Chapter 330: Next Time, Use Your Sword

Qian Renxue cried for a long time, as if it were the first time in history they had vented their inner emotions, and also as if they were a lonely, helpless child.

Given Qian Renxue's status, they always appear noble in any setting; they have probably never confided their feelings to anyone from childhood to now, and perhaps only after learning the truth of those years does they become so out of control.

When Qian Renxue was tired from crying, Yang Xiong finally spoke slowly: "Qian Renxue, have you ever wondered what kind of person Bibidong really is, and what Bibidong pursues in her heart?"

Qian Renxue wiped the tears from their face, thought for a moment, then said: "Bibidong is a woman without any humanity; in her eyes, power and status outweigh everything."

Yang Xiong nodded: "Indeed, Bibidong is the greatest enemy of my Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; Ning Fengzhi and I have also conducted some research on her."

"Regarding her background, Bibidong was born a commoner, but because of outstanding talent, she earned the favor of Qian Xunji at a very young age, becoming Qian Xunji's direct disciple and also a saintess of the Spirit Hall."

"But Qian Xunji perhaps overprotected her, leaving her unaware of the world's dangers, and depriving her of any emotional contact."

"As a result, Bibidong met Yu Xiaogang, who was studying at the Spirit Hall; perhaps she was moved by Yu Xiaogang's determination to break the Soul Grandmaster restrictions, and the two became lovers, a relationship that the world does not tolerate."

"Bibidong is a saintess of the Spirit Hall, while Yu Xiaogang is the son of the sect leader of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan; one could say the two are natural enemies. Whether considering the forces behind them or the public's view, they are not understood by the world."

"Unfortunately, things went contrary to her wishes. When Bibidong planned to flee the world with Yu Xiaogang, Qian Xunji, in order to keep Bibidong, took the most extreme measure: Qian Xunji possessed Bibidong and gave birth to you, while Yu Xiaogang, after being abandoned by Bibidong, fell into decadence and lived alone in Notting City."

"You should already know what followed: Bibidong, seeking revenge, took advantage of Qian Xunji's severe injury and directly killed Qian Xunji."

"Immediately after, Bibidong, under the banner of avenging Qian Xunji, forced the Clear Sky Sect into seclusion, elevating the Spirit Hall's power and prestige to its peak, thereby becoming the Pope of the Spirit Hall."

"During these more than twenty years, Bibidong eliminated dissenters, courted confidants, and even allowed the Spirit Hall's officials to run amok, all to expand her own power and make the Spirit Hall even larger."

"After years of expanding her strength, Bibidong's ambition reached its zenith; she was willing to oppose the world, establish the Spirit Empire, and launch this extremely brutal war. All of this was driven by her selfish motives—to either destroy the former Spirit Hall or dominate the world."

After hearing Yang Xiong's description, Qian Renxue's complexion turned exceedingly dark: "Yang Xiong, according to what you say, is Bibidong a person of monstrous crimes, a scourge of the Spirit Empire?"

Yang Xiong shook his head: "One cannot judge a person with a single rod; evaluation must consider all aspects."

"In a sense, Bibidong may not be wrong. If the Spirit Empire truly unifies the entire Douluo Continent, it would erase the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire; perhaps for common Soul Grandmasters and ordinary civilians, there would be no more aristocratic exploitation, which could be considered a good thing."

"However, from a personal standpoint, Bibidong is fierce and brutal, and has attacked our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; in my eyes she is a mortal enemy, so I will not let her unify the world, nor allow her to continue stirring up trouble."

"As for the personal issues you mentioned, those are merely her private matters. If one takes out anger on others because of her trivial private affairs, in my eyes that is unforgivable."

Qian Renxue clenched their teeth: "So, no matter what, you will block my Spirit Empire's unification of the world, oppose me, and oppose Bibidong?"

Yang Xiong nodded: "Exactly. As the saying goes, there cannot be two suns in the sky. Given Bibidong's temperament, she and I will inevitably clash; then it may be a matter of life and death for you."

"Of course, on a personal level, I don't think Bibidong did anything wrong. If I possessed Bibidong's strength and controlled the Spirit Hall's massive Soul Grandmaster forces, I might act even more excessively than she does, since a unified continent could reduce wars between each other and lower civilian deaths."

"As for the mother‑daughter sentiment you mentioned, in the face of great right and wrong, and countless deaths, it is contemptible to me."

"You can look at the Jialing Pass battlefield; after half a month of war, tens of thousands of Soul Grandmasters on both sides have died, and nearly a million ordinary civilians have been killed or wounded. Those people also have families, parents, and children—won't their relatives be sorrowful? Won't there be any partings of life and death?"

