Five years later, at the Worship Hall in Spirit City.
Porcupinefish Douluo held a sheet of paper and respectfully presented it to Qian Daoliu, his demeanor almost servile. "Grand Elder, this is the list of materials the young mistress needs this month."
Qian Daoliu casually took it and scanned the writing on the list.
It was filled with rare treasures of heaven and earth. Even just the medicinal ingredients like the "Millennium Snow Lotus" and "Mystic Ice Jade Marrow" were each priceless.
That little sheet of paper, converted to Gold Soul Coins, was worth at least twenty million.
He set the list down and looked at Porcupinefish Douluo. "Porcupinefish, five years ago, you were only at level ninety-two. Now you're at the peak of level ninety-three, just one step away from level ninety-four. Your cultivation has progressed quickly."
Porcupinefish Douluo hurriedly bowed. "It is all thanks to the young mistress. Without her, this subordinate's cultivation would likely have stagnated long ago."
A sharp glint flashed in Qian Daoliu's eyes. An invisible soul pressure suddenly poured from him, enveloping Porcupinefish Douluo like a mountain pressing down. "You've been hiding something from me for five years. I've waited long enough. Now tell me: what exactly has Xiao Xue been doing?"
Porcupinefish Douluo felt as though every bone in his body were groaning, as if the terrifying pressure would crush him to pieces. His legs bent against his will, cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and even breathing became difficult.
He gritted his teeth. With a thud, his knees hit the ground. Then he cupped his fists and said in a low voice, "Grand Elder, the young mistress gave her orders. This subordinate dares not disobey."
Qian Daoliu withdrew his soul pressure, but the confusion in his eyes deepened.
With his demigod-level strength, Porcupinefish Douluo had still kept his mouth shut. That was highly unusual. What had Xiao Xue given him?
As for whether Porcupinefish Douluo had been pocketing the medicinal ingredients? He had never suspected that. Anyone who had become a Titled Douluo would hardly do something so foolish.
There was only one possibility: Xiao Xue truly needed these things. With such enormous quantities of rare treasures being used up every month, no force on the continent besides Spirit Hall could afford to keep up.
Curiosity gnawed at him, making him all the more eager to see for himself what his granddaughter had been doing these past five years.
"I'll go to Heaven Dou City with you." Qian Daoliu stood, his long robe stirring slightly in the breeze.
Porcupinefish Douluo froze, his face full of astonishment. "G-Grand Elder, you're going too?"
"I haven't seen Xiao Xue in over five years. It's time I paid her a visit," Qian Daoliu said calmly. "Go to the treasury and retrieve the things Xiao Xue asked for."
"Yes, Grand Elder." Porcupinefish Douluo bowed and withdrew, but his heart was in turmoil. The young mistress had specifically ordered him not to alert the Grand Elder. Now that the Grand Elder was going in person, would the young mistress blame him?
What if this month's pills got withheld?
Two hours later, Qian Daoliu and Porcupinefish Douluo set out for Heaven Dou City.
Several days later.
On the outskirts of Heaven Dou City, a courtyard named Snowy Abode Villa stood quietly atop a mountain.
Qian Renxue had had it built five years ago. Far from the hustle and bustle, it was exceptionally quiet, making it the perfect place to devote herself to cultivation.
In the open space at the center of the courtyard, Qian Renxue held an ivory-white longsword and sparred with Snake Lance Douluo.
"Clang!"
The sword's tip struck Snake Lance, ringing out with a piercing metallic clash as sparks flew.
Qian Renxue moved like a swallow flitting through snow, her longsword tracing blossoms of sword light through the air. Each strike was fierce, aimed straight at Snake Lance Douluo's vital points.
Snake Lance Douluo, meanwhile, stood firm as a rock. The Snake Lance seemed to come alive in his hands, at times striking like a spirit snake flicking out its tongue to parry the sword with precision.
At other times, it lashed like a venomous snake's tail, the whoosh of its passage forcing her back.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The clashes rang out without pause. Each exchange unleashed a sharp sonic boom, and the resulting gusts swept outward, making the trees more than ten zhang away sway violently. Their branches and leaves creaked as if they might snap at any moment.
