Chapter 60: The Promise with Qian Renxue (Combined)

Since Dai Xiyu came to Tian Dou, Qian Renxue's mood has never been better.

These two months have been happier than the previous eight years.

However, such a good mood came to an abrupt halt the moment she saw the black-clad figure at the room's doorway.

"What are you doing here?"

Qian Renxue's expression turned cold, her demeanor instantly shifted, filling with the authority of a superior.

That black-clad person bowed and said unhurriedly, "Young Master, Lord Luo Erdiala sent me to visit you and ask if you have any difficulties we can assist with."

Qian Renxue said with a cold face, "If I need help, I will naturally contact the Elder Hall myself; there's no need for him to curry favor."

"Moreover, as a Black Robe Bishop, how dare you appear before me so boldly; if the plan is exposed, can you bear the responsibility?"

The black-clad person hastily bowed, saying, "Subordinate does not dare; please rest assured, my soul skill is not so weak as to be sensed by anyone other than a Title Douluo when I do not act."

"However," his tone shifted, the black-clad person continued, "Young Master, we have recently discovered someone who poses a great threat to our plan, and this person's talent is extraordinarily strong..."

"Lord Luo Erdiala's intention is for me to eliminate him; if I fail, Lord Luo Erdiala will come himself."

Qian Renxue felt a faint bad premonition, furrowed her brows and asked, "Who is worth your mobilizing such forces, and what does it have to do with me?"

The Black Robe Bishop raised his head and said slowly, "The target is Dai Xiyu, the Second Prince of the Star Luo Empire. If you could personally take action, that would be best."

Upon hearing Dai Xiyu's name, Qian Renxue's eyes turned icy instantly, she stared fixedly at the black-clad bishop before her.

Qian Renxue was extremely familiar with these bishops of the Spirit Hall.

This Black Robe Bishop works at the Tian Dou City Spirit Hall Branch and is a subordinate of White Gold Bishop Luo Erdiala.

He is already a sixty-ninth-rank Soul Emperor and will soon be promoted to Red Robe Bishop.

As for the name Luo Erdiala, those unfamiliar with it may have no impression.

If Dai Xiyu were here, he would recall that this Luo Erdiala once intercepted Tang San's group in the original story, but was repeatedly struck down and blown away by the team leader, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, due to a few immortal-grade medicinal herbs.

The last time, he finally managed to act normally, only to be blown away again by the arriving Poison Douluo; he could be called the most miserable Soul Douluo.

In Qian Renxue's memory, regarding Luo Erdiala, she only knows he is an eighty-first-rank Soul Douluo and a newly appointed White Gold Bishop.

In the Tian Dou Empire, the head of the Spirit Hall Branch is the veteran White Gold Bishop Salas, possessing formidable eighty-fourth-rank strength.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed Luo Erdiala temporarily serves as Salas's deputy, still in the intern stage.

At the same time, Luo Erdiala also serves as Bibi Dong's spy, regularly reporting Qian Renxue's movements to her.

This time, he sent his subordinate Black Robe Bishop over, likely because Qian Renxue and Dai Xiyu have become too close.

The Spirit Hall aims to establish a Spirit Hall Empire and unify the continent; besides the Tian Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire is also a major obstacle.

If they could nip the Star Luo Empire's future genius in the bud here, it would certainly benefit the Spirit Hall.

Of course, actually Dai Xiyu currently poses little threat to the Spirit Hall.

Even if his strength rises quickly, the Spirit Hall does not believe Dai Xiyu can reach Title Douluo level before the plan is launched.

As long as he hasn't attained Title Douluo rank, he cannot single-handedly sway the battlefield.

Qian Renxue also realized this, which is why she is willing to be friends with Dai Xiyu.

When the continent is unified in the future, she will use her own power to protect Dai Xiyu.

Ideals are beautiful, reality is harsh.

Unexpectedly, in just these two months, her contact with Dai Xiyu has been noticed by Luo Erdiala.

Qian Renxue said in a cold voice:

"You don't need to worry about this; although Dai Xiyu has high talent, he is still young. Even when we act, he may not grow enough, and fundamentally cannot affect our plan."

The Black Robe Bishop narrowed his eyes, remained silent for a moment, then continued:

"Not only Lord Luo Erdiala, but even Lord Salas believes it necessary to eliminate this hidden danger; moreover, the Pope surely knows of this as well."

Upon hearing the two words "Pope," Qian Renxue's fists clenched suddenly.

