An hour later.
Under night's cover, eyes brimming with tears, Qian Renxue walked down from Pope Hill with a blank face.
No surprise. As always, whatever she did was wrong. She went to her "bad mother" and hit a wall again.
Every time she recalled Bibi Dong's same old look of disgust, grief and anger surged in Qian Renxue's chest.
She asked herself what she had ever done wrong. By what right did Bibi Dong look at her like that?
Years ago Bibi Dong told her to replace Heaven Dou's First Prince Xue Qinghe and carry out the "bloodless disintegration of Heaven Dou." Did she refuse?
No. Because it was the first time Bibi Dong had asked anything of her. Even with her grandfather stopping her, she agreed without hesitation.
All she wanted was the motherly love she had always craved.
She thought that if she did this well, Bibi Dong would stop being cold and disgusted with her.
But as she grew up, she slowly understood. Some aversions are baseless. Bibi Dong would not change because of anything she did or did well.
Even though she had figured that out, her heart still refused to accept it. She held on until now.
After a long while, Qian Renxue wiped her tears, looked back at the darkness-shrouded Pope Hill, and her eyes turned ice-cold.
She would not abandon the Heaven Dou infiltration plan. The years of effort could not be wasted.
"When the day comes that I ascend as Heaven Dou's Emperor, that will be the day you, Bibi Dong, step down."
Clenching her fists and teeth, Qian Renxue swore it in her heart.
There are many in the world without father or mother. I, Qian Renxue, do not need Bibi Dong's love.
Yet moments after making the vow, the poor little angel could not help dropping golden beans again.
"She Long, will the Little Mistress be alright?"
Seeing Qian Renxue's shifting expression, Ci Xue sent a voice transmission.
After a thought, She Long answered firmly: "A sharp edge comes from honing. The fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold.
The Little Mistress has the makings of a god. What she faces now are only bumps on the road of growth. Ci Xue, we should have faith in her."
Ci Xue: When did this She fellow get so literary? I need to read more when we get back.
At dawn.
After toiling half the night, Chu Chengzhou returned to the hotel. He was about to catch up on sleep when a member of the Heaven Dou envoy approached. The Crown Prince requested his presence.
No complaints. Chu Chengzhou went upstairs and knocked on Qian Renxue's door.
"Good brother, how was last night?"
Once the door closed, Qian Renxue, seated on the sofa, spoke with a blank face.
"Last night? Pretty good."
Chu Chengzhou raised a brow. He didn't know why she asked, but he smiled.
How could it not be? He beat Hu Liena three to five. Very satisfying.
Hearing that, knowing where Chu Chengzhou had gone, Qian Renxue's face darkened. She shouldn't have asked.
"I have serious business to discuss. Take me into your illusion."
Her face still dark, Qian Renxue spoke.
Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin were also staying in this hotel, not far from her room. She did not want to test whether Chen Xin could overhear through walls, and with his strength even a soul-power barrier felt unsafe.
Chu Chengzhou nodded and activated the Void Illusion Realm, drawing Qian Renxue's consciousness inside.
In the illusion, a room glowed with candlelight. Seeing the scene, Qian Renxue fell silent.
What was with the bridal chamber plastered with "Double Happiness" characters?
"Little angel, sit. Say what you came to say."
Chu Chengzhou plopped down on the red wedding bed, patted the edge, and beckoned.
Qian Renxue: I'll stand.
"Good brother, how did the Pope's Saint—no, the Pope's future Saintess—taste?"
She gave him a blank look and spoke.
She had wanted to say "Saintess," but remembering she herself had once been Saintess, she adjusted the wording.
"Hm? You know?"
Chu Chengzhou's heart jumped. She knew about last night's tryst with the little fox?
"Hmph. If you don't want it known, don't do it."
Qian Renxue snorted.
"I admit I'm a touch broad in my love, but you know, my late father's dying wish compels me to—"
He made a little "universe at my fingertip" gesture, face solemn.
"Stop. You don't need to explain. That's not why I'm here."
Qian Renxue cut him off.
She knew if he kept talking, eight or nine times out of ten he would pivot to "give me a baby."
"So what is it?"
Chu Chengzhou blinked, puzzled.
Looks like the little angel doesn't mind my broad love. Good. True first wife bearing.
"Good brother, long-distance relationships are bitter, right?"
Qian Renxue smiled.
"Go on."
Interest piqued, Chu Chengzhou leaned in.
"Let's trade. You agree to one thing, and I'll have my grandfather transfer Hu Liena to Heaven Dou City."
