The Plan Begins, Parting Reluctantly

Su He nearly spat out a mouthful of blood upon hearing the news.

"Uncle Qian, Uncle Qian, why do you love courting death so much? Don't you know Tang Hao is a cheat? Did you think having level 96 Soul Power meant you could swagger around wherever you pleased? Even I can't save you now."

Su He was utterly speechless. He had done everything he could to help Qian Xunji escape his original fate and had even helped him grow stronger, yet the man had still met with such an accident.

But the more he thought about it, the more this matter failed to hold up under scrutiny.

Tang Hao had suffered grave injuries in the battle a year ago. Where had he found the strength this time to severely wound a level 96 Qian Xunji? Su He strongly suspected that the God Realm was plotting behind this.

Saving Qian Xunji again was no longer an option. Su He had already given Qian Xunji the heavenly treasures from the system's novice gift pack. He had done all he could, and even if he completed the mission and obtained a second Immortal Herb, it would not change the natural law that a person could only consume one of such items.

In other words, Qian Xunji was beyond saving.

A strange feeling suddenly welled up in Su He's heart.

Was this the arrangement of fate?

But a lion never bowed its head. It gave its all even when hunting a rabbit, and felt no fear when facing an elephant.

If this was fate's arrangement, then he would fight this damned fate to the bitter end.

Fortunately, good news soon arrived. To apologize to his sect, Tang Hao had decided to return the sect's soul bone and sever one of his own arms. If Sect Master Tang Xiao had not desperately stopped him, he would have even cut off a leg to demonstrate his loyalty to the sect.

Even so, Tang Hao's Soul Power had fallen by ten levels, and he had lost the ability to use his ninth soul ring. This was good news for Su He. At least he no longer had to worry about being smashed to death by Tang Hao's hammer during the Spirit Master Tournament. After all, level 95 Tang Hao and level 85 Tang Hao were worlds apart.

Even if level 85 Tang Hao suddenly attacked, the Titled Douluo present would certainly be able to stop him. This greatly increased Su He's safety before he had fully matured.

"The butterfly effect has begun, Tang San," Su He said in a low voice. "Let's take our time."

At that moment, within the Asura God Palace of the God Realm—

"The hidden pawn I left in Douluo Continent to protect that child has lost a massive amount of his fortune. What exactly happened?!" The Asura God was somewhat anxious. Yet the God of Destruction was watching him closely at all times. Other than matters concerning Slaughter City, he could not interfere in anything on Douluo Continent.

Clearly, if Su He had witnessed this scene, the truth behind that battle a year ago would have become obvious. Tang Hao, who had just obtained his ninth soul ring, had received the aid of Asura Divine Power. He had been incomparably fierce, using one hammer to take on three and accomplishing a feat no one else could. Even Qian Xunji, whose Soul Power had reached level 95 at the time, had been left with little ability to resist before being hammered into a heavily wounded state.

Three days later, Qian Xunji "died of severe injuries" in his bedchamber. Su He held Qian Renxue, who was weeping uncontrollably in the mourning hall, and comforted her.

The father who had doted on Qian Renxue had ultimately left her. Perhaps it truly was fate's arrangement. Even though the butterfly had struggled to beat its wings, some predetermined facts still could not be changed.

Knowing that the Qian family had wronged Bibi Dong, Qian Daoliu did not pursue the true details behind Qian Xunji's death. Instead, he chose to support Bibi Dong's rise as the Pope of Spirit Hall. The thing Su He feared most had still happened.

I just wonder how badly Bibi Dong's mind has broken. Can she still be even a little normal? Su He thought helplessly. I'll deal with whatever comes. We'll take things one step at a time.

Three days later, within the Side Hall of the Worship Hall, at Su He's residence.

"I'm leaving." After leaving behind those words, the golden-haired girl fell silent. "I probably won't be coming back anytime soon."

Su He looked at her without speaking. The two of them simply remained silent.

"Aren't you going to say something?" In the end, Qian Renxue could not hold back any longer and was the first to break the silence.

"If I told you not to go, would you listen to me?" Su He raised his head and looked at Qian Renxue. "I heard about the plan. There's no need for you to personally go and infiltrate the Heaven Dou Empire. Spirit Hall is full of talented people, and you aren't the only one with disguise abilities."

"So what if that's true? But our ancestor, who hadn't sent any word for a long time, suddenly delivered a divine decree." Qian Renxue sighed. "What can I do even if I don't want to go?"

Su He narrowed his eyes. In his view, this matter was simply far too suspicious.

"Sister Xue'er, I know you've always had your own mind. But if you still see me as your little brother, remember this: always put strength first."

Su He's golden eyes stared into Qian Renxue's beautiful purple eyes, while her gaze shifted away slightly.

"Only with strength can we have enough say within Spirit Hall." With that, Su He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Qian Renxue's waist, quietly taking in the girl's fragrance.

"And I will always stand by Sister Xue'er's side and support you. Give me a few years to grow stronger, and I'll come to the Heaven Dou Empire to help you." He paused before continuing, "Help you sweep aside every obstacle."

Qian Renxue stared at the boy before her, who was hugging her while acting like a little adult, and suddenly felt dazed. Then she said with a hint of resentment, "You brat, talking so big. Fine, before I leave, let your big sister test your strength!"

Su He keenly sensed danger and immediately turned to run. When he looked back, four soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple—had appeared around Qian Renxue. Her beautiful Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul Possession manifested, and she threw a punch at Su He.

"Abyssal Golden Lion!" Knowing he could not escape, Su He underwent Martial Soul Possession and let out a lion's roar at Qian Renxue. "First Spirit Skill, Golden Lion Battle Physique!" After greatly increasing his defense, Su He prepared to take the beating.

"Little lion, you dare roar at your Sister Xue'er? Just watch me beat you up..."

(One thousand words omitted below: a large-scale domestic violence scene.)

After tiring herself out, Qian Renxue sat on the lawn in the back garden with Su He in her arms. The two looked at each other without speaking.

"When are you leaving?" Su He asked first.

"Tomorrow afternoon. Xue Qinghe will be leaving the palace to hunt, and I'll use that opportunity to approach him and learn his daily habits," Qian Renxue said. "I'll leave overnight tonight, taking Uncle She and Uncle Cixue with me."

"Protect yourself. If anything happens, you can always write to me." Su He held her, savoring the final warmth before their parting. Then he noticed that Qian Renxue had begun to sob.

"Waaah... Dad, why did you leave me...?"

Su He sighed. He still decided that he would tell her the truth once the time was right, but not now.

"Sister Xue'er, you will never be alone. Everyone in the Worship Hall will always be your family. We will always stand behind you."

The lingering glow of the setting sun slowly faded, and dusk was drawing near.

Su He stood before the carriage, looking at the two elders and Qian Renxue inside.

"I'm leaving."

"Mm."

There were no more words. Yet the reluctance in their eyes was ready to spill over. More than seven years of companionship would end with their separation today—how could Su He bear to part from her?

As the hoofbeats faded into the distance, the sun gradually set. Su He forced his gaze away from the departing carriage, then returned to his residence without looking back and began meditating.

"Heaven Dou... I'll be there."

Qian Xunji had to die. No matter how many reasons there were, the crime of rape could not be forgiven. Although the author also disliked Bibi Dong, that ungrateful wretch, once Qian Xunji died, Spirit Hall would no longer owe Bibi Dong anything. It would also help advance the plot.

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