Chapter 219: Hu Liena and Qian Renxue
"Do you have a grudge against those three?" Hu Liena asked curiously as she followed behind Luo Ling.
"No," he replied, shaking his head.
"Then why did you act like that?" she asked, puzzled by the open hostility he had shown moments ago.
"They, like Yu Xiaogang, are members of the Primordial God Sect," Luo Ling explained casually.
Hu Liena's eyes widened.
"Surprised?" he said with a faint smile. "They were already involved two years ago during the Spirit Master Tournament. Otherwise, how do you think their spirit power rose so quickly?"
"Then why didn't you expose them?"
"Yu Tianheng is the heir to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"So what?"
"The heir of one of the top three sects being part of a cult isn't a small matter," Luo Ling said, his eyes glinting slightly. "If I had exposed him back then, the clan would've claimed he was deceived by Yu Xiaogang. Once that connection was cut, the clan's reputation might suffer a little, but it wouldn't truly be hurt."
He paused for a moment and then added quietly, "Teacher's goal has always been to eradicate the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan entirely."
"Teacher… wants to destroy the Blue Lightning Clan?" Hu Liena asked in disbelief. Despite being Bibi Dong's disciple for so many years, she had never known her master's true ambitions.
"Teacher's ambitions go far beyond that," Luo Ling said in a low tone. "Not only the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—but also the Clear Sky Sect, and even the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires."
Bibi Dong wanted nothing less than to unify the entire continent—a dream that had failed in the original timeline.
But this time, things were different. This time, Luo Ling existed.
Emperor Xue Ye was already a follower of the Primordial God, and the Heaven Dou Palace was bound to follow soon after.
As they continued talking, the pair arrived at the Crown Prince's mansion.
Hidden within it, the two Titled Douluos—Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Lance Douluo—quickly sensed Luo Ling's presence.
Upon realizing it was him and Hu Liena, both men appeared visibly relieved and hurried to greet them.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Holy Son, Your Highness the Holy Maiden," Snake Lance Douluo said respectfully.
"Is Qian Renxue in residence?" Luo Ling asked.
"The Bloodthorn has already gone to inform her," the man replied.
Moments later, Porcupinefish Douluo emerged from within and led them inside.
"You're finally back," Qian Renxue said as soon as she saw him, her tone sharp and dripping with sarcasm. "I thought you and your little lover had died in the City of Slaughter."
Her words carried the faint sting of jealousy, and Luo Ling couldn't help but find it amusing.
"What's this? Did you miss me?" he asked playfully.
"Who would miss you!" Qian Renxue snapped, her face flushing as she looked away.
Hu Liena, standing nearby, immediately felt a spark of unease as she watched their exchange. Acting on instinct, she slipped her arm around Luo Ling's possessively.
Seeing this gesture, Qian Renxue felt a sudden irritation rise in her chest.
She couldn't understand why she felt this way. During Luo Ling's absence, she had found herself thinking of him more than once. The moment she learned he had gone to the City of Slaughter for Hu Liena, her heart had twisted with jealousy and fear.
Without realizing it, her feelings for him had already changed.
But she was Qian Renxue—the heir of Spirit Hall, bearer of the Angel spirit, the future Angel God. How could she, of all people, harbor such emotions?
"You don't mind if I call you 'Xue'er,' do you?" Luo Ling said lazily. "After all, I did clean up that little problem called Xue Beng for you. That practically makes us old friends."
A faint tremor ran through the corner of Qian Renxue's eyes. After a moment, she nodded reluctantly.
"Xiao Ling! Just what kind of relationship do you have with her?" Hu Liena demanded suddenly, tightening her hold on his arm.
Feeling the soft pressure of her embrace, Luo Ling let out a pained but amused sigh. "For now, we're just good friends," he said. "Oh, and we have a martial spirit fusion skill together."
"A fusion skill?" Hu Liena's eyes went wide in disbelief.
She understood better than anyone what that meant. She herself shared one with her brother Xie Yue—after all, a fusion skill required two spirits to be deeply attuned… and two hearts to be in harmony.
Such bonds usually existed only between siblings or lovers.
So what did it mean that Luo Ling and Qian Renxue shared one?
Her heart wavered in panic. "Xiao Ling, you won't… leave me, right?" she asked anxiously.
Sensing her distress, Luo Ling's expression softened. He stroked her hair gently. "Silly girl. I've already told you before—you belong to me, and only me. Even if you tried to leave, I wouldn't let you. How could I ever leave you?"
The reassurance eased her fears, and she smiled again, glowing with relief.
Then Luo Ling added mischievously, "Of course, I won't leave you. But… you wouldn't mind having another good sister, would you?"
"..."
Both Hu Liena and Qian Renxue froze.
Did he really just say that—right in front of them both?
Hu Liena stared at him with wounded eyes, then glanced uneasily at Qian Renxue. Two years spent together in the City of Slaughter had bound her to Luo Ling completely. She didn't want to share him—but if he wished it, she couldn't resist him either.
Qian Renxue, on the other hand, exploded instantly.
"Luo Ling, what nonsense are you spouting! I will never be that woman's sister—and certainly not your woman!" she shouted, her face flushed crimson.
"What are you talking about?" Luo Ling blinked in mock confusion, a hint of amusement gleaming in his eyes. "I never said anything about you becoming her sister. Why so flustered?"
"Y-You…" Qian Renxue's anger and embarrassment collided, leaving her speechless while Hu Liena stared in shock.
"Go to hell!" she finally roared, launching herself at him in fury.
Holy light burst from her body, her spirit power surging as she attacked.
Luo Ling sighed, raising his hand to block the strikes while retreating with a half-smile. "Alright, alright! I went too far. I was joking—stop hitting me already!"
…
It took several minutes before Qian Renxue's anger subsided. Her cheeks still burned red, and even Hu Liena couldn't tell whether the exchange had been a quarrel or an overly flirtatious spar.
Watching the two, Hu Liena could only sigh helplessly. Deep down, she had no doubt—Qian Renxue would eventually fall into Luo Ling's grasp as surely as she had.
When Qian Renxue's breathing finally steadied, Luo Ling waved off the playful tension and spoke seriously. "Alright, enough fooling around. I've been gone for two years. How's your plan to seize the throne progressing?"
Still glaring at him, Qian Renxue huffed. "No progress at all. I was going to poison Emperor Xue Ye—but he hasn't appeared in public for a long time."
(END CHAPTER)
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