Chapter 387: Building Momentum, the Angel's First Appearance, and Bibi Dong at the Frontline
"Was it necessary to tell him that?" In the pavilion of the Tian Dou Imperial Palace, Han Li watched as Yu Xiaogang was dragged away and then turned to Qian Renxue.
"Of course, it was necessary. How else could I ensure he wouldn't back out?" she replied casually. "He wants revenge, and so do I whether for duty or… for my father."
She spoke without any emotional burden, her expression calm.
The torment of the divine trials had given her clarity. After successfully overcoming them, she had realized many things. For instance, she had never truly had a mother.
In this regard, she was strikingly similar to Liu Erlong, but she was far more accepting of it. Unlike Liu Erlong, who at least harbored conflicted feelings, Qian Renxue had never received even the slightest hint of love even a false one.
She had once been naive, believing that a mere blood connection meant she could forcibly claim a love and kindness that had never existed. But after waking up from that illusion, she preferred to repay the love she had always received from those around her.
The Angel God did not wield the authority of "Judgment" as part of its divine powers. But now, her will was the judgment of the angels.
Qian Xunji might not have been a good pope or a good teacher, but to Qian Renxue, he had been a good father. And that "good sister" of hers? She had only ever felt hatred and hostility from her.
Now, after witnessing Bibi Dong's madness firsthand, Qian Renxue knew that her target had shifted toward the person who loved her most her grandfather and the thousand year legacy of the Qian family. Qian Renxue would not let her succeed.
For Qian Renxue, this was not a difficult choice.
Growth always comes with pain. She had endured it for over twenty years what was one more battle, drawing the final line with her Angelic Sacred Sword?
Han Li didn't comment on Qian Xunji. His own position was a bit awkward, so he had no right to judge.
Noticing the subtle changes in her expression, he suddenly felt his lips go dry. Why did this divine trial give him the feeling of sealing off emotions? Was she going to stab him one day too?
He subconsciously shrank his neck, only to realize that Qian Renxue was watching his reaction closely. Of course, she had done this on purpose.
"Childish," Han Li said flatly, quickly regaining his composure.
Qian Renxue chuckled but didn't press the matter. Instead, she asked, "How's the situation at the front?"
With Han Li by her side, intelligence reports were practically instant.
"When she attacked the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the battle there had already begun," Han Li explained. "Casualties among ordinary troops aren't too high. The people we planted among them have been quite effective. Outside of the main battlefield, we've already breached three cities oh, no, make that four now."
"As for the Spirit Empire's forces, most of the losses are among low level and mid level Spirit Masters. The noble Spirit Masters of the Star Luo Empire still put up some resistance."
"This is something we can't control. There are always people eager to make a name for themselves and climb the ranks. This war is their opportunity, and if they're willing to risk their lives for merit, we can't stop them."
Han Li didn't bother projecting a full visualization of the battlefield. Instead, he conjured a simplified map with divine power and began marking key areas.
"Let them be," Qian Renxue said calmly. "If they are willing, then we need not interfere."
She had been an emperor. How could she not understand this? Advancement opportunities like these were lifelines for many. It wasn't her place to cut them off completely.
"When Bibi Dong arrives, if she decides to act, half the territory will fall within three days maybe even sooner," Han Li estimated. "We need to time our entrance perfectly. Otherwise, we'll look like fools."
"Tomorrow morning, then," Qian Renxue decided. "It'll take time for the news to spread to the battlefield."
"Noon," Han Li corrected. "I'll give you a proper godly ascension ceremony."
He smirked and added, "Of course, I get the faith energy."
"Got it," Qian Renxue replied, initially pleased, but the moment he mentioned the faith energy, she shot him a glare.
By the time Han Li left the palace, Yu Xiaogang was already kneeling on the streets.
He paid no attention to the curious stares and whispers of the townspeople. In fact, he intentionally made himself appear even more wretched. His past experiences had accustomed him to ridicule.
He kept his head lowered, but his lips curled into a grin. Revenge was within reach he had to suppress his laughter.
He never imagined that "Xue Qinghe" would turn out to be Bibi Dong's daughter. The name "Qian Renxue," combined with "Xue Qinghe's" age, made him finally understand what Bibi Dong had meant when she said she was "unclean."
Half a year ago, he might have been furious, heartbroken, or even pitied Bibi Dong. He might have told her that "it didn't matter."
But now, from the moment his father died at her hands, there was no room for forgiveness.
All he felt was satisfaction.
He had already decided that the next time he saw Bibi Dong, he would mock her relentlessly. He would tell her she was a fool, that he had only ever approached her to deceive her.
He would make her understand what it truly meant to wish for death.
His betrayal along with that of her own daughter would be his final gift to her. Surely, she would be "delighted."
That way, even if Han Li and Qian Renxue failed, even if Bibi Dong emerged as the victor, she would never find peace. That would be his revenge.
He no longer feared death. What could she possibly do to him now?
