"Once Xue'er becomes familiar with the affairs of the Martial Soul Hall, it's time for her to reclaim her rightful position. Golden Crocodile Elder, during this time, assist Xue'er with familiarizing herself with the matters of the Martial Soul Hall," Qian Dao Liu spoke. A sharp light twinkled in his turbid eyes.
"Alright," the Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded.
From the moment Qian Renxue returned to the Martial Soul Hall, he knew that the fate of the Hall was about to change.
In those days, Qian Renxue was but a child when the Martial Soul Hall was leaderless. To avoid causing too much panic within the Hall, Bi Bidong took the opportunity to become the first-ever Female Pope of the Martial Soul Hall and the first Pope of a different surname.
However, as Qian Renxue's birth mother, it was reasonable for Bi Bidong to assume the position of the Spirit Hall Pope under the circumstances of that time.
"Hmph. This time, I'll reclaim what she owes me all at once," Qian Renxue snorted delicately as she sat on Xu Ran's lap, wrinkling her delicate little nose. Her feud with Bi Bidong wasn't just about the position of Pope; it was about Bi Bidong's deliberate alienation from her.
Back then, when Bi Bidong sent her away to the Tiandou Empire, she probably didn't expect her to return to the Martial Soul Hall so quickly.
If she had returned any later, Bi Bidong might have completely taken control of the Martial Soul Hall. Taking the Hall back from Bi Bidong's hands would have been as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
Now, if it wasn't for her desire not to destabilize the Martial Soul Hall, she could forcefully take it back right now.
However, she now needed to familiarize herself with the hall's affairs and needed the mid- and high-level executives of the Martial Soul Hall to recognize her identity. When the time came, she would take back all that belonged to her.
"Xu Ran, you'll help me, won't you?"
Qian Renxue blinked her Cardiline's large eyes, gazing at Xu Ran with a sparkling expression.
"Of course. Whatever you want, I'll find a way to get it for you," Xu Ran said earnestly. Bi Bidong was different from the original Bi Bidong and had already become indifferent to fame and fortune. Even if the position of Pope were given to Qian Renxue, Bi Bidong wouldn't mind.
Of course, that was provided the relationship between the two women could get back on track.
In Bi Bidong's heart, Qian Renxue's attitude toward her might be the most important aspect.
But Qian Renxue's attitude... Bi Bidong's previous indifference to her, due to her resentment towards the Soul Hall and Qian Xun Ji, had all been vented onto Qian Renxue.
Having grown up in that environment, without anyone to guide her, reversing her attitude towards Bi Bidong wasn't going to be easy.
"Really? Actually, I don't want anything else, just as long as you're sincere to me," Qian Renxue said affectionately, looking at Xu Ran, wishing she could give her entire self to him.
Xu Ran had previously mentioned he was tired of traveling by water and wanted to switch to land, which she had not agreed to at the time.
But now, she was wavering.
Xu Ran was her lover, the one she could spend her life with. She felt that she shouldn't have any secrets from Xu Ran.
As long as she handled things cleanly and made sure Xu Ran wouldn't despise her upon seeing anything unclean, it might not be impossible.
"My heart will always beat passionately because of you," Xu Ran pinched Qian Renxue's tender little hand and placed it on his chest, allowing her to feel his heartbeat.
"Mhm," Qian Renxue nestled into Xu Ran's embrace and fell silent.
Although she had always been involved in administration, whether in Tiandou City or now, she had long since grown indifferent to such matters. Being with Xu Ran was her only current hobby. Being the Pope or the Crown Prince didn't taste as sweet as being Xu Ran's woman.
"Cough cough."
Qian Dao Liu and Golden Crocodile Douluo were stunned, envy flashing in their eyes.
They always felt at a disadvantage.
When they were young, they were devoted to cultivation and didn't prioritize romance. It was only when they got older that they began to contemplate the joys of love, but by then, the well had run dry, with very little to give.
But Xu Ran was young and strong, at the peak of his vigor.
Which was why seeing Xu Ran and Qian Renxue's public displays of affection made them feel so despondent. If only they had been so sensible when they were younger; born into nobility, they could have done many things but failed to grasp the essence.
Unlike Xu Ran, whose cultivation level was high and who had not neglected the matters of love. Famous at a young age, he truly was a winner in life.
"Xu Ran, what do you think we should do about Bi Bidong?" Qian Dao Liu asked, pretending not to see the young couple's public affection after watching for a while.
Seeing his precious granddaughter throw herself into Xu Ran's arms would just be too heart-wrenching.
Xu Ran, now his esteemed grandson-in-law, naturally held great importance in his thoughts.
"Let's start with diplomacy. If Bi Bidong doesn't agree, then we can consider other options."
"After all, Bi Bidong is Xue'er's birth mother; whether Xue'er likes it or not, that's how it appears to outsiders. If Xue'er were to act against her, it might leave a bad taste in the mouths of others. Back then, the Great Elder allowed her to take the Pope's place probably because he didn't want outsiders to know about the conflicts within the Martial Soul Hall. If Bi Bidong voluntarily abdicates in favor of Xue'er, it would be only reasonable. She was merely stewarding Xue'er's power; now that Xue'er has grown up, it's right to return it to her." Xu Ran's eyes shimmered with wisdom.
"I don't acknowledge her as a so-called mother. She gave birth to me but didn't raise me; I don't recognize her, nor do I want to talk too much with her." Qian Renxue harbored resentment, a buildup of countless years since her birth.
It couldn't be resolved in a short while.
Only time could gradually wear it away.
Qian Renxue was sharp-tongued but soft-hearted; if Bi Bidong showed genuine remorse and apologized sincerely, Qian Renxue might act tough, but in the end, she would forgive Bi Bidong.
"So what do we do?"
"You have to face her eventually; even just talking to her would be good. Besides, if it really came to blows, how do you think the outside world would spread rumors about you? What would that do to your standing? The Pope is seen as a flawless figure in the hearts of the people, and having a mark of unfilial piety is not desirable."
"Moreover, you're perfect in my eyes, and I don't want any blemishes to tarnish that." Xu Ran spoke gently. He hoped that Qian Renxue could have a proper dialogue with Bi Bidong; if neither of them spoke a word, the conflict would never be resolved.
"Alright then." Qian Renxue hadn't wanted anything to do with Bi Bidong and could have used her prestige in the Elder Hall to force her down. But after what Xu Ran said, she forcefully suppressed her own grudges. She didn't want there to be any imperfections in her as seen through Xu Ran's eyes.
With so many women around Xu Ran, the competition so fierce, if she gave others something to hold against her...
Now Xu Ran cared for her, but what if one day he didn't? Would he consider her a bad woman because of gossip?
And surely, the outside world wouldn't think highly of her either.
If she wanted to be the Pope, she couldn't be inferior to Bibi Dong. Her pride wouldn't allow it. Anything Bibi Dong could do, she could do better.