all, not a burst of spirit energy. And a discreet one at that.

Before Dai Laohu could question anything, a man in royal clothing burst into the door. It was a familiar face— Emperor Xue's brother. Yet... his pale face did not indicate anything good. As everyone focused on that man, Dai Laohu felt ominous. The woman still kept staring at him, her gaze and smirk turning colder by a second, and he finally heard the compressed whisper, "To control masses, spirit masters without even being as strong as the weakest of the masters present here... now isn't that a shame."

White Tiger felt ominous. They became Emperors with war but what began to unfold in front of him was... something entirely different.

A conspiration, so dangerous, that it even made his heart turn cold.

Indeed, she will stop at NOTHING.

---

The Heaven Dou Emperor was found dead in his bedroom. His body, alongside his entire royal chambers, his wife, and two mistresses, were frozen solid and their breaths long complete. The news hit the entire Empire with a massive shock. The hints of restlessness were noticed at the first moment of the news yet every major schemer and conspirator stopped their actions when they heard the second news that roused the masses in utter shock... then Joy!

"It must be wrong!"

A few were angered, including the royal clan Xue left behind but the royal decree prepared long before was clear.

"It cannot be! She must have done something!"

A few rumors flew around... but what of it. The masses loved that woman. She singlehandedly raised the standard of living for many in both the Empires. Her hold was rooted. Even if the other Emperor wished nothing more than to remove her clutches... it could only be done with the resultant civil war.

Yet they couldn't afford a war when all evidence and major outrage were pointed at the devils of the north who turned their Emperor into a popsicle as he was committing holy acts with his queen and mistresses!

Everything made no sense. But the Tiger was sure that they were wrapped in the web of the Arachnid and thus, war or not, there was a need to stop wasting resources on North when they lived so far off south... yet the Emperor was clear, this would give the Arachnid posing as a holy whore a chance to attack them under rightful causes.

The entire continent... was in a state of disarray and chaos with a single act.

---

"Did I have to freeze them when doing something so... stupid!" A cute voice yelped as Bibi Dong sat in one of the many guest rooms now converted into her office for the time being.

Bibi Dong's smile widened as she scoffed a chuckle while looking up from her desk with a pleasant smile to gaze at a girl wearing her long green hair into twintails as her wide amber eyes were still curved in delight as she licked the sweet ice candy.

"Well, I suppose things needed to be as such that even Xue Ye's death becomes a joke. Thank you for being so patient with me, Bing Bing."

"Tch, I only did this for Sister Snow!" The 100000-year-old Ice Jade Scorpion snorted and muttered, "And you just had to marry that smelly guy!"

"He smells? Not that I've noticed," Bibi Dong chuckled and set her mark on the papers next to her before stretching her arms up and letting out a satisfied groan.

"Hmph, he'll never be a beast god. He's a human so he will die soon enough due to his age, what then?" Bing Bing pouted.

"How would I know what then? My plans... are only limited to taking over the continent... and that's why I'm excited. The quicker I have this continent... the quicker I can figure out what to do next," Bibi Dong shrugged. Her obsession for one Empire under Spirit Hall could be rooted in Qian Xunji but even if she knew it, Bibi Dong wanted to complete the task still. It felt absolutely exhilarating.

Seeing Bibi Dong so uncaring, Bing Bing grew even more frustrated as she scowled, "Hey, I'm trying to tell you that even if you die, we will live! Doesn't that bother you?!"

"Well... think about it this way, we'll die as the masters while your memory of servitude will live on with you for the rest of your lives."

Bing Bing almost choked as Bibi Dong continued, "Anyway... I have read letters written to me and I chat with Sun through his divine intent almost daily."

The Arachnid's smile grew sharp, "Now consider my shock when I heard someone like Zi Ji herself... well, how do I put it delicately. Ah, do you like licking that candy?"

Although confused, Bing Bing nodded, "Well, yeah, it's delicious."

