Chapter 83

Qian Renxue's dark brows furrowed slightly; she feigned cluelessness as she touched her fair cheek, and saw the lofty peaks rising before her chest.

My disguise actually failed?

Seeing Qian Renxue's graceful eyes projected toward him, Xiao Yuan forcibly calmed his agitated heart, he raised both hands in a surrender gesture and said to Qian Renxue:

Ling'er, this isn't me exposing myself, don't blame me!

Xiao Yuan stared at the girl's slender legs wrapped in grayish-white tailored trousers; just from the waist down, her leg-to-body ratio was truly unprecedented, like the photoshopped internet images from his past life, longer than his own life—if clamped at the waist, hiss—it would be ecstasy!

Jun Wuchen also turned his head awkwardly, avoiding Qian Renxue's gaze; this wasn't what he wanted to know, it was completely beyond his control.

Qian Renxue sighed, rose from the ground, and said, 'You guys aren't going to ask me why?'

Xiao Yuan's eyes lit up, 'Can we ask?'

He had been dying of curiosity—what was Ling Ying's true identity? What was her situation in her family? Why did she dress as a man? How could such a beautiful person not appear in the original work, yet Jun Wuchen found her out? Damn it, why wasn't I the one who found her first!

Jun Wuchen glared at Xiao Yuan, then turned his head to look at Qian Renxue, his gaze softening again, he said calmly:

'If you're unwilling, no one can force you; we'll have plenty of time ahead, and whenever you're willing, I'll always be here to listen to you speak.'

?

Xiao Yuan wore a look of having eaten a fly; your scheming, kid, I could hear it even in the Star Dou Great Forest.

Originally, Jun Wuchen's remark meant nothing; as captain, his bearing was extraordinary, he didn't press teammates for their origins or secrets, but against the backdrop of Xiao Yuan's recent comment, it instantly rose to a different level.

Gentleness, thoughtfulness, and the overbearing aura of a captain willing to protect his team members.

Most importantly, the line 'I can always listen to you speak when you're willing' instantly turned the matter among three people into a private secret between two; in just a sentence, the standings of the two were decided.

Xiao Yuan: And what about me?

Good, good, good! Jun Wuchen! You bastard, you act fast! Now you're showing off, you're amazing, you're aloof—just me being the bad guy.

Xiao Yuan hurried to make amends, his expression gentle as he gazed at the blond beauty before him; her face was too perfect, he couldn't bear to let the girl be sad—if she had to cry, she could do it later in bed.

'Me too! Ling'er, if you're unwilling, don't force yourself; no matter your background, our feelings won't change!'

Jun Wuchen snorted disdainfully; it's not that he looks down on Xiao Yuan—if you just changed your perspective, a pretentious scholar still trying to hit on girls—who'd like a clingy bug? And feelings? Has Ling Ying even known you for more than a day?

Qian Renxue fell silent for a moment, her face faintly flushed as if moved, appearing both gorgeous and pure, but she quickly composed herself and said gratefully, 'Thank you.'

'But trust is mutual; since you're willing to believe in me, I will naturally trust you as well.'

A hint of sorrow appeared on the girl's face, 'Would you like to hear my story?'

Xiao Yuan looked at Qian Renxue with heartache: 'Ling'er, you really don't need to force yourself.'

Jun Wuchen gave Xiao Yuan, that idiot, a cold glance; the declaration segment had just passed, yet Xiao Yuan was still professing loyalty?

That girl's heart is wide open now, ready to seek comfort—also the best time for them to get information on Ling Ying—yet this moron is turning back! He's utterly stupid; how did Hu Liena ever like him in the first place? Forget it, Hu Liena is just a brainless fangirl; fangirls and idiots are a perfect match.

Tch, useless thing; still have to rely on oneself.

Jun Wuchen stepped forward two steps, drawing Qian Renxue's gaze; after a moment of silence he said, 'I guess I still want to know about you, Ah Ling.'

The black-haired, gold-eyed boy seemed to suddenly realize, his usually cold face showing a hint of shyness, 'Sorry, may I still call you Ah Ling?'

