Qian Renxue lowered her head, silent.
She was well aware of all this, but the memory of her argument with her mother that day still filled her with unbearable pain.
---
Bibi Dong's cold gaze bore into her, and her scepter slammed heavily onto the ground.
"Call me sister! You don't deserve to call me by that name!"
Qian Renxue clenched her fists, staring intently at Bibi Dong, her voice hoarse:
"What have I done wrong? Why do you treat me like this? Would you be happy if I just disappeared?"
Bibi Dong sneered:
"You haven't done anything wrong. Your very existence is the mistake!"
Qian Renxue's chest heaved with rage as she looked at Bibi Dong's haughty demeanor. A rebellious fire burned uncontrollably in her heart.
"In your eyes, am I not even worth as much as the position of pope?"
"Exactly."
Qian Renxue let out a bitter laugh. After staring at Bibi Dong for a long time, she turned and walked away without a trace of hesitation:
"Just wait. I'll prove that I'm far superior to you! I'll negate everything you stand for! I'll take on that mission!"
The cold wind blew, causing Qian Renxue's long hair to flutter. The vast Pope Hall felt more like a prison, suffocating her.
Tears of sorrow streamed uncontrollably from her eyes, scattering in the wind. Her heart ached too much to speak, and the fire of anger burned in her chest.
She left resolutely, knowing that this time, she and Bibi Dong were truly irreconcilable.
Only after Qian Renxue's figure disappeared from sight did Bibi Dong return to her Pope throne.
Her eyes flickered with an inexplicable light, her expression shifting between dark and light. An evil, violent aura began to rise, and Bibi Dong's entire body trembled slightly.
After a long time, her eyes finally cleared.
She murmured:
"You absolutely cannot stay by my side. I'm afraid I won't be able to stop myself from killing you."
---
Qian Renxue shook her head and looked up at Lin Feng:
"I have reasons I must go, Xiao Feng. Can you understand?"
Seeing the determination in Qian Renxue's eyes, Lin Feng's words caught in his throat.
It seemed that Qian Renxue's decision to go to Heaven Dou had deeper reasons. As things stood, he couldn't make her stay.
(Actually, he could just grab the immortal herbs and leave.)
He sighed silently.
"Alright, but we need to stay in touch. You can't stop your cultivation either. Wasting your talent would be a disgrace."
Qian Renxue chuckled:
"You're such a busybody. Since when did you become my parent?"
"Didn't I always? I thought I raised you, considering how clueless you are about everything and always asking me for advice."
Qian Renxue's face turned red, and she pouted. "What are you talking about? How can you compare to others? You've practically memorized all the theoretical books. With a walking treasure trove like you around, why wouldn't I ask?"
"Elder Ling Yuan?"
"Yes, what is it, Young Mistress?"
Qian Renxue spoke calmly: "While I'm away, I'll need you to keep an eye on Xiao Feng for me."
Qian Renxue had it all figured out. As the young mistress of the Spirit Hall, asking Ling Yuan to "keep an eye" on Xiao Feng would prevent any... inappropriate behavior.
She was confident in herself.
Even at her young age, she already had the makings of a stunning beauty, with a commanding presence.
Her face was like a bright moon, her features as delicate as a painting, her skin as fair as snow. After her spirit awakening, she exuded an air of nobility, and her figure was already well-developed.
In her eyes, as long as Lin Feng wasn't a fool, and with that kiss from a few days ago, he wouldn't be able to escape her grasp.
"...Understood."
Lin Feng looked at the two of them with a strange expression. They were both smiling, but he couldn't shake the feeling of a chill running down his spine.
Lin Feng pondered. Perhaps he could find a way to make Qian Renxue stay. Ultimately, this matter still required Qian Daoliu's final approval.
Bibi Dong had just taken office and didn't have as much control over the Spirit Hall as Qian Daoliu.
It was likely that, combined with the erosion of the Rakshasa God's influence, Bibi Dong's own mental state was unstable, and her extreme personality had led Qian Daoliu to consider sending Qian Renxue away.
