Solitary and Helpless, Time Flees

Qian Lingche continued to stare at the silver-haired youth before him, his expression remaining blank.

He reasoned that, logically, this person shouldn't be an enemy; otherwise, he would have struck while he was sleeping. Still, he could not afford to let his guard down.

Seeing that Qian Lingche remained vigilant, the silver-haired youth could only pull a wry face and speak: "Let me introduce myself. I am the Eighth Elder of the Worship Hall, Shi Yi."

"Come to think of it, this is our first time meeting, Young Master."

"The Worship Hall? The Eighth Elder?" Qian Lingche frowned upon hearing this.

Shi Yi took a step forward, his silver hair drifting gently as his entire figure seemed to be enveloped in a faint halo of light.

"Don't be nervous, Young Master. I mean no harm. I had simply been in seclusion for too long and had yet to meet you, so I came specifically to take a look."

Qian Lingche had indeed heard Guang Ling mention this youngest eighth brother of his, who had joined Spirit Hall only in the last few decades. However, this person had entered seclusion before he was even born.

That was why he had never met him, and had barely even heard his name.

"Shi Yi..." Qian Lingche murmured, his gaze turning complex as he looked at him.

Shi Yi was the most unique existence within the Worship Hall. Despite his young age, his strength was... well, how should one describe it?

His martial soul was the only one of its kind in the world—Time—and his cultivation had reached the level of a 99th-rank Limit Douluo, yet he possessed absolutely no combat ability.

However, these details were things outsiders were absolutely unaware of; even most of the elders within Spirit Hall knew very little.

Seeing the shift in Qian Lingche's expression, Shi Yi pointed at the Ice Cone beside him with some embarrassment: "Young Master, could you please withdraw your power? It's... quite frightening."

The tables had turned, and now it was Qian Lingche's turn to smile. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly: "No need to be nervous, Eighth Elder. Look at how beautiful this Ice Cone is."

As he spoke, Qian Lingche gently stroked the floating Ice Cone beside him.

Watching Shi Yi's nervous demeanor, Qian Lingche chuckled softly. This feeling was actually quite nice.

With a wave of his hand, the massive Ice Cone hovering beside him instantly dissolved into specks of ice crystals that vanished into the air.

Immediately after, he landed lightly on the ground, his robes fluttering, appearing composed and elegant.

"Eighth Elder, I actually know the purpose of your visit," Qian Lingche said indifferently. "However, please don't sneak in at night next time. It's quite impolite."

Shi Yi gave a cheeky grin, a flash of cunning appearing on his face: "That's because there were others around during the day. I didn't want to deal with them."

But Qian Lingche looked at him with a look that was not quite a smile: "And you think you want to deal with me?"

Hearing this, a hint of amusement flickered in Shi Yi's silver eyes, and he raised an eyebrow slightly: "What, is the Young Master not welcoming me?"

Shi Yi walked to the side of Qian Lingche's bed and sat down gently, his slender figure appearing exceptionally cold and detached in the moonlight.

He leaned against the headboard, his gaze lowered, as if lost in thought.

As if finding it difficult to speak, he finally raised his head after a moment to look at Qian Lingche: "The others chose the Pope and Qian Renxue. I want to choose you."

Qian Lingche was stunned, asking in confusion: "Why?"

Shi Yi chuckled softly, his gaze carrying a hint of complexity: "Even if you never say it, Fifth Brother and I both understand."

"You once longed for the affection of your parents and elders, but it only resulted in disappointment time and time again."

"Because of that, you are only the Young Master of Spirit Hall in name. If not for Fifth Brother, I fear some of the servants would have already been acting in bad faith."

"But in the corners where he cannot see, you have suffered grievances, haven't you?"

"In this Martial Soul City, in such a prosperous city-state, you are very lonely."

Qian Lingche fell silent. He had never imagined that someone would so bluntly tear away his last shred of pretense.

He lowered his head, his voice sounding somewhat dejected: "Perhaps this is just my fate. I have already come to terms with it."

"Fate?" Shi Yi smiled, his tone filled with curiosity: "Haven't you already made your decision?"

Hearing this, Qian Lingche looked up in shock, his eyes complex as he looked at Shi Yi, eventually settling on nothing more than a simple "thank you."

Time flowed by like water, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

On this day, Qian Lingche sat alone on the steps in front of the Frost Snow Palace, staring blankly in the direction of the Pope Palace.

The cold wind brushed past, his hair fluttering slightly in the breeze, making him appear exceptionally lonely.

"Xiao Che."

Qian Lingche looked up to see Qian Renxue walking toward him, though her expression was somewhat grave.

Qian Lingche stood up and called out softly: "Sister."

Qian Renxue nodded and walked up to him. She remained silent for a while, seemingly unsure of how to begin.

After a moment, she took Qian Lingche's hand and held it in her palm: "Little Brother, Sister has to go on a long journey. It might be a very, very long time before I return."

Qian Lingche froze, asking in a panic: "A long journey? Where are you going, Sister? Why?"

He had only just managed to accept the fact that his grandfather and mother had abandoned him, and now his sister was leaving him too...

Qian Renxue sighed, reaching out to ruffle his hair, and spoke with a sense of helplessness: "Be good. There are some things Sister must do; it is my responsibility."

Qian Lingche lowered his head, gripping Qian Renxue's hand tightly, his voice filled with sadness: "But... if Sister leaves, I will be all alone..."

Qian Renxue's heart softened. She looked into Qian Lingche's eyes: "Xiao Che, you have grown up. You can take care of yourself now."

"When I am away, you must protect yourself well. Wait for me to return, alright?"

Qian Lingche looked up at Qian Renxue. After a long silence, he nodded. "Sister... I promise you."

Seeing her younger brother like this, Qian Renxue revealed a smile. She stepped forward, pulled Qian Lingche into her embrace, and whispered:

"Rest assured, I will. During this time, you must cultivate diligently. I hope that when we meet again, you will be strong enough to protect me."

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Qian Lingche's mind. Those images from his dreams... could it be...

He hesitated for a moment before tentatively asking, "Sister, are you going to the Heaven Dou Empire?"

At these words, Qian Renxue's body stiffened slightly. How could her brother know her destination?

However... it was better not to involve him in this plan. She composed her emotions and asked, feigning indifference, "Xiao Che, why would you think that?"

Looking at Qian Lingche, who didn't answer but whose eyes said everything, she opened her mouth, wanting to explain something, but ultimately said nothing.

In the end, she gently patted Qian Lingche's hand. "Xiao Che, there are some things I cannot tell you, but everything I do is for the future of Spirit Hall."

Qian Lingche shook his head, forcing a faint smile. "It's alright, Sister. I understand, and I won't make things difficult for you."

He took a step back and bowed solemnly to Qian Renxue. "Sister, once you leave, we may not see each other for many years. Take care of yourself out there."

Qian Lingche understood clearly that both he and his sister had their own burdens to bear. What he had lost was familial affection, while what his sister had lost... was likely her freedom.

It was only at this moment that he finally realized that life belonged to oneself; there was no need to frame one's existence according to the standards of others.

If one tries to please everyone and satisfy everyone's expectations, one will only end up losing oneself.

Attempting to make everyone like you is nothing but a futile endeavor...