From the moment Lin Yuan was restrained, Qian Renxue's mind had been analyzing the variables.
Two things stood out clearly.
"First, the system only intervenes if the host's life is in danger."
"Second, even under Uncle She Long's grip, the system evaluated the situation as non-lethal. That means the minimum strength of the system lies somewhere above Titled Douluo level. The maximum ceiling, however, is unknown for now."
She lightly bit her thumbnail as she considered this, hiding the flicker of killing intent in her purple eyes.
"These system users… they don't grow in any linear or logical way. They're like bugs in the world's laws."
It was tempting to eliminate Lin Yuan on the spot. But Qian Renxue wasn't reckless. Until she understood more, she wouldn't act rashly.
So, she smiled.
The kind of smile that made smarter people sweat.
Lin Yuan, who was still pinned by She Long, looked up hopefully when he saw her expression soften.
"Your hand might not last long under Uncle She Long's grip," she said sweetly. "But don't worry. We have healing-type soul masters here. You won't die… probably."
She stepped closer, kneeling down until her gaze met his.
"So tell me. Where is this precious place you're talking about?"
Lin Yuan grunted but held his bravado. "It's… It's in the Sunset Forest. A hidden place called the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well."
Qian Renxue's fingers rhythmically tapped her cheek as she stared at him.
'As expected.'
She smiled wider, as if amused.
"Hmm~ Are you sure you're not a spy?"
"What? No! I—"
"Because," she interrupted smoothly, "you seem to know quite a bit about confidential matters. Things only the highest levels of Spirit Hall should be aware of."
Her tone changed just slightly, colder and much more sharper from before.
"You even know the location of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well… Do you also know who resides there?"
Lin Yuan's mouth opened, but no words came out. His expression betrayed his shock.
Qian Renxue took a small step back, voice laced with quiet amusement. "That's right. Dugu Bo, the Poison Douluo, resides there Or he used to."
She turned to She Long casually. "Tell him."
She Long, still holding Lin Yuan in place, added in a flat tone, "Dugu Bo has long since joined the Spirit Hall. He is one of our hidden elders. The so-called hidden well? Most of the immortal herbs there have already been documented and shared with the Spirit Hall."
Lin Yuan's face turned pale.
'That's… That's not how the story went!'
While Qian Renxue calmly spoke, Lin Yuan was screaming in his mind.
'System, there is something wrong with the plot! Dugu Bo should not have joined Spirit Hall! He should still be neutral, hiding the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well from everyone! He should be using the Ice and Fire Yin Yang well to suppress the poison in his body, during this point of time.'
Ding!
[System Notification]: While Host has arrived at a logical conclusion, this does not assist in resolving your current predicament.
'Then help me! System, give me a temporary skill or bluff card! Anything!'
Ding!
[System Notification]: Additional services and functions will be unlocked upon completion of the First Mission.
Current Mission: "Form a Goddess Contract with Qian Renxue." Progress: 0%
'USELESS!' Lin Yuan howled internally.
Meanwhile, Qian Renxue, whose telepathist ability was still active, had her own internal monologue.
'His emotions are all over the place. Panic, doubt, then desperate scheming.'
She smiled faintly, then as if something had just occurred to her, said aloud:
"Elder Dugu Bo mentioned something interesting last time... something about researching the 'Soul Core'?"
Lin Yuan's eyes lit up.
'Soul Core!? That's from the later arcs! Was that knowledge already accessible to him?'
He froze, mind clicking together a wild theory.
'Wait… Dugu Bo must be another reincarnator! That's the only explanation! He's deviated from the plot because of knowledge from the future!'
Ding!
[System Notification]: Congratulations, Host, for reaching a conclusion that has no relevance to your current mission.
'Shut up!' Lin Yuan mentally barked.
Qian Renxue kept her face calm, but inside she was almost laughing.
She didn't give him time to process more.
"You know this information," she accused coldly, "either because you've spied on Spirit Hall... or because you have someone powerful backing you."
Silently and logically Qian Renxue started to guide Lin Yuan's thinking towards a certain direction.
She paused.
"Either way… you're a threat."
Then, turning sharply, she shouted: "Guards! Seize this spy and throw him into the Prison!"
The guards began approaching again, this time with zero hesitation.
Lin Yuan's heart nearly exploded in panic. And just like a drowning man reaching for floating driftwood, he yelled out the only thing he could think of—
"Wait! I'm a faraway relative of Bibi Dong!"
Qian Renxue felt contented that she had led his thinking, but was surprised to find that the telepathist power inside her digested a little.
Then she smiled internally ' All this is just logical guide of words.'
While Qian Renxue was revelling the fact that she seemed to find out the correct way of digesting the power of Telepathist, in the outside world, everyone paused.
Lin Yuan spoke clearly with a high pitch , so that everyone can listen.
"My martial soul is also the Death Spider Emperor! I awakened it today!"
The moment he said that, a ripple of silence passed through the hallway.