"Xue Er, then I'll speak my mind?"
Ye Tian poured a cup of tea for Qian Renxue, tentatively inquiring.
"Go ahead!"
Qian Renxue shot Ye Tian a glance.
"Could it be you're afraid I'll turn around and blame you for being insensitive, telling you to ask when you ask, not knowing to first inquire about my well-being and show some concern?"
"Haha... I do indeed have that worry."
Ye Tian laughed awkwardly, pushing the hot tea in his hand toward Qian Renxue.
"Hmph! I'm not that difficult."
Qian Renxue pursed her lips, snatched the hot tea from Ye Tian's hand, brought it to her mouth to gently blow on it, and took a small sip.
Looking at Ye Tian, she urged:
"Speak quickly~ I've been waiting to hear it."
"Alright!"
Ye Tian nodded seriously.
Since Qian Renxue had no reservations, then naturally he didn't need to overthink it either—he would just say whatever came to mind.
"Xue Er, I want to know what happened when the Pope went to the Hall of Worship..."
As his words fell,
Qian Renxue was momentarily stunned, looking at Ye Tian with some surprise.
"It has to do with you, right?"
Ye Tian spoke softly,
a hint of gravity appearing in his eyes.
Last night, resting his head on Bi Bi Dong's soft bosom, Ye Tian had thought about many things.
Finally, he remembered...
something he had overlooked!
That was the most superfluous stroke on the path of the Spirit Hall's development, and even Qian Renxue's personal development—the plan to steal the nation that ended up backfiring.
If not for this plan,
with her starting point of Innate Level 20 Soul Power, by the age of twenty-nine, Qian Renxue would absolutely not be merely at the Soul Saint realm!
You must know, calculating by Soul Saint cultivation.
In these twenty-three years of cultivation, excluding the assistance of Spirit Rings and Spirit Bones, Qian Renxue probably averaged less than two Soul Power levels per year.
Among the Shrek Seven Devils, Zhu Zhuqing, whose Innate Soul Power was only level seven. At the reunion after the five-year agreement, she was only eighteen years old. Yet at that time, she had already broken through to Soul Emperor!
Even though she had consumed Immortal Herbs.
But Qian Renxue had Innate Level 20, and her Martial Soul was a God-level Soul. Comparing the two, it's enough to see how severely Qian Renxue was held back.
Moreover,
the impact of the nation-stealing plan on Qian Renxue was far more than just cultivation.
Without this plan, with ample combat experience, perhaps she wouldn't have lost to Tang San, a Soul Emperor, while she was a Soul Saint. Without this plan, her Angel God Trial might have started earlier, and perhaps there wouldn't have been that so-called disgusting flaw.
When she faced Tang San again, perhaps she wouldn't have held back at every turn.
The outcome for the Spirit Hall might have been different.
"Really, nothing can be hidden from you."
Looking at the gravity in Ye Tian's eyes, Qian Renxue couldn't help but smile.
Her beautiful face flushed slightly.
It seemed she had misunderstood Ye Tian—wasn't this also a form of concern?
"!!!"
Hearing Qian Renxue's reply, seeing the hint of apology rising on the girl's face...
Ye Tian was inwardly shocked, basically certain.
Bi Bi Dong had actually proposed the plan to usurp the throne. And her purpose might very well be to retaliate against the owner of the Lovesick Heartbreak Red?!
Ye Tian furrowed his brows.
Qian Renxue, however, sipped her hot tea nonchalantly, speaking unhurriedly.
"That woman wants me and Yue'er to go to Heaven Dou City together to carry out a plan called 'usurping the throne.' To take over the Heaven Dou Empire without shedding a drop of blood."
A mocking expression appeared on Qian Renxue's face.
The hot tea in her hand seemed to have been savored into a fine wine that could dispel sorrow.
"The reason she gave is laughable—to have enough achievements so that the Qian Family can continue to be the rightful, undisputed orthodox lineage of the Spirit Hall! If I refuse, she actually wants me to go to the Papal Hall and become some kind of Saintess? How utterly absurd~"
"..."
Ye Tian was momentarily stunned.
He hadn't expected Bi Bi Dong to use the Qian Family's legitimacy within the Spirit Hall and the position of Saintess in the Papal Hall as leverage.
However, these details were not what Ye Tian wanted to delve into deeply.
Right now, he only wanted to know one thing.
His dark eyes burned intently as he stared at the golden-haired girl before him, asking seriously, "Xue Er, you're not going to tell me you've already agreed to it, are you?"
"..."
Upon hearing this,
Qian Renxue suddenly fell silent, pursed her red lips, set down the hot tea in her hand, and looked at Ye Tian with a hint of guilt, saying helplessly,
"Sorry, Xiao Tian, I've disappointed you."
"Xue Er, what do you mean by that? You agreed to carry out the throne usurpation mission for her?"
Ye Tian grew somewhat anxious.
