The hall fell silent for several seconds.
Qian Daoliu sighed slowly. There was a trace of relief in it, but something more complicated too. "You've grown up."
"Everyone has to grow up sometime."
Qian Renxue raised her head toward the Angel God Statue, which towered a hundred feet above them. "Grandpa, I want to begin the Angel God Trial."
Qian Daoliu was silent for a moment.
He turned toward the Angel God Statue and gently pressed his hand against its cold base.
"Are you certain?"
He did not look back. His voice was low. "Once the Angel God Trial begins, there is no turning back. If you fail, divine power will imprison your soul forever. You won't even have a chance at reincarnation."
"I'm certain."
Qian Renxue's voice was quiet but unwavering. Every word rang with conviction.
Qian Daoliu did not answer at once.
He stared at her, transfixed.
A light he had never seen before burned in her golden eyes.
It was hotter than sunlight, fiercer than flame.
She reminded him of himself when he was young.
"All right."
Qian Daoliu slowly lifted his hand from the statue's base, took two steps back, and bowed solemnly before it.
"Then... let us begin."
He straightened and drew a finger across his forehead.
A drop of crimson blood floated from his brow and hovered in the air, radiating brilliant golden light.
The blood turned slowly, trembling as though alive.
Qian Daoliu formed a seal with both hands and called out, "In my name, Qian Daoliu, guardian of the Angel Godhood, I beseech the Angel God to descend!"
The drop burst apart. Golden light rained down across the Angel God Statue.
Humm—!
The ancient statue flared to life.
Golden light poured from within it, illuminating the entire hall like daylight.
Qian Renxue