408. Truth Comes To Light

Hearing Qian Renjue’s words, Ling Yuan, who had just finished doing something shady, froze for a moment.

"Remember?"

Could it really be that much of a coincidence?!

After calming Ning Rongrong and Hu Liena, Qian Renjue lifted his gaze to Lingyuan and softly asked,
"Sister Ling Yuan, where has the Thunderclap Academy from the Heaven Dou Empire been relocated?"

"Th-Thunderclap Academy?!"

Ling Yuan Douluo let out a startled cry, her face suddenly pale.

It’s over!

Did the secret come out so soon?

Could His Highness really have remembered that woman?!

Seeing her reaction, Qian Renjue frowned deeply and asked in a grave tone,
"Sister Ling Yuan, is something wrong?"

"Y-Your Highness..."

Ling Yuan’s gaze darted nervously, and she stammered.

Although the Pope had said that if His Highness asked, the truth could be disclosed, Ling Yuan herself had played a role in the situation.

"Sister Ling Yuan."

Qian Renjue’s frown deepened further, and a guess had already formed in his mind.

"Did my mom look for her?"

"Y-Yes."

Ling Yuan gritted her teeth and nodded slightly.

Recalling that Liu Erlong was still injured, she dared not delay any longer. She knelt on one knee and pleaded,
"Please forgive me, Your Highness!"

"Half an hour ago, I used Your Highness’s name to summon Dean Liu to the reception hall for a meeting with the Pope!"

"Senior Brother? Sister Ling Yuan?"

Hu Liena looked at the scene before her, completely baffled.

Who was Dean Liu?

Ning Rongrong blinked her teary eyes and thought of the beautiful woman in a black dress who had sent her flying earlier.

Was that auntie trying to compete with her for her Brother Holy Son?!

Qian Renjue frowned.

He didn’t think Liu Erlong’s life would be in danger.

Because of him, Bibi Dong might make things difficult for Liu Erlong but wouldn’t go too far.

Right now, he only wanted to see Liu Erlong immediately.

"Where is she now?"

"After meeting with the Pope, Dean Liu sustained some injuries. She was escorted by subordinates out of the east city gate and left just a quarter-hour ago!"

Without needing further questions, Ling Yuan quickly revealed everything.

"Injured?!"

Qian Renjue immediately stood up, paying no attention to the details.

A cold, eerie aura surged from his body, and his amethyst eyes began to turn crimson.

"Nana, Rongrong, stay here and don’t run around."

Before they could respond, Qian Renjue vanished from the pavilion, soaring into the sky.

A faint, icy voice carried back as he left.
"Sister Ling Yuan, you may rise."

"Brother Holy Son?!"

Ning Rongrong ran out of the pavilion but could only see a small black dot disappearing into the distance.

Lingyuan knelt on the ground, tugging at the corners of her mouth bitterly.

Hopefully, His Highness wouldn’t be too angry.

Hu Liena stepped forward to help Lingyuan up and asked in confusion,
"Sister Ling Yuan, what’s going on? Who is Dean Liu?"

"Nana, let’s wait for His Highness to return before discussing this."

Ling Yuan shook her head.

Even she didn’t fully understand the situation.

Why had His Highness suddenly remembered?

She had to inform the Pope immediately to prevent any further misunderstandings.

Ling Yuan gently patted Hu Liena’s flour-dusted hair and softly instructed,
"Look after Miss Rongrong. I need to visit the Pope’s palace."

"Don’t worry, Sister Ling Yuan. I will."

Hu Liena nodded.

Ling Yuan said no more and hurried toward the Pope’s palace.

Hu Liena gazed in the direction Qian Renjue had left, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. This celebration banquet didn’t seem like it would go smoothly.

Ning Rongrong turned back to look at Hu Liena.

She was about to say something when her clever little mind suddenly buzzed.

It seemed she had stumbled upon a big secret!


Staring blankly at Hu Liena, Ning Rongrong exclaimed:
"Brother Holy Son's mom is the beautiful Pope?!"

Swish—!

Before Ning Rongrong could finish her sentence, Hu Liena dashed forward and covered her little mouth.

"Ah! No, mmm!"

Ning Rongrong’s eyes were wide with panic as she flailed her hands, trying to escape.


---

In the skies above Spirit City.

The dark six-winged Fallen Angel released its full soul power, surrounded by seven rings—black, purple, black, black, black, black, and red.

Behind him, the Evil God’s Hook broke through the air, streaking across the sky as a black ray.

In the Worship Hall, Qian Daoliu, who had been meditating in prayer, opened his golden eyes, a trace of confusion flashing through them.

In the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong gritted her silver teeth and tightened her grip on her scepter.

"Wretched woman! Seducing my son! Scoundrel!"

Below the high platform, several red-clad cardinals were drenched in cold sweat.

Though unaware of what had happened, they hurriedly knelt to beg for mercy.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"


---

At an inn.

Ning Fengzhi looked at the Sword Douluo, who seemed unusually serious, and asked,
"Uncle Sword, what’s the matter?"

"There seems to be a strong sinister aura above Spirit City. Could it just be my imagination?"

Sword Douluo frowned deeply, releasing his spiritual power to sense the surroundings carefully, but he found nothing.

Ning Fengzhi’s eyes widened in surprise.

"A sinister aura? But isn’t that senior on the mountain?"

"Perhaps I was mistaken."

Sword Douluo shook his head, but the heaviness on his face did not dissipate.

The aura he had sensed was enough to threaten him.


---

High in the sky.

Qian Renjue moved at extreme speed, his blood-red eyes glowing with a white light.

Activating his Eye of Insight at full power, he shook his head slightly.

The flood of memories from over a decade ago made his mind throb.

"Where is that woman?"

A cold voice spilled from his purple-black lips, and frost filled the air.

In less than half a minute, the white glow in his eyes dissipated, replaced by a sharp crimson gleam.

"Found her."

The black six-winged angel dove downward at breakneck speed.


---

In a sparse forest.

Liu Erlong, who had been crouched and crying for a long time, wandered aimlessly like a lifeless shell.

Her previously elegant and refined face had turned pale, devoid of color.

Tear-streaked and haggard, her complexion was ghostly.

Her eyes were empty, her lips bloodless and stained with traces of red, while her once-sleek black hair was now a disheveled mess.

Her clothes were in disarray, her steps faltering.

The noble and heroic aura she once possessed was gone, leaving only despair and numbness.

"Ah Jue... I lost Ah Jue. I need to find him."

"Find my Ah Jue."

Stumbling out of the underbrush, Liu Erlong paid no mind to her torn clothes or the bleeding scratches on her skin.

Tears continued to stream down her face, long and unending, carried by the wind and scattered into the dirt.


---

A dark glow descended from the sky, landing in front of Liu Erlong.

Six black wings, silver-white hair, a pallid face.

And blood-red eyes.

The crimson reflection in her tearful gaze gradually faded to reveal a faint purple glow.

The six black wings slowly folded.

Liu Erlong, staring at the ominous figure emanating an aura of evil, suddenly had a glimmer of light in her once-empty eyes.

That faint glimmer grew brighter and brighter.

"Ah Jue..."

Her voice trembled as she looked at the dark figure, her eyes filled with excitement and hope.

"Ah Jue... Ah!"

Stumbling, she rushed forward, falling to the ground but immediately getting back up.

"Ah Jue... Is it really you? Ah Jue, wuuu~!"

Taking step after shaky step, her face was filled with utter grievance, tears flowing like a river.

"It’s me."

Qian Renjue opened his arms, cold and emotionless.