Qian Renxue knew this was a vital choice that would determine the future trajectory of her life and the fate of the Spirit Empire.
Should she remain confined to the conflicts of the continent, or embrace a grand future filled with the unknown yet holding infinite possibilities?
The reception room sank into a prolonged silence. Only the refined fragrance of the tea quietly wafted through the air.
The words had profoundly shaken not only Qian Renxue but also Gu Yuena, who sat quietly beside her.
An unprecedented surge of emotion flashed in her amethyst-like eyes. As the Dragon God's semi-core, once determined to seek revenge and restore the glory of the Soul Beasts, she had initially thought Lu Jingming's goal was to unify the Douluo Continent, use it as a foundation, invade the God Realm, and become its ruler, just like the original Dragon God.
Yet, at this moment, she realized she had underestimated the man's ambition.
How could his journey be contained by a mere God Realm?
His gaze reached toward the boundless multiverse, a concept even the Dragon God had never contemplated.
One Douluo Universe was clearly far too small to bear the weight of his progress and ambition.
Qian Renxue remained silent for a long time. The scent of tea lingered at her nose, but it could not calm the tempest in her heart.
The vision Lu Jingming painted was too grand, like suddenly unfolding the entire starry sky before her, making her previously clear goals seem insignificant.
However, beneath this massive shock, what she felt was not fear, but an... indescribable yearning.
She had become a God, gaining near-eternal life and power, but she had lost her closest grandfather, and her relationship with her mother had plummeted to freezing point.
The responsibility of the Angel God and the natural opposition to the Rakshasa God had placed her at the pinnacle of the Spirit Empire's power, yet she felt an unprecedented sense of loneliness and confusion.
What was the point of eternal life if all that remained was solitude and endless, covert struggle with her closest kin?
Lu Jingming's words were like a beam of light, dispelling the fog in her heart.
Leading the Spirit Hall—no, the Spirit Empire—into the multiverse? This goal was grand enough, grand enough that she had to dedicate everything to pursue it, grand enough to temporarily mask the inner pain and conflict.
If her grandfather's spirit watched over her, he would surely be gratified to see the Angelic faith spread to endless worlds, wouldn't he?
More importantly... did the existence of parallel worlds suggest a possibility... that perhaps in some temporal fragment, her grandfather was still well?
Or, when she grew powerful enough to transcend the boundaries of her current divine rank, could she... reverse the rules of life and death?
The thought of these possibilities sent a powerful ripple through Qian Renxue's long-stilled heart.
She had rediscovered her motivation and direction.
She lifted her head, the confusion in her eyes replaced by resolve. The golden divine light shone with unprecedented brilliance.
"Brother Lu."
Her voice was clear and forceful, carrying a sense of finality.
"I accept your proposal. I am willing to form an alliance with you and jointly explore the... Multiverse you speak of."
A sincere and joyful smile instantly blossomed on Lu Jingming's face, a smile so infectious it seemed to illuminate the very stars.
He was clearly delighted. Almost instinctively, he reached out and casually patted Qian Renxue's shoulder, a familiar and intimate gesture, as if she were a close friend he had known for years.
"Good, Sister Xue. Trust me, this will undoubtedly be the best decision you have ever made."
This seemingly casual physical contact immediately drew several gazes with different implications.
Gu Yuena's purple eyes narrowed slightly; an imperceptible chill flashed through them. She crossed her arms, her fingertips tapping lightly and unconsciously on her inner elbow. Subtle elemental fluctuations seemed to flash and vanish in the air.
Firefly blinked her large eyes, looking at Lu Jingming, then at Qian Renxue, and then silently stepped a small pace closer.
Even Castorice, who had always concealed her presence, silently moved closer to Lu Jingming.
Qian Renxue was incredibly perceptive and immediately noticed the subtle atmosphere.
She was momentarily stunned, and then a peculiar feeling arose in her heart.
After becoming a Goddess, worldly emotions should have supposedly faded, but at this moment, she actually sensed a strange emotion emanating from these women who clearly had an intimate relationship with Lu Jingming?
This struck her as novel, even... subtly triumphant.
At the same time, an even bolder idea quietly took root in her mind.
The continuation of the Angel lineage was crucial. Even as a God, she needed to consider the continuation of the bloodline to ensure that the Angel God's glory and power could shine perpetually.
