The next morning.
The dawn broke through the thin mist that shrouded Spirit City, and pale golden morning light streamed down through the gaps in the towering dome of the Angel Temple, landing on the white jade pillars inside the temple, which were carved with Angel patterns.
The entire temple remained silent for most of the year, with only Qian Daoliu occasionally coming here to pray.
Today was different. The palace doors were open, and the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms wafted in from outside, dispelling the solemn and cold atmosphere that had long settled inside.
Qian Daoliu dressed in a white and gold Angel robe, the very one he had found after rummaging through his belongings last night. The Angel wing patterns on the hem shone brightly in the morning light.
Instead of standing beneath the Angel God Statue as usual, he stood in the center of the temple, glancing occasionally toward the temple entrance, his expression revealing barely suppressed anxiety and anticipation.
Not far behind him, Bibi Dong stood quietly.
The dark purple Pope robes clashed starkly with the warm, golden aura of Angels that filled the hall.
Bibi Dong held the gilded scepter at an angle in her palm, the gem at the top of the scepter lying quietly, without the slightest glimmer of light.
She shouldn't have come here. The Angel Temple is the sacred ground of the Qian clan and the home ground of Qian Daoliu. The resentment between her and this Great Enshrined is deeply rooted. When they meet, their words are always sharp and biting.
But after hearing last night that Xue'er's Martial Soul could be repaired, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
The thought of Qian Renxue repairing her Martial Soul here today overshadowed all the antagonism between her and Qian Daoliu, a worry that had been hanging over her for so long.
She arrived, standing quietly at the edge of the shadows, neither speaking nor leaving.
Qian Daoliu caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye, his brows furrowed involuntarily, and a feeling of rejection welled up inside him.
In any other situation, he would have certainly spoken up and reprimanded her for stepping into the Angel Temple. But the words stuck in his throat.
Today is a big day for Xiao Xue.
Bibi Dong, as a mother, should indeed have been present.
Qian Daoliu let out a heavy sigh, suppressing his displeasure, turned his head, and asked in a cold voice, "Why are you here?"
Bibi Dong lowered her eyelids slightly, her long eyelashes concealing the turbulent emotions surging within them. Her voice was calm and even, revealing no emotion. "Since it concerns Xiao Xue, of course I had to come."
"Hmph, you still have feelings for her?"
Qian Daoliu let out a low snort, his tone tinged with mockery and barely concealed resentment, "For so many years, your coldness and indifference towards her have been obvious to everyone. I thought you didn't care about this daughter at all."
These words were like a fine needle, gently pricking Bibi Dong's heart.
Her fingers tightened slightly, the edge of the scepter digging into her palm, causing a dull ache. She looked up at Qian Daoliu, her purplish-gold pupils calm as still water. "Whether I care or not is none of my business to prove to the Great Enshrined. I only want her to be safe."
"Furthermore, what right do you have to criticize me for what happened back then? If you hadn't indulged the beast you raised, how could those things have happened?"
"Your son is dead, but the harm he caused to me and Xiao Xue is something you can never repay in your lifetime."
Upon hearing Bibi Dong's words, Qian Daoliu's anger flared up.
Bibi Dong could clearly see that there was a ferocious lion hidden in his eyes, as if it were about to pounce and tear her to pieces at any moment.
She had no doubt that Qian Daoliu would kill her at that moment.
But after a while, Qian Daoliu lowered his head, his eyes filled with dejection.
"That's enough." Qian Daoliu waved his hand, ceasing his argument, and turned his gaze back to the entrance of the hall.
"Let's set aside our differences for now. Xiao Xue needs to repair her Martial Soul; there can be no accidents."
Bibi Dong nodded slightly and did not reply.
The two of them stood silently on either side of the Angel Temple.
A faint sense of confrontation still lingered in the air, but there was no murderous intent to draw swords.
Time passed slowly, the morning light grew brighter, and finally two steady footsteps echoed outside the palace.
Qian Daoliu's eyes lit up instantly, and he took half a step forward.
Bibi Dong's originally calm body tensed up, and her gaze passed over the palace gate and landed on the two figures walking in.
Su Zui walked beside him, dressed in a silver-white robe, his posture upright and his expression composed. He slightly turned his head to look at Qian Renxue beside him.
Qian Renxue wore a saintly long dress, her long golden hair falling over her shoulders, and her usually sharp features had softened considerably.
After crying last night, there were still faint red marks under my eyes, but my emotions had calmed down.
She looked up at the magnificent Angel Temple, gazing at the enormous Angel God Statue inside, her heart pounding gently.
"Don't be afraid, I'm with you," Su Zui whispered, her voice only audible to the two of them.
Qian Renxue turned her head to look at him, meeting his firm and gentle gaze. Her tense heartstrings relaxed slightly, and she nodded gently.
The two entered the Angel Temple side by side.
"Grandpa." Qian Renxue looked at Qian Daoliu first, her voice soft.
Qian Daoliu's solemn expression instantly softened, and he carefully examined her, scrutinizing her complexion and Soul Power fluctuations. His tone relaxed as he asked, "Xiao Xue, you're here. Are you ready?"
Qian Renxue followed his gaze and looked at Bibi Dong, who stood quietly to the side. Their eyes met; Bibi Dong's eyes remained restrained, revealing little emotion, but Qian Renxue could detect the worry hidden deep within them. She hesitated for a moment, then softly called out, "Mother."
Upon hearing this address, Bibi Dong's body trembled involuntarily.
Then, she gave a soft "hmm" sound, very softly.
Bibi Dong's gaze lingered on Qian Renxue for a long time before slowly shifting to Su Zui: "You brought everything? Can those things really repair Xiao Xue's Martial Soul?"
"Hmm." Su Zui responded, walked to the center of the temple, and stopped in front of the white jade altar in front of the Angel God Statue.
Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong also approached, standing on either side of the altar, their gazes fixed on Su Zui.
The scene that Su Zui saw in her sweet deduction, which was used to repair Qian Renxue's damaged Angel Martial Soul, consisted of the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, and the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent Inner Core.
Now that everything is gathered, it's time.
Su Zui raised his hand, and the Space Soul Tool flashed with a faint light, with three items appearing one after another on the altar.
The first one was a rare flower, entirely bright red, with petals layered upon each other, resembling a beating red heart. A faint blood-red halo flowed across the petals, and its fragrance Qing Ya, neither strong nor overpowering.
This is precisely the Lovesick Heartbreak Red.
The second item is an Immortal Herb with emerald green leaves and fiery red petals.
The petals resemble the outstretched tail feathers of a phoenix, with golden-red veins meandering among the leaves, exuding a continuous and vibrant vitality— the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower.
The third item is an inner core that is entirely crimson, with fine golden patterns Entanglement its surface. Inside, it seems as if lava is slowly flowing, radiating a domineering and scorching aura.
This is the inner core they obtained from slaying the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpents on the Hell Road.
The moment the three treasures appeared, the entire atmosphere within the Angel Temple changed.