Chapter 15: Leisure and Excursions

"This Holy Son's future is limitless. If our sect can seize this opportunity, we might surpass all others in the future. But if we choose wrongly, the only thing awaiting our sect is destruction," Ning Fengzhi said.

"Hiss!"

Upon hearing Ning Fengzhi's words, Bone Douluo gasped in shock.

"This Holy Son is truly a monster. I wonder what immense good deeds the Spirit Hall performed to obtain such a Holy Son. Why isn't someone like him in our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?" Bone Douluo couldn't help but exclaim.

"Indeed. That is why, Uncle Bone, with this Holy Son in the Spirit Hall, we must ally with them if we wish to survive."

"However, you just gave me an idea. Could we invite the Holy Son to visit our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? That would deepen our cooperation," Ning Fengzhi suggested.

"But Fengzhi, if the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall stays in our sect and is discovered by others, wouldn't that make it clear that our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has joined forces with them?"

"Although our sect does not fear the Heaven Dou Imperial family, we reside within the Heaven Dou Empire. This would ultimately be problematic," Sword Douluo said with a slight frown.

"It’s fine, Uncle Sword. Currently, no one knows that the Spirit Hall has a Holy Son. Even if other sects or the imperial family see him, they won't know who he is."

"Even if they have questions, we can claim we discovered a talented youth and recruited him into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Since he is one of our own, no one will say anything! The Spirit Hall naturally won't expose my claim, as it benefits them as well."

"Furthermore, if he grows accustomed to staying in our sect and we build a good relationship, any future benefits from the Spirit Hall might come to us first!"

"Besides, Rongrong will need to awaken her martial soul later. Being on good terms with him might allow her to awaken the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda directly, or perhaps lead to unexpected rewards in the future. Even if not, it certainly won't do any harm!" Ning Fengzhi said, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Then, should we rename our sect to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

"Keep that a secret for now. If a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda suddenly appears, it will inevitably raise suspicions. Let's not expose it yet!" Ning Fengzhi replied after careful thought.

"Very well, Fengzhi, proceed as you see fit. We two old men don't understand these complex schemes; we only know how to fight. We'll leave it to you!" Bone Douluo nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, Fengzhi, you make the decisions," Sword Douluo said, glancing at Bone Douluo. "However, I am not like this old brute; he is just a reckless fool who understands nothing."

"Old Sword-man, are you looking for a fight again?" Bone Douluo trembled with anger at Sword Douluo's words.

"Old Bone-man, if you want a fight, I shall oblige!" Sword Douluo said, squinting his eyes.

"Fine, let's fight!" Bone Douluo said indignantly, walking outside, already rubbing his hands as if he couldn't wait to give Sword Douluo a good thrashing.

Sword Douluo, naturally unafraid, snorted coldly and followed him.

"Uncle Sword, Uncle Bone, you two... sigh!" Ning Fengzhi watched them and wanted to intervene, but ultimately could only sigh helplessly.

However, such things happened frequently in the sect, and he was used to it. In any case, it was just a spar and wouldn't lead to real injury.

...

In the Spirit Hall, Ling Xiao woke up early. As he walked through the Pope's Palace, he saw Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu discussing something in the distance, with Qian Renxue standing nearby.

He paid them no mind. He had never concerned himself with the affairs of the Spirit Hall. As usual, he left to eat breakfast and bought a few things.

Before long, the day had passed.

"Xiao'er, keep me company today!" In the Spirit Hall garden, Qian Renxue held Ling Xiao and said softly.

Ling Xiao sat on her lap, looking boredly at the sky. Hearing her, he replied, "Sure! Where are we going, Sister Xue?"

"Just for a walk," Qian Renxue said, looking at him with eyes that seemed to hide other emotions.

In the shadows, Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu sighed as they watched the scene. Both knew that this separation might last for over a decade, perhaps even twenty years.

For the whole day, only Ling Xiao and Qian Renxue walked through Spirit City, with no one following them.

They arrived at a clothing store. Ling Xiao had ordered a few outfits there previously as a gift for Qian Renxue’s fifteenth birthday, but since they were out, they decided to pick them up.

When Qian Renxue received the clothes, she was overjoyed and couldn't wait to try them on.

When she emerged, the store employees and the owner were all stunned.

She wore a knee-length chiffon dress, possessing a peerlessly beautiful face and eyes more radiant than the stars in the sky.

With porcelain-white skin, cherry-red lips, and long, naturally wavy hair draped behind her, she looked like a pure and beautiful angel.

