DD Black White [385-386] (Patreon)

Chapter 385: Painting a Grand Vision for Qian Renxue

Hearing this, Lu Jingming's smile faded a little. Indeed, Qian Renxue had suffered. Even though she inherited the Angel God's position, she lost the grandfather who loved her most, and her relationship with her mother grew increasingly strained.

After all, the Angel God and the Rakshasa God are natural mortal enemies. If not for Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong being mother and daughter, with that thread of familial bond still lingering, they would fight to the death upon meeting.

Facing such a situation, even after becoming a god, the pressure on Qian Renxue had not lessened but increased. She didn't know how to handle her relationship with Bibi Dong, nor how to lead the Spirit Hall forward.

Spirit Hall was now split in two—one faction following Bibi Dong, the other following Qian Renxue—and the contradictions were steadily accumulating.

Because she had met an old friend, Qian Renxue briefly lowered her guard, but she didn't say much. Her dip in mood was only for an instant—after all, besides Lu Jingming, Shui Bing'er and others were present.

Even if she wanted to confide her bitterness, it would have to be when they were alone. In front of outsiders, she had to maintain the dignity and nobility of a deity.

Qian Renxue adjusted her emotions, shifted her gaze from Lu Jingming to the people at his side. She was not unfamiliar with Firefly and Castorice.

But when her eyes fell upon Jingliu and Gu Yuena, waves surged violently in her heart.

First was Lu Jingming himself.

Qian Renxue clearly sensed the soul power fluctuations emanating from Lu Jingming—he had already reached the level of a Titled Douluo.

"This… how is this possible?"

Qian Renxue exclaimed inwardly.

She remembered clearly that when they first met in Heaven Dou City, Lu Jingming had been only a Soul Emperor.

How long had it been since then?

At most only a few years.

She had become a god so quickly by relying on the millennia of accumulation by Spirit Hall and the inheritance of the Angel God's position, plus the 100,000-year Stigmata obtained from the Survival Tournament. One could say she stood on the shoulders of giants to become a god in just a few years.

But Lu Jingming? If she remembered correctly, he wasn't even twenty yet. And at not yet twenty, he had stepped into the realm of a Titled Douluo.

A Titled Douluo under twenty.

If this news spread, it would leave all forces and all geniuses on the Douluo Continent dumbfounded, shattering every rule of cognition in the continent's history.

Just how terrifying was his talent?

Yet what startled Qian Renxue even more were the two women at Lu Jingming's side.

The white-haired, red-eyed woman, simply standing there, felt like a peerless divine blade that had sheathed all its edge yet still struck fear into the heart. A hard-to-describe, razor-sharp sword intent coiled around her—far surpassing any Sword Douluo Qian Renxue had seen, a difference like heaven and earth.

The silver-haired, violet-eyed woman with an ethereal, mysterious aura gave her the sense of an unfathomable abyss—as if facing a vast, boundless starry sky filled with unimaginable, majestic power.

Qian Renxue had inherited a first-rank god's position—the Angel God.

Although she had just inherited it and her divine power was not fully integrated, her level not yet at a full first-rank god, with the god seat's blessing her strength far exceeded ordinary third-rank deities; she could even challenge above her level.

Yet these two gave her a faint sense of oppression.

What did that mean? It meant these two were likely stronger than she currently was.

That was simply inconceivable.

She was already a deity—how could there be existences in the mortal realm whose life level and power surpassed hers?

Unless… they too were not natives of this world, or possessed inheritances and powers equal to or beyond divinity?

Qian Renxue's gaze toward Lu Jingming grew complicated beyond words—shock, probing, and even a trace of disbelief.

She had thought that after becoming a god, at least in personal strength she had surpassed Lu Jingming. But now it seemed not only had he advanced at a pace defying common sense, he was also surrounded by powerhouses who made even an Angel God feel wary.

"Brother Lu… you truly… each time you appear, you bring surprise and… awe."

In the end, Qian Renxue could only make such a sigh, though the ripples in her heart would not settle for a long time.

