Looking at the majestic yet kind figure before her, Qian Renxue's long-suppressed grievances instantly burst forth, and the tears brimming in her golden eyes rolled down.
She took a few steps forward, like a fledgling seeking shelter, and threw herself into Qian Daoliu's broad and warm embrace.
Qian Daoliu gently held her, as if protecting the most precious treasure in the World.
When he lowered his head and saw the trace of blood not yet completely wiped from Qian Renxue's lips, a subtle hint of heartache and understanding flashed in his deep eyes, and he said, "You've seen her, haven't you?"
Hearing this, Qian Renxue, in his arms, stiffened slightly, then nodded gently, letting out a choked 'hmm' through her nose.
"Actually, she's also in a lot of pain. After all, she wasn't the one at fault back then, and her feelings for you aren't what you imagine," Qian Daoliu sighed almost imperceptibly.
At these words, Qian Renxue suddenly looked up from her grandfather's embrace, her tear-filled eyes fixed on the closest person she had always regarded as her only reliance, and said with disbelief, "Grandfather, are you... not even going to help me? You know how she treated me!"
Seeing the deep disappointment in his granddaughter's eyes, a complex and helpless expression crossed Qian Daoliu's face. He gently shook his head, his tone calm but with an undeniable resolve, saying,
"It's not that I won't help, but that I can't."
"Many times, Bibi Dong's actions are a bit aggressive, but from the perspective of the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall, not everything she does is entirely wrong. She needs to weigh the interests and future of the entire Spirit Hall. What's more..."
At this point, his gaze became distant, even carrying a hint of indescribable relief, "In today's Spirit Hall, her influence has actually surpassed mine."
"What?!" Hearing this, Qian Renxue's delicate body trembled, greatly startled, and even the tears flowing from her eyes instantly stopped. She almost suspected she had misheard, saying,
"This... this is impossible! You are the High Priest, the guardian of the Angel God!"
Qian Daoliu smiled faintly, a smile filled with doting affection for his granddaughter and a clear understanding of reality. He then gently wiped away Qian Renxue's tear stains, earnestly instructing 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 true within our Spirit Hall."
"Bibi Dong's talent and perseverance far exceed ordinary people. Her strength is now no less than mine. And she is still so young, her future is limitless. Perhaps in the future... she might truly become the first person in the Douluo Continent in the last ten thousand years to reach that level!"
"Let alone those in the Elder Palace who have already chosen to support her; even I would now support her. Because the ability and courage she has displayed are destined to lead Spirit Hall to a brighter future. What you need to do is not oppose her, but assist her well."
At the end, he sighed, looking at Qian Renxue's still incredulous eyes.
"No matter what happened, no matter what, she is still your mother after all."
Hearing this, Qian Renxue stared blankly at Qian Daoliu, her Heart-Nature in a chaotic mess.
"If she truly cares for Spirit Hall, she should plan more carefully! Yes, everything Bibi Dong does might be for the expansion of Spirit Hall, but she doesn't understand that her sometimes reckless actions will only disrupt my plans and push potential threats completely to the opposing side!" After a moment of silence, Qian Renxue suddenly looked up at Qian Daoliu and retorted.
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu's deep gaze fixed on his granddaughter, already understanding her meaning, and he slowly said, "You're referring to... her sending people to assassinate Tang Chuan?"
Qian Renxue nodded forcefully, her golden eyes filled with undeniable resolve, saying,
"Precisely! Tang Chuan is a person of extraordinary talent, and his Heart-Nature far surpasses his peers. If he could be used by our Spirit Hall, his value would be far greater than killing him!"
Qian Daoliu looked at the almost desperate protectiveness in his granddaughter's eyes, remained silent for a moment, then spoke in a low but Thousand Weight-like voice, seriously saying,
"Xiaoxue, clear your head. Tang Chuan is, after all, Tang Hao's son. Their family has an unresolvable blood feud with Spirit Hall. The talent and Opportunity this child has shown are already terrifying. If he is allowed to grow, he will surely become a major hidden danger for Spirit Hall in the future, and must be eliminated."