At first Qian Renxue had been angry that Chu Chengzhou came to Spirit City and went straight to meet Hu Liena that night.
Then she reconsidered. The two getting together might be useful.
Hu Liena belonged to Spirit Hall. With that bond, even if she and Chu Chengzhou didn't end up together, he would be less likely to stand squarely against Spirit Hall.
Frankly, if Spirit Hall had an enemy like Chu Chengzhou who was not eliminated early, it would be a disaster.
Six rings killing eight. Combat strength reaching Title Douluo with an eighty-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape summon. Terrifying talent. Even she was far behind.
Also, if Hu Liena moved to Heaven Dou and later came back with a baby, that might enrage Bibi Dong to death.
"Will Her Holiness agree to that?"
Chu Chengzhou hesitated, though tempted.
Qian Renxue was right. Long-distance hurts.
"No problem. In the end, the Angel Clan decides Spirit Hall's affairs. If my grandfather speaks, no one refuses."
Qian Renxue waved it off.
Chu Chengzhou clicked his tongue. "Name your price."
Satisfied, Qian Renxue nodded. "As expected of my good brother. I want the secret method on you that devours external energy."
Qian Renxue had noticed the anomaly around Chu Chengzhou. Only powerful spiritual sense could perceive the energy vortex around him. It hadn't been there before, then appeared suddenly over a month ago. It had to be a secret method.
Not only Chu Chengzhou—Chen Xin had it too.
Recently She Long and Ci Xue had told her that Chen Xin's aura had grown stronger, more dangerous, seemingly having broken through a rank.
Her intuition said Chen Xin's breakthrough was very likely tied to this special method.
That vortex was small, but over time it would absorb a sea of external energy. With that much energy entering a soul master's body, how could strength not rise?
"No."
Chu Chengzhou's face hardened. He refused without hesitation.
If Qian Renxue got the soul-core secret and passed it to Spirit Hall, its already vast power would swell further. The consequences would be dire—unless one day his own wings were fully hard.
"Why not?" she pressed.
"I'm afraid you'll turn on me."
"I, Qian Renxue, am not that kind of person. Absolutely not."
"Someone once said, the prettier the woman, the better the liar."
"Who said that? Have him step out. I guarantee I won't beat him to death."
"Auntie Zhang said it."
Lu Xun: Strange. Didn't I say that?
Zhou Shuren: Nonsense. How many lines did you even say? That was me.
And thus Qian Renxue took note to loathe "Auntie Zhang."
"Little angel, I remember saying you can have whatever I have, but on one condition—"
Chu Chengzhou shifted to a heartfelt tone.
"No mentioning children."
Before he could finish, Qian Renxue cut him off, face dark.
What do you like about me? I'll change it.
Right now she wished Bibi Dong and Chu Chengzhou could swap personalities.
Then she'd only need a single stroke to chop Chu Chengzhou, and she could enjoy the motherly love she wanted.
"Then no deal. Beat me half to death, I still won't give it."
Chu Chengzhou shrugged, palms up.
"What if I beat you half to death?"
She narrowed her eyes, a hint of threat.
"My little angel, could you bear it?"
He smiled and took her slender hand—she was in women's dress inside the illusion.
"Hmph."
She snorted, pulled back, and turned away.
"How about a wager?"
Chu Chengzhou considered, then spoke.
"Oh? Let's hear it."
"The day you can defeat me on your own strength, everything is up to you. Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do."
After a pause, Qian Renxue said, "Deal."
She knew she couldn't beat Chu Chengzhou now, even though his soul power rank was one ring lower.
If nothing else, his illusion arts alone were unsolvable. Even with the Angel Skull and spiritual power far beyond her peers, she couldn't stop him.
But times change. When she returned to Spirit Hall and took the Angel God Trials, her strength would soar. Then why worry about handling Chu Chengzhou?
"Don't rush," Chu Chengzhou shook his head. "Since it's a wager, I can't let you take all the advantage."
"What do you want?"
"Be my girlfriend, little angel."
As he spoke, flower petals rained across the room. Bold as ever, Chu Chengzhou pulled Qian Renxue into his arms and kissed those fresh red lips.
Noble etiquette?
If you don't bully men or women, can you even call yourself a noble?
A few minutes later, Chu Chengzhou left Qian Renxue's room—sporting a pair of Iron-Eating Beast eyes.
He had teased the little angel in the illusion. Back in reality, she became a Punishing Angel and gave him two punches without a word.
That night, Worship Hall.
"Grandfather, Xue'er would like to ask a favor."
