Chapter 31 – Qian Xunji's Serious Injury
In his steady and fulfilling days of cultivation, Lin Beiya could still feel a faint heaviness buried deep within his heart.
That feeling reached its peak the moment Qian Renxue told him that Qian Xunji was personally leading four Titled Douluo to the border of the Heaven Dou Empire to capture a transformed soul beast.
Lin Beiya knew then— The event that would soon shake the entire continent had quietly begun. And that infamous figure, the one history would both fear and revile—the so-called God King Tang—was about to descend upon the Douluo Continent.
"Beiya, once our strength grows, we should go hunt down those soul beasts and fallen ones that stir chaos in the human world, too!"
That was, after all, the Spirit Hall's duty. For the little angel to take this as her personal mission was natural. Looking at her bright eyes, full of dreams for the future, Lin Beiya couldn't help but feel a twinge of tenderness.
"Alright," he said softly. "We'll capture those fallen ones together."
But that youthful enthusiasm didn't last long.
Ten days later, news spread like wildfire—
The Pope had fought Tang Hao, one of the Clear Sky Twin Stars, and was severely injured in battle.
Among the four Titled Douluo who accompanied him, two had fallen.
The surviving pair could only be Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.
Counting Qian Xunji's grievous injuries, the Spirit Hall had paid a disastrous price for this mission.
Meanwhile, the Clear Sky Sect's reputation—and Tang Hao's name—soared to unmatched heights. The prestige of the Spirit Hall, however, plummeted to its lowest point.
Sensing the Spirit Hall's weakness, the long-silent fallen ones and rogue soul beasts began to stir, unleashing chaos across the continent.
Three days after Qian Xunji's battered return to the Spirit Hall, Lin Beiya finally met Qian Renxue again.
The little golden-haired girl's eyes were bloodshot—clearly, she hadn't slept for days.
"Is the Pope's injury that serious?" he asked.
She nodded, her voice hoarse. "The healing soul masters said he'll need at least a full year of rest, and even then, he might never recover to his peak."
Her tone faltered. "Father is so proud… to him, this must be…"
Lin Beiya sighed and nodded. It made sense—the injury had to be severe. Otherwise, how could Bibi Dong, as only a Soul Douluo at that time, have successfully devoured Qian Xunji? Even if she caught him off guard, it would've been impossible without such a wound.
For some reason, watching the usually radiant Qian Renxue so pale and listless tugged painfully at his heart.
After a long moment of thought, an idea came to him.
"Xue'er," he said, "the Gold Cloth can enhance a person's recovery rate. The effect isn't that strong yet, but… It's better than nothing."
Her swollen eyes suddenly brightened. In the next instant, she threw herself into his arms without hesitation.
Stunned, Lin Beiya froze for a heartbeat before gently tightening his arms around her, his hand patting her smooth back.
After a while, Qian Renxue blushed faintly and stepped back, excitement flashing across her face.
"Beiya, I'll lend Father the Aries Gold Cloth right now! It should help him recover faster!"
"Go," Lin Beiya said with a faint smile.
Watching her hurry away, his emotions were mixed and complicated.
Of course, he hadn't done this merely to help Qian Xunji recover. He wanted to test something—to see if a Titled Douluo's strength, enhanced by the Crystal Wall, could resist the fate that awaited him.
If Qian Xunji survived this ordeal, then perhaps Qian Renxue wouldn't feel compelled to prove herself by infiltrating the Heaven Dou Empire. And Qian Daoliu wouldn't have to fear that Bibi Dong might harm his granddaughter, thus agreeing to such a reckless plan.
After all, Douluo II had already proven—
Even without Qian Renxue's interference, the nobles of the Heaven Dou Empire were perfectly capable of destroying themselves.
The Spirit Hall didn't need to force its hand. Waiting for the right moment during their inevitable internal chaos would have been far more effective than sending a little angel to waste her precious years as a spy.
Within the eastern side hall of the Pope's Palace, the wounded Qian Xunji was recuperating.
