Chapter 233: A Promise of Life and Death?
Moonlight, like water, flowed quietly along the corridor of the hotel on the west side of Spirit City.
After parting ways with Dugu Bo, Tang Chuan returned to his room. When he gently pushed open the door, he was surprised to find a figure standing by the window.
Her long golden hair shimmered softly in the moonlight; it was Xiao Ruier.
"Ruier?" Seeing her, Tang Chuan was slightly taken aback. He closed the door behind him and asked, puzzled, "It's so late, why aren't you resting yet?"
Hearing this, Xiao Ruier slowly turned around, a hint of melancholy on her beautiful face. She gently shook her head, her voice softer than usual, and whispered, "I couldn't sleep. My mind was a bit chaotic, so I came out for a walk, and before I knew it, I'd arrived here."
Tang Chuan walked to the table, poured two glasses of warm water, handed her one, and said,
"Are you worried about the upcoming finals?"
The two stood side by side by the window, gazing at the sleeping city outside, chatting briefly about the competition and cultivation. Tang Chuan could sense that Xiao Ruier's mind wasn't on that; her gaze was somewhat unfocused, as if she were lost in some emotion.
Sure enough, after a moment of silence, she suddenly steered the conversation towards that heavy and sensitive topic.
"Although I also dislike Xiao Wu, when I saw her unhesitatingly burn everything for the one she loved, even sacrificing her soul without reservation… I was truly shocked." Her gaze drifted to the distant night sky, as if recalling that day's scene.
She turned her head, her unique eyes, seemingly holding starlight, looking earnestly at Tang Chuan, with a tentative yet resolute quality that she herself might not fully understand, and softly said:
"I was thinking, if… if one day, the person I love also encounters such danger, and I need to save him in that way… I think I would do the same as her."
Xiao Ruier's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness.
She assumed Tang Chuan was unaware of her Emperor Beast identity; to her own ears, these words sounded more like a hypothetical confession based on human emotion.
As her words fell, a brief silence descended upon the room.
Tang Chuan looked into her eyes, at the same resolute determination hidden beneath the calm that Xiao Wu had shown before her sacrifice, and the softest part of his heart seemed to be gently touched.
He knew the heavy weight behind Xiao Ruier's words.
If an Emperor-level auspicious beast were to be sacrificed, its significance would far exceed that of a 100,000-year-old soul beast. It involved the fate of the entire Star Dou Great Forest. If Di Tian were to unleash a beast tide, the entire human world would be plunged into devastation! How could he possibly allow it to sacrifice itself for him?
After a moment of silence, Tang Chuan did not reveal Xiao Ruier's identity, nor did he respond to this heavy and precious sentiment with any frivolous words.
He simply turned around, looking directly at her, his gaze becoming more focused and gentle than ever before, his voice deep and clear, carrying the weight of a promise, and said:
"Ruier."
He called her name.
"I won't let that happen."
"But if... I mean, if that day ever comes and you're the one in danger..." Tang Chuan's words were direct and honest, without the slightest hesitation, "I would be like Xiao Wu, sparing no effort, even sacrificing my life, to save you."
This wasn't sweet talk, but a statement based on fact.
He possessed the ability, and he possessed the resolve.
Hearing this, Xiao Ruier was stunned. Looking at the undeniable seriousness in Tang Chuan's eyes, her golden pupils widened slightly, and a storm raged within her.
She hadn't expected such a direct and solemn response to her words.
Instantly, an indescribable warmth washed away the gloom and sadness brought on by Xiao Wu's situation, and an unprecedented sense of peace and excitement enveloped her.
Under the moonlight, the two gazed at each other, needing no further words.
…
Meanwhile, inside the Hall of Offerings, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified. Qian Jun and Jiang Mo, the two high priests, knelt on one knee on the smooth, mirror-like floor, heads bowed, their posture respectful yet tinged with apology.
Before them stood the golden, six-winged angel statue.
High Priest Qian Daoliu stood with his hands behind his back. After listening to their report, a rare look of disbelief appeared on his usually impassive face.
"What did you say?" Qian Daoliu's voice echoed in the empty hall, carrying a subtle tremor. He said incredulously, "A soul beast with a cultivation far exceeding 100,000 years, capable of directly confronting the two of you together, ultimately causing your mission to fail?"
As he spoke, his sharp, hawk-like gaze swept over the two kneeling figures below, seemingly to confirm their claims. A 100,000-year-old soul beast was already extremely rare; one with a cultivation far exceeding 100,000 years and daring to directly intervene in conflicts between top human powers was unheard of!
Qianjun Douluo and Jiangmo Douluo exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock and helplessness in each other's eyes, and then nodded heavily.
Qianjun Douluo said in a deep voice, "Grand Elder, this is absolutely true. That soul beast's true form is a three-headed demonic mastiff, and its strength... is probably at level ninety-seven, or even higher. If it weren't for his interference, Tang Chuan would definitely have been captured by my brother and me."
After a moment of silence, Jiangmo Douluo said with resentment,
"Grand Elder, what should we do next? Should we wait until after the competition to find an opportunity to attack Tianxing Academy and take down that Tang Chuan..."
Before he could finish speaking, Qian Daoliu raised his hand to interrupt him.
"Forget it, let me think about this some more." Slowly pacing, a layer of doubt shrouded Qian Daoliu's brows, he then gently waved his hand and said in a low voice.
Suddenly, he stopped and looked up at the huge six-winged angel statue.
His eyes were filled with confusion and deep thought.
"I always felt that Tang Chuan's identity was far from simple." He seemed to be talking to himself, yet also analyzing Tang Chuan's identity for Qian Jun Douluo and Jiang Mo Douluo.
"He is clearly human, the son of Tang Hao, that's beyond doubt. But why would such a powerful soul beast risk turning against the Spirit Hall to protect him?"
"What exactly is hidden behind this?"
This illogical phenomenon made even this peerless powerhouse standing at the pinnacle of the continent feel troubled. If he rashly attacked such a target protected by a mysterious power, it could very well lead to unpredictable consequences.
Just as the hall fell silent as Qian Daoliu pondered,
"Grandpa!"
A clear and somewhat urgent call came from outside the hall.
Immediately afterwards, the heavy doors of the Hall of Worship were slowly pushed open.
A tall and agile figure walked in against the light.
Qian Renxue had changed out of the crown prince's robes and was wearing a simple and neat golden dress. Her long golden hair cascaded down like a waterfall, her face was exquisitely beautiful, and her heroic spirit was overwhelming.
Upon seeing the newcomer, the solemnity and confusion on Qian Daoliu's face melted away like ice meeting fire, replaced by undisguised affection and joy.
He even disregarded the kneeling Qian Jun and Jiang Mo brothers, appearing before Qian Renxue in a flash.
"Little Xue!" Qian Daoliu's voice was filled with pleasure and a hint of surprise. "Why did you suddenly return? Have things been arranged in the Heaven Dou Empire?"
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[end of the chapter]