Do You Have a Grudge Against Each Other?

Today's encounter with Qian Renxue had been accidental.

But everything that happened afterward had been entirely within Su Cheng's calculations.

In his view, Qian Renxue was far more difficult to deal with than Bibi Dong.

Both women were heaven-blessed geniuses, yet they were completely different kinds of people.

Bibi Dong's pride was the sort of pride all geniuses possessed—the conviction that no hero in the world could compare to her.

That was why Yu Xiaogang had been able to attract Bibi Dong, the foremost figure of their generation, by standing alone in another field.

But such things were absolutely beneath Qian Renxue's notice.

Qian Renxue's pride was the arrogance of a monarch. Thunder and rain alike were imperial favor.

If he could not suppress her in the field she was proudest of, at most he could become one of her chess pieces. That was clearly unacceptable to Su Cheng.

Thus, in the Library Pavilion, he had first provoked her with his words, enraging the self-confident Qian Renxue through an arrogant attitude. He then took the opportunity to engage her in a Soul Master duel and won despite being an entire major realm below her.

That had been the first step: suppressing the talent she took greatest pride in with strength and knowledge.

Afterward, he had criticized and mocked her without reservation, using forcefulness and denial to shake her convictions. That had been the second step.

Now came the third step: completely overwhelming Qian Renxue in presence, then, once she began to doubt herself, moving her with emotion and melting her coldness through a resonance of the heart.

When Su Cheng had said earlier that he could sense the loneliness in her heart, he had been completely making it up.

Qian Renxue had infiltrated the Heaven Dou Imperial Family at such a young age, thoroughly grasped Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's personality and habits before replacing him, and then spent twenty years plotting to usurp the throne without revealing a trace. Her scheming and depth of mind were practically monstrous. How could anyone possibly detect the ripples in her heart?

But Su Cheng had the script in his hands.

Her parents were enemies in all but name. She had been hated by her mother since childhood, while those her age stood worlds apart from her in status.

How could a child raised that way not be lonely? If she had not been strong-willed and mature beyond her years, she would have fallen into depression long ago.

Still, Su Cheng's sympathy for Qian Renxue was genuine.

Among the major female characters of Douluo Continent, Qian Renxue was the only one who had more or less managed to preserve her characterization and dignity.

If she had not been set up by that damned God Test and ended up with a mother as awful as Bibi Dong, her fate would not have been so tragic.

Su Cheng's heart was full of calculations.

But Qian Renxue clearly did not see it that way.

An outsider who knew nothing about her had somehow sensed the feelings she had kept buried inside—and this person was exceptional in every respect.

Other than his insufficient innate talent, he surpassed her in every way.

Faced with such a "kindred spirit," the defenses around her heart instantly crumbled.

"Mr. Su, I am willing to become your disciple. Please guide my cultivation."

Qian Renxue's eyes shone brightly, brilliant as stars.

Side Quest completed. Reward obtained: Martial Soul Talent Domain.

"Not just cultivation." Su Cheng smiled gently. "I will also teach you how to cultivate your heart."

"Cultivate... my heart?" Qian Renxue looked puzzled.

She did not understand what Su Cheng meant.

"Yes, cultivate your heart." Su Cheng nodded and extended his right hand, summoning his unremarkable two-ring Martial Soul.

"Look at my Martial Soul. It underwent a malignant mutation, and my Innate Soul Power was only level 0.5. Yet if I told you that it could one day bear nine Soul Rings, would you believe me?"

"I would!" Qian Renxue nodded without the slightest hesitation.

"Yes, you believe it now. But what about before? In other words, if anyone else with Innate Soul Power of only level 0.5 said the same thing to you, would you believe them? Why do you think I can do it?"

"Because... you have already done so many things that others could not."

Su Cheng nodded lightly, studying the Martial Soul in his hand.

"You see, when it comes to talent, I am far inferior to you. Calling me mediocre would be praise. I am Sword Douluo Chen Xin's adopted son, yet I only know three moves of Basic Sword Technique. That is because my talent for the sword is so poor that I simply cannot comprehend my adoptive father's Seven Kill Swordplay."

The young girl's eyes widened slightly.

When Su Cheng had said earlier that he had not learned the Seven Kill Swordplay, she had guessed many possible reasons. Never had she imagined it would be this one.

"Since childhood, I have swung a sword countless millions of times, yet I have only ever practiced these three strikes. But look—even these three simplest sword techniques defeated you, despite you being an entire major realm above me.

"To become a true powerhouse, talent alone is not enough. If you never encounter an opponent, it can only mean that everyone else in the world is too mediocre."

Qian Renxue, seated across from him, suddenly felt her heart tremble.

She found it difficult to imagine what sort of state of mind Su Cheng had possessed to speak such words.

Su Cheng did not know of the shock in the young girl's heart.

But he truly did intend to cultivate Qian Renxue well, and those words had come from his heart.

Bibi Dong should have already begun the Rakshasa God Test. With her Twin Martial Souls, Qian Renxue would not find it easy to catch up. Su Cheng had no intention of holding anything back.

"From now on, you only need to focus on three things.

"First, starting today, come here every day to collect medicine and take it."

As he spoke, he took a bottle of pale green medicine from his Soul Tool and placed it on the table.

"This is a type of Mixed Herbs I developed. If Soul Masters below level 60 take it over a long period, it can greatly improve their Spiritual Power and lay the foundation for you to absorb a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring at level 40."

Although Qian Renxue's Soul Ring years would also increase once the God Test began later, strengthening her foundation now would not be wasted effort. It could help her begin the God Test earlier.

Of course, a high-year Head Soul Bone could accomplish the same thing in one step, but Su Cheng knew that she would absorb the Angel Set in the future, so that method could not be used.

"Second, read more." He pointed at the books that nearly filled the room. "I will select books suitable for you. Reading can enrich your knowledge and increase your wisdom. It is one of the best ways to cultivate your heart."

Qian Renxue opened her mouth to speak, but Su Cheng cut her off with a wave of his hand.

"I am not finished. Third, cultivate with all your strength and raise your Soul Power Level. I have a rough idea of how long each level will take you to advance, and I will arrange your Soul Ring choices."

With that, he indicated that she could ask her questions.

At this point, Qian Renxue's expression instead became somewhat conflicted. After hesitating for a long while, she finally said quietly, "I am afraid I do not have enough time..."

Su Cheng frowned but said nothing, merely staring into her eyes as he waited for an explanation.

"I have a mission now. Most of the time, I am not in Spirit City."

"What mission could be more important than your own cultivation?" Su Cheng sneered. "If I remember correctly, you are the Former Pope's daughter, and the High Priest of Spirit Hall is your grandfather?"

"..."

"Then I really do not understand. You are at the golden age for cultivation. What kind of talent can withstand being squandered and wasted like this? You may not understand, but does your grandfather not understand either?"

Su Cheng lightly tapped the tabletop with his finger and demanded, "Given your status, only the Current Pope could assign you a mission, right? Do you have a grudge against each other?"

Thank you to Tucaoyixia for the 100 reward, and thank you to all Reader Lords for your Monthly Tickets and recommendation tickets. Please keep reading during the new book period.