Douluo Continent: A Thousand Miles of Cultivation

Shui Bing'er passed by, but shook her head. Although she didn't understand politics very well, she knew that there were no free lunches in the world, and it was best to ask her elders before accepting anything.

Huo Wushuang pulled his sister back from her tantrum and whispered, "Xiao Wu, stop it. This isn't something to joke about!"

……

The Crown Prince's council hall was now empty of his subordinates; instead, another group of people stood there.

Lightning flashed and thunder roared outside the window, seemingly matching the somewhat somber atmosphere.

Led by Qian Renxue and Qian Shui, they are followed by Yin Jin, Feng Jingyi, Ling Yunzhi, and Huan Hongchen.

Beneath the surface of a grand event lies a complex web of intrigue. Who wins and who loses is ultimately unimportant; what is on the surface is merely on the surface, just as what those who control the situation control is also only on the surface.

The sudden confidence on the snowy night was not sudden, just as the loss of the Royal Fighting Team II was not sudden.

"If I participate, I'm guaranteed to win, right?"

With his back to everyone, he spoke calmly and silently.

Just like his first time participating in the elite competition, he was facing Tianshui Academy again. Back then, his teammates couldn't bring themselves to attack because she was a girl. Regardless of what happened, Feng Jingyi stepped forward, so his backup plan wasn't activated.

But this time was different. Qian Shuishui, who was stronger than herself back then, was the guarantee mechanism for the Royal Fighting Team 2. However, the guarantee mechanism was activated, but they still lost.

The cause of defeat lies not in the external, but in the internal. An impregnable fortress is often breached from within, especially when facing an opponent of roughly equal strength.

At this moment, with one in gray-blue and the other in platinum, everyone knew they had switched back.

"I've been thinking, if all the key factors for victory are revealed, would victory be guaranteed without my involvement? The reality is not necessarily so! Just like those kids."

"Human nature is a spiral of contradictions. The positive aspects are indeed powerful, but the negative aspects will follow in quick succession. Then, people will pray for an absolutely powerful force that can resolve everything. But what happens after everything is resolved? Does everything start a new spiral all over again?"

Qian Renxue, standing between Qian Shui and the others, was the only one facing the opposite direction; she was facing everyone who was moving towards her and Qian Shui.

Just as the Buddha said, demons will inhabit temples and transform into Buddhas. They decorate the temples with splendor, magnificence, and solemnity, but they distort the Buddha's words and deeds and do the things of demons. Finally, when all faiths are distorted, the Buddha will also pass away.

"Xiao Shui, should we start moving ahead of time?" Qian Renxue turned her head slightly, her expression serious.

“No need. Everyone is clear-headed about this problem. Since they are clear-headed, let them do it. What we need to do is to give the confused the right guidance.” After saying that, Qian Shui turned around and looked directly at everyone, and continued, “The gods are the strongest beings of the past, but they have long since left the human world. Yet believers are still obsessed. It is easy to overthrow them, but it is very difficult to replace them. If we cannot do it, humanity will continue to sink into a long-term slump.”

"You'll all come with me to Wuhun City for the Elite Tournament, but Sister Hongchen's place is the most important. Heaven Dou City will be empty by then, so be careful! Now, let's get ready to begin!"

The crowd replied, "Yes!"

……

The situation was far more complex than Qian Shui had imagined. Nobles from the old kingdom, feudal lords from some unknown corner, emerging merchants, officials, and even forces from the Star Luo Empire—all sorts of monsters and demons were about to be revealed.

Qian Shui's strength is probably enough to rival that of the gods, but he is somewhat helpless in the face of this situation.

Just like when Bibi Dong wanted to take advantage of the opportunity when Guangling Douluo was mobilized to slaughter the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, he could also kill all of these people.

But what happens after that? Who will fill the void they left behind? They started one chaos and started an even bigger one, but couldn't solve it, bringing even greater disaster. And the original intention was to make things better?

Isn't that ironic?

If it were the Qian Renxue from before, she would say that she really would kill, but the opening of that door was different.

She stood at the forefront, controlling the military and political affairs of the entire country. Combining theory with practice, she finally understood why Qian Shui would not kill unless absolutely necessary.

Destruction is much simpler than construction, and the value a person can create is far greater than the value they create when they die.

When you lack the ability to break down the old order and rebuild the new, it is best to temporarily stand on the old order.

After the others left, the couple looked at each other in silence, everything understood without needing to be said.

"Xiao Shui, Rongrong is here."

"Hmph! She's not stupid."

Why say one thing and mean another? After all, that child might be your own sister in this life.

"I don't care, I'm going to see Bai Chenxiang and my son."

Qian Renxue chuckled for a while when Qian Shui disappeared from the spot. She clearly cared for Ning Rongrong so much, perhaps even more than her disciple Qian Shuishui.

A flash of golden light, and the handsome Xue Qinghe reappeared, walking slowly towards the main entrance and opening the doors to the council hall.

"Rongrong, it's about to rain, come in."

The Crown Prince's residence was unusually quiet today, just like usual. No one stopped Ning Rongrong, and she entered smoothly.

The end of a match is usually a time for celebration, but they didn't celebrate today.

Needless to say, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun left early and didn't even participate in the awards ceremony.

The girls were waiting for her, but she sent them back to school; she wanted to be alone.

Even after leaving the Heaven Dou Arena, Ning Rongrong was still thinking about some things. A lot had happened recently, and she wanted to understand it, but she couldn't find any clues.

As she walked, she arrived at Emperor Street. During the Elite Tournament, Tiandou City was bustling with activity, but she, who usually loved shopping, couldn't muster any enthusiasm.

