Qian Renxue's Test: I'm Going to Heaven Dou Empire on a Mission—Do You Think I'll Succeed?

The carriage stopped before a magnificent palace. Golden beast-head door knockers were set into the ancient gates, and two imposing stone lions stood on either side. Everything exuded solemnity and grandeur.

Wang Dong'er led Lu Jing down from the carriage. Looking up, he realized this was not Spirit Hall's main hall, but a deeper, quieter complex of buildings—the Worship Hall.

At Qian Daoliu's request, Qian Renxue led them through several courtyards. The bluestone path beneath their feet had been swept spotless, the pines and cypresses on either side were neatly trimmed, and a faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air.

At last, Qian Renxue stopped before two adjacent rooms. Turning to face them, she said softly, "You will be staying here from now on. If you need anything, just tell the people outside. Don't hesitate to trouble them."

The rooms were simply furnished yet elegant. The pearwood tables and chairs gleamed from polishing, a pot of verdant orchids sat by the window, and the bedding was made of brand-new brocade, still carrying the scent of sun-dried fabric.

"Thank you, Sister Xue," Lu Jing said first with a nod. Wang Dong'er followed with her thanks.

"Don't mention it. Now that you're at Spirit Hall, we're all family!"

Qian Renxue smiled faintly. After saying that she would be leaving if there was nothing else, she stepped away under their watchful gazes.

Watching Qian Renxue's departing figure, Lu Jing turned to Wang Dong'er. "I'm right next door. Call me anytime if you need anything."

Wang Dong'er nodded and pushed open her own door. "Same for you."

The two doors closed softly, separating their spaces. Yet because they were so close, that distance brought a subtle sense of reassurance. In this unfamiliar era, having someone who knew their shared origins living next door was undoubtedly a comfort.

Meanwhile, after settling the two of them in, Qian Renxue turned and entered the main hall of the Worship Hall.

Qian Daoliu sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion with his eyes closed. His golden hair fell over his shoulders, and faint Soul Power fluctuations surrounded him.

"Grandfather," Qian Renxue called softly.

Qian Daoliu slowly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing through his golden pupils. "Have they been settled?"

"Yes, they're staying in the rooms next door."

Qian Renxue walked over, confusion in her voice as she asked, "We're just letting them move in like this? Shouldn't we do something? For example... test their background?"

She had always felt that the two children who had appeared so suddenly were far too mysterious. Lu Jing in particular looked young, but his eyes were far too composed for a child. It was difficult not to be suspicious.

Qian Daoliu shook his head. His voice was aged, yet carried unquestionable authority. "No rush."

His fingers lightly tapped against his knee as he said slowly, "Since they dared come to Spirit City and dared stay in the Worship Hall, either they have something to rely on, or they truly bear us no ill will, as they claim. Either way, we should observe them for a while first."

"Besides, they're already in our hands. Everyone inside and outside the Worship Hall is one of ours. Are we afraid they'll run away?" Qian Daoliu's lips curved into a faint smile. "More importantly, how are your preparations coming along?"

Qian Renxue's gaze sharpened. "Everything is ready. In three days, I will depart for Heaven Dou Empire."

The plan to infiltrate Heaven Dou Empire had been in preparation for quite some time, and she had long been unable to wait. As long as she could gain control of Heaven Dou's million-strong army, Spirit Hall's march toward unifying the continent would accelerate greatly.

Qian Daoliu looked at the edge in her eyes and nodded. "Be careful in all things. Remember, your safety matters more than anything. If it cannot be done, retreat immediately."

"Xue'er understands," Qian Renxue replied, though fighting spirit had already ignited within her.

Night quietly fell. Palace lanterns lit up throughout the Worship Hall, their dim yellow light passing through the window paper and casting warm halos across the ground. Lu Jing sat at the table, sorting through all the clues since arriving in this era, when he suddenly heard a knock at the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me." Qian Renxue's voice came from outside, carrying a gentleness unlike that of daytime.

Lu Jing was somewhat puzzled as he rose and opened the door. Qian Renxue stood outside with a food box in hand. She had changed into a light golden dress, shedding some of her daytime aloofness and gaining the liveliness of a young girl.

"Sister Xue?"

Lu Jing asked in confusion, "What brings you here so late at night?"

Qian Renxue shook the food box in her hand. A smile rested on her lips as she gestured with her eyes. "I just got this from the kitchen. They grilled some meat skewers, and I thought you might not have had a late-night snack, so I brought you some."

A rich aroma wafted from the food box, mingling cumin with the charred fragrance of grilled meat and immediately whetting one's appetite.

Though Lu Jing could not read her intentions, he did not refuse. Stepping aside, he said, "Come in."

He knew well that there was no such thing as a free meal. Qian Renxue bringing food over at this hour meant she probably wanted to ask something. But he was not afraid. Whatever came, he would deal with it.

Qian Renxue entered the room and placed the food box on the table. When she opened it, several glistening, freshly grilled meat skewers lay inside, still steaming. She handed one to Lu Jing. "Try it. Spirit City's grilled meat might taste different from what you had in your era."

Lu Jing took it and bit down. The meat was tender, and the seasoning was just right. It was indeed quite good. He said nothing, merely lowered his head and ate slowly, waiting for Qian Renxue to speak.

Seeing how composed he was, surprise flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes. This boy was remarkably calm. He was not the least bit worried that she might have tampered with the food. She picked up a skewer herself and took a light bite before asking casually, "You two... really came from ten thousand years in the future?"

Lu Jing chewed the meat and nodded. "How could that be fake? Don't tell me this is some illusion Spirit Hall set up just to mess with us?"

Qian Renxue laughed at that and shook her head. "Not quite. It's just... a world ten thousand years in the future sounds far too distant."

She could not imagine what things would be like ten thousand years from now, so she could only make light of it.

"Far, yet not so far."

Lu Jing said evenly, "For us, it was just a spatial turbulence. In the time it took to open and close our eyes, we arrived here."

Qian Renxue nodded thoughtfully. After a moment of silence, she suddenly looked up, curiosity in her eyes. "Since you came from the future, then... do you know what I am going to do next?"

Lu Jing's hand holding the skewer paused. He looked up at her. "How would I know what you want to do? It's not like I'm a worm in your stomach."

"I'm going to Heaven Dou Empire to carry out a mission."

Qian Renxue did not hide it. Looking at the child beside her, she asked in a probing tone, "Tell me, will I succeed in the end?"

As long as she obtained Heaven Dou Empire's million-strong army, then even if the Upper Three Sects joined forces with Star Luo Empire, Spirit Hall could still beat every one of them senseless and grind them into the dirt.