Still startled by the light sinking into her forehead, Qian Renxue suddenly heard a voice in her mind, and her expression changed.
She put on a fierce front despite her fear.
"Who are you?"
"Come out!"
"Don't panic. Didn't you bring me back yourself?"
The voice in her mind was exceptionally calm, a stark contrast to her terror.
But Little Angel had still keenly picked up on the information conveyed by the voice.
She glanced at the statue on her desk, which continued to shine, and asked:
"Are you the Angel Statue?"
"Statue? That's merely a vessel for this remnant soul. You may call me the Sun God!"
"Well, angel girl, do you want to inherit the Sun God's position?"
Hearing this shocking introduction, Qian Renxue's eyes flew wide open.
Having grown up in the Worship Hall, she knew all too well what a "god" was.
After forcing herself to calm down, a hint of disdain appeared on Qian Renxue's face.
"The Sun God? Don't joke around. I'm the most loyal believer of the Angel God."
The voice from the statue paused for a moment, then said with understanding:
"That's true. The Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul has always been the successor to the Angel God."
"Your guardian must have already prepared himself to make the sacrifice."
Qian Renxue's lips curled into a smile, apparently pleased by the supposed Sun God's soul knowing its place.
But soon, Qian Renxue's smile gradually froze. It seemed she had caught something alarming.
"What do you mean?"
"What do you mean, my guardian has already prepared himself to make the sacrifice?"
"Explain yourself!"
Qian Renxue had lost count of how many times she'd lost her composure that day, and this time was even harder to bear than before.
She could hardly believe what she'd just heard. Her grandfather would sacrifice himself for her?
"Oh? It seems you don't yet know the price of opening the God Path!"
The Sun God's tone held a hint of amusement, plunging Qian Renxue into even deeper panic.
Memories of her childhood with her grandfather surfaced in her mind.
"Xiao Xue, you're the Angel Clan's only hope. As long as I can help you become a god, your grandfather is willing to give up everything."
"Hehe, don't worry, Grandpa. With my talent, I'm sure I can do it!"
Back then, she'd thought her grandfather was only joking. But now, it seemed he'd made up his mind long ago.
Qian Renxue gritted her teeth and asked, unwilling to give up hope:
"What price?"
"What price must be paid to open the God Path for me?"
"In the Divine Realm, the Angel God fell alongside me. Without a god's protection, restarting the God Path requires the sacrifice of at least one Limit Douluo's life to replenish the energy it needs."
"Do you understand now?"
The Sun God's words laid bare the truth Qian Renxue least wanted to face.
Ever since Qian Xunji's death, the only person she'd been close to was her grandfather, Qian Daoliu.
She hadn't expected that her last remaining family would leave her, too.
What would it matter if she became the new Angel God after that?
As for her birth mother, Bibi Dong? Best not to even mention her!
If she could, Qian Renxue would even have wanted Bibi Dong to take Qian Daoliu's place as the sacrifice.
Pressing her lips together, Qian Renxue struggled to speak.
"I... why should I believe you?"
"Why not go back and ask? Would that really take so long?"
As soon as she finished speaking, another streak of golden light shot from Qian Renxue's forehead and sank into the statue on the desk.
As the light slowly faded, the statue returned to stillness, as if nothing had happened.
Only Little Angel remained, standing there with her expression shifting again and again.
"Pufferfish."
The moment Little Angel spoke, a shadow appeared in the study.
"Your Highness?"
"Make the arrangements. I'm going back to the Spirit Hall."
"Yes... yes!"
Though he didn't know why Qian Renxue had made this decision, Pufferfish read her expression and decided not to ask.
He quickly vanished into the darkness.
The next day, the Heaven Dou Crown Prince informed Xue Ye that she was ill and needed to rest at home for a while.
Meanwhile, at the gates of Heaven Dou City, a carriage sped toward the Spirit Hall.
Qian Renxue had naturally brought the statue with her, and Lu Xian could clearly sense its location.
When he learned that Qian Renxue was heading for the Spirit Hall, he knew he'd already achieved half his goal.
The most convincing lies were always seven parts truth and three parts falsehood.
Once Qian Renxue heard from Qian Daoliu what it would cost to inherit the Angel Godhood, Lu Xian was certain she wouldn't accept it.
To cut off her grandfather's hopes, she might well choose to accept the so-called Sun God's inheritance instead.
His arrangements in Heaven Dou City had temporarily come to an end. After setting up a rigorous trial for Dugu Yan, who was also in the city, Lu Xian set off straight for Suotuo City.
His four Destined Workers would soon be gathering there, so it was better for him to stay in Suotuo City.
As for the Antique Shop in Heaven Dou City, Lu Xian found an employee to manage it for him.
Otherwise, closing up immediately after selling the statue might arouse Qian Renxue's suspicions.
The journey from Heaven Dou City to Suotuo City passed through Fasinuo Province.
It wasn't far from the Star Luo Empire's border, and it was also the province where Nuoding City stood—the place where he'd spent six years.
But there was nothing there worth his attention anymore, so Lu Xian didn't go back to revisit the old place.
The journey was uneventful.
Only after flying all the way to the border of the Balak Kingdom, where dense woods met a river, did Lu Xian decide to land and take a break.
Using the Broom's sharp branches, Lu Xian easily caught a few fish.
That took care of dinner.
He was just about to finish setting up camp and rest for the night before continuing on his way in the morning
when a rustling sound suddenly came from the dense forest.
Lu Xian immediately activated Spirit Snake Sense, intending to see which shortsighted beast had come to disturb him.
But soon, several human-shaped heat signatures appeared in his mind.
One figure darted and dodged ahead, clearly fleeing from pursuers behind.
Behind that person, several figures closed in from different directions.
Seconds later, the person being hunted burst from the woods and appeared before Lu Xian.
Their eyes met, and both of them froze for a moment.
Lu Xian was stunned because he recognized the girl before him.
"Isn't this Little Kitten?"
"So this is when she was chased all the way to the Heaven Dou Empire's territory?"
Zhu Zhuqing looked utterly disheveled, but her beautiful, icy face was still striking.
Her curvy figure was impossible to miss, though several still-bleeding wounds on her shoulders and legs marred its beauty.
After a brief moment of surprise, Zhu Zhuqing's gaze turned wary. She had clearly mistaken Lu Xian for one of her pursuers.
Watching Zhu Zhuqing instantly enter Martial Soul Possession and eye him warily,
Lu Xian helplessly shrugged, pointed to the half-pitched tent, then gestured toward the path to the side.
The meaning was clear.
I'm just planning to camp for the night. I don't intend to get involved in your business. The road's over there, so go on your way.
Zhu Zhuqing clearly understood him, but still kept a close eye on Lu Xian as she carefully sidestepped toward the path.
But her hesitation clearly gave her pursuers a chance.
In no time, several figures emerged from all directions and surrounded her.
Of course, Lu Xian was caught in the encirclement, too.
Before you continue