Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends

She paused, a complex, indescribable emotion flickering in her usually cool eyes. She knew these words would only enrage Bibi Dong further, but she said them anyway.

"On the contrary, Your Holiness the Pope, I have not yet fulfilled the promise I made to Eva."

The moment the words were spoken, the hall fell so quiet that the crackling of the candlelight could be heard.

Hu Liena kept her head down, but a hint of surprise flashed in her lowered eyes.

She truly hadn't expected Qian Renxue to dare speak to Bibi Dong like that. This was the Empress of the Spirit Empire, the most powerful woman on the continent, and Qian Renxue was just standing in front of her, her expression as calm as if she were saying that tonight's dinner wasn't to her liking.

Bibi Dong's gaze fell on Qian Renxue as if it were a physical object. Her purple eyes narrowed slightly, and extremely complex emotions surged within them. There was anger at being contradicted to her face, and also a hint of surprise that she could not detect.

She stared at Qian Renxue for a long time, so long that the candlelight in the hall burned down a bit, before letting out a very soft, cold snort from her nose.

She really wanted to ask Qian Renxue, "Even if your deal with Eva is over, you still have a child together. Why didn't you go and ask her about it after she left without saying goodbye?"

The words lingered in her throat, but she ultimately didn't say them.

That's enough, what's done is done, asking won't change anything.

In any case, the war between the Spirit Empire and the Anti-Spirit Alliance has reached a stalemate, with neither side able to gain the upper hand.

Once the Spirit Hall has rested its army and given her some time to prepare, Bibi Dong believes that breaking this alliance is only a matter of time.

Now, let's think about what to do next.

Bibi Dong withdrew her gaze and said nothing more.

Qian Renxue did not speak again. She bowed, turned and walked out of the hall, with Hu Liena following behind her.

The two walked out of the Papal Palace one after the other. The afternoon sun poured in through the stained glass windows of the dome, casting dappled shadows on them.

Qian Renxue stood on the steps, not leaving immediately. She tilted her head slightly, looking at the sky above that was fragmented by the palace buildings. Sunlight fell on her cool profile, but it could not dispel the deep melancholy between her brows.

Hu Liena stood half a step behind her, remained silent for a while, and finally couldn't help but speak.

Why did you provoke the teacher?

Qian Renxue did not turn around. Her gaze remained fixed on the distant clouds gilded by the sunlight, her voice as calm as if stating a fact unrelated to herself.

"Just telling the truth."

After saying that, she took a step and walked down the steps.

Hu Liena stood there, watching the moon-white figure descend the steps one by one.

She sighed and quickly followed.

The two walked side by side along the long corridor, the palaces on either side casting deep shadows in the afternoon sun.

No one spoke; only the sound of footsteps echoed softly in the empty corridor. Qian Renxue stopped at the fork in the road. The left path led to the side hall where she now resided, while the right path led towards the main hall.

“I’m going to see my grandfather,” Qian Renxue said.

Hu Liena glanced at her and nodded: "Then I'll go back first."

Qian Renxue nodded slightly, then turned and walked to the right. Hu Liena stood there, watching the moon-white figure gradually disappear into the depths of the corridor until it completely vanished around the corner, before turning and walking in another direction.

When Qian Renxue pushed open the heavy doors of the Hall of Worship, Qian Daoliu was standing in front of the enormous statue of an angel.

A deep blue robe draped across the smooth, mirror-like white marble floor, and golden hair shimmered faintly in the golden light streaming from the dome.

He stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the compassionate yet majestic face of the six-winged angel, lost in thought.

Hearing footsteps, Qian Daoliu did not turn around.

"Xue'er is here."

Qian Renxue stopped a few steps behind him without saying a word. She knew that her grandfather hadn't called her here for idle chatter.

The hall remained quiet for a while. Only the golden light streaming from the dome flowed slowly, and only the compassionate eyes of the angel statues gazed down silently.

Then, Qian Daoliu sighed softly.

Eva became a key figure in the anti-Spirit Alliance. Regardless of his previous speculations about her intentions, one thing he firmly believed was that Eva was Snow White's mother, and Snow White possessed the blood of a six-winged angel. Based on this alone, she should stand on the side of the Spirit Empire.

But now, she's gone to the other side. And she's become the most troublesome one in the Anti-Soul Alliance.

Qian Daoliu had lived for over two hundred years, witnessing countless people and events. Some people he could see through at a glance, and some events whose endings he could guess without even thinking. But Eva was someone he truly couldn't see through.

Over the years, he had always thought Eva was a smart person. Smart people know how to maximize benefits and minimize harm; smart people don't do things that don't benefit themselves.

She helped Qian Renxue because Qian Renxue could give her the power and status she desired. She maintained the dignity of a queen because this status brought her sufficient security and respect. Every action she took was driven by a clear logic of self-interest.

But this time, he couldn't understand it.

Given her relationship with Xue'er, she should have been on the side of the Spirit Empire. But she chose to side with them, which doesn't align with the logical interests of any intelligent person.

"Xue'er," Qian Daoliu finally spoke, his voice low and weary, "What are your plans regarding Eva's matter?"

Qian Renxue remained silent for a moment.

“She didn’t tell me before she left.” Her voice was calm, so calm that it didn’t sound like she was talking about someone close to her.

“I still don’t know why she left. But since she’s gone, let’s just say it was…” She paused, as if searching for the right word, “…parting ways.”

Qian Daoliu turned around and looked at Qian Renxue. Her face, which bore a resemblance to Bibi Dong, was devoid of any extraneous expression, only a calm as still as a frozen lake.

He knew his granddaughter too well; the calmer he appeared, the more turbulent his emotions were.

