Xuan Ming sighed softly, reached out, and wiped away the tears on her face. The movement wasn't exactly gentle, even a little clumsy, but it carried a rare... comforting quality.
"Why are you crying?" His voice was still hoarse with a hint of weariness. "Haven't you already... become a god?"
Qian Renxue looked at him, her tears flowing even more fiercely, but she nodded forcefully.
He became a god.
However, some things are lost forever.
And some things, while being lost, seem to be... quietly gained in another way.
The entrance to the Angel Secret Realm.
The space twisted violently, accompanied by a piercing tearing sound, as a dark red sword light forcefully cleaved through the barrier of the secret realm!
Holding the Asura Demon Sword, Bibi Dong was surrounded by an overwhelming aura of slaughter and a trace of eerie Rakshasa evil power as she stepped into the room!
Closely following behind was Gu Yuena, whose aura was equally unfathomable and whose silver-purple eyes held a wary look.
They waited in Spirit City for a long time but Xuan Ming did not return. They also sensed an unusually powerful Divine Power fluctuation and the aura of Qian Daoliu's Sacrifice coming from the direction of the Worship Hall. Feeling uneasy, they rushed over immediately.
Seeing the Ice Seal offerings outside the hall and the clearly forcibly broken spatial node, the two rushed in without hesitation.
However, what they saw before them stunned them instantly, and then they were filled with rage!
In the center of the secret realm, where the divine radiance was most intense, Qian Renxue was radiating a dazzling golden divine light. Her six wings spread out behind her, and her powerful Angel Domain was fully unleashed, completely enveloping and suppressing an entire area.
The one pinned beneath her was none other than Xuan Ming, who had just awakened and was still weak!
Xuan Ming seemed to want to struggle, but under the full suppression of the Angel Secret Realm's main arena and Qian Renxue's newly advanced God Level power, especially given his own Divine Power being greatly depleted and not yet recovered, he was unable to break free for a while and could only lie there helplessly with his brows furrowed.
Qian Renxue looked down at Xuan Ming with a complex expression. There was sadness and confusion from just learning the truth, relief from the past, and uncertainty about the future, but more than anything, there was an almost obsessive impulse to grasp something.
She straddled Xuan Ming's waist, her hands on his shoulders, golden Divine Power Entanglement him like chains.
What she wants to do is self-evident.
" Qian Renxue! Let him go!" Bibi Dong's eyes flashed with cold light. Without the slightest hesitation, the Asura Demon Sword in her hand erupted with a terrifying killing intent. The dark red sword light was like lightning tearing through the sky, fiercely slashing towards the Angel Domain that shrouded Xuan Ming!
"Boom--!"
The two diametrically opposed Divine Power of holiness and slaughter collided violently, producing a deafening roar!
Although Qian Renxue has become a god and the Angel Domain has been greatly enhanced in the secret realm, Bibi Dong has just completed the Eighth Trial of the Asura. With the assistance of Gu Yuena, the Asura Divine Power and Rakshasa Divine Power in her body have reached a delicate and dangerous balance, and her strength has skyrocketed, making her no less than an ordinary God Level powerhouse!
What's more, she's using the Asura Divine Power, which is said to be the most powerful attack in the Divine Realm!
The domineering and incomparable killing intent tore a gap in the seemingly impregnable Angel Domain!
With her domain broken, Qian Renxue's body trembled slightly, and the suppressive force weakened instantly.
Xuan Ming seized the opportunity, his body radiating a chilling aura, instantly shaking off Qian Renxue's hand that was pressing on his shoulder. He slid backward, escaping the area of suppression.
He stood up, a hint of helplessness and speechlessness in his eyes, and looked at Qian Renxue was still somewhat dazed.
This woman... just became a god, is her mind not fully clear yet? Or is she too emotionally overwhelmed after learning the truth, and her behavior has started to spiral out of control?
In the past, when she was weaker than him, she always liked to try to suppress him in this almost "forceful" way, although she never succeeded.
Now look what's happened—taking advantage of his illness to kill him? No, it's taking advantage of his weakness to try and force myself on him?
The situation suddenly became very delicate.
Chapter 441 Times Change
Bibi Dong, wielding the Asura Demon Sword, stood in front of Xuan Ming, exuding murderous intent, her icy gaze fixed on Qian Renxue.
Gu Yuena also quietly stood on the other side of Xuan Ming, her silver-purple eyes flashing with a dangerous light, and the elemental power around her subtly fluctuating.
When Qian Renxue's domain was shattered by Bibi Dong's sword, and she saw Xuan Ming's speechless gaze, coupled with the undisguised hostility from Bibi Dong and Gu Yuena, her originally complex and excited emotions were instantly ignited, transforming into a strange anger and grievance.
She stood up, and her golden Divine Power surged once more. Although the Angel Domain had been breached, it was still functioning, and divine pressure spread out.
" Bibi Dong! This is my inherited secret realm! It's not your place to act wildly!" Qian Renxue's voice carried God Level majesty and a hint of suppressed anger.
Her feelings for Bibi Dong were already extremely complex, and now, with old and new grudges intertwined, they were even more at odds.