What a fellow, this Jun Wuchen isn't simple at all, even pulling a contrast with me—do you think I'm some naive girl who's never seen the world? Qian Renxue silently warned herself, this icy face actually has some skill.

Qian Renxue smiled faintly, reaching to sweep the gold hair at her temple behind her crystal ear, 'Of course, in front of others you should still call me that; if you don't mind, you can also call me Ling'er like Xiao Yuan does.'

Jun Wuchen, who thought he'd seen through the mortal world, felt his heart race; Qian Renxue's smile left him dazed, and he replied vaguely, 'Ah… uh, Ling'er.'

You little thing, I won't let you bewitch me; Qian Renxue looked satisfied at Jun Wuchen's wavering and continued, 'The surname Yue Zheng comes from the angel clan of the Spirit Hall; within the Spirit Hall, the Qian clan is the true pinnacle, and my family is a branch of the Qian clan, upholding the main Qian line.'

Jun Wuchen and Xiao Yuan nodded; they had already deduced this from Ling Ying's holy angel martial soul. They wanted to know why such a talent never appeared in the original work, and as a branch of the Qian clan, what mishap befell the holy clan.

But just two months ago, the Divine Family perished; my father and mother died, killed by the hands of the main lineage they were protecting, the rest of the clanspeople also all died, and I too became an orphan wandering everywhere.

Jun martial soul and Xiao Yuan were shocked beyond belief; they never imagined that the silence of the Yue Zheng clan was actually caused by an internal split within the family.

"Why is this?" Jun martial soul asked with an ugly expression; if it really is persecution by the Qian main lineage, then bringing Yue Zheng Ling to the Spirit Hall Academy would be harming her! No, we must quickly get her out of the Spirit Hall Academy.

"The cause of this matter is a child my father brought back; he is half a year older than me, named Ye Feng. His father found him two years ago in the Star Dou Great Forest, pitied him, and brought him back to the family."

"I never expected that upon awakening his martial soul he would have innate full soul power; his martial soul is the same as yours, also a completely new martial soul never seen before, a martial soul called the Azure Lotus Sword."

"Azure Lotus Sword!" ×2, the two spoke in unison, as if they had heard something familiar.

Qian Renxue nodded, "That's right, that's the name he told me."

Jun martial soul and Xiao Yuan exchanged a glance, both seeing doubt in each other's eyes.

Xiao Yuan asked somewhat strangely, "What does the demise of the Divine Family have to do with this Ye Feng?"

Qian Renxue continued, "Innate full soul power is one in a million; therefore, even if he is not of the Angel family, the family is willing to cultivate him, and my father even took him as an adopted son. The Angel lineage has few members; in my generation I am the only girl, so my father thought of betrothing me to him."

Hearing this, the two gritted their teeth; "That Ye Feng really deserves to die! What a life winner."

"But it is precisely this engagement that became the spark causing a rift between the main lineage and the Yue Zheng clan; the Qian main lineage of this generation possesses a peerless genius with innate rank twenty, her name is Qian Renxue, a heavenly favored daughter blessed by the Angel god."

Qian Renxue boasted without changing her expression.

"When Ye Feng went to the Offering Hall to train, he met the eldest daughter of the main lineage; his talent was not bad and his battle strength strong, so Qian Renxue took a liking to him and kept him by her side; after half a year together, they became mutually attracted."

"Therefore, two months ago, Ye Feng returned to the Divine Family the day before my martial soul awakening to break off the engagement; my father flew into a rage and cursed, but was seriously injured by a Titled Douluo whose martial soul is a Serpent Spear, whom Ye Feng had brought back, and they duly called off my engagement."

"The family couldn't swallow this, vowing to make Ye Feng regret it; however, under Ye Feng's deception, the main lineage believed the Yue Zheng clan wanted to rebel, so they sent a Titled Douluo to suppress the dissenters, and in a single day the Divine Family vanished like smoke."

"They didn't kill me; they deliberately let me go, thinking that without family support I couldn't accomplish anything, and keeping me alive was also to prevent the Divine Angel martial soul from being cut off."

"If it weren't for the Third Offering of the Offering Hall, the Holy Dragon Douluo who pitied me and saved me, I would probably now be imprisoned in a cage, becoming a mere tool for breeding."

