Raise this book's rank with Powerstones pls
....
Yan looked at Hu Liena with a hint of surprise in his eyes, full of admiration.
"Nana, how did you absorb your fifth soul ring so fast? That was insanely quick!"
Both he and Xie Yue had spent nearly three full hours absorbing theirs.
"Nana's always been the most talented among us, and she works the hardest. She deserves this," Xie Yue said proudly, praising his sister without holding back.
"It's all thanks to Shi Hao and the tiger," Hu Liena replied sincerely. "If it weren't for them, there's no way we'd have gotten our fifth soul rings so quickly."
Shi Hao scratched his head bashfully and smiled. "It's nothing… Friends are supposed to help each other, right?"
"What a sweet kid… If only I had a little brother like him," Hu Liena said, rubbing Shi Hao's head gently with a warm look in her eyes.
"…No way, I don't want to be a little brother. I want to be the big brother!" Shi Hao pouted, puffing up his cheeks slightly.
"Huh? Why?"
"Because then I can protect my younger siblings! If I'm the big brother, they can grow up safe and happy. Just thinking about that makes me feel really good."
Hu Liena looked at him, stunned by how serious he sounded. Her curiosity about Shi Hao's family grew even stronger. What kind of household could raise a child like this?
And at the same time, thinking about how his mother had been captured by Spirit Hall only made her angrier…
A cold glint flashed in Hu Liena's eyes. If she ever found out who was responsible for taking Shi Hao's mother, she'd make sure they regretted ever being born.
With her status as one of the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall, she had more than enough power to make that happen.
"…Alright. Let's return to Spirit City as soon as we can. We'll bring your mother back, Shi Hao!"
She looked at him with determination. Shi Hao immediately lit up.
"Yes!"
He had been waiting for this day for so long. His eyes crinkled in joy as he gazed into the distance.
Mom… just hold on a little longer. I'm coming to get you. We'll go home together… and the whole family will be together again.
Shi Hao silently swore to himself.
In the days that followed, Hu Liena, Yan, and Xie Yue led Shi Hao and the tiger out of the Star Dou Forest.
They chatted as they traveled, sharing amusing stories from their past. For Shi Hao, every step of the journey was filled with wonder and excitement.
…
Meanwhile, in a dark chamber within Spirit Hall—
Qian Renxue sat cross-legged in a dim, secluded room, eyes shut in deep meditation. Suddenly, she opened them.
Her heart felt restless… as if something important was approaching. She couldn't explain it, but it felt like a pull—something in her blood calling out.
'My mind is really starting to get chaotic lately… It's like something important is coming closer.'
She muttered to herself, and her thoughts drifted instinctively toward Shi Batian.
Batian… I wonder how you're doing. Do you miss me? I miss you so much… every single day.
"Batian, I've been working hard, just so we can see each other again. You'd be shocked if you knew how much my soul power has increased…"
Qian Renxue smiled slightly to herself, a bit smug.
For some unknown reason, her cultivation had skyrocketed recently. In just over a month, she had jumped from Rank 64 Soul Emperor to Rank 76 Soul Sage!
A leap of over ten ranks—an astronomical feat in such a short time.
Even Qian Renxue herself found it hard to believe.
She had been training with fanatical focus, yes—but that alone didn't explain this level of breakthrough.
The only explanation she could come up with… was her longing for Shi Batian.
"Xue'er… I really didn't expect this. To think you've made such progress in just over a month… truly a blessing from the Angel God. Our Qian Clan may just rise to greatness again in your hands."
Outside the chamber, Qian Daoliu had come to deliver her food as usual. Afterward, he sat and talked with her.
Most of the conversation, of course, revolved around urging her to give up Shi Batian and focus solely on her cultivation.
Seeing her rapid progress only confirmed to Qian Daoliu that bringing her back had been the right decision.
"You've improved so much, Xue'er. It makes me proud. If it weren't for that useless man, you would've reached Soul Sage long ago. You might've even become the youngest Soul Douluo in the continent's history—and maybe the fastest to ever reach Title Douluo."
"So please… stop thinking about that trash. Just keep training hard."
Qian Renxue's face darkened instantly. She couldn't stand anyone insulting Shi Batian—not even her grandfather.
"Grandfather, I know you mean well, but I have my own thoughts. I am training hard."
"But… Batian is not trash. I hope you'll stop saying that. He'll always be the one I love."
"I'm cultivating so hard because I want to surpass you—so I can bring him back, openly and proudly!"
Qian Daoliu furrowed his brow for a moment, but then his expression softened into a smile.
"My mistake. I won't badmouth him in front of you again… And perhaps, when the time is right, I'll even send someone to assist Shi Batian."
"Really? Grandpa, are you serious?!"
"Of course. But only if you continue to train diligently… and reach Title Douluo as soon as possible."
"Deal!"
Qian Renxue beamed with joy and threw herself back into her training with even more passion.
Outside the chamber, Qian Daoliu smiled with satisfaction.
If her love for Shi Batian was what fueled her cultivation… then maybe letting them be together wouldn't be such a bad thing.
Suddenly—
A woman in golden robes stepped into the room.
Qian Daoliu turned in surprise. It was none other than Qian Renxue's mother.
The current Pope of Spirit Hall—Bibi Dong.
Qian Daoliu frowned slightly. Ever since her last argument with Renxue, Bibi Dong hadn't come to visit in quite some time.
He said nothing, choosing not to get involved in their complicated relationship.
Bibi Dong stood silently outside the chamber, watching her daughter train.
She didn't interrupt.
Watching Qian Renxue train so desperately, she felt a mix of heartache and pride.
"You're truly exceptional… even more than I imagined. Your cultivation speed is even faster than mine at your age. Talent like this is rare across all of Douluo Continent."
"No doubt about it… you're my daughter."
Bibi Dong muttered silently to herself.
Though she had once wanted to kill this so-called "sinful extension" of her past, as time passed, that hatred began to wane.
After all, none of it was this child's fault.
_
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