"Certainly, from another perspective, comparing temporary death with permanent peace, perhaps those deaths and sacrifices are worthwhile, but in any regard, they far outweigh the slight affection between Bibidong and you."

After hearing Yang Xiong's words, Qian Renxue simply drank silently and said nothing more.

Yang Xiong also held his wine cup, slowly savoring the intoxicating world; the two occasionally clinked cups and chatted intermittently.

Qian Renxue seemed to recall something: "Yang Xiong, the last time we sparred, why did you hold back on your final move?"

Yang Xiong shook his head: "It's not a matter of holding back. If at the final moment I truly used all my strength, you might die, but I would likely become crippled; the deity is far tougher than I imagined."

"Besides, I'm not the type who enjoys winning without honor; you're the same. Anyway, we have a long future ahead, plenty of chances to keep fighting."

Qian Renxue said: "Yang Xiong, I feel my Angel God is a bit off; at the end I sensed a hint of darkness, a hint of evil I cannot control. Perhaps that's a flaw in my soul."

Yang Xiong smiled: "Why do you think it's your own problem? I also sense that darkness in you; it's not something ordinary mortals possess—it must be the work of Luosha."

"You are the Inheritor of the Angel God, yet Bibidong is the Inheritor of Luosha. Theoretically, you two should be mutually generating and restraining. When Bibidong gave birth to you, your soul's depths were likely tampered with, which explains your extreme temperament, indecisiveness, and great arrogance."

"To put it bluntly, aside from me, you probably won't recognize anyone in the world, so you've had no friends since childhood, not even enemies. That's why you came alone to drink with me."

Qian Renxue laughed: "You really understand me. This is the first time since childhood I've wanted to drink, but I didn't know anyone in this world could drink with me, so I found you. Perhaps, as you said, we are the same kind of people."

"Unfortunately, regardless of birth or stance, we are forever adversaries. Whether it's the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect or the Body Sect, they are all mortal enemies of my Spirit Empire, and even you, the Shura Shen Chuan Cheng Zhe, are a mortal enemy of the Angel God."

Yang Xiong was somewhat speechless: "There are no real enemies in this world. Do you know that the God Realm has Five Great God Kings, including the Good God King and the Xie'e God King, as well as the Destruction God King and the Life God King, and yet those two pairs are married."

"Imagine the ultimate Good and the ultimate Xie'e, the ultimate Destruction and Life—how can they be together? They can't even touch each other."

"One must forge one's own path; nothing in this world is absolute."

Qian Renxue straightened her expression: "Yang Xiong, thank you. I will go find Bibidong and talk properly. Even without mother‑daughter affection, I must face my heart; perhaps this is the obsession I've held for years, perhaps this is why my soul has a flaw."

Yang Xiong: …

The two drank together for an entire night, discussing many things between them, including the banter they had back when they were in the Heaven Dou Empire.

Even the icy Qian Renxue, recalling their first meeting, couldn't help but let a hint of smile appear at the corner of her mouth. Back then, Yang Xiong was only a six‑year‑old child, yet seemed somewhat extraordinary; with Qian Renxue's temperament, she had long seen that Yang Xiong and she were of the same kind, both wearing masks.

By the next morning, Yang Xiong and Qian Renxue finally sobered up; the surroundings were already filled with wine jars, and Yang Xiong's hand and Qian Renxue's hand were still clasped together, as if pulling at a taut drumhead.

Qian Renxue jolted awake, as if offended, and quickly withdrew her hand.

Yang Xiong touched his nose and sheepishly retracted his hand, though indeed Qian Renxue's hand was very white and smooth.

Qian Renxue resumed her usual frosty demeanor and prepared to leave: "Yang Xiong, thank you this time, but the next we meet, I hope you draw your sword, and I hope you will not hold back."

Watching Qian Renxue leave, Yang Xiong also seemed a bit helpless, perhaps feeling a sigh for a kindred spirit.

When Yang Xiong returned to the barracks, Ning Rongrong was alone in her room, her eyes filled with worry.

"Xiao Xiongzi, where did you run last night? You're still injured; why were you wandering around?"

Yang Xiong's face showed slight awkwardness: "Rong Rong, yesterday I mainly felt a bit bored; I've been recovering my body lately, so I went out alone to drink."

Ning Rongrong's face was full of doubt: "Xiao Xiongzi, that's not your nature. If you wanted to drink, you could have invited me and Xiao Ao and the others. Why do you seem a bit strange when you came back today?"

"And looking at you, it seems you're hiding something from me. Be honest—did you go flirt with some little girl?"

Yang Xiong felt a sudden shock inside, as if he had been caught; that girl seemed too formidable, making him feel as if he had nowhere to hide.

(End of Chapter)