Qian Daoliu gently patted Qian Renxue on the back and sighed.
"Xiao Xue, you've suffered all these years. Bring the plan in Heaven Dou City to an end as soon as possible."
Qian Renxue shook her head and wiped the tears from her face.
"Grandpa, this was my own choice. Even if it's wrong, no matter how much I suffer or how tired I get, I'll grit my teeth and see it through! People have to pay for their mistakes sooner or later."
Qian Daoliu stared at Qian Renxue, his thoughts complicated.
Xiao Xue is just as stubborn as Bibi Dong! She won't turn back until she hits the south wall.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Qian Daoliu patted Qian Renxue on the shoulder and said gently,
"Golden Crocodile told me you came back this time because you wanted to obtain a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring for your sixth ring?"
Qian Renxue nodded.
Qian Daoliu frowned. "A hundred-thousand-year sixth ring is far too risky. Xiao Xue, all you need to do is grow safely. Grandpa has prepared the safest possible path for you. You don't need to take risks on your cultivation journey."
Qian Renxue had still been somewhat hesitant, but hearing Qian Daoliu's words made her resolve harden instead.
Her beautiful golden eyes fixed firmly on Qian Daoliu. "No, Grandpa, I'm going to absorb a hundred-thousand-year sixth ring!"
If the price of playing it safe is Grandpa's death and Spirit Hall's destruction, then I'd rather give it everything I have now, even if I have to bet my life!
The ending can't get any worse anyway.
Qian Daoliu gazed deeply at Qian Renxue, looking at the determination on the spirited young woman's face.
After a long silence, he finally nodded.
"All right, but I need to test your strength. If you don't meet the standard, there's no way I'll agree to let you do something that will get you killed! Of course, if you pass the test, Grandpa will personally hunt down a suitable Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast for you."
"Our Spirit Hall's secret records contain the whereabouts of a few Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts suitable for you. The Light Heavenly Dragon Horse and the Sky Azure Bull Python are both excellent choices."
"All right, Grandpa. I'll give it my all."
Qian Renxue was fairly confident. Her strength had improved enormously since she returned this time.
Of course, Huo Yuhao deserved three parts of the credit.
Qian Daoliu walked over to the Angel God Statue and stood before it, facing Qian Renxue. His expression turned serious.
"Xiao Xue, for your safety, I won't hold back. First is the pressure test. If you can't even pass this, then just follow my arrangements."
"All right."
Qian Renxue held her breath and focused.
A vast, brilliant presence of light burst from Qian Daoliu. His six wings unfurled, and an immense pressure bore down on Qian Renxue, warping the air around them.
Qian Renxue could clearly feel the air around her solidify. Vast Soul Power fluctuations pressed against every part of her body, and that wasn't all: a powerful mental pressure bore down on her will as well.
After the qualitative change in her strength, she could still withstand this pressure easily. Her face showed no sign of strain.
Qian Daoliu nodded. "Good. This pressure is already the limit an ordinary Soul Emperor can withstand. You really have improved a great deal, but it's not enough."
"Be ready. I'm going to increase the pressure."
Qian Daoliu gave her a timely warning.
Qian Renxue could clearly feel the pressure increasing.
Soul Saint, the limit of a Soul Saint, Soul Douluo...
Qian Daoliu grew more and more astonished, but he was also greatly reassured.
It seemed Xiao Xue's ten years undercover hadn't caused her to neglect her cultivation. Not only was her physique strong, but her mental strength was even more outstanding.
Qian Renxue finally had to release her Martial Soul. Wings unfurled behind her, and sacred, light and scorching presences intertwined around her. Another presence was no weaker than those three attributes.
When Qian Daoliu saw the wings behind Qian Renxue, his expression changed drastically. Shocked, he couldn't help taking two steps forward, but with tremendous self-control, he restrained himself for the moment.
How were those six wings behind Qian Renxue? There were eight!
Qian Renxue's Martial Soul was no longer a Six-Winged Angel, but an Eight-Winged Angel.
The Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul possessed three attributes: sacred, light and fire. Now, Qian Renxue clearly had a fourth: the Mental Attribute.
This was a transformation even the divine ancestor had never achieved!
Qian Daoliu stared blankly at Qian Renxue's eight wings, his face flushed. He even forgot to keep increasing the pressure.
"Grandpa?"
Qian Renxue spoke through gritted teeth, looking in confusion at her grandfather, whose face alternated between red and white.
Grandpa is always so calm. What's wrong with him? Could he be surprised by my progress?
Qian Daoliu came back to his senses, let out a long breath and focused his gaze on Qian Renxue.
Xiao Xue's Martial Soul has evolved. I must be even more cautious and not let the slightest mishap befall her.
Qian Renxue felt the pressure increase once more. When it was close to reaching the limit of a Soul Douluo, her face turned pale and her body began to tremble uncontrollably. It looked as though she couldn't hold on much longer.
Qian Daoliu sighed.
She couldn't do it?
Generally speaking, to absorb a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, one had to be able to withstand the Soul Power pressure of Level 90. Qian Renxue was clearly still a little short.
Just as Qian Daoliu was about to withdraw the pressure, he was startled to discover that Qian Renxue's body was gradually steadying itself.
"This is-"
Qian Daoliu examined her closely. "So there's still medicinal power hidden in Xiao Xue's body that hasn't been fully digested. Approaching her limit this time has instead stirred up that dormant medicinal power."
"Is this the Immortal Herb Golden Crocodile mentioned?"
This time, Qian Daoliu was no longer simply testing Qian Renxue. Instead, he precisely controlled the pressure to help her digest the medicinal power.
Qian Renxue felt warm all over, while her mind was perfectly clear.
Before she knew it, the pressure had reached the level of a Titled Douluo, and Qian Renxue had finally absorbed all the medicinal power.
Qian Daoliu withdrew the pressure and stepped forward to support Qian Renxue as she was about to collapse. A heartfelt smile appeared on his face.
"Xiao Xue, you've passed the first test. Your body is now strong enough to absorb a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring."
A lovely smile spread across Qian Renxue's face as well.
Qian Daoliu's eyes held excitement and delight as he asked impatiently,
"Xiao Xue, let's put that aside for now. Your Martial Soul has evolved. Why didn't you tell Grandpa?"
"My Martial Soul evolved?"
Qian Renxue was dumbfounded.
She opened her hand, and an Angel Phantom appeared in her palm. Qian Renxue quickly noticed something was different.
"One, two, three, four!"
My Martial Soul actually became an Eight-Winged Angel?
Qian Renxue's mouth fell open.
Soon, she thought of the portion of Huo Yuhao's mental strength talent she had obtained upon returning.
Could that talent have caused my Martial Soul to evolve?
The Six-Winged Angel is a god-level Martial Soul. Is Huo Yuhao's mental strength talent really that strong?
Qian Renxue fell silent and quietly gave Huo Yuhao another two parts of the credit.
I can't give him any more. If I do, I'll become a dog who wins by lying down.
Qian Renxue looked at Qian Daoliu and answered vaguely, "I'm not sure either. It might be the effect of the Immortal Herbs."
Qian Daoliu was surprised. "The Immortal Herbs' effects are actually so astonishing! You must keep the rest safe and use them when you need them."
Qian Renxue blinked, puzzled.
Right, where are the rest of my Immortal Herbs?
Huo Yuhao didn't take them, did he?
Hmph, that guy will definitely give them to his female confidantes again.
For some reason, the thought left a bad taste in Qian Renxue's mouth.
Qian Daoliu didn't question her further. He happily patted Qian Renxue on the shoulder.
"All right. Given your performance, there was no need for a second test, but now Grandpa wants to see your strength."
"So the second test is-"
Qian Renxue was very confident and looked forward to the next test.
"Actual combat, with me as your opponent!" Qian Daoliu said with a smile.