Soul Land—Chapter 122: Qian Daoliu: Look into My Eyes and Tell Me
At that moment, Ling Qianyao's mouth corners slightly lifted in happiness.
Half an hour later, Qian Renxue and her two companions prepared to head to the Pope's Palace to meet the Pope.
After careful consideration, Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo decided to visit Qian Daoliu beforehand, to avoid provoking his anger when Qian Renxue revealed everything herself.
In the center of the Elder Hall stood a huge six-winged angel statue, quietly majestic. Its pure white wings shimmered with holy brilliance under the faint light in the hall, radiating an undeniable sacred aura rippling like gentle waves.
At the base of the statue sat a figure cross-legged.
From his appearance, this person looked to be around forty years old—handsome, tall, dressed in a simple, neat gray robe. His temperament was approachable, yet beneath that, there was a depth and majesty forged over years of experience.
He was the great worshiper of the Spirit Hall, one of the three Ultimate Douluos in the world—Qian Daoliu.
"Greetings to the great worshiper," Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo knelt on one knee, their voices full of awe.
Qian Daoliu slowly opened his eyes and smiled. "Snake Lance Douluo, Porcupinefish Douluo, long time no see."
Unlike his youthful appearance, his voice carried a hint of age, adding a touch of vicissitude to his countenance.
He stood up slowly. "Get up. I told you long ago, that you don't need to be so formal in front of me—just speak casually." He raised a hand gently, and a gentle yet irresistible force lifted Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo.
Then he smiled and asked, "Since you've arrived, Xiaoxue should have returned as well. Did she go to the Pope's Palace?"
Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo exchanged glances. The former gritted his teeth and replied, "Reporting to the great worshiper, the young miss is preparing to go to the Pope's Palace with two new companions to meet Her Holiness the Pope."
"Good. I've already heard about this in your letter. The two 12-year-old Soul Elders are indeed talented.
The child from the Zhu family seems to have some issues, but since she's on good terms with Xiaoxue if Star Luo Empire causes any trouble in the future, I can help." He smiled, and Qian Renxue looked very happy to have found such a friend who could share her secrets.
Qian Renxue's childhood in Spirit City had not been easy. She lacked love from her parents, and her inner pride made her look down on peers less talented than herself. Now, meeting a partner and feeling some warmth brought her relief. Naturally, Qian Daoliu felt reassured.
Snake Lance Douluo continued, "That's right. The identities of Ling Qianyao and Zhu Zhuqing are somewhat special."
Qian Daoliu was startled.
"Special? Hmm… Ling Qianyao's Star-Breaking Sword Martial Soul is very powerful—probably not inferior to my Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul. It might even be a mutant Martial Soul. Could there be a sect behind this child?"
"Uh..." Snake Lance Douluo hesitated, then took a deep breath. "It's not just that. There's more—"
He endured the discomfort and explained everything to Qian Daoliu: Ling Qianyao and Qian Renxue's martial soul fusion skills, Qian Renxue's affection for him, Zhu Zhuqing's relationship with Ling Qianyao, and some intimate details between Qian Renxue and Ling Qianyao that Snake Lance Douluo had deliberately omitted.
As Snake Lance Douluo recounted, the smile on Qian Daoliu's face gradually faded, replaced by a grave expression.
The Snake Lance Douluo, sensing his change in demeanor, remained silent.
"That's the situation, great worshiper," Snake Lance Douluo said, wiping cold sweat from his forehead. "Can resonate with the Six-Winged Angel Soul? And the Martial Soul Fusion Technique isn't even dominated by the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul?" Qian Daoliu murmured in his heart. "Another God-level Martial Soul. This child, I'm afraid, has a chance to become a god. He could be a good match for Xiao Xue…"
He raised his head again, looking at the Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo below, unsure what to say for a moment.
Good news: Qian Renxue had found a good friend. But the bad news… was that it was almost too good.
Qian Daoliu really couldn't understand how, with Qian Renxue's personality, that Zhu Zhuqing could be tolerated by her. Was it because of the subtle emotional entanglement? Or simply because she came later?
He paced the hall, his mind swirling. This was his precious granddaughter—the apple of the elders' eyes—yet she was giving herself away?
"Alas, but what can I say? This is Xiao Xue's choice. However, I must investigate that Ling Qianyao thoroughly... Damn it, when I was pursuing Xixi back then, why wasn't it this smooth."
He stopped, his face serious again, and looked at Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo. "Look into my eyes and tell me—what is the extent of their relationship?!"
Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo trembled. Snake Lance Douluo gritted his teeth and carefully replied, "Great worshiper, according to our observations, the young miss and Ling Qianyao are very close—they have feelings for each other. But the deeper relationship between them should not have broken through yet."
Qian Daoliu's expression softened slightly. At least they still had some sense of propriety. He was truly a little afraid that Qian Renxue would bring him a great-granddaughter.
He would probably be happy, but he estimated that he would be afraid of leaving a knot in his heart due to the birth of a new life before his sacrifice.
If it happened so soon, Ling Qianyao would be as good as dead in his eyes.
Regaining his composure, Qian Daoliu said again, "I told you to keep an eye on Xiaoxue. Who told you to get up?"
Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo looked at each other, then knelt again.
"Hmph."
Qian Daoliu waved his hand, lifting the two. "No need to pretend. Xiaoxue has a strong personality—you probably can't stop her from doing what she wants. It's not your fault."
He gestured to Snake Lance Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo. "But I want to understand—what kind of ability does this kid have that makes my Xiaoxue so infatuated? Tell me everything about Ling Qianyao—from his background and growth experience to his personality, hobbies, and Martial Soul skills. Nothing should be left out."
"Yes, great priest."
Meanwhile, in the Pope's Palace—
Bibi Dong sat on the Pope's throne, holding a gemstone scepter. Her graceful figure was draped in a purple-gold robe that accentuated her elegance.
Her fair skin and nearly perfect face resembled Qian Renxue's, but the aura of nobility on her body made her presence even more compelling.
Even Qian Renxue, at this moment, seemed somewhat overshadowed by Bibi Dong's unique temperament.
"Long time no see, sister," Qian Renxue said, looking directly at Bibi Dong with a hint of complex emotion in her eyes.
A faint flash of coldness and pain flickered across Bibi Dong's face, but she quickly regained her composure. "Qian Renxue, what is the purpose of your visit?"
(End of this chapter)