Chapter 221: Meeting the Family
Hu Liena considered herself among the top three beauties in all of Spirit Hall—and rightly so. The official beauty rankings in Spirit Hall were Qian Renxue, Ah Yin, and Hu Liena. As for Xue Di, she was not a member of Spirit Hall and had long since vanished after briefly reigning as the undisputed number one.
After that match years ago, Hu Liena had waited quietly at Spirit Hall Academy for Qian Renxue to enroll—but in vain. He never attended the academy. The next time she heard of him, he was at Tianshui Academy.
Knowing the Heaven Dou Empire's team would arrive in Spirit City today, she guessed Qian Renxue would return home and came to wait at the foot of the Pope's Hill.
From afar, she spotted Qian Renxue walking beside a girl surrounded by a faint aura of cold, her features seeming veiled at first glance. Upon closer inspection, her beauty became more apparent. Their movements were intimate. Hu Liena's heart sank. All her hopes and affection had been for nothing.
"Hu Liena, is there something you need?"
"N-No… I just happened to pass by and saw you, Holy Son."
Forcing a smile, Hu Liena turned and left hurriedly.
Shui Bing'er covered her mouth and laughed. "Xiao Chuan, you really are charming. That sister just now was even more enchanting than me."
"No way. That was only the second time I met her. Last time, per Father's orders, I just had one match against her and two other members of Spirit Hall Academy. We didn't even exchange words."
Qian Renxue couldn't understand how someone could fall for him with less than four sentences exchanged—three of which had just happened. It made no sense.
Shui Bing'er, however, understood perfectly. She felt the same way after seeing him explode into his Thousand-Handed Asura form in the Soto Arena. A cold, emotionless marriage arrangement turned into mutual affection almost instantly. Women admired strength.
"Let's go."
After nearly an hour of climbing, a familiar, gentle figure in blue appeared ahead—her blue hair and gentle aura unmistakable.
"Mother."
"Aunt."
Qian Renxue bounded up in three quick steps, Shui Bing'er close behind.
"Xiao Chuan."
"Bing'er."
Ah Yin smiled and patted both their heads. "Your grandfather is waiting for you in the Elder Hall."
The two followed her.
Qian Renxue, always observant, noticed something odd in her gait. "Mother, is something wrong with your leg?"
A hint of unnaturalness flickered across Ah Yin's refined face. She lied easily, "A seriously injured soul master came seeking treatment. I used a lot of soul power."
Qian Renxue didn't suspect anything. His mother was the continent's number one healing-type soul master—people often came for help. Spirit Hall's low fees and her reputation meant she was always busy. It brought both income and connections.
The truth, however, only Ah Yin knew. Since Qian Xunji returned a few days ago, he'd changed. Every night, he became a ferocious beast, endlessly tormenting her in every imaginable position. What used to be rough gentleness had become brutal madness. Even with her level 96 Super Douluo body and Blue Silver Empress's recovery, she was struggling to keep up.
The Elder Hall—Spirit Hall's largest internal structure—was a towering dome. Inside, a vast hall stretched upward nearly 30 meters, surrounded by three floors, each with ten rooms.
At the moment, it was eerily silent—not even a single servant in sight. At the far end, before a massive ten-meter-tall golden statue of the six-winged angel, Qian Daoliu stood with hands behind his back.
"Grandfather."
Upon seeing him, Qian Renxue knelt. Shui Bing'er followed suit.
Qian Daoliu turned slowly. Space twisted, and in a flash, he appeared before them, lifting Qian Renxue before his knees touched the floor. He did the same for Shui Bing'er using his soul power—a high honor from an Ultimate Douluo.
"My lovely little brother is finally home."
A tall, regal figure in a long gold dress stepped out. Her face bore a striking resemblance to Ah Yin.
She tapped her chin, her sapphire eyes sparkling as she examined the slightly effeminate post-Blue Silver Emperor Qian Renxue. Her smile turned playful. "So this is what happens when you awaken Mom's spirit? Put a dress on you, and I'd have a little sister."
At the word "dress," Qian Renxue instinctively took several steps back. "Sister, spare me!"
"I'm joking."
Her gaze shifted to Shui Bing'er, her aura intense. Shui Bing'er felt a tremendous pressure settle over her. This woman had reached Soul King level at just 12, defeated every Contra in Clear Sky Sect below Title Douluo level, and was even more gifted and beautiful than she was.
Then, softly: "My brother likes to be pampered. He's smart, but a bit dense. Please take care of him."
"I will," Shui Bing'er replied with a pause. "Sister."
Qian Renxue nodded with satisfaction.
Then she told him: the prize for this year's tournament would be two 100,000-year soul bones. One was a head bone acquired long ago from Tang Hao. The other was the right arm bone of the 100,000-year Death Spider Emperor.
Actually, the Death Spider Emperor had dropped two bones—left and right arms. But Qian Xunji would never reveal both, nor give either away lightly. Who knew if Qian Renxue might give one to his untalented sister-in-law Shui Yue'er. Plus, once the Titan Giant Ape and Soft Bone Rabbit Xiao Wu died, their soul bone drops would be unpredictable—duplicates were possible.
As for the previously available Flaming Right Arm Bone, Wind-Chasing Left Leg Bone, and a 10,000-year head bone from Shi Nian, Qian Xunji had assigned them to the elder supporters of his three descendants. They would decide when to award them based on performance in the three-person matches.
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