Qian Renxue's face stiffened, and a perfectly timed flicker of displeasure crossed it.
"What do you mean by that, Young Master Yuan?" Qian Renxue appeared indignant, but in truth, she felt a little inexplicably pleased.
The truth was hard to hear?
Sorry, but Beiming Yuan's truth pleased her greatly.
"Exactly what I said."
"From what I know of the various powers on the Douluo Continent, only three have the ability to unify it: Spirit Hall, the Heaven Dou Empire, and the Star Luo Empire."
"In the cities ruled by the two empires, I haven't seen much to commend them. What I've seen far more often are nobles running rampant, despotic heirs throwing their weight around, and commoners with nowhere left to turn."
"As for Spirit Hall, though I haven't seen it for myself, I've heard plenty of rumors. The fact that it awakens Martial Souls for commoners free of charge is enough to crush you by comparison."
"As the saying goes, whoever wins the hearts of the people wins the world."
Beiming Yuan's expression was indifferent, and his voice was calm.
If it really came down to who should unify the Douluo Continent, Spirit Hall was unquestionably the most suitable choice.
Take the setting ten thousand years later in the original story, for example. What kind of lives did the people of the Douluo Continent lead then?
In a word, miserable!
Within, nobles oppressed them; without, evil spirits plunged the world into chaos.
If Spirit Hall had won, the shape of the continent ten thousand years later would certainly have been rewritten. Everything might not have been wonderful, but at least people could have lived and worked in peace.
"Whoever wins the hearts of the people wins the world..." Qian Renxue murmured the words, and the way she looked at Beiming Yuan changed subtly.
Beiming Yuan's words suited the present Spirit Hall well, and Spirit Hall was indeed developing in that direction.
Seen that way, Beiming Yuan was a "comrade-in-arms."
"It seems the Heaven Dou Empire has not done enough. Qinghe will remember your words today, Young Master Yuan." Qian Renxue's expression softened somewhat.
"I'm just a nobody. I'm hardly in a position to point fingers at an empire." Beiming Yuan shook his head and chuckled. "I only spoke some unpleasant truths as a friend."
"A nobody?"
Qian Renxue was amused.
If Beiming Yuan counted as a nobody, then people like them might not even count as anybody.
"Honest advice jars the ears. Since you're willing to speak the truth, Young Master Yuan, that means you sincerely regard Qinghe as a friend," Qian Renxue said.
"Sincerely..." Beiming Yuan's expression turned strange, but he quickly returned to normal and smiled. "Yes, my 'sincerity' is just like yours."
"Uh..."
Qian Renxue was taken aback.
Beiming Yuan, meanwhile, drained his tea and stood up. "All right, I have things to do. This chat between 'sincere' friends ends here. Until fate brings us together again."
"Young Master Yuan, I'll see you out." Qian Renxue came to her senses and rose to accompany him.
When they reached the entrance, Beiming Yuan glanced at Qian Renxue and chuckled. "Since we're friends, there's no need to call me young master from now on. Just call me by my name."
"All right."
Qian Renxue smiled and nodded.
Beiming Yuan turned and left, his figure gradually vanishing from Qian Renxue's sight.
"Beiming Yuan, what an interesting little fellow." Qian Renxue smiled playfully. "I wonder how you'll react when you learn my identity someday. I expect that will be even more interesting."
Murmuring to herself, Qian Renxue turned and went back inside.
On the main street of Heaven Dou City, Beiming Yuan, having left the crown prince's residence, was in no hurry to head to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. Instead, he intended to deal with two little "tails" first.
Whether it was him or her, Beiming Yuan had expected both of them to come.
After all, a Peerless Douluo had appeared near Qian Renxue. It was impossible for them not to react, and their coming in person was inevitable.
Beiming Yuan rounded several corners and, sensing no one nearby, stopped in his tracks. "Senior, isn't it somewhat improper to follow a junior like me?"
After his voice fell, the air remained silent for a long while.
The next moment, a golden figure appeared before Beiming Yuan, and a middle-aged man with golden hair and eyes stepped out.
Golden light seemed to fall over him, lending him a sacred air.
"You have keen senses, young friend, to have detected my presence." Qian Daoliu smiled faintly, looking at Beiming Yuan with goodwill.
"I couldn't detect you, but someone else could." Beiming Yuan's face was calm.
"Won't you two show yourselves?"
Qian Daoliu looked toward a certain spot. Although the other party was doing everything possible to conceal their presence, he could still sense two ice-attribute presences.
Truth be told, when he followed Beiming Yuan and noticed that two powerful figures were guarding him, he had been thoroughly shocked.
One was a Level 99 Peerless Douluo. The other was slightly weaker, but still possessed the strength of a Level 97 or even Level 98 Peak Douluo.
"That won't be necessary. They don't like meeting strangers," Beiming Yuan said.
The Snow Empress and the Ice Empress were doing everything they could to conceal their presence and cover for each other, so other powerful figures would not detect their Soul Beast presence.
Of course, the moment they fought, they would no longer be able to hide it.
"Is that so..."
Qian Daoliu nodded and said no more. Instead, he studied the young man before him, a trace of approval flashing in his eyes.
He had outstanding looks, an extraordinary bearing, astonishing talent, and a powerful background. A young man like him was truly rare in this world.
"What can the Great Enshrined of Spirit Hall want with me?" Beiming Yuan asked.
"Oh? You know me, young friend?" Qian Daoliu looked surprised. He had not expected anyone to recognize him after so many years, much less a young man.
"Angel Douluo Qian Daoliu, whose Martial Soul is the Six-Winged Angel, known as Invincible in the Sky and counted alongside Tang Chen and Bo Saixi as one of the Three Great Peerless Douluos."
"Am I right?"
Facing Qian Daoliu, Beiming Yuan remained as composed as ever.
Qian Daoliu's pupils first contracted, then his eyes narrowed. After pondering for a moment, he asked, "Beiming Yuan, who exactly are you?"
"Just a nobody."
Beiming Yuan chuckled.
"What you know isn't something a nobody could know," Qian Daoliu said.
"Though I'm a nobody, there are important people standing behind me. Otherwise, Great Enshrined, you wouldn't be speaking so politely to a nobody like me, would you?" Beiming Yuan said mildly.
"Heh, you have an interesting way with words, young friend." Qian Daoliu chuckled.
Beiming Yuan said nothing. Instead, he glanced in a certain direction and said, "And what of you, Senior? Hiding there and refusing to come out is beneath the Pope's illustrious name."
Qian Daoliu glanced in the direction Beiming Yuan was looking, showing no surprise.
He had already been surprised when he sensed her upon arriving.
Still, it was just as well. With her here too, he could rest assured that Spirit Hall would not fall into disorder.
"Hum..."
Light flashed, and a stunning woman of peerless grace stepped out. She had purple eyes, light purple hair, delicate features, and a beautiful face.
Compared with Qian Daoliu's sacred bearing, the woman carried herself with a somewhat more noble air, like a sovereign standing high above all others.
And that was indeed the case. This woman was none other than the renowned Pope, Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong ignored Qian Daoliu's presence entirely. She studied Beiming Yuan and asked, "Beiming Yuan, which power do you belong to?"