The two guards standing outside the interrogation room broke out in cold sweat.
They had followed the command to the letter—pouring alternating rounds of concentrated salt water and acid on the prisoners every quarter of an hour.
Now, after Bibi Dong had left, the trembling guards stepped inside… and were greeted by a sight that even seasoned executioners would struggle to stomach.
The four prisoners hung from iron chains, stripped of all dignity—and flesh. Their bodies were a grotesque patchwork of flayed skin and torn muscle, as if each layer had been peeled away with cruel precision. Even these men, accustomed to blood and gore, felt a chill crawl down their spines.
"Bro… if we keep pouring that stuff on them, they might not survive the night."
"So what?" The second guard scoffed. "We just follow orders. Whether they live or die isn't our concern."
"Yeah... you're right."
Outside, beneath the silver glow of moonlight, Bibi Dong wandered into the quiet garden behind the Pope's Palace. Her sanctuary.
She lowered herself onto the cold stone steps, her eyes lifting to the stars above as memories flooded her mind. Her chest tightened. Tears spilled silently from the corners of her eyes—tears not of weakness, but sorrow born of betrayal and grief.
If I had not been the Saint of Spirit Hall… would he still be alive?
Would we have had a chance to be together?
Would the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan have still torn him from me?
Her clenched fists trembled. Her heart burned—not just with pain, but with a venomous hatred. Hatred for the clan that had ruined everything. Hatred for the man who had betrayed her trust—Yu Xiaogang.
"If I had the chance… I would flay him myself!"
"You all... you all will pay for what you've done. For him."
From the shadows, a figure silently watched—Qian Xunji. His expression was unreadable, his thoughts heavy. The dead cannot return, he mused. But perhaps his disciple… perhaps she would carry their banner, their will.
Little did he know—Fu Ye wasn't dead.
Not even close.
---
Far from the blood-soaked halls of Spirit Hall, a voice spoke in Fu Ye's mind.
[Ding. This is the world of Dou Yi. Characters and elements from Dou Er or Dou San do not exist here. Even if the host razes the entire Star Dou Forest, beasts from later arcs—like the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts or Gu Yuena—do not exist.]
Fu Ye exhaled, brows furrowing. He found it strange, but not disappointing. Those creatures were irrelevant to his current goals.
"Forget it," he muttered. "Time to go to Yuexuan and deal with Tang Hao's sister. If someone dares make a move in my territory… I won't be polite."
With a thought, his figure blurred and vanished.
---
Yuexuan wasn't far from Fu Ye's Juxiang Pavilion. A normal person would take fifteen minutes. Fu Ye? Barely a blink.
Arriving on a paved avenue lined with ornamental lanterns and gleaming stone, he took in the scene. Gilded red pillars supported an ornate plaque etched with golden characters—Yuexuan.
Though unfamiliar with the royal family, Fu Ye had glimpsed Tang Yuehua from afar once or twice. They had never spoken.
Still, the moment he appeared before the entrance, the two guards standing watch didn't even bother to stop him. His looks and aura were simply too striking. Too refined. They stepped aside without a word.
Fu Ye chuckled inwardly. Being handsome really is a cheat code.
As he entered, a sense of elegance washed over him. The polished brown corridors gleamed. Delicate purple flowers bloomed beside a murmuring stream that wove through a small rockery. Every corner was spotless.
The calm soothed him.
Passing by students who strolled lazily, Fu Ye followed the crowd into a spacious, well-lit classroom.
---
"Hey, where are you from? Never seen you before."
"Damn, bro, you look incredible!"
"Can I be your friend?"
"Can I sit next to you?"
The flood of voices hit all at once. Boys and girls alike stared, awestruck. Some whispered. Some blushed. But Fu Ye ignored them all. His eyes swept the room for one goal—and one person.
Tang Hao's sister.
According to the original storyline, Tang Yuehua once harbored deep feelings for her brother. That can't be allowed to continue, Fu Ye thought. I'll bring her back to reality.
His gaze shifted to the stage—this seemed to be a piano lesson.
Fu Ye didn't hesitate. He opened the System Mall.
[Item: Perfect-Level Piano Art — Free (Limited to one per host)]
[Purchased successfully.]
[Perfect-Level Piano Art acquired. Host's skill in piano has reached perfection.]
Knowledge surged into his mind. Dozens of lifetimes' worth of piano mastery condensed into an instant.
---
A voice interrupted the silence.
"Hey! You there, new guy! Wanna compete before Teacher Yuehua arrives?"
The challenger stepped forward—clearly upset by Fu Ye's popularity. Envy radiated from him and a few others nearby.
Fu Ye's lips curved slightly. Trouble already?
"How do you want to compete?"
"Original composition. We'll each play a self-composed piece. Let the class decide who wins."
The guy was confident—probably the kind that bragged all day long in this place. Fu Ye merely blinked at him, expression flat.
Original? My entire past life was filled with Earth's classics. Want me to drop some Beethoven?
"Sure. Sounds fun."
The challenger sneered, mistaking Fu Ye's calm for fear.
"I'll go first," he said. "My piece is called Yearning. Took me a whole month to write."
He sat down, casting a smug glance at Fu Ye. His fingers hovered over the keys.
Fu Ye didn't react. He was already deciding what song to crush this guy with.
"You—!" The challenger scowled. "Are you even listening?!"
"You're playing. I'm respecting your space," Fu Ye replied coolly.
Blood pressure rising, the guy finally started to play.
Dang dang, dangdangdangdang.
Dang dang, dangdangdangdangdang.
---
Fu Ye didn't even blink.
This little contest?
It was already over.
---