After all, in his eyes, the inheritance of the Angel God was the top priority.
He didn't want to see mother and daughter continue to hurt each other. Additionally, with ten levels of Qian Renxue's innate spirit power being god-given, it was almost a clear sign that she was the next Angel God.
Even if her growth was slower, Qian Daoliu wasn't worried about her inheriting the divine position.
So, letting Qian Renxue grow outside for a while, away from Bibi Dong, and then bringing her back to undergo the divine trials was a viable option.
But what if he could find something to enhance Qian Renxue's talent? Would that change things?
"Heaven Dou, huh..."
Lin Feng nodded to himself. Perhaps he could take this opportunity to seek out Dugu Bo and secure the immortal herbs in advance. Besides, if Qian Renxue was going to Heaven Dou, there was no reason he couldn't go too.
As for Dugu Bo refusing? Well, he might just get to witness the "weakest Title Douluo" in action.
In reality, that possibility was slim. Dugu Bo was a man of honor. In the original story, he had supported Tang San wholeheartedly out of gratitude, even at the cost of his life.
However, Tang San didn't seem to leave any legacy for Dugu Bo or his granddaughter, Dugu Yan. The Jade Phosphor Serpent martial soul disappeared by the time of Douluo Dalu II, and the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye became the Tang family's private garden.
"Xiao Xue, can you take me to see the Grand Worship? I have something to report to him."
Qian Renxue's eyes gleamed, and her fingers brushed her lips as if by accident:
"From now on, when you're with me, you'll call him Grandpa too, understand?"
Lin Feng was momentarily captivated by her gesture and nodded without thinking.
In the distance, beneath the Angel God statue, Qian Daoliu, who had been eavesdropping, twitched his lips. He regretted allowing Qian Renxue to get close to Lin Feng. Now, his precious granddaughter was about to be taken away.
Qian Renxue smiled and leaned in, her breath warm against Lin Feng's ear as she whispered softly:
"As a reward for the notes, do you want to taste it again?"
Lin Feng's ears turned red, but he nodded with a serious expression.
However, it was Qian Renxue who blushed even more, her ears turning crimson. She was quite pleased with Lin Feng's reaction.
Little Lin Feng, so easy to control.
Ling Yuan, watching from afar, clicked her tongue and turned her gaze to the mountain peak.
"Taste it again? Taste what?" Qian Daoliu frowned, not understanding the meaning behind the words.
Qian Renxue's lips moved silently, but Lin Feng understood her message:
"Wait for me to come find you."
"Let's go. We'll go see Grandpa. He'll be amazed when he sees your research."
Beneath the Angel God statue, the four of them gathered.
After Lin Feng presented his latest findings, Qian Daoliu gave him a deep look and then said:
"I'll allow you both to go to Heaven Dou. However, once Xiao Xue officially begins her mission, Xiao Feng must return.
Once things stabilize over there, you can meet again. It shouldn't take too long.
As for Xiao Feng's theoretical research, I hope you'll wait until after returning from Heaven Dou and reaching the Soul Elder level before officially releasing the first pathway's results. You can list yourself as the sole author."
The three of them were stunned. Ling Yuan couldn't help but ask:
"Grand Worship, is it really wise to expose Lin Feng so early? With his current talent and the enhancements from his future techniques, he'll likely reach Soul Elder before he's 12.
Fame at such a young age, before he's strong enough to defend himself, could be dangerous..."
Qian Daoliu snorted:
"Some people can't even break through to Soul Elder, yet they're hailed as 'masters' despite their lack of real ability.
Why shouldn't Xiao Feng be recognized? Besides, he has the Spirit Hall backing him. Who would dare touch him? Moreover, his techniques will benefit countless soul masters.
The lower and middle-tier soul masters will fervently support him. Even if some fools from the sects try to cause trouble, the example of the Clear Sky Sect will keep them in check."