Douluo Continent: The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda? A Soul Beast Pagoda!

Her voice was filled with confusion, pain, and self-doubt.

As Jiang Bai listened, a complex mix of emotions welled up within him.

He knew that the root of Qian Renxue's tragedy lay in the good deeds of Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong's twisted hatred, but these were secrets he could never reveal.

He could only try to guide her in another way.

"Uh... this..."

Jiang Bai carefully chose his words, trying to sound like someone his own age awkwardly offering comfort.

"Perhaps... the reason isn't you, but... someone else?"

He carefully avoided all specific references, trying to prevent Qian Renxue from taking all the blame upon herself.

However, Qian Renxue didn't seem to listen, or rather, she was overwhelmed by immense grief and unable to think rationally.

She continued to sob, occasionally wiping away the tears that kept flowing with the handkerchief Jiang Bai had given her; her cheeks and the tip of her nose were red from crying.

But it's unclear whether it was because she had been crying for too long and was emotionally agitated, or because she felt ashamed for exposing such a vulnerable side to a strange boy.

Jiang Bai noticed that Qian Renxue's originally fair earlobes and the half of her exposed face were inexplicably tinged with a faint blush.

Time slowly passed amidst sorrowful tears and silent companionship.

After a while, the shimmering gold on the lake was gradually replaced by the deep blue twilight, and Qian Renxue's sobs finally subsided.

Jiang Bai didn't rush to leave, nor did he say anything more. He simply sat quietly on a rock not too far away, gazing at the calm lake surface, as if he were just a silent background figure.

Qian Renxue finally raised her head and looked at Jiang Bai with her already somewhat red and swollen eyes.

She carefully examined the unfamiliar boy who had been crying with her for a while.

His face showed no impatience, nor excessive sympathy or curiosity, only a calm, even slightly absent-minded, indifference.

This gave Qian Renxue a strange sense of relaxation.

Her voice was still a little hoarse, with a heavy nasal tone.

"I'm sorry you had to see this..."

"No, no," Jiang Bai quickly waved his hand, his tone sincere, "Just don't do anything foolish..."

"A foolish thing to do?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of suspicion flashed in Qian Renxue's purple eyes.

Following Jiang Bai's gaze, she subconsciously glanced at the deep lake water at her feet, and suddenly understood.

Did he think he was going to commit suicide?

A feeling of being both annoyed and amused diluted some of the sadness, and she couldn't help but let out a soft hum, retorting with a touch of the spoiled nature that comes with her age.

"Hmph, I'm not that stupid!"

Hmm...that's not necessarily true...

Jiang Bai silently complained in his heart, recalling Qian Renxue's series of silly actions in the original work.

But he just gave an awkward smile and didn't reply.

Qian Renxue seemed a little awkward at Jiang Bai's slightly strange smile.

She cleared her throat and spoke again, this time with her tone slightly returning to its usual cadence:

"By the way, what's your name, young man?"

Jiang Bai instinctively said, "I didn't call out!"

"???"

Qian Renxue's beautiful purple eyes widened instantly, filled with disbelief.

She even wondered if she was hallucinating from crying for too long.

Her fair, delicate hands unconsciously clenched the already half-wet handkerchief in her hand.

She took a deep breath, thinking the other person hadn't heard her clearly, and emphasized, repeating each word clearly: "I'm asking you, what's your name?!"

"Excuse me, I really didn't shout!"

Jiang Bai spread his hands innocently.

"!!!"

Qian Renxue felt her cheeks burning again; this time, it was definitely from anger!

The poor handkerchief in her hand had been unconsciously twisted into a pretzel.

Why is it so difficult to talk to this guy? It even makes me inexplicably angry!

She almost gritted her teeth, using all her patience to speak for the third time: "I—am—asking—you—what—your—name—is!"

Seeing that Qian Renxue was about to explode, Jiang Bai knew when to stop and immediately put on an expression of sudden realization: "Oh! This!"

"My name is Jiang Bai. What's yours, classmate?"

"My name is Qian Renxue."

Qian Renxue gave her name in a rather irritable tone, her chest still heaving slightly from the "confrontation" just now.

classmate?

She sized up Jiang Bai again, seemingly trying to get back at this seemingly handsome but actually somewhat infuriating boy.

So she raised her chin and asked, "How old are you?"

"Six years old, just started school a few days ago, what's wrong?"

Jiang Bai replied with some confusion, not understanding why she suddenly asked this question.

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's eyes lit up slightly, and she immediately stood up, put her hands on her hips, and announced.

"I'm three years older than you! You have to call me senior!"

Her tone carried a hint of triumph, as if the person who had just been crying and looking vulnerable and helpless was not her at all.

"..."

Jiang Bai was speechless as he looked at the blonde girl in front of him who had switched states in an instant and tried to establish "authority" using the age difference.

That speed at which he can switch emotions is truly worthy of being a future master of covert operations...

He secretly grumbled to himself, but on the surface he still complied and obediently called out, "Senior Sister Qian."

