Time Flies, Five Years in a Flash

Five years later, Martial Soul City, Worship Hall.

Pufferfish Douluo held a slip of paper, bowing as he handed it to Qian Daoliu, his demeanor respectful to the point of subservience: "Grand Elder, this is the list of materials required by the Young Mistress for this month."

Qian Daoliu raised a hand to take it casually, his gaze sweeping over the handwriting on the list.

Everything listed consisted of rare treasures of heaven and earth; even medicinal herbs like the "Millennium Snow Lotus" and "Mystic Ice Jade Marrow" were worth a fortune each.

This tiny slip of paper, when converted into Gold Soul Coins, amounted to at least twenty million.

He set the list down and looked at Pufferfish Douluo, saying indifferently: "Pufferfish, five years ago you were merely level ninety-two, yet now you are at the peak of level ninety-three, only a step away from level ninety-four. Your cultivation has progressed quite rapidly."

Pufferfish Douluo hurriedly bowed: "It is all thanks to the Young Mistress's grace. If not for her, this subordinate's cultivation would have long since stagnated."

A sharp glint flashed in Qian Daoliu's eyes as he suddenly released an invisible soul pressure, enveloping Pufferfish Douluo like a crushing mountain: "For these five years, you have been hiding something from me. This Seat has waited five years. Now, tell me, what exactly is Xiao Xue doing?"

Pufferfish Douluo felt his very bones groaning, as if they were about to be pulverized by this terrifying pressure. His legs buckled uncontrollably, cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and even breathing became a struggle.

He gritted his teeth, his knees slamming into the floor with a dull thud, and he cupped his fists, saying in a deep voice: "Grand Elder, the Young Mistress has given orders; this subordinate dares not disobey."

Qian Daoliu withdrew his soul pressure, the confusion in his eyes deepening.

With his semi-god-level strength, for Pufferfish to keep his mouth shut was highly unusual. What exactly had Xiao Xue given him?

As for embezzling the medicinal herbs? He had never once considered it—one who could become a Titled Douluo would never do something so foolish.

Then there was only one possibility: these items were indeed things Xiao Xue urgently needed. Aside from Martial Soul Hall, no other power on the continent could support such a massive monthly consumption of heavenly treasures.

This curiosity made him all the more eager to see with his own eyes what his granddaughter had been doing for the past five years.

"This Seat shall accompany you to Heaven Dou City." Qian Daoliu stood up, his robes fluttering slightly in the wind.

Pufferfish Douluo froze, his face filled with astonishment: "G-Grand Elder, you are going as well?"

"I haven't seen Xiao Xue in over five years; it is time to pay a visit," Qian Daoliu said calmly. "Go to the treasury and retrieve the items Xiao Xue requested."

"Yes, Grand Elder." Pufferfish Douluo bowed and retreated, though his heart was in a state of turmoil—the Young Mistress had specifically instructed him not to disturb the Grand Elder. Now that the Grand Elder was going in person, would the Young Mistress blame him?

Would his monthly supply of pills be docked?

Two hours later, Qian Daoliu and Pufferfish Douluo set out on the road to Heaven Dou City.

Several days later.

On the outskirts of Heaven Dou City, a courtyard named "Snowy Abode Villa" stood quietly atop a mountain peak.

This was a place Qian Renxue had specifically built five years ago, far from the hustle and bustle, exceptionally quiet and perfect for focused cultivation.

In the open space in the center of the courtyard, Qian Renxue held a long, translucent white sword, sparring with Snake Lance Douluo.

"Clang!"

The tip of the sword collided with the snake lance, emitting a harsh metallic screech as sparks flew in all directions.

Qian Renxue's movements were agile, like a swallow in the snow. Her long sword wove intricate patterns, every strike fierce and aimed directly at Snake Lance Douluo's vital points.

Snake Lance Douluo remained as steady as a rock. The snake lance in his hands seemed to come alive, at times darting out like a viper's tongue to precisely parry the sword.

