341. Consolidating Rule

Under the gaze of many clouded eyes, the frail young girl transformed into a gray stream of light and was absorbed into the "Ring of Life."

Seeing this, a large portion of the slum residents knelt down, continually bowing their heads.

"Divine One! I am willing to follow you and do anything."

"I'm willing, too! Me too!"

"Divine One! Please save us."

"Please save us."

The crowd of impoverished people gathered, producing a cacophony of pleading voices.

Qian Renxue slightly turned her head, casting a glance at the ever-growing number of people kneeling around her, and frowned.

"Senior brother, what should we do?"

Hu Liena clutched Qian Renjue’s arm, looking at the kneeling poor around them, feeling a pang of pity.

Qian Renjue shook his head; there was nothing he could do.

But it wouldn’t take many more years. Life would improve.

"Sister, let's use my Evil God's Heart and leave here."

Qian Renji suggested to Qian Renxue.

"Alright."

With a frown, Qian Renxue nodded slightly.

As she finished speaking, a purple-black light glimmered at the center of Qian Renji's forehead, and a triangular shape flew out, expanding until it enveloped the four of them, vanishing from the slum.

"The Divine One—it really was the Divine One manifesting!"

Seeing this scene, the kneeling slum dwellers were even more fervent, gazing fanatically.

Inside the Evil God's Heart, Qian Renjue's eyes glowed white as he observed the growing strength of faith gathering around Qian Renxue.

Raising an eyebrow, he looked at Qian Renxue, who had deactivated her martial spirit, and asked with curiosity, "Sister, how do you feel now?"

"Not bad; my power is increasing."

Qian Renxue's eyes also glowed white. Not only could she see golden threads, but she could also sense a faint divine power.

Hu Liena and Ling Yuan wore puzzled expressions, not fully understanding.

Setting aside her inner thoughts, Qian Renxue took Qian Renjue's arm, saying gently, "Let's go. We should leave here first."

"Alright."

Qian Renjue smiled, holding a half-finished sketch of Qian Renxue he’d drawn when bored.

Though her face remained a bit unclear, the portrait had an air of mystery, a divine aura.

This was why he hadn’t completed the painting—he hadn’t yet captured the feeling. But today, it seemed he could finally put it to use.

"Jue, what are you doing?" Qian Renxue halted, puzzled.

"Just watch, sister." Qian Renjue smiled mysteriously.

He took out three sticks of incense, instructing Ling Yuan, "Sister Ling Yuan, could I borrow a flame?"

"Oh, sure."

Ling Yuan Douluo nodded, lighting her index finger, and with a quick motion, lit the incense sticks.

As she smelled the incense and connected it to the faith she'd witnessed, Qian Renxue seemed to understand. Qian Renjue was helping her expand her influence of faith.

With a hum, Qian Renjue activated his thought, causing the space within the Vast Sea Protection Barrier to ripple.

Without hesitation, he tossed the painting and incense out.

Outside, in the slum, within the small shelter where the young girl once lay, a golden portrait suddenly hung from a decayed wooden post, with three sticks of incense sending up trails of smoke.

Some of the remaining people noticed this unexpected sight and couldn't help but shout.

"Look! It’s the Divine One’s portrait!"

"The Divine One has manifested! This must be left by the Divine One!"

"The Divine One has accepted us!"

The slum residents cried out desperately. With the three incense sticks as a guide, someone took the lead and knelt to pray, followed by all, full of devotion.

Thin threads of faith seemed to cross through space and gather around Qian Renxue.

"Sister, do you feel it?" Qian Renjue asked with a playful smile, seeing Qian Renxue’s delighted expression.

Qian Renxue gave Qian Renjue a charming side-eye, smiling as she softly replied, "Isn’t that an obvious question, Jue?"

"Haha," Qian Renjue laughed proudly.

Hu Liena and Ling Yuan Douluo were left in confusion, completely oblivious to why the two were so pleased.

"Thank you, Renjue" Qian Renxue openly gave her thanks with a light kiss.

Qian Renjue touched his cheek and then glanced again at the kneeling poor, his smile fading.

"Alright, Sister, let’s go," he said.

"Mm," Qian Renxue nodded and followed him out of the slum.

"Nana, Sister Ling Yuan, what are you waiting for? Come on," Qian Renjue called.

Hearing him, the two women, who had been racking their brains trying to figure out the siblings' cryptic conversation, snapped back to reality and hurried after them.

"Wait for me, Senior Brother!"

"Your Highness~"

Hu Liena caught up with Qian Renjue, tugging at his sleeve with curiosity.

"Senior Brother~ What were you and Miss Xue talking about just now?"

"It’s simple: faith power," Qian Renji explained with a smile.

"Faith power?" Ling Yuan furrowed her brow, doubtful that something so intangible could truly exist. Yet, she knew Qian Renjue wouldn’t deceive them.

Hu Liena quickly caught on. "So, leaving the portrait behind was to help Miss Xue gather faith power?"

"Yes, though that’s not all," Qian Renjue replied honestly.

"Not all?" Even Qian Renxue was a bit puzzled. Did he have a deeper plan?

Before she could ask, Qian Renjue turned to Ling Yuan and asked, "Sister Ling Yuan, do you know Sea God Island?"

"Of course," Ling Yuan nodded.

"Then you know that all Sea Spirit Masters share a common faith in the Seagod," Qian Renjue continued, "making the rule over Seagod Island unbreakable."

Realization dawned on Qian Renxue's face. "So you’re planning to use this to strengthen the future rule of the Spirit Hall?"

"Exactly, Sister. If we can slowly gather the faith of most Spirit Masters and even the common people across the continent, the Spirit Hall’s rule will be even more unshakable," Qian Renjue replied with a nod.

Hearing this, Qian Renxue looked at him with deep admiration. "Jue~ You truly are suited to be the Pope."

"Exactly!" Hu Liena agreed enthusiastically, with Ling Yuan nodding in acknowledgment of his far-sighted strategy for lasting peace and stability.

"Don’t praise me too much, Sister; I still have a lot to learn compared to Mom," Qian Renjue replied humbly, though his proud expression was evident.

Qian Renxue chuckled, tugging at his arm. "Alright, Jue, put away your Evil God's Heart."

"Got it," he replied cheerfully.

Without realizing it, they had left the slum.