294. Refining Good And Evil

Inside the Douluo Hall.

Qian Renxue gently stroked Qian Renjue's face, her thumb brushing across the corner of his lips, as if trying to dispel the aura of the Angel Goddess.

"Sister, you haven’t told me yet what tasks your God trial requires."

Qian Renjue curiously held her delicate hand.

At the mention of this, Qian Renxue paused, frowning slightly.

"The first trial is 'Refining the Heart, Recognizing Good and Evil.' I don't have a clear idea of it yet."

"How is that possible?"

Qian Renjue looked surprised.

"You don’t know the details, sister?"

"Of course I do. But it requires me to wander the world in a powerless incarnation," Qian Renxue replied, not hiding anything. "I’m to witness various manifestations of good and evil, desire and attachment. I must not intervene."

"An incarnation?"

Qian Renjue was puzzled.

He couldn’t grasp the full meaning either.

Qian Renxue, as if realizing something, lifted her gaze toward Qian Daoliu and smiled, saying, "Grandpa, as the overseer of my trial, you must know, right?"

"Haha, of course I know," Qian Daoliu chuckled. Although Qian Renxue's trial was directly bestowed by their ancestor and differed from the top-level trials he had experienced, guiding Qian Renxue was still his responsibility as the chief consecrator.

Waving his hand, Qian Daoliu gestured toward the golden plaques on the surrounding walls and smiled, "Xiao Xue, during your first trial, everyone here will assist you."

"Everyone?"

Qian Renxue looked at the golden plaques, confused.

"That’s right. With their help, you’ll be able to manifest nine incarnations of faith," Qian Daoliu confirmed with a nod.

"At that time, all you’ll need to do is sit beneath the ancestor’s statue, and without leaving, you’ll be able to observe the mortal world without anyone knowing."

Realization dawned on Qian Renjue’s face. "I see now."

Qian Renxue felt relieved. Even though this trial was different from her previous experiences, she was still confident.

"It seems sister can stay home for a while," Qian Renjue said with a smile.

"Perhaps, but this trial won’t be easy. After wandering, I still have to confront my own heart," Qian Renxue responded with a faint, uncertain smile.

The fact that there was no set time limit for this trial suggested it would take a considerable amount of time.

Suddenly, something came to Qian Renxue’s mind. She looked up at Qian Renjue and asked, "Renjue, you must have gained something as well, right? When our ancestor kissed you, it seemed like something entered your body."

"Hmm?" Qian Daoliu raised an eyebrow, surprised as he looked at Qian Renjue. He hadn’t been paying attention at the time and didn’t know about this.

"Yes, indeed, the ancestor...," Qian Renjue said with a wry smile, but hesitated, thinking that the dark side of the Angel Goddess might not like being referred to positively. So he changed his words slightly.

"That fallen sister gave me her divine status. Once I break through to Titled Douluo, I’ll be able to gradually absorb it and follow in your footsteps to become a god."

As soon as he said this, Qian Renjue suddenly felt his body becoming lighter.

"What?!"

Qian Daoliu didn’t care much about the title of Angel Goddess in Qian Renjue's mouth but was shocked by the divine potential Qian Renjue could reach. His mouth dropped open in amazement, seemingly overjoyed.

"Haha! Wonderful! Heaven blesses our clan, thanks to the ancestor's grace!"

Qian Renxue, too, smiled sincerely. She had already learned a method for breakthrough from the Angel Goddess’ memories. She believed that she and Qian Renjue would surpass their twin ancestors.

Not only could she dance with the Rakshasa, but she could also join hands with Qian Renjue to break the damned schemes surrounding them.

——————————

The heavy, ancient doors of the hall opened, and the three members of the Qian family—Qian Renjue, Qian Renxue, and Qian Daoliu—walked out, all in high spirits.

Qian Daoliu was the most excited. His earlier shock at the ancestor’s intrusion on his grandson had completely vanished, replaced by a burning anticipation—anticipation for the day when the twin gods of the Qian family would descend upon the continent.

"Grandpa, we’ll head down the mountain first," Qian Renxue said, holding Qian Renjue’s arm and bidding farewell to Qian Daoliu.

"Alright, go ahead. Prepare well," Qian Daoliu smiled and nodded.

"I will, Grandpa."

Qian Renxue waved goodbye, pulling Qian Renjue towards their childhood home.

"Goodbye, Grandpa!" Qian Renjue also waved, then turned to his sister with a puzzled expression. "Sister, why are we running so fast?"

"We're going to visit father, to tell him the good news. His dream is coming true," Qian Renxue smiled, her lips slightly trembling with emotion and nostalgia.

And a hint of sadness.

If only he could witness the day the Angel would soar into the sky.

Perhaps then, he would be like a child, asking to be flown around the heavens.

But sadly, he chose to love them in his own way—through death.

"Mm," Qian Renjue nodded silently, following closely behind.

As he watched Qian Renxue’s retreating figure, it seemed to shrink, reminding him of the days when he would follow behind her with his wooden sword.

————————

Qian Daoliu watched the siblings disappear into the distance, then sighed deeply. He clutched the golden soul-capturing orb in his arms and turned back into the Douluo Hall, standing alone in front of the golden plaque that belonged to Qian Xunji.

Qian Daoliu’s voice turned hoarse, tinged with a sob.

"Xunji... it’s done... It really is."

"Just wait a little longer. I’ll come to join you soon. And I promise... I’ll never scold you again."

————————

In their childhood courtyard, a few incense sticks were burning on a table beneath a wall adorned with wind chimes. The smoke curled upwards, swirling and lingering outside the window.

Under the eaves, Qian Renjue lay on the steps, Qian Renxue resting in his arms, basking in the sunlight. A heavy book covered Qian Renxue’s face, while her slender fingers traced symbols on Qian Renjue’s chest.

Qian Renjue gently stroked her frail arm, gazing up at the swirling smoke with a contented expression.

Today’s events had lifted a weight off his mind, as he no longer worried about achieving divine status. Now, he could catch up with Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong without having to hide under their wings.

Holding Qian Renxue closer, he closed his eyes and connected with the system.

【Host's points: 1580!】

【Would you like to spend 500 points to exchange for a 'Mystery Box'?】

【You have successfully exchanged one 'Mystery Box.'】

【Remaining points: 1080!】

【Would you like to open the box?】

【Ding! The Mystery Box is being opened...】

【Congratulations, host, you have obtained: Confusion Incense!】

"..."

Qian Renjue tightened his embrace, thinking he had luck on his side today and would draw a miracle, only to be disappointed once again by the system’s stinginess.

Qian Renxue, as if sensing his feelings, snuggled further into the warmth of his embrace. It had been a long time since she had felt this relaxed.

【Confusion Incense】: Colorless and odorless, it requires soul power to ignite and take effect. It can create illusions based on the environment and the user’s thoughts, making everything appear deceptively real to enemies.

【For further uses, host, please explore on your own!】

Qian Renjue rolled his eyes and covered his face with his arm.

How useless.