390. I'm Willing To Sacrifice

“Hmm.”

Snow Empress' serene, delicate face returned to calmness. She lowered her gaze to the crystal shoes, pursing her pink lips slightly before lifting her eyes to look at Qian Renjue.

When she spoke, her clear voice was as refreshing as a mountain spring.

“Qian Renjue, will you help me put them on?”

“…”

Qian Renjue paused, slightly startled.

Looking at the cold yet stunning Snow Empress in front of him, he gave a gentle nod.

“No problem.”

“Hmm~ here you go.”

As soon as Qian Renjue agreed, Snow Empress gracefully lifted her fair, delicate foot, signaling him to take it in his hand.

A faint blush adorned her flawless face, making her appear adorably shy.

This innocent display made Qian Renjue chuckle softly.

He knelt before her, under the hem of her dress, reaching out to hold her cool, soft foot. Picking up the crystal shoe, he noticed her foot turning slightly pink in his warm palm.

Snow Empress bit her lip gently, feeling a faint softness in her heart as she let Qian Renjue hold her.

Lowering her eyes, she extended her slender hand, resting it lightly on Qian Renjue’s golden hair.

She softly called out to the golden figure below her.

“Qian Renjue~”

“What is it? Did I hurt you?”

“No.”

“That’s good.”

Without lifting his head, Qian Renjue became even gentler in his movements, carefully placing her foot into the crystal shoe.

Then he reached for her other foot.

Snow Empress cooperated, lifting her other foot into Qian Renjue’s warm palm.

While stroking his golden locks, she finally voiced the decision she had long made.

“Qian Renjue~ I’ve decided. I will sacrifice myself to you.”

“…”

Qian Renjue’s hand paused momentarily as he held her delicate ankle, his breathing becoming heavier before quickly steadying.

He carefully slipped the second foot into its crystal shoe and spoke softly:

“Snow Empress, have you really thought this through?”

As he spoke, he released her ankle, ensuring she stood firmly, and slowly rose to his feet.

“Do you not want me anymore?”

Snow Empress frowned, looking at Qian Renjue with a hint of displeasure.

This was clearly his goal for coming here.

“Of course not.”

Qian Renjue shook his head gently, gazing at her with warmth.

“I’m just worried that you might regret it later.”

Over time, Qian Renjue had come to see Snow Maiden as a close friend.

He did want to become stronger, and her sacrifice would help him achieve that. But he didn’t want her to have regrets.

It was a contradiction, but human emotions were often complicated like this.

Snow Empress looked into his eyes, her gaze flickering as she avoided his direct stare.

Stepping gracefully in her crystal shoes, she moved toward a nearby swing. Her voice was calm, as if speaking to her own heart.

“Qian Renjue, if it’s for you, I won’t regret it.”

“…”

Qian Renjue was momentarily stunned, watching her sit on the swaying swing.

Moved, he softly promised, “I won’t let you down.”

“Hmm~”

Snow Empress nodded slightly, her delicate brows furrowed.

Every word she said was genuine, but she had deceived Qian Renjue from the start.

It was Bing’er who would make the sacrifice, not her.

She wasn’t sure if Bing’er and Xiao Bai had prepared everything necessary for the sacrifice.

Or if they had prepared something to guard against Qian Renjue.

She didn’t want things to be this way, but she had to take responsibility for Bing’er.

Snow Empress' gaze fell on Qian Renjue’s back, then on the vibrant flowers blooming amidst the icy shelves.

“Qian Renjue~ when will you reach level 80?”

“Anytime.”

Qian Renjue swiftly carved an ice vase and inserted the frozen flowers into it.

“Anytime?”

Snow Empress eyes gleamed with curiosity.

“Hmm, I’m currently at level 79. I still have a 100,000-year spirit bone I haven’t absorbed yet,” Qian Renjue replied honestly, turning to face her.



He indeed possessed a 100,000-year spirit bone, derived from Qian Renxue’s seventh spirit ring.

The 100,000-year Scarlet Flame Lion Right Leg Bone wasn’t compatible with his attributes.

However, Qian Renjue had soaked the bone in the system’s reward, the Night Eclipse Elixir.

In just a few days, it would transform into a dark-attribute spirit bone, becoming Qian Renjue’s second spirit bone.


---

“So that’s it.”

The Snow Empress nodded slightly, then continued asking: “When do you want to break through?”

“How about a month from now?”

Qian Renjue understood that Snow Empress was negotiating the timing of the sacrifice with him.

“No problem.”

The Snow Empress agreed without hesitation.

Qian Renjue quietly walked behind her, gently placing his hands on her delicate shoulders and pushing the swing.

“Do you have any requests?”

“Requests?”

The Snow Empress swung gently, her expression contemplative. She hadn’t thought about making any requests of Qian Renjue before.

But now that she could, she wanted to fulfill his wishes as much as possible.

Even though it wasn’t her who would sacrifice herself, she wanted to spend time with him.

Unlike Bing’er, who didn’t want to meet Qian Renjue, the Snow Empress thought it would be a waste if the opportunity to ask something went unused.

After a brief moment of thought, she turned back and softly said:

“Could you visit here more often? We can make ice sculptures together and pick snow lotuses.”

“Of course.”

Qian Renjue smiled and nodded, reassuring her:

“Snow Empress, you won’t die. I’ve said it before. Your body will remain intact.”

“Hmm.”

The Snow Empress nodded silently.

“Qian Renjue~ let’s go outside and build a taller swing.”

“By the cliffside, one that can push me all the way to the sky.”

“…”


---

The next morning.

Aside from Spirit Hall Academy, all the participating academies were led by the red-robed cardinal of the Spirit Hall to the competition venue.

As they passed by the enormous arena built at the foot of the central mountain in Spirit City, many teachers were surprised to find that the cardinal didn’t stop.

“Your Excellency, where are we going? Aren’t we supposed to compete here?”

A representative from the Star Luo Empire couldn’t help but voice their confusion.

Everyone paused. Even Ning Fengzhi furrowed his brows, as he hadn’t received any prior notice.

The red-robed cardinal turned back to the group and calmly explained:

“Everyone, today’s tournament arrangements have changed. By order of Her Majesty the Pope, the competition will take place in the plaza before the Pope’s Palace.”

“Please, follow me.”

After speaking, the cardinal turned and began ascending the mountainside toward the Pope’s Palace without another word.

The group exchanged puzzled looks, though some students seemed excited.

After all, only the top three teams were originally permitted to ascend to the Pope’s Palace and witness its grandeur. Now, even those with no chance of securing a top-three position would have the opportunity.

For commoner spirit masters, Spirit Hall held significant prestige, and the title of “Holy Land of Spirit Masters” wasn’t for nothing.


---

“Fengzhi, what’s going on here?”

Sword Douluo raised his brows slightly, uncertain of Spirit Hall’s intentions.

Before Ning Fengzhi could answer, young Ning Rongrong, growing impatient, chimed in.

“Grandpa Sword, can’t we just follow them and find out?”

“Daddy, hurry up! Brother Holy Son is waiting for Rongrong!”

“Haha…”

Ning Fengzhi smiled helplessly and ruffled Ning Rongrong’s hair.

Turning to Sword Douluo, he said:

“Uncle Sword, Rongrong has a point. Let’s follow along, and we’ll soon know.”

Sword Douluo sighed, slightly exasperated.

“This little girl is letting the wind in through her seams far too early.”