I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: Seven Kill Shock the World
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Qian Renxue cried for a long time, as if releasing her emotions for the first time in her life, or perhaps like a lonely and helpless child.
Given Qian Renxue's status, she had always maintained an air of nobility in every situation. Likely, from childhood to adulthood, she had never confided her true feelings to anyone. Now, knowing the truth about her past, she had lost control.
When Qian Renxue finally grew tired of crying, Yang Xiong slowly spoke: "Qian Renxue, have you ever thought about what kind of person Bibi Dong truly is? What does she seek in her heart?"
Qian Renxue wiped the tears from her face and, after some thought, replied: "Bibi Dong is a woman devoid of humanity. In her eyes, power and status surpass everything."
Yang Xiong nodded: "That's correct. Bibi Dong is the greatest enemy of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Ning Fengzhi and I have studied her to some extent."
"In terms of background, Bibi Dong was born into a commoner family, but due to her extraordinary talent, she gained Qian Xunji's favor at a young age, becoming his direct disciple and the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall."
"However, Qian Xunji may have protected her too much, shielding her from the harsh realities of the world and preventing her from forming any emotional connections."
"As a result, Bibi Dong met Yu Xiaogang while studying at the Spirit Hall. Perhaps she was moved by his determination to break through the limits of soul masters, and the two became lovers—a relationship that was unacceptable to society."
"Bibi Dong was the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, while Yu Xiaogang was the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's patriarch. They were natural enemies, both in terms of their respective factions and societal expectations. Their love was misunderstood by the world."
"Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. When Bibi Dong and Yu Xiaogang planned to run away together, Qian Xunji took the most extreme measures to keep her. He violated Bibi Dong and fathered you, while Yu Xiaogang, abandoned by Bibi Dong, fell into despair and settled in Nuoding City."
"The subsequent events are clear to you. To avenge herself, Bibi Dong killed Qian Xunji when he was gravely injured."
"Then, using the pretext of avenging Qian Xunji, she pressured the Hao Tian Sect into retreat, bringing the Spirit Hall's power and prestige to its peak and ascending to the position of Pope."
"Over the past twenty-plus years, Bibi Dong has eliminated dissenters, cultivated loyal followers, and allowed the Spirit Hall's executives to act recklessly—all to expand her influence and make the Spirit Hall even more powerful."
"After all these years of accumulating strength, Bibi Dong's ambition has reached its zenith. She has dared to oppose the entire world, establishing the Spirit Empire and launching this brutal war. All of this stems from her selfish desires—to either destroy the old Spirit Hall or dominate the world."
After hearing Yang Xiong's description, Qian Renxue's expression darkened: "Yang Xiong, according to your words, Bibi Dong is a heinous criminal, a scourge upon the Spirit Empire, right?"
Yang Xiong shook his head: "A person cannot be judged with a single stroke. One must evaluate them from multiple perspectives."
"In a sense, Bibi Dong may not necessarily be wrong. If the Spirit Empire truly unified the entire Douluo Continent, it would erase the Tian Dou and Star Luo Empires. For ordinary soul masters and commoners, this might mean freedom from noble exploitation—a good outcome."
"However, from a personal standpoint, Bibi Dong is ruthless and cruel. She attacked our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, making her my sworn enemy. I will not allow her to unify the world or continue wreaking havoc."
"As for the personal matters you mentioned, they are merely her private affairs. If she harms others out of resentment for those matters, in my eyes, it is unforgivable."
Qian Renxue gritted her teeth: "So no matter what, you will oppose the unification of the world under the Spirit Empire, oppose me, and oppose Bibi Dong?"
Yang Xiong nodded: "Indeed. As the saying goes, there cannot be two suns in the sky. Given Bibi Dong's personality, sooner or later, we will clash. At that time, it may come down to one of us dying."
"Of course, on a personal level, I don't think Bibi Dong has done anything wrong. If I had her strength and controlled such a vast network of soul masters through the Spirit Hall, I might have acted even more excessively. After all, unifying the continent could reduce wars and save countless lives."
"As for the mother-daughter bond you mentioned, in the face of greater principles and the deaths of countless people, I find it utterly insignificant."
"Look at the battlefield of Jialing Pass. After half a month of fighting, tens of thousands of soul masters have died, and nearly a million civilians have been killed or injured. These people also have families, parents, and children. Won't their loved ones grieve? Won't they experience separation and loss?"
"From another perspective, comparing temporary death to permanent peace, perhaps these sacrifices are worth it. But regardless of how you look at it, they far outweigh the bond between Bibi Dong and you."
