Hearing Qian Renxue's cry of surprise, Bibi Dong's heart jolted. She, too, had slept for four years. Four years ago, she had already noticed that Qian Chen looked more and more like Qian Xunji. But having watched Qian Chen grow from six to sixteen, she had chosen to ignore her suspicions.
Now, after four years apart, Qian Chen had reached adulthood and looked almost no different from Qian Xunji, with golden hair, golden eyes, and handsome, well-proportioned features.
"Who exactly are you?" Bibi Dong screamed, her voice heart-wrenching.
"Qian Chen! What's wrong? Bibi Dong, what's gotten into you?" Knowing that Bibi Dong's madness had yet to improve, Qian Chen simply chose to conceal his situation, hoping that after spending more time with Qian Renxue, she would stop acting so deranged.
Hearing Qian Chen's answer, Bibi Dong froze, as though all the strength had been drained from her body.
Before Bibi Dong could say anything more, Qian Chen had already walked over to Qian Renxue. "Lady Angel God Qian Renxue, don't go calling me Dad. I don't have a daughter like you, nor would I dare be your father. Your father merely looked like me, so please don't call me that again. Our Angel Clan has always been this way: every woman is a peerless beauty, and every man is handsome. It's perfectly normal for us to look alike."
Qian Renxue lowered her head. "I'm sorry. Perhaps I just miss my father and grandfather too much. I'm sorry for causing you trouble."
"Mm," Qian Chen replied coolly.
"Qian Chen, what kind of attitude is that? My daughter slept for all these years because she saved you back then. Shouldn't you properly thank her? Besides, she's the Angel God of your Angel Clan! Is that any way to speak to her?" Seeing Qian Chen speak to Qian Renxue like that, Bibi Dong immediately roared.
Qian Chen had no desire to argue with Bibi Dong either, so he said bluntly, "Letting you stay here for so long counts as my thanks to Qian Renxue for saving my life. Now that Qian Renxue has woken up, if you think this isn't good enough, fine. Please leave. The world outside is vast. Lady Rakshasa God can go wherever she pleases."
"You!" Bibi Dong roared.
"What about me? Lady Rakshasa God, since you've put it that way, I'll have to charge you rent if you keep living in my Sea of Consciousness. You can't stay here for free." Qian Chen spoke without the slightest courtesy.
"Qian Chen, you! How did I never see that you were this sort of person?" Bibi Dong cried hoarsely.
"Lady Rakshasa God, we spent ten years together before you fell asleep. Haven't you seen clearly what sort of person I am?" Qian Chen shot right back.
Seeing her mother actually arguing with Qian Chen, Qian Renxue stepped between them and hurriedly tried to mediate. "Mom, stop. Qian Chen, my mother inherited the Rakshasa Godhood and has a bad temper. Please forgive her."
Seeing Qian Renxue caught awkwardly between them, Qian Chen could not bear it either. Ever since Qian Renxue had nearly had her soul scattered to save him fourteen years ago, he had not wanted to make things difficult for her. He simply still could not bring himself to treat Qian Renxue warmly, regarding her only as an ordinary member of the Angel Clan. In terms of fondness, she fell far short of Qian Guyi.
Qian Chen nodded. "Have your mother keep her temper in check from now on. All right, I didn't really mean to demand rent from you. I just hope you'll lend a hand whenever I encounter a crisis or need help."
"Of course we can," Qian Renxue said. With that, she hurriedly tugged at Bibi Dong. Bibi Dong could only say with a cold expression, "Fine."
Qian Renxue continued, "But Qian Chen, my godhood has already shattered, and I don't have any divine power left. Even if my soul recovers to its best condition, I'll probably only have strength equivalent to an early-stage Titled Douluo."
Bibi Dong also added, "I'm much the same. My previous divine power has already been used up, and I can't replenish it."
"A few days ago, I absorbed a heavenly treasure called gold of life," Qian Chen said. "I still need to examine what changes it's made to my body and Sea of Consciousness. We'll talk later." With that, he began inspecting his Sea of Consciousness. Soon, Qian Chen discovered that it had become immensely vast.
Then he discovered that he actually had an additional Sea of Consciousness. Like the gold of life, this Sea of Consciousness was golden-green throughout, and it was filled with life spiritual Qi. Qian Chen entered it to get a feel for it and thought that this place would be enormously beneficial to the recovery of Bibi Dong's and Qian Renxue's souls.
A moment later, Qian Chen returned to the three women. Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue were sitting together, however, whispering to each other. Huo Yun'er could only stay off to one side alone, at a loss. Seeing Qian Chen return, she could only hurry forward to greet him.
Qian Chen told Huo Yun'er, "Madam Huo, don't be afraid. As long as I'm alive, you can stay here forever."
Huo Yun'er nodded gratefully. She so wanted to watch her child slowly grow up.
Qian Chen told the three women, "All right, I've finished investigating the changes to my Sea of Consciousness. This Sea of Consciousness has expanded a great deal; it's almost comparable to a small world now. But the gold of life also built me a new Sea of Consciousness, filled with life spiritual power that will help your recovery. I'll move you there now."
Just as Qian Chen was about to act, Huo Yun'er suddenly said, "Thank you, Qian Chen. I'm fine here. My soul is already whole, so I don't need to recuperate." With that, she lowered her head. In truth, she did not want to stay with Bibi Dong. That woman's presence was too evil and too overbearing, making her very uncomfortable.
Before Qian Chen could speak, Bibi Dong cut in. "Qian Chen, this works out perfectly. Xiao Xue and I need to cultivate to recover, and we also want to have some private conversations. Having another person around really would be inconvenient."
Huo Yun'er hurriedly said, "Qian Chen, thank you. I really do think it's very nice here."
Qian Chen could only say, "All right, then. Madam Huo, if you ever feel uncomfortable or weak, be sure to call me right away. I'll find a way to help you recover."
"Thank you," Huo Yun'er said softly.
The next moment, as Qian Chen directed his spiritual power, he, Bibi Dong, and Qian Renxue appeared in the new Sea of Consciousness.
"Mom, the life spiritual Qi here is so dense! Recovering here, I'll be able to restore my soul completely in just a few years!" Qian Renxue said excitedly.
Bibi Dong nodded as well. Then she turned to Qian Chen and said, "Thank you."
But in Qian Chen's mind, Bibi Dong was still a madwoman with something wrong with her. He merely replied in an icy tone, "Mm."
Then Qian Chen looked at Qian Renxue, his tone noticeably gentler. "Be sure to call me if there's a problem."
Qian Renxue nodded. "All right, thank you."
After Qian Chen left the Sea of Consciousness, Qian Renxue took Bibi Dong's hand. "Mom, don't be angry anymore. I've found that Qian Chen isn't an evil person. Your relationship with him will definitely improve in the future."
Bibi Dong said, "Xue'er, it's all right. As long as you never leave me again."
Back in reality, Qian Chen could sense that the gold of life had made many more changes to his body; he simply had yet to discover them one by one.
It's time to return to Shrek Academy. Since I've already broken through to Titled Douluo, I should go claim the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone Shrek Academy promised me.