Friends

As the Soul Skill activated, Feng Xinglie's arms suddenly swelled, standing before him like two small mountains. He took Qian Renxue's attack head-on. The golden holy shield collided with his arms, unleashing a powerful surge of Soul Power that drove Feng Xinglie back several steps. Once the attack had completely dissipated, his arms—hard as steel—were left a bloody mess.

"Y-you're okay, right? I'll go find a healing Soul Master right away."

The sight of his bloodied arms drained the color from Qian Renxue's pretty face. She was just about to call for help when someone behind her spoke:

"He's fine. The injury looks serious, but it only broke the skin. It didn't even damage the muscle."

"Grandpa!"

Qian Renxue turned and threw herself into Qian Daoliu's arms. Watching the tender scene between grandfather and granddaughter, Feng Xinglie couldn't help twitching at the corner of his mouth. He hadn't expected his bargain-basement master to favor him over his own granddaughter, but this was a little too perfunctory, wasn't it?

"Greetings, Master. Greetings, Young Master."

At Feng Xinglie's form of address, Qian Renxue turned her head in surprise.

"Young Master? Are you talking about me?"

"Yes. The Red-robed Cardinal who showed me around yesterday said that Master is the most powerful person in Spirit Hall. You just called Master Grandpa, so you must be the Young Master."

A hint of satisfaction flashed deep in Qian Daoliu's eyes at those words, but Qian Renxue pouted and retorted:

"We're not that far apart in age. There's no need to call me Young Master. It doesn't sound nice. My name is Qian Renxue. Just call me by my name."

"Of course, Young Master. No problem, Young Master."

Feng Xinglie knew full well that he had most likely been dragged in to play second fiddle to Qian Renxue, so he didn't dare take her invitation and run with it. It was best to know his place here. Sure enough, just as Qian Renxue was about to say more, Qian Daoliu cut in:

"Xue'er, you really did misunderstand what happened just now."

After a brief explanation of what the Holy Son meant, Qian Renxue's eyes visibly brightened once she understood it was only a position. Then she turned to Feng Xinglie and said in a quiet, blushing voice:

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

Feng Xinglie hurriedly waved his hands.

"It's fine, it's fine. Luckily, Young Master held back just now. I'll ask a healing Soul Master to take a look at it."

Without waiting for Qian Renxue to respond, he bowed to Qian Daoliu and dashed away, calling for a "doctor." Behind him, Qian Daoliu watched his retreating figure, his eyes slowly narrowing.

"Xue'er already has two Soul Rings and has reached level 24 in Soul Power. This child is also born with level 20, but he only has one Soul Ring. With such a gap between them, her first Soul Skill only managed to break the skin...?"

Meanwhile, once Feng Xinglie had reached an empty corner, the easygoing look vanished from his face, and he drew a sharp breath.

"Phew... As expected of a God-tier Martial Soul. Even the first Soul Skill hits that hard."

He looked down at the wound. On the surface, it was only a flesh wound, but the Holy attribute within it was scorching his flesh and blood and even suppressing some of his Soul Power.

"My bargain-basement master isn't exactly a good person either. It's only been one night. Who would go out of their way to tell a little girl like Qian Renxue about the Holy Son? He must have heard I absorbed a Soul Ring beyond my level and wanted to test me, while also having Qian Renxue put me in my place. If I'd been beaten to a pulp, I'd be at a disadvantage the next time we met. Besides, with Qian Daoliu, a Limit Douluo, watching right there, two kids fighting wouldn't end in anyone's death."

After lamenting the hardships of survival, Feng Xinglie found someone to treat his injury. He ate lunch and had planned to return to his room to rest, but then someone knocked on his door again.

"Seriously? Is my room a marketplace or something? Why is it so busy?"

He climbed out of bed for the second time, but when he opened the door and saw that familiar face, his whole body sagged. He forced a smile and asked:

"Haha... Young Master, what can I do for you?"

Qian Renxue frowned outside the door.

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

"Huh? Apologize?"

Feng Xinglie froze. He truly hadn't expected the future Angel God, so cold and aloof, to come apologize to him. When he didn't respond, Qian Renxue blushed and raised the food box in her hands.

"Anyway, these pastries are for you as an apology. Let's put this morning's fight behind us."

"Oh? Oh! All right, whatever you say."

Feng Xinglie hurriedly accepted the gift and set it on the table, then asked with an ingratiating smile:

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

What he meant was: If there's nothing else, could you leave?

But Qian Renxue, a child in both mind and body, clearly didn't pick up on what he meant. She puffed out her chest and patted Feng Xinglie on the shoulder.

"Now that we've cleared up the misunderstanding, we're good friends. If anyone bullies you, just tell me. Big Sister's got your back!"

