Qian Renxue raised her face.
"But Grandpa, the Heaven Dou Empire is one of the continent's two great empires."
"As long as I replace Xue Qinghe and take control of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, Spirit Hall can gain the entire Heaven Dou Empire without shedding a drop of blood."
"Don't we need the Heaven Dou Empire's strength anymore?"
Qian Daoliu shook his head.
"That is all strength belonging to others."
"Empires, sects, armies-they may seem powerful, but none deserve your complete trust."
"When interests change, today's allies can become tomorrow's enemies."
"Xue'er, you must remember this."
Qian Daoliu placed his palm on her head.
"In this world, the strong reign supreme in the end."
"Schemes can only triumph for a time."
"Only the power held in your own hands will never betray you."
Qian Renxue looked thoughtful.
Her plan to infiltrate the Heaven Dou Imperial Family would take more than a decade, perhaps even several decades.
To maintain her disguise as Xue Qinghe, she could not freely reveal her Six-Winged Angel martial soul.
She also had to devote a great deal of energy to dealing with the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and nobles from various factions.
Even if the plan ultimately succeeded, all she would gain was a vast empire.
An empire could bring her power and influence, but it could not truly let her stand at the pinnacle of the continent.
Qian Daoliu continued:
"Your talent shouldn't be wasted on the Heaven Dou Imperial Family."
"You possess the Six-Winged Angel martial soul, and you even have innate level 20 soul power."
"As long as you take the right path, you can absolutely become one of the continent's strongest."
"From now on, I will personally teach you to cultivate."
"Soul power, soul rings, combat experience, and the true power of the Six-Winged Angel-I will teach you everything without holding anything back."
Qian Renxue listened attentively.
She suddenly noticed a trace of deep concern hidden in her grandfather's gaze as he looked at her.
Qian Daoliu sighed softly.
"I know my own body."
"Over the years, I've accumulated far too many hidden injuries."
"Even though I've reached level ninety-nine, my lifespan is not without an end."
"I don't have much time left."
The color rapidly drained from Qian Renxue's face.
She grabbed Qian Daoliu's sleeve.
"Grandpa, what are you saying?"
"You're a level ninety-nine Peerless Douluo."
"No one on the continent can hurt you."
"How could you not have much time left?"
Qian Daoliu looked at her without avoiding the question.
"No matter how powerful a Soul Master is, the day will come when they reach the end."
"What I can do is pave the road ahead for you in the time I have left."
"Xue'er."
"Grandpa will give everything he has for you one last time."
"I will personally guide your growth and give you the strength to protect yourself."
"Even when I'm gone someday, no one in this world will ever be able to bully you again."
The tears brimming in Qian Renxue's eyes finally fell.
They slid down her fair cheeks and soaked the front of Qian Daoliu's robes.
She had never imagined that a day would come when her grandfather would leave her too.
The pillar of support she had only just gained today was already counting his remaining days.
Qian Renxue shook her head hard.
"No."
"Grandpa will be all right."
"I haven't even properly shown you my filial devotion."
"I haven't become someone you can be proud of, either."
Qian Daoliu wiped away her tears.
"Then don't cry."
"Spend all your time cultivating."
Qian Renxue pressed her lips tightly together and struggled to stop her tears.
She raised her head and looked earnestly at Qian Daoliu.
"Grandpa, I swear."
"I will work hard at cultivating."
"I will become the strongest Soul Master on the continent."
"I will never disappoint you."
Heaven Dou City.
It was noon.
Shops lined both sides of the streets, and pedestrians came and went in an endless stream.
Qian Daoliu walked through the crowd with his hands behind his back.
Qian Renxue followed beside him.
She had now abandoned her identity as Xue Qinghe and no longer concealed her true appearance.
A long white dress fitted her tall, slender figure, and her golden hair fell to her waist.
Sunlight spilled over her fair skin, and the sacred aura bestowed by her Six-Winged Angel martial soul showed naturally.
Her exquisite face drew sidelong glances from quite a few passersby.
Qian Renxue was already in her twenties.
Throughout her years disguised as Xue Qinghe, she had to watch her every action at all times to keep anyone from spotting a flaw.
Now that she had returned to her true appearance, she felt much more at ease.
"Grandpa."
Qian Renxue stepped closer.
"Where are we going next?"
Qian Daoliu did not answer immediately.
After leaving Spirit City, he had brought Qian Renxue to Heaven Dou City.
The plan involving the Heaven Dou Imperial Family had been completely abandoned.
The identity of Xue Qinghe would never appear again, either.
Spirit Hall's years of preparations had been destroyed in a single stroke. Once Bibi Dong learned the news, she would certainly not let the matter rest.
On the surface, Spirit Hall remained a unified whole.
The Pope's Hall oversaw its branch halls across the continent and had a great many Soul Masters following it.
The Worship Hall, meanwhile, gathered Spirit Hall's strongest experts.
Differences had already existed between the two.
In the past, Qian Daoliu had always put the bigger picture first, which was why he had never completely torn away the facade of civility with Bibi Dong.
But now, everything had changed.
He had defeated Bibi Dong in public and taken Qian Renxue away from her.
Bibi Dong would not forget what had happened in the Pope's Hall.
The conflict between the two sides would only deepen.
If handled poorly, Spirit Hall could indeed split apart.
Qian Daoliu did not care, however.
Whether the Pope's Hall or the Worship Hall, they were ultimately nothing more than forces made up of Soul Masters.
So-called power and influence were built upon strength.
As long as he possessed the strength to suppress the entire continent, no one within Spirit Hall could stir up any waves.
If he could even contend with the Divine Realm head-on, the little power Bibi Dong held would be even less worth mentioning.
Qian Daoliu looked ahead.
"We'll stay in Heaven Dou City for a few days first."
"Your cultivation plan needs to be rearranged, and I have a few matters to handle as well."
Qian Renxue nodded gently.
"All right."
She asked no further questions.
Since her grandfather had already made his decision, he naturally had his own considerations.
Qian Daoliu continued walking, but his mind was contemplating his next move.
Taking Qian Renxue as his disciple was only the beginning.
The system's existence had shown him hope of changing the ending.
But the true threat still remained.
Tang San.
The moment that name surfaced in his mind, a little more killing intent entered Qian Daoliu's eyes.
A child of fortune.
Twin martial souls.
Innate full soul power.
Tang Sect Secret Arts.
Immortal herbs, soul bones, divine artifacts.
And on top of all that, the favor of the gods in the Divine Realm.
Almost every opportunity ordinary people could never encounter in their entire lives had ended up in Tang San's grasp.
Anyone who opposed Tang San, no matter their status, would ultimately become a stepping stone on his path of growth.
Spirit Hall had even been torn out by the roots at his hands.
Bibi Dong had died.
Qian Renxue's divine position had shattered.
Countless Spirit Hall Soul Masters had died in battle.
The Angel Lineage, with its long heritage, had fallen into decline just like that.
Qian Daoliu knew very well.
After his transmigration, many things had already begun to change.
But as long as Tang San remained alive, the original threat had not truly disappeared.
Behind Tang San stood Tang Hao, the Clear Sky Sect, and even the Asura God and the Sea God.
Giving him time to grow would be no different from releasing a tiger back into the mountains.
Qian Daoliu had never intended to wait for an enemy to grow stronger before fighting him fairly.
Since he knew Tang San would destroy Spirit Hall in the future, he had to eliminate him as early as possible.
Whatever the cost.
He could not allow Tang San to live and grow stronger.
Before you continue