Lu Jingming always seemed shrouded in mist. Just when you thought you'd seen clearly, you realized it was but the tip of a deeper, more mysterious iceberg.

Seeing the shock and complexity in Qian Renxue's eyes, Lu Jingming knew it was time to reveal something heavier.

He gestured for Shui Bing'er and the others to withdraw. The receiving hall suddenly felt much more spacious, leaving only him, Gu Yuena, Jingliu, Castorice, Firefly, and the unsettled Angel God, Qian Renxue.

As for Vita, who had come along, Lu Jingming had kept his promise and granted her a brief freedom to explore this equally novel world.

"Sister Xue."

Lu Jingming's voice returned to its usual steadiness. He took up the teapot and personally poured Qian Renxue a cup of tea, his movements unhurried.

The curling fragrance of tea slightly neutralized the suffocating aura that belonged to a deity.

"The vastness of the world is far greater than what you and I see at this moment."

Qian Renxue accepted the warm cup; the warmth of the porcelain touched her fingertips, but Lu Jingming's opening made her heartstrings tighten further.

Her golden eyes, filled with sacred radiance, stared at him without blinking, awaiting the moment truth would be revealed.

"First, I need to tell you a truth."

Lu Jingming set down the teapot and met Qian Renxue's gaze calmly, his tone even yet firm, as if stating a fact.

"We—me, Gu Yue, Teacher, Castorice, Firefly, and even those mysterious Titled Douluo who suddenly appeared and disrupted the spirit-hunting operation—we are not of this world."

Qian Renxue's pupils shrank; her fingers unconsciously tightened around the teacup until her knuckles paled.

"Not of this world… what do you mean?"

Her voice remained steady, but the slight tremor betrayed the turbulence within.

Lu Jingming gently turned his own teacup, the corner of his lips lifting in a half-smile.

"Sister Xue, with your current divine rank and divine sense, scanning the entire continent is hardly difficult. Have you truly not sensed anything amiss?

"Could so-called hidden sects completely evade the gaze of a god? Those soul tools far beyond this era, the simulated world and Stigmata, and those strong ones who appeared out of thin air… The root of all this cannot be found in this world. With your intelligence and that of the new empress, have you really never considered… the possibility of visitors from outside this realm?"

Unless they were blinded by romance, there was no way Qian Renxue and Bibi Dong, both already gods, knew nothing.

Qian Renxue fell silent.

She had indeed searched, sweeping the continent with divine sense, yet found no concrete origin for Lu Jingming and the others.

Bibi Dong had also expressed doubts.

All the anomalies had long pointed to that boldest and most unbelievable conjecture.

She took a deep breath, suppressed her churning emotions, and asked in a low voice, "So, you are… visitors from another world, another planet?"

As a deity, she knew Douluo Star was not unique and that the universe was vast and boundless.

Lu Jingming slowly shook his head. He wasn't surprised she understood the concept of planets. That Douluo Continent was on a sphere was no secret to a deity; even Limit Douluo could probe the world's truth.

"Not another world or alien civilization in the usual sense, Sister Xue. We come from another parallel universe's Douluo Star. We too are beings of the Douluo Continent, also soul masters—only, our era is… ten thousand years after this world."

"That is a Douluo Continent that flows alongside your world in the river of time yet is entirely different. You can think of it as… a mirror, a parallel timeline spun off because of different choices at key nodes."

He stopped being coy and began to clearly and concisely explain the concept of parallel worlds, sketching a future Douluo where soul tool technology shone brilliantly and the power structure had changed drastically.

He did not detail specific history, but emphasized that the two worlds were of the same origin yet had diverged—similar yet different.

Qian Renxue listened, mind shaking.

Parallel worlds? Ten thousand years later? This was even more unbelievable than hearing that Lu Jingming was a reincarnated god.

