Neither Angel Nor Beloved Betrayed

Uh.

In an instant, the killing intent around Chen Changfeng vanished without a trace. In its place was a calmness that had never before appeared in his eyes.

Yet his body still instinctively resisted. "You're being ridiculous. Get down, now!"

After all, they were no longer children. Qian Renxue's actions truly made Chen Changfeng somewhat awkward, especially the softness against his chest. Only then did he notice how her perfectly curved figure filled out the golden gown completely. There was not the slightest wrinkle; instead, it possessed an astonishing tautness and elasticity.

Practically bursting forth.

Truly terrifying.

Her excitement lasted only an instant. Qian Renxue seemed to calm down at this very moment as well.

Their eyes met. A distinctly masculine scent, mixed with the fragrance of grass around them, entered Qian Renxue's nose, leaving her slightly dazed.

Such a bold act.

She was utterly embarrassed. Qian Renxue's cheeks instantly flushed red. It was all because of her excitement.

The next second.

Qian Renxue hurriedly jumped off Chen Changfeng, her evasive gaze suddenly having nowhere to settle.

But her constantly rising and falling chest was enough to prove just how unsettled she was inside. "Um, Brother Changfeng, Xiaoxue... Xiaoxue was a little impulsive just now."

"It's been over ten years. When are you going to change that reckless personality of yours?"

Chen Changfeng smiled, a rare sight, and reached out to pinch Qian Renxue's cheek just as he had when they were children. "This doesn't seem like the Xue Qinghe I know at all. It's like you're a completely different person."

"Huh?"

Qian Renxue froze, then suddenly understood. "You've been to Heaven Dou City?"

Chen Changfeng merely smiled without answering, neither confirming nor denying it.

Qian Renxue began to grin foolishly as well.

After years apart, she had found Chen Changfeng filled with an air of slaughter. Just now, she had even felt cold because of it. Fortunately, he had ultimately returned to the familiar calmness she knew.

What exactly had he experienced over these past ten-plus years?

The moon hung high in the sky.

A young man and woman met by chance in Spirit Hall's forbidden grounds.

Amid the pines and cypresses by the cliff.

Qian Renxue sat beside Chen Changfeng, her feet gently swinging as her hands braced against the tree trunk. With her pretty face tilted upward, she looked even more charming beneath the starlight and moonlight.

Moonlight spilled over her, making her skin seem even more delicate. Calling it supple enough to break with a breath would not be an exaggeration.

What drew the eye most, however, remained Qian Renxue's long legs—round and straight, without the slightest flaw.

Their eyes met.

All of Qian Renxue's regrets vanished into smoke at this moment.

What was Qian Renxue's regret?

It was meeting that young man for the first time, drawing his bow to its fullest, fearless of time and fearless of wind.

Yet in the end, the east wind awakened the dream of the deep palace, and life wore away the young man's heart. She had thought that after crossing mountains and rivers, there would always be another place in life where they could meet again.

But later, she discovered that their parting had brought ten years without any promise of return, and they could only meet in dreams.

Was that truly so?

Flowers bloom and wither in their time; people cannot be young again. Life is where regrets are most easily made.

Even Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden had unfulfilled wishes. The high walls of the deep palace were filled with sorrow.

Qian Renxue also wanted to live without regrets, but where in this world could she find the Twofold Path, neither Angel nor beloved betrayed?

More than ten years of longing had left Qian Renxue with so much she wanted to tell Chen Changfeng, but at this moment, she could not say a single word. Only silence intertwined between them.

The night passed without words.

The next day.

Spirit City finally welcomed the much-anticipated finals of the Continental Soul Master Elite Tournament. Spirit Academy would face the tournament's dark horse, Shrek Academy.

Because of Chen Changfeng's powerful participation, Spirit Hall had specially moved the finals of the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament to Spirit Plaza. This venue lay at the heart of Spirit City. The enormous arena had a diameter of more than ten thousand meters and was entirely constructed from granite.

Overnight, a vast number of Soul Tools had also been temporarily used to reinforce the huge competition stage and prevent damage. According to information provided by Spirit Hall, this venue could withstand attacks at the Titled Douluo level without being damaged.

This caused an uproar.

The competition grounds had been moved far away from both Spirit Hall and the Papal Palace.

Spirit Hall's original notice had announced that the final three teams would compete before the Papal Palace. At that time, the Pope would personally appear and crown the final champion.

For any Soul Master, this was an incomparable honor.

A clash between Soul Ancestors and Soul Kings had not only resulted in a change of venue, but even required protective barriers at the Titled Douluo level? Was Spirit Hall making a mountain out of a molehill to display its strength, or did it have another motive?

It truly left people baffled.

Though they did not understand, no one dared say anything. After all, Spirit Hall was the organizer, and Spirit Hall held the right of interpretation.

It was worth mentioning that Shrek Academy's team had fought through every obstacle along the way, defeating the Star Luo Royal Academy team and becoming the greatest dark horse of the tournament. After three days of fierce competition, Shrek Academy's team had defeated every opponent and advanced into the final.

Their opponent was the highly anticipated Spirit Academy team.

At this moment, more than a dozen teams from the finals entered one after another to watch.

Spirit Hall had temporarily erected a VIP stand facing south from the north, which also served as the judges' platform. Aside from Xue Qinghe, Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, Dugu Bo, and several others seated in the first row, there was another eye-catching figure—Pope Bibi Dong, seated in a position of honor.

Compared to the eye-catching shit-green uniforms of Shrek Academy in the preparation area, the Spirit Academy team wore gold uniforms. Their champion-gold attire was also rather conspicuous, embroidered with six symbols representing Spirit Hall, forming a stark contrast with Shrek Academy's shit-green uniforms.

In yesterday's battle between Spirit Academy and Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Spirit Academy had achieved a complete victory in only one minute. The three members of Spirit Academy's Golden Generation had also left a deep impression on everyone, especially Hu Liena's control, which had directly determined the outcome of the match.

Yet for this final, Hu Liena, Spirit Hall's controversial genius, had disappeared, and there were only six people in Spirit Academy's preparation area.

Almost instantly.

Discussions erupted across the spectator stands.

"Bibi Dong, what exactly are you doing?"

Seeing the lineup in Spirit Hall's preparation area, Qian Renxue's body trembled slightly in the stands. Her gaze swept over Bibi Dong as she wondered in astonishment, It's not as though you didn't see Shrek Academy's outstanding performance. Are you planning to send six people against Shrek Academy's seven? Isn't that far too overconfident?

While she was puzzled, Qian Renxue noticed something else strange.

No.

Why did those black-clad people maintaining the defensive formation feel so familiar?

Qian Renxue's gaze moved across the six black-clad figures entirely enveloped in black robes, who were responsible for Spirit Plaza's defensive barrier. Just then, one of them seemed to sense her gaze and slightly raised his head, giving Qian Renxue a warm, doting smile.

Grandfather Golden Crocodile!

Qian Renxue's heart skipped a beat. After confirming the identity of the person beneath the black robe, her heart jolted again as she hurriedly looked more closely.

Grandfather Qingluan! Grandfather Lion! Grandfather Guangling! Grandfather Qianjun! Grandfather Jiangmo!

Heavens!

The ones guarding the plaza's barrier were not ordinary Soul Masters of Spirit Hall, but the Enshriners of the Worship Hall.

Other than her grandfather Qian Daoliu, all Six Great Enshriners had come out in force to personally guard Spirit Plaza?

Had they gone mad?

What exactly was happening?

Qian Renxue's face instantly turned pale as she thought in horror, With all six grandfathers here, could Spirit Hall be about to face some great upheaval?