And he had no way out either. Han Li had personally infused poison and Spirit Power into his heart.
Seven days he only had seven days left.
As night fell and the crowds dispersed, Yu Xiaogang remained kneeling in place.
As dawn gradually broke, more and more people gathered around Yu Xiaogang, discussing him in hushed voices. Meanwhile, his kowtowing motions became increasingly practiced. Just as they had speculated the day before, the long missing Han Li finally appeared publicly on the streets. He walked in a hurry, his expression looking rather unwell. As he made his way toward the imperial palace, someone loudly asked, "Is His Highness the Holy Son also a supporter of the war?" Han Li paused briefly and left behind a single response: "Wait a little longer, I will give everyone an explanation." With that, he entered the palace. His reaction only stirred up more debate among the crowd.
"Which idiot just asked that? Couldn't you see that His Highness looked unwell?"
"Exactly! His Highness has a great relationship with His Majesty. He has even greeted us before."
"The Xuantian Art was created by His Highness. Without it, do you think you'd even be able to cultivate?"
"Then… based on His Highness's reaction, does that mean he doesn't support the war? Since the announcement of the Spirit Empire's establishment, we haven't heard anything related to him."
"Uh… probably?"
"Maybe?"
"Then why is His Highness going to see His Majesty? Could it be that he wants our Tian Dou Empire to join the war? Even if he opposes the war, if he calls for us to participate, it won't be good for us either."
"What nonsense are you spouting? We don't even know the full picture yet, and you're already putting words in His Highness's mouth? Are you a spy from the Star Luo Empire?"
"Damn it, you bastard! Do you even remember who gave you the ability to cultivate? I ought to beat you to death!"
"I didn't mean it like that! I was just guessing. I'm actually His Highness's most loyal supporter, okay?"
"Hey, stop fighting!"
…
Outside the palace, the streets erupted into chaos, though the guards managed to keep things from escalating too far.
Inside the palace, the moment Han Li stepped in, he instantly transformed into a streak of light, rushing toward Qian Renxue's location. The attendants and guards trailing behind him exchanged glances before deciding to pretend nothing had happened.
After all, they wouldn't dare to stop him His Highness had personally decreed that seeing Han Li was the same as seeing her. Some of them had even witnessed the Grand Worship himself standing behind the Holy Son.
Stopping him? That would be a death sentence.
"Get ready," Han Li said upon seeing Qian Renxue. "It looks like the other Empress is in a foul mood she personally took to the battlefield and broke through a city."
Qian Renxue frowned. Her so called "good sister" really didn't care about her reputation at all. Did she think she had already won?
But she quickly regained her composure and glanced at Han Li.
This was actually a good thing. The more recklessly Bibi Dong acted, the better their own appearance would be when they made their move. Han Li would also gain more benefits from it.
She didn't particularly care about faith energy, but it was crucial for Han Li. In that sense, this situation was advantageous for both of them.
"What?" Han Li asked when he noticed her gaze, thinking she had a question.
"Nothing," Qian Renxue replied, shaking her head. "Let's begin. How do you need me to cooperate?"
"You don't need to do much," Han Li said with a smile. "Just display your beauty, divinity, and justice. Fully unleash your divine radiance, and leave the rest to me."
"Oh, and when we leave together, make sure to hold my hand."
Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow. "Why do I need to hold your hand?"
"It's about the legends of gods. In the Spirit Master world, they're not widely known most believers are beginners in cultivation. We're not at the stage of a divine battle yet. Trust me, at this point, the masses care more about gossip than divine power. This way, the story will spread further, and we'll gain more faith energy."
"After all, a goddess is always someone to be admired." Han Li's tone was half joking.
All guys would understand Qian Renxue probably wouldn't mind, right?
"Fine, I'll allow it," Qian Renxue said, glancing at him before stepping forward and taking his hand.
"Eh?"
"Practice."
"Fair enough!"
…
As the discussions outside continued, within the palace, Han Li pointed toward the sky. Qian Renxue nodded, and divine wings and armor appeared on her body.
A golden brilliance erupted, overwhelming even the sun's radiance.
To the stunned eyes of the people below, a hundred meter tall angelic projection enveloped Qian Renxue, rising above the imperial palace.
Han Li snapped his fingers, releasing all the divine ascension phenomena he had previously sealed away. He even tapped into the will of the plane to amplify the effect further.
While they orchestrated this grand display, far away on the front lines, Bibi Dong abruptly stood up, whipping her head toward the direction of the Tian Dou Empire.
The explosion of divine light had dyed the distant sky gold. Even from an immense distance, she could feel the presence of a power she deeply loathed.
She wasn't the only one who noticed her devout followers were also struck with an almost uncontrollable urge to kneel in reverence. They had no idea what was happening, so they turned to their Pope for guidance.
"It's nothing important. Continue the assault," Bibi Dong said through gritted teeth before soaring forward.
She had to act she was so close. She had to ascend before her opponent did.
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