When everyone's emotions had reached their peak , sadness and a touch of grief — Qian Renxue slowly stepped forward. As the sacred coffin shimmered under the morning sun, she drew a burning torch.
Without hesitation, she ignited it.
The moment the flame touched the coffin, golden fire roared into the sky. The flames reflected in countless tear-filled eyes. Some soul masters knelt down instinctively, whispering prayers for the fallen Pope.
Under the blazing sky, Qian Renxue turned slightly toward the old man standing behind her."Grandfather," she said softly, her tone steady despite the weight in her words."I'm going into seclusion."
Qian Daoliu blinked, then nodded slowly. "You've worked hard, Renxue. The burden of Spirit Hall will fall upon your shoulders soon. Go and rest… go, and cultivate."
Never did he suspect that subtle guidance had been gently implanted into his mind each night before sleep by Qian Renxue, shaping his thoughts like the flowing of a gentle tide.
Qian Daoliu never considered why would a someone at Soul Elder cultivation would need to go in seclusion.
(Author's Note: According to Qian Daoliu, his granddaughter is merely at the Soul Elder level rank 30+.)
As the coffin burned, the crowd began chanting prayers, their voices trembling yet unified. Qian Renxue used that moment. She lowered her head, and while everyone's gaze was fixed upon the rising flames, she stepped back — her figure fading among the smoke and light.
Silently, she made her way behind the towering Angel Statue. The radiant figure of the angel seemed to cast a shadow that swallowed her whole. There, hidden beneath the base, lay an mechanism for a secret door, sealed with both divine sigils and spiritual locks.
With a simple unlocking mechanism the door opened. The faint scent of incense and metal greeted her as she entered the hidden chamber.
Inside, the Little Auspicious Fox sat curled, its silvery-white fur glinting under the soft light. The moment Qian Renxue stepped in, it raised its head and let out a joyful chirp, dashing toward her with unrestrained excitement.
Qian Renxue gently stroked its head, a faint smile touching her lips."Good girl," she whispered. "The time has come."
Qian Renxue's gaze was steady.
'The ritual of the Demigod in LOTM requires...,' she thought to herself.'...a grand event with at least 10,000 people, to resonate with their emotions, while taking the potion. Now that the entire Spirit City mourns, the condition has been met.'.
But unlike those who consumed potions she will probably need to accept the power directly, just like her previous advancements.
Qian Renxue exhaled slowly."Let's begin."
From her space soul guide, she took out a blade. The weapon gleamed faintly under the halo of light in the room, its edge sharp enough to cut soft flesh.
She raised it, her reflection visible upon the silver blade.
Then her gaze fell upon the small white figure sitting obediently— the White Auspicious Fox. Its fur shimmered like snow kissed by moonlight, its third eye faintly pulsing as if trying to open. The fox looked up at her with innocent, trusting eyes, its fluffy tail wagging softly.
Her fingers tightened on the handle, and the faint sound of metal creaking echoed. The pressure in her hand was so great that the blade nearly bent.
This little creature had followed her for days, slept on her lap, and waited at her door every morning. Its warmth had become a quiet comfort for her.
Yet now… it was meant to die by her hand.
Her expression twisted for a brief moment. The purple light in her eyes dimmed.
"Forgive me…" she whispered, her voice breaking.
But before the blade fell , before blood could be shed ,the air around her changed. A brilliant radiance burst forth from the fox's small body, pure and soft like dawn breaking over snow-covered mountains.
"Impossible…"
The knife slipped from her hand, clattering onto the floor.
In that moment, Qian Renxue witnessed a scene she had seen only once before ,the sacrifice of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
Its small form floated into the air, surrounded by sacred petals of light. Its eyes closed gently, and the third eye on its forehead opened fully for the first time, releasing a beam that connected directly to Qian Renxue's heart.
"But… you're only one hundred and fifty years old," she Qian Renxue whispered in confusion. "How… how can you even perform a sacrifice?"
Qian Renxue was bewildered because according to her knowledge ,for sacrifice the soul beast needed to be very intelligent.
Her Spirit Sea rippled violently, and the voice of Electrolux echoed— calm, commanding.
"Renxue, now is not the time to question. Begin the aging process of the soul ring — immediately!"
His voice snapped her out of her daze. The Auspicious Fox's body dissolved completely into motes of golden-white light, merging into a single floating ring above her head. The ring glowed softly — a gentle yellow, representing the fox's age before its sacrifice.
Qian Renxue exhaled slowly and sat cross-legged in the center of the circle. Her spirit sense expanded, drawing upon the torrents of faith energy stored in the Angel Statues above the city. With that, golden threads of faith descended like rain, converging into her body.
The ring began to change.First Yellow, then purple, then black, then crimson red
But she didn't stop there.
Faith energy poured in continuously, burning like holy fire. Lines of ethereal gold emerged, weaving themselves across the surface of the ring. It continued until 10 similar lines appeared, signifying it has reached the age of millennia.
Qian Renxue through gritted teeth continued to transfer all the faith energy to the soul ring, even as she felt the heavy consumption of the faith energy in the Angel statue outside..
The ring trembled violently , then it was as if the boundaries of mortal cultivation shattered.
Finally, a resonant hum echoed, the soul ring blazed into pure divine gold. It wasn't just luminous — it radiated an indescribable sense of sanctity, a blend of life and destiny intertwined.
Just then, the golden vortex of soul power within Qian Renxue's dantian suddenly trembled.