Listening to Bibi Dong's roar, Qian Renxue was a bit hurt, but not angry. Now, she could understand Bibi Dong. The pain of those years was simply too great for her.
And her own existence was a constant reminder of that humiliation—no wonder Bibi Dong couldn't stand her own daughter.
"Mother, I know everything about what happened back then. It was Father who wronged you. I now understand your coldness toward me all these years. I hope I can apologize to you here on his behalf—forgive me."
"Shut up! Don't mention that man in front of me!" Bibi Dong's face twisted with anger, and then she sneered, "Ha, you want to apologize? Your Qian family gave me a fate worse than death—do you think a single apology can wipe that away?"
"Of course not. But you already killed my father with your own hands; your vengeance is done. Please, don't fall into endless hatred. Life has to go on. Mother, if we work together, unifying the Douluo Continent is within reach. I'm willing to give up competing for the position of Spirit Hall successor. Whoever you want to make Pope—Hu Liena or anyone else—is fine. I only hope you will acknowledge me as your daughter." Qian Renxue worried Bibi Dong would think she was currying favor just for the position, so she simply promised to give it up.
After all, her ultimate goal in unifying the continent wasn't to rule but to gather faith. Even the idea of helping the common people live in peace was just a means to that end. Only by standing on the side of so-called justice could her purpose be better achieved.
Otherwise, why would the Qian family offend all the continent's nobles just for the sake of some commoners?
As long as Spirit Hall could unify the continent and she could reconcile with Bibi Dong, even if she wasn't Pope, Qian Renxue could find a way to let the Angel's Light shine throughout the land.
By then, she could use the faith of the whole continent to greatly increase her power after becoming a god—perhaps even break through the Angel God's limits and reach god-king level.
In fact, in later generations, Tang San was able to cultivate the Sea God position to god-king level, likely due to the faith he built up across the Douluo Continent.
Sure enough, as soon as Qian Renxue said this, Bibi Dong was moved. She'd always sensed how much Qian Renxue wanted to reclaim the Pope's seat, but today, she willingly gave it up and only wanted to be recognized as her daughter—her sincerity was clear.
Deep inside, something soft seemed to be touched.
Bibi Dong herself didn't realize that deep down, she had always loved her biological daughter. Even in the original work, when she was completely corrupted by the Rakshasa God, she would still instinctively shield Qian Renxue from mortal danger. At this moment, her personality was only slightly affected.
Human nature is good by default— Bibi Dong, at least before she met the Grandmaster and was violated by Qian Xunji. She was born kind, a holy maiden of Spirit Hall.
The pitiable must have their hateful side—the reverse is true too.
But Bibi Dong refused to admit this, still angrily pointing at Qian Renxue, "Don't be delusional! Get out! I will never acknowledge you—get out! Out!"
"I won't give up. I'll come again." Facing Bibi Dong's hysteria, Qian Renxue smiled calmly and walked out of the Pope's Hall.
She wasn't angry. In fact, she was even a little happy. For the first time, she saw Bibi Dong so out of control—if Bibi Dong had no reaction, that would be truly bad.
Now, this situation showed that Bibi Dong's feelings for her were deeply conflicted.
What is contradiction? If there's only hate, there isn't this word—only when love and hate are intertwined does contradiction arise, as it does with Bibi Dong now.
"Xiao Tian, so this is what you meant by take it slow!" Qian Renxue looked up at the blue sky, understanding Tianlin's intent.
Tianlin knew long ago that dissolving Bibi Dong's hatred couldn't be done overnight, so he advised her to keep working bit by bit, gradually letting love outweigh hate in Bibi Dong's heart.
…
In the days that followed, Qian Renxue would often appear by Bibi Dong's side, caring for her, and keeping her company when she was lonely.
At first, Bibi Dong was truly annoyed. If it had been anyone else, she would have struck them long ago. But with Qian Renxue, no matter how much she appeared to dislike her, she could never bring herself to actually hurt her.
Gradually, Bibi Dong seemed to get used to Qian Renxue's care—she would eat the food Qian Renxue brought, and sometimes respond with a word or two during their chats.
Because of Qian Renxue's attentiveness, Hu Liena even started getting jealous.
As long as Tianlin gave Hu Liena no orders, she was the same as ever—devoted to Bibi Dong. In the past, Bibi Dong's tenderness was all for her, but now, it seemed to be shared with Qian Renxue.
Hu Liena didn't know the real relationship between the two. To keep her place in Bibi Dong's heart, she did what any girl would do—compete for affection.
With her fox martial soul, she was naturally talented at this, even with women.
Unintentionally planting willows creates shade—Hu Liena's actions, though ignorant of the truth, helped Qian Renxue further dissolve Bibi Dong's hatred. After all, with two daughters caring for her, even the coldest heart would warm.
Tianlin always believed that as long as Qian Renxue persisted, she would gradually win Bibi Dong's heart, because Bibi Dong was very much in need of love.
Originally, she may have still had a soft spot for the Grandmaster, but ever since he tried to trick her out of her Twin Martial Souls cultivation method, disregarding her life, she was completely disappointed in him.
Because of her natural tendency to fall in love, Bibi Dong still couldn't forget the Grandmaster—but she wouldn't let him stop her anymore.
She once thought she'd have to walk the road ahead alone, but suddenly, two daughters appeared by her side, not to hinder her, but to walk alongside her. The darkness in her heart was gradually being dispelled.
But there was still one thing Bibi Dong needed to confirm.
One day, after finishing a meal together, Qian Renxue was about to return to her room when Bibi Dong stopped her. "Wait, Xue...er, let me ask you—how did you find out about what happened back then?"
Qian Renxue's expression changed. She knew this was Bibi Dong's reverse scale. If Bibi Dong found out she heard it from Tianlin, the temporary alliance between Spirit Hall and Tianlin would be over. Bibi Dong would stop at nothing to destroy Tianlin and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, to prevent the secret from leaking.
If both sides suffered, it would be a disaster.
"Of course, it was Grandfather who told me. He always felt sorry for you, so he hoped I could resolve the hatred," Qian Renxue promptly shifted the blame to Qian Daoliu—after all, he already knew the truth, so it made sense.
Bibi Dong was furious. "Hmph, I knew it was that old man. Golden Crocodile also heard it from him, but since Golden Crocodile is dead, I'll let it go. Now, besides you, he hasn't told anyone else, right?"
Qian Renxue shook her head hurriedly. "Of course not—Grandfather promised me that, besides us, no one else will ever know."
"Good. If he ever tells anyone else, I don't care if he's the Grand Worship—I'll cut out his tongue!" Bibi Dong finally looked a little calmer. She couldn't do anything about Qian Daoliu for now, but she absolutely wouldn't let anyone else know the secret.
Qian Renxue let out a sigh of relief and kept apologizing to her grandfather in her heart. "Sorry, Grandfather, please take the blame for Xiao Tian just this once. Mother can't do anything to you for now, and I'm doing this for Spirit Hall's future!"
In the Hall of Worship, Qian Daoliu suddenly sneezed. "Strange, how could I, an Ultimate Douluo, catch a cold? It must be because of the sword energy from Chen Xin still not being expelled, weakening my constitution. Damn Chen Xin, I'll settle the score with you sooner or later."
And so, Tianlin's blame was shifted by Qian Renxue onto Qian Daoliu, who then blamed it on Tianlin's master, Chen Xin. Truly, what goes around comes around!