"You're going to Suotuo City too?"
With a few whimpers, Zhu Zhuqing rubbed her reddened forehead and slowly stood up.
She gave Lu Xian, who was sitting on the Broom, a slight nod.
Perhaps because Lu Xian had just saved her, Zhu Zhuqing was not overly wary of him.
"Get on. I'll give you a ride."
Zhu Zhuqing instinctively wanted to refuse, but after glancing down at the dozens of wounds on her body that were still seeping blood, she hesitated for a moment before choosing to jump onto the Broom.
If they got infected, it would only hinder her journey further.
As Zhu Zhuqing landed behind him, the Magic Broom dipped slightly.
Lu Xian turned around and stared at Zhu Zhuqing in utter disbelief.
Feeling embarrassed under his gaze, Zhu Zhuqing timidly asked:
"Wh... what is it?"
"Good heavens, you actually weigh 130 pounds?"
Little Kitten's pretty face instantly flushed crimson. Lu Xian ignored it all, gave a brief sigh, and swiftly controlled the Broom as it flew toward Suotuo City.
Perhaps because they were moving too fast, Zhu Zhuqing's hands unconsciously settled on Lu Xian's shoulders.
She immediately felt it was inappropriate and pulled her hands away.
Yet before long, unable to maintain her balance, she reached out again.
After this repeated several times, Lu Xian finally complained helplessly:
"If you're going to hold on, then hold on properly. What are you doing, scratching me by grabbing and letting go?"
"S... sorry."
The border was quite a distance from Suotuo City. It was not until dawn arrived that the two finally caught sight of the city's outline.
"We're here."
Zhu Zhuqing flipped off the Broom and stretched her body, which had been tense for most of the day. Before she could even thank him, she saw Lu Xian ride the Broom into the city with a whoosh.
Little Kitten could only purse her lips helplessly.
"I don't even know his name."
Shaking her head and gathering her scattered thoughts, Zhu Zhuqing cast a solemn glance at this unfamiliar city she had reached for the first time, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Traveling at full speed, Qian Renxue did not stop for even a moment along the way.
The long journey to Spirit City took her only two days to complete.
With Pufferfish presenting his token, the two were not stopped and entered Spirit Hall smoothly.
Having no mind to linger over the surroundings she had not seen for many years, Little Angel hurried all the way toward the Worship Hall.
After passing the stairways and imposing buildings, the Angel Temple came into view.
She had been gone from this place for decades. Now that she had returned, Qian Renxue could not help feeling timid as she neared home.
Just as she was lost in thought, a figure flashed before her.
The old man wore a white-and-gold robe of extremely simple yet incomparably solemn tailoring, his golden hair neatly tied behind his head.
There was a trace of confusion in his eyes, but the kindly smile on his face instantly calmed Qian Renxue's heart.
This was the grandfather who had doted on her since childhood, Spirit Hall's Grand Pontiff, Qian Daoliu.
"Grandfather!"
Like a swallow returning to its nest, Little Angel plunged straight into the old man's arms.
Only at this moment would she lower all her defenses.
Just as he had when she was little, Qian Daoliu gently patted his granddaughter's back.
"It's good that you're back. It's good that you're back!"
Pufferfish, who had returned with Qian Renxue, tactfully left, giving the long-separated grandfather and granddaughter their space.
After a long while, Qian Renxue finally left that familiar embrace, her eyelashes damp.
"Xiao Xue, why did you suddenly come back?"
As he led his granddaughter into the Angel Temple, Qian Daoliu voiced the question in his heart.
Qian Renxue looked at the Angel Statue in the center of the hall, unable to find the words for a moment.
The Angel Statue had six wings on its back and an expression of boundless compassion, as if praying for all living beings.
This was also the Qian Clan's faith, her spiritual totem.
"Grandfather, do you think I'll be able to inherit the Angel Godhood in the end?"
Qian Daoliu was slightly startled, then smiled with resolute eyes.
"Of course. Xiao Xue has been the most gifted member of the Qian Clan in many years. Grandfather believes you can do it."
Qian Renxue pressed her dry lips together before asking:
"Then becoming a god must be very difficult, right?"
"What price will I have to pay?"
As she spoke, Qian Renxue turned and stared intently at Qian Daoliu, wanting to catch even the slightest change in her grandfather's expression.
Sure enough, when she asked about the price of becoming a god, an instant of unease flashed across Qian Daoliu's face.
And Qian Renxue clearly caught that change.
"Grandfather, tell me honestly. Does my path to godhood require your life as the price?"
Having finally asked what she wanted to know, Qian Renxue felt relieved, yet still held onto one final trace of hope.
She hoped her grandfather would give her a negative answer.
Then she could smash that so-called Sun God statue in front of him.
To demonstrate her loyalty to the Angel God.
But unfortunately, his devotion to the Angel God made Qian Daoliu unable to lie before the Angel Statue.
The scene fell into silence.
Yet her grandfather's silent response had already given Little Angel her answer.
The strongest barrier in her heart shattered into pieces in an instant.
Her long-held faith truly intended to take away the person closest to her.
If it could not even protect her grandfather, then what was the meaning of believing in the Angel God?
Was it merely to become stronger? Stronger than anyone else? Couldn't inheriting the Sun Godhood accomplish the same thing?
"Xiao Xue, how did you learn about this?"
"Grandfather, I had a dream."
"In the dream, you sacrificed your life to open the path to godhood for me."
Qian Renxue continued looking directly at Qian Daoliu. Having already made her decision, she naturally would not mention the Sun God.
She had to preserve her grandfather's life in her own way.
Although Qian Daoliu did not believe her, he did not pursue the matter further.
Instead, he replied calmly:
"Xiao Xue, this is the ultimate destiny of the High Priest of our Angel Clan."
"To me, being able to watch Xiao Xue become a god is the happiest thing in the world."
Qian Renxue's expression was stubborn as she desperately held back her tears.
You may be happy, but in the end, I would be left alone to face a lonely life.
I will not agree to this.
Please forgive me for taking the path I have chosen.
Having made her choice, Qian Renxue raised her head again and smiled at her grandfather.
"I see. Grandfather, don't worry. I'll complete the Heaven Dou Empire's arrangements as soon as possible, then inherit the godhood."
"I will definitely become a god."
Hearing that his granddaughter was willing to accept his sacrifice, Qian Daoliu immediately revealed a gratified smile.
Little did he know that from beginning to end, his granddaughter had never once mentioned the words Angel God.
After staying in Spirit Hall for several days and receiving her answer, Qian Renxue set out for Heaven Dou City with Pufferfish.
"So abandoning faith only takes an instant?"
Inside the carriage, Qian Renxue looked at the damaged Sun God statue in her hand, a mocking smile appearing at the corner of her lips.
It was both a merciless mockery of the Angel God and a mockery of her own betrayal.
After returning to Heaven Dou City, Qian Renxue did not hesitate in the slightest before locking herself inside the carefully constructed underground chamber.
This was also the place where she had always cultivated.
Placing the Sun God statue on the jade bed, Qian Renxue knelt on the ground and slowly poured Soul Power into it.
"Lord Sun God, Qian Renxue is willing to become your most faithful believer."
"Please let me undergo your trial!"
Before you continue