Of the four core members of the Holy Spirit Sect present, the weakest—Feng Ling—was a Super Douluo. Each of them understood the implications of being a demigod.
Godhood was the ultimate allure for any Super Douluo.
Now, Zhongli Wu finally grasped why Ye Xishui had abandoned her partnership with Xu Tiannan. What could Xu Tiannan offer them? Political power and influence?
If godhood were within reach, who would waste time on worldly authority?
Becoming a god meant obtaining eternal life. For these Super Douluos, each with at most a century of life remaining, the chance to live even a few years longer was an overwhelming temptation.
Ye Xishui, despite reaching the pinnacle of Limit Douluo many years ago, had been stuck there for nearly a century. Yet in just one month, she had shattered that barrier.
From the moment she met Qian Ran until now, only a month had passed.
In such a short time, Ye Xishui had achieved what countless others could not in a lifetime.
If she could achieve this in a month, then perhaps…
Both Zhongli Wu and Feng Ling couldn't help swallowing hard.
Any thoughts of eliminating Qian Ran were now thoroughly dispelled. If he could grant them the same opportunity as Ye Xishui, they wouldn't hesitate to worship him like a deity.
"Mother, how confident are you about becoming a god?"
"Fifty percent," Ye Xishui replied after a moment of thought.
In truth, she had no idea if she would succeed. The outcome ultimately depended on Qian Ran.
Her breakthrough was thanks to the Enlightenment Tea Qian Ran provided. Without it, she would have been forever stuck at the Limit Douluo stage. She now knew that the path she had chosen could take her further, but she had no clue where it might lead.
Would she hit another impasse at the peak of the demigod stage? No one could say for sure.
Qian Ran was her guide, the only one who knew the answers.
Unknown to Ye Xishui, Qian Ran's system ensured that reaching the peak of the demigod stage would grant his followers godhood. But for Ye Xishui and the others, this was still a mystery.
This was why her attitude toward Qian Ran was so unusual—she believed he held the key to her ascension.
Demigod status was merely her first step; her true goal was godhood.
For Zhongli Wu and Feng Ling, fifty percent was an astronomical success rate. Even a ten percent chance would have made them envious—let alone fifty.
Long Xiaoyao, however, did not share Zhongli Wu's jealousy. Seeing Ye Xishui so confident, he only felt joy for her.
If she could live well and reach new heights, that was enough for him.
Especially now, as he gazed upon Ye Xishui, it felt as if the vibrant young girl she once was had returned.
The Ye Xishui who now had a chance at godhood exuded a confidence entirely different from before. Though she had been a Limit Douluo for nearly a century, the stagnation had taken a toll on her spirit.
Now, in just a short time, Ye Xishui had regained her former vigor.
Of course, this confidence was reserved for the likes of Long Xiaoyao and Zhongli Wu. In front of Qian Ran, Ye Xishui dared not act with such arrogance. Annoying Qian Ran would only bring misfortune upon herself.
As a result, she even found herself treading carefully around him.
"Mother, I understand. I will do everything I can to support you," Zhongli Wu quickly assured her. The last thing he wanted was to upset Ye Xishui. Besides, he was increasingly intrigued by Qian Ran.
If Qian Ran could help him reach the demigod stage, he wouldn't mind stepping aside and letting Qian Ran lead the Holy Spirit Sect.
"Don't think I don't know what's on your mind. You are not to disturb Qian Ran unnecessarily," Ye Xishui warned, shooting Zhongli Wu a sharp glare. If Zhongli Wu acted rashly, she knew Qian Ran would hold her accountable.
"I understand."
Zhongli Wu wasn't a fool.
With his mother firmly shielding Qian Ran, how could he possibly act against him? If even Ye Xishui, with her pride, chose cooperation over confrontation, it was clear that direct force wasn't an option.
"Feng Ling, what do you think we should do?" Once outside, Zhongli Wu turned to Feng Ling, the woman he trusted most. Feng Ling, dressed in a black robe without a hood, stood beside him.
Feng Ling was undeniably beautiful, with the allure of a woman in her thirties. Her pale skin radiated an enchanting glow, accentuated by a faintly wicked charm.
Her distinctive eyes, small but expressive, were framed by dark red markings that extended to her temples, adding a touch of exotic allure.
"We must forge a good relationship with Qian Ran and avoid any hostility. Whatever secrets he holds, if they could be taken by force, they wouldn't still be in his possession," Feng Ling said wisely.
Ye Xishui, proud as she was, had evidently failed to overpower Qian Ran. That alone was reason enough to tread cautiously.
If Ye Xishui could have subdued Qian Ran, she would have done so long ago rather than striking a deal.
"That makes sense." Zhongli Wu nodded in agreement. His mother's personality was such that, if she could have bent Qian Ran to her will, she wouldn't have hesitated.
"For now, I'm more interested in those pills he supposedly has. Let's start by establishing contact with Qian Ran and observing him before making any other moves," Feng Ling continued.
At Rank 97, Feng Ling wasn't in a rush. With her current level, aspiring for godhood was still a distant goal.
Her immediate concern was understanding Qian Ran's temperament and gauging Ye Xishui's future progress.
For a woman, the allure of eternal youth was irresistible.
Though Feng Ling appeared radiant and youthful now, her age was creeping up on her. Unlike Ye Xishui, her cultivation couldn't indefinitely preserve her beauty.
If she couldn't secure the pills from Qian Ran, she would inevitably face the harsh reality of aging within a few decades.
"Are you suggesting you should approach him?" Zhongli Wu blinked in surprise.
"Of course. Do you think you should go instead? With your temperament, you'd probably ruin everything," Feng Ling retorted with a sly smile, rolling her eyes at Zhongli Wu.
As a Rank 98 dark soul master, Zhongli Wu's combat prowess was undeniable, but diplomacy wasn't his strength. The thought of him groveling to a younger man like Qian Ran was laughable.
(End of Chapter)