Qian Lingche still stared at the silver-haired youth before him, his face expressionless.
He figured the boy probably wasn't an enemy. Otherwise, he would have attacked while Qian Lingche was asleep. Still, he couldn't let his guard down.
Seeing that Qian Lingche remained wary, the silver-haired youth could only grimace and introduce himself. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Shi Yi, the Eighth Worshipper of the Worship Hall."
"Come to think of it, this is our first time meeting, Young Master."
"The Worship Hall? The Eighth Worshipper?" Qian Lingche frowned at that.
Shi Yi took a step forward. His silver hair drifted gently, and he seemed to be wrapped in a faint halo.
"Don't be nervous, Young Master. I mean you no harm. I've just been in seclusion for too long and never had the chance to meet you, so I came to see you."
Guang Ling had told Qian Lingche about his youngest eighth brother. Shi Yi had joined Spirit Hall only in the past few decades, but he had gone into seclusion before Qian Lingche was born.
So Qian Lingche had never met him, and had barely even heard his name.
"Shi Yi..." Qian Lingche murmured, his gaze turning complicated.
Shi Yi was the most unusual person in the Worship Hall. Though young, his strength was... well, how could it be put?
His Martial Soul was the only time in the world, and his cultivation had reached the realm of a Level 99 Limit Douluo. But he had absolutely no combat ability.
That said, outsiders knew nothing of this. Even most of the elders in Spirit Hall knew little about it.
Seeing Qian Lingche's expression shift, Shi Yi awkwardly pointed at the Ice Cone beside him. "Young Master, could you take your power back first? It's kind of scary."
As the saying went, fortune turned like a wheel. Now it was Qian Lingche's turn to smile. His lips curved slightly. "No need to be nervous, Eighth Worshipper. Look how pretty this Ice Cone is."
As he spoke, Qian Lingche gently stroked the Ice Cone hovering beside him.
Seeing Shi Yi so nervous, Qian Lingche chuckled. This really felt pretty good.
He waved a hand, and the enormous Ice Cone floating beside him instantly dissolved into specks of Ice Crystal that scattered through the air.
Then he alighted lightly on the ground, his robes fluttering as he moved with calm grace.
"Eighth Worshipper, I actually know why you came," Qian Lingche said calmly. "But don't sneak in at night next time. It's rather impolite."
Shi Yi chuckled, a sly look on his face. "There were other people around during the day. I didn't want to deal with them."
Qian Lingche gave him a knowing smile. "So you'd rather deal with me?"
A glimmer of amusement flashed in Shi Yi's silver eyes. He raised an eyebrow. "What, Young Master? You don't welcome me?"
Shi Yi went over to Qian Lingche's bed and sat down gently. His slender figure looked especially aloof in the moonlight.
He leaned against the headboard, his gaze lowered slightly, lost in thought.
As if the words were difficult to say, he waited a while before looking up at Qian Lingche. "The others chose the Pope and Qian Renxue. I want to choose you."
Qian Lingche froze and asked, confused, "Why?"
Shi Yi chuckled, his gaze filled with complicated emotions. "Even if you never say it, my fifth brother and I understand."
"You once longed for the love of your parents and elders, but all you got in return was one disappointment after another."
"That's why you're only the Young Master in name. If my fifth brother weren't here, some of the servants would probably pay lip service while defying you."
"But in the corners he can't see, you've suffered too, haven't you?"
"In this Spirit City, this bustling city, you're so lonely."
Qian Lingche fell silent. He had never expected anyone to so bluntly tear away the last scrap he had to hide behind.
He lowered his head and said glumly, "Maybe this is just my fate. I've come to terms with it."
"Fate?" Shi Yi smiled, his tone touched with curiosity. "Haven't you already made your choice?"
At that, Qian Lingche raised his head in shock and looked at Shi Yi with complicated eyes. In the end, all he managed to say was, "Thank you."
Time flowed quietly by like a stream, and before long, a month had passed.
That day, Qian Lingche sat alone on the steps before Frost Snow Palace, gazing absently toward Pope Palace.
The cold wind brushed past, ruffling his hair. He looked especially lonely.
"Xiao Che."
Qian Lingche looked up and saw Qian Renxue walking toward him, her expression grave.
Qian Lingche stood and softly called, "Sister."
Qian Renxue nodded and came to stand before him. She fell silent for a moment, seeming unsure how to begin.
After a while, she took Qian Lingche's hand and clasped it in hers. "Little brother, your sister has to go away for a while. It may be a very, very long time before I come back."
Qian Lingche froze, then asked anxiously, "Go away? Where are you going, sister? Why?"
He had only just accepted that his grandfather and mother had given up on him. Was his sister going to leave him too...?
Qian Renxue sighed, reaching out to smooth his hair. She spoke with helplessness in her voice. "Be good. There are some things I have to do. It's my responsibility."
Qian Lingche lowered his head and tightened his grip on Qian Renxue's hand, his voice heavy with sadness. "But... if you leave, I'll be all alone..."
Qian Renxue's heart softened as she looked into his eyes. "Xiao Che, you've grown up. You can take care of yourself now."
"While I'm away, make sure you protect yourself. Wait for me to come back, all right?"
Qian Lingche looked up at Qian Renxue. After a long while, he nodded. "Sister... I promise."
Seeing her little brother like that, Qian Renxue smiled and stepped forward to draw him into her arms. She whispered,
"Don't worry. I will come back. While I'm gone, train hard. I hope that when we meet again, you'll be strong enough to protect your sister."
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Qian Lingche's mind. Those scenes in his dream... Could it be...?
He hesitated, then ventured, "Sister, are you going to the Heaven Dou Empire...?"
At that, Qian Renxue stiffened slightly. How had her little brother found out where she was going?
But... it was better not to involve her little brother in this plan. She hid her feelings and pretended nothing was amiss as she asked, "Xiao Che, what made you think that?"
Qian Lingche didn't answer, but his eyes said everything. Qian Renxue parted her lips, wanting to explain, but in the end, she said nothing.
At last, she gently patted Qian Lingche's hand. "Xiao Che, there are some things I can't tell you. But everything I do is for the future of Spirit Hall."
Qian Lingche shook his head and managed a faint smile. "It's all right, sister. I understand. I won't make things difficult for you."
He took a step back and bowed solemnly to Qian Renxue. "Sister, after you leave, we may not see each other for many years. Take care of yourself out there."
Qian Lingche understood all too well that he and his sister each had their own pain. He had lost his family's affection, while what his sister had lost was... probably her freedom...
Only then did he finally understand: life belonged to you, and you didn't have to measure it by other people's standards.
Trying to please everyone and meet everyone's expectations would only make you lose yourself in the end.
Trying to make everyone like you would only be a wasted effort...