"Alright, you pretty much understand Tang San's situation. I'm leaving."
Watching Ning Bei's retreating figure, Bibi Dong's eyes were momentarily lost in thought. The phrase "Little Snow only cared if he had been here" echoed repeatedly in her ears. There was a time when she too had yearned for someone to secretly glance at her from the shadows, but nothing ever went as she wished.
Arriving at the Back Mountain, Ning Bei ascended the steps of the Angel Temple one by one, just in case the Little Angel threw another tantrum about him not respecting the Angel God.
The ancient temple doors came into view. Without hesitation, Ning Bei stepped forward and knocked.
"Creak."
As the temple doors opened, the figures of several Elders appeared one after another. Seeing that it was Ning Bei, their expressions varied.
"Oh, isn't this Big Brother's grandson-in-law who disappeared for two years?"
"Who says he isn't? It's rare for this kid to still remember Little Snow."
"Yeah, Little Snow stands in front of the temple for a long time before each trial begins, just waiting for a certain scoundrel to come see her. If it weren't for the God Test, she might have turned into a rock waiting for her husband."
Compared to the Elders' teasing, Qian Daoliu's face darkened considerably. He looked at Ning Bei and snorted coldly.
"Hmph, what are you here for?"
Knowing he was in the wrong, Ning Bei immediately put on a fawning smile.
"Look at what you're saying, Old Man. Of course, I'm here to see Snow'er. As for disappearing for two years, there was a reason. Otherwise, this kid would have come long ago."
"Hmm? Tell me what reason kept you from seeing Little Snow for two years."
Hearing this, Ning Bei spoke about the content of the two years of trials, causing the Elders to instantly become serious.
"The Ice God's Ninth Trial. I spent two years in it and only managed to pass the phased trial by chance."
"What? You completed the Ninth Trial? Didn't you become a god then?"
Guang Ling, who had some understanding of the number of God Tests, immediately exclaimed in surprise, looking at Ning Bei with fear in his eyes, wondering if a god was standing before him.
The Golden Crocodile beside him gave him a disdainful glance.
"Third Brother, didn't this kid just say he completed the trial in phases?"
"Uh, you're right. That means there are still trials to come."
"Kid, tell us the details. Maybe Little Snow's Ninth Trial will be similar."
Compared to the others who were concerned about whether Ning Bei had become a god, Qian Daoliu was more concerned about the content of his Ninth Trial, wanting to see if it could serve as a sample for his granddaughter.
"Well, it's mainly a test of the examinee's mind. The illusions inside can easily make people lose their way, eventually making it hard to distinguish between reality and illusion. But you don't need to worry, I believe Snow'er will succeed."
"Hmm."
Qian Daoliu nodded. Although he didn't know exactly what would be tested, he had a general idea from Ning Bei's few words. He also believed his granddaughter would succeed.
"By the way, Old Man, compared to the trial, I have even better news for you."
"Oh? Tell me?"
Knowing that Ning Bei hadn't forgotten his granddaughter, Qian Daoliu's expression became much kinder. Hearing about good news concerning himself, he immediately smiled.
"I can ensure that you won't need to sacrifice yourself to activate Snow'er's Ninth God Test."
"Really?"
"Kid, you're not kidding, are you?"
Even more excited than Qian Daoliu were the group of old brothers beside him. They knew that Qian Daoliu would eventually need to sacrifice himself to pave the Road to Godhood for Little Snow. For this, Qian Daoliu had already instructed them on his affairs countless times. Now that they heard there was a way to avoid all of this, how could they not be excited?
Although Qian Daoliu didn't speak, the anticipation in his eyes couldn't be hidden.
"You seniors should also know that my Ice God Trial doesn't have a guardian accompanying me. If I follow this method, wouldn't I be unable to undergo the Ninth Trial?"
"So that means there really is a way?"
Golden Crocodile seemed very excited. Ning Bei had just said that he had gone to undergo the Ninth Trial in the past two years, which meant that the other party truly possessed a method to open the Road to Godhood without a guardian's sacrifice.
Ning Bei nodded and shared the matter of the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill with the old men.
After hearing this, the smile on Qian Daoliu's face lingered for a long time.
"Good, it's great to be able to see the day Little Snow becomes a god."
"That's right, Big Brother. This way, Little Snow won't have to be sad then."
"That's right, that's right. Just thinking about how sad Little Snow will be for the rest of her life makes me feel uncomfortable."
After sighing, Qian Daoliu turned his gaze back to Ning Bei, his eyes softening a few shades.
"Little Bei, Grandpa Qian owes you a favor."
Ning Bei blinked, a mischievous smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, and he teased:
"Are you sure it's not two?"
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, not only Qian Daoliu, but even the Elders beside him were stunned at the same time.
"Why two? You kid are insatiable."
"Grandpa Qian, have you forgotten that there's someone on Sea God Island who almost became Snow'er's grandmother? Don't you have to acknowledge half of that favor?"
"Cough cough..."
Qian Daoliu's old face flushed, and he quickly pretended to cough to cover up his awkward expression. Under the scrutinizing gazes of his old brothers, he nodded subtly.
"Consider it two. You did well."
"That makes it easy. When Snow'er and I have children in the future, you can raise them. That's not too much, is it?"
"Alright, alright, you call the shots. Remember, be sure to deliver the pills."
Qian Daoliu had no resistance at all to raising children for Ning Bei and his granddaughter. After all, the bond between grandparents and grandchildren wasn't just talk, let alone two generations apart, which was even closer.
Compared to Qian Daoliu's willing agreement, Guang Ling and the others glared at Ning Bei unkindly.
"That's not right. Big Brother is raising your children, what are you two going to do?"
Hearing Guang Ling's words, Ning Bei immediately showed a look of disdain.
"Of course, I'm going to take Snow'er to all the places we can go. I don't even want to talk about you guys. You threw a nine-year-old child into the treacherous Imperial Palace, and she hasn't been able to live her own life until now. You actually have the nerve to ask."
"Tch, even dogs would shake their heads at this."
Ning Bei's blunt words left the several old men, who together were nearly a thousand years old, speechless. They all lowered their heads, looking ashamed, especially Qian Daoliu, whose eyes showed a hint of heartache.
"Sigh, you're right. It's indeed our problem, us old folks. Little Snow would definitely want to live her own life with you."
At the mention of this, Ning Bei immediately snapped back to attention.
"Oh, right, Grandpa Qian, where's Snow'er? Is she undergoing a trial?"
"Come with me."
Without further explanation, Qian Daoliu composed himself and turned to walk towards the back of the temple. Ning Bei followed closely without any hesitation.
Arriving at the back hall, beneath a massive Angel God Statue, a giant golden cocoon floated in mid-air. The Angel God Statue's hands were positioned on either side of the light cocoon, as if supporting it. Ning Bei could sense a familiar aura from within the light cocoon. Through the dazzling golden light, he could seemingly see the Little Angel's body curled up inside, hugging her knees.
"This is the Angel God Fifth Trial. Little Snow needs to rely on her own strength to break through the light cocoon."
Qian Daoliu's explanation came at the right time, and Ning Bei nodded in understanding.
"Breaking the cocoon to become a butterfly, a very good metaphor."
"Yes, it's just a pity that you probably won't be able to see Little Snow this time."
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