After a moment's thought, Qian Renxue's thoughts raced, and she spoke:

"You need not worry; I approached him precisely to make him serve me. He is the sole surviving prince of the Star Luo Empire, the future heir to the throne; with his assistance, our plan can proceed more smoothly."

Hearing Qian Renxue say that, the Black Robe Bishop also did not want to dwell further on the matter.

He clearly felt that Qian Renxue's patience had reached its limit; if pressed further, it would likely backfire.

This is the current Qian Renxue, who has not yet become so scheming and ruthless.

If it were two years later, a Black Robe Bishop daring to speak like this in front of Qian Renxue would surely not see tomorrow's sun.

After thinking, the Black Robe Bishop could only bow and say:

"If so, then I wish you, Young Master, swift victory. Still, I must add: if three months from now Dai Xiyu still has not joined the Spirit Hall, Lord Luo Erdiala will certainly not let him go."

Having said that, the Black Robe Bishop's soul rings flared beneath his feet, and his entire body vanished into the shadows.

After the Black Robe Bishop left, Qian Renxue finally relaxed.

At that very moment, Dai Xiyu walked over from the corridor's corner.

Upon seeing Dai Xiyu, Qian Renxue's heart jumped.

However, seeing no abnormality on Dai Xiyu's face, she then put her mind at ease.

Although they are close friends, Qian Renxue still dares not let Dai Xiyu know about her relationship with the Spirit Hall.

She does not know what will happen when Dai Xiyu learns that her Tian Dou princely identity is fake and her true identity is the Spirit Hall's Young Master.

Two months of interaction have made Qian Renxue value Dai Xiyu more and more, and she dares not imagine the scene of their friendship breaking apart.

Dai Xiyu's expression remained normal; he naturally took Qian Renxue's hand and said with a smile:

"Why are you standing there? Come inside; this fine time should be spent cultivating."

Qian Renxue came to her senses, nodded with a smile, and let Dai Xiyu lead her into the bedroom.

After entering, Dai Xiyu backhanded the door shut, then walked to the bed, took off his shoes, and got onto the bed.

Qian Renxue hesitated for a long time, slowly walked to the bedside, and said, "Xiyu, you... you just..."

Dai Xiyu looked at Qian Renxue's eyes and said calmly, "I saw it, and I also heard it."

Just now, Dai Xiyu indeed heard the conversation between the black-robed bishop and Qian Renxue, but he only heard half of it.

That black-robed bishop is only at level sixty-nine soul power; Dai Xiyu can easily make him ignore his own presence using cognitive interference.

Upon hearing Dai Xiyu say that, Qian Renxue's pretty face turned white in an instant, and she almost had her heart stop.

"You... what did you hear?"

Forcing a smile, Qian Renxue difficulty asked this.

Playing with fire brings self-immolation; at this moment, only this word remains in her heart.

Next, she may have to face a choice.

It is to choose her one and only good friend in this life, and also the friend she secretly likes.

Or to choose the Spirit Hall that raised her for nine years, to which her father and grandfather devoted their lives.

It must be said that Qian Renxue places great importance on feelings.

Otherwise, in the original timeline, she would not have repeatedly let Tang San go, and finally, to help Tang San, she would have gone to obstruct Bibi Dong, allowing Tang San to ultimately turn the tables.

After two months of interaction, coupled with the promotion from the passive soul skill of the skull, Qian Renxue's feelings for Dai Xiyu have become very deep.

The difficult choice lies before her, and she feels that she cannot bear to give up either side.

Qian Renxue hates it, hating how early Loerdialla discovered it; although she was in an isolated academy, that guy still managed to catch the scent.

If she were given more time, perhaps a solution could be found, and she would not have fallen into her current predicament.

Actually, for Qian Renxue now, her friendship with Dai Xiyu is like that of a drug addict addicted to drugs.

Although she knows the harm, she still immerses herself in it, unable to extricate herself, unwilling to consider her future situation.

In a truly solitary world, no one can understand it better than Qian Renxue. And precisely for this reason, she is filled with fear about returning to a solitary future.

However, Dai Xiyu did not, as she imagined, forever cut ties with her.

Dai Xiyu remained calm and only said, "If you are the next Pope, I would be very happy to help the Spirit Hall."

This unexpected sentence directly left Qian Renxue stunned on the spot.

After a while, she finally reacted.

Dai Xiyu's meaning seemed to be that he wanted her to vie for the next Pope.

Furthermore, if she became Pope, Dai Xiyu would be willing to assist the Spirit Hall in completing the unification plan that had been plotted for many years.