After hearing Yang Xiong's words, Qian Renxue simply drank silently, saying nothing further.
Yang Xiong, too, held his wine cup and slowly savored the Drunken Red Dust. The two occasionally clinked glasses, exchanging sporadic conversation.
Qian Renxue seemed to recall something: "Yang Xiong, during our last battle, why did you hold back in your final move?"
Yang Xiong shook his head: "It wasn't a matter of holding back. If I had truly used my full strength at the final moment, you might have died, but I likely would have been crippled as well. Gods are far more resilient than I imagined."
"Besides, I'm not someone who enjoys unfair victories. You're the same way. We have plenty of time ahead of us—there will be many more opportunities to continue our battles."
Qian Renxue said: "Yang Xiong, I feel there's something off about this Angel God. At the end, I sensed a trace of darkness, a trace of uncontrollable evil. Perhaps this is a flaw in my soul."
Yang Xiong smirked: "Why do you assume it's your problem? I also sensed that darkness—it's not something mortals possess. It's likely interference from the Rakshasa God."
"You are the inheritor of the Angel God, but Bibi Dong is the inheritor of the Rakshasa God. Theoretically, you two should be mutually reinforcing and counteracting forces. I suspect that when Bibi Dong gave birth to you, your soul was tampered with deep within. This is why your personality is so extreme, your decision-making hesitant, and your pride immense."
"To put it bluntly, aside from me, you probably wouldn't acknowledge anyone else in this world. That's why, from childhood to adulthood, you've had no friends, no enemies. Perhaps this is why you sought me out to drink tonight."
Qian Renxue smiled: "You really understand me. This is the first time I've ever wanted to drink in my life. Unfortunately, I didn't know who else in this world could drink with me, so I found you. Perhaps, as you said, we are truly kindred spirits."
"Unfortunately, whether in terms of background or stance, we will always be enemies. Both the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and the Body Sect are mortal enemies of the Spirit Empire. Even you, the inheritor of the Asura God, are a natural enemy of the Angel God."
Yang Xiong felt somewhat speechless: "There are no true enemies in this world. Did you know that in the divine realm, there are five great God Kings, including the Kindness God King and the Evil God King, as well as the King of Destruction and the King of Life? Yet, ironically, the pairs are married to each other."
"Imagine this: the extremes of kindness and evil, destruction and life—they are bound together, even though they can't touch each other."
"A person must forge their own path. There is nothing absolute in this world."
Qian Renxue straightened her expression: "Yang Xiong, thank you. I will go talk to Bibi Dong. Even if there's no mother-daughter bond, I must confront my inner self. Perhaps this is the obsession that has plagued me for so many years, or perhaps it's the reason for the flaws in my soul."
Yang Xiong: …
The two drank all night, discussing many things, including their past exchanges of banter in the Tian Dou Empire.
Even the usually icy Qian Renxue couldn't help but smile faintly as she recalled their first meeting. Back then, Yang Xiong had only been a six-year-old child, yet he already seemed different. With Qian Renxue's keen insight, she had long recognized that Yang Xiong and she were kindred spirits—both wearing masks.
By the next morning, Yang Xiong and Qian Renxue finally sobered up. Around them lay numerous empty wine jars, and to their surprise, Yang Xiong's hand and Qian Renxue's hand were still intertwined, as if they had been urging each other to drink.
Qian Renxue suddenly woke with a start, feeling as if she had been offended. She quickly pulled her hand back.
Yang Xiong rubbed his nose and awkwardly withdrew his hand as well, though he couldn't help but note that Qian Renxue's hand was very white and smooth.
Qian Renxue regained her usual frosty demeanor and prepared to leave: "Yang Xiong, thank you for last night. However, the next time we meet, I hope you'll draw your sword—and don't hold back."
As Qian Renxue left, Yang Xiong felt a wave of helplessness—perhaps a reflection on the fate of kindred spirits.
When Yang Xiong returned to the camp, Ning Rongrong was waiting alone in his room, her eyes filled with worry.
"Little Bear, where did you go last night? You're still injured—how could you wander around like that?"
Yang Xiong looked somewhat embarrassed: "Rongrong, yesterday I was feeling bored. Since I've been focused on recovering lately, I went out to drink alone."
Ning Rongrong frowned: "Little Bear, this isn't like you. If you wanted to drink, you could have invited me or Xiao Ao. Why do you seem a little strange today? And the way you look… it's like you're hiding something. Tell me honestly—did you go flirt with some girl?"
Yang Xiong's heart skipped a beat. It felt like he had been caught red-handed. This girl was too sharp—she made him feel completely exposed.
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