The next morning, outside Tiandou City—
Qian Renyue lay quietly in Qian Renxue's arms, silently shedding tears. Her small body trembled, and her tiny hands clutched Qian Renxue's clothes tightly, refusing to let go. She had been raised by Qian Renxue since childhood. No matter how mischievous she was, Qian Renxue always indulged her and accompanied her. Now, as they were about to part, it would be difficult to meet again. Qian Renyue was deeply reluctant to part.
Qian Renxue's eyes were red, and she too was reluctant. But for her sister's sake and for the Martial Soul Hall, this journey was unavoidable. She had no choice but to resolutely push away Qian Renyue's tiny hands, spread her six wings, and fly toward her destination.
"Sister!" Qian Renyue shouted at the receding figure, unable to hold back her sobs any longer.
Qian Daoliu stepped forward and embraced Qian Renyue, gently patting her back and softly comforting her:"Yueyue, don't cry. Xiaoxue has gone on a mission, and there are two Title Douluo-level Elders protecting her secretly. Nothing will happen to her."
Qian Renyue wiped her tears and nodded."Handsome grandpa, let's go. Let's get my first Soul Ring, and then go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to take a master. I will work hard to cultivate and protect my sister!"
——Star Dou Forest——
"Do you know which Soul Beasts you need to hunt to gain your Soul Ring?" Qian Daoliu asked. He knew his granddaughter had grown and was determined to become stronger. It was time to let go a little and see how much she had learned about Martial Soul theory.
"Although my Martial Soul is special, no matter which Soul Beast I gain my Soul Ring from, it only adds a Healing-type Soul Skill for me. But my Martial Soul is a Healing Angel, also a type of Angel Martial Soul."
"Then it's best to go with a Light-type Soul Beast, like a Holy Light Unicorn. That would be ideal."
Hearing Qian Renyue's answer, Qian Daoliu nodded. Though the girl had been spoiled from childhood, mischievous like a little devil, especially following the fifth Elder to act recklessly, she also loved reading and learning. She often went to the library to study Martial Soul theory, even using it as an excuse to get close to Bibi Dong.
Thus, although her Martial Soul had just awakened, her theoretical knowledge was already well established.
Qian Daoliu held Qian Renyue's hand as they continued through Star Dou Forest. Suddenly, they saw a Holy Light Unicorn stumbling not far ahead, with severe wounds on its hind legs and abdomen, black blood flowing from them.
Seeing this, Qian Daoliu immediately placed Qian Renyue behind him for protection. Behind the unicorn was a Human-Faced Demon Spider, which had poisoned it—the black blood was evidence.
The fleeing unicorn calf saw humans not far ahead and the pursuing Demon Spider, realizing it was unlikely to escape, and let out a mournful cry.
Qian Daoliu saw that this unicorn was a thousand-year Soul Beast, unsuitable for his granddaughter, so he didn't plan to hunt it and intended to leave. He had no interest in interfering with the natural selection among Soul Beasts.
Qian Renyue felt sympathy for the unicorn calf, but she knew that the predation between Soul Beasts was just the natural food chain. She couldn't let her maternal instincts guide her everywhere; perhaps the Demon Spider was hunting for its own mate and children. Moreover, her grandpa had the ability to save the unicorn. She was still just a child.
As Qian Daoliu prepared to leave with Qian Renyue, a ten-thousand-year Holy Light Unicorn charged out. Its cultivation far surpassed the Demon Spider. The Demon Spider, seeing its prey escape, spat toxic webs at the two unicorns and quickly fled while the unicorn dodged.
The ten-thousand-year unicorn seemed to be the mother of the calf. She anxiously circled around her child, licking its little face and letting out mournful cries.
Qian Renyue's eyes turned red. She thought that if she were injured, Bibi Dong would also be as sad as the unicorn mother. She didn't realize that her thoughts would become prophetic years later.
Qian Daoliu saw Qian Renyue's expression and guessed what she was thinking. He thought silently: "It seems necessary to have a formal conversation with Bibi Dong."
"Do you want to save it?"
Qian Renyue shook her head:"Although I sympathize with it, I currently do not have the ability to save it. Unless it can survive until I obtain my first Soul Ring, it may still have a chance."
"But Light-type Soul Beasts are rare; obtaining one quickly is difficult. It might not survive until then."
Having said this, Qian Renyue prepared to leave with Qian Daoliu. She couldn't bear to see what would happen next. But the unicorn mother blocked her path.
The mother unicorn lowered her head in front of Qian Renyue, gently nuzzling her as if to plead, making soft whimpering sounds.
Qian Renyue couldn't help but reach out and stroke the unicorn's head."You want me to save your child?"
The unicorn nodded.
"I'm sorry. Although my Soul Power is Level 20, I haven't obtained a Soul Ring yet, so I don't have a Soul Skill to save your child. Only if it can survive until after I acquire my first Soul Ring will I be able to save it. If it is still alive then, I promise I will help."
With that, Qian Renyue prepared to leave.
The unicorn blocked her again, pressing its horn gently against Qian Renyue's forehead. A strong wind suddenly blew, and a platinum light shone between the girl and the unicorn. A golden array appeared beneath Qian Renyue's feet.
"This… Soul Beast Sacrifice?" Qian Daoliu exclaimed in disbelief. "Soul Beast Sacrifice can ignore age restrictions. Even a first Soul Ring can endure a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring without spiritual shock."
"What a kind-hearted child," Qian Daoliu smiled with visible approval.
Soon, the light faded. Qian Renyue, now awake, had golden light flickering in her eyes, which then returned to calm. She immediately ran to the unicorn calf and released her Martial Soul.
Her pure white wings unfolded behind her again. Her long golden hair flowed down, and she wore a platinum olive-leaf crown on her head.
"First Soul Skill, Angel Blessing." Qian Renyue placed her hands together on her chest in a prayer gesture. A black Soul Ring rose from beneath her feet.
As Qian Renyue released her Soul Skill, the unicorn calf's wounds rapidly healed. The toxin from the Demon Spider was purified by the sacred power inherent to the Angel Martial Soul.
Soon, the unicorn calf stood up, looking at the little girl who healed it. It realized its mother had made a sacrifice for the girl. The calf let out mournful cries and nuzzled Qian Renyue.
Qian Renyue retracted her Martial Soul and patted the unicorn calf's head:"Take care of yourself. I have to go now. If there's a chance, I'll come back to see you. Train hard and become strong—don't let your mother's sacrifice be in vain."
The unicorn calf bit Qian Renyue's skirt and made whimpering sounds.
"Little unicorn, we really have to go. We are humans and cannot live with you. But someday, Yueyue will come back to see you~"
"Whimper!" The calf still held onto her skirt, pulling in one direction.
Qian Renyue and her grandpa exchanged a glance, understanding the unicorn's intentions. She asked:"Are you taking us somewhere?"
The unicorn let go of her skirt, nodded, walked a few steps, then turned to signal Qian Renyue to follow.
Qian Daoliu thought for a moment, picked up Qian Renyue, and followed.
(End of Chapter)