Xuan Yan's grip tightened around her hands, and worry flickered in his eyes "But… Sister Renxue, it's just conquering the Heaven Dou Empire. I can handle that myself in the future when I'm strong enough. You… don't have to go."
Seeing the anxiety on his face, Renxue's heart softened.
She raised her hand and gently brushed her fingertips across his cheek, "Yan… this is something I've been preparing for since childhood. I have to do it."
Xuan Yan frowned in frustration 'I really don't want her to leave. In the original story, she departed for Heaven Dou... but now, with him here, with his power and presence, he wanted to change that fate.'
Qian Renxue could clearly see the hesitation in his eyes.
Looking at her, Xuan Yan finally spoke again, "But… it doesn't have to be only you, right? You can send someone trustworthy from the Spirit Hall to take your place. There are many capable people. You don't have to risk yourself."
Qian Renxue shook her head firmly. "No, Yan. Only I can do it. I have to use the ninety-nine-thousand nine-hundred ninety-nine-year Angelic Skull Soul Bone. It can disguise my martial spirit and appearance completely… but only Angel Spirit users can use it."
Xuan Yan's eyelashes trembled as his eyes dimmed with helplessness.
Slowly, he let out a long breath and sank onto the nearby sofa.
Qian Renxue sat beside him immediately, holding his right hand between both of hers.
He narrowed his eyes, sinking deep into thought.
After a long silence, he turned toward her again.
"So… there's no other way?"
Qin Renxue shook her head gently. "But don't worry. Snake Lance Douluo and Devil Douluo will protect me from the shadows."
"Also, I want to do this mission by myself... to prove my worth to the Spirit Hall and my grandfather."
He nodded slightly at that, though the reluctance in his gaze never faded.
Then he looked at her with a soft warmth in his eyes that made her chest tighten "I will miss you, Sister Renxue."
Those quiet words made her heart tremble, and she leaned against his shoulder, resting her head lightly on him, "I will miss you too, Yan."
She closed her eyes for a moment, remembering their banter and their sparring moments... he is the first and only friend to her.
She really enjoys her time when she is with him.
The room fell into a peaceful silence, and the warmth of their closeness filled the space as they held onto each other, cherishing the moment before she leaves.
Squeezing her hand, he spoke "Take good care of yourself when you are there, Sister Renuxe."
She nodded her hand, and he asked "When are you leaving?"
Looking up at him, she replied "Tomorrow."
Huh? He frowned slightly "That's so soon."
A faint, helpless smile tugged at Qian Renxue's lips as she looked at his worried face.
...
After leaving Qian Renxue's room, Xuan Yan walked silently through the empty corridors.
He stopped in the middle of the hallway, lowering his eyes.
"…I can't let her leave without something to protect her."
A faint chime echoed in his mind.
[Ding! System detected Host's emotional turbulence.]
[Would Host like assistance?]
He closed his eyes briefly "Yes. Open the Shop."
A golden screen floated before him, illuminating the dark hall. Rows of rare treasures and legendary materials scrolled by, each carrying enough power to shake the continent.
"I need materials for a high-tier protective artifact. Something that can shelter her even against Titled Douluo-level attacks."
The system responded instantly.
[Recommendation detected.]
[Items suitable for forging a Divine-grade Defensive Charm:]
— Starlight Phoenix Feather (10,000 SP)
— Glacial Heart Crystal (8,500 SP)
— Shadow Jade Essence (7,000 SP)
— Celestial Binding Thread (1,500 SP)
Xuan Yan didn't hesitate "Buy all of them."
[Purchase complete.]
Four shimmering items appeared in front of him, floating gently.
He teleported to a secluded training hall, "System, help me forge."
[Affirmative. Initiating Guided Artifact Forging Mode.]
A massive formation lit up beneath him, gold and silver runes spreading across the hall as the system synced with his spirit energy.
Xuan Yan extended his hand, and his spiritual power erupted, binding the four things.
The system's voice echoed in his mind.
[Compressing the energy… stabilizing glacial essence… integrating shadow core… weaving thread…]
The mixed energies clashed and cracked, yet under the guidance of the system and Xuan Yan's precise control, they slowly merged.
A small orb formed in the air, pulsing like a tiny star.
"Condense."
The orb tightened on itself, shrinking smaller and smaller until it became a delicate crystal pendant, shaped like a teardrop intertwined with a faint icy-blue glow.
The system chimed again.
[Divine Artifact Successfully Forged!]
[Name: Heavenly Guardian Pendant]
[Effect:]
— Generates a one-time Divine-grade shield capable of blocking a full-power Titled Douluo strike.
— Automatically activates in life-threatening danger.
— After shattering, it teleports the wearer instantly to the Host's location.
Xuan Yan caught the pendant gently.
He held it in his palm for a long moment and a soft sigh escaped his lips "Now I can be assured that she will be safe."
...
The sky was only beginning to brighten when Xuan Yan arrived outside Qian Renxue's room the next morning.
He stood there for a moment, breathing slowly and knocked on the door.
The door opened almost instantly.
Qian Renxue stood there dressed in traveling attire with elegant white robes and her long golden hair tied loosely behind her.
Her eyes softened the moment she saw him "Yan, you are early."
He showed a small smile "You're leaving today. How could I not come?"
Qian Renxue blinked, but before she could respond, he reached into his sleeve.
"I… made something for you."
His hand opened, revealing the Heavenly Guardian Pendant, glowing faintly.
Qian Renxue's eyes trembled in surprise "…Yan, this-"
Keeping his smile, he spoke "Wear it."
He took a step closer, and Qian Renxue unconsciously held her breath as he lifted the chain and placed it around her neck.
His fingers brushed lightly against the skin just below her collarbone, making her eyelashes flutter against her cheek.
The pendant settled perfectly against her chest, and Qian Renxue placed her hand over it, stunned by the gentle warmth.
"This… is so beautiful. Thank you..."
Stepping forward, he gently hugged her in his arms and she too, reciprocated the hug.
"I should go," she whispered.
Xuan Yan gave a nod "…I'll walk you to the gates."
As they walked side by side through the grand corridors of Spirit Hall, neither spoke.
When they reached the gates, Qian Renxue paused and turned to him.
"I'll come back," she said softly. "So wait for me, Yan."
He nodded with a smile "I will. Sister Renxue always keeps her promises, right?"
Her eyes softened "…Always."
Then she stepped away, her figure slowly disappearing down the path as the morning sun rose behind her.
Xuan Yan stood there long after she vanished from sight 'Before you return... I will come to Heaven Dou Empire and meet you some day, Sister Renxue.'
"Sad that she left?"
Hearing a voice, he turned his head and looked at Bibi Dong standing behind him.
A soft smile appeared on his lips "Morning, Teacher..."
She walked to him and raised her hand to pat his head "Very good morning... Yan'er."
"Don't worry, she will come back soon enough."
"Mhm."