When Qian Renxue returned to the Elder’s Hall, the golden sunlight shimmered across the white stone corridor. Her steps were purposeful, her expression calm, already thinking about the next item on her packed schedule.
Just as she reached for the door to her room, a cheerful voice called out from behind.
“Renxue!”
She turned around and spotted the speaker, an energetic little girl with bright yellow hair cropped short like a boy’s. It was none other than Tian Yue, the spirited great granddaughter of the Golden Crocodile Douluo. Though she was only around five years old, she always marched around like a tiny general.
A smile tugged at Qian Renxue’s lips. She walked over and gently pinched the baby fat on both of Tian Yue’s cheeks. “How many times have I told you to call me Sister Renxue?”
“Ewwaaaaa—!” Tian Yue protested, puffing up like an angry hamster.
From the side, a boy with neatly combed hair and a frown far too serious for his age chimed in, arms folded like a miniature adult. “You’re so busy these days, you don’t even have time to see us anymore.”
It was Jiang Mo, a boy with finely-combed hair and a solemn expression. Despite being only five and half years, he folded his arms and furrowed his brow like a little adult. He was the grandson of the Fifth and Sixth Worshippers.
From the side, a voice chimed in with practiced indignation. “You’re so busy nowadays, Sister Renxue, we thought you forgot about us.”
Behind him, a boy with tousled orange hair peeked out shyly. His name was Shi Ming, the descendant of the Crazy Lion Douluo, and currently the most energetic of the group, despite being only four.
And then there was the smallest of them all, standing slightly apart from the rest.
A child with jet-black hair, wide eyes, and a thumb in his mouth.
Qing Dan, barely three years old, and the great-grandson of the Third Worshipper, Azure Lan Douluo. Though he was quiet and often overlooked due to his small stature, everyone in their group looked after him in their own way.
Qian Renxue, as the eldest among them all, had always been their leader, both in age and presence. But ever since her rigorous schedule began, she barely had time to meet them, let alone play or guide them like before.
She sighed softly and looked at the little group.
“That's because I've been grounded by Grandfather,” she explained with a helpless smile, “and my schedule is packed from sunrise to nightfall.”
Little Qing Dan, hugging her leg, tilted his head and mumbled, “If I’m going to be that busy after awakening my martial soul… then maybe I just won’t awaken it.”
Smack.
“Awwooo!”
Qian Renxue flicked her fingers lightly on his head. “Don’t say things like that,” she scolded gently. “You’ll understand how important it is once you grow up. A martial soul is your foundation as well as your destiny.”
Just as Qing Dan rubbed his forehead with watery eyes, a loud voice chimed in.
“Let’s fight!”
It was Tian Yue, the boisterous tomboy, eyes gleaming with challenge. Her short yellow hair bristled as she raised her tiny fists, already charging toward Qian Renxue like a fierce little tiger.
Qian Renxue blinked.
The boys behind Tian Yue quickly looked away, pretending to study the ceiling beams and admire imaginary birds in the corner, none of them wanted to be caught in the crossfire.
Qian Renxue turned her gaze to the charging girl and said calmly, “Come back when you’ve awakened the Golden Crocodile martial soul.”
But Tian Yue was not one to take no for an answer.
“Attack!!”
She lunged forward only for Qian Renxue to casually extend one hand and stop her in place. Despite Tian Yue pushing with all her might, her little feet skidded against the floor. Her face turned as red as a tomato, veins bulging from her cheeks as she grunted in frustration.
Yet Qian Renxue didn’t move an inch.
She raised a brow and turned to the serious little commander of the group. “Jiang Mo, take this troublemaker away from me.”
Jiang Mo sighed like an old man burdened with too many responsibilities. “Yes, Sister Renxue.”
He stepped forward and hooked an arm around Tian Yue’s waist, dragging her back as she flailed in protest.
“I’ll defeat you, Renxue! Just you wait! When I awaken my martial soul, you’re going down!”
Qian Renxue waved her hand as if shooing away a fly. “Yes, yes. I’ll be waiting.”
Then she turned back to Jiang Mo, who was now red in the face from holding back the wriggling Tian Yue.
“If I remember correctly,” Qian Renxue said with a thoughtful look, “your sixth birthday is in five months, isn’t it?”
Jiang Mo nodded, his brow furrowed as he tried to contain his wild companion. “Yes. Why?”
Qian Renxue’s smile deepened, but she didn’t elaborate. “Good. Now take her away before she flips a table or something.”
Jiang Mo grunted, clearly not thrilled with his assigned duty. But he managed to wrestle Tian Yue away with the help of Shi Ming and Qing Dan, who eagerly jumped in to assist now that the fight was over.
As their voices and laughter faded into the hall, Qian Renxue looked up at the ceiling. The golden sunlight filtered through the high windows, scattering like tiny feathers of light.
Another day had come to an end… and for just a brief moment, it had felt like a normal childhood.
Even for someone like her.
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