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

Feng Xinglie really didn't want to get entangled in the conflict between Pope's Palace and the Worship Hall. He was trying to figure out how to get away when a fragrant breeze swept past his nose. When he looked up, a man with feminine features and resplendent robes was standing before him.

Feng Xinglie recognized him at a glance as one of Spirit Hall's elders, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan. After all, there wasn't another person on the entire continent who dressed like that.

"Young Lady, His Holiness the Pope requests your presence at Pope's Palace to discuss a matter."

Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan bowed respectfully to Qian Renxue.

"Really? Mother wants to see me?"

At the news that her mother wanted to see her, Qian Renxue's innocent eyes instantly lit up. Without even replying, she took off running.

"Phew... She's finally gone."

Just as Feng Xinglie let out a sigh of relief, Qian Renxue came running back the way she'd gone.

"Come on, Xiao Lie. Come with me to see Mother. Ordinary people hardly ever get this chance. Even I don't get to see her easily!"

"Huh? Young Master, that wouldn't be appropriate, would it? His Holiness the Pope asked to see you. She didn't ask for me..."

Feng Xinglie was on the verge of tears. He really couldn't understand why Qian Renxue kept clinging to him. He even wondered whether Qian Daoliu was planning something again. But Qian Renxue's thoughts were simple: she only wanted to make it up to the friend her own age whom she'd beaten up. Bibi Dong was very important to her, and this was the first time her mother had asked to see her. It was a good thing. And good things were meant to be shared with friends.

So, with Feng Xinglie wearing an expression of "delight," Qian Renxue dragged him all the way to Pope's Palace.

"I'm here, Mom..."

Clack!

The moment Qian Renxue entered, she eagerly called out. But before she could finish, the sharp sound of a scepter striking the floor cut her off without mercy.

"What did you call me?"

At the sight of Bibi Dong's face, dark enough to drip water, Qian Renxue shrank back and changed her address in a quavering voice.

"S-sister..."

"Mm."

Only after hearing that did Bibi Dong's expression ease slightly. But then she noticed Feng Xinglie standing there looking uncomfortable, and her brows furrowed again.

"What are you doing here?"

Before Bibi Dong could finish questioning him, Qian Renxue answered first:

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

"Friend? Heh. My Holy Son certainly has a way with people. It hasn't even been long, and he's already made friends with Qian Renxue?"

Hearing the hostility in her voice, Feng Xinglie hurriedly bowed.

"His Holiness the Pope, I only came along because I was on my way. Since you have important matters to discuss, I'll take my leave right now."

"Wait."

Just as he was about to slip out, Bibi Dong spoke with a mocking smile.

"Since she brought you here, stay and listen. As the Holy Son, there are some things you're allowed to know."

"Yes, Your Holiness the Pope..."

His second escape attempt had failed. Feng Xinglie had no choice but to stand quietly to one side. From what he knew of the story, nothing good could come of Bibi Dong summoning Qian Renxue. He could only hope the flames didn't spread to him.

"Xue'er, I called you here today because I have a task for you."

"A task? Tell me, Sister! I'll make sure I do it well!"

This was the first time Bibi Dong had called her by such a gentle name, and Qian Renxue was so happy she nearly jumped for joy. But beneath Bibi Dong's seemingly gentle gaze lay undisguised loathing.

"Xue'er, you know there are two great empires on the Douluo Continent. Both are stumbling blocks to Spirit Hall's growth. As a member of the Qian Family, it's your duty to remove them."

At Bibi Dong's tempting words, Feng Xinglie's heart gave a thud. Could it be starting already?

"So I want you to go to the Heaven Dou Empire and take the place of one of their princes. In the future, you'll hand the entire empire over to Spirit Hall."

Just as he'd expected—the Nation Seizing Plan.

This was where Qian Renxue's tragic life began. While still so young, she would have to go to a completely unfamiliar country and live disguised as someone else. Then, in the future, because of Tang San's interference and Bibi Dong's impatience, all the years Qian Renxue had spent enduring humiliation would come to nothing, turning into a joke.

"What? Mom, are you sending me away?"

As if she'd suffered a tremendous blow, Qian Renxue asked in a daze. But the answer she got was:

"Don't call me that!"

Ripping off the mask of tenderness, Bibi Dong roared in resentment. Not only Qian Renxue, but Feng Xinglie and Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo standing nearby were startled.

"...Sister?"

Tears ran down her cheeks. Her mother had called her here for the first time, and she'd thought they would share a tender moment. She never imagined her mother meant to send her away. She hadn't shed a single tear while fighting Feng Xinglie, but now she could no longer hold them back. Yet Bibi Dong, seated high on her throne, spoke coldly and imperiously:

"I've already made up my mind. There's nothing for you to discuss."

The Pope's Palace fell silent. The only sound was Qian Renxue's faint sobbing. Just before the decision was about to be finalized, Feng Xinglie suddenly raised his hand.

"Wait, Your Holiness the Pope!"