Intent

"Big Sister, it has been three months since I last wrote to you, and three years, one month, and three days since we last met.

Things in Spirit City have been the same as always. Every day, it is the library and the training grounds—nothing new. If there is anything special, it is that I have reached level twenty-four, and with Big Sister Gu Yuena's and our ancestor's help, I can now conceal the life energy of the White Flower.

Nothing major has happened in Spirit City either. Grandfather still spends all day in Douluo Hall. Grandpa Tian'e is still arguing with Pope Hall over the Saintess. I deeply suspect he is just bored and looking for trouble to keep himself busy.

Speaking of Grandpa Tian'e, because our ancestor figured out the Soul Core Method I mentioned, he broke through to level ninety-nine after cultivating it. On the day of his breakthrough, he dragged Grandpa Walter out to drink with a group of elder grandfathers. When Grandpa Walter came back the next day, he kept muttering that he wanted to break through level ninety-five soon too.

Uncle Di Tian's injuries have been healed as well. Now whenever he sees me, his face lights up with such fanatical fervor that it makes me terribly uncomfortable.

Last week, Sister Tian Yao took a group of friends to cause trouble at Wuhun Academy, then Uncle Tian Chen dragged her back and beat her up. I reckon she still has not learned her lesson. At most, she will stir up something else again in half a month.

And about what you told me—how Xue Beng's disguise is laughable—my opinion is that it does not matter whether his act is convincing or not. It would be best to kill him sooner rather than later.

As for the drought in northern Heaven Dou, I think you should send trusted people to keep an eye on the relief efforts for the disaster victims. Otherwise, knowing that bunch of vermin in Heaven Dou, I can guess what they might do.

Lastly, in a few months, you should receive a surprise. As for what the surprise is, forgive me for keeping it secret for now."

She set down her pen and folded the letter.

Watching the carrier pigeon fly toward Heaven Dou City, Qian Ningshuang stretched lazily. Qian Renxue should receive her letter in a few days.

The letter was full of trivial little matters, and she had even written whatever came to mind. But that did not matter. Her letters with Qian Renxue had always been like this.

"Shuang'er, dinner is ready."

Walter's voice came from outside the room. Before Qian Renxue went to Heaven Dou, Walter had been responsible for both Qian Ningshuang's and Qian Renxue's food, clothing, and daily necessities. After all, no one could expect Qian Daoliu, an old shut-in who spent all day in Douluo Hall, to handle the two sisters' meals.

Leaving the bedroom she shared with Qian Renxue, Qian Ningshuang sat at the dining table, picked up her bowl and chopsticks, and began eating.

There was nothing unusual about the dishes. They were like the home-cooked meals of an ordinary family from Qian Ningshuang's previous life. She had taught Walter how to make them.

The reason she had taught Walter to make these dishes was that the food in a feudal society like Douluo's was, well, merely edible. Forget about expecting it to taste particularly good.

The reason she did not cook herself was that Qian Ningshuang was not good at cooking. She only knew the methods.

After finishing her meal, Qian Ningshuang set down her bowl and looked at Walter, who was still eating slowly and carefully. Nominally, Walter was the Qian Family's steward, but no one could truly treat a Title Douluo as a servant. Besides, Walter had grown up alongside Qian Daoliu, so he was no different from family.

"Grandpa Walter, I want to leave Spirit City and go to Heaven Dou."

This was the surprise Qian Ningshuang had mentioned in her letter to Qian Renxue.

"Shuang'er, are you in such a hurry? How about waiting until you break through to Soul Elder before going?"

Walter was not particularly surprised that Qian Ningshuang wanted to go to Heaven Dou. Given the bond between the Qian Family sisters, it would have been impossible to keep Qian Ningshuang in Spirit City forever.

As for whether going to Heaven Dou would be dangerous, Walter remained calm. Of the few Title Douluo in Heaven Dou City, he was confident he could defeat all of them except Seven Treasures, Sword and Bone. Not to mention Spirit Hall's many Super Douluo.

Given Qian Ningshuang's importance, if she went to Heaven Dou, a Super Douluo would at the very least protect her in secret. There was no real possibility of her life being in danger.

At the same time, Worship Hall had kept Qian Ningshuang's information well protected. Other than a group of high-ranking figures in Spirit City and a handful of people who knew Qian Ningshuang, the other forces only knew that Spirit Hall had a Second Miss of the Qian Family. They knew neither her name nor appearance.

Qian Ningshuang's Martial Soul was not the Angel Martial Soul that represented the Qian Family, so there was even less reason to worry that people in Heaven Dou would recognize her.

"No, I want to go sooner."

One reason Qian Ningshuang was eager to go to Heaven Dou was Qian Renxue. Another was that, after learning that the God Realm was the Black Hand behind the plot against Spirit Hall, she could not possibly ignore Tang San—the pawn the God Realm intended to use to destroy Spirit Hall.

Although Qian Ningshuang was confident that no matter how Tang San developed, he could never surpass her, would it not be better if she could stop him from developing at all?

She could not openly tell Spirit Hall's high-ranking members about Tang San, so she could only handle it herself.

Just as Walter was about to say something more, a voice from outside interrupted him.

"Ah, I'm late! Is there any left for me?"

Tian Yao charged into the Qian Family residence, shouting at the top of her lungs. She came here every day to mooch meals unless something prevented her from doing so.

"It's so good! I haven't eaten Grandpa Walter's cooking in a whole week."

Seeing Tian Yao wolfing down food as though she had been reincarnated from a starving ghost, Qian Ningshuang could only set aside the matter of going to Heaven Dou for now and ask, "Your injuries are healed? Did Uncle Tian Chen go easy on you this time?"

"Xiaoshuang, what kind of thing is that to say? When has Dad ever really hit me hard? Those little injuries healed the next day. He only kept me confined this whole time."

It was quite a feat for Tian Yao to speak so clearly while eating.

Walter paid no attention to what Tian Yao and Qian Ningshuang were talking about. He simply continued what he had been saying before he was interrupted. Tian Yao was no outsider, so it did not matter if she heard.

"Shuang'er, it is not impossible for you to go to Heaven Dou, but we need to wait for Big Brother and Old Crocodile to discuss it and decide who will protect you. Then various arrangements must be made before you can go."

"Mm, all right." The reason Qian Ningshuang had written that she could only go in a few months was this. It was obvious that Spirit Hall could not possibly let her go to Heaven Dou all alone.

"What? Xiaoshuang, you're going to Heaven Dou?"

Tian Yao put down her bowl.

"What? Is that so strange?"

"I suppose not. Sister Xue'er is there, so you were bound to go sooner or later. Staying in Spirit City every day is too boring anyway. I'm going with you!"

At that, Qian Ningshuang looked at Tian Yao as though she were an idiot, and Walter was left speechless as well.

Young Lady, your Golden Crocodile King Martial Soul has already become as much a symbol of Spirit Hall as the Angel Martial Soul. What would you even be going there for?

Seeing Qian Ningshuang's expression, Tian Yao realized it too and scratched her short golden hair.

"But I really want to go. Spirit City is already pretty boring, and once you leave, Xiaoshuang, it'll be even more boring."

She said that, but the disappointment on Tian Yao's face showed that she did not hold out much hope. She was not stupid. If she really went along and was exposed, they would not necessarily be in danger, but Spirit Hall's plan would be ruined.

"...I'll ask our ancestor whether there's a way."

Qian Ningshuang spoke helplessly. She could not quite bear to leave Tian Yao alone in Spirit City either.