"The Third Offering, Azure Luan Douluo." Qian Renxue did not hesitate.
"The Radiant Three-Headed Phoenix has phoenix blood and can fly."
She laid out her reasoning clearly. "Though I don't fear aerial combat, when hunting a thirty-eight-thousand-year-old flying Soul Beast, having another Consecrated Elder skilled in aerial combat along will ensure nothing goes wrong.
"Azure Luan Douluo's Martial Soul is the Azure Luan, an ancient divine bird. Of the Worship Hall's seven Consecrated Elders, he is the only one whose Martial Soul can fly. He is the most suitable choice."
Qian Daoliu nodded, a trace of appreciation entering his gaze. "You've thought this through. I'll send word to the Worship Hall. Azure Luan will be at your command."
He paused, then added, "While I'm in seclusion, if you have any questions about cultivation, you can consult the Consecrated Elders of the Worship Hall."
"Understood, Grandpa."
Qian Daoliu glanced at his granddaughter, reluctant to part with her. He very much wanted to accompany Qian Renxue on her Soul Hunting trip himself.
But he knew the opportunity brought by the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma was fleeting. He had to enter seclusion as soon as possible and fully turn the Angel God's power into his own cultivation.
"I'm going into seclusion now."
Light flashed, and Qian Daoliu's figure disappeared into the depths of the Secret Chamber.
Early the next morning.
At the gates of Spirit City.
The Third Offering, Azure Luan Douluo, stood beneath the city gates, his hands clasped behind his back, a hint of curiosity in his otherwise calm expression.
He was a rank ninety-seven Super Douluo, his Martial Soul the Azure Luan, and the Third Offering of the Worship Hall.
The previous night, the Great Enshrined had sent word that the Young Master was hunting for her fifth Soul Ring and had specifically requested him as her escort and protector.
Azure Luan Douluo had raised his eyebrows slightly at the time.
In the past, whenever the Young Master went out, the Great Enshrined had always assigned a Consecrated Elder to accompany her. Since when had the Young Master ever picked someone herself?
But he had not asked any further questions.
Since the Great Enshrined had issued the order and the Young Master wanted him to accompany her, he would naturally obey.
He was merely curious: what Soul Beast warranted the Young Master specifically choosing him, Azure Luan Douluo?
Qian Renxue walked out of the city, dressed in white brighter than snow. The aura of her Eight Wings Angel was restrained, but the pressure radiating from her physique, tempered by ice and fire, made Azure Luan Douluo briefly freeze.
This girl was like an entirely different person from the last time we met.
"Third Offering." Qian Renxue inclined her head slightly. "Sorry for the trouble."
Azure Luan Douluo nodded in return. "You're too courteous, Young Master. But this old man is a little curious. Why did you specifically request that I accompany you?
"At your current rank, Young Master, a Soul Beast around ten thousand years old would be sufficient for your fifth Soul Ring. There are plenty of suitable ones in the Soul Beast forests around Spirit City."
"Our target is a flying Soul Beast," Qian Renxue said briefly. "Your Martial Soul is the Azure Luan, Third Offering, and you excel in aerial combat. You are the most suitable choice."
Azure Luan Douluo asked no further questions.
Since the Young Master had been so clear, she must have come prepared.
"Let's go." Qian Renxue took to the air first, the platinum feathers of her Eight Wings Angel shimmering with sacred radiance in the morning light.
Azure Luan Douluo followed. His Azure Luan Martial Soul faintly manifested behind him, its wings becoming a streak of azure light, his speed not the slightest bit inferior to Qian Renxue's.
The flight was monotonous. The two traveled one behind the other, each in silence.
Within Qian Renxue's mind, Cheng Ran suddenly took an interest.
Cheng Ran: Xiao Xue, since we have nothing else to do, let this Evil God give you a lesson.
Qian Renxue: What kind of lesson?
Cheng Ran: A leading-lady mindset training class.
Qian Renxue: *?*
Cheng Ran: Xiao Xue, let me ask you a question. Answer seriously.
