Despairing Qian Renxue

Bang—!!!

An invisible force slammed viciously into Qian Renxue's chest!

She let out a muffled groan and flew backward like a kite with its string cut, crashing heavily onto the ground. The Angel Sword flew from her grasp, scraping across the marble floor in a shower of piercing sparks.

Qian Renxue struggled to rise, but the suppression of Divine Slaughter's Domain made even breathing difficult, let alone gathering Soul Power.

She raised her head and stared fixedly at Bibi Dong on the throne, the hatred in her eyes so intense it seemed ready to overflow.

Bibi Dong slowly rose to her feet and descended the steps of the throne.

The sound of her heels striking the floor was especially distinct in the silent hall. Every step seemed to land upon Qian Renxue's heart.

She stopped before Qian Renxue and looked down at her daughter sprawled on the ground, her eyes filled with hatred. A mocking smile curved her lips.

"Just you, and you want to kill me?" she said softly, her voice full of disdain.

She raised her foot, seemingly intending to step on Qian Renxue's face.

But just as her sole was about to come down—

"Stop!!!"

An angry roar exploded through the hall!

Golden light, like a tangible wall, appeared instantly before Qian Renxue and blasted Bibi Dong several steps back!

As the golden light faded, Qian Daoliu's figure emerged.

He stood in front of Qian Renxue, rage burning in his golden pupils as he glared at Bibi Dong.

"Bibi Dong!" His voice trembled with fury. "Have you forgotten what you promised?!"

Bibi Dong steadied herself and sneered. "I have already shown considerable restraint. She attacked me first. I was merely defending myself."

"Defending yourself?" Qian Daoliu trembled with rage. "Using such a heavy hand against a child?! Is this what you call treating her like a mother would?!"

"I said I would treat her as a mother."

Bibi Dong unhurriedly adjusted her cuff.

"But that assumes she behaves like a daughter. Not like a mad dog baring its claws at me."

"You—!"

Qian Daoliu clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Looking at Bibi Dong before him—this beautiful, powerful woman who had become utterly twisted—an unprecedented wave of regret suddenly surged through his heart.

He had been wrong.

Terribly wrong.

Bibi Dong would never change.

Her heart had long been corroded clean by hatred and pain. All that remained was endless malice and warped jealousy.

Nor had he expected Qian Renxue's feelings for Jiang Bai to run so deep that she would strike so decisively!

"Grandfather!"

Qian Renxue struggled to her feet, clutching Qian Daoliu's sleeve. Her voice was hoarse and desperate. "Kill her! Kill her—!!!"

Qian Daoliu turned and looked at his granddaughter's bloodstained face, at the overwhelming hatred and tears in her eyes. It felt as if an invisible hand had seized his heart and squeezed hard, leaving him in such pain that he could barely breathe.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but not a single word came out.

Could he kill Bibi Dong?

No.

At least, not yet.

"Xue'er—" he said with difficulty. "Let's leave first—"

"Leave?!" Qian Renxue stared at him in disbelief. "Jiang Bai is dead! She killed him! And you're telling me to leave?!"

"Now isn't the time—" Qian Daoliu's voice was terribly dry. "Let's return to the Worship Hall first and discuss this at length—"

"Discuss this at length?!"

Qian Renxue shook off his hand and staggered two steps back. The anger in her gaze turned to shock, then to utter despair.

"Grandfather—you knew all along, didn't you?"

Her voice was light, light as a feather, yet it made Qian Daoliu's heart stop abruptly.

"You knew all along that she was going to kill Jiang Bai—didn't you?"

Qian Daoliu closed his eyes.

That gesture had already given her the answer.

Qian Renxue smiled.

That smile was shattered and desolate, uglier than crying.

She shook her head and stepped backward one step at a time. Tears slid down silently, mixing with the blood on her face and leaving shocking trails across her pale skin.

"Why—" she murmured. "Why did you do this—why did you do this to me—"

"Xue'er, listen to Grandfather's explanation—" Qian Daoliu stepped forward, trying to take her hand.

But Qian Renxue avoided him.

She looked at Qian Daoliu. The last glimmer of light in her eyes had gone out, leaving only endless darkness and coldness.

"He was only an auxiliary-type Soul Master—Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda has its limits. He couldn't have stayed by your side for long—"

Qian Daoliu explained incoherently, trying to make Qian Renxue understand his good intentions.

"Grandfather was thinking of you. I didn't want you to suffer even greater pain in the future—"

"So what!!!"

Qian Renxue screamed, her voice as shrill as that of a wounded beast.

"I could have protected him for the rest of his life! I could have found a way to help him break through those limits! I could—I could have spent this life with him!"

"Why did you have to kill him?! Why—!!!"

By the end, her voice had completely broken, leaving only hoarse sobs.

Qian Daoliu's outstretched hand froze in midair. Watching his granddaughter collapse, he was unable to decide what to do.

"I already lost my father—" Qian Renxue's voice lowered, becoming weak and hollow. "And now—I have lost the one I loved too—"

She raised her head and looked at Qian Daoliu, her gaze filled with complete despair.

