286. Sandwiched

Bibi Dong gently introduced the effects of the god-bestowed spirit ring.

She extended her hand toward Qian Renjue.

“Jue, with this, I believe you can definitely get a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring.”

“But Mom, your second spirit also needs a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, doesn't it?” Qian Renjue didn’t reach out to accept it.

“We’ll worry about my spirit ring later. For now, my current spirit ring is enough,” Bibi Dong said with a smile.

This was something she had promised, and she was determined to follow through.

After a brief moment of surprise, Qian Renxue snapped out of it. She looked at Qian Renjue and softly said:

“Jue, just take it. When we get stronger, we can help Mom hunt for more spirit rings.”

“Right, Xiao Xue is right,” Bibi Dong nodded with a smile.

She reached out, opened Qian Renjue’s hand, and placed the god-given spirit ring in his palm.

After a moment of thought, Qian Renjue tightened his grip on the spirit ring.

“Thank you, Mom!”

Bibi Dong playfully rolled her eyes at him.

“Why so serious? It’s not like I’m lending it to you; you don’t have to return it.”

“I know that,” Qian Renjue chuckled.

He raised his arms, pulling Bibi Dong into a simple embrace for a moment.

The reason he agreed was that he considered the difference between a god-given spirit ring and a real hundred-thousand-year spirit ring—specifically, the difference in the number of spirit abilities.

Based on that, the god-given spirit ring seemed most suitable for the seventh spirit ring.

Sister was right. They could make it up to Mom later.

Bibi Dong leaned into Qian Renjue’s arms, feeling warm, like basking in the rays of a little sun, making her body feel soft.

Qian Renxue pouted.

Ignored again!

She raised her eyebrows and smiled, then threw herself onto Bibi Dong from behind, pressing her chest against Bibi Dong’s back.

“Ah, Xiao Xue!”

Bibi Dong, sandwiched between them, had Qian Renjue’s firm chest in front and Qian Renxue behind her, making her feel a little stuffy and annoyed.

“Haha, don’t worry, Mom. Jue and I will make it up to you later,” Qian Renxue giggled, resting her head on Bibi Dong’s warm back, closing her eyes.

“You two! Always picking on Mom~” Bibi Dong’s face flushed, but she only voiced a playful complaint without resisting.

She rested quietly as Qian Renjue placed his hands on her rounded shoulders just in time, preventing Qian Renxue from pulling her loose robe down.

Watching the two women with their eyes closed and resting, Qian Renjue couldn’t help but smile.

His gaze shifted toward the direction of the Worship Hall, and his smile faded slightly.

Once he officially became a Spirit Saint, it would be time for Qian Renxue to go to the Douluo Hall and undertake the Angel God Nine Trials.

———

Not long after, Bibi Dong, still stuck between them, gently pushed the siblings out of the room, intending to take a nap and adjust herself.

Qian Renjue left Ah Yin behind to serve Bibi Dong, while he and Qian Renxue stepped out of their warm little home.

The outside world was beginning to turn golden, the sun just touching the mountain peaks.

Qian Renxue linked arms with Qian Renjue and asked with a playful smile, “Jue, are you going to the Pope’s Palace or the Worship Hall?”

“I plan to stop by the Pope’s Palace first,” Qian Renjue replied, shading his eyes from the sun.

Hu Liena must have been working hard these past few days, and he couldn’t let her do all the work.

“Grandpa’s side, I’ll leave to you, Sis,” he added.

“Alright,” Qian Renxue nodded in agreement.

“When do you plan to start absorbing the spirit ring?” she asked.

Qian Renjue pondered briefly before answering, “Tomorrow. Tonight, I’ll adjust my condition first.”

“Don’t force yourself,” Qian Renxue playfully pinched his cheek, offering a soft reminder.

“I won’t,” Qian Renjue replied, brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear.

Originally, without the additional spirit bone, taking on a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring might have been challenging for him.

But now, with the newly acquired external spirit bone of the same age, he felt much more confident.

“I feel like you’re going to surpass me soon,” Qian Renxue pouted, feeling a bit troubled.

“If I can’t protect my sister, how can I be the best little brother in the world?” Qian Renjue replied smugly, tilting his head and glancing at her.

“Pfft, are you asking for a beating?” Qian Renxue teased, though she was clearly touched, but still waved her small fist at him with a playful glare.

“Hmph! I want to be the best big sister in the world too,” she added.

The two siblings shared a laugh.

“Alright, you should head to the Worship Hall later,” Qian Renxue said, releasing her grip on Qian Renjue, spreading her six wings behind her.

She hovered in the air, looking down at him with a smirk, declaring, “Remember, Sister is Big Sister, and you’ll always be the little brother!”

“It’s natural for me to protect you!” she added with a proud hum before soaring toward the mountain peak.

“But I’m a man too…” Qian Renjue murmured, watching her golden figure disappear with a helpless smile.

———

In the Pope’s Palace, a small table had been added next to the main desk.

Hu Liena sat there, lazily stretching her arms.

“Finally, I’m done with all of this,” she said with satisfaction, slapping a stack of documents on the table.

“I’ll leave these for Teacher or Senior Brother to decide. They can handle it later!”

The hairpin that Qian Renjue had given her glowed softly, and the documents on the table were cleared away.

Hu Liena stood up happily and started heading outside.

Before leaving, she reminded Chrysanthemum Douluo, “Sister Chrysanthemum, you can go back too.”

“Mmm, make sure to rest well, Liena,” Chrysanthemum Douluo replied with a graceful smile.

Hu Liena waved cheerfully and ran out of the Pope’s Palace.

Her teacher had finished their retreat, so she wanted to go back as quickly as possible, thinking there might be something she could help with.

Just as she left the palace, Hu Liena halted in her tracks, eyes lighting up in surprise.

“Senior Brother!” she cried, rushing toward Qian Renjue.

The two collided softly, and Qian Renjue immediately noticed a soft, pleasant sensation and a familiar milky fragrance.

“Senior Brother, I’ve missed you so much!”

“I was only gone for two or three days. Why act like it’s been ages?”

Qian Renjue chuckled as he hugged Hu Liena, patting her head.

“You’re rarely away from me. Of course, I missed you,” Hu Liena mumbled softly, tightening her hold around his waist, inhaling his familiar scent.

“These past few days must have been hard on you,” Qian Renjue said gently, patting her back.

Hu Liena looked up at him shyly, her voice slightly husky, unknowingly laced with a bit of charm.

“I’m not tired as long as I have you, Senior Brother.”

“Really?”

Qian Renjue teased, smiling slyly.

Hu Liena blushed, biting her lip, and on tiptoes, softly kissed the corner of his lips.

A hint of that familiar milky sweetness lingered on his lips, and Qian Renjue’s eyes momentarily sharpened.

“Senior Brother, I’m serious,” Hu Liena whispered, her face flushed with emotion.