Qian Renxue moved through the corridors unimpeded until she reached his room and gently knocked on the door.
"Father, are you alright?"
"Xue'er… cough, cough… come in…"
As the door opened, the little angel hurried to her father's bedside.
The moment she saw his pale, bloodless face, Qian Renxue's heart twisted painfully once more.
Though her heart ached for her father, Qian Renxue didn't forget the reason she'd come. She quickly took out a golden card engraved with the symbol of Aries.
"Father, try channeling your soul power into this."
"Cough, cough... What is this?"
"It's Beiya's Gold Cloth," she explained earnestly. "It can increase the body's natural recovery rate by nearly twenty percent. If you wear it for a while, it might help your injuries heal faster."
"Oh?" Qian Xunji's tired eyes flickered with surprise. "That little fellow's martial soul has such an effect?"
Despite his weakness, he forced himself to sit up, the pallor on his face failing to hide his astonishment.
He didn't really believe that a mere Soul Granmaster's martial soul could do anything meaningful for his condition—but he was willing to humor his daughter. At the very least, he didn't want to crush her hopeful heart.
"Alright," he said, managing a faint smile. "It's rare for my little Xue'er to worry about her father like this."
"Father! If you keep teasing me, I'll ignore you!" she pouted, glaring at him adorably. "Just try it already!"
Qian Xunji chuckled weakly and nodded. Without further hesitation, he poured his soul power into the golden card.
The moment he did, the Aries Gold Cloth materialized around him in a dazzling flash.
At first, his expression was merely perfunctory—but soon, his eyes widened in genuine shock.
Not only did the armor provide all-around enhancement to his physical condition, but he could feel a subtle power flowing through his body, gently stimulating his wounds to mend on their own.
This must be the recovery amplification his daughter had mentioned. The healing speed was slow, yes—but it was real. His wounds were indeed knitting together, little by little.
"I didn't expect… it actually works."
"Really? That's wonderful, Father!"
Qian Renxue's eyes sparkled with joy, her earlier exhaustion forgotten. But after a brief pause, she stomped her foot lightly and puffed her cheeks.
"Wait a minute—'actually works'? So you didn't believe me before, did you?"
"Uh…"
Qian Xunji froze, caught off guard. He realized he'd slipped and didn't quite know how to calm his daughter.
Luckily, Qian Renxue quickly composed herself. Seeing his frail condition, she decided not to stay angry.
"Hmph! Since it's effective, keep wearing it for now. Once you're fully healed, you'd better return it—I still need the Cloth for training!"
"Hahaha! Alright, alright. Your father will recover soon enough."
Perhaps it was his daughter's genuine concern—or perhaps the Gold Cloth's power—but color was slowly returning to Qian Xunji's face. After chatting with her for a while longer, Qian Renxue finally excused herself.
Back at the training grounds, she ran straight to Lin Beiya, practically glowing with excitement.
"Beiya! The Gold Cloth really helped Father's injuries! Thank you so much!"
"That's good to hear."
Seeing the little angel's smile return, Lin Beiya finally felt a trace of relief.
The Gold Cloth has been lent out. He thought silently. Whether he can use it—and his own strength—to defy fate… that depends entirely on his luck.
When he suggested she take a break after her emotional day, Qian Renxue refused outright and insisted on resuming her training alongside him.
Meanwhile, not far from the Pope's quarters, inside the Saintess Hall—
Bibi Dong sat alone, her crimson eyes gleaming coldly as dark thoughts churned in her mind.
"To think Tang Hao possesses such strength… My plan to seize a hundred-thousand-year soul ring has gone up in smoke."
Her lips curved into a frigid smile.
"But Qian Xunji… once I confirm you're truly gravely wounded, we'll finally settle our old debt."
"My dear teacher…"
Malice, bloodlust, resentment—words that should never have been associated with a woman of such flawless beauty.
Yet at this moment, they fit Bibi Dong perfectly.
—
End of Chapter