Friends

As the spirit skill activated, Feng Xinglie's arms suddenly swelled, standing like two small mountains before him, taking Qian Renxue's attack head-on. The collision between the golden holy shield and his arms stirred up intense spirit power fluctuations, pushing Feng Xinglie back several steps. By the time the attack dissipated, his arms, comparable to steel, were already bloody and mangled.

"Are... are you alright? I'll go find a healing-type spirit master right away."

Seeing his bloody arms, Qian Renxue's pretty face turned pale. Just as she was about to call for help, she heard someone speak from behind her:

"He's fine. The injury looks severe, but it's only broken the surface skin and hasn't even damaged the muscles."

"Grandfather!"

Qian Renxue turned around and threw herself into Qian Daoliu's embrace. Seeing the scene of filial piety before him, Feng Xinglie couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. While he didn't expect his cheap master to favor his own granddaughter over him, this was too perfunctory.

"Greetings, Master. Greetings, Young Master."

Hearing Feng Xinglie's address, Qian Renxue turned her head in surprise:

"Young Master? Are you calling me?"

"Yes, the Red-robed Cardinal who showed me around yesterday said that Master is the most powerful person in the Martial Soul Hall. You called Master 'Grandfather' just now, so you must be the Young Master."

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Qian Daoliu's eyes upon hearing this, but Qian Renxue pouted and retorted:

"We're not that far apart in age, so 'Young Master' sounds awkward. My name is Qian Renxue, you can just call me by my name."

"Understood, Young Master. No problem, Young Master."

Knowing that he was most likely brought here to assist Qian Renxue, Feng Xinglie dared not get ahead of himself. It was better to know his place in this situation. Just as Qian Renxue was about to say something else, Qian Daoliu interrupted her:

"Xue'er, you misunderstood what just happened."

He briefly explained the meaning of "Holy Son," and upon realizing it was merely a title, Qian Renxue's eyes brightened considerably. She then turned back, blushing, and said softly:

"I'm sorry, I misunderstood you. Does your hand still hurt?"

Feng Xinglie quickly waved his hands:

"It's nothing, it's nothing. Fortunately, Young Master held back just now. I'll just find a healing-type spirit master to take a look at this minor injury."

Without waiting for Qian Renxue's reaction, he bowed to Qian Daoliu and ran off shouting for a "doctor." Unbeknownst to him, Qian Daoliu watched his retreating figure and slowly narrowed his eyes:

"Xue'er has already obtained two spirit rings and her spirit power has reached level 24. This child, although also born with level 20 spirit power, only has one spirit ring. With such a gap, why could Xue'er's first spirit skill only scratch the skin..."

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner, Feng Xinglie's relaxed expression vanished as he gasped for air:

"Hiss... As expected of a God-tier Martial Soul. Even the first spirit skill has such attack power."

He looked down at the injured area. On the surface, it was indeed just a superficial wound, but the Holy attribute contained within was not only burning his flesh but also suppressing some of his spirit power.

"This cheap master of mine isn't a good person either. After just one night, who would specifically tell Qian Renxue, a little girl, about the 'Holy Son' matter? He probably heard about me absorbing spirit rings beyond my level and wanted to test my limits, while also having Qian Renxue give me a warning. If I had been severely beaten, I would have been at a disadvantage in terms of presence when we met again. Besides, with Qian Daoliu, an Limit Douluo, watching, a fight between two children wouldn't be fatal."

Feng Xinglie sighed at the hardships of survival, found someone to heal his injuries, and after lunch, intended to return to his room to rest, only to hear his door being knocked on again.

"No way? Is this a marketplace? Why is it so lively?"

He got out of bed for the second time, but his entire body slumped upon opening the door and seeing that familiar face. Forcing a smile, he asked:

"Haha... Young Master, what brings you here?"

Qian Renxue, standing at the door, frowned:

"I told you not to call me Young Master. I... I came to apologize to you."

"Huh? Apologize?"

Feng Xinglie was stunned. He really hadn't expected this future aloof Angel God to come and apologize to him. Seeing Feng Xinglie's lack of reaction, Qian Renxue, blushing, held up the food box in her hand:

"In short, these pastries are for you as compensation. Let's just forget about our fight this morning."

"Ah? Ah! Okay, I'll do as you say."

Feng Xinglie quickly took the gift and placed it on the table, then asked solicitously:

"Thank you for the gift, Young Master. Is there anything else?"

The subtext was: Can you leave if there's nothing else?

However, Qian Renxue, who was still childlike in mind and body, clearly didn't catch the hidden meaning. She puffed out her chest and patted Feng Xinglie's shoulder:

"Since the misunderstanding is cleared up, we're good friends from now on. If anyone bullies you, tell me, and I'll protect you!"

"Ha... Haha... Thank you, Young Master."

Feng Xinglie really didn't want to get involved with this core of conflict between the Pope's Palace and the Worship Hall. Just as he was thinking of how to escape, a fragrant breeze wafted past his nose. When he looked up again, he saw a man with feminine features, dressed in a magnificent robe, standing before him.