At other times, it swept like a venomous tail, forcing back her offensive with a whistling gale.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The continuous sound of collisions was incessant. Each exchange erupted with intense sonic booms, the resulting wind pressure spreading outward and causing the trees over ten yards away to sway violently, their branches and leaves creaking as if they might snap at any moment.

The ground was paved with a mixture of special alloys and refined steel, possessing immense compressive strength. Though it trembled slightly from the force of their clash, not a single crack appeared—unless struck directly, it was nearly impossible to damage.

Qian Renxue felt more fluid with every strike, her blood seemingly burning.

She stepped forward with her left foot, her body sinking slightly, and her long sword suddenly shifted from a thrust to an upward slash, aiming directly at Snake Lance Douluo's lower stance.

Snake Lance Douluo tapped his toes against the ground, his body drifting backward while he swept his lance horizontally, forcing Qian Renxue to retract her sword to defend herself.

Immediately after, Qian Renxue flicked her wrist, and the long sword bypassed the lance like a nimble snake, aiming straight for Snake Lance Douluo's shoulder.

Snake Lance Douluo remained unhurried, blocking with his left arm and countering with a flick of his lance. Their weapons collided once more, causing the surrounding air to hum.

She spun sharply, her long hair tracing an arc in the air, and the long sword utilized the momentum of the rotation to hack toward Snake Lance Douluo's face with a fierce gust of wind.

Snake Lance Douluo tilted his head, his lance rising to try and lock the sword.

Qian Renxue loosened her grip, the sword rotating half a turn in her palm to evade the lance, shifting from a hack to a thrust with the tip pointing straight at Snake Lance Douluo's heart.

A flash of admiration crossed Snake Lance Douluo's eyes. He suddenly dropped his stance, sliding along the ground to avoid the lethal strike while sweeping his lance backward.

Qian Renxue pushed off the ground, leaping into the air and flipping once. She brought her sword down from above with heavy, powerful force.

"Clang!"

Another loud boom echoed as Snake Lance Douluo steadily braced against the sword, his arms sinking slightly.

Suddenly, Qian Renxue withdrew her sword and stepped back, pouting with dissatisfaction: "I'm done, this is boring. Uncle Snake Lance, you aren't even fighting back."

Qian Renxue stored the sword into her spatial ring. This was a spatial ring Chen Qingxuan had forged for her, containing 8,888 cubic meters of space—far more practical than a standard Soul Tool.

Snake Lance Douluo put away his lance, cupping his hands with a smile: "It is the Young Mistress's sword technique that is exquisite; this subordinate only has the strength to parry, not the ability to counter."

"Uncle Snake Lance, you are just being cunning," Qian Renxue huffed, though the corners of her mouth curled upward. "If it were Uncle Pufferfish, he certainly wouldn't say that."

Snake Lance Douluo laughed heartily: "That fellow Pufferfish is a straight shooter; he's nowhere near as capable of appreciating the Young Mistress's progress as I am."

"Ah~ I'm so tired." Qian Renxue stretched, her slender waist tracing a perfect curve. Five years had passed, and the little sprout from back then had grown into a graceful young woman. Her figure was lithe and her curves exquisite; even a simple training outfit could not conceal her elegance.

Her skin was fairer than snow, and her long golden hair draped casually over her shoulders. The childishness had faded from her features, replaced by a touch of resilience and spirit.

Snake Lance Douluo glanced at her instinctively, then hurriedly lowered his head, the tips of his ears turning slightly red.

Just then, the gates of the villa were pushed open, and Qian Daoliu walked in with Pufferfish Douluo.

Qian Daoliu looked at the two in the courtyard, a flicker of gratification in his eyes: "Xiaoxue, you have made great progress these past few years."

"Grandfather!" Qian Renxue called out in surprise. She hurried over to Qian Daoliu, reached out to tug at his sleeve, and shook it gently, her golden pupils brimming with joy. "Why have you come?"

As she spoke, Qian Renxue did not forget to turn her head and glare fiercely at Pufferfish Douluo, her eyes full of reproach.

Pufferfish Douluo hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to meet her gaze, lamenting in his heart—it's over; the Young Mistress holds the deepest grudges, and I'm afraid there's no hope for my medicinal pills this month.