Chapter 100: 117. Qian Xunji's Exit
"Then no matter the cost, I will destroy that beastman," Qian Xunji said, unable to sit still any longer.
"Father, didn't you understand anything from the battle at Sky Valley Ridge?" Qian Renxue said calmly. "What Tang Hao displayed was never his true strength—it was Shura manipulating events from behind the scenes. To strike at Tang San under the gaze of the Asura God is no different from declaring war on him."
At those words, Qian Xunji suddenly laughed—bitterly. Sitting on the Pope's throne, he let out a helpless sigh. "So that's how it is. I wondered how Tang Hao, with only eight soul rings, could accomplish such impossible feats."
"I, Qian Xunji, have dedicated my life to god-making—to restoring divine glory to Spirit Hall. I was even willing to offer my own life for it. Yet the god I sacrificed myself to create turns out to be the very offering that allowed that beastman to ascend. Truly, the gods favor that damned family."
Qian Renxue looked at her father quietly. This revelation had shattered him.
For a devout believer, the very idea of the gods opposing Spirit Hall was incomprehensible. A man who had seemed calm, even in the face of death, now looked utterly broken.
Without a word, Qian Renxue released her divine power. A light that fused holiness and corruption enveloped her father.
Bathed in that power, Qian Xunji raised his head toward her, his voice trembling. "Xue'er, you—"
Nine crimson soul rings descended around her, each entwined with golden divine light.
Qian Xunji's pain and despair melted into fanatic joy. For him, this was his closest moment to divinity—and the god before him was his own daughter.
His zeal grew, and his gaze sharpened. Seeing him like that, Qian Renxue could not bring herself to scold him. "Father, I have already ascended once to godhood. I've seen things you could never see. The God Realm today is no longer the age when the Asura God reigns alone. I will not be content with a mere first-class godhood. In this life, between Tang San and I, no one knows who will prevail."
"Father, I will let you witness the moment the light of the Angel once again shines upon all of Douluo Continent."
"Hahaha! Good! Splendid!" Qian Xunji shouted with fervor. "Xue'er, bring the radiance of the Angel God upon the world! Tell me, what can I do to help you?"
"Father," Qian Renxue said softly, "I need your death to announce the new era."
Qian Xunji froze—then smiled faintly. "Very well. Then do it."
Qian Renxue shook her head. "Not true death. I mean that for now, I wish you to withdraw to the Angel Temple. Spirit Hall will announce your passing to the world—a transition from your era to mine. Only then will our plan proceed perfectly."
Outside the Angel Temple, Qian Xunji looked up at the sacred statue of the Angel God and felt an unburdened peace. Entering the divine hall meant his name would be declared dead across the continent. In his heart, it felt almost freeing.
He exhaled once, then began walking toward the temple's gate.
"Teacher."
The voice behind him was soft and familiar—Bibi Dong's.
Turning around, Qian Xunji saw her standing there. She looked nothing like the bloodstained woman who had survived the Slaughter City—this Bibi Dong looked pure and serene, untouched, as if the past had never happened.
Her hair was still deep wine-red, confirming for Qian Xunji that this was not the rebellious imposter masquerading as her.
"Dong'er."
Bibi Dong looked at him complexly.
"You know everything, then?" Qian Xunji asked.
She nodded.
"Do you hate me?" he asked.
"I don't know what I feel," she said after a pause. "That kind of hatred only comes from one who's experienced it fully. I haven't."
"Then your heart… is it still with Yu Xiaogang?" Qian Xunji asked again.
"I never truly experienced anything with him. How could I call that love? Besides, I've seen his repulsive true face."
She remembered the day her teacher brought her to Yu Xiaogang, forcing him to choose between her and the Golden Dragon Fruit. To this day, she still didn't understand why her teacher did that—why he made a stranger choose between her and a mere fruit.
But one thing was certain: Yu Xiaogang was disgusting. Without her teacher's manipulations, she would never have fallen for such a man.
"Yes… you experienced nothing, and yet we… have a daughter," Qian Xunji said, lifting his gaze to the Angel statue. "Dong'er, you've given birth to quite the daughter."
Bibi Dong said nothing.
"I let my obsession with godhood blind me. I turned to the Evil God, never expecting that it would be the Angel God who would free me from my delusions. Dong'er, I owe you an apology. It was I who imposed my divine obsession upon you." He smiled weakly. "I am no longer your teacher. Spirit Hall's future is in your hands now. Beyond this burden, your life is your own."
Turning away, Qian Xunji walked into the Angel Temple without looking back.
"Teacher…" Bibi Dong whispered, lifting her hand slightly, but the words died in her throat as his form was swallowed by the Holy Light.
Outside the temple, Qian Renxue and Qian Daoliu watched in silence as the two parted.
"It's clear Father still cares deeply for Mother. And Mother… she's not as resentful as we imagined after learning the truth," Qian Renxue murmured with relief.
"Xue'er," said Qian Daoliu suddenly, "Your father was right about one thing. Extremes invert themselves. Beneath great confidence hides deep insecurity; behind every absolute evil may lie good, and behind every good, evil. Everything in this world can reverse itself."
He paused, then added, "Your mother's lifelong hatred for your father—have you ever wondered why? When she was six, she was destitute—Spirit Hall gave her a home. Your father became a paternal figure to her. So when that incident happened, the deeper the hatred, the more it meant he once held weight in her heart."
Qian Renxue remembered a past life—her mother's dying breath, haunted by two faces she could never escape.
One was the father she hated beyond reason.
The other, Yu Xiaogang—the man she could never truly let go of.
Did her mother ever really love Yu Xiaogang? Perhaps not. What she loved was the reflection of her father within him, etched forever into her heart.
Even her father had understood that some truths were better left untold. People need illusions to keep living—and if Bibi Dong ever lost her illusion of Yu Xiaogang, madness would be all that remained.
(END CHAPTER)
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