Jun martial soul silently gazed at Yue Zheng Ling; he never imagined that this proud, lively girl had endured such cruelty—overnight, everything she once possessed was destroyed, all because she stood in the way of someone else's love? This tale is absurd and ridiculous, yet in the world of Douluo Continent, Jun martial soul cannot laugh, for this world truly is full of love‑brains: Bibi Dong, to win Yu Xiaogang, would destroy the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan and the Spirit Hall; Hu Liena, for Tang San, gave away a hundred‑thousand‑year soul ring.

What can Qian Renxue now do, slaughtering a branch line for love? Moreover, in the original first part there truly never appeared any branch of the Qian family.

Jun martial soul didn't know what to say; after a while he swallowed his dry throat and asked in a hoarse voice:

"So your first soul ring is a thousand‑year one, is that right? You're still seeking power, you still want revenge?"

Qian Renxue revealed a tragically beautiful smile, "No, I'm seeking death; I merely wanted to die a little more happily by self‑destruction."

"Do you know? Jun martial soul, the thousand‑year soul ring I absorbed with all my might, staking my life, means nothing before the Qian family; they possess the Angel god's trial, allowing them to raise their soul‑ring limits at will, so I can no longer take revenge."

Qian Renxue rubbed her forehead, murmuring to herself, "As a member of the Angel family, I originally also had the Angel Nine Trials, but unfortunately the god's trial mark was sealed by the Qian people; they say I would threaten the Qian main lineage's path to godhood."

"……"

Jun Wuchen fell silent again.

It's too bitter, this girl is truly too bitter; she's been knocked down by the cruel reality and can't get up. All her pursuit of power is just to numb herself, deceiving herself that as long as she works hard at cultivation she still has a chance, but she realizes she can't do it. The first soul ring, a thousand-year one, didn't kill her; what about the second, a ten-thousand-year one? He seems to know how Yue Zhengling will die in the future.

Even if the original story didn't have the transmigrator Ye Feng, Yue Zhengling, who astonishingly talented likewise received the Angel Nine Trials, would still be seen as a threat by the main branch of the Qian family and secretly eliminated.

Xiao Yuan was also stunned by the story Qian Renxue fabricated; Yue Zhengling's fate is too tragic. If he hadn't met Jun Wuchen, been tricked into the Spirit Hall Academy, Yue Zhengling would probably have killed himself long ago.

"No wonder just now Jin Huang'er tried to rush into your sea of consciousness, and a six-winged angel mark appeared on your forehead; Jin Huang'er was immediately kicked out. Turns out that was the sealed Nine Trials mark."

Qian Renxue nodded on the surface, but inwardly she felt relieved; fortunately her mind worked quickly, and she managed to cover up the exposed six-winged angel god-trial mark. I'm truly a genius—for the sake of these two transmigrants' cheats, she even blackened herself.

"To defeat the evil love‑brain Qian Renxue, you two heroes, help the poor little Yue Zhengling whose family was destroyed, and offer up your holy swords!" Just as Qian Renxue was feeling pleased with herself, a shrill wail swept through her mind.

【Ah——sob sob sob——Xue'er! Your life is so miserable——I will surely treat you well from now on——sob sob——】

Jin Huang'er's voice was sharp and piercing; it came so suddenly that Qian Renxue instantly felt her head buzzing from the noise—what the heck is this dead bird squawking about!

Qian Renxue forcibly severed the two's mental connection; that dead bird's cries are truly unbearable. Didn't she tell Jin Huang'er her name was Qian Renxue? You can't even tell lies from truth—what a stupid thing.

Qian Renxue, somewhat displeased, covered her ears; Xiao Yuan, seeing that, said:

"It's Jin Huang'er shouting again, Ling'er. When you communicate with her, watch your facial expression, otherwise people will think you're weird."

Xiao Yuan enthusiastically passed on his experience to Qian Renxue, although he had only spent a day with Jin Huang'er.

"Mm, thanks for the reminder. As for this Phoenix Flame Sword, sorry, I can't control her either—I can't return her to you."