But thinking of the soul tools far beyond the times that Lu Jingming brought out, the nameless powerhouses around him, and Xuan Zi and others whose martial souls were entirely unfamiliar, appearing suddenly on the continent… all these irrationalities seemed to find their answers in this earth-shattering explanation.

As a deity, her understanding of the world far exceeded mortals'. She could comprehend what he meant and understood what a parallel world was.

"So… those who rescued the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and helped the Heaven Dou remnants break out…"

Qian Renxue's voice carried a dryness even she didn't notice.

"Exactly."

Lu Jingming nodded.

"They came from my world—the top-tier powerhouses of the Douluo Continent ten thousand years hence. The one with the Taotie martial soul leading them is named Xuan Zi, a pillar of the future continent's number one academy—Shrek Academy. They arrived in this world earlier than we did through a temporal passage."

Qian Renxue fell silent, digesting information that upended her understanding.

So the opponents she faced were not just the Star Luo Empire and the surviving clans, but a group of future interlopers who knew the script.

That perfectly explained why her meticulously planned, almost seamless operation failed at the final stage.

She had hidden herself well and was about to inherit the Heaven Dou Empire's throne—taking an empire with ease—only for someone to interfere at the last moment, throwing the plan off.

She had wondered where she had slipped. Now she realized—deus ex machina from a future parallel world.

Understanding this, much of her frustration and unwillingness dissipated. At least the problem hadn't been her. This was no fault of war. Against future people familiar with history, even the most meticulous plan is like a fleeting cloud.

While Qian Renxue's heart surged, Lu Jingming laid his cards on the table and revealed the intent he had long prepared.

"Sister Xue."

His voice carried a guiding force.

"The world's vastness far exceeds what we currently imagine. A single world is but a speck of dust within the boundless multiverse. In that scale, does the ambition of ruling the continent under the Spirit Empire not seem… somewhat limited?"

His gaze grew unfathomable, as if reflecting myriad stars, filled with a seductive charisma.

"Two parallel timelines have already intersected. Who can say a third, a fourth, or infinitely many worlds won't connect? Future conflicts, opportunities, and challenges will no longer be confined to a continent, a planet, or even a single universe. Therefore, I hope to forge with you—and with the Spirit Empire you represent—an unprecedented alliance."

"An alliance?"

Qian Renxue lifted her eyes, divine light flowing in her gaze, revealing her inner unrest.

"Yes—an alliance that crosses world boundaries and points toward the sea of stars."

Lu Jingming's voice wasn't loud, but it carried the rise of a grand blueprint.

"What I pursue has never been gains and losses of a single city or land, but the drawing of a grand map spanning the multiverse. The Douluo Continent before us—whether past or future—is merely the foundation and starting point of that map."

"And you, Qian Renxue—your personal power and the force under your command—are worthy of becoming a brilliant facet on that map."

He leaned forward slightly, his tone deeply sincere, powerfully persuasive:

"By aligning with me, you won't just gain help with the current situation. You'll receive a complete knowledge system from an advanced civilization, cutting-edge technology, and boundless resources. This will greatly accelerate the Spirit Empire's ascendance and even… help you explore realms beyond a first-rank god."

"When others are still squabbling over continental hegemony, your gaze will have already transcended the mundane and turned to the endless stars. When the horn to campaign across worlds sounds, I hope the ally by my side is you."

Qian Renxue felt her heart beating uncontrollably faster.

Lu Jingming's words were like a key, opening a door that had constrained her thinking.

The multiverse? A map spanning the heavens? The breadth and depth of this ambition utterly surpassed the Spirit Hall popes' dream of unifying the continent.

If all this were true, then being trapped in the struggles of Douluo Star seemed indeed small—like a frog at the bottom of a well.

The terrifying potential Lu Jingming displayed, the powerhouses at his side who even made her wary, and the massive resources and profound knowledge of the world he represented—all made this alliance difficult to resist.

She gazed at Lu Jingming. His peerlessly handsome face was indeed moving, but what drew her more was the ambition and unshakable confidence burning in those deep red eyes—enough to devour the stars.

