"Xiao Hei, you're right! If I can make history and do something no one on the entire continent can do, Mom will definitely see me in a new light! She'll definitely be willing to hug me!"
Qian Renxue clenched her little pink fists tightly. The image of Bibi Dong smiling gently at her automatically surfaced in her mind, and she immediately nodded emphatically.
Seeing the little girl's feverish excitement, as though she had been injected with chicken blood, Chen Qianqiu could not help rolling his eyes inwardly, black lines covering his forehead.
Good heavens, was that what I meant?
Qian Renxue was outstanding in every way and supremely talented. Her only problem was that her people-pleasing tendencies were far too strong.
Especially when it came to Bibi Dong. Alas, the less recognition she received, the more determined she was to win her approval. With Bibi Dong unwilling to let go of the rift between them, it could only end in tragedy.
If Qian Renxue's personality could be balanced out with her father Qian Xunji's, it would be perfect.
But Chen Qianqiu was not in a hurry. He and Qian Renxue had plenty of time ahead of them. This deep-seated trouble could not be rushed; three feet of ice did not form in a single day's cold. He could only stay by her side and gradually correct it through subtle influence.
Over the next few days, everything in Spirit Hall continued as usual. They only heard that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had taken the initiative to send people to apologize, while the Clear Sky Sect remained utterly quiet.
Chen Qianqiu completely let himself go. Aside from necessary rest and exercise, his mouth never stopped moving. Since he had eaten nearly all the medicinal herbs they had bought, Qian Renxue even brought plenty of good things from Spirit Hall's treasury for him to eat.
Ah, being able to keep getting stronger just by lying flat felt so good.
By contrast, Qian Renxue became extremely nervous over those few days and worked even harder at her cultivation. The little girl sat in meditation day and night, striving to bring her essence, Qi, and spirit to their best possible condition.
One morning a few days later, in Spirit Hall's white jade plaza.
A squad of elite Spirit Hall knights had already assembled.
At the very front of the group, a captivating woman in a fitted, dark black outfit approached with a graceful sway.
Her features were strikingly beautiful, and every movement carried a distinctive mature allure. She was none other than Spirit Hall's fifth elder, Ling Yuan Douluo.
"Young mistress, the Great Enshrined specifically instructed me to clear the way and escort you on this journey to the Star Dou Great Forest."
Ling Yuan Douluo inclined her body slightly and smiled charmingly.
"Sorry for the trouble, Fifth Elder."
Qian Renxue nodded politely. Having grown larger, Chen Qianqiu was not nestled in her arms as usual, but lying on the white jade tiles beside her feet.
Just had a full meal. Do not disturb.
"Oh my, what is this? How adorable!"
Ling Yuan Douluo's gaze shifted, immediately drawn to the glossy little black dragon on the ground.
Perhaps girls were naturally curious about such unusual, adorable creatures. Ling Yuan Douluo could not resist crouching down and leaning closer, extending a fair finger to scratch Chen Qianqiu gently under the chin twice.
"What an interesting little fellow. These scales feel quite nice, too."
Whether she had found a dragon's sweet spot or not, Chen Qianqiu narrowed his eyes in comfort. Mm, this Ling Yuan Douluo had a good eye. Once I grow up, I could consider giving her a helping hand.
But when he turned his head, he met Qian Renxue's reproachful gaze.
A glistening mist rapidly welled up in the little girl's eyes, her aggrieved expression practically spilling over.
Noticing Chen Qianqiu looking at her, she abruptly turned her head away and declared loudly in a huff:
"Since you like the fifth elder too, Xiao Hei, you can just go with her!"
As soon as she finished, she could not help glancing sideways at her Xiao Hei. As though genuinely afraid that he would flap his wings and run off with someone else, she hurriedly added:
"But let me make this clear first! If you go with the fifth elder, you'll never get to eat those good things again!"
Hearing those jealous words, fierce in such a childish way, Chen Qianqiu's head filled with question marks. 666, there's even a tsundere routine. Forget it, she's young. I won't hold it against her.
Chen Qianqiu took the initiative to reach out a little claw and tug at Qian Renxue's skirt. Only then did delight return to her little face.
Ling Yuan Douluo could not help covering her mouth with a soft laugh. What a lovely sight. With this little beast accompanying the young mistress, she probably would not be too lonely.
After a while, seeing that it was about time, Ling Yuan Douluo cleared her throat. Her expression grew serious as she began explaining the plans for the journey to Qian Renxue:
"Young mistress, we're heading to the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest this time. We've already selected the targets for your Soul Ring. Take a look first."
"They are the Light Feather Kite and the Brilliant Golden Holy Lion. In both age and attributes, they're among the most suitable Hundred-Year Soul Beasts."
"Actually, if His Holiness the Pope hadn't intended for you to gain some experience in person, we could simply pick a Soul Beast of this age, beat it half to death, and bring it back for you to absorb. There would be no need for you to make the trip yourself."
Listening to Ling Yuan Douluo speak confidently about their upcoming plans, Qian Renxue swallowed and looked guiltily toward Chen Qianqiu beside her. Noticing her gaze, Chen Qianqiu signaled for her to simply stay calm.
I promised Xiao Hei. I can't go back on my word!
Although she had readily agreed before, Qian Renxue still felt uneasy when the time to depart actually came. This was the first time in her life she had been a bad child behind her elders' backs.
One day later, at the outer edge of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Beneath towering ancient trees that blotted out the sky and sun, the group advanced in an orderly fashion. Although danger lurked on every side here for outsiders, with Ling Yuan Douluo present, the surrounding Soul Beasts behaved themselves and dared not act up.
"Young mistress, it's just ahead."
Ling Yuan Douluo stopped and pointed toward a sunlit clearing ahead.
There, a giant bird nearly three meters long was resting, its feathers radiating brilliant golden light beneath the sun.
"This is the Light Feather Kite I mentioned. It would be absolutely perfect for your First Soul Ring. I'll capture it right away!"
Ling Yuan Douluo turned her wrist, about to let her Martial Soul possess her.
"Wait, Fifth Elder! This Hundred-Year Soul Beast... after thinking about it, I still..."
Qian Renxue hurriedly spoke up to stop her, her little face flushed bright red. Oh no, I actually forgot the excuse I prepared for refusing. Now I'm done for.
Before Qian Renxue could organize her words, Chen Qianqiu, who had been lying beside her feet, suddenly straightened up, his slit pupils fixed on the depths of the dense forest to the right in the distance!
In his perception, an extremely strange creature was rapidly approaching!
"Wooo!"
With an ethereal cry that sounded both like a call and a sob, the surrounding air seemed to twist under some invisible force.
The Light Feather Kite resting in the clearing seemed to sense something. Not daring to linger, it hurriedly flew away.
Immediately afterward, a mystical Ferocious Beast with a slender body, resembling a deer yet not quite a deer, and a pair of transparent wings, landed lightly within everyone's sight.