Douluo: When the piano sounds, the hidden weapon returns to the factory

Qian Daoliu's gaze calmly fell on the two of them, and he slowly spoke: "You've returned this time because of Tang Chen, haven't you..."

Feng Yao remained calm, but Qian Renxue appeared slightly surprised: "Grandpa, how did you know?"

A complex emotion flickered in Qian Daoliu's eyes as he looked at Feng Yao: "The fact that she let you come back means she has accepted you. And now, in this world, the only person she cares about is Tang Chen."

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's eyes flashed with understanding.

Qian Daoliu nodded slightly, his tone softening: "You've had a long journey, so please rest well for a few days." He turned his gaze to Qian Renxue, his voice steady yet carrying a deeper meaning: "Xiaoxue, once you're ready, come to your grandfather to undergo the ancestor's test."

Qian Renxue's eyes trembled slightly as she finally asked the question that had been buried deep in her heart. Her lips trembled slightly, her voice carrying a barely perceptible sob: "Grandpa... if I... really pass the test, what... will you do?"

Qian Daoliu sighed softly, walked slowly to his granddaughter, and gently stroked her bright golden hair with his warm hand.

“Xiaoxue, like her, Grandpa has long seen the end of life. In over 160 years, I have experienced everything I needed to experience. Now, Grandpa’s only wish is to witness you restore the glory of the Angel Clan.”

He paused, then turned his gaze to Feng Yao, his eyes filled with a sense of relief and entrustment: "As the old friend passes away, Grandpa hopes that you can achieve godhood before him. That way... perhaps she will remember me one more time."

Feng Yao bowed respectfully, his voice trembling with reverence: "Your magnanimity is truly admirable."

Qian Daoliu's gaze deepened. He pondered for a moment, then lowered his voice, saying, "There is one more thing you two need to know."

He raised his eyes, his gaze seemingly able to pierce through the palace, looking towards the direction of the Papal Palace: "Though I reside deep within this place, I can clearly sense the aura emanating from that Papal Palace... growing ever more profound and icy, carrying a chilling divine fluctuation. Although it is entirely different from the power of angels, filled with resentment and killing intent, it is undoubtedly at the divine level. Bibi Dong... she has probably already gone extremely far on the path of divine inheritance."

His words caused the atmosphere in the hall to freeze instantly. Qian Renxue's pupils contracted slightly, and Feng Yao's gaze sharpened in an instant.

Qian Daoliu looked at the two of them, his tone more solemn than ever before: "Just do your best regarding Tang Chen's matter. The great battle is about to begin, so you two must be extremely cautious in your actions, especially when facing her..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the warning he conveyed was already clear. Having gained such power, Bibi Dong's character must be even more unfathomable.

Qian Renxue looked at her grandfather, a hint of worry appearing in her eyes: "Grandpa, if she continues like this... will she..."

Before she could finish speaking, the image of Tang San, filled with murderous intent and appearing like a madman in the Star Dou Great Forest, once again flashed through her mind.

Qian Daoliu slowly shook his head, his tone deep and clear: "Her talent is extraordinary, beyond the reach of ordinary people. Now, under her leadership, the Spirit Hall is indeed growing stronger day by day, and on the surface, there seems to be nothing wrong with it."

He shifted his tone slightly, his voice carrying a hint of melancholy and warning: "However, Xiaoxue, you must remember—the height of prosperity is often the beginning of decline."

Knowing Qian Renxue's concerns, Feng Yao gently comforted her, "There's no need to worry too much. His Holiness the Pope is a man of deep character, unlike Tang San who is out of control and extreme... We can go and pay him a visit later."

Qian Renxue instinctively wanted to refuse, but hesitated slightly before finally nodding gently.

Qian Daoliu took in this scene, a hint of barely perceptible approval flashing in his eyes as he looked at Feng Yao. The long years had long made him understand how precious and rare it was to have a companion like Feng Yao, whose intellect and strength were a perfect match, and who was willing to stay by his side all the way, on this thorny path to godhood.

After bidding farewell to Qian Daoliu, Feng Yao and Qian Renxue slowly descended the solemn white jade steps of the Papal Mountain, heading towards the Papal Palace, which symbolized the highest authority of the Spirit Hall and was also filled with countless complex emotions.

Just as they were about to reach the wide square in front of the Papal Palace, a slender figure came down from the foot of the mountain and unexpectedly met them.