Chapter 386: Qian Renxue's Decision

Qian Renxue knew this was a pivotal choice—one that would determine her and the Spirit Empire's future trajectory.

To remain confined to the continent's strife, or to embrace a grand future filled with unknowns yet infinite possibilities?

The receiving hall fell into a long silence, with only the elegant tea fragrance quietly flowing through the air.

Not only Qian Renxue—even Gu Yuena, sitting quietly to the side, was deeply shaken by those words.

A wave unlike any before rippled through her amethyst eyes. As the half of the Dragon God once bent on revenge and restoring the glory of soul beasts, she had thought Lu Jingming's goal was to unify the Douluo Continent, then invade the God Realm and become its master—just like the Dragon God once did.

Only now did she realize she had underestimated this man's audacity.

His journey—how could a mere God Realm contain it?
His gaze reached the boundless multiverse the Dragon God had never even imagined.

A single Douluo universe clearly could not bear his stride or his ambition.

Qian Renxue fell into a long silence. The tea's fragrance lingered at her nose, yet it could not calm the storm within.

The picture Lu Jingming painted was too grand, as if the entire starry sky had been unfurled before her eyes all at once, making her once-clear goals feel small.

Yet under such a great shock, what she felt was not fear, but a… difficult-to-name yearning.

She had become a god, gaining near-eternal life and power, yet she lost her dearest grandfather, and her relationship with her mother had dropped to freezing point.

The Angel God's responsibilities and the natural opposition of the Rakshasa God placed her at the summit of the Spirit Empire's power while she felt unprecedented loneliness and confusion.

If immortality meant only endless solitude and unceasing, covert struggle with her closest kin—what meaning did it have?
Lu Jingming's words were like a beam of light, dispelling her confusion.

Lead the Spirit Hall—no, the Spirit Empire—into the multiverse? That was a goal vast enough to demand her all, vast enough to temporarily cover the pain and disputes within.

If Grandpa's spirit watched from above, seeing the Angel's faith spread to countless worlds, he would surely be gratified, right?
More importantly… if parallel worlds existed, did that mean there was a possibility… perhaps in some shard of time, her grandfather was still alive?

Or, when she grew strong enough to surpass the limits of her current godhood, could she… reverse the rules of life and death?

At that thought, strong ripples stirred again across the once-still lake of her heart.

She had found anew her motivation and direction.

She raised her head; the confusion in her eyes was replaced by resolve; the golden divine light shone brighter than ever.

"Brother Lu."

Her voice was clear and firm, carrying a certain decision.

"I accept your proposal. I'm willing to form an alliance with you and together explore what you called… the multiverse."

A sincere, delighted smile blossomed on Lu Jingming's face—infectious, as if it lit the stars.

He was clearly very happy. Almost subconsciously, he reached out and lightly patted Qian Renxue's shoulder. The motion was intimate and familiar, as if treating a close friend of many years.

"Good, Sister Xue. Believe me—this will be the best decision you've ever made."

This seemingly casual contact instantly drew several looks of differing meanings.

Gu Yuena's amethyst eyes narrowed slightly; a hint of scarcely perceptible chill flashed by. She folded her arms, fingertips unconsciously tapping at the crook of her elbow. The air seemed to flicker with faint elemental ripples.

Firefly blinked her big eyes, glanced at Lu Jingming and then at Qian Renxue, and quietly took a small step forward.

Even Castorice, who habitually concealed her presence, silently edged closer to Lu Jingming.

How could Qian Renxue be anything but keen? She immediately sensed the subtle atmosphere.

She was briefly taken aback, then felt something curious rise within.

After becoming a deity, mortal emotions should have faded. Yet at this moment, from these women who were clearly close to Lu Jingming, she sensed a peculiar emotion?

It felt novel—even… vaguely triumphant.

At the same time, an even bolder thought sprouted quietly in her heart.

The Angel lineage's inheritance was paramount. Even as a deity, she had to consider the continuation of the bloodline to ensure the Angel God's glory and power would continue to shine.

