Recalling Tang San's legacy and comparing it to her own, and how she and her descendants had worked to ensure the continent was free of evil soul masters for ten thousand years—only to be forgotten and resented by the people—Qian Hanyu couldn't help but feel a surge of bitter frustration.
People don't remember angels, just as they don't thank Luo Ji. But even so, Qian Hanyu did not regret her choice. As the pioneer of a divine inheritance, she had taken it upon herself to protect all living beings—how could she easily abandon that path?
Snapping out of her chaotic thoughts, Qian Hanyu asked, "You're saying that after your reincarnation, you also carry an Angel God Seed? May I see it?"
"Yes, Divine Ancestor, please take a look." Qian Renxue took out the God Seed and handed it to Qian Hanyu.
Qian Hanyu received it and immediately sensed the aura it emitted—one that was opposite to her own, and yet undeniably of the same origin. Just as Qian Renxue had said, it was an alternate version from a different timeline.
If she had doubted Qian Renxue's words before, suspecting they might be fabricated, that doubt vanished the moment she sensed the God Seed. A cold glint flickered in her eyes.
Because a variable had appeared—the existence of the Eternal God. The divine realm in this timeline was entirely different from the one Qian Renxue had described. Before becoming a god, the Sea God had been sabotaged by the Eternal God, dropping from a First-Class God to a Second-Class one. After his ascension, his disgraceful reputation had led to his isolation among the gods, and he frequently became a target of the Eternal God's schemes. Naturally, he had no time to plot against her. In a sense, the Eternal God had indirectly saved her life.
Compared to the Sea God, Qian Hanyu—now the Angel God—was actually thriving in this timeline. The divine realm was currently divided between the Eternal God and the Five Divine Kings. Some gods sided with the Kings, some with the Eternal God, and others remained neutral. As a peak-level Principal God, Qian Hanyu had more flexibility than the Sea God. So far, she had chosen to stay neutral and had refrained from aligning with any faction. Both sides had tried to win her over due to her strength and neutrality.
Until now, she hadn't committed to any side. But upon learning what happened to her and her descendants in another timeline, her answer became clear.
"Now that you've seen the future," Qian Hanyu asked, "what do you plan to do next, Xue'er?"
"Divine Ancestor, I hope to travel to Douluo Continent through your planar gateway," Qian Renxue replied. "I want to confront the heirs of the Sea God and the Asura God, and collect a debt owed."
Qian Hanyu nodded. "Very well. I'll inform the guardian of my legacy site—your grandfather—to welcome your arrival."
"Thank you, Divine Ancestor."
Qian Hanyu looked at her descendant with a deep gaze, then said, "This is the Angel God Seed, but it alone won't let you become the Angel God. You have two options: refine the seed and defeat me, taking my place—or accept my inheritance directly." She paused, then added, "But the fact that this God Seed's attribute is opposite to mine opens up a new possibility."
"A new possibility?" Qian Renxue asked.
Qian Hanyu tossed the seed back to her and explained, "If you had brought a divine seed of the same holy nature as mine, it would be meaningless—you'd have to choose between the two. But with a seed of opposing attributes, you can first refine the properties of that seed, then inherit my divine status and merge the two seeds into one. What the final merged Angel God Seed might become, I don't know. But it could potentially break past the level of Principal God… and even reach the Divine King rank."
"Then why don't you try it, Divine Ancestor?" Qian Renxue asked.
"Xue'er, your experiences are different from mine. You embody both holiness and corruption, both light and darkness. You're compatible with both seeds. That makes you more suited to take this step than I am. I imagine that's why the Eternal God had you deliver this God Seed to me," Qian Hanyu said thoughtfully.
"Oh, and Divine Ancestor," Qian Renxue asked, "when I inherit the divine position, will Grandfather still need to sacrifice himself?"
"That is the duty of the divine trial's guardian," Qian Hanyu replied. "But don't worry too much. Even after sacrifice, his divine soul will remain. If you have enough divine power, you can resurrect him."
"But… then why did Grandfather…" Qian Renxue recalled that after she became a god in her past life, her grandfather Qian Daoliu completely disappeared.
In the next moment, both she and Qian Hanyu realized why.
In her past life, the one presiding over her god trial had been that old bastard, the Sea God. After Qian Daoliu's sacrifice, his soul ended up in the Sea God's hands—no wonder he never returned.
So it was you again, Sea God.
Qian Hanyu clenched her fists and said to Qian Renxue, "Xue'er, go to the lower realm without worry. Accept my divine trial without hesitation. As long as I am here, I won't let that despicable Sea God or the Asura God scheme against you again."
"Thank you, Divine Ancestor," Qian Renxue said.
With that, Qian Hanyu opened the planar portal from the Angel God Temple and sent Qian Renxue on her way.
Douluo Continent – Spirit Hall
Pope Qian Xunji held a document in his hand. Standing behind him was Qian Daoliu, also reading it over his shoulder.
The document contained the portrait and information of a six-year-old girl with wine-red hair—a peerless prodigy who had emerged during this year's Spirit Awakening Ceremony.
Her name: Bibi Dong.
Qian Daoliu looked at the page solemnly. "Death Spider Emperor, Soul-Devouring Spider Emperor… Two of the most sinister martial souls, and they've appeared in the same person?"
"Twin martial souls. Innate full soul power. She is a gift from the heavens—a perfect disciple for me," Qian Xunji said, his eyes burning with zeal.
Qian Daoliu glanced at him. "Her martial souls are the complete opposite of our Seraphim. A martial soul influences a person's nature. The Soul-Devouring Spider Emperor cultivates by devouring souls; the Death Spider Emperor gains power through killing and death. A soul master with such spirits, if led astray, would become a catastrophic threat. But a wicked spirit does not mean a wicked soul master. With proper guidance and discipline, she could become a pillar of our Spirit Hall."
"No need for you to worry, Father. I have my own methods of training her," Qian Xunji replied casually.
Just as Qian Daoliu was about to say more, a divine decree descended from the Divine Ancestor, summoning him to the Angel God Temple.
Qian Xunji watched his father leave, chuckled softly, and thought:
Train her under discipline? No… I have a far bolder plan.
Let me know if you'd like the next chapter.