After all, this was also what her grandfather had wished for—the Angel God's bloodline must be passed on.
Looking across the entire Douluo Continent, and even within the scope of her knowledge, who else could be worthy of her, Qian Renxue, the Angel God, and qualified to jointly conceive the most excellent offspring, besides this mysterious, powerful, ambitious, and devastatingly handsome Lu Jingming?
Furthermore, she clearly perceived a divine power within Lu Jingming that was deeper and more sublime than her own Angel God rank.
This meant his potential was boundless, and his future achievements might far surpass that of a Rank 1 God.
A union with him was not just for legacy but a powerful alliance. It held immeasurable benefits for solidifying the alliance and for the future of the Angel lineage.
Coupled with the fact that she already held a degree of admiration and goodwill for Lu Jingming.
With multiple factors interwoven, the look in Qian Renxue's eyes toward Lu Jingming inadvertently held a level of scrutiny and consideration that transcended mere alliance.
It was the gaze of a Goddess—possessive and strategic.
However, she did not immediately reveal this intent.
Gods possessed eternal time; there was no need to rush.
The priority now was to stabilize the alliance, respond to the changes in this world, and prepare for the magnificent journey into the multiverse.
As for the rest... she had all the time and patience in the world. The corner of Qian Renxue's lips curled into a smile that was devastatingly beautiful yet held a deep meaning.
"Then, Brother Lu."
She elegantly raised her teacup, using it to toast in place of wine.
"To our alliance, and to... a greater future."
"To the future."
Lu Jingming happily raised his cup. He sensed the feelings of Gu Yuena, Firefly, and the other girls, but he failed to detect the bold idea already brewing in the heart of his new ally.
The night was inky, the stars dotted the sky, and the bright moonlight draped a hazy silver veil over Tianshui City.
Qian Renxue did not stay long. As one of the actual leaders of the Spirit Empire, she needed to be constantly vigilant against her mother, Bibi Dong, whose actions were becoming increasingly aggressive and nearly insane.
The Rakshasa God's power was filled with malice and venom. Qian Renxue had to ensure that the Spirit Empire, this chariot of power, would not completely lose control and plunge into the abyss under Bibi Dong's command.
Carrying the newly formed alliance and a mind full of reflections, she transformed into a stream of light and vanished into the night.
On the highest terrace of Qunyu Pavilion, the night wind blew gently, bringing the faint fragrance of distant flora.
Gu Yuena stood alone by the railing. Her silver hair flowed with a cool brilliance in the moonlight. Her amethyst-like eyes gazed at the infinite night sky. Her exquisite profile carried a hint of complex emotion that was hard to perceive.
A soft sound of footsteps arose behind her. Lu Jingming walked slowly to her side and looked with her at the brilliant sea of stars.
"Why aren't you with Firefly and Castorice? Why come looking for me?"
Gu Yuena did not turn around, her voice cool, carrying a hint of elusive bitterness that even she had not fully clarified.
Lu Jingming chuckled softly, his tone gentle: "They have their own things to do. As for you, being alone here—though the moonlight is beautiful, it seems lonely."
Gu Yuena finally turned her head. The moonlight clearly outlined her flawless face—a beauty that transcended the mundane, possessing divinity and nobility, starkly different from the delicate but not stunning appearance she had as Gu Yue.
Her purple eyes held a trace of inquiry, and she softly asked, "You... don't seem surprised at all by my current appearance?"
Lu Jingming turned to face her, his gaze candid and profound, carrying a depth that seemed to penetrate the surface: "Surprised? Why should I be surprised? Gu Yue is you, and Gu Yuena is also you."
"No matter how your appearance changes, your soul will not change, nor will the memories of our acquaintance. In my eyes, you are one and the same person, both the confidante whom I am willing to cherish."
His words were utterly sincere, without hesitation, like the moonlight currently pouring down. They instantly soothed the little unrest and distance in Gu Yuena's heart.
A warmth spread through her, but she immediately thought of a deeper issue—the responsibility and worry she could not shake off as the Soul Beast Co-Lord.
"Then... what about the future of the Soul Beasts? You've seen it. In this human-dominated world, the Soul Beasts' living space is continuously compressed. Hatred and slaughter loop endlessly. Even if I recover all my power, how easy is it to reverse this situation..."