"That's more like it."

Qian Renxue nodded in satisfaction, feeling that she had regained control of the rhythm.

She handed the crumpled, tear-stained handkerchief back to Jiang Bai, muttering a comment unconsciously at the same time.

"...It's so rough!"

It's unclear whether she was referring to the material of the handkerchief or complaining about Jiang Bai's annoying conversation earlier.

Then she turned around, preparing to leave the lakeside that had caused her such emotional turmoil.

She had only taken a few steps when she suddenly stopped and turned back.

In the twilight, her purple eyes gazed intently at Jiang Bai, her tone carrying an undeniable authority:

"By the way, about what happened earlier... you'd better not tell anyone!"

Jiang Bai looked at her, raised his hand, and made a zipping motion near his mouth.

Seeing this, Qian Renxue's eyes flashed with genuine relaxation and satisfaction. She nodded again before turning around and slowly leaving the lakeside with slightly lighter steps than when she arrived.

Only after her figure completely disappeared did Jiang Bai slowly exhale.

He looked down at the crumpled, damp handkerchief in his hand, shook his head helplessly, and put it back into his storage bracelet.

He turned around again and walked toward the cafeteria, which was long past lunchtime but where he might still be able to find some food.

Is this... a good start?

He shook his head, clearing his mind of the jumbled thoughts. Right now, the most important thing was still cultivation.

As night fell completely, the lights of the Martial Soul Academy dotted the vast complex of buildings like stars.

Jiang Bai's figure quickly disappeared at the end of the path leading to the cafeteria.

……

Qian Renxue left the lakeside and walked along a relatively secluded path within the academy, heading deeper into the back mountain.

After passing through a meticulously maintained pine and cypress grove, a charming and compact two-story villa came into view.

This is not an ordinary student dormitory area, but a private residence prepared by the academy for a very small number of senior students or teachers with special status or who require an absolutely quiet environment.

A quaint lamp shone in front of the villa, emitting a soft, warm white light that dispelled some of the gloom.

Qian Renxue was about to reach out and push the door open when she paused slightly.

In the shadows of the porch, a figure stood silently, unnoticed.

He was dressed in simple white casual clothes, his posture upright like a pine tree. Just standing there quietly, he seemed to blend into the surrounding night, the trees, and even the air.

"Grandpa!" Qian Renxue was taken aback at first, then her purple eyes lit up with surprise. Like a little sparrow returning to its nest, she happily called out and ran over.

"Ouch...slow down."

Qian Daoliu opened his arms and steadily caught his granddaughter who rushed towards him. His usually cold and stern face was now filled with unyielding love and tenderness.

He gently stroked her still slightly flushed, tear-stained, fair cheek with one hand, his fingertips caressing it with extreme tenderness, as if he were wiping a fragile treasure.

His gaze swept carefully over his granddaughter's swollen eyes, pretending not to know what had happened, his tone carrying just the right amount of concern and doubt.

"What's wrong? Why are our little angel's eyes so red? Have you been crying? Tell Grandpa, who bullied you?"

Hearing her grandfather's question, her eyes flickered for a moment, but she ultimately shook her head, her voice muffled and carrying a hint of coquetry.

"No...no...it's just...sand got in my eyes."

She chose to keep it a secret.

Hey……

Qian Daoliu sighed silently in his heart, a sigh heavy and helpless.

He knew better than anyone the source of his granddaughter's pain, yet he was powerless to change the cold reality that had already been set in stone.

Bibi Dong's hatred and neglect of Qian Renxue stemmed from that unbearable past, an abyss that could never be erased between the mother and daughter.

All he could do was give his granddaughter extra love and protection, trying his best to fill the void of maternal love.

He didn't press further, casually changing the subject: "Okay, if our Xue'er says no, then no. Are you hungry? Grandpa had someone prepare some snacks for you, your favorite jujube cake."

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's eyes lit up, but soon, as if she remembered something important, she lifted her head from her grandfather's arms, her purple eyes filled with a hint of seriousness and a touch of barely perceptible curiosity.

"By the way, Grandpa,"

She tugged at Qian Daoliu's sleeve. "Can you help me investigate someone?"

"Oh?"

Qian Daoliu raised an eyebrow, revealing an expression of interest, but inwardly he knew exactly what was going on. They had indeed arrived.

"Who does Xue'er want to investigate? Has someone in the academy offended you?"

He followed up on his granddaughter's question, deliberately adding a touch of the protectiveness that comes with being an elder, as if he would immediately "deal with" that arrogant fellow if his granddaughter nodded.

He actually quite admired his granddaughter's action.

Knowing how to use available resources and channels to understand the background of strangers after meeting them is a necessary form of caution and an awareness that must be cultivated in her position.

It seems that Xue'er has not completely ignored the subtle teachings she has received over the years.

"He's a student who just enrolled a few days ago; his name is Jiang Bai."

Qian Renxue, unaware of the deeper meaning in her grandfather's words, said...