Moon White Brocade

The heavy carved nanmu doors slowly slid open to either side with a teeth-grinding roar.

At that moment, even the Sacred Golden Light that never dispersed outside the Papal Palace seemed to dim a little.

Qian Mo was listlessly chewing on a strand of Blue Silver Grass. Hearing the commotion, he instinctively lifted his eyelids. Qian Renxue, who had been waving the Angel Holy Sword at thin air while muttering about "slaying demons and vanquishing evil," suddenly froze as well.

Backlit by the sun, a slender figure slowly stepped out.

A streak of white flowed forth like moonlight.

It was a Moon White Brocade Skirt.

Ten Thousand Year Ice Silkworm Silk blended with brocade—this fabric was sold by the gram on the market, yet it was lavishly draped over the maiden now. The hem swayed gently with her steps, as if she were walking across a shimmering lake. The cut was bold without losing its dignity, and the perfectly measured exposed skin around her collarbones revealed a patch of delicate, mutton-fat-jade-like skin, dazzlingly white beneath the sunlight.

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head, nervously twisting the tassels at her waist with both hands. The little wild cat who was usually tense and ready to lash out at any moment had put away all her claws, leaving behind only heart-trembling shyness and softness.

Cool and distant like the Guanghan Fairy, bashful like the girl next door.

Those two utterly different temperaments produced a fatal chemical reaction within her.

"Clang."

The Angel Holy Sword in Qian Renxue's hand fell to the ground for the second time.

Her beautiful golden eyes widened as her gaze swept several times over Zhu Zhuqing's slim waist and certain "unfair" curves. Then she looked down at her own stiff golden armor battle attire.

A feeling called defeat rose within her.

"Vixen..." Qian Renxue gritted out through clenched teeth. "You're only nine, and you've already learned this sort of trick. What will become of you later?"

She stared sourly at Zhu Zhuqing's proud curves, then looked down at her own chest. It was perfect too, but clearly not on the same level.

Damn it!

What had this cat been eating to grow up like this? Hormones?!

Qian Mo spat out the Blue Silver Grass and rose from the lying chair.

He had seen countless women—meaning, on his previous life's hard drive—and prided himself on having a steadfast Dao Heart. Yet as he looked at the girl before him, who seemed completely transformed, his heart still shamelessly skipped a beat.

So this was the joy of raising someone up?

It really was irresistible.

He stepped over to Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing felt that familiar aura approaching, carrying the scent of sunlight. Her body instantly tensed, and her toes nearly clawed through the soles of her shoes. She did not dare raise her head. Her voice was as thin as a thread and faintly trembling. "D-Does it... look good?"

Qian Mo did not answer immediately.

He circled halfway around Zhu Zhuqing, his gaze openly appreciating this "work of art."

Then he reached out, gently hooked a lock of slightly curled hair hanging beside her ear with his fingertips, and wrapped it around his finger.

He leaned close to her ear. His warm breath brushed against her sensitive earlobe, sending fine shivers through her.

"It looks good."

Qian Mo's voice was low, carrying a hint of mischief. "But... my little kitten really seems to have grown up."

He deliberately stressed the word "grown," and his gaze openly swept downward.

Zhu Zhuqing instantly understood his implication.

Her cheeks immediately flushed crimson, the redness spreading all the way to the base of her neck. She looked like a boiled shrimp.

Shame overwhelmed her nervousness. She abruptly raised her head, mist swirling in her beautiful mismatched Cat Pupils as she fiercely glared at Qian Mo.

"Don't say that word!"

She let out a fierce little growl and instinctively covered her chest. "And don't look!"

Though her tone was vicious, paired with that blushing face, it had no intimidation whatsoever. If anything, it only made people want to tease her more.

"Mo'er is right."

A lazy voice came from inside the doorway.

Bibi Dong leaned against the door frame, holding the Martial Soul Hall Internal Fashion Guide. She watched the scene with an indulgent smile and leisurely added, "I specifically had the tailor make this skirt two sizes bigger. It was originally made according to the standards for a twelve-year-old maiden, but unexpectedly... it fits perfectly."

Zhu Zhuqing: "..."

She wished she could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.