Seeing the urgency on Ye Tian's face, Qian Renxue felt warmth in her heart.
She nodded somewhat heavily.
"Yes, I agreed to go to Heaven Dou City to carry out the throne usurpation plan."
"What?!"
Ye Tian exclaimed in shock, somewhat dumbfounded.
He didn't understand!
With his help, the current Qian Renxue
had cultivated for less than three years and had already reached the 47th level Soul Grandmaster realm, even possessing a configuration of three purple and one black soul rings.
With such talent!
Wasn't it enough for Qian Renxue to cherish this golden time for cultivation?
Did she have to go to Heaven Dou City to play some role-playing game?
Had Qian Daoliu's brain been smashed silly by Tang Chen's hammer?!
To waste the future hope of his Qian Family like this!
Once again, Ye Tian revealed that look in his eyes—the one that said, 'What an idiot.'
He stared blankly at Qian Renxue before him.
"!"
Qian Renxue instantly furrowed her brows tightly, somewhat annoyed and embarrassed as she tapped the table with her knuckles.
Tap tap!
"Xiao Tian, how many times is this now that you've looked at me like that? Don't you want to hear the reason why I agreed to carry out this plan?"
"Phew~"
Ye Tian felt his head growing somewhat hot. He covered it with his hand and took a deep breath.
Suppressing the raging anger in his heart,
he raised his hand to signal,
"Wait a moment, Xue Er, let me calm down, give me a moment to adjust."
"Didn't you promise me you would focus on cultivation?"
"Why can't you think this through?"
"..."
Listening to Ye Tian's muttering to himself,
and seeing the boy she admired so distressed over the future she might be throwing away,
Qian Renxue's eyes gradually softened.
Watching Ye Tian holding his forehead and lowering his head...
Qian Renxue knew what Ye Tian was worried about. She extended her jade-like hand, gently covering the top of Ye Tian's head, and gave it a little scratch. Softly, she explained,
"Xiao Tian~ When I learned about this news yesterday, I refused as well. I know it will delay my cultivation, and that woman's motives are definitely not simple. But your pills made the resistance in my heart waver."
"My pills? What pills?"
Ye Tian frowned, raising his head with a hint of anger as he demanded.
This was the first time he had felt truly furious when dealing with anyone other than Bi Bi Dong!
The existence of deities made this game neither smooth sailing nor completely against the odds. But with the addition of this teammate's miraculous operations, that was another story altogether.
"Walking Corpse Pills!"
"Walking Corpse Pills?!"
Ye Tian looked at Qian Renxue in surprise, quickly realizing that Bi Bi Dong must have told Qian Daoliu about them.
Yet he still couldn't understand.
"Xue Er, when I came into contact with these Walking Corpse Pills, I did indeed have ideas similar to the plan to usurp the throne. But even so, even with the existence of the Walking Corpse Pills, the usurpation plan wouldn't have much impact on your cultivation. Yet you still went all the way to Heaven Dou City to carry out this optional task?" "Optional? Indeed."
Qian Renxue withdrew her hand and nodded slightly, but her gaze remained fixed on Ye Tian as she asked leisurely, "Then what about you?"
"Why did you need to set up your schemes in Heaven Dou City?"
"!"
Ye Tian's pupils contracted, his brows knitting together.
"My schemes naturally have my own reasons, my own pursuits, and considerations for the great cause of the Spirit Hall. They are meant to subdue those unwilling to submit without shedding blood."
As he spoke,
Ye Tian suddenly realized something, and his low voice gradually grew weaker.
A Qian Renxue who could ask such a question... he could no longer persuade her to turn back!
Qian Renxue propped her cheek on her hand, gazing softly at Ye Tian as she smiled lightly and said, "Xiao Tian~ What I want to do and what you are doing—what's the difference?"
"..."
Ye Tian remained silent, meeting Qian Renxue's gaze as he listened quietly.
His eyes slowly grew complex.
"I am carrying out the usurpation plan for the great cause of the Spirit Hall as well! To subdue the unwilling Heaven Dou Empire without shedding blood. And also for my personal pursuit of strength!"
Qian Renxue's expression was serious, her gaze intense.
"Xiao Tian, you can strategize from within Spirit Hall City, using those miraculous pills to manipulate the entire Soul Master Realm. But what about me, as a Battle Spirit Master? I can't just stay in Spirit Hall City every day, living in comfort and burying myself in training, can I?"
"Even so..."
Ye Tian opened his mouth to speak but was quickly interrupted by Qian Renxue.
"Xiao Tian! You should understand, right?"
Qian Renxue exclaimed softly, growing more and more agitated as she spoke.
"Without battle, without the baptism of blood! I fear that even if my cultivation grows stronger, I may not be able to fully unleash my strength."
As her words fell,
Qian Renxue seemed to recall some unpleasant memory, staring at her palm as she murmured to herself, "Even though my Martial Soul is the God-level Soul, the Six-Winged Angel, it is ultimately not invincible... I don't want to repeat the same mistakes on some future day..."
