Her final words were spoken so softly that even she herself likely felt it was but a faint glimmer of hope.
Su Yu watched her like this, feeling as though something was grating against his heart.
He knew Qian Renxue's pride, and he knew even more how deeply she clung to that maternal love.
At this moment, no amount of persuasion could likely outweigh that faint hope in her heart.
"Besides, what she said isn't wrong." Qian Renxue sniffled, trying hard to keep her tone calm.
"I am a member of the Qian family. The Spirit Hall raised me all these years—I really should do something for it."
She paused, her gaze drifting toward the distant Papal Hall with a complex emotion.
Then she turned back to look at Su Yu, her eyes carrying a hint of pleading:
"It's just... after I leave, Xiao Hui will have to be left in your care. He... he's my only friend here."
Her voice dropped to a whisper on those last few words, as if afraid someone might hear this vulnerability.
"You can't bully him. You have to feed him on time—he loves that meadow on the back mountain the most... And don't tease him all the time; he's timid.Hidden within her nagging was a heart full of reluctance.
Seeing her putting on a brave front, Su Yu felt a pang of sorrow and nodded solemnly:
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of him."
"I'll take him to the back mountain every day to bask in the sun, buy him delicious dried meat, and make sure he grows plump and healthy—waiting for you to inspect him when you return."
Qian Renxue's lips curved slightly at his last words, but the moisture in her eyes welled up again.
She turned her face away, wiping her eyes with her sleeve: "Who wants to inspect... Just remember what you said."
Su Yu reached out and gently turned her face back toward him, his gaze serious and his tone carrying an unprecedented gravity:
"If Xiao Hui is your friend, then what about me? Do I count as your friend too?"
Qian Renxue was taken aback by his sudden question, her light purple eyes filled with confusion, as if she hadn't processed why he would ask this.
Seeing her reaction, Su Yu cleared his throat lightly, deliberately putting on a stern face with a hint of "threat":
"You'd better think carefully before answering—this answer will directly affect Xiao Hui's future quality of life!"
"Whether Xiao Hui gets dried meat with every meal or has to gnaw on bones depends entirely on your answer!"
At his words, Qian Renxue instantly burst out with a "pfft" of laughter.
The tears that hadn't yet dried in her eyes rolled down her cheeks, landing at the corner of her mouth—salty and bitter, yet strangely lightening the earlier heaviness.
She turned her face away, wiping the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand, her voice carrying a hint of awkward mumbling:
"Who... who wants to be friends with you."
Despite her words, her tone lacked its previous sharpness, instead carrying a barely perceptible softening.
Su Yu looked at her reddened earlobes and understood, but deliberately pressed further:
"Oh? So Xiao Hui will have to gnaw bones from now on?"
"How dare you!" Qian Renxue immediately widened her eyes, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"Xiao Hui is my friend—you must treat him well!"
"That depends on his owner's attitude," Su Yu raised an eyebrow slightly. "If his owner doesn't even acknowledge me as a friend, why should I be good to him?"
Qian Renxue was left speechless by his retort. After stewing for a moment, she finally huffed out:
"...Fine, I'll reluctantly count you as one!"
After speaking, as if afraid her thoughts would be seen through, she turned and ran, her steps light and swift as if carried by the wind.
Qian Renxue hadn't gone far before she stopped, though she didn't turn back, only speaking softly:
"The secret base… don't forget it."
"I won't forget," Su Yu's voice was especially clear in the night breeze. "I'll bring Xiao Hui to visit often."
Only when that figure disappeared at the end of the corridor did Su Yu slowly withdraw his gaze.
He looked down at the handkerchief in his hand, then raised his head to gaze in the direction she had vanished, murmuring softly:
"That's more like it."
It was at this moment that the system's voice sounded in Su Yu's mind.
"Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing the mission. Kagura Mind's Eye has been distributed!"
Su Yu was overjoyed and decided to try it out immediately!
As his Soul Power spread out, every movement within five hundred meters fell within his perception.
And this was just the initial use!
To think the maximum range of Kagura Mind's Eye could extend up to ten li around the user!
This was truly a divine skill, essential for both home and travel, especially for finding Soul Beasts!
Turning our attention back to Qian Renxue—
With a lingering smile on her face, Qian Renxue walked briskly back to the Hall of Worship.
Just as she pushed open the door to her room, she saw Qian Daoliu sitting by the bed.
His golden hair shimmered softly under the lamplight, his expression carrying a hint of barely noticeable gravity.
"Xiao Xue, where have you been?" Qian Daoliu spoke, his voice gentle yet tinged with inquiry.
Qian Renxue's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively tugged at the corner of her clothes, mumbling vaguely:
"I didn't go anywhere, just… just felt bored and went out for a walk."
"Xiao Xue, you're lying," Qian Daoliu looked at her, his eyes full of understanding. "You always unconsciously tug at your clothes when you lie."
Hearing this, Qian Renxue let go of her clothes as if scalded, quickly lowering her head.
Her long eyelashes veiled the emotions in her eyes; she didn't dare meet her grandfather's gaze.
Seeing her like this, Qian Daoliu sighed softly, stood up from the bedside, and walked over to her.
He reached out and gently stroked the top of her head, his movements filled with affection:
"Xiao Xue, have you already found out… about her wanting you to go to the Heaven Dou Empire?"
Qian Renxue's shoulders trembled almost imperceptibly. After a moment of silence, she finally nodded, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum:
"Yes."
"Silly child," Qian Daoliu's voice was pained. "Do you know how dangerous that place is? Grandpa will never let you take such a risk. I've already spoken to her—this matter ends here, understand?"
Qian Renxue lifted her head, her eyes slightly red, and looked at her grandfather's aged yet resolute face, whispering:
"Grandpa, I… I've already promised her."
"You promised her?" Qian Daoliu frowned deeply, his tone urgent. "How could you agree? That's an infiltration mission, not a vacation—it's like placing yourself on the edge of a blade! You…"
"Grandpa," Qian Renxue interrupted him, a trace of stubbornness in her light purple eyes. "I am a member of the Qian family and part of the Spirit Hall. Since she believes I can contribute to the Spirit Hall, I want to give it a try! And…"
She paused, her voice dropping lower. "Maybe this way, she'll treat me… a little better."
Seeing the faint yet stubborn hope in his granddaughter's eyes, Qian Daoliu felt as if something had clenched in his heart, aching and bitter.
He knew how deeply she yearned for that maternal love, but must this longing be exchanged at the cost of her own safety?
He remained silent for a long while before speaking slowly, his voice thick with resignation:
"You stubborn child... why must you be so unyielding?"