"Ah—"
As the Taiyi Divine Needles pierced her head, Xue Piaopiao let out a pained roar and struggled frantically.
However, bound by the golden silk net, Xue Piaopiao's struggles were in vain. Soon, her struggles grew weaker, finally ceasing after five minutes.
As she calmed down, Xue Piaopiao's pupils changed from crimson red to pitch black, and her purple hair turned raven black.
"What... what just happened?"
At this moment, not a trace of fierceness could be seen on Xue Piaopiao's face. There was only compassion and serenity, a feeling that was as comfortable as a spring breeze.
"Saintess, have you recovered?"
Seeing the change in Xue Piaopiao's appearance, Xiao Nu rejoiced and said.
"Xiao Nu, I felt like my mind went blank, and then I couldn't remember anything. What happened to me just now?"
Hearing Xiao Nu's words, Xue Piaopiao looked at her and asked.
"Saintess, it's nothing. You were just too tired, so you might have been dazed,"
Xiao Nu said respectfully, looking at Xue Piaopiao. "How do you feel now?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Xue Piaopiao began to examine her body. It was not until she checked that she was shocked.
"Xiao Nu, I feel like my heart has recovered its vitality. I no longer feel the slightest bit weak. What is going on?"
Xue Piaopiao was shocked by the changes in her body and asked with great joy.
However, it was only after she finished speaking that Xue Piaopiao realized she was bound by a net. She looked at Shen Lang with a puzzled expression and asked, "Shen Lang, why is this?"
"It's alright. I'll release you now."
Shen Lang did not mention Xue Piaopiao's violent killing spree, because this Xue Piaopiao was the compassionate and benevolent one. If she knew she had just killed someone, she would probably collapse.
Therefore, Shen Lang helped Xiao Nu hide the fact that Xue Piaopiao had killed people and quickly untied the golden silk net.
However, just because they didn't mention it didn't mean Xue Piaopiao hadn't seen it. Looking at her two dead subordinates, Xue Piaopiao asked Xiao Nu, "What happened?"
"It's like this: an assassin tried to assassinate you just now and entangled you with a golden silk net. They fought to protect you and ensured your safety, but they were killed by the assassin,"
Seeing the surprise on Xue Piaopiao's face, Shen Lang's mind raced, and he said.
"An assassin?"
Hearing this, Xue Piaopiao's expression turned grim. She then looked at Xiao Nu and asked, "Is this true?"
"It's true, Saintess. We lost three people because of it,"
Xiao Nu knew Shen Lang was helping her. She cast a grateful glance at Shen Lang, then turned to Xue Piaopiao and replied.
With the other personality sealed, Xue Piaopiao had lost many memories, so she didn't suspect much. She merely said to Xiao Nu, "Find the murderer at all costs and avenge those who have died."
"Understood."
Xiao Nu knew that the killer could never be found, but she still cooperated with Xue Piaopiao and said.
"Shen Lang, why do I feel like my illness is cured?"
After no longer harboring any suspicion, Xue Piaopiao slowly stood up from the ground and asked Shen Lang.
"Swoosh—"
"Swoosh—"
"Swoosh—"
Hearing Xue Piaopiao's words, Shen Lang raised his right hand, and the three Taiyi Divine Needles in Xue Piaopiao's chest, along with the one on her head, returned to his hand.
"Of course, I cured you."
Shen Lang said with a smile. "Xue Piaopiao, I owe Bing a favor. Now that I've cured you, that favor is repaid. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
With that, Shen Lang turned to leave.
"Wait—"
Seeing Shen Lang turn to leave, Xue Piaopiao immediately stopped him and said, "Shen Lang, although treating my illness was a favor you owed Bing, I, this Saintess, am not someone who repays kindness with ingratitude. Tell me, what do you want, and I can give it to you."
Xue Piaopiao said with a smile.
"I'm sorry, but it seems I really don't want anything. I already have too much, so much that it causes me pain."
Shen Lang looked at Xue Piaopiao and said, "Wealth, women, and even martial arts cultivation—I possess them all. I have everything. Sometimes, I ask myself what else I need, but the answer is always the same: I no longer need anything."
Having said that, Shen Lang sighed and continued, "I used to see in the news that billionaires would jump to their deaths due to emptiness. Back then, I couldn't understand why someone who had everything would commit suicide. Now I understand that having everything is the root of suffering."
"You, young man, don't be so old-fashioned."
After Shen Lang finished speaking, Xue Piaopiao chuckled and said, "You're wrong. There's one thing you still lack."
"What is it that I lack?"
Hearing Xue Piaopiao's words, Shen Lang asked in surprise.
"You've said so much just now, but you've missed one thing: friends."
The smile on Xue Piaopiao's face was pure and sincere. "Shen Lang, you are a very special person. I've liked you since I first met you. From today onwards, we are friends. Are you willing?"
"Friends?"
Hearing these two words, Shen Lang was stunned. He smiled and said, "You're the first person to actively want to be friends with me. Saintess Xue Piaopiao of the Holy Cult, would it be presumptuous of me to be friends with you?"
"Of course not."
Xue Piaopiao smiled and said, "Friends are just friends, regardless of status, position, or wealth."
"Alright, then from today onwards, you are my friend."
Hearing Xue Piaopiao's words, Shen Lang smiled and said this before leaving directly, without looking back.
"Saintess, your status is noble. How can you be friends with such a commoner?"
After Shen Lang left, a man said with some displeasure.
"Noble status?"
Xue Piaopiao smiled upon hearing this. "Does noble status mean one cannot have friends?"
With these words, the man who had spoken could not refute. After all, the Pope had quite a few friends. If he were to refute, wouldn't that mean the Pope couldn't have friends either?
"Saintess, since your illness is cured, should we consider returning?"
Seeing this, Xiao Nu cautiously tried to de-escalate the situation and said.
"Return to the Holy Cult?"
Xue Piaopiao shook her head. "I finally managed to leave. Of course, I'll go back after I've had my fill of fun. I don't want to go back now. Moreover, besides treating my illness, I came to find that person this time."
Xue Piaopiao smiled and said, "I smell a familiar aura on Shen Lang. I believe Shen Lang must have interacted with him. As long as I follow Shen Lang, I will definitely find him."
"What?"
Hearing Xue Piaopiao's words, Xiao Nu was greatly alarmed and exclaimed, "Saintess, shouldn't he have died long ago?"
Xiao Nu didn't finish the second half of her sentence, which was that if he were still alive, the Pope would have him killed again.