On the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest!
Qian Renshang walked with faltering steps, his small body swaying precariously, as if he would collapse at any moment.
His face was filthy, his eyes filled with exhaustion and hunger.
"I'm so hungry... Where can I find something to eat?"
Qian Renshang felt he was about to faint from hunger when suddenly... his eyes lit up.
Not far ahead of him, a beautiful fruit tree appeared.
The tree was lush and leafy, its branches laden with plump, juicy fruit.
The fruit was vibrant in color, red like jewels, green like jade, shimmering alluringly in the sunlight.
The moment Qian Renshang saw the fruit tree, his eyes lit up, a spark of hope igniting in his previously dim gaze.
He mustered all his strength and quickened his pace towards the fruit tree, muttering, "Food, finally something to eat..."
Qian Renshang wolfed down the fruit, the sweet juice temporarily making him forget his hunger and exhaustion.
Moreover, he sensed that these fruits weren't ordinary... their life force seemed quite powerful.
After eating just a few, he felt less hungry.
However, just then, he suddenly felt a chill behind him.
A nameless fear surged through him, and he slowly turned his head.
At that turn, his heart seemed to stop beating instantly.
A huge snake head appeared before him, so large it almost filled his entire field of vision.
Its forked tongue hissed incessantly, its cold eyes fixed on him.
Qian Renshang: "???"
"Holy crap!"
Qian Renshang's eyes widened in horror, the fruit in his hand involuntarily falling, his body paralyzed with extreme fear.
He never expected that this seemingly delicious fruit tree actually belonged to this giant snake.
"Haha... Hello, sorry, I didn't know this fruit was yours. I'll return it to you now."
Qian Renshang said awkwardly, then placed the extra fruit on the ground and slowly retreated.
The Purple-Striped Python stared at Qian Renshang, and the next moment... it suddenly launched an attack.
This was the spiritual fruit it had guarded for so long; its breakthrough to become a thousand-year-old soul beast depended on this fruit tree, on this very thing!
This despicable human dared to eat it, he deserved to die!
"This speed... this power, it seems to be a hundred-year-old soul beast, this is a bit troublesome."
Qian Renshang muttered with a bitter expression. How unlucky he was, even eating fruit that already belonged to someone else.
But he was only three years old, and hadn't even awakened his martial soul yet.
Qian Renshang felt he was no match for this soul beast.
So Qian Renshang chose to run, but how could his speed be a match for this Purple-Striped Python? He was immediately caught up.
Then it opened its blood-red maw at him, and Qian Renshang instinctively raised his arm to block.
He thought he was definitely doomed, but the next moment...
clang!
The sharp fangs seemed to bite into metal, and the purple-striped python felt pain in its entire jaw.
Purple-striped python: "???"
Is this child a monster? Its skin is so hard.
Qian Renshang was also stunned for a moment, but quickly realized that the Golden Dragon King bloodline rewarded by the system must have changed his body, even his skin had become much harder.
"Hehe..."
Qian Renshang's lips curled up slightly, looking at the purple-striped python in front of him, his expression gradually becoming somewhat dangerous.
A few minutes later!
Qian Renshang sat on the purple-striped python, whose head was covered in bumps, and the latter's expression was one of utter despair.
Damn it!
If he can't beat this human, he'll have to die!
But Qian Renshang patted its head and didn't intend to kill it.
"I ate your fruit, so I admit I was in the wrong... but I don't have anything to give you right now, I'm really broke."
"However, if we meet again someday, I'll make it up to you."
As he said this, Qian Renshang's face was dirty, but his eyes were full of sincerity.
He didn't have a bloodthirsty appetite, and this soul beast hadn't provoked him.
The Purple-Striped Python: "???"
It flicked its tongue, looking at Qian Renshang with a bewildered expression.
Although its intelligence was low and it couldn't fully understand Qian Renshang's meaning, it could sense the goodwill emanating from him.
So... it climbed to the fruit tree, picked up the few fruits on the ground, and handed them to Qian Renshang.
"For me?... Thank you so much, Brother Snake."
Qian Renshang scratched his head, feeling a little embarrassed, but he was indeed very hungry, so he shamelessly accepted them.
After saying goodbye to the Purple-Striped Python, he headed straight into the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest.
On the way!
Qian Renshang touched his chest, a hint of curiosity in his expression.
"Why do I always feel like there's a force drawing me in...it's such a strange feeling."
"Never mind...I won't
think about it anymore. I'll just take it one step at a time."
As if struck by a thought, Qian Renshang's gaze dimmed further.
Leaving Wuhun City...Qian Renshang was truly lost.
He didn't know where he should go.
Going back was impossible, but staying in the Star Dou Great Forest wasn't a good solution either.
Qian Renshang even felt that living was meaningless, since no one cared about him anyway.
Mother, sister?
These distant titles almost tore Qian Renshang's heart apart.
If he hadn't promised his mother in his previous life to cherish his life, he would have given up long ago.
"Mother…you told me to always smile, but why do I feel like smiling is getting harder and harder…"
Qian Renshang said with a bitter laugh, then continued walking forward expressionlessly.
As he walked, Qian Renshang subconsciously thought that his mother and sister must be very happy after he left.
After all, he, this superfluous and obstructive person, was gone.
…
…
Late at night! Spirit Hall!
Tonight, the Spirit Hall was destined to be somewhat turbulent.
The news of the Spirit Hall's current Pope's return from serious injury could no longer be suppressed, causing widespread panic throughout the Spirit Hall.
After all, the Spirit Hall Pope was the soul of the entire Spirit Hall; his existence was truly crucial.
The Pope's private palace!
"Cough...cough!"
In the dimly lit room, a handsome man lay severely wounded on a large bed.
His golden hair was scattered messily on the pillow, like scattered, broken golden sunlight.
Although his blue eyes were dimmed by pain, his high-bridged nose and tightly pursed lips still outlined his extraordinary features, even in his weakened state.
His face was as pale as paper, yet it did not diminish his innate noble air.
Each labored breath was accompanied by a slight tremor, but his brows still revealed an indomitable determination.
The wounds on his body were shocking, blood seeping through the white bandages, yet his posture remained straight, as if even on the verge of death, his dignity would not be compromised in the slightest.
He lay there quietly, weak yet composed, his extraordinary demeanor seeming to speak of his past glory and pride.
The man was none other than the severely wounded Qian Xunji!
(End of Chapter)