The Saint Sword Youlan Dair was originally forged by the Moths of the Flame of the Previous Civilization in the Honkai universe—a weapon designed to master the technology of manipulating microscopic particles to alter macroscopic properties. By controlling these particles, Youlan Dair could reshape the structure and physical nature of matter itself.
And now, this very sword lay quietly within Qian Ningshuang's body.
Gazing inward, Qian Ningshuang observed the weapon resting inside her: a Western-style longsword with a golden hilt and a crossguard shimmering with iridescent light.
Of course—how could Black Abyss White Bloom become a martial soul while Youlan Dair, the legendary blade so integral to Bianca's growth, be left out? Clearly, her "Bianca Youlan Dair" character template had been fully replicated.
Yet for some unknown reason, the Saint Sword hadn't manifested as her martial soul. It simply resided within her, unresponsive no matter how she tried to call upon it.
"Shuang'er, come quickly—let's test your先天 soul power!"
Tian E's eager voice cut through her thoughts. He stood before her, holding a testing crystal, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Oh! Right!" Qian Renxue clapped a hand to her forehead, laughing. "I got so excited I forgot!"
Qian Ningshuang silently placed her hand on the crystal.
She'd never worried about her martial soul—but先天 soul power? That was never in doubt. Bianca's template might be stripped down, but her unparalleled天赋? Impossible. Without that terrifying talent, she wouldn't be Bianca Youlan Dair at all.
As brilliant blue light flooded the crystal, Tian E's expression shifted from elation to disbelief.
"How can this be? Only ten levels?! A martial soul that stirred more energy than the Angel's Awakening… and only ten levels?!"
Qian Ningshuang rolled her eyes internally.
Scared me for a second—I thought my先天 soul power was low! Ten levels is still the absolute peak of human potential in Douluo Continent! It's not like everyone gets Qian Renxue's god-gifted twenty-level先天 soul power. Ten levels alone appears only once every few years!
Besides, even among those with full先天 soul power, there were tiers: some reached ten because that was their limit; others reached ten because it was the only option available.
But seeing Qian Renxue's equally shattered expression—like her entire worldview had collapsed—Qian Ningshuang wisely kept her thoughts to herself.
"Full先天 soul power is already a gift beyond most people's dreams," Qian Daoliu said gently, stroking his beard with a knowing smile. "Xue'er, Shuang'er is different. Don't compare them."
He showed no disappointment—only quiet understanding, as if he'd expected this all along.
"Ah… you're right, Elder Brother," Tian E sighed, forcing a wry smile. He'd finally realized: not every powerful martial soul came with a divine ancestor.
Though she bore the Qian name, Qian Ningshuang wasn't truly of the Angel bloodline.
"Alright, Shuang'er," Qian Daoliu continued, "retract your martial soul. Tomorrow, Second Brother will take you to acquire your soul ring. Go play with Xiao Yue for now. I need to speak with Xue'er—she'll find you shortly."
"Yes, Grandfather."
Qian Ningshuang obediently dismissed her martial soul and turned toward the Douluo Hall's entrance.
She'd always known when to leave. Some conversations weren't meant for her ears—regardless of closeness. Knowing too much was just wasted mental energy.
From her knowledge of the original plot, she could guess what Qian Daoliu wanted to discuss. As an adopted granddaughter and sister, interfering would only leave a poor impression—and she wasn't skilled at comforting or persuading anyway.
As her figure vanished beyond the doors, Qian Renxue's expression hardened. She already knew what was coming.
"Xue'er," Qian Daoliu began hesitantly, "you've returned after so long… would you consider visiting the Papal Hall?"
He forced the words out, knowing full well his clever granddaughter had anticipated this.
But what choice did an old man have? Mother and daughter couldn't remain estranged forever. He'd tried for years to mend their rift—always in vain.
"No need," Qian Renxue said coldly. "Go to the Papal Hall just to ruin my mood after seeing Xiao Shuang? Don't waste your efforts, Grandfather. I'm going to find Xiao Shuang. I'll join her soul ring hunt tomorrow."
Watching her leave, Qian Daoliu could only sigh. Some things never changed.
"Don't trouble yourself, Elder Brother," Tian E said, scratching his white hair. "Children will find their own paths. If Xue'er refuses, there's little we can do."
"True," Qian Daoliu murmured. "Go prepare, Second Brother. The Hunting Forest can't provide the soul beast Shuang'er needs. You'll have to go to the Star Dou Forest."
After Tian E departed, Qian Daoliu turned to the sacred Angel God statue within the hall.
Then, a deep voice echoed in his mind.
"Stop overthinking it. This isn't something resolved by one side swallowing pride. If what you say is true—that the current Pope, Bi Bi Dong, inherited the Shura God's legacy—then peace is impossible. In the end, it will come to blades. I know exactly what Shura is."
"Ancestor! You're awake?" Qian Daoliu's face lit with shock, then deep reverence. To outsiders, it seemed he bowed only to the statue.
"Thanks to Shuang'er's Awakening, most of my soul wounds have healed. I'm no longer in that foggy stupor. As for Shura… tsk tsk. The God Realm's filth really stretch their hands far. I couldn't explain much before—my awakenings were too brief. But now I can speak plainly: they've coveted Spirit Hall for ages. With Shura—a god long at odds with our Angel Ancestor—already embedded within our ranks, do you think we'll be spared?"
Qian Daoliu's outward expression remained devout, but inwardly, bitterness surged.
"Why? The Angel Ancestor fell because of them! Even after all these years—after we've stopped promoting Angel worship—they still won't let us be? Must they exterminate us completely?"
"Precisely because the Angel Ancestor fell! All that faith still flows to Spirit Hall—even without active worship, it gathers at the vacant Angel God throne. Can you imagine how those trash-gods, who either inherited or clawed their way to divinity through faith, lust after that power?"
"Enough talk. When the time comes, the gods won't hesitate. We must meet force with force—and we do have countermeasures."
"Tomorrow, give Shuang'er the Canyang Bracelet. With her nearby, I'll recover faster. Within half a year, I should be able to manifest a physical form. Her fate-veiling aura will hide me from the God Realm. Once I regain my strength—even partially—I can hold the line until Xue'er and Shuang'er come of age."
"And the Sovereign of the Star Dou Forest likely needs Shuang'er even more than I do. Through her, we can forge an alliance. Unless the God Realm intervenes directly, they'll have no way to touch Spirit Hall."
"Yes, Ancestor."
Qian Daoliu steadied his emotions and bowed inwardly in silent assent.