"Precisely because of this, he must be won over even more!" Hearing this, Qian Renxue seemed very unconvinced, her tone carrying her unique stubbornness and confidence, saying,
"Grandfather, I have confidence! As long as you give me time, I can make him let go of his hatred and serve Spirit Hall! Killing is never the best way to solve problems; control and utilization are!"
Seeing her so vehemently refute and defend Tang Chuan, even with an extraordinary concern, a flash of understanding and deep worry flickered in Qian Daoliu's eyes, and he couldn't help but say,
"Xiaoxue, you defend him so much, you... you haven't fallen for that boy, have you?"
"You need to think clearly, his mother died because of your father! There is such a great blood feud between you, how... how could you possibly win him over? This is simply..."
"I haven't!" Qian Renxue, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, abruptly interrupted Qian Daoliu's words, a blush uncontrollably rising on her cheeks. She retorted urgently, but her tone was inexplicably lacking in confidence, "Grandfather, I am purely acting from the interests of Spirit Hall! Isn't winning over a Genius more valuable than creating a mortal enemy? Why do you always have to think in that direction!"
Looking at his granddaughter's appearance, which was excited with a hint of embarrassment, and stubborn yet hiding an imperceptible panic, Qian Daoliu seemed to understand everything in his Heart-Nature.
He understood Qian Renxue; her reaction at this moment had already gone beyond mere consideration of interests.
Gazing deeply at his granddaughter, Qian Daoliu's eyes seemed to penetrate all disguises.
Under his gaze, Qian Renxue somewhat unnaturally shifted her sight.
"Alas, Xiaoxue." After a long time, Qian Daoliu let out a long and complex sigh, full of helplessness and heartache for his granddaughter.
He knew that some things, if forced, could not be stopped.
Too much pressure might push his granddaughter even further away.
"Forget it... Since you are so insistent. I promise you, for now... I will not send anyone from the Hall of Worship to act against that boy anymore." Qian Daoliu's Heart-Nature softened after all. He gently waved his hand, his tone carrying a hint of compromise and deep weariness, saying,
"If you have nothing else to do, go back as soon as possible. The Heaven Dou Empire cannot do without you; if you leave for too long, changes might occur."
This was both concern and a reminder not to forget her duties and identity.
Upon hearing her grandfather's promise, Qian Renxue's Heart-Nature immediately relaxed, knowing this was the best outcome she could achieve for now.
She nodded, composed herself, and reverted to her calm and self-possessed demeanor as an infiltrator.
"Yes, Grandfather, then I will return now."
After respectfully bowing, Qian Renxue turned and left, but her departing figure, to Qian Daoliu, seemed a few shades heavier than when she arrived.
Watching her disappear outside the palace gate, Qian Daoliu slowly turned around, his gaze once again falling upon the tall Seraphim statue, and he murmured to himself,
"The word 'love' is the most difficult to understand. Xiaoxue, I hope you don't follow in your mother's footsteps... for this path is destined to be fraught with thorns."
... The next day, early morning.
When the first ray of dawn had just pierced through the clouds, gilding Spirit City with a golden edge, the square outside the Supreme Pontiff Palace was already bustling with people.
The enormous square, paved with white jade, was so polished it reflected people.
At this moment, it was almost covered by the surging crowd.
Soul Masters, nobles, and loyal followers of Spirit Hall from various kingdoms and duchies across the Continent had gathered here early, eagerly looking forward. The air was filled with a fervent excitement and anticipation, and the clamor of discussions rose and fell like tides.
"Finally, this day has come! The grand finals are finally about to begin!"
"I wonder which team will stand out this year and receive the personal commendation of His Holiness the Supreme Pontiff?"
"Look quickly! That's the Star Luo Empire's Royal Battle Team, their Aura is so strong!"
"The Heaven Dou Empire's seeded team is also here. I heard they have a monster named Tang Chuan..."
Various flags fluttered in the breeze, representing different academies and Empires.
