When the Mountain Falls, Rely on Yourself

Ya Wen looked at the child named Xu Yu with some surprise.

Like her, he was an auxiliary-type Soul Master.

Those who had not experienced it themselves could never understand how difficult it was for auxiliary-type Soul Masters to cultivate.

If she had not been fortunate enough to cultivate faster in that space, she might not even have reached Soul Emperor now, let alone Spirit Saint.

Ghostly Douluo and Moon Guan, however, felt nothing. They both believed that this child's talent would never amount to much.

Of course, by "amount to much," they meant becoming a Titled Douluo.

Every teacher hoped that their disciples would surpass them. At worst, they hoped their disciples would be about as capable as themselves.

Qian Renxue raised her eyes and became somewhat interested in Xu Yu, who seemed to be around her age.

"Hello, my name is Qian Renxue. I'll be five soon. How old are you?"

Xu Yu was timid. Upon hearing a stranger speak to him, he glanced nervously at his father.

"Reporting to Young Master, my son will turn five in another three months."

Seeing that his son was afraid of strangers, Xu Yin answered in his place.

"Oh, okay. I understand."

Qian Renxue responded simply and withdrew her gaze.

"Then that will be all for now. It's getting late, so we'll be leaving first."

"Someone will come tomorrow to handle the matters here."

Ya Wen also withdrew her gaze and spoke to Lin Wei.

"Yes."

Lin Wei answered respectfully.

Worship Hall.

After escorting Shen Nuonuo, Qian Renxue, and Ya Wen to the entrance of the Worship Hall, Ghostly Douluo and Moon Guan returned to the Elder Hall.

Shen Nuonuo held Qian Renxue's left hand as she walked on Ya Wen's right. Turning her head, she asked, "Sister Ya Wen, do you admire that boy from earlier?"

Ya Wen shook her head, her expression calm. "We only just met. Where would admiration come from?"

"Oh."

"Auntie, Sister, that Xu Yu was so shy. I was originally thinking of taking him in as my little brother!"

With her left hand held, Qian Renxue could only play with her yo-yo using her right hand as she spoke.

Shen Nuonuo and Ya Wen both felt awkward upon hearing that.

Thankfully, Qian Renxue had not said that directly in front of them earlier. Otherwise, it really would have caused a misunderstanding.

"Little Xue, why do you suddenly want to take in a little brother?"

Shen Nuonuo looked at Qian Renxue, who was only a tiny bit shorter than her, with some concern.

This body of hers was more than a year older than Little Xue, yet they were practically the same height.

Could it be like her height back on Little Blue Star?

She remembered that Qian Renxue would grow to be a full 1.8 meters tall, while she...

Sigh, it brought tears to her eyes just thinking about it.

"Then there'll be another person to play with me!"

Qian Renxue answered carelessly.

Shen Nuonuo raised her hand and flicked her forehead. "He might become your teammate in future competitions."

"So what if he does? I'll definitely be stronger than him. I'll protect him in Spirit Hall in the future!" Qian Renxue's childish face was brimming with confidence.

Sister said she would become a god in the future, so she would definitely be far stronger than that boy.

Ya Wen could not hold back her laughter. She bent down and pinched Qian Renxue's cheek. "What if Auntie takes him as a disciple? Then he'll count as your little brother too."

"Sure!" Qian Renxue did not mind her aunt taking on a disciple at all.

"Sister Ya Wen, you want to take him as a disciple?"

Shen Nuonuo had never expected Ya Wen to have such thoughts. They had only just met, and they did not even know what martial soul or Soul Power he would awaken in the future.

"I do have that thought, but I don't know whether his family would be willing. There's no rush. We can talk about it after you awaken your martial souls at six."

Ya Wen stood upright with a calm smile.

"That's true."

"Greetings, Miss, Young Master, Miss Ya Wen."

A Palace Knight wearing silver-white armor approached and bowed to them.

The Palace Knights of the Worship Hall were all six-ringed Soul Emperors.

"Rise. What is it?"

Shen Nuonuo furrowed her brows slightly as she looked at the newcomer.

"Reporting to Miss, the Third Enshrined has arranged a room for Miss Ya Wen. I was ordered to wait here."

The Palace Knight spoke respectfully.

Ya Wen had not expected Qingluan Douluo to be not only efficient, but also so thoughtful. "Which room?"

Every room in the Worship Hall was spacious and outfitted with the finest facilities.

"On the third floor, the fifth room."

The Palace Knight answered.

"Auntie, you'll be a little far from me." Qian Renxue puffed out her cheeks.

Three black lines appeared on Shen Nuonuo's forehead as she rolled her eyes at her. "You and I both live on the second floor, while Sister Ya Wen is on the third. How is that far?"

"Sister, isn't there a saying that one floor apart feels like three autumns apart?"

Qian Renxue answered with a serious expression.