Qian Renxue looked at Ling Xiao with a gentle smile.

"Xiao'er, do I look good?"

"Sister Xue is, of course, beautiful. You are as pure, kind, noble, and elegant as an angel." Ling Xiao praised her without reservation; Qian Renxue's martial soul was indeed an angel.

Hearing his praise, Qian Renxue covered her mouth and giggled.

"Sister Xue, try this one too!" Ling Xiao said, handing her another dress.

There were five outfits in total: three for Qian Renxue and two for Ling Xiao.

With a thought, Ling Xiao summoned his Demon Eye Blood Sword to carry their purchases back, and the two continued to wander about.

Reaching a restaurant at midday, they decided to have a good meal.

Money was no object, so they chose a private room to be quiet, free, and tidy.

While eating, Ling Xiao looked at Qian Renxue and asked, "Sister Xue, is something the matter?"

Qian Renxue’s body stiffened for a moment before returning to normal. She said, "It's nothing, Xiao'er. I have something to do, and I might be away from the Spirit Hall for a long time."

"What is it?"

"A secret!"

Qian Renxue gently stroked Ling Xiao's hair and said no more.

Seeing this, Ling Xiao didn't press. After they finished eating, they continued to enjoy their time together as if nothing had happened.

They went to the Spirit Fighting Arena to watch the matches, won a few tens of thousands of gold soul coins from bets, and happily used the money to buy a small cabin in the suburbs, far from the crowd.

Although it was far from the city, it was quiet and had a beautiful environment.

They spent the whole afternoon decorating. After cleaning, they bought flowers and plants to plant in the courtyard and stocked up on daily necessities and ingredients.

By evening, they cooked a meal together, feeling serene and happy.

It would have been even better if Qian Renxue hadn't been so flustered while cooking that she nearly set the house on fire.

"Hahaha! Sister Xue, don't cook next time. We almost burned down our newly bought house!" Ling Xiao laughed, looking at the blackened mess in the pot, which no longer resembled meat.

"I... this is my first time cooking. Xiao'er, you're not allowed to laugh!" Qian Renxue said, her face flushing red.

Ling Xiao shook his head, washed the pot, cut the meat and vegetables neatly, and began to cook.

The stove in the cabin was quite high, unlike the one in the Pope's Palace designed for his height, so Ling Xiao had to stand on a stool.

Fortunately, it didn't hinder him.

Qian Renxue watched him quietly, a faint smile on her lips.

*If only life could continue this peacefully,* she thought silently.

After dinner, they sat in front of the house and looked at the calm night sky.

"This is the first time I've watched the sky so relaxedly. I never realized the night sky was this beautiful!" Qian Renxue remarked, looking at the shimmering stars.

"Does Sister Xue like the night sky?" Ling Xiao asked, gazing at the stars.

"The stars shining in the dark night sky... it's so beautiful, how could I not?"

"Since Sister Xue likes it so much, when I become strong, I will construct a sky of stars that belongs only to you!"

"How is that possible? But thank you, Xiao'er," Qian Renxue said with a smile, assuming he was just speaking casually.

After all, constructing a sky of stars was something even gods might not be able to do!

*It will be possible,* Ling Xiao thought, looking at the night sky. Once he completed all his missions and obtained all the god positions, he would become a being beyond the gods.

The night grew colder, and a breeze made them shiver slightly.

Returning inside, they lay on the bed, cuddling as they drifted into sleep.

At that moment, a figure appeared outside the door, silently watching the cabin. Looking at the two sleeping inside through the window, the figure sighed softly before slowly disappearing.

The next morning, they woke up, tidied the house, and returned to the Spirit Hall.

They didn't use their martial souls or spirit power, walking for a full hour before returning.

Upon entering the Pope's Palace, they saw Bibi Dong, Qian Daoliu, Snake Lance Douluo, and Pufferfish Douluo waiting for them.

"Grandfather, Mother, two elders," Qian Renxue bowed.

"Alas, Xiao Xue, you don't actually have to go," Qian Daoliu said, shaking his head.

"Grandfather, this is my choice," Qian Renxue said, her eyes firm.

"Take care of yourself! It doesn't matter if you fail," Bibi Dong said, looking at Qian Renxue with reluctance in her eyes.

"Yes! Mother, Grandfather, Xiao'er, goodbye!" Qian Renxue said, her eyes filled with reluctance, but she eventually turned and left with Snake Lance and Pufferfish.