Douluo: Soul-Breaking spear

Chapter 270: Qian Renxue's Dilemma

After their journey to the Rakshasa Realm, Yang Potian, Bibi Dong, and Qian Renxue returned to Spirit City, each with a different mindset.

Yang Potian felt a sense of relief. The Rakshasa God was, after all, the source of many of their problems. Successfully striking a temporary deal with him was a small victory. Now, he could only hope that the Sea God and the Shura God would prove helpful. By invoking their names as leverage, he had negotiated with the Rakshasa God, and he could only hope these two deities would put some pressure on him.

Since exiting the Rakshasa Realm, Bibi Dong had been uncharacteristically silent. She had nearly attacked Qian Renxue in that dark realm. Now that she was herself again, she seemed to carry a heavy weight, likely one of guilt and self-torment.

Qian Renxue, on the other hand, was filled with resentment. The strained relationship she already had with Bibi Dong seemed only to grow more conflicted, leading her to question if they could ever reconcile. To make matters worse, she now carried an inexplicable memory from the Rakshasa Realm that she couldn't seem to shake.

Holding her Angelic Sword, Qian Renxue pointed it at Yang Potian, her expression icy. "You'd better forget everything that happened in the Rakshasa Realm. If you so much as breathe a word about it, the Angel Clan will be your sworn enemy."

Yang Potian feigned ignorance, shrugging. "What could you possibly be referring to? I have no idea what happened in the Rakshasa Realm, apart from negotiating with the Rakshasa God. Why don't you refresh my memory?"

A hint of pink colored Qian Renxue's cheeks, but she quickly snapped, "You know exactly what I mean, you scoundrel!"

However, when she noticed Yang Potian's genuinely puzzled expression and the look of confusion on Bibi Dong's face, Qian Renxue felt a bit flustered.

Bibi Dong, sensing her confusion, spoke up. "Xiao Xue, we were all under the influence of the Rakshasa God's illusions in that place. Yang Potian was fighting them the entire time and couldn't have done anything to you. If anything happened, tell me, and I'll make sure justice is served."

Qian Renxue's expression shifted drastically, and she spat, "I don't need anything from you. You don't deserve to call yourself my mother."

With that, she stormed out of the hall, leaving Bibi Dong at a loss.

Once Qian Renxue had gone, Bibi Dong regained her usual stern demeanor and turned to Yang Potian. "I've taken you to the Rakshasa Realm and fulfilled my part of our arrangement. Whatever follows, you and Xiao Xue can handle it yourselves. I won't interfere."

Yang Potian nodded, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll rest for a few days, and when Qian Renxue is ready, we'll head to our next destination."

Bibi Dong suddenly spoke up, "Yang Potian, aren't you curious why I almost attacked Xiao Xue in the Rakshasa Realm?"

Yang Potian shook his head. "It's no mystery. The Rakshasa God is the god of evil, who magnifies a person's inner desires until they lose control. You're his successor, already carrying the Rakshasa God's power, so you're more vulnerable to losing control than others."

"Besides," he continued, "thoughts and actions are not the same thing. For instance, I once considered destroying Spirit Hall and wiping out the Clear Sky Clan. But in reality, I chose to cooperate with the Spirit Empire. Does that make me a hypocrite?"

Bibi Dong's expression turned somber. "Then why did you choose to work with the Spirit Empire? With your power, no one could force you."

Yang Potian thought for a moment. "Perhaps it's the sense of unity and prosperity here. At least in Spirit City, I see true care for the common people, more so than in the two empires."

He then handed her a small book titled Heart Sutra. "You went through the trials of the Slaughter City and gained the Killing God Domain, so you understand the risk of losing control. As the Rakshasa God's successor, that danger is even greater for you. This text may help you gain some inner peace."

After handing her the book, Yang Potian returned to Chrysanthemum Douluo's residence to rest, awaiting Qian Renxue's readiness before their next journey to the Slaughter City.

Upon returning to the Douluo Hall, Qian Renxue went straight to see Qian Daoliu.

The older man looked at her with a fond smile. "Xiao Xue, how was your trip to the Rakshasa Realm? Did you gain any insights?"

Tears glimmered in Qian Renxue's eyes as she spoke. "Grandfather, do you know? Bibi Dong tried to kill me. Why does she want me dead?"

Qian Daoliu looked troubled. After a pause, he said, "Xiao Xue, no matter what, she is still your mother. She was merely under the influence of the Rakshasa God's evil power. You must try to understand her."

"But why?" Qian Renxue demanded, anguished. "The Rakshasa God may amplify darkness, but he can't force her to act unless the desire was already there."

Qian Daoliu sighed. "This is a tragic burden we all bear. I'll speak to her myself. Just, please, try not to harbor hatred for her."

Qian Renxue wiped her tears and spoke firmly, "Tell that woman that one day, I will surpass her. I will defeat her and make her pay for everything she's done."