"My family is gone too; all I have are some precious jewels hidden in my storage bracelet from when I fled. I have nothing else—now I only have these. Will you let me give them all to you?"

Qian Renxue drew a priceless set of jewelry from her storage bracelet, held it in her hands, and flatteringly offered it to Xiao Yuan, her gorgeous purple eyes misty as she looked at him.

Seeing the blonde girl tilt her head like a kitten asking for a pet, Xiao Yuan's heart gave a hard thump.

After being lectured by Jin Huang'er, he no longer craved the sword form as strongly; he had taken the wrong path, but it's not too late to turn back.

Xiao Yuan gave a carefree laugh. "I should be the one thanking you, Ling'er. If Jin Huang'er hadn't chosen you, I'd probably still be that arrogant, obnoxious jerk."

"Now I'd rather walk my own path step by step, not rely on others' power—especially since you've endured so many hardships, facing such a strong enemy not by giving up but by training desperately."

"Even if you say absorbing a thousand‑year soul ring is self‑destructive, I think you're truly brave! You are indeed more suited than I to be the master of the Phoenix Flame Sword."

"You should take these things back; for you they are the last wish of your divine family, right?"

Xiao Yuan placed his hand on the jewelry Qian Renxue held up, pushed it back, and stared intently at Qian Renxue.

She's a strong, good girl—nothing like Hu Liena, that pretty‑boy‑obsessed airhead. Yue Zhengling is also beautiful, has substance, and a very nice personality.

The white‑haired youth, as if bewitched, whispered: "What's more, compared to the Phoenix Flame Sword, I want you more."

"Huh? What?"

Qian Renxue made a quick tactical dodge, treating the last sentence as if she hadn't heard it. "Hey, sorry, buddy, you can't lock onto a target."

"Ah! No! Nothing, ow—damn it, Jun Wuchen, what are you doing?!"

Xiao Yuan suddenly got kicked in the butt by Jun Wuchen. "Damn, I don't know if I should save face for Ling'er in front of him—looks like I really have to kill that son of a bitch Jun Wuchen!" Jun Wuchen reached out, snatched a few pieces of jewelry from Qian Renxue's hand, tossed them casually into Xiao Yuan's embrace, his gaze burning as he stared at Qian Renxue, asking the question he cared about most.

"Ling'er, can you still stay at the Spirit Hall Academy?"

"Probably, since I'm cross‑dressing as a guy, and besides they don't even notice me; as long as no second divine‑angel martial soul appears in this world, I'll remain safe."

"That Holy Dragon Douluo said, no one from the Spirit Hall is allowed to harm my life."

"The Spirit Hall wouldn't want angel blood to flow into others' hands, so I can't leave Spirit Hall City."

Jun Wuchen nodded, his golden pupils filled with chill, and said to Qian Renxue: "All right, Ling'er, you're mine, and your affairs are naturally mine too. However, I belong to the Spirit Hall, I've taken its cultivation resources, and out of duty I cannot act against the Qian family—but that beast Ye Feng who ruined your family! I will certainly not let him off."

Jun Wuchen's words had a double meaning; it's unclear whether him saying 'you're my person' emphasizes that Qian Renxue is his teammate or carries some other implication.

Although the Spirit Hall and the Offering Hall have different leaders, most of the Spirit Hall's soul bone resources come from the Offering Hall—just like the Light Mist Beast soul bone in this cultivation chamber was provided by the Offering Hall.

"Right, right! Count me in too! Let Ye Feng wash his neck and wait! Brother Xiao Yuan will surely help you get revenge!"

Xiao Yuan wasn't about to be left out—how could he miss a chance to curry favor?

"Thank you."

Qian Renxue looked moved at the two, thanking them while cautiously probing Xiao Yuan:

"Xiao Yuan, your Phoenix Flame Sword has chosen me—what are you going to do about it? Your innate soul power was already low, and now your soul power level is five; how will you handle tomorrow's academy evaluation? That test is specially aimed at the chosen geniuses, right?"

Xiao Yuan's face instantly turned bitter, and he said ruefully:

"Ling'er, tomorrow's evaluation, Brother Xiao Yuan can only rely on you,"

"As for the rating, it probably won't drop; then I'll say I ran into a snag in my cultivation, can't use soul power, and I'll make it up later."

