344. Divine Ones?

"Heh." Qian Renxue sneered, casually pointing her sword to the side.

"What are you waiting for? Go find a spot, hold your ears, and squat down."

"Yes, Nana will go right away." Hu Liena obediently replied, letting out a sigh of relief.

As Qian Renjue chuckled in amusement, Hu Liena, clutching her earlobes, moved to the side, squatting down with a look of grievance, casting a resentful glance at Qian Renjue before lowering her head.

Suddenly, she noticed a chunk of black ice debris in front of her.

Her long, narrow phoenix eyes took on a curious glint, and she shifted closer to inspect it.

"How about you? Did Sister get hurt?" Qian Renjue asked, smiling as he looked at Qian Renxue, who had just retracted her wings.

Qian Renxue raised her eyebrows slightly, a faint blush on her face. She lifted her arms elegantly, standing tall and proud. "What, are you trying to imitate Nana and have a feel?"

"Ah, well…" Qian Renjue's expression changed a little as he waved his hands in denial, "Sister, I wouldn’t dare think that!"

"Hmph!" Qian Renxue shot him a dissatisfied look. "Then stop imitating Nana and doing silly things."

Qian Renji chuckled, just about to say something when Hu Liena’s urgent voice called out.

"Ah, Senior Brother!"

Qian Renxue frowned, turning to scold her. "Nana, still causing trouble while squatting? Do you want to be made to kneel?"

"No, no…" Hu Liena, still squatting and holding her earlobes, looked up, pointing at the black ice shards in front of her. "Miss Xue, there’s actually a green spirit bone here."

"A spirit bone?!" Qian Renxue blinked, exchanging a look with Qian Renjue.

They walked over together, hand in hand, and indeed, a green glow shimmered among the black ice shards.

"It really is a spirit bone. I hadn’t noticed it before." Qian Renjue's face lit up with excitement.

Raising his left hand, he summoned it with a spatial ripple, bringing the green spirit bone into his hand. It was a right leg bone, faintly glowing green with a powerful aura.

Seeing Qian Renjue use spatial power, Qian Renxue’s eyes sparkled with admiration and pride.

Squatting nearby, Hu Liena looked up at the pair, wanting to stand.

Qian Renxue glanced at her but showed no reaction, leaving her to stay in her place.

"Jue, it looks like your luck’s not bad—this is at least a 30,000-year spirit bone." Qian Renxue observed, with Qian Renji nodding in agreement.

"Judging from that wolf bandit’s abilities, this spirit bone’s skill could either significantly weaken physical attacks with some invincibility, or it might have a berserk skill."

"Either way," Qian Renxue said, gently wrapping her arm around his, "it’ll likely boost several attributes."

Qian Renjue looked down at Hu Liena with a smile. "Nana, you can stand now."

"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Hu Liena smiled joyfully. Just as she was halfway up, Qian Renxue’s gaze fixed on her.

"Huh?"

"Miss Xue…" Hu Liena froze, awkwardly gripping her earlobes and crouching back down with a defeated look.

Seeing her authority still intact, Qian Renxue softened her brows and said coolly, "You may rise now."

"Yes! Thank you, Miss Xue," Hu Liena quickly stood up with a smile.

Qian Renjue looked at her, half amused, half exasperated.

"Master (Your Highness), Miss Xue!" Ling Yuan and Ah Yin called out, followed by the surviving women villagers they had rescued. Ah Yin, having witnessed Hu Liena’s predicament, stood politely and respectfully.

"Master, I’ve treated their injuries," Ah Yin reported.

"Good." Qian Renjue nodded, his face turning solemn as he thought back to the tragedy that had struck the village.

Turning to Qian Renxue, Qian Renjue suggested, “Sister, let’s help these villagers by bringing them to the nearest Spirit Hall branch so they can be properly taken care of.”

“Alright.” Qian Renxue nodded without hesitation, raising her hand and addressing the women. “Don’t resist—I’ll take you somewhere safe.”

“Thank you, thank you…” came the constant words of gratitude as the women were all placed into the [Life Ring].

“Ling Yuan, Nana, you should go in as well,” Qian Renxue instructed. Without further words, Ling Yuan and Hu Liena complied, entering the ring.

Ah Yin, understanding it was time to depart, transformed into a streak of blood and returned as a blue-gold mark on Qian Renjue's chest.

Qian Renxue held Qian Renjue's warm hand. “Jue, let’s take care of the villagers first.”

“No problem.” Qian Renjue nodded, storing away his spirit bone.

———

As the sun fully disappeared over the horizon, Qian Renxue and her brother had arranged everything for the villagers.

In Heaven Dou City, in the VIP suite of the Heaven Treasure Restaurant, a dark vortex appeared, and Qian Renjue stepped through it, holding Qian Renxue around her waist.

He placed his feet firmly on the ground, and Qian Renxue leaned back against his warm embrace. She summoned Ling Yuan, Hu Liena, and a small, frail figure into the room with a flash of light.

“Your Highness (Senior Brother), Miss Xue,” Ling Yuan and Hu Liena greeted them.

The little girl was still dirty, with black, matted hair, yet her bright green eyes were clear.

Thin as a twig, she sat on the floor, cheeks puffed and holding a greasy roasted pork shank.

Finding herself in this unfamiliar room, she stopped chewing, looking a bit bewildered. Upon seeing Qian Renxue, she immediately knelt in respect.

“Fei Die greets the divine ones!”

“Oh? Divine ones?” Qian Renjue raised an eyebrow, glancing at Qian Renxue in amusement. “Sister, does this mean I get to share in your glory?”

Qian Renxue rolled her eyes at him playfully. One day soon, her dear little brother would also become a mighty god.

Qian Renxue stood up from Qian Renjue's embrace and didn’t correct Fei Die’s title for them—such respect was only a matter of time.

“You may rise.”

“Thank you, thank you, divine ones,” Fei Die said obediently, standing up and even wiping the floor where she had knelt.

Qian Renxue frowned slightly. “Nana, go buy her some new clothes. We’ll eat once you return.”

“Yes, Miss Xue. I’ll go right away.” Hu Liena nodded and quickly set off; since Heaven Treasure Restaurant was on the busiest street, clothes could be bought nearby.

Qian Renxue then pointed to the bathroom. “Go clean yourself up in the bath first,” she instructed Fei Die.