"Haha~ How is it? Do I look better now?"
Jin Yue'er blinked at Ye Tian, looking quite peculiar.
"Indeed, you're much more pleasant to look at now."
Ye Tian wiped the saliva from his face and nodded with a light smile.
The Jin Yue'er before him was still wearing a white undershirt, a black vest, and wide-leg pants, looking very neat and sharp.
The five limp sky-piercing braids on her head were gone.
They had transformed into smooth golden hair cascading down her back, making her already delicate face appear even more charming and exquisite.
Her large, light golden eyes sparkled with vitality, her eyebrows were slender and picturesque, her tall and petite jade nose was straight, and her cherry-like mouth and fair, delicate ears seemed almost translucent. Paired with her radiant smile,
she looked utterly innocent and lively,
indeed much more likable than her previous somewhat abstract appearance.
"Hmph~"
Hearing Ye Tian's praise, Jin Yue'er let out a proud, delicate snort.
Squatting beside Ye Tian,
she tilted her head and asked playfully:
"So, Ye Tian, do you like it?"
"It's alright~"
Ye Tian replied calmly with a faint smile.
He had always believed that liking something didn't necessarily mean loving it.
Of course, he couldn't help but like beautiful girls.
Who wouldn't like someone young and pretty? Unless their sexual orientation was unusual.
"Hehe~"
Hearing this, Jin Yue'er's smile grew even brighter and sweeter.
Leaning closer and lifting her pretty face,
Jin Yue'er whispered teasingly to Ye Tian, "Then, do you want to take a bite and taste me?"
"Cut it out~"
Ye Tian laughed and raised his hand, swatting toward Jin Yue'er's approaching face.
Slap!
"Ah~ Ye Tian, you hit me again!"
Jin Yue'er cried out delicately, covering her cheek and glaring at Ye Tian reproachfully.
"You interrupted my cultivation. Don't you deserve to be hit?"
Ye Tian retorted irritably.
Not wanting to get further entangled with this girl, he asked instead:
"By the way, have you secured your third Spirit Ring?"
"Of course I have!"
The reproach on Jin Yue'er's face vanished, replaced by pride.
Her expression changed as swiftly as ever.
She extended five fingers toward Ye Tian.
"My third Spirit Ring was taken from a Mountain-Cleaving Crocodile with over five thousand years of cultivation. Now, I'm a thirty-third-level Soul Venerable!"
"Mountain-Cleaving Crocodile? Is your Soul Skill related to claws?"
A flicker of curiosity flashed in Ye Tian's eyes.
The Mountain-Cleaving Crocodile, a type of Spirit Beast, didn't live in aquatic environments but rather, contrary to common sense, dwelled in rugged mountain gullies. Relying on its claws, it took on the role of a pangolin.
It was an expert at digging tunnels and burrowing underground.
"Yes! My third Soul Skill is called Demonic Crocodile Sky-Rending Claw!"
Jin Yue'er nodded emphatically.
With a backflip, she stood up. A flash of golden light passed,
and her seemingly delicate body was now covered in thick, menacing golden scale armor. Three purple Spirit Rings slowly unfurled beneath her feet.
Without another word,
Jin Yue'er immediately activated her third Soul Skill.
The purple Spirit Ring emitted a purple glow, and wisps of purplish-black mist surged from it, coiling around Jin Yue'er's arms, which were already clad in golden scale armor. This made her already robust arms even thicker, and with the purple mist swirling around them, they took on a dark golden hue.
Her hands, already resembling iron gauntlets, now sprouted sharp, dark golden claws.
"My third soul skill instantly triples the strength, defense, and attack speed of my forelimbs. This skill works both in close combat and for ranged attacks. When used for ranged attacks, the slashing claws it releases lose power over distance."
As she finished speaking,
Jin Yue'er swung her arms.
The air around her tore under the sharp claws of her massive hands.
Afterimages flickered, and in an instant,
crescent-shaped claw marks flashed in the air, forming what looked like half a sphere.
"Triple?!"
Hearing this amplification, Ye Tian's pupils contracted slightly in surprise.
He even overlooked Jin Yue'er's arrogant self-proclamation.
But considering that this boost only applied to Jin Yue'er's arms, Ye Tian felt reassured. For a Spirit Ring over five thousand years old, such a powerful enhancement limited to just the arms seemed appropriate.
"Not bad."
Ye Tian watched as Jin Yue'er's arms gradually relaxed, and said with a smile, "This soul skill can make up for your lack of ranged attacks."
"Of course, of course!"
Jin Yue'er wiped the tip of her nose with her thumb, her face full of pride.
The golden armor on her body seemed to retract beneath her skin.
The three purple Spirit Rings beneath her feet slowly shrank and disappeared.
"Hehe!"
Looking at Ye Tian sitting cross-legged on the ground, Jin Yue'er grinned and pounced toward him.
Still seated on the ground, Ye Tian naturally couldn't dodge.
He was immediately embraced tightly by Jin Yue'er, their faces pressed together, cheek to cheek.
