Qian Xunji

"I do!" Qian Renxue said loudly.

"Then after morning training, I'll give you some to drink every day, okay?"

A hint of amusement flashed through Shen Nuonuo's orange eyes.

This drink was actually very simple—just boiled water, salt, and a little sugar.

Drinking it after a run replenished the body's salts.

"Okay, I'll listen to you, Sister!" Qian Renxue nodded obediently.

Shen Nuonuo was very satisfied. "Little Xue is so good~"

"Sister, can you come with me to the Pope's Palace? I miss Father and Mother." Qian Renxue's eyes suddenly grew a little moist.

Shen Nuonuo agreed, partly because of Qian Renxue, and partly because she was also curious about what the legendary Secret Chamber Douluo was really like.

The two headed toward the Pope's Palace.

Spirit Hall, before the Pope's Palace.

Shen Nuonuo and Qian Renxue proceeded without obstruction until they reached the front of the hall, where an Elder stood guard.

"Who goes there!"

The man wore white robes, yet his voice was as soft and delicate as a baby's. His bewitching appearance gave off a peculiar impression, making it impossible to discern his age. If not for the Adam's apple on his neck, no one would have thought he was actually a man.

He wore the crimson ceremonial robes only Titled Douluo were qualified to wear. The red robes were inlaid with golden and silver patterns, and the gemstone on his chest, shining with golden light and as large as a baby's fist, radiated an especially noble air.

This was Moon Guan, the Chrysanthemum Douluo she had met only yesterday.

Moon Guan turned around and saw Shen Nuonuo and Qian Renxue arriving. Not daring to slight them in the least, he immediately came forward. "Greetings, Young Master, Miss."

"Uncle Moon Guan."

"Elder Ju."

Shen Nuonuo and Qian Renxue responded politely as well.

Moon Guan smiled and asked, "Young Master, are you here to see His Holiness the Pope?"

"Yes. Please inform him, Uncle." Qian Renxue had not seen Qian Xunji for half a month and missed him dearly.

"Please wait."

Moon Guan immediately went to notify the Pope.

Very soon, he came back out. "His Holiness the Pope invites the Young Master and Miss inside."

Shen Nuonuo and Qian Renxue then entered.

The Pope's Palace was lavishly decorated, no less magnificent than an imperial palace. Even the floor tiles were made from the finest jade.

"Father!" The moment Qian Renxue saw Qian Xunji, she became a little excited and immediately called out.

"Greetings, His Holiness the Pope."

Shen Nuonuo first gave Qian Xunji a thirty-degree bow, then secretly glanced at the legendary Secret Chamber Douluo.

Qian Xunji wore a luxurious black robe embroidered with golden patterns, a Nine-Curved Purple Gold Crown on his head, and held a scepter nearly two meters long, studded with countless gemstones. His entire body exuded an aura of nobility and holiness.

Shen Nuonuo felt that the Secret Chamber Douluo really was rather handsome, much better than Bald Gang.

"No need for formalities. You are the god-granddaughter Father recently acknowledged, correct?" Qian Xunji held Qian Renxue in his arms and smiled gently at Shen Nuonuo.

"Yes," Shen Nuonuo answered respectfully.

"There is no need to be nervous. Father treats you as his own granddaughter, and Little Xue sees you as her own elder sister. If you do not mind, you may call me Father."

Qian Xunji spoke indifferently to Shen Nuonuo. In truth, he was quite dissatisfied that his father had casually taken in a child of unknown origins.

"No need. Thank you for your kindness."

Shen Nuonuo refused decisively. She did not want to acknowledge the Secret Chamber Douluo as her father. What if Bibi Dong killed Qian Xunji later and took her anger out on Shen Nuonuo?

Bibi Dong might not kill Qian Renxue, but that did not mean she would not kill Shen Nuonuo.

Still, in the book, Qian Renxue had said that if not for Qian Daoliu, she would have died long ago. What was that about?

If Bibi Dong wanted to kill Qian Renxue, would that not be easy?

"Very well. I heard from Father that you like Little Xue very much?" Qian Xunji did not force Shen Nuonuo and asked instead.

"Yes."

"What are your plans?"

"To cultivate diligently together with Little Xue."

Shen Nuonuo hurriedly replied.

"Little Xue has not awakened her martial spirit yet. What does cultivating with her even mean?

You are also old enough to attend school. Would you like to study at our Spirit Hall Academy?"

Qian Xunji was somewhat puzzled to see that Shen Nuonuo had no intention of studying under Qian Daoliu.

Logically speaking, there was no one in all of Spirit Hall better to learn from than Qian Daoliu.

Just as Shen Nuonuo was about to refuse, the system sent an alert.

Ding, hidden mission triggered: Go to Spirit Hall Academy and win first place in the Grand Competition. Reward: 10,000 Points.

Shen Nuonuo was speechless. She truly did not want to study with a bunch of little brats. Without Little Xue accompanying her, it would be really boring.

Little Xue would not turn five until next month, so she definitely could not go with her.

But this damned system seemed to have guessed that she did not want to go at all, so it deliberately offered a high reward to tempt her.

Forget it, 10,000 Points. I should go after all!

"His Holiness the Pope, I want to study at Spirit Hall Academy." Shen Nuonuo truly felt that going there would simply be bullying children.

"Father, Little Xue wants to go with Sister too!"

Qian Renxue became unhappy when she saw that Shen Nuonuo was going to school.

If her sister left, she would be alone again.

"No!" Qian Xunji refused decisively. He doted on his daughter, but he would not abandon his principles.

Qian Renxue lowered her head sadly. She knew her father always meant what he said and was difficult to sway.

Shen Nuonuo also did not approve of Qian Renxue going. They were all soul masters—what if she got hurt?

Ding, the primary bound character has been detected as very sad. Hidden mission triggered: Take Qian Renxue to study at Spirit Hall Academy in the same grade. Reward: 2,000 Points.

Shen Nuonuo was speechless =_=

Big Fool, look. Even if I'm willing to take her to Spirit Hall Academy, Qian Xunji won't agree. It'll be dangerous.

How foolish, my dear Host. You can wait until Qian Renxue awakens her martial spirit in a year before going. It's not like you have to do it now.

Shen Nuonuo felt like she was cracking apart. You mean this mission can be completed a year later, right?!

This Big Fool had made her think it had to be done right now.

Of course. I never said it had to be done now!

The system chuckled.

"His Holiness the Pope, can I wait another two years before going?" Shen Nuonuo did not want to go now either. The Points would still be there; they were not going anywhere.

After Qian Renxue lowered her head, Qian Xunji had been comforting his daughter the entire time. Hearing this, he saw through Shen Nuonuo's thoughts. "Do you want to wait and go together with Little Xue?"

"Yes," Shen Nuonuo said frankly.

"Are you sure?"

"I am."

Shen Nuonuo was very calm.

"Sister, this will delay you~" Qian Renxue knew that attending school was an important matter.

"It's okay, Little Xue. I can study with Grandpa and the others." Shen Nuonuo comforted Qian Renxue.

If it were not for the Points, she would not want to go at all.

If she counted from starting kindergarten at age three in her previous life, then she had spent nineteen years studying.

After studying for so long, she had grown tired of it.

"Sister~" Qian Renxue was deeply moved.

Seeing how close they were, Qian Xunji felt much more at ease. "Very well. Once Little Xue awakens her martial spirit, I will arrange for you two to go together."

"Thank you, His Holiness the Pope."

"Thank you, Father!"

Shen Nuonuo and Qian Renxue thanked him together.