After brief observation, Dugu Bo noticed that Qian Renxue was remarkably articulate, her demeanor carrying an unusual aura that instinctively put him on guard.
Those who could become Title Douluos weren't necessarily peerless geniuses in innate soul power, but they were certainly never reckless fools.
After all, fools and hotheads would've long been devoured by soul beasts or killed by others before ever reaching the Title Douluo rank.
"Miss Qian Renxue, may I ask what your soul power level is?"
Someone who traveled with two Title Douluo bodyguards, claiming to be from a hidden sect—it made him uneasy.
Moreover… the surname "Qian" itself was telling.
"I'm a 61st-ranked Soul Emperor. I came to the Great Star Dou Forest to hunt a soul ring, but never expected to encounter the Dark Devilgod Tiger just as we were leaving. Quite unlucky, really."
Qian Renxue answered without hesitation, her tone laced with a faint sigh.
"61st rank?!"
Dugu Yan's eyes widened, her pupils dilating. "Wait, Miss Qian Renxue, didn't you say you're only two years older than me?"
Is this golden-haired girl even human?!
I'm only 38th-ranked—and that's after taking enhancement drugs! Without them, I'd barely be 31st rank!
She's nearly double my level!
"A 61st-ranked Soul Emperor…" Dugu Bo's voice carried awe. "With such talent, no wonder you have two Title Douluo escorts!"
"May I ask which sect Miss Qian Renxue belongs to…?"
"Surely Lord Dugu has already guessed." Qian Renxue fell silent for a moment before continuing, "Our sect is based in the Star Luo Empire. Our name isn't widely known, though we do hold shares in the Great Spirit Arena."
"Are you connected to Spirit Hall?" Ning Rongrong interjected abruptly. "I can't think of many sects powerful enough to assign two Title Douluo bodyguards."
Ning Rongrong genuinely couldn't fathom what Qian Renxue was playing at. If she wanted to hide her identity, why not conceal her surname?
You could've called yourself Xue Qianren or Ren Qianxue—anything but Qian Renxue!
I don't even know how to help you cover this up, and you don't seem to be trying either.
What's your goal? Planning to silence us?
Frankly, unless either the Sword Douluo or Bone Douluo reached 98th rank, she'd prefer not to get anywhere near Qian Renxue.
"Hmm… There is some relation to Spirit Hall." Qian Renxue smiled. "After Spirit Hall's centuries of rule, most people surnamed 'Qian' inevitably have ties to it."
"A 61st-ranked Soul Emperor at such a young age—that's more than just 'some relation.'" Dugu Bo's tone carried implication.
"I bear no ill will toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan." Qian Renxue stated plainly.
"Senior Dugu, a word." Ning Rongrong pulled Dugu Bo aside.
Dugu Bo nodded, glancing at Dugu Yan and Qian Renxue before following.
With a casual wave, he erected a soundproof barrier.
"Qian Renxue is anything but ordinary." Dugu Bo voiced his judgment.
"I know." Ning Rongrong paused in thought. "She's a god's chosen inheritor."
"What?!" Dugu Bo's expression twisted in shock.
Since when did godly inheritors become so casual about revealing themselves?!
"Then you—"
"Let's observe first." Ning Rongrong cut in. "She's likely probing our stance."
"Using herself as bait—isn't she afraid?" Dugu Bo frowned.
"Not a single one of the Top Three Sects would dare move against her—even if they united."
"Rongrong, you mean…?"
"Granddaughter of the current 99th-ranked Title Douluo— Qian Daoliu. Now the inheritor of the Angel God's trial."
Qian Xunji wasn't truly killed by Tang Hao—his pursuit of Tang Hao was merely symbolic, constrained by his pact with old friend Tang Chen.
But if Qian Renxue died by the Clear Sky Sect's hands? Qian Daoliu would tear that treaty to shreds.
Qian Renxue was effectively Qian Daoliu's final bottom line.
"This… this is…" Dugu Bo was speechless.
"I thought she'd appear under an alias. Is she trying to force the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to pick sides?"
"Or perhaps…" Ning Rongrong's brows furrowed.
Has everything in the Heaven Dou Empire been exposed?
It was possible. Someone like Xue Beng, with his meager soul power, could've been hypnotized into confessing everything.
Even around Emperor Xue Ye, Qian Renxue likely had spies.
Given that, her appearing under her real name wasn't entirely inexplicable.
Is she testing me?
To be this cautious…
Ning Rongrong snapped back to focus.
After brief deliberation, she signaled Dugu Bo to disperse the barrier.
They returned to where Qian Renxue and Dugu Yan stood.
"Miss Qian Renxue, when you say you bear no ill will toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—what exactly do you mean?"
"I can guarantee the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's lineage will continue uninterrupted."
"It seems Miss Qian Renxue holds no small position in Spirit Hall."
Both tactfully avoided further mention of the "hidden sect."
"My thoughts are irrelevant." Ning Rongrong feigned hesitation. "My father wishes to remain neutral—at least for now."
"Patriarch Ning's stance is understandable." Qian Renxue nodded. "What interests me is your perspective, Young Mistress Ning."
"Personally?" Ning Rongrong met her gaze. "I'd prefer to be friends with Miss Qian Renxue— without any political strings attached."
Qian Renxue blinked, genuine surprise flickering in her eyes.
"…But mutual benefit is the foundation of all alliances, no?"
"Does befriending Miss Qian Renxue conflict with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's interests regarding Spirit Hall?" Ning Rongrong countered.
Qian Renxue fell silent, memories surfacing—
[Flashback: Months Earlier]
The day Ning Rongrong left the Heaven Dou Empire. Their conversation—if it could even be called that—had been more of an impulsive question from Qian Renxue herself:
"Rongrong, if it came down to saving either the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan… or Patriarch Ning himself—"
"Which would you choose?"
Ning Rongrong hadn't answered directly. Instead, she'd replied with eerie calm:
"If the clan requires sacrificing its patriarch to survive… then it has already ceased to exist."
"Personally, I value those who genuinely care for me—not empty gestures to 'protect the clan.'"
"'Value those who care for you'…"
Back then, she hadn't fully grasped those words—or perhaps she'd understood intellectually, but not viscerally.
Not until today.
Facing the Dark Devilgod Tiger—
Ci Xue and She Long had shielded her with their lives, despite the beast's rabid hatred for her angelic aura.
Even under assault from two Title Douluos, the Dark Devilgod Tiger had fixated on killing her—a mere Soul Emperor.
Ci Xue, a control-type soul master, had stunned the beast at the cost of his own escape, ordering the more physically resilient She Long to carry her to safety.
As they fled, his final words had struck like a hammer:
"Young Mistress, I know you've always seen us as mere subordinates… But to us, you're the child we watched grow up."
"Please—stop punishing yourself to prove anything to that woman. It's not worth it."
"Go. She Long, get her out of here. I'll hold it off."
Watching his figure shrink into the distance—
By the time the meaning fully registered, they'd already escaped the forest.
When she tried to speak, She Long had cut her off:
"Young Mistress… I must abandon our undercover mission. I'm going back for Ci Xue."
"Since he spoke his heart, allow me to do the same."
"If I don't return… Please, for your own sake—don't waste your talent any longer."
"The Grand Worship… is the one who truly loves you."
Without another word, he'd charged back into the forest.
"She Long… Ci Xue…" Qian Renxue whispered, her voice barely audible.