The newcomer was dressed in a light gold uniform befitting a high-ranking member of the Spirit Hall, which accentuated her graceful figure. Her beauty was naturally captivating, especially her eyes, which seemed to possess an irresistible charm. She was none other than Hu Liena, the personal disciple of Pope Bibi Dong.

She clearly hadn't expected to encounter Feng Yao and Qian Renxue here, and was slightly taken aback. Especially when she saw Qian Renxue, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes—a mixture of awe, distance, and perhaps even an unspoken sense of competition. But she quickly regained her composed and slightly aloof smile, bowing slightly in greeting.
"Greetings, Young Master, Elder Feng Yao." Her voice was clear and melodious, with a touch of natural charm, yet maintaining just the right distance.

Qian Renxue simply nodded in response, without saying anything more. Between her and Hu Liena, a subtle distance always existed due to Bibi Dong's relationship.

Feng Yao smiled gently and replied, "Miss Hu Liena, there's no need for such formalities."

Hu Liena's eyes flickered slightly, glancing lightly over the two of them. As if remembering something, she spoke softly, "Are you two also here to pay homage to our teacher? Our teacher should be in the hall right now."

Feng Yao smiled calmly and replied, "In that case, let's go together."

Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue glanced at Feng Yao somewhat awkwardly, a hint of reproach in her eyes. Hu Liena, however, seemed oblivious to her subtle movement, simply nodding slightly. The three of them then headed towards the Papal Palace together.

During the journey, Feng Yao suddenly transmitted his voice to Qian Renxue, his tone carrying a hint of knowing amusement:
“Xue’er, looking closely, you and her… do indeed resemble each other somewhat like sisters.”

Qian Renxue did not respond to Feng Yao's telepathic message, but silently turned her gaze to Hu Liena beside her. Looking at the brilliant blonde hair that was exactly the same as her own, a complex emotion that was hard to describe flashed across her eyes.

A ripple of confusion silently rose in my heart:

"Why exactly..."

The three entered the spacious and cold main hall of the Papal Palace. High on her throne, Bibi Dong listened to a bishop's low report below, her fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, her eerie purple eyes icy cold.

Upon seeing Hu Liena enter, her gaze remained unchanged. However, when her eyes swept over Qian Renxue and Feng Yao, who were accompanying Hu Liena, especially when they landed on Qian Renxue, her tapping on the armrest paused almost imperceptibly for a moment. A complex glint seemed to flash deep within her cold eyes, and she appeared momentarily lost in thought. Hu Liena did not notice this subtle change. She stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and began to report on the progress of the consolidation of power within the palace, providing detailed and clear information.

Bibi Dong quickly regained her cold, all-encompassing demeanor. After listening to Hu Liena's report, she pondered for a moment and then gave several clear and cruel instructions: "...Increase the intensity. Those who disobey orders will be treated as traitors. If necessary, extraordinary measures may be used. I don't care about the process, only the result. You may all leave now."

"Yes, teacher." Hu Liena replied respectfully, glancing at Qian Renxue and Feng Yao with some concern, but still followed the bishop's instructions and left the hall.

The heavy palace doors slowly closed, leaving only Bibi Dong on the throne and Feng Yao and Qian Renxue below her in the vast palace, making the atmosphere even more stagnant.

Qian Renxue raised her head, mustered her courage, and looked directly into those purple eyes that felt both strange and familiar to her. Her voice trembled slightly as she asked the question that had been buried in her heart for so long: "...Why? From childhood to adulthood...why?"

Bibi Dong's gaze was like ice that had stood frozen for millennia, showing no sign of melting. She simply stared coldly at Qian Renxue, as if she were looking at an insignificant stranger. After a long silence, she finally spoke in a voice devoid of any emotion: "Some things need no reason. You've just returned, so rest well and step down."

They actually gave us a direct order to leave.

Qian Renxue swayed slightly, her face pale. She wanted to say something, but Feng Yao gently pulled her arm.

Feng Yao bowed slightly to Bibi Dong: "In that case, we juniors will take our leave."

The heavy palace doors slowly closed behind Feng Yao and Qian Renxue, completely shutting out that golden figure.

The hall fell silent again, with only the cold light from the dome illuminating the solitary figure perched high on the throne.

The cold mask on Bibi Dong's face shattered the moment she confirmed that no one could see her. She leaned back slightly against the cold chair back, as if all her strength had been drained away, and her once straight back revealed a barely perceptible hunch.

