"Three Heroes," "Trio," and Qian Renxue's First Meeting

The Pope Hall was solemn and grave.

Bibi Dong sat high upon the papal throne, draped in a gold-inlaid papal robe. She held the papal scepter in her hand, her gaze deep and piercing, as if she could see through the very hearts of men.

"Your Holiness." Yue Guan, dressed in a robe embroidered with chrysanthemum patterns, bowed meticulously. "Ling Feng, Hu Liena, Yan, and Xie Yue have been summoned to the Worship Hall by Li Taibai."

Bibi Dong raised her eyes, her long lashes trembling slightly. "What are they doing at the Worship Hall?"

"Li Taibai said that the Young Mistress, Qian Renxue, has returned and wishes to see them," Yue Guan replied, head bowed, not daring to meet her eyes.

"Why has she returned?" Bibi Dong's expression darkened instantly, her grip tightening on the scepter.

The soul power fluctuations around her body turned sharp and aggressive.

"This subordinate does not know." Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan kept his head low, not daring to even breathe loudly.

"Let us go to the Worship Hall." Bibi Dong rose abruptly, her papal robe unfurling like the wings of a butterfly, carrying an invisible pressure.

She descended the steps with a steady, measured gait.

Yue Guan hurried to follow. Just as they reached the hall entrance, a black shadow appeared silently, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him—it was Ghost Douluo Gui Mei.

The two exchanged a look, seeing the gravity in each other's eyes, and followed closely behind Bibi Dong toward the Worship Hall.

Worship Mountain, outside the Golden Crocodile Hall.

"Ye Fan, come out! I have something to find you for!" Li Taibai stood before the hall, shouting at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing against the structure.

A few moments later, the hall doors creaked open. Ye Fan stepped out with a foul expression, fury burning in his eyes and his soul power fluctuating faintly. "Li Taibai, you had better give me a reasonable explanation, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

He had been in deep meditation; being interrupted at such a critical moment would make anyone furious.

"Tch, you?" Li Taibai sneered with disdain. "You and Ling Feng are much the same; you should weigh your own worth before acting so high and mighty."

Ye Fan's gaze swept over Ling Feng, Hu Liena, and the others behind Li Taibai. His brows furrowed in confusion. "What is the meaning of this? Why are you all here? What exactly is going on?"

"Follow me to the nearby Martial Arts Platform." Li Taibai dropped his playful tone. "Qian Renxue has returned and wants to see you."

"Qian Renxue?" Ye Fan's pupils constricted, a storm rising in his heart.

According to the original timeline, she should have been undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire at this time. Why had she returned so suddenly?

Could it be the butterfly effect caused by them?

His eyes flickered, and he said in a low voice, "Let's go. I, too, would like to see this Qian Renxue."

The group headed toward the Martial Arts Platform in a silent and subtle atmosphere.

An incense stick later, the Martial Arts Platform was empty, save for the whistling of the wind across its surface.

"Li Taibai, are you playing us for fools?" Ling Feng's face darkened, his soul power beginning to surge. "If we all attack together, even with your Sword Immortal Wine Gourd, you'll be carried out of here on a stretcher!"

Ye Fan also stared coldly at Li Taibai, murderous intent gradually appearing in his eyes. "If you dare to toy with us, you will bear the consequences."

Li Taibai panicked, fine beads of cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. He waved his hands frantically. "No, don't! Qian Renxue really has returned. How would I dare to lie to you about such a major matter?"

"If you don't believe me, go ask my teacher! The Grand Elder is right there in the Worship Hall!"

He lamented inwardly: Qian Renxue, oh Qian Renxue, don't you dare set me up. If these two really lose their tempers, I'll be fighting two at once—I might actually lose my life!

"Look, someone is flying over!" Yan suddenly pointed at the sky and shouted.

The group looked up to see a golden figure and a burly figure flying toward them from the distant sky.

The golden figure had six wings unfurled behind her, shimmering with brilliant light, like an angel descending into the mortal realm.

As they drew closer, the group finally saw the woman's appearance—her golden hair cascaded like a waterfall down to her waist.

Her golden eyes were like the purest crystal, radiating a sense of coldness and majesty.

Her skin was as white as snow, yet not pale, possessing a healthy, lustrous glow. She was tall, and a white dress outlined her exquisite curves. The six wings behind her flapped gently, carrying an aura that was holy and inviolable.

Though she appeared to be only a young girl, she possessed a breathtaking beauty, as if all the light in the world had gathered upon her.

Yan and Xie Yue were instantly dazed, their gazes subconsciously fixed on her, unable to look away for a long time.

Ling Feng was secretly shocked: Is this Qian Renxue? She is truly worthy of being a descendant of the Angel clan; such beauty and presence are rare in this world.

A glint of possessiveness flashed in his eyes—only a woman like this was worthy of him.

Ye Fan was also observing Qian Renxue, thinking to himself: It is indeed her. Holy yet arrogant, powerful yet mysterious. Only a woman like this is worth my full effort to pursue.

Hu Liena looked at Qian Renxue and subconsciously glanced down at herself, a sense of defiance rising in her heart: She is beautiful, yes, but I am still young. When I grow up, I will certainly not lose to her!

Qian Renxue and Qian Daoliu landed slowly, their wings folding and dissipating into points of light.

"Greetings, Grand Elder!" Ling Feng and the others snapped to attention and bowed respectfully. Regardless of their personal thoughts on Qian Renxue, Qian Daoliu's status was absolute; they dared not show the slightest disrespect.

Qian Daoliu waved his hand, his gaze falling on Qian Renxue with a touch of indulgence. "Little Xue, everyone is here."

Qian Renxue nodded, her golden pupils slowly sweeping over the group before her.

"You have not met this Palace before, so I shall introduce myself." Qian Renxue stood in the center of the Martial Arts Platform, her golden eyes scanning the crowd, her voice cold and authoritative. "Daughter of the former Pope, granddaughter of the Grand Elder, and the legitimate successor of the Martial Soul Hall: Qian Renxue."

Hu Liena, Yan, and Xie Yue's expressions changed drastically, their faces filled with shock.

They had not expected Qian Renxue's status to be so illustrious—the daughter of the former Pope and the granddaughter of the Grand Elder.

Li Taibai, Ling Feng, and Ye Fan exchanged glances, seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.

Qian Renxue's gaze fell upon the six of them as she spoke slowly, "The Martial Soul Hall Trio: Li Taibai, Ling Feng, and Ye Fan. Your cultivation levels are forty-five, forty-three, and forty-three respectively, with soul ring configurations of two purple and two black for all."

"The Golden Trio: Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan. Your cultivation levels are thirty-five, thirty-six, and thirty-four, with soul ring configurations of one yellow and two purple for all."

She paused, a curve forming at the corner of her mouth, "Although Grandfather has given you many good things, at your current ages, you are indeed worthy of being called geniuses."

The group remained silent, waiting for what she would say next.

They knew that Qian Renxue had not come here merely to introduce their identities and comment on their cultivation levels.

"This Palace has not returned to Martial Soul City for a long time. Upon my return, I learned that Martial Soul City is full of geniuses, and for a moment, my hands grew itchy. I wish to spar with you all." Qian Renxue's eyes suddenly turned sharp, like a drawn sword, piercing straight at the six of them.