Chapter 20: Younger Qian Renxue

Chapter 20: Younger Qian Renxue

Ma Hongjun went off cheerfully to obtain the first spirit ring of his life, while Xia Tianling and Oscar had to continue cultivating diligently.

To accelerate Oscar's Martial Dao cultivation, and also for his own and Fatty's daily exercise, Xia Tianling specifically commissioned a batch of training equipment from the Spirit Hall's craftsmen. From basic barbells and pull-up bars to complex rowing machines, squat machines, etc., everything was included. Anyway, the blueprints for these things could be obtained directly by wishing to the system. They weren't high-energy items, so the system just gave him a large pile.

The system was always generous in this regard. Such ordinary small items weren't expensive; things like cola and fries could be exchanged for a large box with just a trace of Fate Power. High-consumption items were either high-energy, capable of creating extraordinary beings (like heavenly treasures and cultivation techniques), or high-tech, capable of changing the course of civilization (like spirit soul manufacturing technology, high-precision particle colliders, etc.).

Unlike ordinary sports equipment, this equipment, intended to effectively train even Spirit Masters with powerful physiques, was entirely forged from Iron Mother! We at the Spirit Hall have nothing else, just lots of money. The counterweights used on the equipment were even made from Black Pattern Stone, worth a fortune. This Black Pattern Stone had no other advantages, just one word: heavy. Black Pattern Stone of the same volume weighed several times more than gold of the same volume, making it perfectly suitable for weight plates and counterweight blocks.

Watching Oscar sweating profusely under the fitness equipment, Xia Tianling revealed a fatherly smile. *Look, this is what you call physical training.* *Just relying on weighted running? What the hell kind of exercise is that! Training the entire body together is the kingly way.*

Not just simple training equipment, he even wanted to imitate Vegeta's training room from Dragon Ball and build an adjustable gravity room. Cultivating inside there would not only train the body but also promote spirit power progress, exactly the same principle as the Sea God's Light on Sea God Island in the original story. If he had such a thing to assist, he was confident he could raise a team entirely composed of Spirit Kings before the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament. *At that time... hehe, the expression on Grandmaster's face will surely be interesting.* *Punk, think only you know how to guide students in physical training? You really haven't seen underhanded methods, huh!*

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After Fatty returned joyfully with his first spirit ring, he was also immediately forced into this "fulfilling" life of morning theory lessons, afternoon physical training, and evening spirit power cultivation.

Bibi Dong, who came to guide Xia Tianling's cultivation every few days, also personally experienced the training effects of this equipment. Praising his ingenious ideas, she waved her hand grandly: build a hundred sets! Place one set in each larger branch hall, place twenty sets in the Spirit Academy – everyone uses this equipment for training!

Time passed bit by bit, and the cultivation and physical fitness of the three continued to strengthen.

One day, Qian Daoliu suddenly approached Xia Tianling, who was exercising, and said he wanted to take him to meet someone.

*Meet someone?* Xia Tianling was puzzled. *Could it be Qian Renxue? But shouldn't Qian Renxue be undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire right now? Can she even come back?*

Confused, Xia Tianling followed Qian Daoliu into the interior of the Elder Hall. Beneath a magnificent, towering statue of a Six-Winged Angel, an exquisitely beautiful young girl sat meditating on a cushion.

Sensing someone approaching, the girl slowly opened her eyes and called out softly, "Grandpa."

*Holy crap, it really is Qian Renxue? What's this old man Qian Daoliu's game? Does the Qian family, possessors of the Seraphim God inheritance, really need to rope me in?*

"Little Xue, this is the young genius I mentioned to you before, whose spirit quality is second only to yours, Xia Tianling," Qian Daoliu said slowly. "Tianling, this is my biological granddaughter, Qian Renxue. Get to know each other; you should get along well in the future..."

"Qian Daoliu, you—" Suddenly, a figure burst in; it was Bibi Dong, having heard the news.

"Sigh, I already said I have no other intentions. Why must you be so nervous?" Qian Daoliu shook his head, interrupting Bibi Dong. "You two chat first, I'll be back shortly." With that, he used an unknown force to push Bibi Dong out forcefully and conveniently closed the door.

The girl named Qian Renxue watched Bibi Dong being pushed out, opened her mouth as if wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

Taking advantage of this small commotion, Xia Tianling observed Qian Renxue. *Based on deductions from the original work, Qian Renxue should be around fifteen or sixteen now. But why does she look so young? Even if spirit power promotes development, she doesn't look old, maybe only eleven or twelve.*

*Forget it. First, I'll use the advantage of appearance and age to try and get some information.* "Hello, Big Sister Qian Renxue. I'm six years old this year, just awakened my spirit, and I'm Teacher Bibi Dong's newly accepted disciple."

"Hello, I am..." Qian Renxue seemed to struggle slightly, "...I am Grand Elder Qian Daoliu's granddaughter. I am eleven years old this year."

*Eleven years old? That's not right. Why is her age so much younger? She's only the same age as Hu Liena now. But this is fine too; the plan I originally set to 'win over' Qian Renxue can be modified.* *Originally, after entering the Spirit Hall, he planned to cultivate first, then get in touch with Hu Liena and the other two of the Golden Generation. As for Qian Renxue, he planned to let her be in the early stages and rely on Mind Interference later to ease the relationship between her and Bibi Dong.* *For this, he had specifically saved up a large amount of Fate Power just in case.*

*Well, it's being used now. Looks like I can save quite a bit for other things, and my plan to reconcile Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong can also be advanced.*

Having clarified the development thread, Xia Tianling naturally started chatting with Qian Renxue. Avoiding sensitive topics, they talked about life, hobbies, friends, and the like. *In my past life, I was a tour guide; isn't chatting a piece of cake? As long as he wanted to, he could chat with anyone.* Soon, he was laughing and talking with Qian Renxue.

*I wonder how far Qian Renxue's undercover plan has progressed. Is the real Crown Prince Xue Qinghe actually dead?* Xia Tianling thought silently. *But now isn't a good time to probe for such information. After all, this is our first meeting; asking such sensitive questions would easily arouse suspicion.* *Proceed slowly. Can't rush things like this.*

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After some conversation, Qian Daoliu entered, bringing the meeting to an end. Xia Tianling stood up to say goodbye, mentioning they should keep in touch often.

Qian Renxue watched Xia Tianling's departing figure eagerly, her face full of reluctance. Due to her status, she had grown up alone. Forget friends; she didn't even have childhood playmates. Her only companions were her grandfather Qian Daoliu and the few Elders in the Elder Hall. After deciding to execute the undercover plan, she lived every day in the imperial palace as if walking on thin ice, extremely cautious. The word 'friend' became even more of a luxury.

Having met Xia Tianling today, although their conversation wasn't long, this rare experience of interacting with someone her age was something Qian Renxue had never had before. Moreover, Xia Tianling himself had good emotional intelligence and could quickly make friends with anyone; it was inevitable that she would be drawn to him.

"Grandpa, can I meet him again in the future?"

"Of course," Qian Daoliu lovingly stroked Qian Renxue's head. "Be friends with him."

"Friends?" Qian Renxue lowered her head, lost in thought.

(End of Chapter)

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