63. Brewing Storm
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Qian Renjue's dazed face was cupped gently in Bibi Dong's hands as she tenderly caressed and cleaned him up.
Qian Renxue quietly walked up to her mother and brother, and after a moment of silence, she finally spoke: "Mom, Jue, we should return to Spirit City for now."
"Ah!" Qian Renjue snapped back to reality.
"Sister is right, Mom. Let's take Dad home first."
With that, Qian Renjue quickly ran over to where Qian Xunji was receiving treatment.
As the warmth left her embrace, Bibi Dong furrowed her brows.
She raised her gaze towards the figure of Qian Xunji lying on the ground, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
Sensing a gaze from beside her, Bibi Dong turned her head and met Qian Renxue's eyes.
Their eyes locked for a moment, and the coldness in Bibi Dong's eyes quickly faded.
Qian Renxue, no longer a child, stared directly at Bibi Dong, her bright eyes seeming to pierce through Bibi Dong's thoughts, causing her to feel guilty and avert her gaze.
There was once again a rift between the mother and daughter.
Qian Renxue bit her lip, her head lowered with a touch of sadness.
She had seen Bibi Dong's indifference towards Qian Xunji's critical condition, but she couldn't bring herself to blame her.
After all, this was something Qian Xunji had brought upon himself.
"Sister, come quick!" Qian Renjue's voice called out.
Qian Renxue quickly collected herself, rubbed her face, and responded, "I'm coming."
Watching Qian Renxue's retreating back, Bibi Dong opened her mouth as if wanting to say something, but no words came out.
Her gaze turned back to Qian Xunji, her delicate fists clenching tightly.
She knew this was her best chance for revenge.
Qian Renjue took the ring from Qian Xunji's hand, placed both Qian Xunji and Qian Renxue inside it, then ran over to Bibi Dong.
Looking up, he asked, "Mom, do you want to come inside too?"
Surprised, Bibi Dong shook her head, avoiding Qian Renjue's expectant gaze.
"No, I don't need to."
"Alright then, give me your hand." Qian Renjue gently took Bibi Dong's hand and slipped a lady's diamond ring onto her slender finger.
Bibi Dong silently watched as Qian Renjue vanished into a beam of light before her eyes.
At that moment, a voice sounded in her ear: "Mom, if you're tired, you can call me to come out and rest."
"Mm," Bibi Dong nodded slightly, softly stroking the ring on her hand.
So, they had been by her side all along. No wonder she couldn't find them.
Looking at the bloodstains on her hand from Qian Renjue, Bibi Dong's eyes filled with fear and anxiety.
What would happen if Qian Renjue found out that she had killed Qian Xunji?
As she was deep in thought, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo approached her.
"Your Highness, we should return to Spirit City as soon as possible."
Bibi Dong suppressed her pain and nodded. "Alright, let's leave immediately."
...
A group of over ten people took off into the air.
Due to Qian Xunji's severe injuries, it was decided that Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo would escort Bibi Dong back to Spirit City ahead of the others.
By dusk the next day, Bibi Dong had returned to Spirit City.
At the same time, news spread like wildfire across the higher ranks of the Spirit Master world: Tang Hao's wife, the hundred-thousand-year spirit beast, had sacrificed herself to Bibi Dong.
Qian Xunji had been critically injured by Tang Hao in a sneak attack.
Everyone understood that this was the calm before the storm.
The Pope's injuries would likely change the power dynamics within the Spirit Master world.
The Clear Sky Clan had already gone on full alert, gathering their outer disciples in preparation for what might come.
...
As the sun set, in a strict and secure secret room behind the Pope's palace, Qian Daoliu stood tensely watching the unconscious Qian Xunji, who lay on an icy jade stone bed.
His blood-soaked golden robe made Qian Daoliu's brows furrow deeply.
Around the stone bed stood several healing-type Spirit Masters of Spirit Saint and Spirit Douluo levels, their spirit rings glowing as they used their healing techniques.
Qian Xunji's injuries had begun to stabilize, but outside the room, a few figures stood anxiously waiting.
Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo knelt with faces full of shame and fear, while Bibi Dong stood nearby, holding Qian Renjue in her arms, her expression unreadable.
She wondered how she should proceed with her plan of revenge.
Qian Renxue held her brother's hand.
Since Qian Xunji had been injured, the worry in her eyes had never faded.
Although she had made arrangements with Qian Renjue, an unknown force had destroyed their chances, just like in the past when they had nearly killed Sea God Tang San, only to have an unseen force pull them back into darkness.
The pressure inside Qian Renxue was really big.
She couldn't sit idly within Spirit Hall any longer.
If she did nothing, she would lose everything she held dear.
Her fists clenched tightly as she looked at Qian Renjue leaning against Bibi Dong.
After everything unfolded, would he still smile?
With teary eyes, she shifted her gaze from Qian Renjue to Bibi Dong.
The two women locked eyes.
Qian Renxue knew that revenge was the only thing keeping Bibi Dong going.
As Bibi Dong turned away and walked quietly, the sound of a door opening echoed in the room.
Qian Daoliu stepped out.
"Grandpa, how is Dad? Is he awake yet?" Qian Renjue ran to him immediately, his concern evident.
Seeing his grandson, Qian Daoliu softened his expression, gently ruffling Qian Renjue's hair. "Don't worry, Jue. Your father will be fine. He'll wake up by tonight."
"Can we see him?"
Qian Renjue was worried, remembering how severe Qian Xunji's injuries were, his chest even caved in.
But before he could say more, Qian Renxue held his arm.
"Jue, let Dad rest for now. We'll check on him tomorrow morning."
"Alright, sister," Qian Renjue agreed, understanding that recovery was most important.
Suddenly, Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo knelt heavily before Qian Daoliu. "We failed in our duties. Please punish us, Great Priest!"
Both bowed their heads deeply, fully aware that they bore responsibility for Qian Xunji's injury under their watch, even though they didn't understand how Tang Hao had managed it.
"..." Qian Daoliu turned his gaze towards them.
Just as Qian Renjue was about to speak, Qian Renxue interjected.
"Grandpa, the situation is strange. The elders did their best."
Qian Daoliu was slightly surprised by her insight.
He had indeed sensed an unusual power involved in Qian Xunji's injuries.
However, he wasn't sure how Qian Renxue had realized it.
"Very well. Rise," Qian Daoliu said, gesturing for them to stand. "From now on, leave everything else behind. Protect Qian Xunji with your lives."
"Thank you, Great Priest. Thank you, Miss Xue, for your mercy!" The two titled douluos sighed in relief and quickly expressed their gratitude before standing.