Seeing Qian Renxue's dazed appearance, Dai Xiyu continued to say:

"I don't care whether you are a true prince or a false prince, whether you are the heir of the Heaven Dou Empire or the Young Master of the Spirit Hall; these don't matter. My best friend is you, not your identity. Even if your true identity were that of a beggar, my attitude toward you would not change in the slightest; this is me."

Although Dai Xiyu spoke calmly, Qian Renxue by the bedside already had her eyes reddened.

Such ironclad friendship and unbreakable oath were fantasies she had never dared to hope for over the years.

And Dai Xiyu turned this beautiful fantasy into reality.

She sniffled and said sullenly, "Xi Yu, being able to say this makes me happy."

"Since you have expressed your attitude, I also promise you that I will definitely become Pope in the future!"

Qian Renxue knows that Bibi Dong will not pass the Pope's position to her.

It is Hu Liena whom Bibi Dong values most as her successor.

Dai Xiyu smiled and asked, "So, what is your real name?"

After hesitating for a moment, Qian Renxue still shook her head and said:

"I cannot tell you now; if you believe me, please wait patiently, okay?"

This time, Qian Renxue is not worried about their friendship, but wants to give Dai Xiyu a final surprise.

After a moment's thought, when she sits on the Pope's throne and unifies the continent, she will tell Dai Xiyu that she is actually female.

By then, Dai Xiyu will surely be greatly surprised; just thinking about it is amusing.

The gloom above her head swept away, and Qian Renxue's mood became much lighter.

However, Dai Xiyu solemnly said, "Now, the only thing we need to pay attention to is that Bishop Loerdialla."

Qian Renxue heard this, shook her head, and said with a smile, "You don't need to worry about this; as long as you state your attitude and agree to join the Spirit Hall, he will not be adverse to you."

Dai Xiyu helplessly shook his head, raised his hand and flicked Qian Renxue's clean forehead, saying:

"How can you be so naive? Do you really think Loerdialla will easily let me go?"

Qian Renxue was dazed by the flick, covered her head with both hands, and looked bewildered.

Dai Xiyu continued to say:

"Put yourself in my shoes: Bibi Dong definitely would not trust me, the crown prince of the Star Luo Empire. For if I were replaced by anyone else, the first thought would surely be to feign repair of the plank road while secretly sneaking through Chen Cang, ultimately scheming to cause both the Heaven Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall to suffer mutual defeat."

"Thus, even if I agreed to join the Spirit Hall, they would not let me go, for if I died, the Star Luo Empire would have no heir, saving much unnecessary trouble."

Qian Renxue's heart startled, and she said:

"Indeed, there is such a possibility, especially with Bibi Dong... if that is the case, it would be dangerous, for Loerdialla will certainly act when you return to Star Luo."

"In your entire delegation, only the dean is a Soul Douluo powerhouse; if Loerdialla and Salas then act together, even the dean would struggle to ensure your safety."

Thinking this, Qian Renxue also became somewhat anxious.

Although, as the Young Master of the Spirit Hall, she can mobilize the power of the Hall of Elders.

However, the elders in the Hall of Elders also prioritize the Spirit Hall's interests, and compared to her as Young Master, they would rather obey the Pope's orders.

At that time, if Bibi Dong had given advance notice, preventing her from mobilizing the elders to protect Dai Xiyu, then Dai Xiyu would truly be in danger.

However, Dai Xiyu shook his head and said, "The situation may not be so dire; with dual cultivation, my strength rises quickly, and if I can reach the Soul Saint level before returning, there is a chance."

Qian Renxue shook her head and said, "Soul Saint? How could that be easy? Even if leveling up were as easy as drinking water, it's impossible to reach Soul Saint in just three months!"

During this period of dual cultivation, Qian Renxue truly levels up as easily as drinking water.

Almost every month, one could increase one level of soul power; in just two months, Qian Renxue had already increased two levels of soul power.

Her soul power had already exceeded level fifty; normally, it would take half a year of cultivation to increase by one level.

Now she can increase by one level every month, and even Qian Renxue herself felt surprised.

As for Dai Xiyu, although Qian Renxue had never asked about his soul power growth rate, even if it were the same—one level per month—he would only gain three levels in three months.

To rise from over level fifty to Soul Saint, let alone three months, even three years might not be enough.

Dai Xiyu smiled, didn't elaborate further, and instead jumped straight to the ground.

The soul power within his body surged, and instantly his martial soul was activated.

Starting today, we're merging chapters; this chapter is a double chapter of four thousand characters.

(End of chapter)