Xue Tianyu smiled.
Then, under Bi Ji's guidance, he stepped into the core area.
Bi Ji didn't follow him inside.
As soon as Xue Tianyu entered, he was immediately captivated by the pristine and breathtaking scenery before him.
The environment was tranquil, the trees lush and vibrant. Even within the Star Dou Forest, such a place was rare—filled with life and vitality.
Soon, he spotted a figure sitting on a wooden stump in the middle of a grassy field. She was hugging her slender, jade-like legs.
Gu Yuena.
She had one of the most beautiful faces he had ever seen.
Her bare, delicate feet lightly touched the grass beneath her simple white blouse. The fresh green grass made her fair legs look even more exquisite.
Her soft, delicate face had an ethereal gaze, as if the entire essence of the forest was gathered upon her.
She was stunning.
Xue Tianyu rarely praised a woman's beauty. After all, growing up around Xue Di and Bing Di had made him accustomed to seeing beautiful women.
Yet, Gu Yuena was the first woman outside of them to truly amaze him.
"You went through all this trouble, even capturing Di Tian, just to see me. What exactly do you want?"
Gu Yuena's voice was melodious and ethereal. Even a nightingale's song would seem dull in comparison.
"I just want to ask how a soul beast can survive the tribulation when it reaches its lifespan limit." Xue Tianyu looked into Gu Yuena's eyes and asked sincerely.
That was his purpose.
He had vowed to help Xue Di and Bing Di break free from the constraints of their lifespan.
Gu Yuena's delicate brows arched slightly, a soft smile appearing on her face.
"So, you're trying to help those two soul beasts overcome their tribulation."
She released her divine sense, easily sensing the conditions of Bing Di and Xue Di.
"Their tribulations aren't far off," she said.
"But from what I can see, they have little chance of surviving."
She turned her gaze back to Xue Tianyu. "You know I'm not lying, or else you wouldn't have come looking for me."
Hearing Gu Yuena's words, Xue Tianyu felt his heart sink. A wave of tension surged through him.
He knew she had no reason to deceive him.
Deep down, he had already realized that Xue Di and Bing Di would struggle to survive on their own.
"What can I do to help them survive the tribulation?" he asked.
Gu Yuena smiled. With a graceful push against the wooden stump, she landed softly on the grass.
Her fair, delicate feet stepped onto the damp grass, bringing a fresh, fragrant breeze as she approached Xue Tianyu.
"There is a way."
She leaned in close, studying his eyes.
"And this method—only I can make it happen."
Xue Tianyu's eyes lit up, and he immediately said, "Please, help us. I'm willing to pay any price."
"I can."
Gu Yuena agreed without hesitation. However, after scanning Xue Tianyu from head to toe, she suddenly smiled mischievously.
"But you'll have to do something for me in return."
Standing before him, her slender, delicate hand traced along his face before gently lifting his chin.
Her violet eyes gleamed with a sly, playful light.
In that moment, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
…
Inside Spirit Hall.
After Bibi Dong left, Qian Daoliu took Qian Renxue with him to the Worship Hall.
Since the Pope's chambers belonged to Bibi Dong, it wasn't appropriate for him to linger there—especially with so many of her personal belongings.
On the way from the Pope's Palace back to the Worship Hall, Qian Renxue had been crying the entire time.
Tears streamed down her angelic face, making her look even more heart-wrenchingly pitiful.
Her tears fell like raindrops onto the ground.
"Grandfather, Bibi Dong is so cruel! How could she do this?!"
"How could she be so heartless?!"
Qian Daoliu gently stroked Qian Renxue's head. "Be good, don't cry. Your mother has always been like this. You should be used to it by now."
"Come with me to the Worship Hall. From now on, you never have to return to this Spirit Hall again."
"No, this time is different."
Qian Renxue pushed away Qian Daoliu's hand and stubbornly looked at him.
"Grandfather, you don't understand. Bibi Dong… she killed my brother. My own flesh and blood!"
"Your brother?"
Qian Daoliu stopped walking.
"She told you?"
He had originally planned to tell Qian Renxue himself once he found the boy, but it seemed Bibi Dong couldn't keep it to herself.
"Yes…"
Thinking of Bibi Dong's words, Qian Renxue, who had just barely stopped crying, broke down again.
"How could she kill her own flesh and blood?!"
"A woman that cruel doesn't deserve to be my mother!"
Seeing Qian Renxue drowning in sorrow, Qian Daoliu sighed deeply.
"Foolish child."
He knew that if he kept this secret any longer, Qian Renxue would cry endlessly.
"Your brother… he isn't dead."
"What?"
Qian Renxue was stunned.
"But Bibi Dong said it herself…"
She was shocked but quickly dismissed it, thinking that Qian Daoliu was just trying to comfort her.
Bibi Dong had said it with her own mouth—how could it not be true?
However, Qian Daoliu simply smiled and reached out to wipe away her tears.
"Since when have I ever lied to you?"
"Your brother is alive."
"But…"
Still filled with doubt, Qian Renxue followed Qian Daoliu into the Worship Hall.
She didn't want to believe that Bibi Dong had lied to her. After all, what reason would she have to?
Inside the Worship Hall, Qian Daoliu led her to the Angel God's statue.
He turned to face Qian Renxue.
"Do you know that our Qian family has carried the Angel bloodline since ancient times?"
Seeing her still hesitant expression, Qian Daoliu decided to tell her about the successor.
"I know…" Qian Renxue nodded.
Qian Daoliu continued, "For every generation in our Qian family, the first person to awaken the Angel Martial Soul gains the right to inherit the Angel God's position."
He pointed at Qian Renxue and smiled faintly.
"The proof that your brother is still alive… is that you still haven't received the Angel God's inheritance."
"You may be unsure whether to believe me or Bibi Dong, but surely you won't doubt the Angel God, will you?"
Qian Renxue was stunned.
That's right.
Both Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu might have their own reasons for lying to her, but the Angel God—an existence above all mortals—wouldn't go along with such deception.
Suddenly, Qian Renxue covered her mouth, trying to suppress another wave of tears.
Her brother… really wasn't dead?
If even the Angel God confirmed it, then he had to be alive!
'When all hope seemed lost, a new path appeared.'
A spark of hope ignited in Qian Renxue's heart.
She was eager—eager to see her brother again.
For all these years, he had been alone… how much had he suffered?
Thinking of this, fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
Yet this time, her expression held a firm determination.
"Grandfather, I will find my brother! I will make Bibi Dong regret everything she has done!"