Godmother! Why were you bullying her together with him?!

As the atmosphere grew increasingly ambiguous, as though pink bubbles were floating through the air, Qian Renxue at last could not endure it any longer.

"Enough!"

With a sharp cry, she forcibly squeezed herself between them. Like a mother hen protecting her chick, she shielded Qian Mo behind her and warily stared at Zhu Zhuqing.

"You've seen the clothes, and you've seen the person. That's enough!" Qian Renxue said sourly. "We're going soul hunting tomorrow. How is she supposed to fight dressed like that? That skirt is so long. What if she trips? Go change back into battle attire!"

Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow and waved her hand.

"Who said there was only one?"

At her gesture, two rows of maids filed out, carrying all kinds of exquisite clothing. They directly set up a stall at the entrance of the Papal Palace.

"This is the Bamboo Shadow Lush Battle Attire. It is woven from Deep Sea Sinking Silver Silk. Its defensive power rivals plate armor, yet it is light and breathable, specially made for battle."

"This is the Star Lake Ripple Shirt. The hem is inlaid with ninety-nine Starlight Sapphires. It glows at night, made especially for dates."

"And this..." Bibi Dong picked up a black-and-white short skirt, her expression somewhat strange. "This is some kind of... Maid Outfit Mo'er mentioned before? I do not know why a skirt needs an apron, but the design is indeed quite distinctive."

Qian Mo coughed and looked away, pretending to watch the clouds in the sky.

Qian Renxue looked at that dazzling pile of clothes, then at her own Standard Armor, which only came in black, gold, and white. Her mindset collapsed.

She rushed over, grabbed Bibi Dong's arm, and looked utterly wronged. "Mom... Your Holiness the Pope! Where are mine? Why didn't you prepare things like these for me when I was little?"

Bibi Dong's gaze drifted for a moment. She gave a light cough. "Back then... back then, I was busy unifying the continent. I forgot."

Qian Renxue: "???"

Forgot?

Was this the difference between a birth mother and a godmother?!

That evening, in a side hall of the Papal Palace.

A small family dinner was underway.

There were no outsiders, only Qian Mo, Zhu Zhuqing, Qian Renxue, and Bibi Dong.

The long table was covered with delicacies, all cooked from Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast meat. Every bite was packed with Soul Power.

The atmosphere was unusually harmonious. Bibi Dong had put aside the Pope's airs and even personally served Zhu Zhuqing a piece of crystal dragon meat. Qian Renxue sat beside Qian Mo, stubbornly trying to feed him.

"Xiao Mo, eat this. It nourishes the kidneys... ah, no, it replenishes your energy!"

Qian Renxue picked up a blackened chunk of something and tried to stuff it into Qian Mo's mouth.

"Smack."

A pair of chopsticks precisely intercepted her attack route.

Zhu Zhuqing expressionlessly seized the piece of meat with her chopsticks and said calmly, "That's Spicy Devil Pepper. He can't eat spicy food."

Qian Renxue glared. "I'm his sister. How could I not know?"

Zhu Zhuqing refused to yield. "I'm his... cat. I know better."

Caught between the two, Qian Mo drank his soup and sighed.

Taking advantage of the gap while the two women fought, he silently summoned the System Panel and made one final confirmation of their statuses.

[Host: Qian Mo]

[Martial Soul: Twelve-Winged Auspicious Angel]

[Level: Level 40 Quasi-Soul Ancestor]

[Soul Bones: Three Hundred Thousand Year soul bones across the entire body]

[Bound Dependent: Zhu Zhuqing]

[Martial Soul: Hell Spirit Cat (mutating)]

[Level: Level 40 Quasi-Soul Ancestor]

[Soul Bones: Three Hundred Thousand Year soul bones across the entire body]

These stats were simply outrageously luxurious.

This was like a max-level account slaughtering a beginner village.

The dinner was nearing its end.

Bibi Dong set down the Golden Goblet in her hand. Her formerly gentle expression gradually faded, and she became once more the Pope who commanded awe across the world.

"Mo'er, Zhuqing."

The two immediately set down their chopsticks and sat upright.

"Tomorrow, we depart for the Star Dou Great Forest."