Qian Renxue tossed the crumpled letter into the brazier beside her.
Her memories drifted back to a few years earlier.
Back then, whenever she returned to the Worship Hall, she had indeed seen a little kid following Fourth Worship Qin Xiong around.
He always wore a stern little expression, acting like a grown-up. He rarely spoke, but whenever he saw her, there was something odd in his eyes.
Who would have thought that the little kid would grow so much in just a few years?
A Level 43 Soul Ancestor, an Innate Domain, a thousand-year second ring, and a ten-thousand-year fourth ring.
But this engagement...
The blush that had not quite faded from Qian Renxue's fair cheeks deepened again.
She was nearly ten years older than Qin Yao.
What was Grandfather thinking?
"Phew..."
After a long while, Qian Renxue finally let out a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
She walked to the window and gazed out at the pitch-black night sky.
She was undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire, and her plan had reached its most critical point. There was no way she could return to Spirit Hall anytime soon.
She would deal with the future when it came.
Thinking about it now would only add to her troubles.
Meanwhile, at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well in Sunset Forest.
Feeling the surging Level 98 Soul Power coursing through his body, Qin Xiong felt as if he had endless strength. He was itching to find an opponent and have a good, satisfying fight!
He clapped Qin Yao on the shoulder and boomed, "Xiao Yao, when are we heading back to the Worship Hall? I want to go back right now and spar with Second Brother! I couldn't beat him before, but I wonder if I can now!"
The Second Brother Qin Xiong meant was naturally Second Worship of the Worship Hall, the Level 98 Golden Crocodile Douluo.
Qin Yao couldn't help feeling a little helpless.
Rankings in the Worship Hall had always been determined by strength, not age.
Now that Qin Xiong had also reached Level 98, he did have the right to challenge Golden Crocodile Douluo for his position.
But Qin Yao naturally wouldn't give Immortal Herbs only to his own grandfather. Once the other worshippers had taken theirs, his grandfather would probably still be ranked Fourth Worship.
Still, his grandfather could go back and enjoy a victory for now. At the very least, Third Grandfather, Azure Luan Douluo, probably wouldn't be a match for him anymore.
Qin Yao spoke up at once. "Grandpa, I've only just set out to gain experience. Isn't it too soon to go back?
"If you're itching for a fight, go back on your own first. Old Poison will be with me, so nothing will happen."
As soon as he finished speaking, Dugu Bo immediately caught his meaning. The Holy Son clearly didn't want Fourth Worship following him, but without a guard at his side, Fourth Worship would never feel at ease.
Dugu Bo stepped forward and thumped his chest. "Rest assured, Fourth Worship! With me by His Highness the Holy Son's side, his safety is guaranteed!"
What a perfect chance to latch onto a powerful patron!
His Highness the Holy Son had not only cured the chronic ailments that plagued him and his granddaughter, but had also given him an Immortal Herb and helped him break through.
That kindness was worth repaying with his life!
If he didn't show his loyalty now, when would he?
Qin Xiong gave Dugu Bo a sidelong look.
A Level 92 Titled Douluo wasn't much to speak of in the Worship Hall.
But Dugu Bo's poison arts were indeed bizarre and troublesome. He would just about do as a guard for his grandson.
"Fine!"
Qin Xiong nodded, accepting Dugu Bo's offer.
"Dugu Bo, I'm entrusting Xiao Yao's safety to you."
Then he changed tack and looked at Dugu Yan beside them.
"And your granddaughter can stay by Xiao Yao's side too. She can pour tea and take care of things. At least he'll have someone to look after him."
Qin Yao's face went dark.
"Grandpa, I'm not some spoiled young master who needs a maid to wait on him whenever he goes out."
Dugu Yan's face flushed bright red.
She was the darling of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Since when was she supposed to be someone else's maid?
But those words had come from a Level 98 worshipper Douluo. She didn't even have the courage to object.
Qin Xiong paid no attention to their protests and made the decision on his own.
His little scheme was already clicking away in his head.
Dugu Yan was pretty and had a good figure, and she was about the same age as his grandson.
If she stayed by Xiao Yao's side, they might grow fond of each other over time. Then wouldn't that...
Heh, another candidate for a granddaughter-in-law!
Looking at the smile on his grandfather's face, Qin Yao understood exactly what he was thinking.
The Qin family needed heirs, and Qin Yao was the only one in his generation. He could understand why his grandfather thought that way.
But at the moment, all Qin Yao wanted was to grow stronger. Until he could improve his cultivation as soon as possible, nothing else mattered!
Qin Yao spoke up to change the subject. "Grandpa, there are still some Immortal Herbs here whose effects I can't identify yet. You should return to the Worship Hall first. Once I've finished gaining experience, I'll bring them back and distribute them to Great-Grandfather and the others."
Qin Xiong's eyes lit up. That was even better. If he took the herbs back now, Second Brother and Third Brother might break through before he got the chance to show off his strength.
"Good! Hahaha! Then I'll head back first!" Qin Xiong laughed loudly.
With that, he gave Qin Yao a hearty slap on the shoulder, turned into a streak of fire, and shot skyward. In the blink of an eye, he had vanished into the distance.
At last, the valley fell quiet.
Qin Yao watched the direction Qin Xiong had left in and shook his head.
He turned to Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan behind him.
Dugu Bo immediately asked, "What are your orders, His Highness the Holy Son?"
Dugu Yan bowed slightly as well. Though she still felt a little awkward, she didn't dare show it.
Qin Yao looked at Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan before considering the matter for a moment.
"I'm going to Heaven Dou City first."
Then he turned to Dugu Bo.
"Old Poison, I see Dugu Yan has reached Level 40. Take her Soul Hunting first."
"Remember, it's best to find a Soul Beast with dragon blood."
Dugu Bo's heart tightened, and he hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment. His Highness the Holy Son was pointing out the direction Dugu Yan should follow in her future cultivation.
Qin Yao said nothing more. After using Martial Soul Possession, he spread the dark-purple bone wings on his back. He became a streak of purple light and shot into the sky, flying straight out of Sunset Forest.
Watching the purple figure disappear into the distance, Dugu Bo felt a thousand emotions well up in him. His Highness the Holy Son truly acted with the speed and decisiveness of thunder and wind.
He turned around, about to say something to his granddaughter, only to find Dugu Yan gazing up at the direction Qin Yao had vanished, her lovely brows slightly furrowed.
"Yan Yan, what's wrong?" Dugu Bo asked.
Dugu Yan drew her gaze back and shook her head. A trace of confusion lingered in her pale-purple eyes.
How should she put it?
From the moment they met, the boy named Qin Yao had barely given her a proper glance.
First, he'd grabbed her by the throat with one hand, then intimidated her with his words. Later, he'd even gotten Fourth Worship to say something like "pour tea and take care of things."
And when he left just now, he'd merely given her a cold order, as if she and her grandfather were nothing more than two tools he'd casually picked up.
And yet, this person who paid her no heed at all possessed such terrifying strength and unfathomable reserves.
From childhood onward, Dugu Yan had been the darling of every crowd wherever she went. She had never been treated like this.
The more he acted that way, the more curious she became.
What kind of person was this Holy Son of Spirit Hall, really?
Before you continue