"Now that we're both Soul Venerables, it seems I'm qualified to be your teammate, right?"
Ye Tian frowned.
He leaned back with a look of disgust and reminded her,
"Please, just talk. Don't stick out your tongue."
"Haha~ I will, I will!"
Jin Yue'er clung to Ye Tian, unwilling to let go.
Her petite body seemed boneless as she pressed her upper half against Ye Tian's chest while her lower half remained sprawled on the ground, boldly sticking out her tongue.
"Who told you to smell so good? Bleh~"
"Tsk! You asked for this!"
Feeling his face growing increasingly damp, Ye Tian could no longer tolerate it.
He raised his hand
and smacked Jin Yue'er's buttocks.
Smack—!
"Ow! That hurts!"
Even after hearing Jin Yue'er's cry of pain, Ye Tian didn't stop his punishment.
Smack! Smack! Smack!!
The crisp sound of slaps echoed continuously, and anger flickered in Jin Yue'er's eyes.
"Ye Tian! Stop hitting me!"
"If you hit me again, I'll strip you naked and marry you right here!"
"Huh?!"
Ye Tian's eyes widened, and his raised hand froze mid-air.
"What did you say?"
Jin Yue'er wrapped her arms around Ye Tian's neck, looking up at him with a proud, willful expression, and said matter-of-factly, "Hmph! You touched my body and spanked my butt. You have to take responsibility. Otherwise, if people find out, who would marry me?"
"What kind of logic is that? You're so young. Why think about such things?"
Ye Tian replied, both amused and exasperated.
"If I don't think about it when I'm young, should I wait until I'm seventy or eighty?"
Jin Yue'er frowned and retorted.
"Well..."
Ye Tian was momentarily speechless and said helplessly, "But you're still too young for that."
"None of your business. I'll think what I want. Hmph!"
Jin Yue'er snorted.
She took another bite on Ye Tian's face, then rolled over and moved away.
She sat cross-legged directly opposite Ye Tian.
Staring straight at the young man.
She didn't care what the person before her thought.
These were all her own matters, and she didn't need Ye Tian's approval.
Wasn't she even allowed to think about it? If she didn't even dare to think, how could she get a share from Sister Xue?
"..."
Ye Tian looked at Jin Yue'er, somewhat surprised.
He touched his damp, tooth-marked cheek, feeling helpless.
Of course, he knew Jin Yue'er's feelings.
But now was really not the time to think about such things. Lifting his sleeve to wipe the saliva from his face, Ye Tian changed the subject again.
"By the way, where's Xue Er?"
"Sister Xue was called to the Hall of Worship by the Grand Elder. I was bored, so I came to collect my seven-day supply of pills~"
Jin Yue'er pouted and smiled, holding out both hands toward Ye Tian.
"..."
Ye Tian was momentarily stunned.
Instantly, he connected Qian Renxue going to the Hall of Worship with Bi Bi Dong's visit there last night.
Yet he couldn't figure out what exactly was going on.
Ye Tian could only obediently take out two jars from his Soul Guidance Device and place them in Jin Yue'er's hands.
"Do you know what the Grand Elder wanted to talk to Xue Er about?"
"How would I know?"
Jin Yue'er looked at Ye Tian as if he were an idiot, then her eyes sparkled.
She didn't even want the pills anymore.
Jin Yue'er directly placed the two jars on the ground, pointed her index finger at her red lips, and said with full seduction, "Of course~"
"If you're willing to kiss me, I might just know then~"
Ye Tian rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"Do you really think I'm an idiot?"
"..."
——————
The sun was bright and warm.
Behind the Douluo Hall was the Hall of Worship, where many powerful guardians resided.
The Angel Statue held out its hands, its expression compassionate.
Its six wings spread out, as if embracing the entire hall within its feathers.
Light, brisk footsteps sounded.
A graceful figure in a golden palace dress walked to this place and sat cross-legged beneath the Six-Winged Angel Statue. Looking at the middle-aged man with closed eyes opposite her, she leisurely spoke, "Grandfather, you wanted to see me?"
"..."
Qian Daoliu slowly opened his eyes, looking at his granddaughter who had become stronger before him. A flash of satisfaction appeared in his eyes, and he nodded slightly.
"Yesterday evening, the Pope came."
"Her?"
Qian Renxue frowned, her words sharp.
"What was that woman doing here? Using the Pope position our Qian Family bestowed upon her to come here and flaunt her power over us?"
"Not exactly."
Qian Daoliu shook his head, his expression meaningful.
"She came in her capacity as Pope, with the goal of having the Spirit Hall rule the continent. She wants you to personally carry out Jier's unfinished plan."
Qian Renxue looked puzzled, "Father's unfinished plan? What is that?"
"A plan to steal a kingdom."
Qian Daoliu actually had some understanding of Qian Xunji's various schemes.
However, he was not truly a noble gentleman.
He could not avoid being common and harboring selfish motives.
And his greatest selfish desire was to revive the Angel's Glory.
"Steal a kingdom?!"
