Leaving

Just as Lin Xia was imagining the future.

On the other side.

Inside the Pope's Bedchamber, luxurious gauze curtains hung low, and soft Soul Guidance Lamp illuminated Bibi Dong's stunningly beautiful yet weary profile.

Qian Renxue nestled beside her mother, resting her head on her arm, enjoying this rare moment of tenderness where she could shed all pretense.

"Mother."

Qian Renxue's voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet night, carrying a hint of barely Frisk attachment and determination.

"I... I'm leaving tomorrow."

Bibi Dong's arm around her shoulder stiffened almost imperceptibly.

A moment of silence hung in the air Bibi Dong slowly spoke, her voice low and tinged with a hint of pleading.

"Xue'er... can't you just stay? The Heaven Dou Empire... to be honest, the Spirit Hall really doesn't take us seriously."

Bibi Dong's gaze fell on her daughter's delicate face, which contained so much of the companionship and protection she had been unable to provide.

Qian Renxue paused for a moment, her long eyelashes casting a shadow beneath her eyes.

Qian Renxue did not immediately refute her mother's disdain, but buried her head deeper into her mother's neck, Absorb the long- Covet warmth, but her voice carried an undeniable seriousness.

"Mother, I understand the power of the Spirit Hall. But the Heaven Dou plan is the path I have chosen, and I don't want to give up just like that."

Qian Renxue raised her head, her amethyst-like eyes gleaming with unwavering determination under the light.

"That's my battlefield, and I want to conquer it with my own hands."

Looking into her daughter's eyes, which held the same stubbornness and determination she had shown in her youth, Bibi Dong felt a mix of emotions.

She knew that no amount of persuasion could shake her daughter's resolve, just as no one had been able to sway her back then.

In the end, she could only sigh deeply, a sigh filled with helplessness, worry, and a hint of relief—for her daughter had finally gained the courage to make her own choices.

Bibi Dong remained silent, but tightened her arms around Qian Renxue, as if trying to etch this warmth into her very bones.

That night, the mother and daughter seemed to be filling in the emptiness that had accumulated over the years.

They talked about many things, from trivial matters of the Spirit Hall to the situation on the continent, and also dreamed about the vague future.

The topic somehow shifted to the radiant Lin Xia.

"Xiao Xia, this child..."

Bibi Dong mentioned Lin Xia, her cool tone carried an unconscious gentleness and pride.

"His talent and temperament are both one in a million. Today, in the Worship Hall Treasury, he was able to resist the Captivate and only take what he needed. His clarity of mind even surprised me."

A smile also appeared in Qian Renxue's eyes.

"Yes, my little brother... he's really special. Look at him riding that huge Ivysaur, so full of pride, who would guess he's only seven years old?"

Qian Renxue paused, as if she had made up her mind, then turned to look intently into Bibi Dong's eyes.

"Mother, my younger brother is already level twenty-nine. At his monstrous cultivation speed, he'll probably reach level thirty soon and need to acquire his third Soul Ring."

Bibi Dong nodded slightly, waiting for her daughter to continue.

Qian Renxue continued:

"I'm thinking... my younger brother is still too young. Cultivation is important, but life shouldn't be just about cultivation. He needs to see a wider world and experience different lives. Staying in the Pope Hall and the Worship Hall all the time, while safe, is also a bit... monotonous."

Qian Renxue observed her mother's expression and cautiously offered her thoughts.

"How about... this time when we go back to Heaven Dou, I take him along for a while? It'll be a good opportunity for him to change his environment and relax."

"Once I've helped my brother obtain his third Soul Ring, I'll send him back."

A clear look of surprise flashed across Bibi Dong's eyes.

She had expected Qian Renxue to care about Lin Xia's cultivation, but she never expected her daughter to suggest taking Lin Xia away.

"Xue'er!"

Bibi Dong frowned slightly, her tone becoming serious.

"Xiao Xia is now the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, and his identity has long been announced to the world. If he were to stay by your side and appear in the Heaven Dou Empire... it would have a huge impact on your plans."

"Xue Qinghe's identity cannot withstand any scrutiny, especially with such a prominent Holy Son suddenly appearing by his side. This is too eye-catching and extremely risky."

Seeing that her mother didn't directly refuse but instead Analytic the risks, Qian Renxue knew she had a chance. A bright smile immediately spread across her face, with a hint of Charm.

"Mother, this is easy to solve! We can find a perfectly legitimate reason."

"For example... let's say that Xiao Xia, as the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall, was sent by the Pope to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy for a period of exchange and study in order to enhance communication between the younger generation of the two major powers."

"This title is perfectly reasonable. The Heaven Dou Imperial Family will only welcome it, and it will also demonstrate the Spirit Hall's open-mindedness!"

"As Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, it's perfectly normal for me to represent the Heaven Dou Imperial Family in receiving and looking after this esteemed Holy Son during our exchange activities. As long as we don't give ourselves away, no one will suspect anything else."

Seeing the expectation shining in her daughter's eyes and the plan she had already thought of, Bibi Dong's reluctance was somewhat mitigated by reason and her daughter's smile.

She was indeed reluctant to let Lin Xia, with whom she had just established a deep teacher-student relationship and who had illuminated her gloomy mood like a little sun, leave her sight.

However, she found it hard to refuse Qian Renxue's request, especially as her daughter was about to embark on another dangerous journey. Having several close and trustworthy younger brothers by her side might lessen her loneliness.

"Well..."

Bibi Dong sighed again, reached out and stroked her daughter's hair, her tone softening.

"This matter... is not up to me. Although Xiao Xia is my disciple, he is also your grandfather's personal disciple. Go ask him yourself first thing tomorrow morning and see what his opinion is. If he is willing to go with you, then... it's up to him."

Bibi Dong paused, then emphasized:

"Furthermore, you must personally speak to your grandfather and obtain his consent. Xiao Xia is the apple of his eye now; taking her without permission will likely enrage the old man."

"Yes! Thank you, Mother!"

Qian Renxue happily agreed and snuggled back into her mother's arms, already plotting how to persuade her younger brother and grandfather.

The next morning, as dawn broke.

Lin Xia Early Bird as usual.

After a night of rest and recuperation, the fatigue from yesterday's testing and fusion of the Spirit Bone has long since vanished, and the level 29 Soul Power within my body is surging and overflowing.

Thinking of the Light-Gathering Furnace in the Worship Hall, where boundless light energy converged, his heart burned with fervor.

"I'm aiming to break through level 30 before my eighth birthday!"

Golden rays of dawn Infiltrator the towering palace, casting long shadows on the smooth, mirror-like white jade floor.

The solemn and dignified atmosphere Worship Hall remained unchanged. However, when Lin Xia stepped through the main hall's gate, she keenly Frisk something unusual.

The hall was not Qian Daoliu.

Bibi Dong, dressed in an elegant Pope robe, stood quietly to one side, the Morning Sun outlining her cool and perfect profile.

Qian Renxue stood slightly behind Qian Daoliu, dressed in a more practical outfit. She was no longer the Limber woman she had been with her mother the night before; her brows held a Frisk, sharp glint of preparation for a long journey.

What made Lin Xia's heart skip a beat was the expression on the faces of the three people.