"..."
Ye Tian fell completely silent, wanting to speak but holding back.
Qian Xunji's crushing defeat had ultimately awakened something in Qian Renxue.
Ye Tian could not refute it, nor did he have any grounds to do so!
Combat experience was indeed especially important for a Battle Spirit Master.
"Xue Er..."
Ye Tian called out softly.
Qian Renxue asked gently, "Are you still going to try to persuade me?"
"..."
Ye Tian shook his head helplessly.
"That's good~"
Qian Renxue smiled radiantly, her voice becoming noticeably sweeter.
Picking up the teacup in her hand, she gracefully rose to her feet.
Qian Renxue quickly walked around the table and sat down beside Ye Tian, wrapping her arms around his and speaking in a coquettish tone, "This matter is already settled. To be safe, I will still absorb an Inheritance Spirit Bone. By the way, you don't know about my Qian Family's Inheritance Spirit Bone yet, do you? Want to hear about it?"
"..."
Ye Tian glanced at Qian Renxue, who was clinging to him, and forced a smile as he nodded.
"Why that bitter look? This secret isn't something just anyone gets to know. My Qian Family's Inheritance Spirit Bone is a complete set—six pieces in total, each with a lifespan of ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years. Once all are absorbed, they merge into one, elevating to the level of a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone! And the one I'll be absorbing is an Inheritance Spirit Bone with the ability to disguise."
"..."
Hearing Qian Renxue's explanation, Ye Tian, who already knew this information, showed little reaction. He simply nodded in acknowledgment.
"Hey~ aren't you being a bit too dismissive of me?"
Qian Renxue pouted, well aware of the displeasure in Ye Tian's heart.
She simply clung to his arm, rubbing against him as if trying to please him.
"Three days from now, after I absorb that Spirit Bone, I'll take Yue'er to live in Heaven Dou City. I imagine you'll be visiting Heaven Dou City often in the future, won't you?"
Qian Renxue dropped her coquettish demeanor, lifting her head to gaze expectantly at the handsome young man before her.
"I will!"
Ye Tian composed himself and answered earnestly.
"Good! It's a promise!"
Qian Renxue giggled, raising the hand holding the hot tea and pointing a finger at Ye Tian. After speaking, she brought her own cup of hot tea to his lips.
Squinting her eyes, her smile hiding a sharp edge, she said, "No breaking your promise, or I won't let you off~ my little Xiao Tian, understood?"
"..."
Looking at the hot tea Qian Renxue offered, Ye Tian couldn't help but chuckle. He took a sip from her cup and nodded firmly.
"Don't worry, I won't break my promise."
"That's more like it."
Satisfied, Qian Renxue nodded and brought the cup to her own lips to drink.
Soon, Qian Renxue and Ye Tian finished the cup of hot tea together.
Ever since that evening on the grass, when Qian Renxue yielded to Ye Tian's insistence, their interactions had become less restrained.
Ye Tian knew Qian Renxue didn't mind.
Qian Renxue also understood Ye Tian wouldn't refuse.
Naturally, they grew more intimate.
Just like now, with Qian Renxue's red lips kissing Ye Tian's cheek.
"Alright, Xiao Tian, I should go now. Three days from now, I hope you'll come to see me off. Who knows when we'll meet again after that."
Qian Renxue's soft lips brushed against Ye Tian's ear as she whispered gently.
"Use Yue'er to stay in touch."
Ye Tian held Qian Renxue's delicate hand and reminded her softly.
After all, he didn't know the exact time of her departure. Besides, he needed to refine as many Walking Corpse Pills as possible for Qian Renxue to have on hand.
And Yue'er—that lass, Ye Tian was even more worried about her!
"Haha~ no problem!"
Qian Renxue agreed cheerfully, then released Ye Tian and slowly stood by the door, waving to him before opening it and stepping out of the private room.
"..."
Ye Tian sipped his own tea, watching the closed door without moving.
He waited,
waited for that mischievous, ever-sneaky little one.
Before long, just as Ye Tian had anticipated.
The private room door slowly opened, and a head peeked in from outside.
A gleeful laugh followed.
"Hehe~ Ye Tian, what a coincidence! I didn't expect you to still be here."
The newcomer was none other than Jin Yue'er.
Watching the lively girl squeeze into the room, Ye Tian felt a headache coming on.
Jin Yue'er was quite direct.
She went straight to Ye Tian's side, not taking the seat Qian Renxue had occupied, but instead sitting right on the tabletop where Ye Tian's teacup rested. Her slender legs swung gently.
Her pale golden eyes were bright and spirited, and a brilliant smile spread across her lips.
"You already know, don't you?"
Ye Tian looked up at her with mild annoyance and asked softly.
"Huh? Know what?"
Jin Yue'er blinked in confusion, tilting her head slightly.
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