"This is, of course, something you need to do. But… how are you planning to atone for it?"
Xiao Lin shook his head. The hatred of a mother's murder was something unforgivable, something that could never be repaid.
The fact that Tang San hadn't already attacked Qian Renxue with his hidden weapons could already be considered an act of restraint.
"I can't afford to atone."
Qian Renxue fell silent. This wasn't an ordinary life that had been taken.
If it were just a commoner, she might've been able to compensate with gold or resources.
But considering Tang San's relationship with Xiao Lin — and the master behind Xiao Lin, the great Xiao Yan — there was no price she could offer.
In this situation, she could only admit that life is priceless.
It was a cold, harsh truth — and she knew it.
At that moment, Qian Renxue realized there was no longer any hope of recruiting Xiao Lin and his companions.
Frustration welled up inside her. Why had her father, Qian Xunji, ever chosen to attack Tang Hao and his wife?
Was it because Tang Hao wasn't yet a Titled Douluo back then?
But Tang Hao had been the heir of the Clear Sky Sect — attacking him had been sheer stupidity!
Could it have been… someone's provocation back then?
Yes.
Her father hadn't needed a spirit ring at that time.
He'd gone to hunt a soul beast because of that vile woman, Bibi Dong.
Could it have been Bibi Dong who incited him back then?
If not, then the only other possibility was that her father acted for a 100,000-year soul bone.
But their Angel lineage had no shortage of inherited soul bones — why would he need another?
"I don't know the full truth myself," Qian Renxue said finally, her tone softening. "But I'll ask my grandfather personally and uncover what really happened — if you're willing to trust me."
"Also, I can give you a soul bone of over fifty thousand years as compensation. That's an invaluable treasure."
"And I'll add other benefits on top of that."
Qian Renxue clenched her fists. If even this offer couldn't win them over, then there was nothing more she could do.
"Oh, and one more thing — I can let you take the Angel God's divine trial."
"You might not know this, but taking a divine test can increase your spirit ring ages — and your soul bones as well."
"With your talent, you'd gain tremendous benefits."
In order to win over Xiao Lin and the others, Qian Renxue had even revealed the secret of divine trials — proof of just how much she valued them.
Xiao Lin thought for a moment. If they could take advantage of the Angel God's power once, and later go benefit again from the Sea God's divine trial… wouldn't that be a perfect win-win?
But of course, that depended on Tang San's decision.
After all, Xiao Lin would never abandon his brother Tang San just for a better deal.
"To be honest," Tang San said through gritted teeth, "I really want to kill you."
"If not for the fact that you seem truly sincere…"
He took a deep breath, forcing his anger down.
"Brother Lin… can my mother still be revived?"
Tang San turned to Xiao Lin, his eyes full of desperate hope.
"Of course," Xiao Lin replied, making an 'OK' gesture. "It wasn't possible before, but now? With the Angel God's divine power, bringing your mother back won't be a problem."
"That's good… If we can gain the Angel God's power, then I'll accept your apology."
Tang San clenched his fists tightly, growling the words out.
"Brother Tang San," Qian Renxue said solemnly, "I swear on my Six-Winged Angel spirit that I will help you."
Hearing that Tang San accepted her apology, Qian Renxue's heart leapt with joy — though she kept her face serious.
But she'd already revealed almost every card she had to offer.
Now, she wasn't sure what else to trade or promise them.
"Qian Renxue, you're not going to continue negotiating?" Xiao Lin asked curiously.
He was still hoping to squeeze out a few more benefits — after all, any chance to grow stronger was worth taking.
Even Tang San, lightened by the hope of his mother's resurrection, was in better spirits now.
Xiao Wu and Tang Ni were the same — the Angel God's trial sounded like a direct path to power.
And Xiao Wu couldn't help thinking back to Xiao Lin's words — "With divine power, reviving your mother wouldn't be a problem."
If that was true… maybe her mother could come back too.
"Heh… I've got nothing better to offer you anymore." Qian Renxue sighed helplessly. "I wish I could make a better deal."
"Aren't you the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall? The heir? You've got to have something good left!"
Xiao Wu immediately jumped in — she'd just gotten her hopes up about resurrection and strength; there was no way she'd let this opportunity slip.
"Well… not exactly nothing. Why don't you tell me what you want instead?"
Qian Renxue's eyes brightened — maybe that would work.
"I want the information and weaknesses of the people who hunted my parents," Tang San said coldly. "That's all."
He didn't really care for treasures anymore — only revenge.
"For Xiao San, just give us some rare Spirit Hall ores or something," Xiao Lin added. "As for me, I want access to your Hall's restricted archives."
Then Xiao Lin paused, an idea flashing through his mind.
"Right, you have the Angel Spirit. Can you purify this?"
He took out the external head spirit bone from his storage tool — a piece that still held a trace of evil energy.
He did have another way to purify it — using the Thunder Emperor Dragon's soul bone skill, which carried a bit of destructive power.
That destructive force could annihilate the evil within it, but Xiao Lin had hesitated — he didn't want to damage the spirit bone itself.
Besides, he hadn't fused it yet.
When Xiao Lin brought out the head spirit bone, Tang San's expression immediately changed — he knew how powerful it was. If Qian Renxue could purify it…
Qian Renxue's brows furrowed deeply, as if facing a great enemy.
"I can purify the evil power… but—"
She fell silent, feeling a headache coming on. The moment she tried to use the Angel God's light to purify the bone, her divine test gave her a new, additional trial:
Extra Angel God Test — Devour the spirit bone before you. All your spirit rings will increase by 1,000 years.
It was just like how the Rakshasa God's test had demanded that Bibi Dong devour Qian Xunji's Angel Spirit and soul.
Now, Qian Renxue faced something eerily similar.
The evil energy within this spirit bone was stronger than even the Angel God's power. If she could devour it, she'd not only remove the corruption but also gain immense benefits.
But… this was Xiao Lin's item.
If it weren't his — or Tang San's — maybe she could have shamelessly negotiated for it.
Luckily, the test didn't include a punishment… otherwise…
"Forget it. Leave this to me," Qian Renxue said with a tired sigh.
Ever since she'd met Xiao Lin and the others, everything had gone wrong. What started as a confident recruitment mission had turned into a string of setbacks.
To truly cleanse this spirit bone, she'd need the help of the Angel God statue itself.
"Hm? We still can't trust you yet."
Xiao Lin immediately put the spirit bone away, smiling faintly.
"Fine… what else do you all want?" she asked.
"I want to become stronger."
"Me too," said Tang Ni and Xiao Wu in unison. They didn't have any particular requests — just strength.
"Then… you want soul bones, right? But even I can't just hand out fifty-thousand-year ones at will."
"I do have some thirty-thousand-year ones though. Would those even interest you?"
Her tone implied that even Spirit Hall's vaults weren't limitless.
"Brother Lin?" Xiao Wu's eyes brightened instantly.
Xiao Lin nodded. "Yes."
"Then we'll take them!" Xiao Wu said eagerly, while Tang Ni nodded quietly in agreement.
(End of Chapter)