"What about Bai Xue?" Qian Daoliu asked.

Qian Renxue's eyelids drooped slightly.

Qian Daoliu continued, his voice filled with barely concealed worry: "Eva is Snow White's mother, and you are Snow White's...other mother. Now you stand on opposite sides. When Snow White returns from her trials, what choice will she make?"

Qian Renxue raised her eyelids. Her clear, cold eyes reflected the golden halo behind the angel statue. Her voice remained calm, but upon closer listening, one could detect a very slight tremor at the end of her words.

"Snowy doesn't need to choose. Nor does she need to choose. No matter which side Eva stands on, I will not let the war spread to Snowy. She is my daughter, and she is Eva's daughter. That will never change."

Qian Daoliu looked at her and remained silent for a long time.

Then, he nodded slightly. He didn't know how Snow White would face all of this after her return. He only knew that in this war that swept across the entire continent, everyone was being swept along.

Some were driven by power, some by faith, and some by revenge. All he could do was protect the two children within this vortex.

“Hopefully,” Qian Daoliu turned around and looked at the angel statue again, “this war will be over before Xue’er returns.”

The hall remained quiet for a while. Only the golden light streaming from the dome flowed slowly, and only the compassionate eyes of the angel statues gazed down silently.

Then, Qian Daoliu spoke again.

“Xue’er, your grandfather called you here not just for Eva’s sake.”

Qian Renxue slightly raised her eyelids, waiting for him to continue.

Qian Daoliu turned around, his gaze falling on her face. His eyes, weathered by time, held no trace of their usual gentleness, only a deep, solemn scrutiny.

"The Spirit Empire is currently facing a major threat from the Anti-Spirit Alliance. Its battle lines are stretched too thin, and its high-end combat power is tied up on various battlefields. It is indeed difficult to make any progress in the short term."

His voice was deep and steady, as if he were stating a conclusion that had already been carefully considered.

Qian Renxue listened quietly without interrupting.

"The external situation is unlikely to change significantly in the short term. Both sides are accumulating strength, and the war will likely be a protracted struggle for a considerable period. Since there are no major external threats and your grandfather is there to oversee things internally..."

Chapter 506 The Angelic Test

Qian Daoliu took half a step forward, his gaze sharp, and his voice carried an undeniable weight, "Then it's time for you to consider accepting the test of the Angel God."

Qian Renxue's eyelashes trembled slightly.

Qian Daoliu's gaze never left her face, taking in every subtle reaction she made in that instant.

“Xue’er,” his voice softened slightly, but the seriousness in his tone remained unchanged, “tell your grandfather, when do you plan to begin?”

Qian Renxue remained silent for a moment.

She raised her head and looked at the angel statue before her, which she had seen since childhood. Its six wings were spread, its face both compassionate and majestic, overlooking everything in the hall, and also overlooking her more than ten years of forbearance and struggle.

“Grandfather,” she began, her voice soft but each word clear, “Actually… I was prepared a long time ago.”

A glint of light flashed in Qian Daoliu's eyes, so bright it was like someone who had waited too long finally seeing the lights on their way home.

But he didn't speak; he was waiting for her to finish.

"All these years in the Heavenly Dou Empire, I have been waiting for this day every moment." Qian Renxue's voice was calm, as if she were stating a fact that had nothing to do with her, but something was churning slightly in the depths of her clear and cold eyes.

"I disguised myself as Xue Qinghe, learning to laugh like him, to speak like him, and to look at every minister who needed to be won over with those gentle eyes."

I spent over a decade in that palace, playing a different person every day. Sometimes I almost forgot who I really was.

She raised her hand and looked down at her palm. The hand that had once held the imperial seal of the Heavenly Dou Empire, reviewed countless memorials, and poisoned Emperor Xueye's medicine was now slowly opening, as if releasing something from its palm.

"But not anymore."

Qian Renxue raised her head, her gaze passing over her fingertips and landing on the angel statue.

"Xue Qinghe no longer exists. The Heaven Dou Empire no longer exists either. I no longer need to pretend to be anyone. I am Qian Renxue. I am the young master of the Spirit Hall, the heir of the Qian family in this generation, and the owner of the Six-Winged Angel Spirit."

Her voice suddenly rose a few decibels, echoing in the empty hall.

"The Angelic Test, I'm ready to begin at any time."

Qian Daoliu looked at her, at his granddaughter whom he had watched grow up, and at the flame in her eyes that had been suppressed for too long and was finally beginning to burn.

His eyes were slightly red, but the corners of his mouth slowly curved up into a smile—the kind of smile that only an old man who had waited so long for this day could show.

"Okay," he said, his voice a little hoarse. "Okay, okay."

Qian Renxue looked at her grandfather's reddened eyes and felt a pang of sadness in her heart. She knew how long Qian Daoliu had waited for this day.

It's not just for her, but also for the long-cherished wish of the Qian family for thousands of years: to inherit the position of the angel and let the glory of the six-winged angels shine throughout the entire continent.

“Grandfather,” Qian Renxue began, her voice softer than before, “I have another request.”

"explain."

“During the Angel God Trial, I may need to go into seclusion for a long time. During my absence, I hope that Grandfather can take good care of Xue'er and Eva…” She paused, “and hope that Grandfather can look after them more.”

Qian Daoliu stepped forward and gently patted Qian Renxue's shoulder. His wrinkled hand landed on her shoulder with a light touch, yet it carried a reassuring calmness.

"Don't worry," he said, his voice low but each word firm and clear. "With Grandfather here, no one can harm Xue'er... As for Eva, I will also watch over her and protect her life."

Qian Renxue nodded and said nothing more.

Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of the dome outside the hall, casting long, long shadows of the grandfather and grandson.