"After all, I just revealed last night that I have a twin martial soul; the Spirit Hall won't be so stingy, they won't withhold cultivation resources, and they should give preferential treatment to those with twin martial souls."

Qian Renxue put away the jewelry, then took out four pills: two Mystic Water Pills and two Soul-Elevating Pills, giving Jun Wuchen and Xiao Yuan each two different pills.

"The blue‑white ones are Mystic Water Pills, the green ones are Soul-Elevating Pills. Mystic Water Pills wash the tendons and marrow, purify the meridians, and boost cultivation; they greatly increase soul power, can raise innate soul power by one level, and enhance cultivation speed."

"After taking a Soul-Elevating Pill, you can unconditionally raise any one soul‑power level below thirty; these two pills might help you, but each person can only take one Soul-Elevating Pill—any more after that has no effect. You should wait until you're around level twenty‑plus to take it for maximum effect; this is also the last legacy my family left me."

These Mystic Water Pills were specially exchanged by the Spirit Hall with the Shi family, who possess the Black Tortoise martial soul; they're extremely precious. As for the Soul-Elevating Pill, Qian Renxue herself has never taken it—her soul power rose too fast, and she inadvertently surpassed level thirty, at which point the Soul-Elevating Pill would be ineffective.

Although they felt embarrassed taking Qian Renxue's things, these two pills were truly vital for their early stage, so they accepted them at her strong insistence.

"Take these pills, but you'd better grow strong—otherwise she won't be able to keep harvesting the leeks, and I don't know how much soul power Xiao Yuan needs for his second sword form to appear."

Moreover, Jun Wuchen's Holy Light Crystal is surely related to his cheat Kirin Crown; without strong soul power, how can he use the Kirin Crown to bestow benefits on Qian Renxue?

The three exchanged smiles, and the two boys felt their relationship with Qian Renxue had grown closer.

After promising to keep each other's secrets, they returned together to the dormitory area, and after having dinner in the cafeteria they went back to their rooms.

The Spirit Hall Academy is truly a treasure trove! Building on yesterday's Holy Light Kirin Qi Blood Armor, Qian Renxue today harvested the sword-form soul ring of the Phoenix Flame Sword; Jun Wuchen and Xiao Yuan each also received a Mystic Water Pill and a Soul-Elevating Pill—everyone has a bright future! Although Xiao Yuan no longer has the Phoenix Flame Sword, Qian Renxue has coaxed him back to his original cultivation resolve; he has been completely transformed, no longer the opportunistic, annoying jerk he once was. If he truly persists for a few years, he might actually be able to move the second sword form.

Qian Renxue sat cross-legged on the dormitory bed, continuing to cultivate her soul power as her consciousness sank into her soul imprint; she couldn't wait to learn the complete Phoenix Flame Sword technique.

Qian Renxue's mental power appeared within the eight‑winged angel soul imprint; she saw Jin Huang'er standing before her in a golden robe and greeted her.

"Sister Jin Huang'er, good evening—tonight's nightlife has just begun; let's practice the Phoenix Flame Sword technique."

Jin Huang'er instantly blazed up, tears streaming down her face: "Great! Train, train! I finally have a disciple who wants to become strong with all their heart—sniffle, I'm so moved! Practice the sword! Practice the sword!"

Qian Renxue, while cultivating, also didn't explain her origins to Jin Huang'er; she felt Jin Huang'er wasn't very bright, so better not to trouble her, just consider it a beautiful misunderstanding—Jin Huang'er only needs to teach her swordsmanship.

Besides, Qian Renxue didn't expect Xiao Yuan's reaction today either; lovesick brain is truly amazing, Qian Renxue took Xiao Yuan's Fire Phoenix Sword, and he actually still thanked himself? After saying a few considerate words, putting on a pitiful act, plus two pills, he was sent off—simps are really easy to deal with.

Give me votes, ah, brothers, today it's still 6000 characters! In this chapter, Qian Renxue directly bewildered the two transmigrators until they were lame—casually stir up some hatred for Ye Feng (￣▽￣).

(End of chapter)