This was also what her grandfather had wished for—the Angel God's bloodline must be passed on.

Across the entire Douluo Continent, within the scope of what she knew, who could match her—the Angel God Qian Renxue—and be qualified to sire the finest descendants, if not this mysterious, powerful, wildly ambitious, and stunningly handsome Lu Jingming?

What's more, she clearly sensed that within Lu Jingming was a divine nature deeper and more exalted than her Angel God seat.

This meant his potential was limitless, and his future achievements might far surpass a first-rank god.

Uniting with him would not be only for inheritance, but a union of strength—of immeasurable benefit to consolidating the alliance and to the future of the Angel lineage.

Besides, she already felt appreciation—and some fondness—for Lu Jingming.

With many factors intertwined, the look Qian Renxue gave Lu Jingming unconsciously took on a shade that surpassed that of allies—a gaze of appraisal and consideration.

It was the gaze of a goddess—tinged with possessiveness and planning.

However, she did not show this thought immediately.

A deity possesses eternity. There was no need to rush.

The priority now was to solidify the alliance, respond to the changes of this world, and prepare for that majestic expedition across the multiverse.

As for the rest… she had time and patience. Qian Renxue's lips curved into a nation-toppling smile—beautiful, with hidden meaning.

"Then, Brother Lu."

She gracefully lifted her teacup, using tea in place of wine.

"To our alliance, and to… a broader future."

"To the future."

Lu Jingming raised his cup gladly. He noticed the thoughts of Gu Yuena and the others, but failed to perceive the bold idea that had already sprouted in his new ally's heart.

…

Night was like ink, stars sparse and glittering, and the bright moon draped Skywater City in a hazy silver veil.

Qian Renxue did not linger. As one of the Spirit Empire's real powerholders, she had to remain vigilant against her mother Bibi Dong, whose actions were growing ever more radical, bordering on madness.

The Rakshasa God's power was steeped in evil and resentment. Qian Renxue had to ensure the Spirit Empire's chariot would not, under Bibi Dong's reins, lose control and plunge into the abyss.

Carrying the newly forged alliance and a belly full of thoughts, she turned into a streak of light and vanished into the night.

On the rooftop terrace of Jade Chamber, a gentle night breeze brought the faint fragrance of distant vegetation.

Gu Yuena stood alone by the railing. Her silver hair flowed with a cold luster in the moonlight. Her amethyst eyes gazed at the boundless night. Her flawless profile held a trace of subtle complexity.

Soft footsteps sounded behind her. Lu Jingming walked over slowly and looked out at the brilliant sea of stars with her.

"Not accompanying your Firefly and Castorice—what are you doing looking for me?"

Gu Yuena didn't turn her head. Her voice was cool, tinged with a faint, indistinct bitterness even she hadn't fully recognized.

Lu Jingming chuckled, gentle: "They have their own affairs. But you—alone here. The moon is beautiful, but lonely."

Gu Yuena finally turned her head. Moonlight delineated her perfect, flawless features—a beauty beyond mortal bounds, suffused with divinity and nobility, utterly different from her earlier, unremarkable appearance as Gu Yue.

A hint of inquiry glinted in her amethyst eyes as she softly asked, "You… don't seem surprised at all by how I look now?"

Lu Jingming turned to face her, looking straight at her with a calm, penetrating gaze. "Surprised? Why would I be? Gu Yue is you; Gu Yuena is also you."

"No matter how your appearance changes, your soul does not—and the moments of our meeting and knowing each other do not. In my eyes, you are the same person—someone I'm willing to treat with all my heart."

There was no hesitation in his words—sincere as the moonlight at that moment—instantly soothing the tiny unease and distance within Gu Yuena's heart.

Warmth welled in her heart, but she then thought of a deeper issue—one she could not escape as the queen of soul beasts.

"Then… what about the future of soul beasts? You've seen it. In this human-dominated world, soul beasts' living space keeps shrinking. Hatred and slaughter cycle endlessly. Even if I recover my full strength, reversing this pattern is easier said than done…"

There was a faint weariness and heaviness in her voice.

