Chapter 234: Xiaoxue, have you fallen in love with that boy?
Looking at the dignified yet kind figure before her, Qian Renxue's pent-up grievances instantly burst forth, tears welling in her golden eyes and rolling down her cheeks.
She rushed forward, like a fledgling seeking shelter, and threw herself into Qian Daoliu's broad, warm embrace.
Qian Daoliu gently held her, as if cherishing the most precious treasure in the world.
When he lowered his head and saw the trace of blood on the corner of Qian Renxue's mouth, a barely perceptible pang of heartache and understanding flashed in his deep eyes. He said,
"You went to see her?"
Hearing this, Qian Renxue in his arms stiffened slightly, then nodded gently, giving a choked, nasal "Mmm."
"Actually, she's also in pain. After all, she wasn't the one who was wrong back then, and her feelings for you aren't what you think," Qian Daoliu said with a barely audible sigh.
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue suddenly lifted her head from her grandfather's arms, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked at the man she had always considered her only support. Her voice was filled with disbelief as she said, "Grandpa, is it... that even you won't help me? You know perfectly well how she treated me!"
Seeing the deep disappointment in his granddaughter's eyes, Qian Daoliu's face flashed with a complex and helpless expression. He gently shook his head, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable determination:
"It's not that I won't help, it's that I can't help."
"Many times, Bibi Dong's actions have been somewhat radical, but from the perspective of the Spirit Hall's Pope, everything she did wasn't entirely wrong. She needed to weigh the interests and future of the entire Spirit Hall. Moreover..."
At this point, his gaze became somewhat distant, even carrying a hint of indescribable relief, "In the Spirit Hall today, her influence has actually surpassed mine."
"What?!" Hearing this, Qian Renxue's delicate body trembled, utterly shocked. Even the tears that had been flowing from her eyes instantly stopped. She almost thought she had misheard, saying:
"This...this is impossible! You are the Grand Elder, the guardian of the Angel God!"
Qian Daoliu smiled slightly, a smile filled with doting affection for his granddaughter, yet also with a clear understanding of reality. He gently wiped away the tears from Qian Renxue's face and earnestly instructed her:
"Xiaoxue, you must remember, this is a world where the strong prey on the weak."
"Whoever is stronger will have greater say. This is especially evident within our Spirit Hall."
"Bibi Dong's talent and perseverance far surpass ordinary people. Her strength is now no less than mine. Moreover, she is so young, her future is limitless. Perhaps in the future...she really might become the first person in the Douluo Continent in the last ten thousand years to reach that level!"
"Not to mention that the elders in the Hall have already chosen to support her, even I will support her now. Because the ability and courage she has shown are destined to lead the Spirit Hall to a brighter future. What you need to do is not to oppose her, but to assist her well."
At the end, he looked at Qian Renxue's still incredulous eyes and sighed.
"No matter what happened, she is still your mother."
Hearing this, Qian Renxue stared blankly at Qian Daoliu, her mind in turmoil.
"If she truly cared for the Spirit Hall, she should have considered things more carefully! Yes, everything Bibi Dong did might have been for the expansion of the Spirit Hall, but she doesn't realize that her sometimes reckless actions only disrupt my plans and push potential threats to the opposite side!" After a moment of silence, Qian Renxue suddenly looked up at Qian Daoliu and retorted.
Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu's deep gaze fell upon his granddaughter, already understanding her meaning. He slowly said, "You mean... the matter of her sending someone to assassinate Tang Chuan?"
Qian Renxue nodded vigorously, her golden eyes filled with unwavering determination. She said,
"Exactly! Tang Chuan is exceptionally talented, and his temperament far surpasses that of his peers. If he can be used by our Spirit Hall, he will be far more valuable than killing him!"
Qian Daoliu looked at the almost desperate protection in his granddaughter's eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke in a deep but powerful voice,
"Xiaoxue, wake up. Tang Chuan is, after all, Tang Hao's son. His family has an irreconcilable blood feud with the Spirit Hall. The talent and opportunities this child has shown are already terrifying. If he is allowed to grow, he will surely become a major threat to the Spirit Hall in the future. He must be eliminated."
"That's precisely why we must subdue him!" Hearing this, Qian Renxue seemed very unconvinced, her tone carrying her unique stubbornness and confidence.
"Grandpa, I'm confident! Give me time, and I'll definitely make him let go of his hatred and serve the Spirit Hall! Killing is never the best way to solve problems; control and utilization are!"
Seeing her so vehemently defend and argue for Tang Chuan, even with an unusual concern, Qian Daoliu's eyes flashed with understanding and deep worry. He couldn't help but say,
"Xiaoxue, you're so protective of him...you haven't fallen for that boy, have you?"
"You need to think this through! His mother died because of your father! You have such a deep-seated blood feud...how could you possibly subdue him? This is simply..."
"I didn't!" Qian Renxue interrupted Qian Daoliu abruptly, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. A blush involuntarily crept onto her cheeks. She retorted hastily, but her tone lacked confidence. "Grandpa, I'm purely acting in the best interests of the Spirit Hall! Isn't subduing a genius more valuable than creating a mortal enemy? Why do you always think of it that way!"
Seeing his granddaughter's agitated yet slightly embarrassed expression, her stubbornness masking a barely perceptible panic, Qian Daoliu seemed to understand everything.
He knew Qian Renxue; her reaction at this moment had already transcended simple considerations of self-interest.
He gazed deeply at his granddaughter, his gaze seemingly able to pierce through any pretense.
Under his gaze, Qian Renxue awkwardly looked away.
"Sigh, Xiaoxue." After a long while, Qian Daoliu let out a long and complex sigh, filled with helplessness and heartache for his granddaughter.
