Qian Daoliu: How Dare You Feed My Granddaughter Whale Glue?

Bibi Dong saw the little girl's pleading expression, and her heart ultimately softened.

No matter what, Qian Renxue was still her own flesh and blood.

It was an excellent thing for tempering the body. If A-Xu could take it, there was naturally no reason Qian Renxue could not.

She gave Qian Renxue an extremely small portion, and Bibi Xu repeatedly warned her not to tell anyone, especially not her grandfather.

But Qian Renxue was exposed in the end.

Even after being processed, Whale Glue would make one's blood and qi surge after consumption, turning one's little face bright red. Not long after she returned, Qian Daoliu saw through her at a glance.

Qian Daoliu's reaction at the time could not be described as mere fury.

A dignified level ninety-nine Limit Douluo, the chief worshiper of Spirit Hall—his precious granddaughter had actually secretly eaten such a lowly aphrodisiac from the streets?

His first thought was that Bibi Xu had led Xue'er astray. At such a young age, he was already neglecting proper ways and dabbling in crooked tricks.

That day, he grabbed Qian Renxue and rushed straight to the Holy Maiden Hall. His face was black as a pot, and even the angel soul power around him could not suppress his rage. If Bibi Dong had not immediately shielded the child behind her, he would have cast aside all dignity and struck at Bibi Xu, a junior, right then and there.

Bibi Dong did not argue with him. She merely said flatly, "Check her body yourself."

Qian Daoliu held back his anger and sent his soul power into Qian Renxue's body. The moment he examined her, he froze.

In just half a month, Qian Renxue's physical strength had nearly doubled. Her angel soul power circulated much more smoothly, and there was not the slightest trace of stagnant evil fire in her body. Instead, her muscles and bones had been nourished into greater toughness, and even her innate soul power had become several degrees more refined.

He immediately lost his temper.

Later, he secretly had the alchemists of the Worship Hall carefully study the method for processing Whale Glue. They confirmed that it truly was a sacred medicine for body tempering. The faint residual heat was simply not worth mentioning to a Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul with a solid foundation.

He even followed the prescription and personally arranged a custom dosage for Qian Renxue, having her take it on schedule.

But after that incident, Qian Daoliu's view of Bibi Xu became even more complicated.

How could a five-year-old child know such an obscure body-tempering secret formula? He understood every processing step and every method of guiding the medicinal power, even better than Spirit Hall's veteran alchemists.

What filled this child's mind far exceeded what someone his age should possess.

Time and time again, Bibi Xu's unexpected actions steadily deepened both Qian Daoliu's vigilance and appreciation.

The night passed without incident.

At first light the next day, Spirit Hall's central plaza was already brightly lit, with all personnel assembled.

Two rows of silver-armored knights stood in perfect formation, long blades at their waists and backs straight. Their auras were steady, and every one of them was a Soul King above level fifty.

Two lavishly decorated carriages stood in the center of the plaza. One bore dark spider patterns, while the other bore a gilded angel crest, both glinting with a cold sheen in the morning light.

Bibi Dong wore a fitted black outfit, her long hair tied high. Two storage soul tools hung at her waist, and her usual noble, icy bearing carried an added edge of sharp, martial resolve.

She stood beside the spider-patterned carriage, quietly giving travel instructions to the captain of the guards. Her presence was so imposing that passing attendants kept their heads lowered, scarcely daring to breathe.

Bibi Xu stood at her side, dressed in equally neat dark clothing. His sleeves and trouser legs were tightly bound, a small poisoned dagger hung at his waist, and a modest pack rested on his back.

His small frame stood perfectly straight, his expression calm, without the slightest nervousness at heading out to hunt a soul beast for the first time.

Before long, footsteps sounded from the north.

Qian Daoliu arrived with Qian Renxue.

The little girl wore a snow-white hunting outfit today, her golden hair tied into a high ponytail. She held a golden shortsword set with gemstones, and a small protective soul tool was fastened to her boots. She looked like a delicate yet valiant little warrior.

The instant she spotted Bibi Xu among the crowd, her golden eyes lit up. Lifting her skirt, she hurried toward him.

"A-Xu!"

Bibi Xu turned at her call and smiled. "All ready?"

"Of course." Qian Renxue lifted her chin, her little face full of pride.

"Grandfather said he was taking me to the Angel Hunting Grounds in the north. They're filled with light soul beasts best suited for angel martial souls. Let me tell you, my first soul ring's age definitely won't be lower than yours."

A tiny flame of competitiveness burned in the little girl's eyes, and she resembled a spirited little peacock. She had long been holding back, wanting to beat Bibi Xu at least once in this matter.

Bibi Xu could not help laughing at her serious expression. "All right, then let's compete. We'll see whose soul ring has the higher age."

"Fine! Who's afraid of who?" Qian Renxue clenched her tiny fist, brimming with confidence. "The loser has to grant the winner one request."

"Deal." Bibi Xu agreed readily.

Once the wager was set, Qian Renxue's gaze drifted toward Bibi Dong in the distance.

Her fingers secretly twisted the corner of her clothes. She pressed her little lips together and hesitated for a long time before gathering her courage and slowly moving over.

"M-Mom..." Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, carrying a cautious note of probing. "I... I'm going to hunt for my soul ring."

She looked up, her golden eyes filled with anticipation like a little beast waiting to be praised.

How she wanted to hear her mother say, "Be careful." Even a faint nod would have been enough.

At the sound of her voice, Bibi Dong's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

She slowly turned her head, her gaze falling on Qian Renxue. Before her was that little face, growing ever more like Qian Xunji's—the brows, the eyes, the bridge of her nose, even the tiny motion of pursing her lips were identical.

In an instant, those unbearable memories she had buried deep in her heart surged up like a tide.

The humiliation in the secret chamber, tears of despair, the life that had been destroyed... Icy hatred crawled up her spine. Her gaze unconsciously turned cold, roiling with disgust, pain, and distance, like a layer of ice that firmly shut Qian Renxue outside.

She said nothing and showed almost no expression. She merely gave Qian Renxue a cold glance, then turned back without expression to look at the captain of the guards, as though she had heard nothing and nothing had happened.

The expectation on Qian Renxue's face froze.

It was like a basin of cold water had been dumped over her head, chilling that small spark of excitement in her heart to the bone.

Her little lips pressed tightly together, the tip of her nose tingling as her eyes instantly reddened. But she bit down and did not let the tears fall.

Again.

No matter how hard she tried, no matter how much she tried to please her, her mother was always so cold. She would not even spare her another glance, nor would she say a single word to her.

But... she would not give up.

Qian Renxue took a deep breath and blinked hard, forcing back the tears. She clenched her tiny fists, her nails digging deep into her palms.

She would become stronger.

She would become the greatest soul master on the continent, inherit the Angel Godhood, and become Spirit Hall's proudest existence.

One day, she would make her mother see her in a new light. She would make her mother smile at her sincerely and praise her, saying, "Xue'er is amazing."