Qian Renxue grew a little wary. All right, ask.
Cheng Ran cleared his throat, his tone turning serious.
"Suppose you have someone you love. You've given him years of your life, even abandoning your own cultivation prospects for him. One day, he suddenly comes to you and says the woman he loves is in danger, that only you can save her, and begs you to help. What would you choose?"
"Here are three options."
"A: help him. Loving someone means giving unconditionally. What if he's moved and has a change of heart?"
"B: pretend to agree and use the opportunity to set conditions, making him pay a price."
"C: refuse outright, cut ties, and focus your energy on yourself."
"D: pretend to agree and use the opportunity to demand benefits, then take the benefits without doing anything."
"Single-choice question. Pick one."
Qian Renxue frowned and gave it serious thought for a while.
"A," she answered. "If he's someone I truly gave my heart to, I couldn't stand by and let someone die. Besides... what if he sees how much I've done for him and has a change of heart?"
Cheng Ran sighed.
Qian Renxue: Did I answer wrong?
Cheng Ran: You help him, but is he moved? No. He'll only take it for granted. The more you give, the cheaper he thinks you are. Once you've saved the woman he loves, he'll turn around, take her hand, and tell you, "Thank you. You're such a good person." The nice-person card, understand?
Qian Renxue: What's a nice-person card?
Cheng Ran: It means, "You're a wonderful person, but we aren't right for each other." You give everything, and all you get in return is a nice-person card and a thank-you.
Qian Renxue fell silent for a moment. Then B? Pretend to agree and set conditions?
Cheng Ran: Pretending to agree and setting conditions means you're still entangling yourself with him. Entanglement wastes time and energy. Every second you spend on him is one less second spent on your own cultivation. Besides, do you think he'll honestly honor those conditions? How much are the promises of a man who treats you as his backup worth?
Qian Renxue's expression changed. "Then I should choose C?"
Cheng Ran continued, "Wrong, wrong, wrong! Still wrong. Of course you choose D."
Qian Renxue fell silent. "That... that doesn't seem right."
"But," she said quietly, "if I don't help him, that woman might die. And after giving so many years, I wouldn't be able to accept just giving up."
Black lines appeared on Cheng Ran's forehead.
Qian Renxue, oh, Qian Renxue, are you still such a fool for love?
"Xiao Xue, listen carefully. You can't accept it not because he's worth it, but because you've invested too much and can't let go of the sunk cost. But the more you refuse to accept it, the deeper you'll sink, until you've lost every last bit of yourself."
"A man who has another woman in his heart and comes running to you to save her life isn't treating you as his beloved. He's treating you as a tool. Why doesn't he ask someone else? Because he knows you're the easiest to talk around, the least likely to refuse, the cheapest."
"Rather than wasting your life on a man, you'd be better off keeping all that energy for yourself. Cultivate, level up, build your career. One day, when you stand at the pinnacle above all living beings and look back at this man, you'll realize he doesn't deserve you at all."
"So, do you understand?"
Qian Renxue's breathing grew a little rapid.
Those words struck like a heavy hammer against the values that had been shaped over her fifteen years of life.
No one had ever told her these things as she grew up.
Spirit Hall had taught her obedience and duty, Bibi Dong had taught her endurance and disguise, and Qian Daoliu had taught her justice and protection.
No one had told her not to burn herself up for someone unworthy, that saving her energy for herself was the most important thing in this world.
She suddenly thought of all these years, of how she had given up everything a young girl should have, constantly giving to others, yet never having lived for herself.
"I understand." Qian Renxue drew a deep breath.
Cheng Ran gave her a thumbs-up. "This young lady can indeed be taught."
As they flew, the more Qian Renxue thought about it, the more something felt wrong. "Third Offering."
Azure Luan Douluo flew just behind her to one side. "Please go ahead, Young Master."
"I have a question I'd like to ask you. Suppose you have someone you love, and you've given her years of your life..."
Before you continue