Chapter 10 Qian Daoliu: Brother, are you still alive?
Qian Renxue's heart sank suddenly.
She knew that her master was right.
I can't stay on this mountain forever.
There are countless matters in the Spirit Hall that await her attention, and the empire awaits her rule.
only...
Looking at the man before her, she felt an unprecedented pang of sadness and reluctance at the thought of their impending separation.
"Disciple...understands."
Her voice was very soft, with a slight tremor that she herself was unaware of.
The wind at the mountaintop seemed a bit chilly.
...
at the same time.
Deep within the Papal Palace in Wuhun City, thousands of miles away.
The room was simple and solemn, without any luxurious decorations, only bookshelves on the four walls and a painting in the center.
Qian Daoliu, the Grand Elder of the Spirit Hall and a level 99 Peerless Douluo, stood quietly before this painting.
He had been standing here for a full hour.
The painting depicts a handsome young man in white robes with striking eyebrows and bright eyes. He has a faint smile on his lips and bears a striking resemblance to Qian Daoliu.
However, the person in the painting appears even more sharp and unrestrained, with a free and unconventional demeanor.
Although Qian Daoliu is still awe-inspiring, he has already shown the signs of age.
"elder brother..."
Qian Daoliu stretched out his hand, his aged fingers gently stroking the scroll, a complex and unfathomable emotion appearing in his eyes.
"It's been a hundred years."
He muttered to himself, his voice tinged with weariness.
"The Spirit Hall today appears powerful, but it is actually beset by internal and external troubles. The two great empires are outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, various sects are eager to make their move, and even within the hall itself... it is not a monolithic entity."
"If you were still here, how wonderful it would be?"
Qian Daoliu's gaze fell on the bright eyes of the person in the painting, and he sighed helplessly.
"With your talent, if you hadn't disappeared, you would probably have already broken through that threshold and become a true god in this world."
"By then, why would we need so much planning and scheming?"
Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs".
A hundred years ago, his exceptionally talented elder brother, Qian Daobai, disappeared without a trace after going on a trip.
They were never seen alive, nor were their bodies ever found.
The Spirit Hall searched with all its might for decades, but ultimately found nothing.
Everyone believed that he had perished.
"Dust to dust, ashes to ashes, is that all there is to it...?"
Qian Daoliu withdrew his hand, and the reminiscence in his eyes gradually turned into a deep sorrow.
His thoughts seemed to drift back to his distant childhood.
Back then, I always liked to follow behind my older brother.
His older brother always liked to "bully" him.
She would snatch his favorite snack, hold it high, and watch him jump up and down in frustration. Then, just as he was about to cry, she would break the snack in half and stuff the larger piece into his mouth.
They would tap him on the head with a wooden sword and say he was clumsy, but when he fell, they would immediately help him up and carefully check him for injuries.
Those so-called "bullies" were always just good-natured jokes.
The two brothers had such a good relationship that everyone envied them.
But that's all in the past now.
Qian Daoliu closed his eyes and sighed deeply again.
Now, only he and Xue'er remain in the Qian family.
For the sake of the Spirit Hall's great cause and for the glory of the Angel God, he had to continue.
...
The next day, early morning.
At the summit of Yunwu Mountain, a sea of clouds surges.
Qian Renxue changed out of her plain dress and put on a light gold palace dress.
The luxurious fabric accentuated her slender and alluring curves, especially her long, straight legs, which were faintly visible through the slit in the skirt, enough to drive any man crazy.
Her stunningly beautiful face had lost some of the naivety of a young girl, and gained a touch of the majesty and aloofness that belonged to the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall.
Qian Daobai emerged from the bamboo house, still wearing that simple white robe, which contrasted sharply with her luxurious attire.
His gaze fell on her, calm and undisturbed.
"Ready?"
Qian Renxue did not answer, but instead took a step and slowly walked towards him.
Her imposing and aloof demeanor gradually melted away as she drew closer to him.
Qian Renxue stopped and looked up at him slightly.
The next moment, she made a bold move.
She tiptoed and leaned closer, her warm lips almost touching Qian Daobai's earlobe.
A delicate, orchid-like fragrance, accompanied by the girl's warm breath, entered his nostrils.
This fragrance is more intoxicating than any flower in the mountains.
"Master."
She possessed a deliberately suppressed allure.
Qian Daobai's gaze remained unchanged.
Qian Renxue didn't seem surprised. She paused for a moment, then dropped an even bigger bombshell.
"I infiltrated the Heaven Dou Empire and disguised myself as the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe."
After saying this, she showed no hesitation and immediately took several steps back, widening the distance between them again.
She stopped again, her beautiful golden eyes fixed on Qian Daobai's face, not missing a single change in his expression.
This is her biggest secret, and also her biggest gamble.
Qian Daobai's face remained calm and composed.
He remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.
"I already knew."
Qian Renxue's pupils contracted slightly.
"Then why..."
Why should I take you as my disciple?
Qian Daobai took over her words.
"Your identity does not conflict with my teaching you the way of the sword."
Qian Daobai looked at her and suddenly asked another question.
"And why have you chosen to tell me this today?"
Qian Renxue took a deep breath, suppressing all her chaotic thoughts.
"Because you're amazing, Master!"
Her voice was clear and direct, without any attempt to conceal it.
"I want to recruit my master into our Spirit Hall."
"With Master's extraordinary abilities, if we can become a retainer of the Spirit Hall, the great cause of our Spirit Hall will surely be unstoppable!"
She looked at Qian Daobai, her eyes filled with burning anticipation.
The man before her was the most powerful person she had ever met, even more unfathomable than her grandfather, Qian Daoliu.
If we can bring him into our camp, what do the so-called two great empires matter?
After listening, Qian Daobai did not answer her directly, but just smiled faintly.
"Go and prepare."
He turned around and looked down at the bustling world below.
"It's time to go down the mountain, and I will go with you."
Qian Renxue was stunned.
Is that... all there is to it?
He neither accepted nor refused, and simply let it go.
However, Qian Renxue was very happy to be able to go down the mountain together.
She bit her lower lip, but ultimately bowed in respect.
"Yes, Master."
After saying that, she turned around and walked back to the bamboo house to pack her bags.
Only Qian Daobai remained atop the mountain.
He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze distant.
The Spirit Hall, huh...
He chuckled inwardly and didn't take the matter to heart.
His thoughts drifted to something else.
Judging by the time, there is a treasure land on the Douluo Continent that gathers the essence of heaven and earth, and it is about time for it to be born.
(End of chapter)