When You're Playing Political Games but Heaven's Cheat Code Is About to Expire

The battle is over.

Qian Renxue was defeated.

The defeat was complete.

She knelt on the ground.

The Angel Holy Sword was stuck in the rubble in front of him.

The sacred flames on the sword had been completely extinguished, leaving only a few wisps of smoke drifting weakly.

Her long, golden hair was scattered messily over her shoulders, and a few white feathers fell from her six wings, swirling and drifting down in the air.

In a sorry state.

Extremely disheveled.

She had considered the possibility of losing.

But she never imagined she would lose so badly.

Lin Qingmo didn't even have Sixth Soul Ring.

A Level 60 Quasi-Spirit Emperor who didn't even have Sixth Soul Ring easily crushed her with just his first five Soul Skill.

What's even more disheartening is that if that Blue Silver Torrent of Life and Destruction hadn't been stopped...

She's no longer kneeling here panting; she's completely disappeared from the map, just like that little hill.

"This feeling... is awful."

Qian Renxue bit her lower lip, her fingers gripping the hilt of her sword tightly.

She has been considered a genius by others since she was a child.

Innate Level 20 Soul Power, Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul, and is a direct descendant of the Qian Family of the Spirit Hall.

Any one of those accolades alone could crush a whole host of so-called geniuses.

Stacked together, it's like God is feeding them to them.

Then today, she was utterly humiliated by someone whose Innate Soul Power was less than level five.

At this moment, Lin Qingmo walked to her side.

He crouched down, level with her eye level, his expression unusually serious.

"Can I say a few words?"

"Speak." Qian Renxue didn't look up.

"You've wasted your talent."

Qian Renxue suddenly looked up, a look of surprise flashing in her golden eyes. "What did you say?"

"I'm telling you, you've wasted your Innate Level 20 Soul Power talent."

Lin Qingmo didn't give her a chance to refute, and raised a finger.

"Don't get angry yet, let me finish."

"Leaving aside others, just look at your Spirit Hall's Golden Generation: Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan. They became Spirit King at a younger age than you."

Qian Renxue opened her mouth.

I want to refute that.

But she found she couldn't refute it.

Because what Lin Qingmo said was true.

He's Spirit Emperor, which does sound stronger than the Golden Generation.

The problem is, she has Innate Level 20 Soul Power.

"Do you know what Innate Level 20 innate is?" Lin Qingmo asked.

Qian Renxue remained silent.

"Innate Level 20 means that you were born at a level that others would take years to reach."

Lin Qingmo ignored her reply and continued, "The highest known record for Innate Full Soul Power on the entire continent is level 20, and you are the only one who holds that title."

He paused, then added, "And you're only at level sixty-two."

"I'm not saying level 62 is low. I'm saying that with your talent, someone as gifted as you should be at least level 70 by now."

Qian Renxue's face was grim.

But she didn't get angry.

Because Lin Qingmo is right.

Let me guess why.

Lin Qingmo his chin on his hand. "Is it because of your Nation-Stealing Plan?"

Qian Renxue's shoulders stiffened slightly.

"Playing the role of a fake Crown Prince, attending court every day, reviewing memorials, scheming against ministers, and constantly being on guard against exposing one's true identity."

"These things take up most of your time, making cultivation a secondary pursuit."

Lin Qingmo shook his head. "You were wrong from the start."

"Where did I go wrong?" Qian Renxue's voice was dry.

"You made a mistake by choosing the wrong track."

Lin Qingmo stood up and patted the dirt off his knees.

"You clearly possess the world's strongest talent: Innate Level 20 Soul Power and God-Level Martial Soul Six-Winged Angel."

"You have the strongest background; the Qian Family the Spirit Hall, and your grandfather is the Grand Pontiff Qian Daoliu."

"The best resources, the number one cultivation resources on the entire continent, are at your disposal."

He looked down at Qian Renxue.

"As long as he cultivates diligently, becoming Titled Douluo is a sure thing."

"With your Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul and the Qian Family Angel God Trial, it's entirely possible for you to embark on the path to godhood."

"By then, who in this world will be your match?"

"The mere Heaven Dou Empire."

He pointed to the ground beneath his feet. "Isn't it something that can be destroyed with a flick of the wrist?"

"You could have easily overwhelmed them with sheer strength, but you insisted on playing politics."

"You could have made a living based on your looks... no, I mean, on your skills, but you insisted on going undercover."

