Chapter 168: Reunion with Qian Renxue

Apart from the spider clans in the Star Dou Great Forest and the sea spiders, the Spider God Church had also rapidly expanded over the past two years.

Especially in areas near the edges of the Star Dou Great Forest, cities where most residents didn't worship the Spider God Church frequently suffered from soul beast disturbances.

In contrast, cities that followed the Spider God Church, while occasionally experiencing small-scale "beast tides," were always protected by the church's soul masters, preventing major losses.

Though some suspected a connection between the Spider God Church and the soul beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest, the lack of concrete evidence and the church's overwhelming influence ensured these suspicions never gained traction.

Under these circumstances, the Spider God Church's reputation grew, becoming humanity's last hope against soul beasts.

In just two years, the number of soul masters affiliated with the church had reached nearly ten thousand—surpassing even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and the defeated Spirit Hall.

Just as tensions between humans and soul beasts were reaching a boiling point, Fang Chang quietly returned to the Sunset Forest.

The nest here had expanded at least tenfold, and the number of small spiders had grown from the original five (one male, four females, plus a digging tool spider) to over a hundred.

Upon entering the nest, Fang Chang made his way to the westernmost chamber, where Qian Renxue was being held.

By now, she was no longer bound by spider silk and could move freely within the nest's confines. Aside from her sealed soul power and inability to leave, she faced few restrictions.

"You're back," Qian Renxue said, her voice devoid of the initial resistance she'd once shown Fang Chang. If anything, she seemed to anticipate his visits.

After all, in this nest filled with nothing but small spiders, she had no one to talk to. Only when Fang Chang visited every few months did she feel like a human again.

"Mn." Fang Chang placed a bundle on the crude wooden table in her room. "I brought meat buns from Heaven Dou City. Want one?"

Qian Renxue didn't hesitate. She strode over, plucked a steaming bun from the oilpaper package, and took a large, unladylike bite.

Trapped in the nest for two years, she'd survived mostly on wild fruits gathered by the spiders, leaving her noticeably thinner. Fang Chang's visits were her only chance for proper food—another reason she looked forward to them.

After quickly finishing the bun, she lifted her head. "Are we discussing your 'world peace' philosophy again today?"

Apart from food, she cherished these conversations, especially hearing about the continent's changing dynamics.

"Let's skip that. You've practically memorized my speeches by now, haven't you?" Fang Chang chuckled.

"Uh…" Qian Renxue didn't deny it. Over two years, Fang Chang's words had become her only human interaction. In the months between visits, his arguments replayed in her mind, leaving her no choice but to dwell on them.

At first, she'd clung to Spirit Hall's doctrines to resist his influence. But gradually, she'd begun to find his logic… compelling.

"Let me update you on recent events," Fang Chang said, taking one of the room's two wooden stools.

"Mn." Qian Renxue nodded, grabbing two more buns—one to eat, one to hold.

Anyone confined for long would crave news of the outside world.

"First, Spirit Hall—your main concern." Fang Chang deliberately paused for effect. "Since the last great war, their territory has shrunk dramatically. Only Spirit City and its immediate surroundings remain."

"You've said this before," Qian Renxue interjected impatiently.

She knew Fang Chang kept mentioning this to shatter her illusions—to drive home that Spirit Hall's decline made continental unification impossible.

Fang Chang smiled faintly and changed topics. "Then let's discuss the two empires."

"Last time, I mentioned Star Luo Empire declaring war on Heaven Dou Empire again."

"Mn." Her eyes brightened with interest.

"This time, Star Luo lost."

"What?" Qian Renxue couldn't believe it. As Spirit Hall's heir and Heaven Dou's former 'crown prince,' she knew both empires' strengths intimately.

Without Spirit Hall's balancing influence, Star Luo should've conquered the continent long ago. Indeed, since Spirit Hall's retreat to Spirit City, Star Luo had repeatedly pressured Heaven Dou.

Over two years, they'd fought over a dozen battles—with Heaven Dou usually suffering.

"As for why… I think you can guess," Fang Chang said cryptically.

"Did the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan join the fight?"

"Yes, but that's not the full story." Fang Chang continued, "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan also sided with Heaven Dou this time."

"Of the former 'Top Three Sects,' one was destroyed. With the other two backing Heaven Dou, the tide turned irreversibly."

"Star Luo suffered heavy losses and had to retreat."

Qian Renxue gritted her teeth in frustration. "It's always the soul masters causing trouble. Why can't they let ordinary people handle their own affairs?"

The moment she spoke, she froze. This rhetoric—Fang Chang's rhetoric—had somehow become her own. Two years of isolation had reshaped her thinking.

She fell silent, watching Fang Chang, who hid a smirk. His psychological conditioning had succeeded beyond expectations.

"Now, regarding the Star Dou Great Forest," Fang Chang changed subjects again. "Conflicts between humans and soul beasts are escalating. Many soul masters advocate for war. What do you think?"

Qian Renxue pursed her lips. In the past, she'd have unquestioningly supported this—viewing soul beasts as mere sources of spirit rings.

But after two years living among them, witnessing their struggles and growth, her perspective had shifted.

Unaware of Fang Chang's true identity, she saw him only as an eccentric human who'd achieved harmony with soul beasts. If he could coexist with them, why couldn't others?

"I think the soul beasts are just fighting back after enduring human oppression. Instead of war, we should seek coexistence."

Fang Chang nearly did a double take. He hadn't expected such words from Qian Renxue.

Their conversation continued until Fang Chang finally rose to leave.

The moment he stood, Qian Renxue mumbled reluctantly, "Leaving already? When will you return?"

The thought of more silent months alone with nothing but wild fruits made her shudder.

"I won't be back," Fang Chang said, freezing her in place.

Then he flicked a finger, releasing the soul power seal that had constrained her for two years.

"You're free to go. What you do next is your choice."

Watching Fang Chang's retreating figure, Qian Renxue felt an unexpected