The next day, a carriage unlike any commonly seen on the Douluo Continent rolled out of Spirit Hall City.
Outside sat two elders. One, clad in crimson robes embroidered with golden crocodiles, sat with eyes closed, utterly unmoved by the carriage's jostling—Golden Crocodile Douluo, Tian E.
The other, driving the carriage, wore an outfit strange by Douluo standards: white undershirt, blue overcoat, a peculiar strap across his chest, pristine white gloves, round spectacles, and silver-streaked hair tied into a short ponytail at his nape.
This was Walter—the Qian family's butler, who had watched Qian Renxue and Qian Ningshuang grow from infancy. He'd even overseen every stage of the late Pope Qian Xunjie's life—from birth to burial.
"Ahhh! Why won't Grandfather Tian E and Grandfather Walter just fly me straight to the Star Dou Forest? Why take this slow, bumpy carriage? It'll take forever!"
Inside the carriage, Qian Ningshuang let out a high-pitched wail.
Her golden hair flowed freely, pinned with a white hairclip. She wore a black-and-blue-trimmed vest, a left-shoulder guard, an outer black cloak lined with teal, and sleeves adorned with teal embroidery. Her blue skirt featured matching teal pleats, and on her right wrist gleamed a blood-red bracelet. At her hip hung a small pouch and an eight-pointed star charm.
At her complaint, Walter merely smiled as usual. Tian E sighed and opened his eyes.
"Shuang'er," he said patiently, "it's not just you going. And soul ring acquisition isn't something to rush. A day earlier or later makes no difference."
Qian Ningshuang shot a mock-glare at the two "culprits" slowing her journey—though her grumbling was mostly boredom-fueled, a sliver of genuine annoyance lingered.
One culprit was Qian Renxue—now dressed nearly identically to Qian Ningshuang, save for her blue eyes. She looked like a taller, mature version of her sister.
The other was Tian Yue—Tian E's granddaughter—her golden hair cropped short, wearing a sleek white top and matching white leather pants.
"Don't you appreciate that I cleared my schedule just to accompany you?" Qian Renxue teased, smiling. "Besides, this carriage was built to your exact specifications. You should be thrilled to ride it!"
"I am!" Qian Ningshuang huffed. "But it'll still take two or three days to reach the Star Dou Forest. Do you really have that kind of time? I know you think that 'usurpation plan' is idiotic—but you've accepted the mission. Knowing you, you'll insist on perfection. Aren't you worried Tian Dou will grow suspicious?"
She spoke plainly—only because everyone in the carriage was trusted inner-circle.
Qian Renxue pulled her into a hug, stroking her golden hair. "You called it a brainless plan yourself. Is executing some foolish scheme really more important than spending time with my adorable little sister? Yes, I have that perfectionist streak you mentioned—but I've learned from you: sometimes, letting go brings more peace."
Qian Ningshuang mentally cheered. Her presence *was* changing things.
Without that pathological perfectionism, even if Tang San exposed the "usurpation plan," Qian Renxue wouldn't obsess over it. No lifelong rivalry. No mutual admiration. And without that twisted respect? Tang San would've been dead long ago.
"And you?" Qian Ningshuang turned to Tian Yue, who was sitting unusually quiet. "Why are you tagging along?"
Tian Yue rolled her eyes—not out of real annoyance, but because Qian Renxue's serene aura was overwhelming. She rarely saw the elder sister and felt too awkward to act her usual rowdy self. Only Qian Ningshuang dared be so unrestrained.
If not for that, she'd have pinched Qian Ningshuang's cheeks already.
"Did your Awakening scramble your brain?" Tian Yue retorted. "I told you just days ago—I hit level 20 ages ago! I've been waiting for you to awaken so we could hunt soul rings together."
"Huh? Did you? And you just assumed I'd have full先天 soul power? That I'd get a ring right after Awakening?"
"Of course I did! At five, you beat me *after* I activated my martial soul. If that's not full先天 soul power, what is?"
"And don't think I forgot—you promised to visit us yesterday after your Awakening! Show us your martial soul! We waited all afternoon! Nimo and the others left by evening. I stayed home until nightfall!"
Tian Yue finally unleashed her grievance.
Qian Ningshuang twirled a lock of hair, sheepish. "I *was* coming! But halfway down the mountain, Sister dragged me off. I thought you'd come to my house…"
(She conveniently omitted how she'd forgotten her friends the moment she saw Qian Renxue.)
Seeing Tian Yue about to rant further, Qian Ningshuang swiftly changed the subject.
"Here—you wanted to see my martial soul, right?"
She summoned Black Abyss White Bloom with practiced ease—clearly having practiced repeatedly since yesterday. The white-shafted, black-hilted lance appeared in the carriage, automatically resizing to avoid crushing the interior.
"What a cool lance! What's it called?" Tian Yue's grudge vanished instantly as she leaned in, eyes sparkling.
"Black Abyss White Bloom," Qian Ningshuang declared proudly. "And it's not just cool—it's powerful!"
"Ugh, show-off," Tian Yue rolled her eyes again. "Any martial soul that looks this extraordinary—like my Golden Crocodile King—obviously has more to it. Spill: what can it do?"
"Mind if I cut your hand a little?"
Without waiting for an answer, Qian Ningshuang gripped the lance, willed it—and drew a black knightly sword from its core. With a swift motion, she sliced a small cut on Tian Yue's outstretched palm.
Tian Yue didn't flinch. Ridiculous—if you feared a scratch, you shouldn't be a Soul Master at all. Besides, after years of sparring and roughhousing, minor injuries between them were routine.