30: Chapter 30: Qian Renxue's Test: I'm going to the Heavenly Dou Empire on a mission. Do you think I can succeed?

The carriage stopped in front of a magnificent palace. The ancient gate was embedded with golden animal-headed door knockers, and two mighty stone lions stood on either side, exuding solemnity and reverence.

Wang Donger led Lu Jing off the carriage. Looking up, she realized this wasn't the main hall of Spirit Hall, but a more secluded and quiet complex of buildings—the Elder Hall.

At the request of Qian Daoliu, Qian Renxue led them through several courtyards. The bluestone path beneath their feet was swept spotlessly clean, the pines and cypresses on both sides were neatly trimmed, and the air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood.

Finally, Qian Renxue stopped in front of two adjacent doors. She turned to look at the two of them and said softly, "You two will live here from now on. If you need anything, just tell the people outside; don't feel like you're being a bother."

The furnishings in the room were simple yet elegant. The pear wood tables and chairs were polished to a shine, a pot of verdant orchids was placed by the window, and the bedding was made of brand-new brocade, still retaining the scent of sunlight.

"Thank you, Sister Xue'er." Lu Jing nodded first to express his gratitude, and Wang Donger followed suit.

"You're too polite. Since you've come to Spirit Hall, we are all one family!"

Qian Renxue smiled slightly, leaving behind a word that if there was nothing else, she would take her leave, and then, under their gaze, she walked away.

Watching Qian Renxue's retreating figure, Lu Jing turned to look at Wang Donger and said, "I'm right next door. If you need anything, call me anytime."

Wang Donger nodded and pushed open her door: "You too."

The two doors closed gently, separating their spaces, yet because they were so close, there was a subtle sense of peace of mind. In this strange era, having someone who knew each other's background living next door was undoubtedly a comfort.

On the other side, after settling the two of them in, Qian Renxue turned and walked into the main hall of the Elder Hall.

Qian Daoliu was sitting on a prayer mat, resting with his eyes closed. His long golden hair draped over his shoulders, and his body was surrounded by faint fluctuations of Soul Power.

"Grandfather." Qian Renxue called out softly.

Qian Daoliu slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in his golden pupils: "Are they all settled?"

"Yes, they have moved in, right next door."

Qian Renxue walked up to him, her tone filled with a bit of confusion as she asked, "Are we just going to let them live here like this? Don't we need to do something? For example... test their background?"

She had always felt that these two suddenly appearing children were too mysterious, especially the one named Lu Jing; although he didn't look old, his gaze was so steady that it didn't seem like a child's, making it hard not to be suspicious.

Qian Daoliu shook his head, his voice old but carrying unquestionable majesty: "No rush."

He tapped his fingers gently on his knees and said slowly, "Since they dared to come to Spirit City and dared to stay in the Elder Hall, it means that either they have something to rely on, or they are indeed as they said, with no malice toward us. No matter which one it is, let's observe them for a period of time first."

"Anyway, they have already fallen into our hands, and there are our people inside and outside the Elder Hall, so are we afraid they might run away?" Qian Daoliu hooked the corner of his mouth into a faint smile and asked, "What about you, how is your preparation going?"

Hearing this, Qian Renxue's eyes sharpened: "Everything is ready. In three days, I will set off for the Heaven Dou Empire."

The plan to infiltrate the Heaven Dou Empire had been in preparation for quite some time, and she was already impatient. As long as she could control the million-strong army of the Heaven Dou Empire, Spirit Hall's pace of unifying the continent would be greatly accelerated.

Looking at the sharpness in her eyes, Qian Daoliu nodded: "Be careful in everything. Remember, your safety is more important than anything else. If things become impossible, retreat immediately."

"Xue'er understands," Qian Renxue replied, though her heart was already ablaze with fighting spirit.

Night fell quietly, and lanterns were lit in the Elder Hall. The dim light shone through the window paper, casting a warm glow on the ground. Lu Jing was sitting at the table, sorting through the various clues after arriving in this era, when he suddenly heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me." Qian Renxue's voice came from outside the door, carrying a gentleness different from the daytime.

Lu Jing was a bit confused and got up to open the door. He saw Qian Renxue standing outside, holding a food box, having changed into a pale golden long dress, with a bit less of the coldness of the day and a bit more of a young girl's liveliness.

"Sister Xue'er?" Lu Jing asked in confusion, "It's late at night, is there something you need from me?"

Qian Renxue shook the food box in her hand, a smile playing on the corners of her lips, and gestured with her eyes: "I just got it from the kitchen. I roasted some meat skewers, thinking you might not have eaten a midnight snack, so I brought some over."

Bursts of aroma wafted from the food box, mixed with the charred scent of cumin and roasted meat, making one's appetite soar.

Although Lu Jing couldn't fathom her intentions, he didn't refuse and stepped aside: "Come in."

He knew in his heart that there was no such thing as a free lunch in this World. Since Qian Renxue brought food at this time, she was likely trying to ask something. But he wasn't afraid; he would just deal with whatever came his way.

Qian Renxue walked into the room, placed the food box on the table and opened it. Inside were indeed several skewers of meat glistening with oil, still steaming. She handed one to Lu Jing: "Want to try? The roast meat in Spirit City might taste different from your era."

Lu Jing took it and took a bite; the meat was tender, and the seasoning was just right—it was indeed quite good. He didn't speak, just lowered his head and ate slowly, waiting for Qian Renxue to speak.

Qian Renxue looked at his calm demeanor, a trace of surprise flashing in her eyes. This youth was quite composed; he wasn't worried at all about her tampering with the food. She also picked up a skewer, took a gentle bite, and then asked seemingly casually: "Are you... really from ten thousand years later?"

Lu Jing chewed the meat skewer and nodded: "Could this be fake? Could it be some illusion set up by your Spirit Hall, specifically to tease us?"

Qian Renxue was amused by him and shook her head: "That wouldn't be the case. It's just... the World ten thousand years later sounds too far away."

She couldn't imagine what it would be like in ten thousand years, so she could only make a joke.

"It's far if you say it's far, and close if you say it's close."

Lu Jing said indifferently: "For us, it was just a spatial turbulence; in the time it takes to open and close one's eyes, we arrived here."

Qian Renxue nodded thoughtfully. After a moment of silence, she suddenly raised her head, a trace of curiosity in her eyes: "Since you come from the future, then... do you know what I am going to do next?"

Lu Jing's hand holding the meat skewer paused, and he looked up at her: "How would I know what you want to do? I'm not a roundworm in your stomach."

"I am going to the Heaven Dou Empire to carry out a mission."

Qian Renxue didn't hide it, looking at the child beside her, her tone carrying a bit of probing as she said: "Tell me, will I succeed in the end?"

As long as she obtained the million-strong army of the Heaven Dou Empire, then even if the Upper Three Sects joined forces with the Star Luo Empire in the end, Spirit Hall would be able to hang them all up and beat them, the kind that rubs them into the ground.