374. Stealing A Snack

Faced with the Ice Jade Emperor’s advice, Snow Empress pursed her pink lips in silence. She didn’t want to outright reject Qian Renjue. Being with him felt so comforting.

Qian Renjue had promised her that after her sacrifice, she would still retain the ability to act independently.

However, doubts lingered in her heart.

What if Qian Renjue failed? What would happen after her sacrifice?

And Bing'er... what would happen to her? Would she have to sacrifice herself too? Would Bing'er agree to it?

“Bing'er~”

Lowering her gaze, Snow Empress gently ran her hand through the Ice Jade Emperor’s dark green hair.

“Sister, don’t sacrifice yourself. Ice will stay with you,” the Ice Jade Emperor said, clutching Snow Empress's legs tightly.

She didn’t trust humans—especially not such an evil one, a human bold enough to kick her in the face.

Looking at the Ice Jade Emperor, a glimmer of light flashed in Snow Empress's eyes, as if she had suddenly grasped a perfect solution.

A hint of smugness bloomed in her gaze.

Qian Renjue had dared to complain she wasn’t clever. Her mind was clearly sharp!

Gazing at the Ice Jade Emperor, Snow Empress spoke with newfound cunning:

“Bing'er, why don’t you sacrifice yourself to Qian Renjue instead of me?”

“W-What?!”

The Ice Jade Emperor’s neck stiffened as she raised her head abruptly, all thoughts of enjoying the cool comfort of Xue Nu’s lap dissipating.

“Sister! Are you trying to kill your little sister for the sake of your lover?!”

“Why not?” Snow Empress tilted her head innocently. It seemed like such a brilliant idea.

“Sister!” The Ice Jade Emperor’s eyes filled with urgency.

Xue Nu frowned slightly. She was doing this for Bing'er’s own good, after all.

“Is Bing'er unwilling?”

The Ice Jade Emperor leaped to her feet and declared righteously, “Big Sister, I don’t want to die!”

“I’m not asking you to die. Just to sacrifice yourself to Qian Renjue,” Snow Empress said, her face showing genuine confusion.

The Ice Jade Emperor was on the verge of losing her mind.

“Sister, isn’t sacrificing myself basically the same as dying?”

“You won’t die. Qian Renjue is someone chosen by the gods,” Snow Empress explained softly, shaking her head.

“He even has something that can preserve your physical form after the sacrifice.”

“What nonsense! What if it’s fake?!” The Ice Jade Emperor covered her ears in frustration. If she could overpower Snow Empress, she’d definitely knock some sense into her.

“You don’t need to be afraid, Bing'er,” Snow Empress said, rising to her feet and holding the Ice Jade Emperor’s delicate hand.

“If it turns out to be fake, I’ll kill Qian Renjue after your sacrifice.”

Her tone was calm, but Snow Empress's faint smugness faded as a pang of guilt and pain surfaced in her heart.

“Is... is that so?”

The Ice Jade Emperor froze, her expression turning odd before it crumbled entirely.

Her face fell as she wailed, “Sister, but if it’s fake, I’d already be dead!”

“…”

Snow Empress blinked, momentarily stunned. A faint blush of embarrassment crept onto her face.

It seemed she wasn’t as clever as she’d thought.

“Bing'er, let me think this through again.”

Snow Empress muttered, her gaze shifting to the vibrant frozen flowers displayed on the icy shelves. Her eyes lit up once more.

Perhaps they could rearrange the sequence of events.

Her self-satisfaction returned as she plotted further.

“Sister…”

The Ice Jade Emperor’s voice was laced with fear, dreading that Snow Empress might suggest another life-threatening idea.


---

Spirit City

Under a blazing sun, Qian Renjue stood within a secluded cultivation chamber, exhaling a frosty breath.

He could feel his cultivation edging closer to the seventy-ninth level. A faint smile spread across his face.

“The 10,000-year Snow Lotus truly lives up to its reputation. I wonder if that scorpion will cause any trouble.”

A shadow of worry crossed Qian Renjue’s face as he shook his head slightly.


As the frost on his body melted away, Qian Renjue finally stepped outside.

The courtyard was empty.

