Ling Luochen hadn't expected Qian Ran to say such things. After some thought, she realized he was absolutely right.
"Soul beasts are so pitiful," she said, her voice tinged with sympathy.
"We often describe soul beasts as vicious, evil, and savage. But in their eyes, what must we humans look like? Probably worse than demons. Human soul masters regularly invade soul beast habitats to hunt them, and when the soul beasts fight back, they're labeled as too violent," Qian Ran said with a bitter chuckle.
Ling Luochen stared at him in stunned silence.
"So, is this the kind of world you want to see, Qian Ran?" she asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"Not entirely. A world of love and peace would be nice too. But such happiness shouldn't be built on the oppression and exploitation of another species. Honestly, the behavior of many soul masters disgusts me. They're the aggressors, yet they always portray themselves as the victims," Qian Ran said, crossing his arms.
In the world of Douluo, the soul master profession was hardly endearing.
Soul beasts were clearly on the defensive, often slaughtered without resistance. Even when they retaliated, the cost to humans was negligible. For example, the death of a sacred beast might provoke a beast tide, but the losses for humans were minuscule in comparison.
And yet, humans had the audacity to label soul beasts as savage.
Qian Ran found these dynamics absurd. The setting worked well enough for a story of spiritual revival or monstrous invasions, but here it felt unjustified. Soul beasts were often attacked in their homes—what else were they supposed to do, bow and wait for death?
This attitude led to countless ludicrous situations.
For example, powerful elders from Shrek Academy would escort their students to hunt for soul rings. A Titled Douluo might watch as their disciples killed a soul beast, only for things to go awry. If a student was injured, the elder would curse the soul beast for being too vicious.
The sheer arrogance was baffling.
If Qian Ran ever became the master of this world, he'd ensure soul masters faced real consequences for their actions. Perhaps then their misplaced sense of superiority would vanish.
"Your perspective makes a lot of sense, Qian Ran. But soul masters can only grow stronger by acquiring soul rings," Ling Luochen murmured. She didn't like the system either, but without soul rings, they couldn't break through their limits.
"That's just how things are. It's not your fault, and there's no need to feel guilty. This is the fault of the world itself," Qian Ran said, ruffling her hair gently.
Nearby, Snow Empress and Ice Empress overheard their conversation and were momentarily stunned.
Even as soul beasts, they hadn't always grasped the severity of their kind's plight. Stronger soul beasts rarely considered weaker ones their kin. As long as their own tribes weren't affected, they turned a blind eye.
"Hehe, what are you reading? Let me see!" Ice Empress chimed in, approaching with a mischievous grin.
Ling Luochen quickly handed over the novel.
She had heard about Ice Empress and Snow Empress from Ma Xiaotao and the others, knowing these two stunningly beautiful women were immensely powerful. The smaller one, despite her delicate appearance, was the legendary Ice Empress of Absolute Ice.
Her demeanor became noticeably more respectful.
"There's no need to be so tense—we're all friends here. We'll be like sisters soon enough," Ice Empress said with a playful wink.
"Huh?" Ling Luochen froze, her face filled with confusion.
Could she mean…?
This was the same formidable figure who had crushed the Duke of White Tiger, Dai Hao, without breaking a sweat.
Ice Empress gave Ling Luochen a knowing look before walking away with the book. Snow Empress followed, flipping through the pages with her.
The more they read, the more astonished they became.
Could Qian Ran truly intend to change the fundamental logic of this world?
"Qian Ran is amazing," Ice Empress said, her voice full of emotion. "He's such a kind person—so powerful and yet so compassionate."
"It's rare to find a human like him. I'm grateful he's become an ally to soul beasts," Snow Empress added, her tone equally admiring.
"Well, if you think so highly of him, why haven't you gone to him yet?" Ice Empress teased, poking Snow Empress's chest playfully.
"You—" Snow Empress glared at Ice Empress, her cheeks flushing. She hadn't made up her mind yet. She wasn't so easily convinced.
In truth, she had already guessed the nature of Qian Ran's method for obtaining soul rings and soul bones from soul beasts.
That was why she hesitated.
Yet hearing Qian Ran advocate for soul beasts and defend their plight had softened her heart.
If she became Qian Ran's wife, she could grant him her 700,000-year soul ring and soul bone, boosting his power immensely. With greater strength, Qian Ran could do even more to help soul beasts. From that perspective, her decision seemed inevitable.
"What are you so embarrassed about? Haven't you seen Ma Xiaotao—" Ice Empress trailed off with a smirk.
Snow Empress blushed furiously. She had caught a glimpse of Ma Xiaotao and Qian Ran's antics out of curiosity, and that one look had left her unable to look away.
"So you did see them…" Ice Empress teased further.
While Ice Empress and Snow Empress playfully bickered in their room, Qian Ran was dozing off on the sofa in Ling Luochen's living room.
Crafting soul tools was an exhausting task. For most Rank 7 soul engineers, creating a single tool could take weeks or even months. Few could match Qian Ran's efficiency, and on top of that, he had spent extra energy indulging Ma Xiaotao earlier.
Ling Luochen sat beside him, cradling his face in her hands. As she gazed at his youthful and handsome features, her heart swelled with happiness.
Though young, Qian Ran had managed to captivate so many older, mature women.
"Luochen, you two haven't… done anything yet, have you?" Ma Xiaotao asked as she stepped out of the bathroom, drying her hair. If anyone saw her sleeping at this hour, they'd immediately know what she had been up to with Qian Ran.
"Shh," Ling Luochen hushed her, holding a finger to her lips. She didn't want to wake Qian Ran, enjoying the quiet moment of holding him close.
She rarely had the chance to observe him so openly.
Qian Ran was so handsome. She could never tire of looking at him. How could such a perfect boy exist?
Ma Xiaotao noticed Ling Luochen's gaze and smirked. Quietly, she lifted Qian Ran's legs and sat on the sofa, placing them on her lap.
Sleeping, Qian Ran exuded an inexplicable charm that drew both women to him.
Carefully, Ma Xiaotao lifted Qian Ran's shirt, revealing his perfectly sculpted torso. His muscles were defined but not overly bulky, exuding both strength and elegance.
Blushing, Ma Xiaotao ran her fingers over his chest, her mind wandering. If Ling Luochen weren't here, she might have climbed on top of him right then and there.
"Even asleep, he's so adorable," Ma Xiaotao whispered.
Ling Luochen could only watch, her face as red as a tomato.
(End of Chapter)