With a malevolent chuckle, Bibi Dong chuckled, "Well, Zi Ji did more than just sucking my delicious husband... and you did freeze the Emperor when he was doing the act so you know what I'm getting at. Maybe, it won't just be the memories of servitude but something, even more, that will haunt a few of you... especially at night."

"Impossible!" Bing Bing gasped.

"And didn't you say that Zi Ji matched Snow Empress in strength? Being a dragon and all which made her resistant even to ultimate elements..."

Bing Bing shuddered and stood up, stomping, "I said it's impossible!"

"You're welcome to check it out yourself. Ah, before you leave, do send a message to Snow Empress for me that she needs to cause an avalanche on the eastern border of the Extreme North. The army of the Star Luo Empire is preparing to move away from that position discreetly... I guess that even if Dai Laohu cannot imagine spirit beasts being in on everything, he's spooked enough. Just right for me."

Bing Bing snorted and jumped out of the window without confirming anything but Bibi Dong knew her message would be delivered. She was friends with the two already, after all.

"Huff... well, one of the threats is gone..." Bibi Dong whispered, referring to the Emperor... she had replaced.

In reality, it was a lie that she hadn't considered what was next.

She wanted answers from her master whom she didn't expect to die. So, either he would return a cripple or a god. For that, she had to prepare.

The first thing she had to do was to deprive Qian Xunji's forces within the Spirit Hall. It wasn't cruel... it was just how Qian Xunji taught her. Of many loyalists, one was particularly wicked.

It was none other than the man who could utilize Yin Yang Illusions that her team recovered from the one perpetrating Beasttaken tides back then. He was given the mission to impersonate the already dead Emperor that Bibi Dong had assassinated the moment she returned by Elder Jiang Long or better known as the Pale Scholar Douluo who had the ability to view the memories of those he killed with his Grimoire Spirit.

Again, this particular illusionist could give life to his illusions with only Ja Sun being able to see through it... but he happened to be a pervert who made use of the Emperor's harem the very same night he returned. Of course, before killing him, she had a royal decree prepared that not her but the virtuous Spirit Hall shall take over the land of Heaven Dou Empire and help uplift the citizen.

In the Illusionist's mind, he would pose as dead and be free... oh, no, Bibi Dong had one irate Scorpion prepared and the rest was history.

Still, Bibi Dong knew that Dai Laohu would try to cause some unrest.

How?

Most probably by disguising a few top men from his army and ordering them to cause chaos...

Now, Bibi Dong couldn't have that, right?

Her smile grew wicked as she heard a soft coo, "Hey, someone's feeling naughty~!"

Bibi giggled, "Too bad you're not here to do anything about it, huh"

"Ah... so damn unlucky."

"Hah, right," Bibi Dong pouted, "How unlucky that now you have Erlong and Zi Ji who are so eager to bend with a fake scoff whenever you've got it hard..."

The voice cackled, "Too bad you're not here to do anything about it, huh!"

Bibi Dong rolled her eyes with a smirk, "Well... how is Ah Yin?"

"She's good. Ja Yin keeps her busy. Oh, by the way, we're having a little competition. Open up your schedule tomorrow onwards and I'll connect your vision here."

"Oh, the same competition Ah Yin helped you concoct because you're too shy to just hand out the things you don't need?" Bibi Dong smirked with mischief as the voice fell silent. He only had this weakness and she loved to use it.

"Tch... nothing like that... stupid slutty spider..."

"Got that right, now you better not get dried as some silk pants before I return."

"Can't make any promises... the girls here are after my divine booty!"

"Hmph, then learn to protect it! I don't want to have to teach you to wear proper clothing, honey."

"Fine, fine, I'll wear a vest and keep my rock-hard divine boobs covered."

"There you go," Bibi Dong smirked as they continued to chat happily. It was their daily routine, after all.

***

A/N: Up for some frozen stiffy?

***

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