He knew that some things couldn't be stopped by force.
Pressuring her too much might push his granddaughter further away.
"Fine... since you insist, I promise you, for the time being... I won't send anyone from the Hall of Offerings to deal with that brat anymore." Qian Daoliu finally softened. He gently waved his hand, his tone tinged with compromise and deep weariness.
"If you have nothing else to do, go back as soon as possible. The Heavenly Dou Empire can't do without you. If you're gone for too long, things might change."
This was both concern and a reminder not to forget her duties and identity.
Hearing her grandfather's promise, Qian Renxue felt a sense of relief, knowing this was the best outcome she could achieve.
She nodded, composed herself, and reverted to her calm and collected self as an undercover agent.
"Yes, Grandpa, I'll go back now."
After bowing respectfully, Qian Renxue turned and left, but to Qian Daoliu, her departing figure seemed even more somber than when she arrived.
Watching her disappear outside the palace gates, Qian Daoliu slowly turned back, his gaze returning to the towering six-winged angel statue, and murmured to himself,
"The word 'love' is the most difficult to understand. Little Xue, I hope you won't follow in your mother's footsteps... After all, this path is destined to be fraught with thorns."
…
The next day, early morning.
As the first rays of dawn pierced the clouds, gilding Spirit City with a golden edge, the plaza outside the Papal Palace was already bustling with activity.
The vast plaza, paved with white jade, gleamed like a mirror.
At this moment, it was almost completely covered by a surging crowd.
Spirit masters, nobles, and loyal followers of the Spirit Hall from various kingdoms and duchies across the continent had gathered here early, eagerly anticipating the arrival. A fiery excitement and anticipation filled the air, and the clamor of discussions rose and fell like the tides.
"Finally, this day has come! The finals are finally about to begin!"
"I wonder which team will stand out this year and receive His Holiness the Pope's personal reward?"
"Look! That's the Star Luo Empire's royal team, they're so powerful!"
"The Heaven Dou Empire's seeded team is here too, I heard they have a monster named Tang Chuan…"
Various flags fluttered in the breeze, representing different academies and empires.
Immediately, all eyes focused on the towering gates of the Papal Palace, a symbol of the highest power of the Spirit Hall.
Suddenly, a solemn horn sounded, piercing the clamor and clearly echoing throughout the entire square.
The crowd fell silent instantly, tens of thousands of gazes turning to the side entrance of the Papal Palace.
A group of twelve figures in scarlet robes emerged in orderly fashion.
Their robes were embroidered with intricate gold patterns, and their aura was deep and powerful. They were the twelve cardinals, second only to the platinum bishops in esteemed status.
With steady steps, they reached the massive main gate of the Papal Palace, then stood on either side, six on each side, like two imposing honor guards.
A moment later, the leading cardinal took a deep breath, channeled his soul power, and his loud, solemn voice, like rolling thunder, resounded throughout the entire Papal Mountain and even most of Spirit City:
"His Holiness the Pope has arrived—"
"Long live! Long live! Long live!"
Three shouts, like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing, erupted from the gleaming armor of the Temple Knights lined up on both sides of the Papal Mountain steps!
This cry quickly spread, infecting all the Soul Masters and citizens in Spirit City who, though unable to be there in person, were also eagerly awaiting his arrival. The sound waves surged, reaching the heavens, as if the entire city was trembling, expressing the highest faith and reverence for the Pope!
The next second, the massive temple doors slowly opened, and a brilliant golden light seemed to surge forth from another world, illuminating the platform before the doors like a divine realm.
Then, Bibi Dong's figure clearly appeared before everyone.
She wore a nine-curved purple-gold crown, held a papal scepter inlaid with countless jewels, and wore an exquisitely luxurious golden gown that accentuated her stunning beauty, making her appear both majestic and sacred.
She simply stood there, like the center of the world, absorbing all light and attention.
"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope!"
A deafening roar of homage erupted once more, sweeping across the entire plaza like a tidal wave.
Whether it was the paladins, cardinals, soul masters and nobles from various kingdoms and duchies, or even most of the students and teachers from the participating academies, at this moment, with piety and reverence, they all knelt on one knee before Bibi Dong.
This was submission to the highest authority of the Spirit Hall, and the proper etiquette for the strong.
However, amidst this sea of kneeling people, a small group stood out like unyielding rocks in a turbulent current.
Tianxing Academy!
Led by Tang Chuan, Dugu Bo, Xiao Ruier, Ning Rongrong, and others stood quietly, their postures upright. Upon seeing Bibi Dong, they showed no intention of kneeling.
This small group from Tianxing Academy stood out starkly against the backdrop of kneeling figures in the square, like cranes among chickens!
Almost instantly, the members of the Spirit Hall glared angrily at the Tianxing Academy group.
At this moment, Bibi Dong's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Tianxing Academy's refusal to bow, though arrogant, was within her expectations. With Dugu Bo and Tang Chuan present, any outrageous action they might take was not surprising.
However, when her gaze swept over the golden figure beside Tang Chuan, Bibi Dong's fingers gripping the scepter tightened imperceptibly.
Xiao Ruier?
In that single glance, a strange feeling inexplicably rose within Bibi Dong.
The feeling came abruptly, without reason, yet was exceptionally clear.
Bibi Dong's soul power is currently at level 98. If it weren't for the Rakshasa God Trial suppressing some of her soul power, she would already be a level 99 Peerless Douluo standing at the pinnacle of the continent. Her spiritual power and perception of all things have long since reached a transcendent level.
"What a strange feeling, what exactly is her identity?"
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[end of the chapter]