Looking at Qian Xunji, Ah Yin couldn't help but admit it.
This man in front of her was indeed exceptionally handsome and elegant, far more attractive than both Brother Xiao and Hao.
Moreover, the divine and radiant aura on his body made her feel very comfortable.
[Author's PS: Xiao Wu has an innate favorability buff towards Tang San who has the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline, so it's only natural for Ah Yin to have a favorable impression toward Qian Xunji, whose spirit is the Twelve-Winged Angel and emits a light-type aura. After all, plants need photosynthesis (^▽^)]
However, as a normal woman—
To be forced away from her friends, and even made to be someone's woman, with him acting like it was already decided, wanting her to bear his child…
Even if this person was handsome and charming, Ah Yin still felt a bit displeased and uncomfortable.
After all, no one likes to be forced.
"Why! You might as well kill me. Why do you insist on making me your woman?"
"I'm a soul beast! Don't you humans treat us like nothing more than beasts?"
Ah Yin's heart was filled with anger. She really wanted to question Qian Xunji.
But recalling his earlier threat—
"Miss Ah Yin, you wouldn't want your soul beast identity to be exposed, would you?"
Ah Yin could only swallow her rage.
Because she truly didn't want her identity as a soul beast to be discovered by Brother Xiao and Brother Hao.
Since she was destined to leave…
She hoped that in Tang Xiao and Tang Hao's memories, she would always remain that kind and gentle woman—
Not… a plant.
Although when Qian Xunji arrived earlier with Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, Tang Xiao had instinctively stepped in front of her…
Ah Yin still didn't think Tang Xiao had realized her true identity.
In her mind—
Big Brother Tang Xiao was just reacting the same way he would when facing evil soul masters, instinctively protecting her.
The next morning, in the hotel room—
Tang Hao, after a night of heavy drinking, slowly opened his blurry eyes from his sleep.
Yawning, he rubbed his eyes with both hands, shook his head hard to drive away his drowsiness, and began to get up.
Thinking about how the Pope of Spirit Hall had admired him last night and kept drinking with him—
Tang Hao felt quite proud and satisfied.
'That Qian Xunji… has good eyes. He can tell that I, Tang Hao, am a young hero!'
'But even so, I'll surpass you in the future. I'll become the youngest Titled Douluo in the continent!'
'I'll restore the glory of my Clear Sky Clan! Make the Clear Sky Clan great again!'
After getting up—
Tang Hao opened the door, ready to find Big Brother Tang Xiao and Third Sister Ah Yin to go out for breakfast together.
But what he saw was Tang Xiao sitting alone on the corridor's railing, looking desolate and sorrowful as he stared blankly into the distance.
"Big Brother!"
Tang Hao walked over with a smile and patted Tang Xiao on the shoulder.
"Where's Third Sister?"
"Let's go eat together, then leave this Sino City to keep adventuring!"
But upon hearing this, Tang Xiao simply turned his head, his gaze complicated as he looked at Tang Hao.
He shook his head bitterly and sorrowfully, speaking with self-mockery.
"There's no chance anymore. We won't have another chance to adventure with Third Sister again."
"What?!"
Hearing this, Tang Hao's expression changed drastically.
In the hotel's main hall—
Qian Xunji retrieved a lavish golden throne from his Holy Spirit Ring and sat down in the hall.
Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan and Ghost Douluo Gui Mei stood respectfully behind him.
Ah Yin was wearing a long blue-silver dress, seated on a chair beside Qian Xunji. She lowered her head, dazed, her beautiful eyes filled with complexity and sorrow.
"Third Sister! Third Sister!"
Just then, the hurried sound of someone descending the stairs came, along with Tang Hao's urgent and pained voice.
Soon, Tang Hao appeared at the foot of the stairs.
His eyes were red, his face full of sorrow and grief. He rushed over to Ah Yin, choking on his words.
"Third Sister! Third Sister!"
"Didn't we say we'd adventure together, see all the sights the world has to offer?"
"Why… why are you suddenly leaving us?!"
Hearing Tang Hao's words, Ah Yin's heart also ached.
Although things weren't like in the original story—she had only known Tang Xiao and Tang Hao for half a year, not the full three years of companionship and shared experience like before—
Her feelings for them, especially Tang Hao, were still limited to sworn sibling affection, with a budding fondness.
That fondness hadn't yet grown into love.
But the emotions built over six months of living together day and night weren't fake.
And Tang Xiao and Tang Hao had indeed cared for her deeply, always looking after her.
Now, they had to part ways.
Ah Yin was filled with sorrow.
But she had no choice!
Faced with Qian Xunji and the two Titled Douluo by his side—
She could only leave with them.
She didn't want to bring trouble to her two brothers.
Even more, she didn't want them to learn the truth about her soul beast identity.
So, Ah Yin's beautiful eyes welled with tears, but she forced herself to hold them back.
Her picturesque features, so delicate and gentle, couldn't conceal the sorrow in her forced smile.
"Hao-ge… I'm sorry."
"But after half a year of adventuring, I'm truly tired. Yesterday, I met His Holiness the Pope and fell in love at first sight."
"I want to go with him to Spirit City and live a peaceful and happy life."
Hearing this, Tang Hao felt like he'd been struck by lightning. He was overwhelmed with grief.
His heart shattered, and he cried out in despair, looking up at the sky.
"No! Nooo!"
"Ah Yin! You're lying to me, right?!"
"It must've been that damned Qian Xunji who forced you!"
As he said that, Tang Hao's bloodshot eyes filled with hatred and anger locked furiously onto Qian Xunji.
His fists clenched tightly, veins bulging.
Anger! He was furious!
Thinking back to yesterday, when he had been tricked into drinking by this damn Pope of Spirit Hall—
He had thought Qian Xunji had sharp eyes and good taste, recognizing him as a young hero, a dragon among men!
But unexpectedly, this damn, cunning Pope had taken advantage of that chance to steal his beloved Third Sister Ah Yin away!
Pain! It was unbearable pain!
At this moment, Tang Hao felt like a tragic man who brought his neighbor Old Wang home to drink, got himself drunk, and woke up to find his wife had been taken by Old Wang.
His heart surged with boundless grief and resentment.
He couldn't contain it!
It was utterly uncontrollable!
"How dare you!"
Behind him, upon hearing Tang Hao speak so rudely to the Pope, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo shouted angrily and stepped forward.
They were ready to teach this insolent brat a harsh lesson!
But they were stopped by Qian Xunji, who smiled and raised his hand.
After all, he had promised Ah Yin that he wouldn't lay a hand on Tang Xiao or Tang Hao over mere words.
"Hao!"
Seeing Tang Hao speak rudely toward Qian Xunji, Tang Xiao immediately shouted angrily, stopping Tang Hao.
Because he already knew Ah Yin's true identity—
Though his own heart was also filled with grief—
After learning from Ah Yin that Qian Xunji was interested in her and wouldn't harm her—
Tang Xiao had already accepted it.
With the strength of just the two of them and the Clear Sky Clan—
They couldn't protect Ah Yin at all.
Only Qian Xunji, with the power of Spirit Hall, could truly keep her safe.
To let go, and to bless—
Was perhaps another form of happiness.