Chapter 329: Kindred

As the Three Great Empires gradually lowered their banners and fell silent, none of them seemed to intend to resume war.

Up to now, on the Jialing Pass battlefield, the Spirit Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire have suffered terrible losses; the entire battlefield resembles a massive meat grinder, with soldiers and Soul Grandmasters constantly falling. If the fighting continues, the Two Great Empires will likely exhaust their very foundations.

The Star Luo Empire suffered relatively fewer losses, but in terms of top‑tier strength it is actually the weakest among the Three Great Empires and has no intention of further fighting.

After a period of recuperation, Yang Xiong, under the influence of Shura Divine Power, found the Angel Divine Power in his wound gradually dissipate.

Compared to those wounds, although they are imbued with Purification Power and Fire Power, and although the Divine Power is exceedingly pure, it is ultimately water without a source, wood without a root.

Under the erosion of martial soul and Divine Power, Yang Xiong's entire body became cloaked in blood‑red light, gradually consuming those Divine Powers completely.

Through the clash of Divine Power, Yang Xiong gradually realized that although he has mastered Shura Divine Power, there remains a huge gap between him and a true deity.

Divine Power seems to be an evolved form of soul power, of a higher tier and even more pure.

Compared with soul power, each strand of Divine Power contains terrifyingly immense energy.

Soul power originates from the martial soul itself; it is cultivated by Soul Grandmasters, and even if some is depleted, it can be quickly restored through cultivation.

Divine Power, however, is entirely different; it seems to contain the will of the deity itself, a lingering fragment of the deity's own spirit, which gives Divine Power greater independence.

Yang Xiong couldn't help but recall that a so‑called deity is merely a Soul Grandmaster who has cultivated to a higher realm—a evolution of the Grandmaster's body, spirit, and martial soul—who, after various temperings, gradually transforms into a deity.

And the so‑called Divine Position is more like a vessel for a Grandmaster after evolution; if a Soul Grandmaster possesses a sufficiently long lifespan, cultivating into a deity is not impossible.

However, this requirement is too demanding; at least by a thousand‑year standard, an ordinary Soul Grandmaster simply cannot live that long.

Yang Xiong carefully examined his body and confirmed that he has indeed grasped a portion of Divine Power; some of it was granted by the Shura deity, while the rest resulted from countless bodily breakthroughs, especially the two Body Temperings on Sea God Island and the Blood River of Killing City, after which the body, hammered repeatedly by Divine Power, began to evolve.

Yang Xiong knows very well that, given his current physical condition, another breakthrough would require an astronomically huge amount of energy, perhaps far beyond his imagination.

Thus, reaching Level 99 would be extremely difficult for Yang Xiong, and even any rare heavenly materials would have no effect.

Just as Yang Xiong was fully immersed in his cultivation, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

"Yang Xiong, come out for a meeting!"

Yang Xiong looked unusually puzzled: "This guy doesn't bother to heal his wounds, so why is he suddenly looking for me?"

The voice was very familiar to Yang Xiong; it came from Qian Renxue, and in this world only Qian Renxue possesses the skill to transmit sound without a trace.

But Yang Xiong thought it over and realized that Qian Renxue is not the type to exploit others' misfortune; she probably wouldn't lure him out for a raid, and perhaps a meeting could be a good thing.

Yang Xiong rose instantly, paid no heed to the outside situation, and transformed into a streak of light, leaving his room.

Soon, Yang Xiong arrived at a mountaintop where Qian Renxue sat drinking; she no longer bore her former arrogance, looking instead like a wronged young girl.

"Sit, have two drinks with me."

Although slightly puzzled, Yang Xiong silently took a seat opposite Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue grasped the wine jar, poured a large cup, and handed it to Yang Xiong: "I want to drink, but I don't know who in this world could accompany me, so I thought of you."

Yang Xiong took the cup without any hesitation and drained it in one gulp.

"Fine wine; it must be hard to find such a vintage in the world—perhaps the long‑lost 'Drunken Red Dust.'"

Qian Renxue laughed: "I didn't expect you to know about wine; looks like I indeed found the right person. This 'Drunken Red Dust' was left by my grandfather, who was reluctant to drink it himself, leaving only a few vats."

Yang Xiong took the wine jar, poured himself a cup, and drank it down in one go.

When the wine truly entered his mouth, a faint trance washed over him; pores all over his body seemed stimulated, and even each cell felt a slight churn.

"Good wine—only Senior Qian Daoliu would be willing to use so many precious herbs to brew it, and judging by its age it must be about a hundred years old; truly fragrant and mellow."

