"Of course."
The tension in the chamber eased slightly, though a lingering aura of power and authority remained. Qian Xunji continued to lie and was now unconscious.
Qian Renxue's eyes flicked to Qian Xunji's prone form. Beneath her calm exterior, a spark of calculated satisfaction flared. Justice would be served, yet the game had only just begun.
Qian Renxue and Qian Daoliu remained in the secret chamber.
Meanwhile Bibi Dong while leaving turned back, her hands subtly raised as if to call her daughter, but no sound came out. She stared at Qian Renxue's back, her expression unreadable—part of her wanted to speak, to question, yet another part of her restrained itself. The raised hands slowly lowered, the moment passing in silence. Then she slowly left the room
Qian Renxue turned around and said to Qian Daoliu, "Let's call for a healer, otherwise our pope will really die today."
Qian Daoliu nodded while keeping a stoic face, but Qian Renxue understood that he was truly relieved.
Heaving a quiet sigh, Qian Daoliu summoned a healing soul master. "Prepare your soul techniques. Our priority is to stabilize him—he cannot be allowed to die in this state."
As the healer took take care of Qian Xunji, bandaging and healing the recent gruesome wounds, Qian Daoliu stood calmly beside Qian Renxue, his gaze focused on her. Sensing his thoughts, Renxue spoke first. "Grandfather, do you want to know something? You can ask me directly, or are you dissatisfied with how I handled everything?"
Qian Daoliu shook his head. "No. It is not about that. My son, your father, will face the consequences of his actions, but I do not want you burdened by it."
Qian Renxue nodded knowingly. "Grandfather, you are thinking about the leniency I granted Bibi Dong. You think it is because of guilt after revealing the truth to her, but that is not the case."
Qian Daoliu's expression stiffened slightly.
"Grandfather," Qian Renxue continued calmly, "you have already checked Qian Xunji's injuries. You must already know why he cannot heal fully. "
'It is the Divine power, Immortal Qi, that continues to corrode him, slowly making him a cripple.' which she did not say aloud.
Qian Daoliu's understood how precisely Qian Renxue had discerned the situation.
Qian Daoliu's thoughts were 'The only solution, would be sealing his cultivation, but a pope without power is useless. Yet Renxue's plan for promoting Bibi Dong as the next Pope is perfect. She is her mother, and one day Renxue herself can ascend when the time is right."
Qian Daoliu exhaled slowly, a rare flicker of relief crossing his otherwise stoic face. Qian Renxue had once again demonstrated an uncanny understanding of both strategy and human nature.
With the healer continuing to stabilize Qian Xunji, the two of them walked outside toward Elder Hall, their minds focused but the tension of the day still lingering heavily in the air.
-----
Location : Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
The night was quiet, save for the faint rustle of paper as Ning Fengzhi carefully read through reports on his desk. His complexion was pale, a faint greenish tint clinging to his lips. Bandages wrapped around his chest peeked through his robes, and the faint fragrance of medicinal herbs lingered in the room.
A maid stepped forward with a respectful bow."Master Ning, your medicine."
Without a word, Ning Fengzhi accepted the jade vial, poured out the pill, and swallowed it. The bitterness spread down his throat, and he let out a soft cough to suppress the uncomfortable churning in his chest.
A shadow flickered, and Gu Rong emerged from the darkness. His gaze sharpened as he watched Ning Fengzhi force down the antidote.
"I never thought Dugu Bo would be this formidable," Gu Rong said grimly. "His poison skills were already unmatched, but now… even more terrifying. Anyone below the level of Titled Douluo wouldn't even last a few breaths against him."
Ning Fengzhi set the empty vial aside and forced a faint smile. "How is Chen Dao?"
Gu Rong's face twisted with frustration. "That brat is recovering. Barely. If he hadn't shouted about saving the Dugu family, Dugu Bo wouldn't have gone into such a rage."
Shaking his head, Ning Fengzhi sighed. "No, Elder Gu. Even if Chen Dao had remained silent, the outcome wouldn't have changed. Dugu Bo was already provoked. Before he attacked, his words were clear—'Do you think my Dugu family as a joke?' Those were not words of sudden anger. They were the culmination of something else."
Gu Rong stiffened. His fists clenched until veins stood out on the back of his hand. "You mean… someone had already pushed him to that point?"
Ning Fengzhi's eyes narrowed, sharp as blades despite his weakened body. "Yes. When I inspected the battlefield, the edge of the poison formation showed traces of an earlier conflict. Someone had already fought him before we arrived. According to our informants, two days prior, members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect entered Sunset Forest."
The air grew heavy.
Gu Rong's expression darkened, a storm brewing in his eyes. "Those reckless fools…" He wanted to roar in anger, but Ning Fengzhi raised a hand to stop him.
"Elder Gu," Ning Fengzhi's tone was stern despite his frailty. "Now is not the time for division. The Three Great Clans must remain united. If cracks appear between us, Spirit Hall will only use it to their advantage."
Gu Rong exhaled heavily, the fire in his chest dimming though not extinguished. After a pause, he muttered, "Even so… that Tang Hao… to think he could actually achieve such a feat."
Ning Fengzhi's eyes grew distant, a shadow of both admiration and wariness passing through them. "Yes… Tang Hao. His strength is undeniable."
Then there was silence as both men were thinking