Chapter 266: Qian Renxue Finally Gives Up
Following Bo Saixi, the City Lord's Mansion welcomed its second female guest.
As for whether A Lan would become the future mistress of the mansion… Ye Cheng felt that it was too early to answer.
After all, what man doesn't like beautiful women?
Even Confucius himself said, "Food and sex are human nature."
To deny his attraction to a stunning woman would be far too hypocritical.
However… despite A Lan's mature and alluring appearance her graceful figure, radiant beauty, and seemingly adult presence she was essentially still a newborn child in terms of mentality.
Although she had inherited some general knowledge from Ye Cheng, allowing her to navigate the world without being completely ignorant, she still had no understanding of emotions, relationships, or love.
For Ye Cheng, taking advantage of such an innocent and pure girl just felt… wrong.
He simply couldn't bring himself to do it.
Heaven Dou Empire – Crown Prince's Mansion
Today was a special day for Qian Renxue.
Because from this moment on, she would officially abandon her identity as Xue Qinghe and return to Spirit Hall reclaiming her role as the Holy Angel.
Unknowingly, she had worn this mask for over twenty years.
The prime years of her youth had been sacrificed for this coup d'état scheme.
But now, it all seemed meaningless.
What was once a grand plan to usurp the empire now felt like a ridiculous joke.
Smirking bitterly, Qian Renxue's body began to emit a golden glow.
Bathed in radiant light, her form transformed from an ordinary young man into a stunningly beautiful woman.
Her features were cold yet elegant, appearing no older than her early twenties.
Her flawless, snow like skin, her sharp and majestic phoenix eyes, and the strong yet delicate contours of her face exuded a unique aura of strength and beauty.
"Let's go."
With her true identity restored, Qian Renxue strode forward with graceful confidence, her perfectly sculpted figure moving fluidly through the dimly lit halls.
Two Titled Douluo bodyguards flanked her sides, silently escorting her out of the Crown Prince's Mansion.
In truth, she should have abandoned this mission years ago.
But… she simply couldn't accept it.
After devoting so many years of her life, how could she just give up?
This mission wasn't just a political scheme it was also her way of proving herself to her mother.
She wanted to show that she was capable, that she could achieve greatness without anyone's help.
In reality, the plan had never depended solely on her.
Spirit Hall had long prepared a backup plan.
Even without Qian Renxue, another perfect replacement had already been cultivated to take her place as Xue Qinghe.
Whenever necessary, this hidden pawn could be activated, ensuring that the empire still had a Spirit Hall sleeper agent in its highest ranks.
But the reason Qian Renxue chose to give up now was because the world itself had changed.
The Sea God and the Lord of White Cloud City had both become deities.
At this stage, continuing to obsess over mortal politics just seemed pointless.
After a long period of hesitation, she finally made up her mind.
She would return to Spirit Hall.
She would abandon the mission that had defined her for over twenty years.
Deep down, she always knew that this mission was never essential but her pride and resentment toward her mother had kept her clinging to it.
If she hadn't wanted to prove herself, she would have never taken the mission in the first place.
After all, no one not even her own mother could have forced her to do anything.
She was the heir of the Angel God, the last descendant of the Qian Clan, and the granddaughter of a Limit Douluo.
Compared to ruling an empire, her bloodline alone was worth more than any throne.
She was freer than anyone else in the world.
Spirit City – The Holy Capital of Spirit Hall
Spirit City stood at the border of the two great empires, yet belonged to neither.
At its heart stood the Sacred Hall of the Pope one of the two most revered temples of Spirit Hall.
This newly constructed Papal Palace was said to be the most magnificent structure in all of Douluo Continent.
Because of this sacred monument, Spirit City had become the ultimate holy land for all spirit masters the de facto capital of Spirit Hall's power.
Upon returning, Qian Renxue immediately made her way to the Papal Palace.
There, seated upon the throne of power, was the woman who ruled Spirit Hall the current Supreme Pontiff, Bibi Dong.
She was also Qian Renxue's mother.
Dressed in a resplendent golden gown, crowned with a regal purple gold headdress, Bibi Dong radiated an unmatched elegance.
Despite being over sixty years old, her flawless beauty made her look as if she were no older than twenty.
Her regal figure, paired with her imperious aura, made her seem like a true empress a woman who stood above all others.
However, when faced with her own daughter, Bibi Dong's expression remained indifferent.
Her voice was calm yet laced with sarcasm.
"What's this? Has our rebellious young lady finally realized that she's useless without her family and come crawling back?"
Qian Renxue's smile instantly vanished.
She had originally felt a flicker of joy at the thought of finally reuniting with her mother.
She had even imagined a warm embrace a moment where Bibi Dong would stroke her hair lovingly and say, "You've worked hard, my child."
But reality was cruel.
That long awaited moment of motherly warmth never came.
Instead, she was met with cold indifference.
The joy in her heart disappeared completely.
Her expression darkened.
"I should've known better."
"Humph! You don't have to be so sarcastic! Just mind your own business!" Qian Renxue snapped.
Why was her mother always like this?
Even though it had been years since they last saw each other, Bibi Dong's hatred and rejection had never changed.
She didn't understand.
What had she done wrong?
For as long as she could remember, Bibi Dong had always despised her always looking at her with disgust and scorn.
Even worse, Bibi Dong treated a mere disciple Hu Liena better than her own daughter.
Qian Renxue had witnessed it firsthand.
The way Bibi Dong cared for Hu Liena, the way she nurtured and guided her it was like watching a real mother and daughter.
"She stole my mother's love."
Had Hu Liena's spirit been a spider instead of a fox… had her origins been questionable… Qian Renxue might have even suspected that Hu Liena was Bibi Dong's real daughter.
Frustrated, she stormed out of the palace.
Bibi Dong watched her leave, her once cold gaze softening slightly.
For a fleeting moment, her imperial aura faded, revealing the complicated emotions hidden beneath.
No longer the Supreme Pontiff, she looked like nothing more than a tired, lonely woman.
Her eyes held countless untold stories but there was no one to hear them.
In the end, she could only sigh.
A single, sorrowful sigh echoed through the vast, empty hall.
(End of Chapter)
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