Douluo Continent: A Thousand Miles of Cultivation

"Hahaha, great! From now on, I'll be your mother!"

The children's laughter mingled with Qian Renxue's, striking everyone's hearts like heavy hammer blows. Ning Fengzhi looked at Xue Qinghe with concern; the children didn't understand, but their laughter carried profound political significance.

This cry was meaningless; even Xue Qinghe resignedly loosened his clenched fists.

Because no matter whether this child can return to the Heavenly Dou Empire or how far he grows in the future, he will never be able to inherit the throne. How can someone above the Gold Rank recognize a thief as their mother?

Once this fact is established, no matter what he does or what achievements he makes in the future, he will be criticized behind his back.

Ning Fengzhi thought to himself that all was lost, and Xue Qinghe closed his eyes in anguish. Ning Fengzhi, as her teacher and grandfather, wanted to do something, but he was powerless to help Qian Daoliu.

"Hmph!" Qian Renxue sneered, glancing sideways at Ning Huahua, whose eyes were red-rimmed. "I know you're powerless, but that's how things are. If you want to bring your son back, bring him to see me!"

"I don't know where he is! You fucking go find him yourself!" Ning Huahua's eyes were already red.

"Hey, don't cry~" Walking closer, Qian Renxue lifted Ning Huahua's chin again. "You're very unwilling, you want to hit me, you even want to kill me, right? I'll satisfy you on the field!"

Then Qian Renxue turned around and paced back and forth. "Calm down. I won't do anything to this child. On the contrary, Grandpa will keep all his promises! After all, I should be considered your master's wife!"

These words caused another round of stares and glances, but because Qian Daoliu was present, there was not a single commotion.

"You!" The confident and silly Ning Huahua of the past had completely disappeared. At this moment, she was just a pitiful mother who had lost her child. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her hesitant expression was filled with resentment and helplessness.

Amid Ning Fengzhi's anger, Xue Qinghe's reluctance, Ning Huahua's sorrow, and all the disbelief, Qian Renxue disappeared from the spot, holding the child.

"No! Ah!!!" As Qian Renxue and the child disappeared, Ning Huahua could no longer hold on. She reached out to grab them but found nothing, causing her to fall straight down onto the stands.

Then, Ning Huahua's piercing cries echoed throughout the entire arena.

A sense of powerlessness swept over everyone who pitied Ning Huahua. Upon reflection, Ning Huahua had done nothing wrong. The scene of her defeating the Netherworld White Tiger with a single blow was still vivid in their minds. Yet, she was now powerless in the face of the Spirit Hall.

The match did not end there; it continued as if nothing had happened. As everyone saw, Ning Huahua was knocked unconscious by Chen Xin and taken back, while Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi went to the Papal Palace.

The situation is no longer about whether to compete or not, because it's meaningless. Facing Qian Renxue, a quasi-Title Douluo, even the strongest Royal Fighting Team has no chance of winning, let alone the others.

But this is a performance, you have to perform whether you want to or not. What do you want to do if you don't perform?

Even considering only the younger generation, not counting the missing Qian Shui and the outrageously arrogant Qian Renxue, the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation alone is enough to suppress generations. Who would be willing to confront them head-on?

...

"Your Highness need not say more. I think she has made herself very clear. As long as Your Highness persuades your good friend, my good disciple, to return to Wuhun City, then everything will be fine!"

"What if I can't do it?"

"That is naturally as the High Priest said."

...

Ning Fengzhi remained silent as he walked out of the Papal Palace. The threat in Bibi Dong's eyes was self-evident, and he was even too afraid to say a word to help Xue Qinghe.

What if Xue Qinghe finds out about his deal with the Spirit Hall? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School would probably end up pleasing neither side.

Ning Fengzhi also noticed that Xue Qinghe had changed after stepping out of the Papal Palace. The once handsome and refined Xue Qinghe had become unusually sharp, and his eyes were filled with determination as he looked back at the Papal Palace.

Chapter 259 Gathering, Dividing the Spoils, Fighting [6000 words]

Qian Shui was very concerned about his son's affairs, even though he was born in the Tian Dou Empire and was the Crown Prince.

This would be easy to explain in any other world, but Douluo Continent is different. The existence of Martial Souls simplifies many things, such as the determination of bloodlines.

Especially since this is Qian Renxue's child, her family's genes are too strong, and awakening the six-winged angel martial soul is almost inevitable.

While it's easy for Qian Shui to cover up the past with his strength, what happens afterward? The whole family working together on the Heavenly Battle Plan? Isn't that just betraying their son?

Therefore, Qian Shui's plan was simple: Qian Renxue would appear and snatch her son back from Ning Huahua and Xue Qinghe. This would not only fulfill her wish to participate in the Elite Tournament, but also free Qian Renxue from the Heavenly Battle Plan.

Of course, this was also to defeat Bibi Dong; the existence of descendants was more effective than anything else.