"Your secret realm?" Bibi Dong sneered, her Asura Demon Sword pointing directly at Qian Renxue. "Have you asked my sword before touching my people?"
Although Gu Yuena didn't speak, the dragon's might and elemental fluctuations emanating from her body clearly expressed the same stance.
Xuan Ming stood between the two women, feeling the tension in the air and the clashing pressure of three different types of Divine Power power. He felt utterly overwhelmed.
He rubbed his still slightly swollen temples, sighed, and said wearily, "Just calm down."
His gaze fell upon Qian Renxue, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable air. "Having just become a god, your aura is unstable, and your emotions are fluctuating greatly, which is understandable. But don't do anything foolish."
He then looked at Bibi Dong and Gu Yuena, shaking his head slightly. "I'm fine, just a little exhausted. I'll be alright after a rest. You two... don't cause any trouble."
Qian Renxue bit her lip, looking at Xuan Ming's tired yet calm eyes, and then at Bibi Dong and Gu Yuena who were eyeing her menacingly. The nameless fire in her heart gradually subsided, replaced by a deep sense of powerlessness and... grievance.
She had just experienced a profound emotional upheaval and the permanent loss of a loved one, leaving her in a highly unstable emotional state. Her actions just now were less a manifestation of desire and more an instinctive impulse to seek confirmation and reassurance. But now...
Bibi Dong snorted coldly, sheathed the Asura Demon Sword, but still stood beside Xuan Ming, making her stance clear.
Gu Yuena also concealed her aura, but her gaze remained wary as she looked at Qian Renxue.
Although she had won over Xuan Ming in the same way back then, he didn't resist at the time.
Now?
Xuan Ming was clearly no match for this woman, which is why he was being suppressed!
Deep within the Pope's Palace.
Xuan Ming leaned back on the soft couch, closing his eyes to rest.
Bibi Dong and Gu Yuena stood guard on either side of him, and the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.
"From now on, you are not allowed to see Qian Renxue alone again." Bibi Dong's voice broke the silence. "She has now become a god, and in the Angel Secret Realm's home ground, her strength is definitely superior to yours. You saw what happened just now; her emotions were extremely unstable, and her behavior was out of control. There's no guarantee she won't do something rash again."
Although Gu Yuena didn't speak, she nodded slightly, her silver-purple eyes revealing her agreement.
Although she acted boldly and directly, and her taking over Xuan Ming could be considered a "forced acquisition," that was under the premise that Xuan Ming himself did not strongly resist, or even half-heartedly complied.
But Qian Renxue's stance just now was clearly an attempt to take advantage of a weakness and forcefully suppress the opponent; it was a completely different matter.
Xuan Ming is not yet fully recovered, so it is indeed not advisable for him to have any further contact with Qian Renxue, who has now become a god.
Xuan Ming opened his eyes and glanced at Bibi Dong with a hint of helplessness. "There's no need to be so nervous. She just experienced a huge change and lost her composure; it was just a momentary impulse. After becoming a god, her temperament will gradually align with her Godhead and stabilize. Besides, we still need to discuss the matter of storing Soul Ring with her."
"Discuss?" Bibi Dong sneered as if she had heard a joke. "You think she's going to discuss things with you? Knowing her as I do, what she wants most right now is to use her superior strength to overpower you and force you to submit!"
If you go to her now to negotiate, she will definitely take the opportunity to blackmail you into paying a price! If you refuse, not only will she not help you, but she will also do everything in her power to obstruct and sabotage you!
"This is exactly the situation Qian Renxue wants! She wants someone stronger than you so she can control you and maintain her ridiculous arrogance and domineering attitude! How could she possibly help you sincerely? She'll only try to trick you and force you to submit!"
Xuan Ming was somewhat speechless after Bibi Dong's series of analyses. He rubbed his temples, feeling even more exhausted. "Wasn't it you who suggested involving her in this matter in the first place? Why are you doing it again now..."
"Times have changed!" Bibi Dong interrupted him, her tone somewhat irritated. "I originally hoped to find her something productive to do, ease tensions, and give her a sense of belonging to the Empire. But I never imagined her mentality would become so twisted after becoming a god! And I certainly never expected that you would be... being treated like that by her when she was so vulnerable!"
Bibi Dong finished speaking, a hint of jealousy and annoyance crept into her tone.
Involving Qian Renxue in imperial affairs is one thing, but letting her steal my man? That's another matter entirely! Absolutely not!
Xuan Ming was utterly speechless, looking at Bibi Dong's possessive manner and the knowing look in Gu Yuena's eyes.
A woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea.
He sighed, a hint of barely perceptible anxiety in his voice. "Then what do we do? We already have a method to forcibly remove the Soul Ring, but the storage problem is the most crucial step. If we can't use Divine Power or the Power of Faith to stably store the Soul Ring Soul Ring for a long time and achieve its recycling, this contradiction cannot be fundamentally resolved."
His gaze swept over Bibi Dong and Gu Yuena: "There's less than a year left until the assessment. If we can't finish by then... I don't know what I'll do."
His voice was calm, but Bibi Dong and Gu Yuena detected a hint of coldness in it.
