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"Take care, Your Highness!"
After leaving the secret chamber, Bibi Dong's expression turned cold and dark, her eyes filled with disgust.
She ignored the greetings from Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo and walked straight toward the front hall of the Pope's Palace.
Inside the secret chamber, Qian Renjue stood still in front of the bed, staring at the door, while Qian Renxue silently continued feeding the soup, deep in thought.
Though Bibi Dong's face hadn't shown any signs of unusual behavior, Qian Renxue knew better. Anomalies always hint at something more sinister.
This was just part of Bibi Dong's plan.
It wasn't meant for her and Qian Xunji but for the two elders standing guard outside the door.
The secret chamber had only one entrance, and getting Chrysanthemum and Ghost to lower their guard and allow free access was crucial.
Bibi Dong's status ensured no one would dare stop her unless she did something extreme. Perhaps this whole act was just to clear herself of suspicion in front of Qian Renjue.
Qian Renxue looked up at Qian Renjue, standing with his back to her.
She didn't want him to know about Bibi Dong's past or the brutal reality that might unfold soon. Qian Renjue turned around, his eyes eagerly fixed on the soup in Qian Renxue's hand. "Sister, is it tasty?"
Qian Renxue, who had been feeling down, smiled and playfully glared at him. "It's delicious. Do you want to try some?"
Even Qian Xunji, who had been feeling weak, chuckled. "Haha, if you want to try it, I'll share some with you."
"One sip is enough. I won't take too much from you, Dad."
Qian Renjue shook his head, then quickly ran over to Qian Renxue, stretching his neck to take a sip.
Qian Renxue laughed softly and fed him a spoonful. "Thank you, sister," he said, satisfied.
Qian Renjue then grabbed his father's hand and, with a smile, asked, "Dad, how about I give you a ring?"
"A ring?" Qian Xunji raised an eyebrow, confused.
"Yes!"
Qian Renjue excitedly retrieved a ring from his system space and showed it to Qian Xunji. "Look, it's this one! Do you like it?"
"Of course, I like it," Qian Xunji responded, smiling as he accepted the gift.
The ring, bathed in a red glow, was a 'Blood Jade Ring' from the system
It had the unique ability, when paired with a special bell, to detect and confirm whether its wearer was alive or in danger.
"Let me help you put it on," Qian Renjue said happily, sliding the ring onto his father's thumb. "Since you like it, you can't take it off now!"
"I promise I won't take it off," Qian Xunji replied.
"That's good."
Qian Renjue's smile faded slightly.
Qian Renxue glanced up at him, noticing the way his gaze lingered on the blood-colored ring.
Time passed, and soon, the soup had all been consumed. After spending most of the morning together, the siblings were ready to leave.
Qian Renxue carefully packed everything, speaking softly, "Dad, we'll come to see you again around noon."
"Okay, keep up with your training."
Qian Xunji, still lying on the cold bed with his full stomach, felt a bit drowsy.
Qian Renxue nodded, then looked at Qian Renjue, who was fiddling with something near the steps. "Jue, we should go."
"I'll be done in a second!" he said cheerfully as he stood up.
With a soft ring, the sound of bells echoed through the secret chamber.
In Qian Renxue's confused gaze, Qian Renjue approached Qian Xunji with two bells, one large and one small.
He placed the larger bell in front of his father and shook it.
*Jingling*—
the crisp sound echoed, followed by Qian Renjue's voice. "Haha! This larger bell is also for you, Dad."
"Jue, what's this 'mother bell' for?" Qian Xunji asked curiously.
"Well," Qian Renjue paused, carefully explaining, "Dad, if you ever want to see me or sister, just shake the mother bell, and the smaller one I have will receive the signal. Like this!"
With that, he shook the bell again, but this time, it didn't ring.
Instead, the smaller bell in his hand rang out.
"See? When I receive the signal, I'll bring sister to see you!"
"Haha! Wonderful! This is a great gift!"
Qian Xunji was very pleased, praising the gift and beaming with joy.
"This is excellent, Jue. I'll take good care of it."
Qian Renjue smiled and handed the mother bell to his father, sternly reminding him, "Dad, you must carry this gift with you at all times."
"Don't worry, I will."
"Good."
Qian Renjue nodded and solemnly clasped his father's hand over the bell.
This was the last safeguard he could provide, should the worst happen.
Just moments earlier, Qian Renjue had spent some time integrating a **Soul Absorbing Pearl**—a pure white orb the size of a dragon's eye—into the tassel of the mother bell.
This pearl could absorb any lingering souls nearby, preserving them even if only fragments remained.
Qian Renxue and Qian Xunji both noticed something different about Qian Renjue, but he didn't care about their gazes.
He was just doing what he could at the moment.
Then, Qian Renjue pulled out a delicate pastry from his soul tool and smiled, "Dad, this is a pastry mom made. Would you like to try it?"
"…"
Qian Xunji hesitated for a moment, but despite his full stomach and the pain in his wounds, he still smiled and nodded. "Of course, I won't let it go to waste."
Qian Renjue laughed and stuffed the green pastry into his father's mouth. "Hehe, no wasting food!"
Qian Xunji chewed thoughtfully, nodding in approval.
"Alright, Dad. We'll see you later. Sister, let's go."
After feeding him the pastry, Qian Renjue quickly left, pulling Qian Renxue with him.
"Hmm."
Qian Xunji watched them leave as he continued chewing.
Suddenly, he noticed something strange about the texture of the pastry.
Startled, he recalled what Qian Renjue had said and didn't think much more of it.
It was just a pastry with filling—no wonder he had warned him not to waste it.
As he swallowed the strange-tasting pastry, warmth began to spread from his abdomen throughout his body.
Shock flickered across Qian Xunji's face.