"Little Xue, the saying is that one day apart feels like three autumns apart. What you said is completely wrong." Ya Wen could barely keep herself from laughing.

"Ah, Auntie, it's all the same!" Qian Renxue coquettishly grabbed Ya Wen's hand and kept shaking it.

Ya Wen looked at the adorable child before her and briefly lost herself in thought.

Qian Renxue clearly had the same golden hair as her father.

Yet she was so lovable.

At least, Ya Wen liked her very much.

"Auntie, Sister and I both want to see your room. Is that okay?"

Qian Renxue gave a mischievous smile.

Shen Nuonuo had been watching from the side and was suddenly dragged into it.

"Little Xue, you're making things up. Sister never said that."

"Then Sister doesn't want to go?"

Qian Renxue blinked, her eyes fixed earnestly on Shen Nuonuo.

Fine, sincerity really was the ultimate move.

Shen Nuonuo choked up. She really did want to go, but she was a little embarrassed to say so.

"Alright, you two little brats. You're so young, yet you act so grown-up. Let's go take a look together." Ya Wen's lips curved upward, and after speaking, she signaled for the knight to lead the way.

Qian Renxue immediately linked arms with Shen Nuonuo and followed behind Ya Wen and the knight.

In just a few short hours, Qingluan Douluo had already arranged everything.

Shen Nuonuo followed them inside and looked around as soon as she entered.

Her first impression was that Qingluan Douluo had excellent taste—at least compared to the other Enshrined.

Everything in the room Qingluan Douluo had prepared for Ya Wen was neat and bright. Vases and potted plants stood by the windows.

The sofas were carefully selected high-quality furnishings, a brown carpet covered the floor, and a magnificent chandelier hung from the ceiling.

Its light was soft yet bright, illuminating the entire room and casting warm colors that made it feel comfortable.

The entire room was decorated in elegant, understated colors. One side held a row of tall bookshelves filled with books of all kinds.

On the other side stood a splendid rosewood bed covered in soft brocade bedding that looked incredibly comfortable. An ancient zither rested in one corner of the room.

"Wow, Auntie, this place is so nice!"

Unable to think of any better adjectives, Qian Renxue offered that dry compliment.

The corners of Shen Nuonuo's lips rose, and her eyes were filled with admiration as well. "I didn't expect the Third Enshrined and Sixth Enshrined to have such drastically different styles."

Who would not be dazzled by this decor?

She had visited Qianjun Douluo's room before. It was far too plain, though that suited his personality.

At that moment, Ya Wen, the owner of the room, had her entire attention on the ancient zither.

Ya Wen looked at the faint sheen on its strings, as though they were telling of the vicissitudes of time.

She gently caressed the body of the zither, feeling its warm, smooth touch as memories of her childhood resurfaced.

Shen Nuonuo noticed that something was off with Ya Wen's expression and said softly, "Little Xue, your auntie is immersed in old memories right now. We shouldn't disturb her."

Qian Renxue gave a soft acknowledgment and let her sister lead her quietly out of the room.

In the blink of an eye, more than two months passed.

Today was the fifth birthday of Qian Renxue, the Young Master of Spirit Hall.

Intermittent footsteps sounded outside the Worship Hall. The maids were probably arranging something.

Shen Nuonuo had already grown accustomed to life in Spirit Hall.

"Little Xue, wake up! Did you forget? Today is your birthday!"

Shen Nuonuo gently shook the little brat, who was sleeping like a log.

Qian Renxue groggily opened her eyes and rubbed them hard with her hands.

"Sister, you got up so early."

Qian Renxue's voice was rather hoarse at the moment.

"Hmph, hmph, hmph. Your sister is someone who cultivates diligently!"

"The year's work begins in spring, and the day's work begins in the morning. Look up and see what time it is."

Wearing a pink nightgown, Shen Nuonuo stood on the bed with her hands on her hips, looking like a stern dean of discipline.

"Sis~, my dear sister, it's only a little past seven. And it's my birthday today, so it's fine if I sleep a little longer."

Qian Renxue looked up at the clock on the wall as she spoke.

After more than two months, Qian Renxue had become quite familiar with all of her sister's usual lines.

Now, she remained utterly unfazed.

"Stop acting cute. Go wash up and get yourself ready. Don't you keep wanting to know what gift I prepared for you? Finish washing up within five minutes, and I'll tell you!"

Shen Nuonuo spoke righteously.

"Okay, Sister, pull me up." Qian Renxue stretched out a limp hand toward Shen Nuonuo.

Shen Nuonuo pursed her lips and had to use quite a bit of force to pull Qian Renxue up.

"Hehe."

Qian Renxue gave Shen Nuonuo a silly grin before trotting off to the bathroom.

Shen Nuonuo watched her retreating figure, warmth shining in her eyes.

Over the past two months, she had truly come to regard Qian Renxue as her own younger sister.

Shen Nuonuo turned to a cabinet not far away and took out the gift she had prepared long ago.