Qian Renxue addressed Qian Daoliu.
"Oh? Speak, Little Xue."
Qian Daoliu was curious.
"I hope you can transfer Hu Liena to the Heaven Dou Spirit Hall, and replace its leadership with those loyal to our clan."
Her face was solemn.
Although she hadn't obtained the secret method and failed to clinch the deal with Chu Chengzhou, she did not change her plan.
Move Hu Liena to the Heaven Dou branch. With more time together, Chu Chengzhou would, subtly and gradually, lean closer to Spirit Hall.
With Hu Liena there, she would also have the chance to train her into a personal aide.
And with rebellion rising in Qian Renxue's heart, she also wanted to give Bibi Dong a big surprise.
Chu Chengzhou kept asking for a baby, right? Fine. Let Hu Liena have one for him. Bibi Dong should be very "pleased," yes?
Hopefully that bad woman would "like" it.
"Xue'er, do you dislike Hu Liena? If so, Grandfather will revoke her Saintess qualification right now."
Qian Daoliu assumed his beloved granddaughter was jealous because Hu Liena received the care from Bibi Dong that she had always wanted and never had.
Since Qian Xunji's death, Qian Renxue was Qian Daoliu's everything, weightier even than Spirit Hall. Without the Angel Clan's inheritance, Spirit Hall would have no meaning.
If his darling wished it, he would stand up the whole continent's powers and make them waste their trip. No big deal.
Even if they were unhappy, who could do anything to Spirit Hall?
As for Bibi Dong?
Naive woman. The Angel inheritance has guarded Spirit Hall for twenty millennia. It is the sky over Spirit Hall. At most she could win a fraction to her side, mostly at the lower levels.
If necessary, at a single word from him, Pope Bibi Dong could not even get a command out of the Pope's Palace.
"That's not it. And you need not ask more. Xue'er has her own plan."
Qian Renxue shook her head.
"Very well. I won't ask. Everything will be as you wish."
Qian Daoliu smiled gently and nodded.
The next day, Qian Daoliu visited the Pope's Palace he had not entered in many years.
Not long after, two terrifying auras rose within. Every soul master in Spirit City felt it.
In the end, after a contest of pressure, the "lonely old man" cowed the "widow." Constrained by the Rakshasa God Trials, Bibi Dong could not fully unleash her strength and compromised.
Even without the Rakshasa constraints, today's Bibi Dong still could not defeat Qian Daoliu.
With "land invincible" Tang Chen absent, "sky invincible" was the strongest on the continent. Before completing the Rakshasa Trials and obtaining the Rakshasa Demon Scythe, Bibi Dong was no match for Qian Daoliu.
She knew Qian Daoliu had not sought revenge for his son only because Qian Renxue was her daughter. That did not mean he was a vegetarian.
If she refused to yield, even as Pope she could not protect her disciple Hu Liena.
That morning, under bright sun, guests from every power arrived at the square before the Pope's Palace.
Temporary reviewing stands lined both sides. The Saintess Investiture Ceremony was about to begin.
"Heaven Dou Empire, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe arrives!"
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Sect Master Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo Chen Xin arrive!"
"Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Clan Chief Thunder Douluo Yu Yuanzhen arrives!"
"Star Luo Empire, Crown Prince Dai Weisi arrives!"
"Elephant Armored Sect, Sect Master Hu Yanzhen arrives!"
"Holy Dragon Sect, Sect Master Tuoba Xi arrives!"
"Wind Sword Sect—"
At the square's entrance, each time a power's representatives arrived, the welcoming Red-clad Bishops of Spirit Hall intoned loudly.
Spirit Hall's face was large enough. Across the continent, barring those below the grade, only the Clear Sky Clan in seclusion and the City of Slaughter, which does not walk the continent, sent no representatives.
Spirit Hall was also crafty. Knowing the deep grudge between Heaven Dou and the Seven Treasure Sect on one side and Star Luo on the other, they deliberately placed the three together.
Each power had two front-row seats. In the Seven Treasure front row sat Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin. To their left, the Blue Lightning Clan's seats held Chief Yu Yuanzhen and Yu Tianxin. To their right, Heaven Dou's front row seats were Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and Chu Chengzhou.
Since Heaven Dou had two front-row seats and no other heavyweight besides the Crown Prince, Chu Chengzhou naturally took the place.
Qian Renxue sat on the left, with Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin farther left. Chu Chengzhou sat on the right; to his right were Star Luo's seats with Crown Prince Dai Weisi and Royal Grand Elder Dai Feng.