Immediately after, everyone's gaze simultaneously focused on the grand entrance of the majestic Supreme Pontiff Palace, which symbolized the highest authority of Spirit Hall.
Suddenly, a solemn and majestic horn call cut through the clamor, clearly echoing across the entire square.
The crowd instantly quieted down, tens of thousands of gazes uniformly turning towards the side gate of the Supreme Pontiff Palace.
A team of figures dressed in scarlet robes slowly walked out in an orderly fashion.
There were twelve of them in total, their robes embroidered with intricate golden patterns, their Aura profound and powerful. They were the twelve Cardinals, esteemed in status, second only to the Platinum Bishops.
These individuals walked with steady steps until they reached the front of the Supreme Pontiff Palace's grand main entrance, then split to stand on either side, six on each, like two rows of majestic honor guards.
A moment later, the leading Cardinal took a deep breath, channeled his Soul Power, and his loud and solemn voice, like rolling thunder, spread across the entire Supreme Pontiff Mountain, and even most of Spirit City:
"His Holiness the Supreme Pontiff arrives—"
"Long live! Long live! Long live!"
Three shouts, like a mountain collapse and a sea roar, erupted from the phalanxes of armored and shining Temple Knights arrayed on both sides of the Supreme Pontiff Mountain steps!
This cheer quickly spread, infecting all the Soul Masters and common people within Spirit City who, though unable to be present, were equally looking forward. The wave of sound surged, piercing the sky, as if the entire city trembled with it, expressing the highest faith and reverence for the Supreme Pontiff!
The next second, the enormous palace doors slowly opened, and a brilliant golden light seemed to pour out from another World, illuminating the high platform in front of the doors like a divine realm.
Immediately after, Bibi Dong's figure clearly appeared before everyone.
She wore a nine-curved purple-gold crown, held the Supreme Pontiff Scepter inlaid with countless gems, and was adorned in an exquisitely luxurious, brilliant golden long gown, which accentuated her beautiful face with incomparable majesty and sanctity.
She merely stood there.
As if she were the center of the World, absorbing all light and attention.
"Greetings, Your Holiness the Supreme Pontiff!"
The mountain-and-sea-like sounds of worship rose again, sweeping across the entire square like a tide.
Whether it was the Temple Knights, the Cardinals, the Soul Masters and nobles from various kingdoms and duchies, or even most of the students and teachers from the participating academies, all, at this moment, with piety and reverence, knelt on one knee and bowed towards Bibi Dong.
This was an act of submission to the highest authority of Spirit Hall, and also the proper etiquette for a powerful individual.
However, amidst this uniformly kneeling crowd, there was a small group of people, like unmoving rocks in a raging current, that stood out conspicuously.
Tianxing Academy!
Led by Tang Chuan, Dugu Bo, Xiao Rui'er, Ning Rongrong, and others stood quietly, their figures erect. Upon seeing Bibi Dong, they showed no intention of bending their knees.
This small group from Tianxing Academy, in the square filled with kneeling people, instantly became incredibly conspicuous, like a crane among chickens!
Almost instantly, all those belonging to Spirit Hall glared angrily at the Tianxing Academy members.
At this moment, Bibi Dong's brow also furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Tianxing Academy's refusal to salute, though arrogant, was within her expectations. With Dugu Bo and that Tang Chuan present, any outrageous behavior from them was not surprising.
However, when her gaze swept over the golden figure beside Tang Chuan, Bibi Dong's fingertips, gripping the scepter, tightened almost imperceptibly.
Xiao Rui'er?
Just that one glance, an inexplicable and strange feeling arose in Bibi Dong's Heart-Nature.
The feeling came very abruptly, without reason, yet it was exceptionally clear.
Bibi Dong's current Soul Power was as high as ninety-eight levels. If not for undergoing the Rakshasa God's trial, which suppressed part of her Soul Power, she would have already been a ninety-ninth level super Douluo standing at the Peak of the Continent. Her mental force and perception of all things had long been acutely honed to an extraordinary level.
"What a strange feeling, what exactly is her identity?"
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