A Soul Tool Camera she had made herself!

Less than three minutes later.

Qian Renxue ran over with an excited smile, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Shen Nuonuo. "Sister, I'm all washed up!"

"You were so fast today. Usually, you dawdle forever."

Shen Nuonuo rubbed Qian Renxue's head.

"Ah, hehe. Sister, is that my birthday gift?"

Qian Renxue's purple eyes remained fixed on the blue gift box in Shen Nuonuo's right hand.

Shen Nuonuo raised her brows, curved her lips, and gazed at Qian Renxue with utmost seriousness.

"Little Xue, Sister wishes you a happy birthday!"

"Thank you, Sister!" Qian Renxue's cheeks flushed as she hugged Shen Nuonuo tightly and refused to let go.

The sisters cuddled for a little while before finally letting go.

"Here, Little Xue. Open it and take a look." Shen Nuonuo draped an arm over Qian Renxue's shoulder.

"Okay!"

Without any ceremony, Qian Renxue tore open the package and saw a small, somewhat square-shaped object.

"This is called a Soul Tool Camera." Shen Nuonuo watched Qian Renxue fiddle with it and explained directly.

"A Soul Tool Camera?" Qian Renxue looked up curiously. "What is that?"

Shen Nuonuo explained in detail, "Look, this little thing has a lens and a button. As long as you press the button, it'll take a picture."

Qian Renxue's eyes lit up. She picked up the Soul Tool Camera and examined it carefully.

The Soul Tool Camera looked rather unremarkable. Its screen was black, its exterior silver-white, and it had a chain that could be worn around the neck.

"Come on, Little Xue. Give it to Sister first. Let's take a picture together as a keepsake."

Shen Nuonuo felt that the first photo had to be one of her and Little Xue together.

"Okay." Curious, Qian Renxue handed it over.

Shen Nuonuo took the Soul Tool Camera, pressed her face close to Little Xue's, and smiled as she pressed the shutter.

In an instant, there was a click.

A warm photograph was saved inside the Soul Tool Camera.

Shen Nuonuo pressed the quick-print button.

The photograph came out.

Qian Renxue swiftly caught it.

"Sister, you're so pretty too, and I'm pretty too!"

Qian Renxue leaned closer to look at the photo. She immediately jumped up excitedly, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Shen Nuonuo watched Qian Renxue grin from ear to ear and stroked her hair. "Yes, we're both very pretty."

"This is the most special and best gift Little Xue has ever received!"

"Sister, you're really amazing. You have everything."

Qian Renxue looked at her with admiration.

A smile spread across Shen Nuonuo's face, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.

"It's so wonderful that Sister has you!"

Qian Renxue felt that it was a blessing for both herself and Spirit Hall to have met Shen Nuonuo.

"Little Xue, you have to remember: if you always rely on others, you'll never grow up."

"Even mountains collapse when you lean on them, and people can fall when you depend on them."

Shen Nuonuo guided Qian Renxue.

Still, she was willing to protect Qian Renxue's innocence and smile.

Before she completed her mission and left, she hoped to give her a happy childhood while also teaching Qian Renxue well.

"Mm, once Little Xue grows up, I'll protect Sister."

Qian Renxue's purple eyes were filled with sincerity. It was a promise from the bottom of her heart.

"Alright."

Shen Nuonuo laughed softly.

Become a god before the age of twenty-five.

There were still twenty years left.

"Nuonuo, Little Xue, are you both up?"

At that moment, Ya Wen's gentle voice came from outside the door.

"Auntie's here!" After spending this time together, Qian Renxue had also become very dependent on Ya Wen.

"Come on, let's go out for breakfast."

Shen Nuonuo linked arms with Qian Renxue and headed outside.

Ever since Ya Wen arrived, Shen Nuonuo and Qian Renxue had been eating with her every few days.

The moment they opened the door, they saw her.

Ya Wen wore a light green dress, her long hair casually draped behind her shoulders. A faint fragrance clung to her, and her eyes were bright.

She leaned lazily against the railing, watching the two of them.

Shen Nuonuo blinked, staring straight at Ya Wen.

Damn, what a beauty. If Sister Ya Wen were on our Little Blue Star, that figure would make her a top-tier model. No, she could even be a domineering female CEO.

After spending this time together, Ya Wen and Qian Renxue had long since grown accustomed to Shen Nuonuo's scattered train of thought.

The aunt and niece did not react in the slightest upon hearing it.

"Little Xue, Auntie wishes you a happy birthday. You've grown another year older."

Ya Wen kept her right hand behind her back as she offered Qian Renxue her sincere blessings.

"Thank you, Auntie."

Qian Renxue thanked her politely.

"Little Xue, Nuonuo, here, this is for you two sisters."

As Ya Wen spoke, she took out a golden bracelet from behind her back, set with a blue gemstone the size of a fingernail.