Qian Renxue smiled faintly: "This is my grandfather's treasure, probably unique in the world; consider it a bargain for you, little thief."

Yang Xiong said no more, raised his cup: "Whether foe or friend, whatever's on your mind today, we'll drink until we're thoroughly drunk."

After clinking cups, they each drained their wine again, as if they were not enemies but long‑time old friends.

Qian Renxue spoke slowly: "This is the first time I've drunk in years. As a child I disliked alcohol; after arriving at Tian Dou Huang Gong, even occasional drinks were dispelled with soul power, never allowing any relaxation."

Yang Xiong's expression shifted slightly: "Why go to such lengths? To prove yourself, you've even hidden your own thoughts. With your talent and aptitude, there's no need to do that."

Qian Renxue said nothing in response: "I still miss how we used to spar with words. Back then I was angry and wary, yet you were the only one who could make me both laugh and cry, the only one who left me helpless."

Yang Xiong laughed: "Qian Renxue, given your strength and status, eliminating that little child I was back then shouldn't be a big problem, right?"

Qian Renxue's mouth twitched with amusement: "Perhaps back then I thought you were my kind…"

"But how could you say you're not like me? You were once just an ordinary disciple of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's Outer Sect; though the Sect Leader approved you, even at a young age you showed an unusual maturity."

"Even if you hide well, your ambition cannot be concealed; that cautious, hesitant demeanor of yours feels to me like looking at myself."

"It's rare to meet a kindred spirit, someone whose talent I acknowledge. I want to see your future, to see just how far you can go… Perhaps I was overconfident then, believing my talent unmatched, so I wanted to watch you grow like a sapling, then later teach you to destroy."

Yang Xiong laughed: "I've always found it odd that whether it's the three upper sects or Bibidong, they all strive to eliminate the opposing camp's geniuses. Take the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, for example; they've lost many talented disciples over the years. Yet I've never felt threatened by your elites. Considering the Spirit Empire and your strength, it should be doable."

Qian Renxue smiled: "Perhaps. I've always regarded you as my prey, and my prey naturally won't allow Bibidong to lay a hand on it."

The two chatted at length, clinking cups from time to time, as if they cared nothing about the battle from a few days ago.

Qian Renxue suddenly spoke: "Yang Xiong, I've always wondered how you discovered me. The scent you mentioned last time was probably just an excuse, wasn't it?"

Yang Xiong stared at the wine, which reflected his own Shadow, leaving him a bit melancholy.

"Perhaps it's intuition. As you said, we are kindred, each hiding our thoughts, ambitions, and all our joys and sorrows; maybe only we can truly see each other."

Qian Renxue smiled: "Indeed, the two of us are the true kindred; no wonder we loved sparring back then—perhaps to hurt each other, perhaps to test each other's limits."

"By the way, Yang Xiong, since you learned my true face, what kind of person do you see me as? Selfish, or scheming?"

Yang Xiong reflected on past meetings and couldn't help but sigh: "Actually I envy you—you're proud, decisive, ruthless, cold‑hearted, exceptionally talented, a born pride of the heavens. Even within Tian Dou Huang Gong you retain your own pride."

"As for me, I started out rather humble; I came from the Outer Sect of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, merely an ordinary disciple, no different from the other ordinary disciples who fell in this war."

"Perhaps it's precisely my unwillingness to remain ordinary that drives me to strive for strength, to seek Ning Fengzhi's attention, and to grasp every resource and opportunity."

"After years of scheming, years of relentless effort, and countless life‑and‑death trials, I have finally reached your level, finally no longer having to heed anyone's gaze."

"My struggles over the years have all been innate to you; perhaps that is the greatest difference between us."

Qian Renxue was silent for a moment before speaking: "Perhaps. You envy my talent and background, but I envy your freedom. Though you're in the Outer Sect of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, you have countless doting parents, the girl who loves you most, and many elders who cherish you."

"Especially after you transcend to Soul Saint, you can do anything you wish; you're more carefree and freer than anyone, capable of changing everything on your own."

Yang Xiong laughed: "If you wish, you could live even more carefree than I do; can those so‑called cages you mention still bind you?"

Qian Renxue directly drained the cup of wine in one gulp: "I am the Angel God's Inheritor, I am the Angel Lineage's last hope; as an Angel God I must be holy and radiant, and all of this is like a great mountain—whether in morality or any other way, it binds me."

"Just as the countless subjects of the Spirit Empire, just as the countless believers of the Angel Clan, just as those who silently devote themselves to me, these are all my bindings."

(End of chapter)