The fourth round of the elite competition was held after a day's rest. Bibi Dong was overjoyed on this day. She threw down her pen, stopped working, and just sat and watched Qian Qingyu playing around, and she was in a good mood.

Bibi Dong thought Qian Shui was the smartest, as she immediately brought up her beloved grandson.

This not only severed Xue Qinghe's ties with the Spirit Hall, but also cut off the backing of Elder Qian Shui's Hall, which was far more effective than any ambush or assassination attempt she might have made.

The only thing that doesn't quite add up is the details of the robbery and murder. Yue Guan and Qian Shui's testimonies match up well, but they can't hide the fact that...

That means no one died in this massacre, neither from the Heavenly Dou faction nor the Spirit Hall faction. This was clearly Qian Shui's doing; he was the only one who refused to kill.

Bibi Dong couldn't understand what Qian Shui was scheming. After all, it seemed that they had simply returned to the Spirit Hall and staged a kidnapping of a child as a hostage.

Qian Shui has always been cunning and scheming, though it's not usually apparent. Bibi Dong understands this all too well; he's always been like this since childhood, with every action having an ulterior motive, just like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

Whether it was business or the appearance of Ning Huahua, Ning Fengzhi was completely manipulated by him, without even knowing who was playing him.

At this moment, Bibi Dong felt as if she had become Ning Fengzhi, and the entire Spirit City seemed to be under the control of Qian Shui, who had just returned.

Shaking her head, Bibi Dong couldn't think any further. The only fact was that Qian Daoliu had actually agreed to Qian Shui's plan and would join them in their foolishness. The fact that the prideful Qian Daoliu would agree to sacrifice Qian Renxue's image for such an absurd thing was already outrageous enough.

That's why she felt something was wrong; there was something deeper behind it all. But she got lost in the repeated calls of "Grandma." Qian Qingyu is just too adorable.

Aside from her blonde hair, she is almost identical to Qian Shui when she was a child, but she lacks Qian Shui's shrewdness and laziness, and is more like Qian Renxue's intelligence and cuteness.

Yes, wasn't Qian Renxue cute when she was little? How could that be! If we disregard Qian Renxue's background, Bibi Dong would definitely like her, but she couldn't.

But Qian Qingyu is different. This child has no original sin. No matter what, Bibi Dong can't find any reason to blame this child. On the contrary, she loves this child very much. The maternal love that was originally lacking in Qian Renxue seems to have been placed on this child.

As for the rest, does it even matter? Could it be that Qian Shui really managed to screw over her, her teacher?

Seeing Qingyu playing with the three soul bones she had won as a prize in the competition, Bibi Dong straightened her clothes. "Qingyu, put them back. Grandma's going out for a bit, I'll bring them back for you to play with later~"

-----------------

The fourth round of the Elite Tournament ended without any suspense, and the final three were also undisputed: the Martial Soul Team, the Royal Fighting Team II, and the Tianshui Academy.

That night, Ning Huahua did not wake up, and Xue Qinghe stayed in the room with her.

However, everyone on the Heavenly Dou Empire's side had changed; they had become taciturn, and a deep sense of powerlessness swept over everyone's hearts.

But the real culprit had already slipped away. Qian Renxue entrusted her son to Bibi Dong and then went to wait outside Wuhun City. At their usual spot outside Wuhun City, Qian Shui and his old buddies were already bragging.

"Wow, Shui-ge! Your little expression is just like the real thing!" Yin Jin said, giving a thumbs up as they walked.

"Get lost! Are you praising me or insulting me?"

Ning Huahua's piercing cries were so pitiful that even Yin Jin, who knew the inside story, felt it was too much and was moved by her genuine emotions.

"Hahaha! But my sister-in-law is amazing too, her acting is absolutely flawless!"

Qian Renxue, who was sitting with Chen Sha and Feng Jingyi, was still shy. Her image as a bad woman came with conditions, and Qian Shui was obligated to satisfy her.

But this couldn't be told to outsiders. After a while, he couldn't say a word when faced with Yin Jin's teasing. He just blushed and shook his head. Where was the arrogant demeanor he had during the day?

Qian Shui, with her eyes downcast and her mind focused, naturally knew why Qian Renxue was blushing. She was so bold when she was with him, but in front of others she became a docile little girl. "Xiaoxue, beat him up!"

"Or should I help my sister-in-law beat her up?" Ling Yunzhi, with his long blue hair, grabbed Yin Jin's arm.

"To add a little something extra, each person will have a dish, let's see if your cooking skills have improved over the years! As for the reward, how about the head soul bone that Shi Nian lost?"

As usual, Qian Shui began to set up his tableware, this time a complete set of camping kitchen utensils featuring soul tools with Douluo Continent characteristics.

This was something I tricked Huan Hongchen into making when I was traveling the world. It's a furnace with a level seven soul guidance array engraved on it, and it can be used once soul power is injected into it.

However, the moment the radiant head spirit bone appeared, the scene instantly fell silent.

"Brother Shui, aren't you just going back and forth like this? Who can beat you in this aspect?"

