Qian Renxue lowered her head and said nothing.
She knew all of this already. But every time she thought of the argument with her mother that day, a deep sorrow welled up in her chest.
Bibi Dong looked on coldly, her scepter slamming into the ground with a loud boom.
"Call me 'Sister'! You're not worthy of calling me by my name!"
Qian Renxue clenched her fists tightly, her hoarse voice trembling with pain and rage:
"What did I do wrong?! For you to treat me like this—do I have to disappear for you to be happy?"
Bibi Dong sneered.
"You didn't do anything wrong. But your very existence is a mistake."
Qian Renxue's chest rose and fell violently, fury burning in her eyes. Looking up at the lofty, distant figure of Bibi Dong, rebellion surged in her heart.
"In your eyes, I'll never be more important than the Pope's throne, right?"
"That's right."
"Heh." Qian Renxue stared at her for a long time. There was no affection in her eyes—only cold determination. Then, she turned around decisively.
"Just wait. I'll prove that I surpass you in every way. I'll reject everything about you. I'll take on that mission."
A cold wind blew, lifting Qian Renxue's long hair. The vast Pope's Hall felt less like a sacred place and more like a suffocating prison.
Tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her face. Her sorrow choked her, and her rage threatened to burst from her chest.
She didn't hesitate as she walked away. She knew that this time, she and Bibi Dong were truly, completely estranged.
Once her figure vanished from sight, Bibi Dong slowly returned to the Pope's throne and sat down.
A strange gleam flickered in her eyes. Her expression shifted erratically, caught between light and shadow.
Dark, violent energy began to rise from her body. Bibi Dong trembled slightly—her whole presence distorted by the evil aura.
Only after a long time did her eyes regain clarity.
She murmured to herself:
"You can't stay by my side. I'm afraid I won't be able to stop myself... from killing you."
Qian Renxue shook her head and looked up at Lin Feng.
"I have to go, Xiao Feng. I have my reasons—can you understand?"
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Lin Feng paused. He could tell there was a deeper purpose behind her decision to go to Heaven Dou. He wasn't strong enough yet to make her stay.
He sighed quietly.
"Alright. But we have to keep in touch. And don't slack off on your cultivation—wasting talent is disgraceful."
Qian Renxue giggled.
"You sound like a parent. Are you sure you're not my guardian or something?"
"Aren't I? I always thought I raised you. You've always been so clueless—always asking me for help."
Qian Renxue blushed, puffing her cheeks slightly.
"Don't be ridiculous. You're not like other people. You've read through all the theory books. Why wouldn't I ask a walking encyclopedia?"
"Sister Ling Yuan?"
"Yes, young master?"
Qian Renxue's tone softened. "While I'm away, I'll have to trouble you to keep an eye on Xiao Feng."
As the heir of Spirit Hall, she knew Ling Yuan wouldn't dare cross any lines—not with her watching. She was confident in herself.
Even though she was still young, hints of her stunning future beauty were already apparent. Her features were exquisite like a painting—skin like snow, a cold noble air surrounding her since her spirit awakened. Her figure had already started to take shape.
In her eyes, as long as Lin Feng wasn't stupid—especially after that kiss the other day—there was no way he could escape her grasp.
"Yes."
Lin Feng looked between the two women a little awkwardly. They were both smiling, but... why did he feel a sudden chill?
He thought to himself—maybe he could convince Qian Renxue to stay. In the end, whether she could go still depended on Qian Daoliu's final decision.
Bibi Dong had only just taken over and didn't yet have full control over Spirit Hall. With her mind clouded by the Rakshasa God's influence, her condition was unstable and her judgment extreme. That's probably why Qian Daoliu decided to send Qian Renxue away.
In his eyes, the Angel God's inheritance was the true priority.
He didn't want to see the mother and daughter hurt each other any further. And with Qian Renxue's innate soul power having ten divine-gifted levels, it was almost certain she was the next Angel God.
Even if she matured slowly, Qian Daoliu wasn't worried about her inheriting the god position.
Sending her away to grow, avoiding Bibi Dong, and then bringing her back for the divine trials wasn't a bad plan.
But—what if there were things that could help her grow faster? What if there was another path?
"Heaven Dou, huh..."
Lin Feng nodded to himself. Maybe this was his chance to find Dugu Bo and collect the immortal herbs early. And since Qian Renxue was heading there, there was no reason he couldn't go too.
And if Dugu Bo refused to give up the herbs? Well... then he'd get to see just how "weak" this Titled Douluo really was.
Though honestly, that seemed unlikely. In the original story, Dugu Bo was a man of strong principles. He supported Tang San out of gratitude, even sacrificing his life in the end.
Yet Tang San didn't seem to leave much for Dugu Bo or his granddaughter—Dugu Yan's spirit even went extinct later, and the Ice-Fire Yin-Yang Well became the Tang Clan's private garden.
"Xiao Xue, can you take me to see the Grand Worshipper? I have something I need to report."
Qian Renxue gave him a look, her finger brushing her lips casually.
"From now on, you should just call him Grandpa, alright?"
Her gesture made Lin Feng's heart stir involuntarily. Before he could think too much, he nodded like he was under a spell.
Far away, beneath the Angel statue, Qian Daoliu—who'd been secretly eavesdropping—twitched at the corner of his mouth.
He regretted letting Qian Renxue get close to Lin Feng in the first place. Great, now his precious granddaughter was being taken.
Qian Renxue laughed softly and leaned close to Lin Feng, her breath brushing against his ear:
"As thanks for those notes... want another taste?"
Lin Feng's ears turned red, but he nodded seriously.
Qian Renxue, however, blushed even deeper—ears flushed scarlet. But she looked very satisfied with his reaction.
Little Lin Feng... you're totally in my hands.
Ling Yuan silently clicked her tongue. From a distance, she gazed up the mountain.
"'Taste'? What taste?" Qian Daoliu frowned. He clearly didn't get the meaning.
Qian Renxue's lips moved silently. But Lin Feng understood what she was saying:
"Wait for me."
"Let's go. We'll see Grandpa. Once he sees what you've come up with, he'll be amazed."
At the base of the Angel God statue, the four of them gathered.
After Lin Feng presented his latest research—
Qian Daoliu looked at him deeply, then said, "I approve of you two going to Heaven Dou. But once Xiao Xue officially begins her mission, Lin Feng, you'll have to come back."
"Once things are stable there, you can meet again. It shouldn't take too long."
"And as for Lin Feng's research—I want it officially published only after you've returned from Heaven Dou and reached Soul Elder rank. The publication should credit only you."
The three of them were stunned. Ling Yuan even asked directly:
"Grand Worshipper, is it really wise to expose Lin Feng's work this early? With his current potential and the amplification from future techniques, he might reach Soul Elder before age twelve."
"He'd be famous before he's even strong enough to protect himself. Isn't that... risky?"
Qian Daoliu snorted.
"Some people can't even reach Soul Elder but still go around calling themselves 'masters.' Lin Feng's talents are real. And he has Spirit Hall behind him—who would dare touch him?"
"Besides, this technique could benefit countless spirit masters. The lower and middle classes will adore him. Even the top sects wouldn't dare act rashly—not after what happened to the Clear Sky Clan."