Su Ran and Qian Daoliu's gazes both fell upon Qian Renxue.
Qian Daoliu hesitated to speak, as he did not want Qian Renxue to bear that unknown risk.
Qian Renxue's expression was complex; she was under immense psychological pressure. She glanced at her grandfather, Qian Daoliu, then at her Teacher Su Ran, took a deep breath, and said:
"Teacher, Grandfather, you both mean well for me, and you both have your own reasons."
"The dim stars sigh in shared sorrow, the cold moon grieves in desolate anguish."
"Though wings may break and the Divine Angel fall, perhaps a path through gods and demons can reach the heavens."
"In these past few months of Cultivation, I have truly felt the power that the Fallen Wings bring me. The corrupted power generated by the Fusion of darkness and light is stronger—not just a little, but significantly stronger."
"Perhaps following the path of the Divine Angel is a lower-risk choice, but I want to try a different Cultivation path, one that is no longer dictated by fate or a predetermined course. I want to step out with Teacher onto a path that belongs to me alone!"
"Grandfather, please let me give it a try. Even if I fail, at least I came, I tried, I grew…"
Qian Renxue spoke words filled with profound meaning.
Each of us has our own destiny: a merchant's child walks towards money, a farmer's child steps towards the fields, a politician's child ascends to power. Do we have the courage to step out of our destined Legacy and seek a new Dao?
Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu saw the interwoven determination and hope in Qian Renxue's eyes—a brilliance he had never seen on her face before.
It was as if, although she had only been studying at Peach Garden Academy for a few months, she had understood many things, and these were her most carefree days.
Yes, that was freedom, it was trying, no longer restriction and discipline.
Even Qian Daoliu himself had been disciplined by the Angel God for too long and had forgotten the feeling of freedom.
"Xue'er, you…"
"Cough, cough—"
Qian Daoliu coughed twice sharply, then took a deep breath:
"Perhaps, I truly am old."
"Dean Su, I have heard that your teaching abilities are outstanding, and I have seen your strength, but do you truly possess the ability to Cultivate a God?"
"Among your Disciples, besides Xue'er, has there ever appeared any God, even a Disciple who passed the God Examination?"
"However, as Xue'er's grandfather, as the Angel God's divine servant, I must fulfill my responsibility."
"For Xue'er's sake, I hope she can stay in Spirit Hall and temporarily postpone Cultivating the power of corruption, focusing first on the power of light. If Dean Su truly has the ability to Cultivate a God, then I will rest assured and let Xue'er embark on the path of the Fallen Angel. What do you think, Dean Su?"
"Grandfather!" At these words, Qian Renxue grew anxious and called out to Qian Daoliu.
[Ding—]
[Divine Rank query detected, Divine Rank query detected. Do you want to enable the Disciple God Cultivation Plan?]
[Do you want to enable the God Cultivation Plan?]
[God Cultivation Plan enabled.]
[All Disciple rewards are enhanced. The System Spirit Bone reward baseline is raised to ten thousand years, plant rewards baseline is raised to sub-immortal grade, spirit ring and Spirit Bone enhancement fluid baseline is raised to thousand-year level… New rewards added: exclusive Divine Artifact Cultivation, exclusive mount Cultivation…]
"Yes. As long as you can accept the delay in Xue'er's Cultivation progress, this is your own choice."
Su Ran said indifferently. Although he was Qian Renxue's teacher and would do his best to make her stronger, he would not force her to Cultivate.
"Delay, there is always a chance, which is better than going the wrong way."
Su Ran finally understood why Qian Renxue, an Innate level 20 Spirit Master chosen by the gods, was still only seventy or eighty years old in her twenties or thirties.
"As you wish."
"Teacher Dong, we should go back."
Su Ran turned to look at Bibi Dong, smiling slightly, a beauty that could overturn cities, like Peach blossoms blooming exquisitely even amidst ruins.
Amidst the crumbling walls and scattered rubble, the peerless young man held the Supreme Pontiff's hand, and under everyone's gaze, they grandly walked out of Spirit City.
