Chen Xin, Feng Bailong, and Li Zhexian were all masters of the Sword Dao.
Their sword hearts were as clear as mirrors.
Their perception was far sharper than that of ordinary Douluo.
When they sensed the two terrifying auras coming from the mountainside of the Divine Mountain, all three of their expressions tightened.
"Though the auras are damaged, they have not yet reached the point of exhaustion."
Feng Bailong exhaled softly, his tone carrying regret.
"At this moment…"
"There's no chance of picking up any advantage."
Li Zhexian said slowly:
"We cannot get any closer to the Divine Mountain."
"If we advance any further, we risk being detected by Bibi Dong."
He paused slightly.
Suddenly, he recalled the mountain lake where he and Qian Renxue had met during the Seven Sects Re-Selection.
What Qian Renxue said that day:
I go to that lake every day… afraid that I'll miss you if you suddenly arrive.
"Two seniors, I need to wait here for Xue'er and tell her about Qian Daoliu."
"With Bibi Dong and the Slaughter King bound to be healing, the two seniors need not linger."
"Once I settle this matter, I will regroup with you in Blazing Fire City."
Chen Xin and Feng Bailong both nodded slightly.
Since there was no imminent danger,
there was no need for them to stay.
And besides—this was a meeting between lovers.
Their presence would be an inconvenience.
...
Li Zhexian walked alone to the mountain lake.
The lake water was still crystal blue.
Early spring had just begun—
Small touches of green were sprouting at the shoreline.
Clad in white, he stood with his hands behind his back, gazing over the lake.
The scenery was picturesque.
Yet his brows were knotted with deep sorrow.
Given Qian Renxue's lonely and bitter upbringing, he could not bear to imagine—
If something had happened to Qian Daoliu…
What kind of unbearable pain that would cause her.
And the cruelest part was—
Even if Qian Daoliu survived this time—
Once Qian Renxue inherited the Angel God position,
He would still have to sacrifice himself as her Guardian
To open the final Angel Trial.
If Qian Renxue learned the truth—
That the godhood she had pursued her entire life
Needed the life of the only person in this world who had ever truly loved her…
Li Zhexian stared blankly at the lake.
Two fish circled anxiously beneath a willow branch.
Suddenly, the smaller fish leapt up—
But fell short by a few inches.
At that instant—
The bigger fish leapt as well, gently pushing it upward.
The small insect on the willow tip was seized.
The two fish dove happily into the depths.
Li Zhexian slowly closed his eyes,
His lips trembling uncontrollably.
He seemed to already see Qian Renxue's pale and terrified expression when she heard the news—
His heart felt pierced by countless needles,
Overflowing with indescribable tenderness and ache.
Only now did he finally understand:
So liking someone… is that moment when the sight of her frowning makes your own heart wrinkle before your mind can react.
...
When Qian Renxue walked out of the Angel Secret Realm with a weary expression—
Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo hurried forward:
"Young Master, did you succeed?"
"No."
"No matter. With your unparalleled talent, passing the Eighth Angel Trial will not be difficult."
But Qian Renxue did not respond.
She softly asked:
"The lake I ordered you to visit every day—did you go?"
"We went every day. But Li Zhexian's identity is no longer the same as before. And with the tense relations between the Heaven Dou Empire he protects and the Spirit Empire… it is unlikely he has the leisure to come here again."
Qian Renxue was about to speak—
When suddenly her heart trembled.
That faint spiritual bond,
Usually distant and elusive,
Suddenly grew clear and bright—
Her eyes widened.
In the next heartbeat—
Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo stared in shock:
Their exhausted young master
Suddenly radiated brilliance.
Her jade-like features bloomed with a smile she couldn't hide,
Stunning and ethereal.
"He's here."
Qian Renxue tapped her fingertips lightly—
A mirror of condensed Light Spirit Power appeared in the air.
In it, her reflection shimmered.
Spirit Power flowed gently across her, washing away all fatigue.
Her white dress unfurled like wings—
She seemed reborn.
To meet Li Zhexian,
She must appear in her most beautiful form.
Her white skirt lifted in a joyous arc—
And she ran out of the sanctuary.
...
By the lake. Li Zhexian felt the auspicious feather in his embrace grow hotter. As if by telepathy , he abruptly turned around.