The ground had been poured from a special alloy mixed with hardened steel, giving it tremendous resistance to pressure. Though the force of their blows made it tremble faintly, not a single crack appeared. Unless struck directly, it would be nearly impossible to damage.
The more Qian Renxue fought, the more naturally her movements flowed. Her blood seemed to burn.
She stepped forward with her left foot, lowering her body slightly. Her sword abruptly changed from a thrust to an upward slash, aiming for Snake Lance Douluo's legs.
Snake Lance Douluo touched the ground with his toes and drifted backward, sweeping his spear horizontally at the same time and forcing Qian Renxue to pull her sword back to defend herself.
Then Qian Renxue flipped her wrist, and her longsword curled around the Snake Lance like a spirit snake, aiming straight for Snake Lance Douluo's shoulder.
Snake Lance Douluo remained unruffled. He blocked with his left arm and countered with an upward sweep of his spear. Their weapons clashed once more, making the air around them hum.
She spun sharply, her long hair tracing an arc through the air. Riding the force of her turn, her longsword cleaved toward Snake Lance Douluo's face with a fierce gust.
Snake Lance Douluo tilted his head aside and raised the Snake Lance, trying to trap her sword.
Qian Renxue loosened her wrist. The sword spun halfway around in her palm, evading the spear. Her slash became a thrust, its tip aimed straight at Snake Lance Douluo's heart.
A note of approval flashed in Snake Lance Douluo's eyes. He abruptly dropped low and slid along the ground, avoiding the lethal strike as he swept his spear backward.
Qian Renxue pushed off with her toes and leapt, turning once in midair before bringing her sword down from above with tremendous force.
"Clang!"
Another deafening crash rang out. Snake Lance Douluo held her sword firmly at bay, his arm sinking slightly.
Suddenly, Qian Renxue withdrew her sword and stepped back, pouting in dissatisfaction. "I'm done. This is boring. Uncle Snake Lance, you don't even fight back."
Qian Renxue stored her sword in her Space Ring. Chen Qingxuan had crafted it for her. It had a space of 8,888 cubic meters and was far more practical than a Soul Tool.
Snake Lance Douluo put away his spear and clasped his hands with a smile. "The young mistress's swordsmanship is exquisite. This subordinate can only defend himself, not counterattack."
"Uncle Snake Lance, you're so sly." Qian Renxue huffed, though the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. "Uncle Porcupinefish wouldn't say that."
Snake Lance Douluo laughed heartily. "That fellow Porcupinefish is as blunt as they come. How could he appreciate the young mistress's progress as well as I do?"
"Ahh, I'm exhausted." Qian Renxue stretched, her slender waist curving into a perfect line. Five years had passed, and the little bean sprout she'd once been had grown into a graceful young woman, with a slender figure and elegant curves. Even her simple training clothes could not conceal her radiance.
Her skin was fair as snow, and her golden hair fell loosely over her shoulders. The childishness had faded from her features, replaced by a touch of resolve and liveliness.
Snake Lance Douluo glanced at her without thinking, then quickly lowered his head, the tips of his ears turning faintly red.
Just then, the villa's gates opened, and Qian Daoliu and Porcupinefish Douluo walked in.
Looking at the two in the courtyard, a note of satisfaction flashed through Qian Daoliu's eyes. "Xiao Xue, you've made great progress over the past few years."
"Grandpa!" Qian Renxue cried out in delight. She hurried over to Qian Daoliu and took hold of his sleeve, giving it a gentle tug. Her golden eyes brimmed with joy. "What brings you here?"
Even as she spoke, Qian Renxue turned and shot Porcupinefish Douluo a fierce glare, her eyes full of reproach.
Porcupinefish Douluo quickly lowered his head, not daring to meet her gaze. He lamented inwardly: It's over. The young mistress holds a grudge like no one else. This month's pills are probably out of the question.
Before you continue