Gui Mei and Yue Guan followed excitedly, waving their hands and shouting to the injured Spirit Masters crawling out of the ruins:
"Brothers of the Supreme Pontiff Palace, from now on, His Holiness the Supreme Pontiff no longer belongs to Spirit Hall. Those who wish to continue following His Holiness the Supreme Pontiff, follow this Douluo's footsteps, pack up, and set sail!"
…
"Teacher! Teacher… are you going to abandon me?"
Tears in her eyes, Qian Renxue chased out of Spirit City and reached Su Ran's front. The golden-haired Divine Angel looked pitiful.
Seeing the tear stains on Qian Renxue's exquisite face, Su Ran was slightly moved. A gentle breeze came, and two Peach blossom petals wiped away her tears:
"Xue'er, since I have taken you as my Disciple, as long as you still want to learn, Teacher will not abandon you."
"Only you can decide your own Cultivation path. What you just said was excellent: at least you came, you tried, you fought for it."
"What your grandfather considered for you is not without reason. No one on this continent has succeeded with the Twelve-Winged Fallen Angel path I teach you. I am very happy that you are willing to trust Teacher."
"As long as you are willing to learn, Teacher will fully Cultivate a Divine Rank powerhouse. By then, your grandfather will have no reason to stop your Cultivation."
Qian Renxue choked out:
"How long will that take? I don't want to be separated from Teacher."
"It might be a long time, twenty years? Thirty years? Or maybe ten years, five years? It's all possible. Teacher will try to be as quick as possible."
Su Ran also had no experience in Cultivating a God.
Qian Renxue's delicate face instantly froze: "Twenty years? Thirty years? Teacher, by then, Xue'er will be old…"
"Five years. If within five years, Teacher still doesn't have the confidence to Cultivate a God, Teacher will purify your body for you, allowing you to peacefully follow the Angel God path your grandfather planned for you."
"No! I want to learn the Twelve-Winged Fallen Angel! I will not give up! I will persevere in Cultivation and transform into a Twelve-Winged Angel as soon as possible!"
Qian Renxue suddenly said with determination. If she knew there was a stronger path to take but didn't try it, what was the difference between her and a salted fish? Even if she became a God, she would be the weakest God of her rank!
"Then, Teacher will not disappoint you either. This is my promise to you."
Su Ran also looked seriously into Qian Renxue's eyes, his expression very earnest. He did not want to let down his Disciple's hope.
"Okay, I will wait for Teacher to bring a Senior Sister who has become a God to completely conquer my grandfather! By then, I will welcome Teacher in my Twelve-Winged form!"
"Mua~"
Having received her Teacher's affirmation, the burden on Qian Renxue's heart lifted. She had been very afraid that Teacher would no longer Cultivate her or abandon her as a Disciple because of her grandfather.
But at close range, looking into her Teacher's eyes, Qian Renxue's heart fluttered. Her exquisite face couldn't help but lean in suddenly, kissing Su Ran's cheek.
Immediately, her small face flushed red, her heart pounding. She flapped her Angel Wings and disappeared into the ruins of Spirit City, leaving only this sentence:
"If Bibi Dong can kiss him, I, Qian Renxue, can too! Teacher, I'll wait for you!"
"This damn girl!"
Bibi Dong quickly leaned in and kissed Su Ran's cheek, trying to cover Qian Renxue's kiss mark:
"Look at you, this girl isn't trying to make you conquer that old man at all; she's clearly been conquered by you!"
"Being kissed by both me and this girl, Teacher Su, are you very proud?!"
Bibi Dong said sourly; a pregnant woman indeed gets sour.
But Su Ran's face darkened. He had been holding back for too long and immediately began to scold Bibi Dong:
"Proud? I think you're overly proud. For the sake of the Supreme Pontiff Palace's authority, you didn't even care about your own Life Qi? When we return to the Academy, I'll scold you severely!"
Bibi Dong pursed her lips, seeing that Teacher Su was truly angry, and joked:
"How will you scold me? With the Bi You Dao Great Method? But I have a child in my belly now, so you need to be gentle~"
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