The sky was filled with dark clouds and rumbling thunder, a weather as somber as her mood, but it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the vendors and customers.

One by one, vendors hawking their wares and the dim, flickering lights flashed by. Among the pedestrians were ordinary people they didn't know, Soul Masters, or even familiar opponents from their competitions. They were either discussing, playing around, enjoying the market together, or planning to listen to music in brothels—such was the human condition.

"Miss Rongrong, would you do me the honor of joining us?"

Such attempts to strike up conversations were inevitable, with Hu Yanli from Elephant Armor Academy, Huo Wushuang from Blazing Fire Academy, and Yu Tianxin from Thunder Academy all present. As the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, being alone naturally attracted the attention of these disciples from prominent families and sects.

Normally, she would have already lost her temper and kicked people out, but today she just couldn't muster the energy.

Fortunately, they saw Xue Beng leading Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun into a restaurant from afar, and that annoying fourth prince did not bother them.

Before she knew it, Ning Rongrong arrived at the Crown Prince's residence, which was originally her favorite place, but now it already had a mistress.

Without realizing it, she went inside and met Xue Qinghe, who opened the door for her.

"Brother Xue...I..."

"Don't be so upset about one game. It won't affect your advancement."

Leading Ning Rongrong to a quiet room in the back corner of the council hall, Qian Renxue, who had transformed into Xue Qinghe, poured tea and gestured for Ning Rongrong to sit down.

This is the meeting room, a place for temporary exchanges with guests.

"Tell me, what's troubling Rongrong so much?"

Xue Qinghe's gentle smile calmed Ning Rongrong's troubled mind. "It's nothing, I'm just upset about losing the match."

He handed over the brewed tea and smiled gently, "Rongrong, when did you stop wanting to confide in your brother Xue?"

"No, Brother Xue, I... I just..."

Hearing Xue Qinghe say this, Ning Rongrong panicked. This man was always so charming that she could give him all her heart.

"Is it because of Hua Hua?"

As expected, Xue Qinghe saw through Ning Rongrong's thoughts immediately.

The girl picked up the tea, took a sip, and softly replied, "Mmm."

"Rongrong, Huahua likes you a lot, so she has higher expectations for you, do you understand?"

"She likes me? I doubt it!"

Ning Rongrong was unwilling to admit that Ning Huahua liked her. The fact that Ning Huahua had deliberately chased her all the way from Tiandou City to Shrek Academy was mostly to capture her and bring her back for the wedding, clearly an attempt to disgust her.

However, if Ning Huahua were just Ning Huahua, Qian Renxue would probably think so too. But Ning Huahua is Qian Shui, and also herself. Although Qian Shui's wicked sense of humor led her to travel a long distance to invite Ning Rongrong to the wedding, it also shows that she values ​​the child enough.

Perhaps the Nine-Colored Goddess will not be able to appear, but her talent is still undeniable.

"Rongrong, is there some conflict within your team?"

The little angel didn't dwell on whether he liked it or not, but instead asked about the cause of the incident.

"Yes. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun and I have fallen out..."

Ning Rongrong briefly recounted the events, and Qian Renxue roughly understood.

"A prince of the Star Luo Empire, he really dares to say that!"

Seeing that Xue Qinghe's face had also darkened, but remembering that the match still had to go on, Ning Rongrong quickly comforted him, "Brother Xue, I was also wrong. The match was about to start, but I still couldn't hold back. She's probably angry because of that..."

"No, let's switch to Hua Hua, then we can skip the competition."

Qian Renxue understands Qian Shui; he doesn't care about competitions. If Dai Mubai dared to say those words about first sex and then sex to him, Dai Mubai would most likely be hanging on the city wall.

"The outcome of a match on stage is often decided offstage. Hua Hua is not only angry about losing the game, but also about losing the game because he had a high winning percentage."

Rongrong, winning or losing is not important; what's important is having confidence in both.

To fight even knowing you're going to lose is the mark of a true warrior.

To remain calm and composed even when you know you're going to win is the mark of a true champion.

But when you're on the field, can you still clearly see who's winning and who's losing?

Know yourself and the enemy, a hundred battles will never end.

When internal conflicts erupt, but the game still has to be played, the concept of "close friends" disappears.

"He who wins a battle before it is fought has many advantages; he who loses a battle before it is fought has few advantages."

If you can't even figure out what's going on with your own team, or whether your teammates are listening to commands, and you can't even put your efforts in one direction, then you're doomed to defeat, just like the Spirit Hall right now.

Qian Renxue learned these things from Qian Shui's memories and also wanted to tell Ning Rongrong about them.

"Just like you trust Brother Xue and are willing to confide in me."

So, Hua Hua is angry that you can't handle things, why don't you go to her? She entrusted all the children she painstakingly raised to you because of her trust in them.

When faced with insurmountable difficulties, even though there are people you can rely on to help you, you choose to shoulder the burden alone. In her eyes, how little trust do you have in her?

……

'Uh…Xiaoxue, am I that amazing? And I didn't even put in much effort…'

'Shut up! '

Chapter 253 The Little Apprentice Takes on the Qualifying Rounds Alone; The Finals Approach, the Curtain Rises [6000 words]

Intentionally planting flowers but not blooming, unintentionally planting willows and willows make a shade.

Qian Shui said that teaching the students was just something he did casually, and he didn't have any doubts about whether he trusted Ning Rongrong or not. He was just really annoyed that the girl couldn't handle things and didn't even come to him for help.

Qian Shui: She knew how to trick Shen Feng into going on stage when she was fighting him, but when things got tough, hey! She took all the blame herself! Impressive!