Chapter 257
Qian Daoliu stood before the Angel Temple, watching Qian Renxue fall from the sky with a wronged expression. He sighed helplessly. His granddaughter's talent and comprehension were unparalleled in his life, but her stubborn personality and inflexibility were the reason he was worried about letting her pass his test. From the next test onwards, it would be beyond his control. He had to ensure she met the standards; otherwise, in her current state, there was absolutely no way she could pass the God Trial.
After Qian Renxue, she saw the only family member in her heart. She could no longer hold back her tears of grievance. She walked over quickly and called out with a sob in her voice, "Grandpa..." Then she told the story of how Yu Tianshuang and Shui Bing'er had teamed up to bully her.
After hearing this, Qian Daoliu thought to himself that it was indeed true. The only person who could make his precious granddaughter so emotionally turbulent was this kid, besides Bibi Dong. Although he had never met him, he had heard of this young man who was the first in the history of the Spirit Hall to become an elder as Soul Emperor.
He raised his hand and gently placed it on Qian Renxue's head with a hint of pity. He looked into the distance and said with a touch of nostalgia, "Back then, I became the Angel God's representative on Earth, and my strength increased dramatically. This made me feel incredibly arrogant for a time, until I met him, the man who could be called my lifelong enemy, Tang Chen."
"He wasn't the representative of that god, nor had he ever undergone God Trial. His level 99 strength was entirely achieved on his own. I, with the protection of the Angel God, was actually slightly inferior to him in terms of strength, which made me feel very frustrated. Because he didn't know my own situation, but I knew very well. So at that time, I gave up on myself and felt that I was no match for him at all, and was known as one of the two great figures in the Soul Master World."
Qian Daoliu's voice was very magnetic, and it was easy to concentrate when listening to him speak. At this moment, Qian Renxue stopped sobbing and listened attentively as her grandfather recounted the events of the past.
"This feeling intensified after returning from Sea God Island. What bothered me most was that the woman I loved didn't reciprocate my feelings, especially seeing her embark on the path to godhood without any prior knowledge, all for a Nothingness promise. Seeing her bravely pursuing her own goals made me indignant about the world's injustice. Why am I destined to be just a mortal for life? Why didn't the Angel God choose me? Thinking like this, the self-doubt that had always been there within me grew even stronger."
"Until one day I met your young father. His talent and abilities were far inferior to yours, even to mine, let alone to you privileged children. Yet, he bravely made changes to change his fate, which had been decided by the gods. Although his efforts were not the right ones, it made me understand something."
Recalling the shock he felt when he saw Qian Xunji attempting to change the will of the gods, Qian Daoliu still found it unbelievable. Speaking of this, he knew that Qian Renxue was in the same state of mind as he had been back then. He understood the sense of frustration she felt after seeing peers like Yu Tianshuang, Tang San, and Shui Bing'er, who were all considered prodigies.
"Perhaps this world has never been fair, like you and me, like your father, but if we can't change what's already decided, then accept it calmly, and then do our best to change it, so you won't have any regrets. Instead of lamenting the injustice of the world now, rise up and fight back, change it, and then transcend it!"
By the time Qian Daoliu understood all this, it was too late. He no longer had the strength to resist, which is why he placed all his hopes on his granddaughter. Now, all he can do is let her keep moving forward.
Qian Renxue listened quietly. She had never imagined that her grandfather, who had always been invincible in her heart, had actually gone through this complicated emotional journey. Looking at her own hands, she seemed to understand something.
"Grandpa, I understand. Father's initial intention was right, but he went astray in the process. Now, instead of wallowing in self-pity, I should strive to go further. Perhaps Yu Tianshuang and the others are stronger than me now, but I, Qian Renxue, will never admit defeat!"
After saying this, a dazzling golden light suddenly emanated from her body. Looking at Qian Daoliu's gratified face, and recalling the various images flashing through her mind, she said firmly, "Grandpa, please begin the assessment!"
Bibi Dong waved her hand, dismissing the scout who was reporting the frontline military news. Then, her slender, fair fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest as she fell into deep thought.
"It's good to bring her back. The Angel Legion doesn't need her anyway. But isn't that brat Yu Tianshuang taking too much of a risk? After all, that's the enemy's stronghold. Oh well, although I hate to admit it, I'm still at ease with Shui Bing'er around."
But thinking of Shui Bing'er's cold and aloof expression, especially those jewel-like blue eyes, her slightly relieved expression darkened again. After a long while, she murmured Youyou, "Shui Bing'er, how much have you actually seen?"
At the border of the Star Luo Empire, Hu Liena looked at the sky with some worry. Xie Yue and Yan were talking to her beside her, and she responded absentmindedly. Watching the night sky occasionally burst into bursts of crimson flames, she sighed again.
"Nana, it's alright. Only half a day has passed. They'll be fine, so don't worry. Sigh, if only you were as carefree as Huo Wu."
Xie Yue noticed that his younger sister seemed to have no interest in talking to them, and knew what she was thinking. Looking at Huo Wu, who was standing on the ice wall and constantly Huo Wu Mammon below, he said with some emotion.
Upon hearing this, Yan, contrary to his usual behavior, hurriedly waved his hand and said, "No, please! Nana is the Holy Maiden of our Spirit Hall, no, now the Spirit Hall Empire. She can't be like Huo Wu. She's brainless. I can't even imagine what a terrible scene it would be if Nana turned into Huo Wu, eh..."
As he spoke, he seemed to imagine the scene, and the image was so unbearable to look at that he shuddered. This made Xie Yue, who was standing next to him, feel somewhat helpless. "Big brother, you are also a fire-attribute Soul Master yourself. Why do I feel so uncomfortable hearing you say this..."
Huo Wu down at the still densely packed Mammon below, Huo Wu suppressed the urge to unleash wide-range attack Soul Skill like the Great Blaze Heaven Piercer, maintaining her abundant Soul Power. Instead, she used the simplest fire manipulation abilities to throw fireballs down at the crowd.
Even so, the immense power of the Ultimate Fire turned those Mammon into charred remains, which were then scattered by the wind as black ash. However, compared to the still enormous number of Mammon, her attack was still somewhat ineffective.
"Hold on, Huo Wu, you must hold on! Sister Na finally agreed to let your disciple from the Sparrow Bee Sect bring you up. You have to hold on, listen to Sister Na, and conserve your Soul Power. Ah... but I feel like I should unleash a barrage of attacks... or... should I secretly unleash a Great Blaze Heaven Piercer? Judging from Sister Na's expression, she won't notice, right..."
After Yu Tianshuang and the others left, Holy Maiden Hu Liena arranged for everyone to rest and prepare for battle, conserving their strength. However, after a while, she couldn't sit still any longer and begged Hu Liena to have a disciple of the Sparrow Bee Sect bring her up to the ice wall. After repeatedly assuring her that it wouldn't consume much Soul Power, Hu Liena had no choice but to let her up.
As she was secretly and casually observing Hu Liena below, a huge ice-blue phoenix appeared in the sky, and then Yu Tianshuang, who was stepping on the Heavenly Frost Cold Qi, also came into her sight, which immediately made her happy.