Feng Xinglie recognized him at a glance as one of the elders of the Martial Soul Hall, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan. After all, besides him, there was no one else on the continent with such an appearance.

"Miss, Your Excellency the Pope requests your presence at the Pope's Palace for a discussion."

Chrysanthemum Douluo bowed respectfully to Qian Renxue.

"Really? Mother wants to see me!?"

Hearing that her mother wanted to see her, the innocent Qian Renxue's eyes lit up. Without even responding, she dashed out.

"Phew... Finally gone."

Just as he breathed a sigh of relief, he saw Qian Renxue, who had just run out, run back the same way:

"Come, Little Lie. Come with me to see Mother. It's a rare opportunity for ordinary people, and even I rarely get to see her!"

"Ah? Young Master, isn't this inappropriate? Your Excellency the Pope said she wanted to see you for a discussion, she didn't call me..."

Feng Xinglie was on the verge of tears. He really didn't understand why Qian Renxue kept clinging to him, even suspecting if Qian Daoliu was planning something again. But Qian Renxue's thoughts were actually very simple; she just wanted to compensate this friend of the same age whom she had beaten up. Bibi Dong was very important to her, and this was the first time she had actively asked to see her, which was a good thing. And good things should be shared with friends.

Thus, under Feng Xinglie's "willing" expression, Qian Renxue forcibly dragged him to the Pope's Palace.

"I'm here, Mom..."

Crack!

As soon as Qian Renxue entered, she couldn't wait to shout. However, before she could finish, she was ruthlessly interrupted by the light sound of a scepter hitting the ground.

"What did you call me?"

Looking at Bibi Dong's gloomy expression, which could drip water, Qian Renxue couldn't help but shrink back and changed her address aggrievedly:

"Sis... Sister..."

"Mm."

Hearing this address, Bibi Dong's expression softened slightly. But then she saw Feng Xinglie, who was clearly uncomfortable, and frowned again:

"What are you doing here?"

Facing Bibi Dong's questioning, Qian Renxue quickly replied:

"He's my friend, I brought him here."

"Friend? Heh, my Holy Son is quite capable. It hasn't been long, and he's already made friends with Qian Renxue?"

Hearing the unfriendly tone, Feng Xinglie quickly bowed:

"Replying to Your Excellency the Pope, I was just following along. Since you have important matters to discuss, I'll leave now, I'll leave now..."

"Wait."

Just as he was about to retreat, he heard Bibi Dong say playfully:

"Since she brought you here, you can listen from the side. As the Holy Son, there are some things you are not privy to."

"Yes, Your Excellency the Pope..."

Failing to escape again, Feng Xinglie had no choice but to stand obediently to the side. Based on his understanding of the plot, Bibi Dong finding Qian Renxue was definitely not for anything good. He just hoped this fire wouldn't burn him.

"Xue'er, I called you here today to give you a mission."

"A mission? Sister, tell me! I will definitely complete it well!"

This was the first time Qian Renxue heard Bibi Dong call her by such a gentle address, and she was so happy she wanted to jump. But Bibi Dong's seemingly gentle gaze revealed a full measure of disgust.

"Xue'er, you also know. Douluo Continent has two great empires, both of which are stumbling blocks hindering the development of Martial Soul Hall. As a member of the Qian family, you naturally have the obligation to eliminate them."

Listening to Bibi Dong's tempting words, Feng Xinglie's heart skipped a beat. Is it starting already?

"Therefore, I want you to go to the Heavenly Dou Empire and replace their prince. In the future, you will dedicate the entire country to Martial Soul Hall."

As expected, the plan to usurp the country.

This was the beginning of Qian Renxue's tragic life. Not only would the young her have to go to a completely unfamiliar country and pretend to be someone else, but in the future, due to the protagonist Tang San's intervention and Bibi Dong's impatience, Qian Renxue's efforts to endure humiliation for the first half of her life would be in vain and become a joke.

"What? Mom, are you trying to send me away?"

Qian Renxue seemed to have suffered a huge blow and murmured in a daze. The reply she received was:

"Don't call me that!"

Tearing off her gentle disguise, Bibi Dong roared with hatred. Not only Qian Renxue, but even Feng Xinglie and the Ghost Douluo beside them were startled.

"...Sister?"

Tears streamed down her face. This was the first time she had been called by her mother, and she thought it would be a warm reunion, but unexpectedly, she was being driven away. The tears she didn't shed when fighting Feng Xinglie finally couldn't be held back and burst out. But Bibi Dong, sitting high on the throne, spoke coldly and domineeringly:

"This matter has been decided, and you are not allowed to discuss it."

The Pope's Palace fell silent, with no sound to be heard except for Qian Renxue's faint sobs. Just as the matter was about to be finalized, Feng Xinglie suddenly raised his hand:

"Wait a moment, Your Excellency the Pope!"