The fine spring rain fell softly, moistening everything in silence. The mountains were hazy, and mist drifted over the lake like gauze.
When that white-robed youth's figure came into view…
He stood quietly by the misty water, a broad leaf above his head for shelter, his silhouette blending with the rain and lake as he fished.
A smile curved on Qian Renxue's lips—brighter and softer than the shimmering lake itself.
Behind her, Snake Lance and Porcupinefish exchanged a look, then silently withdrew to a distance.
Now that both Li Zhexian and Qian Renxue were immensely powerful, even getting a bit too close would easily draw their attention, so the two guards retreated all the way beyond the hills, squatting under a tree to watch the rain.
Qian Renxue had planned to be reserved—to simply walk up beside him and quietly keep him company while he fished.
But as she approached, her heart fluttered uncontrollably.
She gathered her light-attribute Spirit Power, forming a gentle luminous umbrella that sheltered them both from the rain.
Then, from behind, she softly wrapped her arms around Li Zhexian's waist.
"Li Zhexian… I've missed you so much."
The lake rippled gently.
A silver fish bit the line.
Li Zhexian's wrist moved slightly—the line snapped, and the fish fell back into the water.
He turned around with a gentle smile.
"Xue'er…"
Qian Renxue rose on her toes and kissed him.
Li Zhexian thought this tender moment would end there—
But to his surprise—
Qian Renxue's delicate hand lifted;
the light-formed umbrella spread outward, transforming into a radiant dome that enclosed them completely.
"Today…" she whispered, "…you'll have to listen to me."
Her golden eyes glimmered with mist, her palm glowing faintly as it rested on his chest—
—and the light sphere slowly sank into the lake, vanishing beneath the water's surface as ripples spread outward.
Fish scattered in every direction.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn—
Splash!
The lake burst open, and two figures rose to the shore.
"Xue'er, you… you really are…"
Li Zhexian's throat was dry. He summoned his Clear Spring Wine Gourd, tilted his head back, and drank deeply,
his expression one of helpless exasperation.
The last time he'd felt this powerless—
was when he'd used Calamity Rebirth to nail Bibi Dong to the sacred mountain.
Qian Renxue's exquisite cheeks were still flushed, her forehead and the tip of her nose damp with droplets, a lock of golden hair sticking to her face.
It was clear how intense the moment had been—
—but in the end, she restrained herself and pressed down his hand.
"Zhexian… I'm sorry…"
Feeling guilty, Qian Renxue lowered her head and poked his arm with her finger, her tone shy and soft.
"I forgot…"
"Once the Angel God Trial begins,
my body must remain pure."
"When… when I've become the Angel God… then… all right?"
Li Zhexian wasn't a man without reason. The heat in his heart cooled beneath the falling drizzle.
He sighed softly and wrapped an arm around her slender waist, sitting with her on a smooth stone by the lakeshore.
Qian Renxue smiled faintly and rested her head on his shoulder, utterly at peace.
Neither spoke.
Only the soft sound of rain kissing the lake and the distant mist over the mountains remained—a tranquil scene of rain and tenderness.
When the clouds finally cleared and the rain stopped, the two began talking quietly about everything that had happened in the past half-year.
Qian Renxue's lips parted slightly, her voice tender:
"Li Zhexian, did you come to Spirit City this time… for the Seven Sects Re-Selection?"
Li Zhexian nodded.
"The sects of several of my seniors are entangled in it. I cannot stand idly by."
Feeling the subtle tension in her body, he turned his head slightly.
"This has nothing to do with you."
After a pause, Qian Renxue said softly,
"These days… I've tried asking around about the rules of the Seven Sects Re-Selection…"
"But even the Red-Robed Cardinals don't know. Zhexian… I'm worried—it might be a trap against you."
"It doesn't matter."
Li Zhexian's lips curved in a faint smile. His handsome face carried a trace of unrestrained youthfulness, tinged with a quiet arrogance.
"I am no longer someone others can toy with at will."
"If they wish to move against me…"
"…they'll have to ask the sword in my hand first."
After spending over an hour with Qian Renxue, the two finally parted reluctantly.
Qian Renxue returned to the Angel God Temple,
while Li Zhexian went straight into Spirit City—to the residence prepared by the Spirit Hall for the Seven Great Sect
On this matter, even he could find no fault; the arrangements were meticulous.
The upper three sects' lodgings were of the highest grade.
A refined courtyard of three entries and three exits—
the residence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
When Li Zhexian followed the attendant inside,
he found not only Ning Fengzhi and the Sword and Bone Douluo present,
but also Feng Bailong, Yu Yuanzhen, and Dugu Bo.
"Brother Zhexian!"
Standing obediently to the side, Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up the moment she saw him.
Several other disciples followed quickly, bowing and greeting in unison:
"Senior Brother Zhexian!"
Ning Fengzhi and the other elders, who had been chatting in the courtyard, immediately rose with warm smiles.
"I heard from Senior Dugu that you were captured by the Snow Maiden of the Extreme North?"
Ning Fengzhi studied Li Zhexian carefully, concern in his eyes.
"She didn't… mistreat you, did she?"
"Hmph. Just say the word, Zhexian."
"When this Re-Selection is done, we'll march to the Extreme North and settle the score."
Chen Xin, Gu Rong, Feng Bailong, and Yu Yuanzhen all nodded gravely.
"Please, Sect Master Ning, don't say that."
Li Zhexian waved his hands quickly.
"Senior Snow Empress treated me with great kindness.
Please, all of you, don't take offense—
you may well meet her again one day."
He said it for their own good.
To be honest—
if they ever fought in the Extreme North,
even together,
they might not be able to defeat the Snow Empress.
After some cheerful conversation, everyone gathered around the table.
Ning Rongrong and the other young disciples watched the white-robed youth seated among the mighty Titled Douluo,
calm and poised, utterly without nervousness.
A mix of admiration and awe filled their hearts.
How lucky—and how bittersweet—to live in the same era as such a prodigy.
"There's no need for more polite talk,"
Ning Fengzhi said, tapping his fingers lightly on the table.
"Zhexian, this Seven Sects Re-Selection is unlike any before.
The competition involves even the old-generation powerhouses."
"Are you certain you wish to take part?"
As his words fell, every gaze in the courtyard turned toward the white-robed youth.
Li Zhexian's faint smile never faded.
He knew that unless he showed them a glimpse of his true strength,
these seniors would never rest easy about him joining the fray.
"I have only reached this point thanks to the protection of my seniors," he said softly.
"But rest assured—if the opponents are only Spirit Douluo, I have no fear."
"And if they are Titled Douluo…"
He lifted the teapot and poured tea for each elder.
The final drop fell into the cup—amber liquid rippling in silence.
And at that very instant—
Light flared beneath his feet.
One by one, Spirit Rings rose in sequence, from small to large:
Purple.
Purple.
A shimmering prismatic sword-feather ring.
A black ring veined with blood-red patterns.
A white-gold ring exuding sharp, sacred killing intent.
And finally—
Under the stunned gazes of Ning Rongrong, the disciples,
and even Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, Feng Bailong, and the rest—
a crimson Spirit Ring emerged, radiating a terrifying, suffocating pressure.
In an instant, that pressure swept through the courtyard,
sending fallen leaves whirling,
silencing all sound.
"If they are Titled Douluo…"
Li Zhexian looked up, his voice calm but carrying through the stillness:
"I don't mind…"
"…putting it to the test."
...
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