"Xue'er… I'm here."
The deep, familiar voice brought a rare sense of comfort.
"Grandpa!" Qian Renxue exclaimed, and immediately closed the distance between them, throwing her arms around him.
To others, she was Spirit Hall's prodigy, the perfect heir and the untouchable angel.
But in front of this man, this clumsy old man who had tried everything to make her smile, she could let her mask slip. Even after her reincarnation into this world, after awakening with strange memories and new clarity, the only one she felt a genuine familial bond with… was Qian Daoliu.
Not a single drop of blood had changed, yet her soul was no longer the same. But Qian Daoliu's care, his efforts, his gentle scoldings and quiet sacrifices, it had reached her. And perhaps, in this life too, that was enough.
After holding her for a moment, Qian Daoliu let go, placing a steady hand on her shoulder. His expression, however, had turned serious.
"I heard that… Bibi Dong came to the Elder's Hall yesterday."
There was a hint of hesitation in his voice, laced with worry.
Qian Renxue could see through him and his thoughts immediately.
He wasn't asking because he feared political consequences. No, he was thinking about the chasm between mother and daughter, a chasm he wished he could fill for her. Even after all this time, he hoped some miracle could bridge that gap.
She smiled faintly.
'He still doesn't understand that Bibi Dong is no longer someone I look forward to. If I were still the old Qian Renxue, perhaps I would yearn for my mother's approval. But I'm not that girl anymore.'
"I'm fine, Grandpa. There's no need to worry about her," she said calmly. "I don't let such things get to me anymore."
Qian Daoliu looked into her eyes. Those once-childish eyes had matured, too much and too soon. Her eyes were clear, calm, and without the slightest tremor. There was no hatred, no bitterness, there was just indifference.
'She's not going to break over her mother's rejection… but is this the cost? '
A trace of sadness rose in his chest, but he nodded, hiding it well.
Then, Qian Renxue changed the subject. "Actually, there's something more interesting I think you should know."
Qian Daoliu's eyes focused again.
"Yesterday, before Bibi Dong came to the Elder's Hall, we discovered a boy. He has full innate soul power… and his martial soul isn't just top-level, it might even surpass it."
Qian Daoliu's brows rose slightly, but he remained calm.
Qian Renxue nodded. "Apparently… he gave me a gift. A bottle of what he called Martial Soul Evolution Pills. I tested one on him. His martial soul evolved on the spot."
The weight of her words lingered in the air.
Qian Renxue said this to distract Qian Daoliu and to subtly gauge what happened to Lin Yuan after he was taken away by Bibi Dong.
'One should always be cautious of a system user. Even if he is currently half-crippled by not being able to complete his novice mission.'
The report about the previous day's commotion had likely reached Qian Daoliu already. After all, what happened wasn't some minor matter.
Qian Renxue tilted her head slightly and smiled. "He claims it's the Death Spider Emperor… but later, his martial soul evolved. From what I saw, it transformed into something far darker. Something with pure death energy, even heavier than the Saint's."
As expected, Qian Daoliu gave a soft nod and replied,
"Ah, that child Lin Yuan… he is indeed very talented. His martial soul the Abyss Spider Emperor is rare and terrifying in its potential."
He paused slightly, as if even he was surprised.
"This type of martial soul has never been archived before in the Spirit Hall's records. Not even among ancient or sealed files. It is truly a veritable top-tier… or even above it"
Qian Renxue kept her expression still, but her heart was calm and happy as Qian Daolu did not ask about the whereabouts of the remaining pills, that meant those pills were hers to keep.
However his words meant they must've researched about that new Martial Soul yesterday.
'So he has already confirmed that martial soul as something above the top tier… it really is as I thought. However people in this era is unfamiliar with the term Ultimate Martial soul.'
Qian Daoliu continued, "Currently, he has been admitted into Spirit Hall Academy. He'll be nurtured carefully."
Qian Renxue didn't raise an eyebrow at that news.
'It is expected. But… did Bibi Dong not accept him as her disciple? A spider-type martial soul should be the perfect candidate for her personal tutelage.'
That fact unsettled her slightly.
'Is it caution, suspicion… or something else?'
Just as she was pondering, Qian Daoliu's expression shifted subtly.
He furrowed his brows. His golden eyes focused on Qian Renxue with deep scrutiny.
Decades at Level 99, standing at the very peak of Douluo Continent, gave Qian Daoliu an almost divine sensitivity toward changes in soul power.
"Renxue…" he said slowly, "when did you break through the Soul Grandmaster realm?"
Qian Renxue's body stilled for a moment.
'As expected of him… he noticed.'
She smiled faintly and replied, "Not long ago, Grandpa. I just consolidated my breakthrough."