Qian Daoliu quickly tried to console her. "Xiao Xue, must it come to this? Do you really want to turn mother against daughter?"

Her face hardening, Qian Renxue replied, "Grandfather, I don't know why you defend her, why you indulge her, but since you won't tell me, I'll follow my own path."

Qian Daoliu could only sigh, shaking his head sadly, offering no further argument.

After a moment of tense silence, he spoke again, "Was there anything unusual in the Rakshasa Realm? Did Yang Potian do anything... out of the ordinary?"

Qian Renxue paused, recalling Yang Potian's actions in detail, though she omitted the part about her own illusion.

Qian Daoliu nodded after hearing her account. "Yang Potian has shown impressive skills. To negotiate with a god and even break free from the Rakshasa God's illusions... I may have underestimated him."

"Xiao Xue, be wary of Yang Potian in the future. He's deeply shrewd, a strategic thinker, and may become a formidable rival on your path to godhood."

"But this time, he did well. Even I hadn't realized that a god trial could be manipulated. It seems Bibi Dong's current situation may be due to this interference."

Qian Renxue nodded quietly, though a faint blush colored her face.

After leaving Qian Daoliu, she returned to her quarters, thinking about everything that had happened in the Rakshasa Realm. Her mind lingered on the memories from her illusion, especially her interactions with Yang Potian, which caused her cheeks to redden further.

Qian Renxue felt a confusing tension. Yang Potian denied ever experiencing the illusion with her, yet since then, they had shared a strange, unspoken understanding that went beyond mere acquaintance. This left her feeling increasingly awkward, uncertain of how to deal with him.

Meanwhile, Qian Daoliu sought out Bibi Dong to discuss the recent events in the Rakshasa Realm.

Qian Daoliu's face grew stern as he addressed Bibi Dong. "Bibi Dong, I didn't expect you'd have no regard for the bond between mother and daughter. You actually considered killing Xiao Xue—your cruelty knows no bounds."

Bibi Dong's expression darkened. "I've already explained to Xiao Xue that I was caught in the illusions of the Rakshasa God. Besides, if I truly wanted to kill her, I would have done it in the Rakshasa Realm. She and Yang Potian were trapped in illusions long enough for me to act without anyone knowing."

Qian Daoliu scrutinized her, as if searching for some hint of her true intentions in her eyes. But Bibi Dong's gaze was calm, steady, and gave away nothing, showing none of the animosity that might suggest she wished harm upon Xiao Xue.

After a long pause, Qian Daoliu finally said, "I know you resent Ji'er and his child. You even loathe our Angel Clan. But I still hope you and Xiao Xue can coexist peacefully. After all, you are mother and daughter."

Bibi Dong smiled faintly. "Oh, I'm well aware of what's important. If I have anyone to kill, it would be you first. There's no pleasure in eliminating a mere junior."

Qian Daoliu was unfazed by her remark. He had, after all, witnessed Bibi Dong's transformation over the years and was well acquainted with the nature she had developed.

Bibi Dong continued. "What do you think of the three strategies Yang Potian suggested? Xiao Xue and I will work on the first one. After the Rakshasa Realm experience, I believe we've both gained something. For the third strategy, I've already sent Ghost Douluo to search the Star Dou Forest. Once we have confirmation, we'll strike. With the combined strength of the three of us, along with the elders, the Titan Giant Ape and Azure Bull Python won't escape."

She paused, then added, "The main question now is Yang Potian's second strategy. Should we implement it? If so, how and when?"

Qian Daoliu hesitated. "What exactly are you planning? I may be a peerless Douluo, but I can't leave Spirit City to fight Di Tian head-on. I'm strongest here in Spirit City."

Bibi Dong sneered. "Of course. You go ahead and keep hiding in your shell. I want you to place the Six Priests entirely under my command. I also want the Angel Legion mobilized."

"This time, I intend to accomplish it all in one blow. First, we will purge the Xingluo Empire, then wipe out the Tiandou Empire. We will eradicate their royal families, and with them, exterminate the Clear Sky Clan and Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."

Qian Daoliu considered her words carefully, weighing the cost. "Fine. I'll have the others follow your orders to carry out this plan. But I demand that none of the Six Priests suffer any harm. I also suggest waiting until Yang Potian and Xiao Xue finish their mission. I'll speak to Yang Potian, and if he agrees to join us, we can be assured of a safe retreat, even if Di Tian does appear."

Bibi Dong thought for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. I'll need time to gather everyone. Many of our strongest are currently on assignments outside the city. Yang Potian's mission with Xiao Xue should only take a month or two. We'll act as soon as he's done."

"Good. Then it's settled. I'll have the Six Priests wrap up their tasks. When the time comes, we'll carry out the operation in one decisive strike."

What neither of them realized was that this very conversation would soon bring unprecedented upheaval to the Douluo Continent.

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