"He clearly—did nothing wrong—"

Those words were like a knife plunging viciously into Qian Daoliu's heart.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, only to find every word pale and powerless.

Qian Renxue no longer looked at him.

She turned and staggered toward the hall's exit.

Qian Renxue's bedchamber.

She lay facedown on the bed, her face buried in the pillow as she wept silently.

Her shoulders shook violently, and her tears soaked into the brocade pillowcase.

There were no heart-wrenching wails, only sobs so deeply repressed that they were nearly suffocating.

How long had she cried? She did not know.

Time seemed to have lost all meaning. The world was nothing but darkness.

After an unknown amount of time, she slowly raised her head. Her eyes were swollen red like peaches.

Her gaze fell upon the two puppets placed side by side beside her pillow: one was an exquisite little Angel, the other a crude Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King.

She reached out and gently touched the rough stitching of the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, her fingertips trembling slightly.

Just yesterday, he had been whispering sweet words to her. How had he—

—

Damn Jiang Bai—you said you were the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King. You said you were strong, didn't you?

Didn't you say—we would be together forever?

How could you—break your word—

Tears surged forth again, dripping onto the puppet and spreading into dark water stains.

She clutched the puppet tightly to her chest, as though she could feel the lingering warmth of that young man this way.

But all her palm felt was the coarse texture of cloth, and a cold, hopeless despair.

The next morning.

Qian Renxue pushed open the doors to her bedchamber and walked out.

She wore no makeup. Though her eyes remained somewhat swollen and red, yesterday's breakdown and tear stains were gone.

In their place was an almost icy calm.

She walked slowly toward the main hall of the Worship Hall, her steps steady.

Inside the main hall, the seven pontiffs had gathered together, a rare occurrence.

They had evidently heard about what happened yesterday and were now quietly discussing something, worry and gravity written across their faces.

—

When they saw Qian Renxue enter, the discussion came to an abrupt halt.

Everyone looked at her.

She seemed—far too calm.

Calm in a way that was abnormal.

There was no anger, no sorrow, no breakdown. She was like a pool of bottomless cold water, tranquil on the surface, yet perhaps concealing deadly undercurrents beneath.

Qian Daoliu forced a smile, attempting to lighten the mood. "Xue'er, you're awake? Are you hungry? Grandfather had someone prepare—"

"Please have the Great Pontiff initiate my Divine Examination."

Qian Renxue's voice interrupted him.

It was calm and clear, without the slightest tremor, yet it carried an unquestionable resolve.

The great hall instantly fell deathly silent.

The seven pontiffs exchanged glances, shock flashing through their eyes.

A Divine Examination? Now?

Qian Renxue was only fifteen. Though her talent was extraordinary and she had already reached the rank of Soul Emperor, was this not too soon?

Qian Daoliu's expression changed as well.

"Xue'er, the matter of the Divine Examination is no small matter. You should wait until you break through level seventy and are better prepared before—"

"I said," Qian Renxue raised her head and met Qian Daoliu's eyes directly. There was no emotion in her violet eyes, only icy frost. "Please have the Great Pontiff initiate my Divine Examination."

She repeated herself, slowly and distinctly. Each word was like an icicle striking the silent hall.

Everyone fell silent again.

They looked at Qian Renxue, at the nearly mad determination in her eyes, and suddenly understood.

She was not asking. She was ordering.

She was not discussing it. She was declaring it.

Seeing his granddaughter like this, Qian Daoliu felt as though an invisible hand were clenching his heart, crushing it until he could not breathe.

He wanted to say something. He wanted to persuade her to wait. He wanted to tell her not to act on impulse.

But when he saw the coldness in Qian Renxue's eyes, every word lodged in his throat.

He suddenly realized that his tacit consent had not only taken Jiang Bai's life, but also killed the Qian Renxue who laughed, cried, and looked forward to the future.

Now, she was merely an empty shell driven by hatred.

God Ancestor—

Qian Daoliu prayed silently in his heart, his voice filled with pain and regret.

Have I made another mistake?

The latter half of my life—has been spent in regret and guilt—

First that unfilial son, and now—Jiang Bai—

He slowly rose to his feet and walked over to Qian Renxue.

Looking at his granddaughter's cold face, he raised his hand, wishing to stroke her head as he had before. But halfway there, his hand dropped limply.

After a long while, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, only the majesty and decisiveness of the Great Pontiff remained.

"Fine."

One word, weighing as heavily as a thousand jun.

"I hereby declare, in my capacity as the Angel God's Great Pontiff."

Qian Daoliu's voice echoed through the hall, solemn and majestic. "From this moment onward, the Angel God Trial shall be initiated for Qian Renxue!"

Golden light descended from the heavens and enveloped Qian Renxue.

Standing within the pillar of light, she slowly closed her eyes. There was no expression on her face, only cold determination.

Jiang Bai, wait for me.

I will avenge you!

Bibi Dong, wait for me.

I will kill you!!

If Soul Saint isn't enough, then I'll become a Title Douluo! If a Title Douluo isn't enough, then I'll become a god!

Even if this path is covered in thorns, even if I must pay every price!