And there she was — a figure bathed in sunlight, so radiant it seemed even the tips of her hair were glowing — running straight toward him.
And he saw—bathed fully in sunlight, even the tips of her hair glowing—the breathtaking figure running toward him.
"Li Zhexian!"
The youth she had longed for in her dreams was finally standing before her in reality.
Qian Renxue couldn't help but quicken her pace again, arriving before him in an instant.
Her longing overcame her restraint. She stretched out her fair arms, tightly wrapped them around his neck, and her soft lips pressed onto his.
The last time they parted—
Li Zhexian had still been at level 70.
And now, half a year had passed in the blink of an eye.
This kiss—
It was as if she wanted to make up for every moment of their six months apart.
Even when their lips finally separated, the two of them remained in each other's embrace, reluctant to let go.
Qian Renxue took Li Zhexian's hand and, smiling radiantly, pulled him to sit with her by the lakeside.
Li Zhexian gazed at the girl's bright, beautiful face.
The words he had intended to say were caught in his throat.
"Zhexian, I already know everything that happened in the past six months."
Qian Renxue turned to him, resting her cheek on her hand, her eyes filled with gentle light.
"You're now the famed Sword Wine Douluo of the entire continent."
Li Zhexian lightly pinched her cheek.
"Xue'er, stop teasing me."
Qian Renxue leaned against his shoulder, her voice soft as a dream.
"Zhexian, tell me everything you've experienced in these six months."
"Let me pretend… that I walked those roads by your side."
"…Alright."
Li Zhexian told her in detail about absorbing the Spirit Ring in the Star Dou Forest and the several clashes he later had with the Spirit Empire.
The girl listened, sometimes holding her breath in surprise, sometimes lifting her eyes to him, admiration shining in them.
But—
When he spoke of what happened today in Blazing Fire City—
His pace slowed.
Hesitation seeped into his words.
"What's wrong?"
Qian Renxue looked up at him.
Li Zhexian was silent for a moment, then tightened his arms around her slightly.
"Xue'er, what I'm about to say… you mustn't panic."
"Things haven't reached the worst yet."
Seeing how serious he was, Qian Renxue frowned slightly and nodded.
"Alright."
"Senior Chen Xin, Senior Feng Bailong, and I sensed the aura of peerless experts fighting on the border between Heaven Dou and the Spirit Empire."
As soon as he finished speaking, he felt the girl in his arms suddenly stiffen.
"When we arrived, the battle was already over."
"On the battlefield…"
"There were lingering traces of Bibi Dong, your grandfather, and the Slaughter King."
"Your grandfather… is missing."
A layer of radiant light spread abruptly over Qian Renxue's body. The glow trembled fiercely, but under her powerful control it quickly subsided.
She was, after all, a prodigy who had infiltrated Heaven Dou since childhood and presided over the Eastern Palace for many years.
She remained silent for several breaths.
Then, her voice slightly hoarse, she asked:
"Zhexian… is my grandfather truly unharmed?"
She looked calm, but the fingers clutching Li Zhexian's hand so tightly they nearly dug into his palm betrayed her inner panic.
"I'm… certain."
"With Bibi Dong's personality, if your grandfather had really met disaster, there wouldn't be no trace left behind."
Although Qian Renxue wished dearly to stay by Li Zhexian's side—
With her grandfather's life or death unknown—
She had to return to the Sanctuary at once to discuss their next move with the senior worshippers.
"Zhexian, I'm sorry… I need to return to the Sanctuary."
Seeing Li Zhexian rise to follow her, she suddenly bit her lip and stepped forward, hugging him tightly.
"Grandfather is still in that woman's hands…"
"We cannot act recklessly, or he'll be in danger."
"Not to mention the other side has two Limit Douluo…"
"If you come with me, I'm afraid you'll be in danger."
"Don't worry…"
"As long as Grandfather is unharmed, I won't fight that woman to the death."
Her voice grew lower as she spoke, beginning to tremble.
Li Zhexian felt a patch of dampness spread across the front of his clothes.
"Li Zhexian…"
"You... you cannot suffer another misfortune..."
"If something happens to you... I dare not imagine... what I would become..."