And she worried more that the antagonism between humans and soul beasts would ultimately affect her relationship and future with Lu Jingming.

Lu Jingming's eyes grew serious. He took a step forward, closing the distance between them.

"Gu Yuena, I've long considered your worries. If we're limited to this small corner of the Douluo Continent, the rancor between humans and soul beasts is indeed hard to undo. But my goal was never just this continent."

He pointed toward the vast starry sky, confidence stronger than ever.

"I will find worlds more suited to soul beasts—vast, resource-rich, far from human strife."

"At the same time, I'll do my best to foster peaceful coexistence between the two races on a new starting line. It may sound difficult, but when our Haiyuan City's influence spans the stars, when we have the power and authority to mediate conflicts among multiple worlds and civilizations, making humans and soul beasts coexist won't be an impossible task."

He paused, his gaze blazing into Gu Yuena's astonished amethyst eyes. "So the things you fear, the future you worry about—won't happen. As long as I'm here, a future I do not permit will not arrive."

These words boomed like thunder in Gu Yuena's heart.

He not only understood her predicament—he had long shouldered her responsibilities and planned a path for her beyond imagination.

No longer the struggle of being trapped in one place, but a broad future among the stars and seas.

This consideration for her in everything—this willingness to embrace all her identities and burdens—sent a surging warmth through Gu Yuena's heart that melted the ice of countless years.

"You… you figured all that out?"

Gu Yuena tilted her head slightly, staring blankly at Lu Jingming.

Moonlight outlined his chiseled profile—the confident smile on it seemed enough to dispel all gloom.

His words had not only declared a domineering determination to solve every problem, but struck like an arrow at the hidden fear deep in her heart—even one she herself could barely put into words.

She was afraid—afraid that, one day, the seemingly irreconcilable conflict between soul beasts and humans would become an unstoppable torrent that would tear her and him apart and push them to opposite sides.

The more her power recovered, the clearer that nightmare twined around her heart.

Lu Jingming's gaze was deep and gentle, as though he could see into the depths of her soul.

He lifted a hand, gently brushing aside a wisp of silver hair the night wind had teased across her cheek, his motion as careful as handling a priceless treasure.

"Gu Yuena."

His voice was low and soothing, carrying a power that calmed the heart.

"You're not good at hiding your emotions—how could I not notice? I also know what you're worried about."

He leaned forward slightly until their eyes met at an intimate distance. His tone turned unwavering and indisputable.

"But I'll say it again—listen carefully, and remember it—the thing you fear will never happen. Whether you are Gu Yue or Gu Yuena, whether you bear the soul beasts' queenly burden or anything else, you and I will never be enemies."

"Your path, I'll walk with you. Your responsibility, I'll shoulder with you. Any force that tries to separate us—I will crush it."

This was not merely a promise—it was a proclamation, a confidence etched into his very bones.

Gu Yuena felt a surge of indescribable warmth strike her heart, spreading swiftly through her limbs and bones, washing away the defenses she had long used to protect herself.

She instinctively covered her chest, feeling the drumbeat of her heart. Two flushes bloomed uncontrollably upon her fair cheeks—more intoxicating than the most beautiful sunset.

In those amethyst eyes, the ice had completely melted. Only rippling light remained—moved and enamored.

Where feeling leads, the heart follows—no longer to be contained.

Under the witness of the starry vault and the bright moon, Gu Yuena made a move true to her heart, forgetting all restraint and worry.

She rose lightly on tiptoe. Her long, curled silver lashes trembled shut like butterfly wings. With a hint of resolve and utmost devotion, she pressed her cool, soft lips to Lu Jingming's warm ones.

It was a kiss that crossed the chasm of species, surpassed disputes of stance, and sprang purely from the attraction of souls.

In that moment, Gu Yuena forgot the queenly burden of soul beasts, and forgot the opposing positions of human and soul beast.