Qian Xunji thrust his spear forward and instantly sensed that something was wrong.
Bo Saixi was an old opponent of his. It could be said that they knew each other inside and out.
After being ambushed so many times, Bo Saixi had long since taken Qian Xunji's shape.
But today was different.
Today's Bo Saixi was a greenhorn.
But once a bullet was fired, how could it turn back?
Besides, Qian Xunji could faintly sense Bo Saixi's excitement. If he pulled out now, wouldn't he spoil her fun?
The night passed without another word.
The beach gained many shell craters.
It was clear how fierce the battle had been last night.
The holy light barrier dispersed, leaving Qian Xunji alone on the beach, facing the sea.
Bo Saixi had gone to the temple... but Qian Xunji was certain that there was definitely more than one Bo Saixi in the temple now.
"What are your names, you two young ladies?
Are you from a future spacetime too?"
Qian Xunji already had a guess. First there had been Qian Renxue, then Bibi Dong.
Later came Bo Saixi, followed immediately by this girl in tight leather clothes, with a voluptuous, exaggerated figure but a youthful face.
In the latter half of the night, another girl had appeared, blue-haired, composed and graceful.
"I am Zhu Zhuqing. I pay my respects to Your Holiness the Pope."
Zhu Zhuqing looked excited. In fact, she had already been waiting outside the curtain of light all night.
"I am Shui Bing'er. I pay my respects to Your Holiness the Pope."
The girl in the blue dress was excited too, but she carried herself with greater composure and grace. She even dared to raise her eyes and observe Qian Xunji.
"Zhu Zhuqing... Shui Bing'er."
Qian Xunji softly repeated their names and gave a slight nod.
He had known who they were since last night. The system had issued temporary nurturing missions, just as it had for Qian Renxue.
"If I'm not mistaken,
you come from the Zhu Family of the Star Luo Empire and Skywater City of the Heaven Dou Empire, respectively."
"Yes, Your Holiness. Nothing escapes your discerning eyes."
Shui Bing'er answered. Zhu Zhuqing was more reserved by nature, but she nodded as well.
"I can't teach the girl from the Zhu Family, but you can go cultivate by the Sea God's Light.
As for you... I sense a rather pure phoenix bloodline within you.
Let me see your Martial Soul."
Qian Xunji paid Zhu Zhuqing little attention.
Zhu Zhuqing was a member of the protagonist's group, and he didn't know how events had developed in the future spacetime. Naturally, he wouldn't help the enemy for a small system reward.
Even if he didn't care about such a weak enemy.
Even if Zhu Zhuqing could hardly affect Qian Renxue.
Helping the enemy was out of the question.
Zhu Zhuqing had been excited, but after hearing Qian Xunji's words, she froze on the spot.
As if struck by lightning, she couldn't recover her senses for a long time.
His Holiness had refused to teach her. What meaning was there in her coming to this spacetime, then?
On the other side, Shui Bing'er didn't know Zhu Zhuqing, so naturally she paid no attention to her predicament.
Her Ice Phoenix Martial Soul possessed her, revealing a top-tier Beast Martial Soul.
Qian Xunji sensed it briefly, then gestured for her to withdraw her Martial Soul. "Your age?"
"Your Holiness, I am fourteen this year, and my Soul Power is at level thirty-seven."
"Your talent is acceptable. The quality of your Martial Soul is somewhat lacking, but it's no great problem.
Would you be willing to..."
"I would."
Shui Bing'er answered before he could finish, drawing a soft chuckle from Qian Xunji. "Listen to what I have to say first. It won't be too late to answer then.
I will give you two choices.
First: our meeting is fate. Join Spirit Hall, and I will teach you a cultivation technique and a martial art, and grant you an Immortal Herb.
I will also help you hunt for a Soul Ring.
Second: become my woman."
"I choose the latter."
Shui Bing'er's cheeks reddened slightly, but she chose the latter without hesitation.
First, no man under heaven could surpass Qian Xunji in either strength or status.
