Qian Renxue's Little Surprise

Inside the solemn hall,

Fifteen of the clan's strongest members exchanged glances, then quickly looked away. Every face was grave, and no one dared make a sound.

The catastrophe foretold by the Heavenly Screen hung over them. With the survival of the Blue Lightning bloodline at stake, no one dared speak carelessly and risk dooming the entire family with a single ill-chosen word.

From his seat at the head of the hall, Yu Yuanzhen took in their hesitation. Anger surged through him, along with bitter disappointment.

The enemy was at their gates, yet not one of his clansmen dared offer a plan or shoulder the burden. It was simply...

Weariness swept over him. For a moment, he even wanted to wash his hands of the whole affair.

Then he remembered the future shown on the Heavenly Screen. After the clan's destruction, descendants of both Yu Tianheng's and Yu Tianxin's lines survived. One day, they would restore the dragons' might and found the Heavenly Dragon Gate.

That thought drove back his despair. At least a sliver of hope remained.

He glanced at his second brother, Yu Luomian, who stood beside him with his head lowered in thought. "Second Brother, you've had time to think. Tell me, how can our clan escape this calamity?"

Yu Luomian looked up, gathered his thoughts, and cleared his throat. Stepping forward, he said steadily, "Big Brother, I see only one sure path: relocate the entire clan."

"Relocate?" Yu Yuanzhen raised his brows in surprise.

"Yes." Yu Luomian nodded firmly. "Our ancestral grounds are remote and isolated. Once Spirit Hall launches the Soul Hunting Operation, we'll be trapped with nowhere to retreat."

"We should move the whole clan to the outskirts of Heaven Dou City, near the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. The Heavenly Screen has exposed Spirit Hall's ambitions and its future plot. Both powers will be on guard; neither will stand by while Spirit Hall grows dominant. With our three forces close enough to support one another, Spirit Hall will have to think twice before attacking the Blue Lightning Family."

"As for these ancestral grounds, we need only leave a few clansmen here to maintain them in secret. An occupied estate will help keep up appearances."

Yu Yuanzhen lowered his gaze and carefully weighed the proposal.

Relocating to stand with potential allies was indeed the safest way to preserve their bloodline.

At last, he nodded. "It can be done. We'll proceed as you suggest."

At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect,

Ning Fengzhi sat in the sect master's seat. His usual composure was gone, replaced by a grave expression.

He turned to the two Titled Douluo beside him. "Uncle Jian, Uncle Gu, the Heavenly Screen showed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan being wiped out. What do you make of it?"

Chen Xin, wielder of the Seven Kill Sword, pondered for a moment, his snowy beard stirring slightly. "Fengzhi, judging by the timeline of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament, Spirit Hall will launch the Soul Hunting Operation within five years of the tournament after next. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect must prepare well in advance."

"Sword Guy is right." Bone Douluo Gu Rong nodded gravely. "Spirit Hall means to sweep away every obstacle and unite the continent. No single sect can withstand this alone."

"I know."

Ning Fengzhi nodded, his gaze turning sharp. "Qian Renxue didn't reveal every detail of the Soul Hunting Operation on the Heavenly Screen, but the broad outline is clear. Spirit Hall will first destroy the powerful Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan. Its next target will surely be the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!"

His words brought the danger into focus.

Chen Xin and Gu Rong's expressions tightened as they grasped Spirit Hall's plan.

The Upper Three Sects were Spirit Hall's greatest obstacles. After destroying the Blue Lightning clan, it would inevitably come for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Gu Rong frowned. "Fengzhi, if the danger is that great, what should we do?"

But while the two Titled Douluo remained tense, Ning Fengzhi suddenly laughed. Much of the weight left his face as he said with confidence:

"There's no need to worry too much."

"First, the Soul Hunting Operation is still years away. We have time to build our strength, fortify the sect, and seek allies."

"Second, the person most alarmed right now isn't one of us. It's Yu Yuanzhen."

His eyes gleamed. "The Heavenly Screen has shown him his clan's destruction. He won't sit and wait for it. Before long, he'll come to us himself, seeking an alliance with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. We need only wait."

[The conversation went no further. Li Xun soon returned from his walk with his daughter, and Li Qingyang took his younger sister aside to play.

Li Xun sat down on the sofa and naturally slipped an arm around Qian Renxue, drawing her close.

She offered no resistance, nestling against his warm, solid chest as they watched the TV drama together.

The night deepened. Soon it was ten o'clock.

Qian Renxue gently called to the children, who were still playing. "Qingyang, Mu Shuang, it's getting late. Time to wash up and go to bed. Especially you, Qingyang. Your Spirit Awakening Ceremony is tomorrow, so no staying up."

"Got it, Mom!"

Li Qingyang obediently stopped playing. He and Mu Shuang headed to the bathrooms on the first and second floors to get ready for bed.

The living room fell quiet again.

Qian Renxue stayed curled against Li Xun. With the television murmuring nearby, they sat together and enjoyed a little time to themselves.

Eventually, both children finished washing up and went to their rooms. The house grew still.

Only then did Qian Renxue rise from his arms. A playful smile lit her beautiful face, and she winked at him. "A Xun, go take a shower. Afterward... I have a little surprise for you."

Her teasing tone stirred his curiosity. He smiled at once. "A surprise? Wait for me, Xue'er. I'll be right back."

He wasted no time showering and drying his hair before hurrying back to the bedroom.

The moment Li Xun opened the door, he stopped short.

Qian Renxue stood beneath the light in the middle of the room.

She had changed out of her everyday clothes into an elegant white velvet Qipao.

It fitted her tall, graceful figure perfectly, tracing her shoulders and slender waist. The slit along one side rose almost to her upper thigh, swaying faintly with each breath and offering fleeting glimpses of pale skin. She looked both poised and alluring.

The Angel God, usually so sacred, cool, and noble, had set aside her commanding air. Before him stood only a tender, breathtaking woman.

Her dark hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and her skin glowed beneath the warm light. She watched him with soft eyes and a faint smile.

At the sound of the door, she lifted her gaze. "Finished washing?"

"Mm."

Li Xun stepped closer and slipped an arm around her slender waist, his warm palm resting against the soft fabric.

"Did you change just for me?" he asked, smiling down at her.

Qian Renxue looked up at him, her long lashes trembling. A faint blush touched her cheeks as she brushed her nose against his jaw. "Mm. I told you I had a surprise."

She usually wore her Papal attire to work and her JK uniform after work. She rarely dressed up like this. The Qipao brought out a gentler side of her, and every bit of warmth in her smile was for him alone.

A night breeze slipped through the partly open window, stirring her hair and the hem of her Qipao.

The slit shifted with it, offering another glimpse of pale skin. The quiet bedroom grew intimate.

Qian Renxue looped her arms around Li Xun's neck and leaned into him, her breath warm against his skin. "A Xun, do I look good?"

Li Xun looked down at her, his eyes full of affection. He kissed her forehead and answered softly:

"You're beautiful. My Xue'er has always been the most beautiful."

The simple words filled Qian Renxue with warmth.

She rose onto her toes and pressed her lips gently to his.]

At that point, the Heavenly Screen ignored the barrage of comments demanding to see more. It shut off and vanished.