She raised her hand, adorned with elaborate nail guards, the fingertips still seeming to linger from the stinging pain she had felt as she dug them into her palm while trying to control herself. Her gaze fell upon the empty center of the hall, where it seemed as if the girl with the exact same blonde hair as her still stood, the one she didn't know how to face.

A faint, almost imperceptible pain and struggle emerged from the deepest recesses of her unfathomable purple eyes, only to be quickly overwhelmed by an even more surging chill, resentment, and a near-obsessive madness.

"Why..." she murmured to herself, her voice hoarse and hollow, as if she were not answering Qian Renxue, but questioning fate, questioning the long-dead past, "...Even if I know the answer, what can I change?"

She clenched her fist tightly, the sharp nail guards digging deep into her palm, bringing a distinct pain that helped her regain control of her almost out-of-control emotional barrier.

"No need...nothing is needed..."

A faint, ethereal whisper swirled around her ear like a wisp of cold smoke, carrying a seductive power: "Emotions... are nothing but burdens... Weakness is the original sin... Only power—absolute power, the power to control all things—is the eternal answer to everything!"

A chilling and sinister divine aura surged and permeated her body. The curse of the Rakshasa God seemed to come from the abyss, echoing endlessly in the depths of her soul, attempting to drag the last glimmer of humanity that had just emerged, belonging to "Mother," completely into the darkest abyss of her soul and seal it away for eternity.

"roll!"

Bibi Dong struggled to squeeze out this single word from her throat, her right hand clenching tightly!
boom--

The magnificent scepter slammed heavily onto the ground, producing a muffled thud that sent chills down one's spine. An immense, tangible pressure spread out, instantly engulfing the entire empty hall!
"I am no longer the weakling I once was, easily manipulated!" She raised her head, her purple eyes burning with the flames of obsession and madness. Facing the invisible whispers and the last vestige of wavering within her own heart, she declared sternly, "Even if you are a god—you will now become my power and serve me!"

When she looked up again, her eyes were filled with absolute coldness and a desire to control everything. It was as if that moment of vulnerability had never happened.

However, whether there was truly no more ripples in the vast and unfathomable depths of the Rakshasa divine power, only she herself knew. The empty hall was once again shrouded in a suffocating silence and coldness, like a magnificent tomb.

Feng Yao, half-protecting Qian Renxue, turned and left the oppressive hall.

Stepping out of the Papal Palace and bathed in sunlight, Qian Renxue still felt icy cold all over. She lowered her head, remaining silent.

Feng Yao sighed softly and said gently, "Some answers may not be found in words, but in the circumstances and choices we make. There's no need to rush, Xue'er."

His voice was calm yet firm, like a warm current, slowly dispelling the chill in Qian Renxue's heart. Qian Renxue didn't answer, but subconsciously moved a little closer to him, seeking silent support. The two figures gradually disappeared into the distance, leaving the coldness of the Papal Palace behind.

"Xiao Feng, why do you think this is?" Qian Renxue asked softly, her expression somewhat dazed.

Feng Yao's gaze was profound, as if he could see through the helplessness within the grand hall: "Xue'er, for a woman to ascend to the position of Pope, the things she has to endure are unimaginable to us. In that position, she is no longer in control of her own destiny. The Pope's position is lonely at the top. She seems to rule the entire hall, but in reality, there is an abyss beneath her feet and countless eyes watching her. Every move she makes affects the rise and fall of the entire Spirit Hall, and even the格局 (geju, a concept encompassing the overall situation and overall structure) of the continent."

“For an emperor, there may be countless crossroads before him, but there is no way out.” Feng Yao’s voice was calm but carried a penetrating power. “Many times, it’s not that she doesn’t want to choose, but that she can’t choose. That loneliness and weight are unimaginable and unbearable for ordinary people. She doesn’t speak, perhaps because everything is unchangeable, perhaps even you might not be able to accept that answer.”

His words were like a gentle breeze, slowly soothing Qian Renxue's tense heartstrings: "Some knots don't form overnight; some answers aren't simply a matter of right or wrong. Give her some time, and give yourself some time too. I believe that one day, Xue'er, you will get the answer."

Qian Renxue remained silent, but the icy aura around her subtly softened, and she slightly tightened her grip on Feng Yao's hand. The sunlight stretched their shadows long, as if trying to melt the ice originating from the highest heavens.

...(End of chapter)