497. Only For Jue To Ride

On the shore of the Lake of Life, Qian Renjue walked hand in hand with his mother and sister, enjoying the lush greenery and serene beauty around them. Ling Yuan silently followed a few steps behind.

Meanwhile, Hu Liena, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others had been invited by Xiao Wu to ride the soul beasts. Da Ming and Er Ming were experiencing what it felt like to serve as mounts.

Qian Renxue, holding Qian Renjue’s arm, glanced at the shimmering lake surface with a faint smile. Her soft lips parted as she called out,
"Mom, Jue, wait a moment."

At her gentle voice, Bibi Dong and Qian Renjue stopped in their tracks, standing as a family at the lakeside.

Bibi Dong, curious, asked,
"Xiao Xue, what’s the matter?"

Qian Renxue knelt down, scooping up a handful of clear lake water. Her expression grew serious as she looked up at them, her tone somber.
"Mom, Jue, don’t you feel like there’s some kind of power at the bottom of the lake?"

"Something at the bottom of the lake?"

Bibi Dong was momentarily stunned, her expression tinged with surprise.

Qian Renjue, however, knew exactly what she was referring to and was more surprised by his sister’s perceptiveness.

"It feels like an unknown divine power," Qian Renxue continued.

Hearing this, Bibi Dong rarely used an unusual power of her own, her brows furrowing in concentration. Her expression soon showed signs of discomfort as her veins around her eyes bulged, and dark purple light glowed ominously in her gaze.

But after a moment, she found nothing.

Reining in her power, she exhaled softly and shook her head.
"Xiao Xue, I can’t detect anything."

Qian Renxue nodded slightly, her attention shifting to Qian Renjue, who remained calm.

"What about you, Jue?"

Supporting Bibi Dong by the arm, Qian Renjue replied meaningfully,
"Mom, Sister, I think it’s best we don’t disturb whoever is down there. It might provoke them."

"..."

Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue exchanged curious glances, sensing that Qian Renjue knew more than he was letting on.

Qian Renxue stood, shaking her hands dry as she asked curiously,
"Jue, is whatever’s down there really powerful?"

Qian Renjue nodded seriously.

"Very powerful. We’re not strong enough to face it yet."

"But, in a way, we share a common enemy."

"A god-level being?!"

The two women spoke in unison, exchanging wide-eyed looks as the realization dawned on them.

Bibi Dong had already heard from her children about the divine power from the Sea God’s temple and the influence of the Asura God seen in Tang Hao and his son.

She quickly understood who Qian Renjue meant by their common enemy.

"Yes," Qian Renjue affirmed with a smile.

Inwardly, though, he was puzzled. By all logic, the silver dragon beneath the lake should still be asleep, and its power shouldn’t be leaking out. If it were, the divine realm would have detected it.

Yet Qian Renxue had sensed a trace of divine energy.

How odd.

Still, Qian Renjue knew it was impolite to disturb someone while they were healing. There might even be a chance for cooperation in the future.

"Mom, Sister, don’t overthink it. Let’s go explore over there," Qian Renjue said, taking their hands with a smile.

"Alright," Qian Renxue replied, suppressing her curiosity and not pressing further. If it was truly a god-level being, they wouldn’t stand a chance against it anyway—especially when they shared a common foe.

Bibi Dong shared the same thoughts, even entertaining the idea of future collaboration.

As Ling Yuan followed them, she glanced at the lake and then at the girls playfully riding on the horns of Da Ming and Er Ming, a faint smile on her face.

No matter who the Holy Son’s enemies were, she would remain by his side.

Even if they failed, she would make sure to die before him.

But… failure seemed impossible. After all, the Holy Son was always so confident.


——————


Time passed swiftly, and dawn quietly arrived.

Qian Renjue and his group sat cross-legged by the lakeside, gathered around a low table while Ling Yuan prepared tea.

Seeing only two cups in front of her, Ling Yuan knelt and sneaked a glance at Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue.

She then quietly grabbed her own cup, mimicking Qian Renxue's actions and hiding it.

"..."

Qian Renjue watched silently, a black line forming on his forehead.

Was this really necessary?!

The Ice Emperor, perched on his shoulder, swayed her head, utterly baffled.

Ling Yuan's actions were as obvious as covering one's ears while stealing a bell, but Bibi Dong had set the tone.

"Ahem!"

Bibi Dong coughed lightly, feeling a twinge of guilt but pretending as if nothing had happened.

She tapped the table with her fingers and instructed,
"Ling Yuan, why are you hesitating? Pour the tea. Let’s see how this spring water tastes."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Ling Yuan replied, avoiding the gazes of others and following her “mother-in-law’s” orders.

Qian Renxue merely smiled, accustomed to these little games. After all, they had a close relationship.

Not far away, atop Da Ming's head, the trio of rabbit, grass, and fox were reunited.

As always, the little rabbit, Xiao Wu, was the most troublesome. She had already been bound by Ah Yin, tied up like a package and hung between Da Ming's two horns, with Hu Liena swatting her bottom.

Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, having just returned from scouting the mountains, stood atop Er Ming's head.

Meanwhile, Xiao Fei Die stood by the lakeside, gazing longingly. She was afraid of heights and didn’t dare ride when the bulls and monkeys moved.

Her black, pearl-like eyes sparkled with yearning as she looked around.

Finally, she locked her gaze on Qian Renjue or perhaps the Ice Emperor perched on his shoulder.

With her cheeks flushed, Xiao Fei Die hurriedly ran over and gently poked the scorpion tail on the Ice Emperor’s back.

"Little one, what do you want?"

"Big Sister Ice, can I ride you for a bit?" Xiao Feidie clasped her hands together, her eyes full of pleading.

The Ice Emperor ground her teeth, her expression slightly red. She wasn’t a pet, let alone a mount!

"Scram!"

She spat out the icy word in frustration.

"S-sorry! Big Sister Ice, please don’t be angry. I won’t ride you anymore!" Xiao Fei Die quickly apologized, her face flushed as she glanced awkwardly at her teacher and grandmaster.

It seemed Big Sister Ice wasn’t as approachable as she had imagined.

"Pfft! Cough cough!"

Qian Renjue set down his tea, unable to suppress his laughter. He turned to Xiao Feidie, ruffling her hair gently as he reassured her,
"Don’t worry, Xiao Fei Die. Let Zhuqing take you to Er Ming to train your Purple Demon Eye. After that, tell your junior uncles it’s time to stop playing and say a proper goodbye."

"Okay, I understand," Xiao Fei Die replied, rubbing her cheek against Qian Renjue’s palm with a smile before bidding farewell to Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong.

"Teacher, Grandmaster, see you later. I’m off to train!"

"Go ahead," Qian Renxue nodded slightly, taking the tea from Qian Renjue’s hand.

As she watched Xiao Fei Die leave, her gaze shifted to the Ice Emperor perched on Qian Renjue's shoulder, studying her intently.

"W-what are you looking at? I’m not letting anyone ride on me!" the Ice Emperor declared defensively.

"Not even your disciple!"

Flustered, the Ice Emperor hastily retreated, disappearing into Qian Renjue’s collar.

"Haha! So, only Jue gets to ride, right?" Qian Renxue teased, amused but not upset by the playful exchange.

"That’s because Big Sister wanted me to help Qian Renjue!" the Ice Emperor mumbled, finding an excuse to pin it on Snow Empress.

"Alright, no one’s forcing you," Qian Renjue reassured her gently, raising a hand to stroke the collar of his robe soothingly.