Blade in Hand, Kill That Bastard Li

In Spirit City, inside the main hall of the Worship Hall.

Qian Daoliu stared at the image on the Heavenly Screen, his brows tightly furrowed and his expression troubled.

The Angel Clan had upheld strict family traditions for generations. Even in the privacy of their own homes, they observed proper etiquette and dressed with dignity and restraint. She should never have dressed like that.

What was more, Xiao Xue would one day ascend to godhood as the Angel God and embody the glory of the Angel Clan. To him, her appearance on the Heavenly Screen fell far short of the dignity befitting a god. It was simply improper.

He stood in the hall with his hands behind his back and sighed inwardly. For a moment, he found it hard to accept that his granddaughter would look like this in the future.

[The view on the Heavenly Screen slowly advanced into the dedicated recording studio on the villa's second floor.

The room held a dazzling array of recording equipment. Most of the devices looked unfamiliar: soul-guided recording equipment never before seen on the continent. Few of the countless viewers beneath the Heavenly Screen could name them. Instruments were neatly arranged throughout the room, and soft lighting illuminated the entire studio.

Li Xun sat down before the instruments, his fingertips resting lightly on the Piano keys. Qian Renxue stood in the center of the room, holding a microphone on its stand with both hands. She adjusted her posture slightly, ready to sing.

The next instant, Li Xun pressed the keys.

Piano notes rang out in a gentle, rippling melody. Calm yet filled with resilience, the prelude slowly unfolded.

As the cool, moving Piano melody played, Qian Renxue parted her red lips. Her clear voice flowed through the microphone:

"If I open my eyes inside a nightmare and face a cruel world."

"The wind stirs someone's heartstrings, but there's no time for a farewell."

"If only a tragic end awaits, I'll break free against the wind without fear."

Unlike the two songs Li Qingyang had just heard, this one centered on the fiery resolve to break free of adversity, the devotion to protect a loved one, and the courage to face fate.

The music built layer by layer, gathering force for its first climax.

Qian Renxue lost herself completely in the song, pouring her heart into the melody. Her body moved gently with the beat. Her dance steps were small, but every lift of her hand and slight turn of her waist fell perfectly in rhythm. Her golden hair swayed with her movements.

She sang out into the microphone, her clear voice pouring forth:

"I raise my head to endless chaos and battle; I look back, and you're beside me."

"I'll shatter fate's curse and make our story eternal."

"My Martial Soul surges wild and free; I'll guard you with all my lonely courage."

"Even if the future comes like a flood, I'll never retreat."

Her voice was pure and distinctive, its feeling powerful enough to pierce the heart. It blended seamlessly with the accompaniment behind her.

Beside her, Li Xun's fingers rose and fell as he played. Their harmony seemed effortless, their timing flawless. Together, they brought out every ounce of the song's passion and tenderness.

During the instrumental break, Li Qingyang appeared outside the studio. He waved through the glass to greet his mom and dad.

Qian Renxue caught sight of the boy outside the window. Unable to speak while singing, she answered with a playful wink of her golden right eye. Then she quickly gathered her focus, immersed herself in the song again, and waited for the melody to return before singing the rest.]

Beneath the Heavenly Screen, countless viewers heard the performance, and comments raced across the display.

[That was incredible! It got my blood pumping!]

[Li Xun and Qian Renxue worked together so naturally. I'm jealous of how in sync they are.]

[That arrangement, that song! As expected of Asura God Li Xun. His musical talent is extraordinary too.]

[Miss Qian Renxue's voice is stunning! So clear, and so moving!]

Inside the Heaven Dou Crown Prince's Residence.

Qian Renxue's gaze stayed fixed on the Heavenly Screen. She stared at the version of herself in the image, singing freely after casting aside every shackle her identity placed on her.

Her ears burned red. Without realizing it, she gripped her sleeves, her fingers tightening. Watching herself dance lightly to the melody and sing with abandon filled her with embarrassment. Yet deep in her heart, a longing quietly took root.

That was a life where she could lay down the burden of being the Angel Clan's young mistress, where she did not have to keep up a disguise or calculate every step, where she could show her true feelings freely. It was a life still beyond her reach.

Snake Lance Douluo and Pufferfish Douluo, standing beside her, had fallen silent. Both stood slightly dazed, completely absorbed in the song echoing from the Heavenly Screen.

The passionate, heartfelt melody lingered in their ears. Its vision of breaking fate's shackles and staying together through life and death deeply moved the two Titled Douluo, despite all the bloodshed they had seen.

They stood quietly with solemn expressions, even softening their breathing as they gave the song their full attention.

On the road to Nod Town, the carriage rocked gently.

Li Xun looked up at the Heavenly Screen. His gaze locked on Qian Renxue in her JK uniform as she danced and sang to the music. His heart pounded harder than ever, so loudly he could almost hear it.

Until now, he had thought of Qian Renxue as someone hopelessly consumed by love. Even though the Heavenly Screen—fake as it was—showed them together in the future, he had felt little beyond his usual indifference.

But now he saw how radiant and alive she was on the Heavenly Screen. She had shed the lofty bearing of an angel. Her passionate singing and graceful movements revealed a charm all her own.

Li Xun had changed his mind completely.

Qian Renxue is my wife! Anyone who says otherwise can fight me!

(So much for that!)

When the Heavenly Screen showed Qian Renxue winking playfully at Li Qingyang through the glass, the comments exploded. They scrolled faster than ever, blanketing the entire display.

[Brother Li Xun, can we make a deal? Let me have Qian Renxue!]

[Why make a deal? Get rid of Li Xun now. If he dies, there won't be an Asura God Li Xun in the future. Then we'll have a chance, won't we?]

[She's breathtakingly beautiful, has a stunning figure, comes from one of the continent's greatest powers, and possesses incredible strength. Even her singing is amazing. What kind of lucky bastard gets to marry a woman like that?]

[Brothers, from what I know, the future Asura God Li Xun is only a One-Ring Soul Master right now at most. If you want to pursue Qian Renxue, make your move while you can!]

[Let's go, brothers! This is our chance!]

[Ahhh, that wink just did me in! I'm completely smitten!]

[Anyone want to team up, storm Spirit City, and snatch Qian Renxue away?]

[Wake up, brother. Spirit Hall has dozens of Titled Douluo stationed there, and you want to break in and steal the young mistress they treasure? Which one of us is crazy?]