Lin Qingmo sighed, "Qian Renxue, you're simply wasting your talent."

Qian Renxue's expression changed drastically.

a bolt from the blue.

It's no exaggeration to say that Lin Qingmo's words were like a thunderbolt.

It was even more ruthless than the previous eighty-one heavenly lightning strikes, directly hitting her understanding of the world.

She always thought the Nation-Stealing Plan was a brilliant design.

Since the Spirit Hall, being a religious entity, could not directly rule the continent, she was sent to infiltrate the Heaven Dou Empire and seize power without bloodshed.

In her view, this plan was a display of wisdom and a more sophisticated approach than mere military conquest.

But now Lin Qingmo is telling her.

That's not strategy, that's taking a roundabout route.

You own a top-of-the-line sports car, but instead of racing it on the highway, you insist on riding it to the market to buy groceries.

waste.

A complete waste!

She wanted to argue.

She had even already prepared her rebuttal in her mind.

The Spirit Hall needs a legitimate right to rule, and military conquest would provoke united resistance from all sides of the continent.

But after considering all these reasons, she rejected them all.

Because the logical chain that Lin Qingmo described was closed too perfectly.

Having become Titled Douluo and embarked on the path to godhood, who on the continent can stop him?

At that point, will it make a difference whether the Heaven Dou Empire surrenders or perishes?

Does it matter if the Star Luo Empire lives two more or two less days?

In the Douluo Continent, where strength reigns supreme, overwhelming power is always more effective than schemes and tricks.

This principle is so simple.

Why couldn't she figure it out?

"You're nine years younger than me," Qian Renxue said, her voice slightly hoarse.

"Hmm? It seems so." Lin Qingmo scratched his head.

Nine years old!

He only used two-thirds of his time.

Starting from nothing, he caught up to almost the same level as her and even crushed her in actual combat.

If we convert those nine years into cultivation progress, Lin Qingmo's cultivation speed is at least three times that of hers.

Qian Renxue lowered her head.

If only I didn't have to worry about all the messy affairs of the Heaven Dou Empire.

If you dedicate every minute and every second to cultivation.

With a foundation of Innate Level 20 talent, personal guidance from her grandfather Peerless Douluo Qian Daoliu, and top-tier resources from the Spirit Hall... what would her strength be now?

Soul Saint? Soul Douluo?

This assumption sent chills down her spine.

Because she dared not continue calculating; the more she calculated, the more foolish she felt.

Looking at Qian Renxue's changing expression, Lin Qingmo wondered if he had gone a bit too far.

The girl's face had changed from white to green, and then from green to black.

I'm currently in a state of deep self-doubt, feeling like I've wasted ten years of my life.

Her lips were bitten until they turned white, and her eyes were slightly red, but she stubbornly held back her tears.

"Well."

Lin Qingmo wondered to himself, "Did I touch a nerve?"

He thought about it and decided to offer some words of comfort.

"Actually, you don't need to blame yourself too much. This Nation-Stealing Plan wasn't your decision alone, was it?"

"Those elders from the Spirit Hall must have been involved in the decision-making process; maybe even your grandfather..."

He hadn't finished speaking.

Qian Renxue suddenly stood up.

She clenched her fists.

He clenched his fist so tightly that his knuckles made a cracking sound.

Lin Qingmo took a half step back.

"You're right."

Qian Renxue raised her head, her golden eyes burning with an unprecedented flame.

It's not a flame of anger, but a flame of fighting spirit.

"I really wasted too much time."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally firm; every word was like a nail driven into the ground.

"During my years playing the role of the Crown Prince in the Heaven Dou Empire, I used political intrigue as my primary means, but I forgot that true power never comes from conspiracies and tricks."

She took a deep breath.

"From today onwards, I will prioritize cultivation."

She looked at Lin Qingmo, the boy's figure reflected in the burning flame in her eyes.

"Lin Qingmo, thank you for scolding me awake."

Before Lin Qingmo could react, Qian Renxue had already stretched out her right hand and pointed directly at him.

I will surpass you.

Her voice echoed through the valley, carrying an undeniable determination.

"I will cultivate diligently, participate in the Angel God Trial, embark on the path to godhood, and become a true powerhouse."

Lin Qingmo stared at her for three seconds.

Then he laughed.

"Okay, I'll be waiting."

Looks like I don't need to comfort myself anymore.

This discovery relieved Lin Qingmo.