Qian Renxue's words had barely fallen when the curve of Tang Sui's lips flattened.
It was time for the hair-pulling naming session again.
Fortunately, Qian Renxue's gaze was fixed on the table, seemingly lost in her own thoughts, and she hadn't paid Tang Sui any attention, so she didn't notice her unusual expression.
"My name is Shang Ling."
Shang Ling?
Qian Renxue searched through her memories but hadn't heard of that surname. Sudannovel.com
So, what was the Angel God's assessment this time?
Since her intuition pointed to Shang Ling, it must be related to Shang Ling.
Guiding Shang Ling onto the path of cultivation?
Resolving potential problems for her family?
Unable to figure it out, Qian Renxue suppressed her chaotic thoughts, telling herself not to rush and to proceed step by step.
A hunter who reveals their purpose from the start is not a good hunter. As a clever hunter, Qian Renxue knew how to win a lady's favor.
This was thanks to her decade-long disguise as Xue Qinghe in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Recalling the unpleasant memories, Qian Renxue's eyes grew slightly cold.
Across from her, Tang Sui, as if oblivious, used a silver spoon to portion out the soft and delicious little cakes.
The two sat there quietly, enjoying a rare and pleasant afternoon. When their drinks and desserts were all gone, Tang Sui gracefully stood up and said, "It was a pleasure meeting you today, but it's getting late, and I must be going."
Qian Renxue put down her silver spoon and looked at Tang Sui with her clear, phoenix-like eyes. "Let me escort you back. The Spirit Empire is currently at war with the other two empires, so one cannot be too careful, even within Spirit City."
The reason Qian Renxue gave was impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.
Tang Sui didn't panic but instead looked at her with a doubtful gaze, saying with a mixture of hesitation and unease, "This... it's really not necessary to trouble you. There are several patrol teams within Spirit City, and I can ask them for help if I encounter any ruffians."
A clever girl.
A faint smile flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes. She wasn't angered by Tang Sui's refusal but instead nodded approvingly. "That would be for the best. You are a beautiful girl, defenseless, so be careful on your way back."
As if remembering something, she added, "Not all spirit masters are like me."
She made a strategic retreat to reduce her suspicion while subtly undermining others.
If Tang Sui hadn't known Qian Renxue's true identity, she would have truly believed Qian Renxue was pure-hearted and had no ulterior motives in approaching her.
Tang Sui responded obediently, bowed slightly to Qian Renxue, and then turned to walk down the street.
Qian Renxue, still seated, watched Tang Sui's retreating figure. She lightly tapped her slender fingers on the table and did not follow. After swallowing the last bite of cake, she stood up and walked towards the shop.
"Welcome, beautiful lady. Is there anything else you need?"
The shopkeeper, who was polishing a wine glass, quickly put down his work and approached eagerly, looking at his new benefactor.
"I'd like to inquire about some information."
A small bag of gold spirit coins suddenly appeared in Qian Renxue's hand, immediately capturing the shopkeeper's attention.
Ever since the war started, his business had visibly declined. He hadn't seen such a generous customer.
The shopkeeper reluctantly shifted his gaze from the small bag of gold spirit coins, his expression turning subservient. "Please, speak. If I know it, I will tell you in detail."
A slight curve appeared at the corner of Qian Renxue's lips. "I'd like to ask if the lady who was just sitting with me comes here every day."
She wasn't a fool who would believe one-sided words.
Information, of course, needed to be considered from multiple perspectives to determine its truthfulness.
The shopkeeper shook his head. "How could that be?" If she came every day, his shop wouldn't be this empty.
Upon hearing this, the curve of Qian Renxue's lips turned sharp, and her tone was neither pleased nor displeased. "Is that so?"
She had been tricked.
The shopkeeper, possessing the cultivation of a Great Spirit Master, keenly felt a chill. Looking at the stunning woman before him with her half-smile, the shopkeeper had a flash of inspiration and added,
"Recently, due to the war, there are very few customers, even within Spirit City. That lady still comes to sit here every few days. However, if you ask me, it's nothing unusual; she will likely be here tomorrow, sitting in her usual spot."
With a single sentence, the situation turned around.
Qian Renxue paused slightly. Her eyes, carrying an aura of superiority, stared intently at the shopkeeper. "Can you guarantee that everything you've said is true?"
The shopkeeper looked at the imposing guest before him, then thought of the woman who emitted no spiritual power at all. He nodded vigorously. "Of course."
Who would give up a golden thigh they had so hard-won?
Next time that lady came alone, he would have to ask for some credit. At the very least... she could bring more people to patronize his shop?
Qian Renxue's scrutinizing gaze finally softened.
"Alright, I've noted that."
With that, Qian Renxue turned and left without any hesitation, leaving the shopkeeper with a carefree back.
Watching her disappear from sight, the shopkeeper lowered his head, picked up the wine glass from the table, and wiped it with a cloth, shaking his head.
"Young people nowadays are so hard to understand."
...
The "hard to understand" young person, Tang Sui, was now standing at the grand entrance of Spirit City, looking at the various people entering and exiting, and fell into silence.
Just like when she arrived in the Misty World, the edge of the starting town was another forbidden area.
But last time, there was still black ash telling her not to step foot there; this time, there was a wall of light that she couldn't see through, sealing off the outside world from Spirit City.
People or carriages exiting the gates of Spirit City disappeared into the strange light wall as if nothing were there, and there was no scream or tremor for a long time.
It was like a world in a jar, only able to enter, not exit.
But this also proved that the world, or rather the space, she was currently in was not real.
The only exception was...
Tang Sui turned around, her gaze sweeping over the bustling market and the people passing by, as if to find Qian Renxue, who was also subconsciously heading towards the Pope's Palace.
At the same time, Qian Renxue, stepping into the familiar yet strange Pope's Palace, was met with a vast corridor and no one guarding the main entrance. Her expression became unpredictable, and she had a sense of certainty.
This world was a fabrication.
She was indeed still undergoing the Angel God's assessment.
—The key to breaking free lay with Shang Ling (Qian Renxue)!
Having confirmed the accuracy of her intuition, Qian Renxue wanted to set out to find Tang Sui.
But she remembered that she hadn't followed her back earlier and didn't know her location. She had to suppress her urgency for now, glanced at the empty Pope's throne, a complex expression flashed in her eyes, and she turned to find an empty reception hall to sit and meditate.
Meanwhile, Tang Sui had wandered back into the city and was meandering through the streets in a more remote area, finally stopping in front of an inn.