Her voice carried a trace of imperceptible weariness and heaviness.
Furthermore, what worried her more was that the opposition between humans and Soul Beasts would eventually affect her relationship and future with Lu Jingming.
Lu Jingming's eyes grew serious. He took a step forward, closing the distance between them.
"Gu Yue, I have long considered your worries. If we only confine ourselves to this corner of the Douluo Continent, the accumulated grievances between humans and Soul Beasts are indeed difficult to resolve. But my goal has never been this one continent."
He pointed toward the vast starry sky, his tone carrying unprecedented confidence.
"I will find worlds more suitable for the Soul Beasts to live—vast and boundless, rich in resources, and far from the disturbances of humanity."
"At the same time, I will do my best to facilitate peaceful coexistence between the two races starting from a new point. It may sound difficult, but when the power of my Sea Abyss City is spread across the stars, when we possess the ability and authority to mediate conflicts across multiple worlds and civilizations, facilitating the coexistence of humans and Soul Beasts is not an impossible mission."
He paused, his gaze burning as he looked into Gu Yuena's shocked purple eyes: "Therefore, the things you worry about, the future you are anxious about, will not happen. As long as I am here, the future I do not allow will not come."
These words struck Gu Yuena's heart like a thunderclap.
He not only understood her dilemma but had already taken her responsibility upon himself, planning a way out for her that far exceeded her imagination.
It was no longer a struggle confined to one place but a grand future heading toward the sea of stars.
This thoughtfulness that prioritized her in all things, this assumption of her entire identity and responsibility, completely overwhelmed Gu Yuena's heart, which had been cold for countless years, with a surging heat.
"You... you saw all that?"
Gu Yuena tilted her head slightly, staring blankly at Lu Jingming.
The moonlight outlined his sharply defined profile, which was brimming with a confident smile capable of dispelling all shadows.
His words just now were not only a domineering declaration of his resolve to solve all problems, but they were also like an arrow, directly hitting the unspoken worry buried deep in her heart, which even she found difficult to fully articulate.
She was afraid—afraid that one day, the seemingly irreconcilable conflict between Soul Beasts and humans would inevitably surge like an unstoppable torrent, washing her and him apart, pushing them toward opposition.
That was the nightmare that entangled her heart more clearly as her power recovered.
Lu Jingming's gaze was deep and gentle, as if he could see into the deepest recesses of her soul.
He gently raised his hand and brushed away a strand of her silver hair that the night wind had disturbed from her cheek, his movement as soft as if touching a rare treasure.
"Gu Yue."
His voice was low and soothing, carrying a sense of reassurance.
"You are not good at hiding your emotions. How could I not notice? I also know what you are worried about."
He leaned in slightly, allowing their eyes to meet at a very close distance. His tone became incredibly firm, leaving no room for doubt.
"But I will say it again, listen closely, and remember it: Gu Yue, what you worry about will never happen. Whether you are Gu Yue or Gu Yuena, whether you bear the responsibility of the Soul Beast Co-Lord or anything else, you and I will never become enemies."
"I will accompany you on your path. I will share your responsibilities with you. Any force that attempts to separate us, I will crush."
This was not just a promise; it was a declaration, a confidence that was ingrained in his very being.
Gu Yuena felt an indescribable surge of warmth fiercely strike her chest. The warmth quickly spread throughout her limbs, shattering the emotional defenses she had built to protect herself all this time.
She subconsciously covered her chest, feeling her heart pound violently like a drum. Two streaks of red color uncontrollably bloomed on her fair cheeks, more intoxicating than the most beautiful sunset on the horizon.
In her amethyst-like eyes, the ice completely melted, leaving only sparkling water and overwhelming emotion and affection.
Driven by her feelings and the direction of her heart, Gu Yuena performed an action that followed her deepest self, forgetting all modesty and concerns.
She lightly rose onto her toes, her long, curled silver lashes fluttering shut like butterfly wings. With a hint of resolve and immense reverence, she actively pressed her cool, soft lips onto Lu Jingming's warm ones.
This was a kiss that transcended racial barriers, surpassed conflicts of stance, and originated purely from the attraction of the soul.
At this moment, Gu Yuena forgot the responsibility of the Soul Beast Co-Lord, and she forgot the political opposition between humans and Soul Beasts.