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue was inwardly shocked.
"Correct."
Qian Daoliu suppressed that complex sense of regret and nodded in explanation.
"I believe you are aware, Little Xue, that among the Qian Family's Inheritance Spirit Bones, there is one that grants powerful camouflage abilities. This Spirit Bone is the crucial element of this plan to usurp the throne!"
"Become the Heaven Dou prince..."
Qian Renxue quickly grasped the key to this plan.
She swiftly identified the Heaven Dou Empire, one of the Two Great Empires. After all, the Heaven Dou Empire's Martial Soul is the swan, which lacks combat prowess, making it much easier to disguise.
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly, his expression complex.
"Actually, Jier originally intended for you to carry out this mission. But you were still too young, and he wasn't at ease—that's why it became an unfulfilled plan."
"So, Grandfather, you agreed to it?"
Qian Renxue frowned.
"I did agree to your father's request early on, but the circumstances are different now."
Qian Daoliu nodded, then shook his head.
Qian Renxue understood his meaning—he had not agreed to Bi Bi Dong's proposal.
"Now, I believe that with your current talent, you should focus more on cultivation rather than playing house with the royal nobility in Heaven Dou City."
Qian Daoliu spoke earnestly.
With Qian Renxue's talent, she could surpass him entirely. She might even gain the recognition of our ancestors and receive the unprecedented Angel Nine Trials!
Yet, an unavoidable trace of conflict flickered in Qian Daoliu's eyes.
"In that case, Grandfather, you can simply refuse her. Right now, I only wish to focus on cultivation, even if this was a plan left behind by Father."
Unaware of the peculiar look in Qian Daoliu's eyes, Qian Renxue answered without hesitation.
With Ye Tian's guidance,
nothing could hinder her from growing stronger.
"I have refused as well."
Qian Daoliu nodded in understanding but added:
"However, the Pope had more to say."
"She asked me to convey to you that, as the legitimate daughter of the Qian Family, you cannot hide forever. Sooner or later, you will be exposed to the Soul Master Realm. Without achievements, how will you command respect in the Spirit Hall? Therefore, considering this, she wants you to serve as the Saintess in the Papal Hall."
"Saintess?!"
Hearing this, Qian Renxue's pupils contracted, and she immediately resisted.
"She can forget it!"
Qian Renxue exclaimed sharply.
"I am no longer the Qian Renxue I once was. Now, just seeing her makes me uncomfortable for an entire day, and I cannot even cultivate in peace!"
"..."
After speaking,
Qian Renxue quickly realized something, her delicate eyebrows tightly knitted together as she asked in surprise, "Grandfather, is that woman forcing me to choose between two options?"
"That seems to be the case."
Hearing Qian Daoliu's response, Qian Renxue shook her head firmly.
"Hmph! I won't choose either!"
Qian Renxue knew,
where there is abnormality, there is deceit!
She detested Bi Bi Dong, and Bi Bi Dong surely despised her in return.
Out of nowhere,
why would she suddenly act as if she cared about her?
And even want her to become the Saintess of the Papal Hall?
There must be a scheme behind this!
Yet, Qian Renxue couldn't figure out what Bi Bi Dong was plotting.
"..."
Qian Daoliu nodded, hesitated for a moment, and seemed on the verge of speaking but held back.
This time,
Qian Renxue keenly noticed the peculiar expression on Qian Daoliu's face, her heart filled with doubt and suspicion.
If Qian Daoliu had already refused on her behalf,
he likely wouldn't have specifically called her here to discuss this matter.
Qian Renxue asked curiously,
"Grandfather, did she say anything else?"
"She said the Holy Son child has something called a Walking Corpse Pill. After making someone take it, they can be turned into a puppet, completely under the controller's command."
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's eyes lit up with surprise.
"Xiao Tian?!"
"It's him."
Qian Daoliu nodded, his gaze carrying a hint of astonishment toward Ye Tian as he murmured:
"That means..."
Before Qian Daoliu could finish his sentence, Qian Renxue's eyes sparkled as she took over his words.
"That means the plan to usurp the throne won't actually delay my cultivation. With Xiao Tian's help, the plan might even become extremely simple. The targets of control aren't limited to just the prince, but also high-ranking officials and nobles?!"
"That's correct, but the fewer people controlled, the less likely we are to expose any flaws."
Qian Daoliu nodded gently.
"..."
Qian Renxue frowned and fell silent for a moment.
"Grandfather, what exactly is that woman's purpose in doing this? I can't figure it out at all—what benefit does she gain from this?"
"Grandfather doesn't know either. Perhaps her conscience isn't completely gone yet."
"Hmph! I'd rather believe she simply doesn't want me to appear in Spirit Hall City even for a moment, afraid I'll get in her way!"
"..."
Qian Daoliu did not respond.
No matter how hard he racked his brain, he could never imagine that Bi Bi Dong's purpose in doing this was merely driven by the private desire she harbored in her heart for Ye Tian.
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "LegendaryTL" on Patreon!"
Thanks!