After activating his Eye of Insight and scanning the area, he headed straight for Hu Liena’s room.

The door was slightly ajar. Inside, Hu Liena was sitting cross-legged on the bed, cultivating with Xuantiangong.

Qian Renjue didn’t bother to knock.

He walked directly in, placed the pink dudou (an undergarment) in a conspicuous spot, and then left swiftly.

Next, he made his way toward the Pope’s Hall.

After returning yesterday, he hadn’t yet shared the powerful Great Sumeru Hammer he had acquired with Bibi Dong or the others.

Especially his grandfather—Qian Daoliu, who had been overshadowed by the Great Sumeru Hammer for most of his life. If he got his hands on it, he would surely be overjoyed.


---

Just as Qian Renjue stepped out, Hu Liena seemed to sense something and opened her almond-shaped eyes.

Her gaze was immediately drawn to the dudou that Qian Renjue had returned.

“Wet?!”

Her eyes trembled slightly, unsure whether to be surprised or delighted. Could it be that her senior brother really used it?

Swish!

Hu Liena instantly activated her martial spirit.

Her fox tail curled around the dudou, bringing it closer to her. She sniffed it and frowned, her eyes showing a hint of disappointment.

She hadn’t detected any strange scent and ruled out the possibility that Qian Renjue had used it and then washed it clean.

It was simply wet—nothing more.

How infuriating!


---

Inside the grand and luxurious Pope’s Hall, Bibi Dong, seated on her throne, couldn’t help her curiosity as she glanced at Ling Yuan beside her.

She pressed Ling Yuan for answers about what she had been up to with her precious son.

Under Bibi Dong’s relentless questioning, Ling Yuan finally gave in.

The vast Pope’s Hall was empty save for the two tall and elegant figures standing on the high platform.

Bibi Dong, seated on her throne, leaned slightly toward Ling Yuan.

Blushing furiously, Ling Yuan bent down, her face close to Bibi Dong’s ear.

After hesitating for a long time, she stammered out:
“Your Majesty, I… I just… stole a little something to eat.”

Her voice trailed off awkwardly.

“Hm?”

“Stole? Stole what? Is there anything worth eating out there?” Bibi Dong asked, puzzled.

But soon, her face stiffened as realization dawned. (Eating Meat)

Her gaze turned incredulous as she stared at Ling Yuan, a Titled Douluo, in shock.

How could someone of her stature stoop to such indecency.

Suppressing her disgust, Bibi Dong pointed toward the hall’s exit, her voice trembling:
“Y-You… get out! Leave!”

Ling Yuan’s head drooped as if she wanted to bury it in her chest.

Even when she succeeded earlier, she hadn’t felt this embarrassed or helpless. Now, she wished she could vanish entirely.

“Yes, Your Majesty… I’ll take my leave.”

“Get out! Go, go, go!”

Bibi Dong pointed toward the exit, her finger trembling. Her voluptuous figure rose and fell rapidly with her sharp breaths.

“Goodbye, Your Majesty,” Ling Yuan muttered before flying out as fast as she could, as if fleeing for her life.


---

Outside the Pope’s Hall, the two “gatekeepers,” Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, were momentarily stunned.

Chrysanthemum Douluo elegantly twirled his hair and asked, “Old Ghost, what’s gotten into Ling Yuan? She’s moving faster than you.”

“No idea, maybe it’s urgent,” Ghost Douluo replied, shaking his head.

From inside the hall, a stern voice echoed:
“Chrysanthemum, Ghost, leave me alone for a while. If there’s anything urgent, have them wait.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the two Titled Douluo replied in unison.

Sensing the unusual tone of Bibi Dong’s voice, both immediately complied without question.


---

About half an hour later, Qian Renjue strolled through the area outside the Pope’s Hall, weaving between the towering white jade pillars.

Noticing a red-robed cardinal standing outside the hall, he called out in confusion, “Sigma, what are you doing out here?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Cardinal Sigma turned, bowed, and greeted respectfully:
“Your Highness, the Holy Son.”

“I came to report a matter—an earthquake occurred near the border of the Kingdom of Häagen-Dazs. I’m here to request funds from Her Majesty.”