"Hmph."
Dai Weisi shot Chu Chengzhou a glance, snorted, and turned away.
Just seeing Chu Chengzhou angered him. Not only was he an enemy of the empire, he had also forced Dai Weisi into the scandal of "recognizing a thief as father" at the hotel days ago.
If not for the setting and the disparity in strength, he would have already dreamed of hacking Chu Chengzhou to pieces.
"What is it, little brain tiger? Dissatisfied with your dad?"
Chu Chengzhou smiled and sent a private jab.
Dai Weisi turned to glare.
"Keep it up, little trash. I like that look—where you can't stand me but can't touch me."
Chu Chengzhou kept needling him.
"You—!"
Dai Weisi burned with rage and started up to punch.
"Enough. Sit. You are the empire's crown prince. No need to fuss with a dead man walking."
Dai Feng, beside him, cast Chu Chengzhou a glance and spoke.
"Senior, how many years have you?"
Chu Chengzhou raised a brow at Dai Feng.
"I am eighty-six. Young man, respect your elders."
Dai Feng replied blandly.
"Right. Eighty-six. Not many years left.
Do inform me where you'll be buried before you die. If I have time I'll come see whether the grass on your grave grows higher than others.
If your bones don't remain, then no need to tell me.
An empty grave is boring to dig up."
Chu Chengzhou smiled and nodded.
Dai Feng's face darkened.
He knew better than to act now. The setting forbade it, and with Chen Xin here he could not win. He only shot Chu Chengzhou a cold look and turned away.
Time passed. The ceremony began.
Boom… boom… boom…
With low rumbles, the massive doors of the Pope's Palace slowly opened.
One hundred and eight Red-clad Bishops filed out from the side doors. They formed two lines, standing from the palace steps all the way to the square's entrance.
"His Holiness the Pope arrives!"
The leading Bishop cried out.
Soon, Bibi Dong emerged in resplendent gold robes, gem scepter in hand, the Nine-curved Purple Gold Crown upon her head. Behind her followed twelve Title Elders in crimson ceremonial dress.
After waves of "Long live!" from Spirit Hall's ranks, Bibi Dong and the twelve Douluo took their gilded seats before the Pope's Palace.
Then Ghost Douluo Guimei, standing by Bibi Dong as the master of ceremonies, intoned: "Summon Her Holiness's personal disciple, Hu Liena!"
"Summon Her Holiness's personal disciple, Hu Liena!"
"Summon Her Holiness's personal disciple, Hu Liena!"
The chorus of Red-clad Bishops rolled from the palace steps down Pope Hill.
At the foot of the hill, surrounded by palace knights, Hu Liena—wearing a white ceremonial gown, her face solemn and sacred—began to climb the steps.
Where she passed, knights in silver armor, silver spears in hand and swords at their hips, dropped to one knee to welcome the Saintess-to-be.
At length, Hu Liena and the knights reached the center of the square before the Pope's Palace.
"Your Holiness, Elders."
Hu Liena dropped to one knee and paid formal respects to Bibi Dong and the twelve Douluo.
Bibi Dong nodded and looked to Guimei.
Guimei solemnly opened the book in his hands and declaimed in a rolling voice: "Here stands the bearer of the Purple Record Medal, from Spirit Hall's Golden Generation, Hu Liena, personal disciple of the Pope, of outstanding talent… who struck down evil and obtained the Killing God Domain, who at twenty-two advanced to the six-ring Soul Emperor, a leading figure of this age on the continent…"
Guimei droned on and on. Half an hour later, there was still no sign of a stop.
If not for the fact the one receiving the Saintess title was his girl, Chu Chengzhou might have dozed off.
He couldn't help feeling a stab of pity. Hu Liena was still kneeling on the square. Were her legs numb yet?
Beside him, when Qian Renxue heard Guimei proclaim that Hu Liena possessed the Killing God Domain, she glanced at Chu Chengzhou on her right. Now she understood why he had come to Spirit City once and ended up together with Hu Liena.
No doubt they had hooked up in the City of Slaughter.
"…Therefore, we invest Hu Liena as the ***th Saintess of Spirit Hall, first in the line of succession to the papacy."
After another ten-plus minutes, with his mouth nearly dry, Guimei finally stopped.
"Long live the Saintess!"
"Long live the Saintess!"
"Long live the Saintess!"
At that moment, all Spirit Hall members—save for the Elders seated before the palace—knelt again and cried out in unison.
T/N: For up to 30 chapters ahead on most of my translations, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle