Chapter 263: Reunion with Qian Renxue
Bibi Dong and Yang Potian left the Pope's Hall and headed directly for the Douluo Hall, the most revered place in the Wuhun Empire. As they approached, Yang Potian felt the energy in the air grow increasingly dense, and as they neared the Douluo Hall, he even sensed a faint trace of divine aura.
Upon arriving at the entrance, a booming voice echoed from within the hall before Bibi Dong could speak. "Your Majesty, and Yang Potian, welcome to the Douluo Hall. Please, come in."
With these words, the doors to the Douluo Hall swung open, and the guards immediately stepped aside.
Bibi Dong gave Yang Potian a brief look before stepping inside, and he followed closely, entering the legendary site of the Wuhun Hall.
Yang Potian carefully observed the Douluo Hall's interior and found it smaller than expected. In the center of the hall was a massive angel statue, radiating golden light that seemed to purify and sharpen one's mind. At the far end of the hall, on a raised platform, stood two figures. One was Qian Daoliu, whom Yang Potian had met before; however, this time, Qian Daoliu wore a gleaming suit of golden armor, making him appear particularly imposing and majestic. Beside him was a stunningly beautiful woman, clad in golden attire, exuding an aura of nobility.
The two stood in such a way that they almost seemed to merge with the angel statue, emanating a solemn and mysterious presence. Beneath the platform stood six men, among them Qian Jun Douluo and Jiang Mo Douluo, whom Yang Potian recognized. It appeared these were the six great worshippers of the Wuhun Hall.
With a calm smile, Qian Daoliu addressed them, "Welcome to the Douluo Hall, Your Majesty, and Yang Potian."
Bibi Dong nodded slightly in acknowledgment without saying much.
Yang Potian offered a courteous bow. "Greetings, Senior Qian Daoliu and Miss Qian Renxue. It's been a while, and it's a pleasure to see that you both are as impressive as ever."
Qian Daoliu smiled. "Young friend Yang, I'm the one who's truly impressed. In just two short years, you've become astonishingly powerful. I can hardly believe it."
"You flatter me, Senior. As the High Priest of the Angel God and their representative in this realm, your strength far surpasses anything I could hope to achieve."
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu fell silent in thought before finally speaking. "What brings you to the Wuhun Hall today, young friend?"
Yang Potian grew serious. "I've come to humbly request the loan of the Angelic Holy Sword. I hope you will grant this request."
At these words, Qian Daoliu's face became grave, and the six great worshippers beneath the platform also looked visibly displeased. To them, the Angelic Holy Sword was sacred, and the idea of lending it out was unthinkable.
With a grim expression, Qian Daoliu spoke, "Young friend, while you may be powerful, the Angelic Holy Sword is the sacred artifact of the Angel Clan. It has never left our protection, nor will it ever."
Yang Potian gave a slight smile. "I am fully aware of its significance to the Angel Clan; otherwise, I would not have come personally. If there are any terms or conditions, please feel free to name them."
Before Qian Daoliu could reply, Qian Renxue spoke sharply. "Yang Potian, the Angel Clan's sacred artifact is not up for negotiation. Give up this notion."
Yang Potian replied, "Miss Qian Renxue, in this world, nothing is impossible. In the Tiandou Empire, we managed to reach mutually beneficial agreements on several occasions, didn't we?"
Qian Renxue's expression turned cold. "Don't bring up the Tiandou Empire—that chapter was a disgrace, and I will reclaim everything I lost. Tell me, did you know my true identity all along?"
Yang Potian gave a small smile. "If I hadn't, how would I have been willing to make deals with you? Besides, I went out of my way to help conceal your identity, even revealing Prince Xue Beng's ambitions to show my support."
Slightly confused, Qian Renxue asked, "How did you find out who I really was?"
"Miss Qian Renxue, your disguise as Xue Qinghe was impeccable, but impersonating a male crown prince had its limitations. A prince of the Tiandou Empire, already of age, showing no interest in women and still unmarried—it didn't match what one would expect of a royal descendant. Besides, women have certain mannerisms."
When he finished speaking, he offered Qian Renxue a knowing smile.
As the realization dawned on her, Qian Renxue's expression turned complicated. "So, you tested me from the start, and I unknowingly gave myself away?"
Yang Potian did not respond further, standing in silence as an unspoken confirmation.
Recalling those encounters, Qian Renxue's expression became a mix of embarrassment and anger, her face alternating between red and dark.
At that moment, Bibi Dong spoke up. "Yang Potian, if you wish to borrow the Angelic Holy Sword, one Eight-Petal Orchid is hardly enough. We would need proof of Tianxing Academy's support for Wuhun Empire."
With sharp eyes, Qian Renxue turned to Bibi Dong. "What are you implying? Though you are the Emperor of Wuhun Empire, you have no authority over the Angel Clan's sacred artifact."
Bibi Dong remained silent, her face calm, and a strange silence settled over the hall.