Second, the benefits the latter choice would bring her were unimaginable.
Third, she admired powerful people to begin with, and she admired Qian Xunji.
To become Qian Xunji's woman, even if she could only remain by his side for a year, would be her honor.
As for her youth and talent... they weren't worth mentioning before Qian Xunji.
"I like your intelligence and decisiveness."
As Qian Xunji spoke, he looked toward the depths of Sea God Island, where Ah Yin and Ye Qingxian were approaching hand in hand.
Ah Yin's pregnancy was already quite apparent. Ye Qingxian's lower belly was slightly rounded, though it wasn't as noticeable.
Seeing two more women on the beach, the two of them were very curious.
"They came from a future spacetime. I don't know how long they'll stay, either."
Qian Xunji offered a casual explanation, and understanding dawned on Ye Qingxian and Ah Yin. "Are they from the same spacetime as Xiao Xue?"
"Yes, madams.
I can stay in this spacetime for a year, and Zhu Zhuqing can stay here for half a year.
Senior Bo Saixi can stay for three days."
Shui Bing'er showed no fear or timidity. She was respectful without appearing servile.
She was a clever woman, and of course, her looks were top-tier as well.
"I'll teach you the Bright Jade Technique first. Once you've learned the basics, I'll help your Martial Soul evolve.
If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask Qingxian and Ah Yin."
Qian Xunji raised a finger, sending divine sense into Shui Bing'er's mind.
Delight and excitement appeared on Shui Bing'er's face. "Thank you, Your Holiness."
In stark contrast to Shui Bing'er's treatment, Zhu Zhuqing fell to her knees with a thud.
"I have nowhere left to turn. I am willing to pay any price. I only beg Your Holiness to take pity on me and grant me a way to live."
Two trails of clear tears ran down Zhu Zhuqing's face.
She wasn't sure why Qian Xunji didn't think her worthy of his notice.
Her looks? Her talent? Or perhaps her background?
The last was the most likely, but she had already severed ties with Dai Mubai.
Ye Qingxian and Ah Yin also looked at Zhu Zhuqing curiously. This young girl... how did she have such ample assets at such a young age?
Surely His Holiness should have liked that.
Why hadn't he accepted her?
"The Hell Spirit Cat and the White Tiger Martial Soul have a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
The Zhu Family has intermarried with the Star Luo Imperial Family for generations and holds an exalted position.
And you say you have nowhere left to turn?"
Qian Xunji asked a question he already knew the answer to, but this Zhu Zhuqing seemed rather different from the one in the original story.
"Your Holiness, I was indeed betrothed to a prince of Star Luo.
But I have already severed ties with that prince. I would rather die than submit..."
Zhu Zhuqing told him what had happened to her, about Dai Mubai's cowardice and depravity, and about her final resolve.
Qian Xunji raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. Had something changed in the future spacetime?
Was it the butterfly effect?
Or did many people in the future spacetime know what was happening on his side?
Qian Xunji had asked Qian Renxue, but she couldn't say, so he could only make his own guesses.
By now, he had more or less figured it out.
"How interesting. You are a pitiful person too.
In that case, I'll give you two choices as well."
"I am willing to make the same choice as Shui Bing'er."
Zhu Zhuqing kowtowed on her knees, letting out a deep breath of relief, as though she had survived a calamity.
Qian Xunji transmitted the technique through his divine sense. "Go. Once you've learned the basics of the Bright Jade Technique, I'll help your Martial Soul evolve.
When you return to the future spacetime, kill Dai Mubai with your own hands at the first opportunity.
Can you do that?"
"Yes. I will not fail to carry out Your Holiness's order. Whatever the cost, I will slay Dai Mubai."
"Mm."
Qian Xunji waved a hand, dismissing everyone.
Afterward, the Azure Plume Eagle Emperor flew over at Qian Xunji's summons. "Go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and bring me the Phoenix Blood Ice Fruit and the Shadow Mystic Dragon Eye."
"Yes, Master!"