Xuan Ming can reason, remain calm, and be patient and compromise for the sake of the bigger picture.
But if the path to his goal is completely blocked, if the "order" he seeks cannot be established in a relatively peaceful manner...
So, he wouldn't mind using a more direct, violent, or even crazy way to solve it.
For example, what if we used absolute power to forcibly eliminate all obstacles? That would likely not bring order, but pure Destruction.
Bibi Dong and Gu Yuena exchanged a glance, both seeing the seriousness in each other's eyes.
They knew Xuan Ming and knew that his words were by no means alarmist.
When his patience runs out, his actions become extremely unpredictable.
"I'll go and discuss it with her," Bibi Dong said.
Anyway, you can't have contact with her for the time being.
"Hurry up, this matter is very troublesome and cannot be completed in a short time." Xuan Ming sighed and sat up.
"I'm going to Sea God Island to check on Bo Saixi's progress."
As soon as he finished speaking, a flash of silver light appeared, Xuan Ming vanished.
Gu Yuena looked at Bibi Dong's furrowed brows and asked, "How about I go help you?"
Bibi Dong shook her head. "If you try to talk to her, she'll probably become even more rebellious."
Qian Renxue was severely defeated by Gu Yuena in the past, but now that she has finally become a god and has an advantage in strength, she will definitely think about how to find an opportunity to regain the face she lost back then.
If Gu Yuena were to discuss this kind of thing with Qian Renxue at this moment, that girl would definitely take advantage of her!
"You should also be careful; she might be looking for an opportunity to attack you soon," Bibi Dong warned.
Gu Yuena nodded. "She shouldn't be a match for me."
Qian Renxue has just become a god, and her progress is too fast. She has not truly mastered the power of the Angel God. To put it bluntly, she has the numbers but no real skill.
If a real fight broke out, it's questionable whether Qian Renxue could defeat Xuan Ming, let alone her.
Chapter 442 Outsider
Sea God Island, Sea God Mountain.
Xuan Ming's figure quietly appeared at the foot of the mountain. Just as he was about to ascend the mountain, a vast and boundless wave of divine thought, like a tide, spread out from the Sea God Temple at the summit, instantly enveloping the entire Sea God Island!
This divine thought was pure, profound, and full of Life and inclusiveness. It was far more composed and refined than Qian Renxue's somewhat restless and sharp divine thought when she first became a god.
Bo Saixi also succeeded.
Xuan Ming took a step forward, causing space to slightly distort, and the next moment he appeared inside the Sea God Temple.
In the center of the temple, Bo Saixi stood quietly. Her once slightly mature face now appeared as young and delicate as a girl in her early twenties, her skin flawless, yet her deep eyes held a wisdom and vicissitude far beyond her years. Her aura was ethereal and sacred, as if she were one with the entire ocean, radiating a soft and vast blue divine light.
As a high priestess who has wielded the Sea God's Power for decades and has long since completed the Sea God's Eight Trials, Bo Saixi's understanding and control of the Sea God's Power has reached a level of consummate skill.
Inheriting the Sea God Godhood was a natural progression for her, without any obstacles.
At this moment, her Godhead was stable, her Divine Power was perfect, and her strength was definitely above that of Qian Renxue, who had just become a god and whose realm was not yet stable.
"Congratulations." Xuan Ming walked up to her and congratulated her in a calm tone.
Bo Saixi turned to look at Xuan Ming, a gentle smile appearing in her ethereal eyes, "You've come."
She keenly sensed that Xuan Ming's aura was somewhat weak and his Divine Power was greatly depleted, but she did not ask any questions and simply waited quietly for his purpose.
Xuan Ming didn't waste any time on pleasantries and went straight to the point. "I've come to discuss the matter of Soul Ring storage with you."
He looked at the enormous stone pillars surrounding Sea God Island that emitted a faint blue light— the Sea God's Seven Sacred Pillars.
" The Seven Sacred Pillars of Sea God Island are divine artifacts left behind by Poseidon before his ascension. They contain his Divine Power and can both protect Sea Soul Master and serve as the medium for the Sacred Pillar Trial."
"I'd like you to try to create a container that can stably store Soul Ring for a long period of time, based on the principles of the Sacred Pillar."
Xuan Ming explained his idea, "Moreover, this container should ideally have certain functions, like the Seven Sacred Pillars, such as... being able to conduct some form of assessment, and by consuming the stored Soul Ring, granting the examinee the corresponding Soul Ring."
He further explained, "Forcibly changing the way Soul Ring are acquired will inevitably encounter enormous resistance in the initial stages. Therefore, it's necessary to provide sufficient rewards and conveniences. People need to see that acquiring Soul Ring through new methods can not only make them stronger, but may even be more efficient and safer. Only with incentives can the majority of people accept the change."
A thoughtful glint flashed in Bo Saixi's eyes; she understood what Xuan Ming meant.
This aims to transform the acquisition of Soul Ring from the savage plunder of hunting Soul Beast into a more orderly model, similar to "mission rewards" or "assessment grants."
This is indeed a way to resolve conflicts at their root.