Kissed

"About this matter... do you have a detailed plan?"

"I already had a preliminary concept. The location, personnel, funding, and research direction were all being planned."

"I hoped Father could provide support."

Qian Daoliu pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. You will have full authority over this matter."

"If you need support from the Worship Hall, speak up."

Though he had doubts about his son's recent outrageous actions, this foresight and courage to focus on the future reassured him.

With business concluded, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed.

After finishing the last bite of cake, Qian Daoliu looked at his son and suddenly said, "Xunji, you are no longer young."

"Your position as Pope is secure. It is time to consider starting a family. Do not be like your father and waste too many years."

The belated pressure to marry had arrived, but he had long been prepared for it.

"Rest assured, old man. Regarding this matter... I know what I'm doing."

"Oh?" Qian Daoliu raised a brow. "So you already have someone in mind? Which family is she from? Do I know her?"

"You do."

"Who is it?" Qian Daoliu's curiosity was rarely piqued.

"For now... it is a secret."

Qian Xunji deliberately kept him in suspense and rose to his feet. "When the time comes, I will naturally bring her to meet you. I guarantee she will satisfy you."

Qian Daoliu's curiosity had been thoroughly stirred. Seeing his son look so confident yet secretive, he was both annoyed and amused. In the end, he merely laughed and scolded, "You brat, you're even keeping me in suspense now?"

Qian Xunji laughed heartily, bowed, and took his leave.

When Qian Xunji returned to the Small Dining Hall, the table that had just been covered with cakes had already been cleaned spotless.

Bibi Dong held a damp cloth as she wiped away the cream on the tabletop.

Her profile was gentle and beautiful, her expression focused. A faint, satisfied smile still lingered at the corners of her lips, as though she were savoring the wonderful taste of the cake.

Hearing footsteps, she raised her head. The moment she saw Qian Xunji, a bright smile bloomed across her face. "Teacher."

"Mm."

"Have they all been handed out?"

"They have. Elder Gui Mei initially kept a straight face and said he did not need any, but Elder Yue Guan liked them very much. He said he had never eaten such a novel pastry before."

"He even asked when we would make them again."

"Everyone said they were delicious."

Seeing how happy she was, Qian Xunji's mood brightened as well.

"I'm glad you liked them."

He paused, recalling his upcoming arrangements. "Oh, right, Dong'er. Over the next few days, I have some important matters to handle, so I may leave the Pope Palace for a while."

"While I am gone, do not slack off in your daily cultivation. If you encounter any difficulties, you may first seek guidance from Elder Gui Mei or Elder Yue Guan."

The smile on Bibi Dong's face faded slightly.

Where was Teacher going? What was he going to handle? Would it be dangerous?

A string of questions rushed to her lips, but when she saw her teacher's calm and composed expression, she ultimately swallowed them back.

"I understand, Teacher. I will work hard."

"Oh, Teacher, next time... next time, could you let me try making it?"

"Can you do it alone?"

"I-I think I can..." Bibi Dong sounded somewhat uncertain. Recalling the "disaster" of whipping egg whites and piping frosting, her voice gradually softened.

Seeing her look like she wanted to put on a brave face while feeling guilty inside, Qian Xunji chuckled and reached out to ruffle her hair. "Next time, we will make it together again."

"And it will not just be cake. We can try making other things too."

"Other things? Like what?"

"Mm... for example... ice cream."

"Ice cream?" Bibi Dong's attention was immediately caught by the unfamiliar term. "What is that? Is it something to eat too?"

"That's right. It is cold and sweet, and especially refreshing to eat in summer."

"You'll find out then."

Cold? Something for summer? It sounded so interesting!

Bibi Dong's anticipation instantly soared.

"Teacher, you're so good to me."

"Just 'so good'?"

Bibi Dong looked at her teacher's smiling face so close to her own. Suddenly, inspiration struck, and a bold thought surfaced in her mind.

She raised her hand and extended a finger, swiftly smearing it across Qian Xunji's cheek before he could react!

"Hmm?"

Qian Xunji froze for a moment. "Dong'er, what did you put on me?"

"Cream. There was cream on your face, Teacher. I was helping you wipe it off."

Before Qian Xunji could react, she suddenly stepped forward, rose onto her tiptoes, and quickly pressed her lips against the spot she had just wiped with her finger.

The kiss was gone the instant it touched.

"There, now it's clean."

After saying that, Bibi Dong did not dare look at Qian Xunji's expression at all. She turned and ran.

Qian Xunji stood rooted where he was, maintaining his previous posture, his fingers still suspended in midair.

When he came back to himself, he raised a hand and touched that spot.

"This disciple of mine... her courage has grown. She even learned how to launch sneak attacks."

With an irrepressible smile on his face, Qian Xunji returned to his chambers.

After closing the door, the smile on his face gradually faded.

"System, I'm ready. You can begin the Light God Trial."

[Ding! Detected that the host's mentality is stable and Soul Power is abundant.]

[Confirming the initiation of the Light God Inheritance assessment.]

[Warning: The divine trial process carries risks. Once begun, unless it is completed, voluntarily giving up will result in the loss of assessment eligibility. Confirm?]

"Confirm."

[Light God Trial, First Trial: Audience with the Divine Heart, initiated!]

[Objective: Reach the Light Core and obtain the preliminary recognition of the Heart of the God of Light.]

The moment the system's voice fell silent, dazzling golden light erupted from Qian Xunji's body and instantly engulfed him completely.

Qian Xunji felt weightless and dizzy, as if he had passed through a tunnel of time and space.

The next second, the sensation of solid ground beneath his feet returned, and the surrounding radiance gradually weakened.

Qian Xunji opened his eyes and shuddered.

He stood above an endless expanse of clouds.

Above the sea of clouds floated a golden sphere that radiated light and heat.

It was like a second sun, emitting dense power of light.

"Where is this? Is that... the sun?"

[The host is currently within a special domain constructed from the divine power of the God of Light.]

[The object ahead is not the sun, but the Light Core.]

"The Light Core..."

Qian Xunji gazed up at the enormous orb of light. Even from such a great distance, he could feel the heat and brilliance it gave off.

"For the first trial, I just need to fly up there and enter it?"

[Correct. Fly to the core and enter it.]

[The incarnation of the God of Light's will awaits within the core. It will grant those who pass through the seed of the Heart of the God of Light, completing the preliminary recognition.]

[This is a core assessment with no time limit, but the process will become increasingly difficult as the host approaches the core.]

[Please act within your capabilities and make thorough preparations.]

"No time limit? That's good." Qian Xunji breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed this was not a timed challenge.