"You've eaten so many good things. Show some spirit and don't disgrace yourself!"
Later that day, Chen Qianqiu stood on a rock in the middle of a lake, his dark-gold wings slowly spreading.
He had channeled most of the power from the heavenly treasures he had swallowed over the past few days into these wings.
"Let's see just how much you've changed!"
Chen Qianqiu drew a deep breath and gave his wings a fierce beat!
Boom-!
In an instant, a thunderous roar exploded across the lake!
Gales howled, spreading outward from Chen Qianqiu, with faint flashes of lightning crackling within them.
The force of wind and lightning churned the lake, throwing up waves several meters high.
Though the whirlwind was not particularly large, the wind and lightning surging and intertwining within it were enough to tear a Soul Ancestor-level expert to pieces!
"Not bad."
Chen Qianqiu folded his wings, quite satisfied.
Aside from his own progress, there had also been developments with Qian Renxue over the past few days.
The little girl's training had clearly grown more intense.
Every morning at six, Qian Xunji dragged her off to train. From basic physical conditioning to Soul Power control, from combat techniques to Martial Soul application, the entire routine left Qian Renxue returning every evening drenched in sweat, her little face flushed, so exhausted that she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Chen Qianqiu had also heard the little blonde complain that the higher-ups intended to select a higher-ranked Soul Beast for her second soul ring, one at least five thousand years old! Their previous cautious approach had been swept away.
Though her first soul ring had already laid the groundwork, it was still commendable that they could make such bold plans for Qian Renxue.
Clearly, that earlier burst of Asura Baleful Aura had dealt quite a shock to Spirit Hall's higher-ups.
Originally, their approach to raising Qian Renxue had been to advance gradually and build a solid foundation. As long as there were no safety issues, she could fool around however she liked.
After all, Qian Renxue possessed innate full Soul Power at rank twenty and the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul. Her eventual inheritance of the Angel Godhood was as certain as a nail driven into a board.
But reality suggested that they had painted too rosy a picture. Danger could appear at any moment. If Qian Renxue could not improve her strength quickly, she would be in trouble if she ever found herself without her elders nearby.
And the changes would not just be internal. Spirit Hall would certainly take a series of actions outside its ranks as well.
Chen Qianqiu was happy to see this. He and Spirit Hall were now grasshoppers tied to the same string. After all, he had already joined Spirit Hall in hunting down the God King's father and mother. When the reckoning came, he would surely be the chief war criminal, the first to be dealt with.
Several more days passed just like that.
That afternoon, Chen Qianqiu was dozing on the large bed in Qian Renxue's room.
He had grown several sizes beyond his former hunting-dog build. Even lying down, he was probably half a person's height now, and he could casually sprawl out and take up most of Qian Renxue's window.
Speaking of Qian Renxue, ever since the little blonde had witnessed a Titled Douluo-level battle that day, she had been brimming with excitement all day long.
Sometimes, Chen Qianqiu could not help wondering whether he had led her astray and pushed things so far that they had swung to the opposite extreme. Had this mature beauty been a little too lively as a child?
"Xiao Hei, so this is where you were!!!"
Qian Renxue opened the door and climbed straight onto Chen Qianqiu's back, bringing her little face close to his, her eyes sparkling.
"Xiao Hei, guess what good news I have for you!"
Chen Qianqiu kept his eyes shut, pretending not to hear.
"Xiao Hei, you big lazybones, no more sleeping!!"
Seeing no response from Xiao Hei, Qian Renxue immediately began bouncing up and down on his back, rocking about with all her might as though riding a kiddie ride.
"Stop, stop that. I can't take it!"
Unable to bear it any longer, Chen Qianqiu groggily raised his head, his voice thick with sleepiness. He absolutely had to instill the traditional virtue of loving afternoon naps in this little one.
"Hehe! I knew you weren't asleep, Xiao Hei!"
Qian Renxue laughed smugly, wrapping her arms around Chen Qianqiu's neck and lying flat against his back.
"Xiao Hei, take a guess! Guess what good news I'm going to tell you!"
Before Chen Qianqiu could even speak, the little girl could no longer contain herself and shouted excitedly:
"We're going out again!!"
"And Grandpa Golden Crocodile is leading us this time! He's really strong, and his Martial Soul is so cool!"
Qian Renxue waited expectantly for Xiao Hei's reaction.
At that, Chen Qianqiu really did become a little interested.
Golden Crocodile Douluo?
What had happened that required him to go in person? In Spirit Hall, he was a supreme powerhouse second only to Qian Daoliu.
"Going out again? Where?"
Chen Qianqiu opened his eyes, some of the sleepiness leaving his voice.
"Hehe, I knew you'd be interested, Xiao Hei!"
Qian Renxue laughed smugly and began recounting everything in an orderly manner.
Chen Qianqiu pricked up his ears and listened carefully to the little blonde's account, gradually piecing together the whole story.
A while earlier, Qian Xunji had once again led a group to the Clear Sky Sect. His main purpose had been to probe the mysterious presence they had encountered before and discover what connection it had to the Clear Sky Sect.
This time, he had not attacked outright. Qian Xunji had visited the Clear Sky Sect under the banner of peace talks and promised to stop hunting Ah Yin as a gesture of sincerity.
On the Clear Sky Sect's side, Sect Master Tang Wei, Tang Hao's grandfather, had all but set off a few strings of firecrackers to celebrate when he heard the news.
Ever since Tang Hao had fled back to the sect with Ah Yin, Tang Wei, though concerned for his grandson, had been forced to make a show of punishment in the face of outsiders' criticism.
But while it was called punishment, it was really only for show.
A few days of confinement and a scolding, and that had been the end of it. After all, Tang Hao was his own grandson and a genius of the Clear Sky Sect. In the end, Tang Wei could not bring himself to punish him severely.
But regardless of his reluctance, everyone in the Clear Sky Sect knew they were in serious trouble this time. They had clashed with Spirit Hall's Supreme Pontiff, and Spirit Hall would inevitably demand an explanation. How would they answer then?
So when he heard that people from Spirit Hall had arrived, Tang Wei had nearly been scared out of his wits.
Yet unexpectedly, Qian Xunji had not come to hold them accountable this time, but to discuss peace!
Spirit Hall was willing to abandon its pursuit of Ah Yin and stop pursuing the matter of this hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast!
Tang Wei could hardly believe his ears. To reciprocate Spirit Hall's friendliness, he had waved his hand and handed over the Four Great Clans outright!
The Strength Clan, the Defense Clan, the Speed Clan, and the Breaking Clan, the four subordinate clans that followed the Clear Sky Sect, had simply been given away by Tang Wei as bargaining chips.
In Tang Wei's view, as long as he could preserve the Clear Sky Sect's main line, what did a mere four subordinate clans matter?
Besides, those four clans had reaped plenty of benefits from the Clear Sky Sect over the years. Now it was time for them to pay their share.
As for what the people of the Four Great Clans would think?
Tang Wei did not care in the slightest.
Qian Renxue continued excitedly:
"So this time, we're going to take over the Four Great Clans! But Grandpa Golden Crocodile is worried they'll resist, so he has to oversee things personally!"
As Chen Qianqiu listened, his eyes grew brighter and brighter.