Aside from the still shy Qian Renxue, Yin Jin was the quickest to snap out of the temptation of the treasure.

"Hey, I won't participate, okay?" Qian Shui pointed to her forehead. "I already have a head soul bone, so there's no point in having this thing. Giving it away would be unfair."

"Then sister-in-law..."

“Xiaoxue has some too.” As she spoke, Qianshui took out another barrel of wine. It was sealed in a wooden barrel and looked very old. The wood on the outside was dry and faded, with a pale gray hue. “It’s good wine that I got from the Fifth Master. It’s said to be the wine he got when he was granted his title. I haven’t tasted it yet. It’s a deal! You’re not allowed to use your soul power to dissipate the aroma of the wine!”

"I'm not convinced! Brother Shui, you're so strong, who knows what you've been up to in secret?" Despite saying this, Yin Jin's hand reached for the wine barrel.

slapping away Yin Jin's hand, Qian Shui scoffed, "Tch! Do you really need to do that? I could easily beat the Second Elder with just one hand based on my physical abilities!"

"boast!"

"That's it!"

The two bantered, putting the issue of the soul bone aside.

"Team leader, do you think we can open the wine first?" As a heavy drinker, Ling Yunzhi opened his squinty eyes and stared intently at the wine barrel.

"Alright." He then took out eight stemmed glasses from his soul tool. They were plain, just a dark color.

With a flick of his wrist, the goblet landed steadily in front of everyone.

"Brother Shui, what kind of wine glass is this? Is it crystal? Why is crystal so dark?" Yin Jin picked up the wine glass as soon as it was placed on the table.

"Sand! I forcibly melted it using my soul power! It contains impurities."

If sand can be used to make glass, then of course we have to give it a try. Once we have the strength, Qian Shui will be a bit more assertive. The one in front of us is already the best quality.

"Using soul power to forcibly fuse? I can imagine it being possible, but to create such a complex shape?! Xiao Shui, just how strong are you?" Everyone was shocked to hear about the soul power forcibly fusing. Chen Sha was especially aware that Yan was a fire-type flame lord, capable of melting sand, but to mold it into an object was unheard of.

"I know, I know! Uh... Brother Shui, can you tell me?"

He opened the wine barrel and took out a larger decanter. Without pouring, he used his soul power to guide the wine in a graceful parabolic arc as it fell into the decanter. The wine was a dark red color. Qian Shui remarked, "Hey, I knew it! It's probably fruit wine! It really needs to be decanted to release its aroma!"

Then he turned to Yin Jin and said, "Go ahead and say it. We're not strangers. It's kind of awkward for me to introduce myself...hehe."

"Show-off! Let me tell you! This guy has twin martial souls! Brother Zhi should know that." As Qian Shui swirled the wine in the decanter, letting the aroma waft out, Yin Jin began to beam with excitement.

Ling Yunzhi looked embarrassed. When Yin Jin and Qian Shui came to capture him, they had indeed shown it, and he really knew: "Yes, it's the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda."

"No wonder! I was wondering how the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda came to be. I kept thinking it might be because Xiao Shui's simulation soul skill was particularly strong, even able to simulate martial soul effects." Chen Sha and the others genuinely didn't know this. "But why the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"

Qian Shui was about to explain when Yin Jin interrupted, "I know, I know! The martial soul has evolved! Brother Shui said it's called a second awakening! And don't be fooled by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda being shown, and the spirit rings being just a normal configuration; they're actually all 100,000-year spirit rings! Brother Shui, quickly activate your martial soul and let them see!"

"Fine! You think you know everything! You can't even keep quiet when there's wine to drink!" He said, first pouring a cup for Yin Jin, then dividing the wine into seven streams and distributing them to everyone's cups.

Then he summoned the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and released a spirit ring.

Amidst everyone's shock, Qian Shui seemed to have thought of something else. He put away the Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda, rummaged through his soul tool, and pulled out six soul bones to everyone's bewildered gaze.

"These two are said to be the inherited soul bones of the Haotian Sect." Qian Shui pointed to a right arm bone that was completely black, with a deep black luster that was restrained, and a strong and violent energy fluctuation. The other bone was a left leg bone that was dark blue, and its energy fluctuation was similar to that of the right arm bone.

"Then there are these two pieces, the left arm bone and the right leg bone, both of which are ten thousand years old. I took them after defeating Tang Hao. Although he had a full set of soul bones, the Grand Elder intentionally let him go and didn't kill him in the end. He packed them up along with the skull and torso bones and threw them back to the Clear Sky Sect. If he did that, they would most likely have killed him by their own people. The Grand Elder didn't hold back either."

After introducing the soul bone she obtained from Tang Hao, Qian Shui pointed to a piece of emerald green soul bone, "Then there is this ten-thousand-year-old Medusa skull, which I obtained by killing Dugu Bo."

The last piece of the skull exhibited the greatest energy fluctuations, radiating a faint killing intent and a blood-red glow. Its quality completely surpassed all other soul bones.