Qian Renxue's Faith Collapses

"Are you heading to Suotuo City as well?"

With a few whimpers, Zhu Zhuqing rubbed her reddened forehead and slowly stood up.

She gave a slight nod toward Lu Xian on the Magic Broom.

Perhaps because Lu Xian had just saved her, Zhu Zhuqing did not appear overly guarded against him.

"Hop on, I'll give you a lift."

Zhu Zhuqing instinctively wanted to refuse, but after looking down at the dozens of wounds still oozing blood on her body, she hesitated for a moment before choosing to jump onto the broom.

If an infection set in, it would only further hinder her progress.

As Zhu Zhuqing landed behind him, the Magic Broom sank slightly.

Lu Xian turned his head to look at Zhu Zhuqing with an expression of disbelief.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed by the stare, Zhu Zhuqing spoke timidly:

"Wh... what is it?"

"Good grief, you actually weigh 130 pounds?"

The little kitten's pretty face turned beet red instantly, but Lu Xian ignored it all, let out a brief sigh of exclamation, and quickly steered the broom toward Suotuo City.

Perhaps because the speed was too fast, Zhu Zhuqing's hands rested on Lu Xian's shoulders involuntarily.

She immediately felt it was inappropriate and pulled her hands away.

However, she soon had to reach out again because she couldn't maintain her balance.

After this happened repeatedly, Lu Xian finally complained helplessly:

"If you're going to hold on, then hold on properly. Are you trying to tickle me by grabbing and letting go like that?"

"So... sorry."

The distance from the border to Suotuo City was not short, and it wasn't until dawn arrived that the two finally caught sight of the outline of Suotuo City.

"We're here."

Zhu Zhuqing flipped off the broom and stretched her body, which had been cramped for the better part of the day. Before she could even offer a word of thanks, she saw Lu Xian zoom into the city on his broom with a "whoosh."

The little kitten could only pout helplessly.

"I don't even know his name."

Shaking her head to clear her cluttered thoughts, Zhu Zhuqing cast a serious glance at the unfamiliar city she had arrived in for the first time, a myriad of emotions swirling in her heart.

Traveling at top speed, Qian Renxue did not stop for a single moment along the way.

The long journey to Martial Soul City was completed in just two days.

With Pufferfish presenting their tokens, the two entered Martial Soul Hall without any obstruction.

Having no heart to linger in the surroundings she hadn't seen for years, the little angel hurried toward the Worship Hall.

Passing through the stairs and the majestic complex of buildings, the Angel Temple appeared before her eyes.

Having been away for decades, Qian Renxue could not help but feel a sense of trepidation as she returned.

Just as she stood there in a daze, a figure flashed and appeared before her.

The old man was dressed in a white-gold robe that was simple in cut yet incredibly solemn, his bright golden hair neatly tied behind his head.

Though his eyes held a hint of confusion, the kind smile on his face instantly settled Qian Renxue's heart.

This was her grandfather, the one who had doted on her since childhood, the Great High Priest of Martial Soul Hall, Qian Daoliu.

"Grandfather!"

Like a swallow returning to its nest, the little angel dove straight into the old man's arms.

Only in this moment would she lower all her defenses.

Just as he had when she was a child, Qian Daoliu gently patted his granddaughter's back.

"It's good to be back, it's good to be back!"

Pufferfish, who had returned with Qian Renxue, sensibly took his leave, leaving the space to the grandfather and granddaughter who hadn't seen each other for so long.

After a long while, Qian Renxue finally pulled away from the long-missed embrace, her eyelashes slightly damp.

"Xiaoxue, why did you suddenly come back?"

As he led his granddaughter into the Angel Temple, Qian Daoliu asked the question that had been on his mind.

Qian Renxue looked at the Angel Statue in the center of the hall, finding herself momentarily at a loss for how to begin.

The Angel Statue had six wings on its back, its expression compassionate as if praying for the world.

This was the faith of the Qian family, her spiritual totem.

"Grandfather, do you think I will eventually be able to inherit the Angel God position?"

Qian Daoliu was slightly stunned, then smiled with a firm look in his eyes:

"Of course, Xiaoxue, you are the most gifted member of the Qian family in many years. Grandfather believes you will certainly succeed."

Qian Renxue pursed her parched lips and continued to ask:

"Then, becoming a god must be extremely difficult, right?"

"And what kind of price will I have to pay?"

As she spoke, Qian Renxue turned her head to stare fixedly at Qian Daoliu, wanting to catch any momentary change in her grandfather's expression.

Sure enough, when she asked about the price required to become a god, a flash of unnaturalness crossed Qian Daoliu's features.

And it was precisely this change that Qian Renxue clearly captured.

"Grandfather, tell me the truth. Does my path to godhood require your life as the price?"

Having finally asked the question she wanted to know, Qian Renxue felt a sense of relief, yet she still held onto a final shred of expectation in her heart.

She hoped her grandfather would give her a negative answer.

If he did, she could smash that so-called Sun God statue right in front of him.

To demonstrate her loyalty to the Angel God.

But unfortunately, his devotion to the Angel God made it impossible for Qian Daoliu to lie while facing the Angel Statue.

The scene fell into a sudden silence.

But it was precisely this silent response from her grandfather that gave the little angel her answer.

The most solid barrier in her heart shattered into pieces in an instant.

Her long-held faith was actually going to take away the person closest to her.

If she couldn't even protect her grandfather, then what was the point of believing in this Angel God?

Just to become stronger? To become stronger than anyone else? Wouldn't inheriting the Sun God's throne achieve the same thing?

"Xiaoxue, how did you know about this?"

"Grandfather, I had a dream."

"In the dream, you sacrificed your life to open the path to godhood for me."

Qian Renxue kept her gaze fixed on Qian Daoliu; having already made her decision, she naturally would not mention the Sun God.

She had to use her own methods to preserve her grandfather's life.

Hearing this, Qian Daoliu did not believe it, but he did not probe further either.

Instead, he responded with a calm expression:

"Xiaoxue, this is the ultimate destiny of the High Priest of our Angel Clan."

"For me, being able to watch Xiaoxue become a god is the greatest happiness."

Qian Renxue's expression was stubborn, and she fought hard to keep her tears from falling.

You may be happy, but in the end, you would leave me alone to face an eternal, lonely life.

I will not agree to this.

Please forgive me for choosing to walk my own path.

Having made her choice, Qian Renxue looked up again and smiled at her grandfather.

"I see. Rest assured, Grandfather, I will complete the arrangements in the Heaven Dou Empire as soon as possible and then inherit the godhood."

"I will definitely become a god."

Hearing his granddaughter's willingness to accept his sacrifice, Qian Daoliu immediately revealed a gratified smile.

Little did he know, his granddaughter had not mentioned the words "Angel God" even once from start to finish.

After staying at Martial Soul Hall for a few days, Qian Renxue, having obtained her answer, took Pufferfish and headed back toward Heaven Dou City.

"So, abandoning one's faith is really just a matter of an instant?"

In the carriage, looking at the broken Sun God statue in her hands, a mocking smile appeared at the corners of Qian Renxue's mouth.

It was a mockery of the Angel God's ruthlessness, and also a mockery of her own apostasy.

Upon returning to Heaven Dou City, Qian Renxue did not hesitate to lock herself in the meticulously crafted basement.

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 began to channel her soul power into it.

"Lord Sun God, Qian Renxue is willing to become your most loyal believer."

"Please allow me to accept your trials!"