Finally, Qian Daoliu spoke. "Young friend Yang, the Angel Clan's sacred artifact is of great importance and cannot be loaned out to outsiders."
After a moment's thought, Yang Potian suggested, "Very well. I only need to borrow the Angelic Holy Sword for a single task. Senior Qian Daoliu, if you'd be willing to accompany me with the sword, we can resolve this together. Wouldn't that be a win-win?"
Hearing this, those present nodded in agreement, recognizing it as a reasonable compromise.
Qian Renxue's gaze sharpened with newfound determination. "I am willing to accompany you with the Angelic Holy Sword. But if this is a trade, you'll need to pay accordingly."
"The payment can be discussed," Yang Potian replied. "But I would still feel more assured if Senior Qian Daoliu accompanied us."
Qian Renxue scoffed, "You underestimate me. If you dare attempt anything against the Angel Clan's sacred artifact, Tianxing Academy will face Wuhun Empire's wrath. And I am not one to be trifled with."
Yang Potian paid her words little heed, instead looking directly at Qian Daoliu, as the decision ultimately rested with him.
After a moment, Qian Daoliu said, "I am no longer young, and Xiaoxue is the sole heir to the Angel Clan. She can fulfill this responsibility."
Yang Potian nodded. "That works for me. It would be an honor if Miss Qian Renxue herself is willing to accompany me."
But Qian Renxue's expression remained icy. "Let's talk payment, then. Whatever it is you're planning must be quite significant if you need our Angelic Holy Sword. A single Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid won't be enough."
"And what does Miss Qian Renxue consider fair compensation?"
Qian Renxue exchanged looks with Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu before replying, "I want Tianxing Academy to ally with Wuhun Empire, supporting our cause to unify the continent."
Yang Potian chuckled coldly. "Impossible. While I won't stop your empire from pursuing unification, I would never risk Tianxing Academy's future on it."
"Don't you think the Angelic Holy Sword is worth that support?" Qian Renxue retorted.
Yang Potian sighed. "This sword-borrowing is my personal endeavor, nothing more. I'm willing to agree to a private alliance with your empire, but I won't be available to assist you unless absolutely necessary."
Qian Renxue cut him off. "That's not nearly sincere enough for me to accept."
Yang Potian glanced at the people around him. "How about this, Miss Qian Renxue, Senior Qian Daoliu, Your Majesty Bibi Dong—I'll start by offering valuable information as a show of good faith. If you find it worthwhile, we can proceed to negotiate terms. What do you think?"
Bibi Dong's gaze was frosty. "No matter the information, it can't be worth that much."
Yang Potian ignored her, turning to Qian Renxue. "Miss Qian Renxue, you should understand the value of my information better than the others. It directly impacts the Wuhun Empire's survival."
Qian Renxue recalled their previous deals; Yang Potian's intelligence on Prince Xue Beng had indeed been accurate and valuable.
"Fine," she said at last. "I'll accept this information as proof of your sincerity. But beyond that, you'll need to offer more tangible compensation."
Yang Potian smiled. "So we're close to an agreement. Beyond this intelligence—which could very well determine the Wuhun Empire's fate—what else would you require?"
At this point, Bibi Dong's skill as a strategist became evident, likely due to her experience as Wuhun Empire's first emperor. Her insights surpassed Qian Renxue's in many respects.
With a calculating smile, Bibi Dong said, "In addition to an alliance with us, I'll need you to supply three more rare medicinal herbs of Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid caliber. And, you seem to have unique methods of obtaining one-hundred-thousand-year spirit rings, so you'll need to assist us in acquiring three of them."
After some thought, Yang Potian shook his head. "I'll provide two herbs, both specially suited for your people, and I can help secure two spirit rings at that level. However, I'll need the spirit bones for myself. I will only offer assistance in critical situations, and I won't take a clear stance."
Bibi Dong shook her head. "How can you possibly know what herbs we need? And two spirit rings but no spirit bones—this doesn't seem genuine at all."
Yang Potian replied calmly, "The Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid is mild and easy to absorb, significantly enhancing spirit power and cleansing the body of impurities. It's ideal for Miss Qian Renxue at her current stage. The Jade-Boned Water Lily nourishes bones and strengthens meridians and would benefit Wuhun Hall's Holy Maiden, Hu Liena. As for spirit bones—Your Majesty, do you truly lack one-hundred-thousand-year spirit bones?"
He continued, "Besides, my primary offering is the information I've brought, which is essential to the Wuhun Empire's survival."
Yang Potian had thought carefully before offering these two herbs, knowing no one among his family and friends had immediate use for them. In contrast, Qian Renxue and Hu Liena were two of the most valued young talents in the Wuhun Empire.
As for the spirit rings, the solution was simple: he'd bring Bibi Dong along to hunt down the Titan Giant Ape and Sky Blue Bull Python. This would not only eliminate a potential threat but also yield two spirit bones.
And if he could arrange for Bibi Dong and Di Tian to cross paths, he might even get a chance to play the bystander once more.
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