89: Chapter 89: Let Xiao Wu be the mediator.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. The bluestone slabs in the courtyard were washed bright by the morning light, and several newly planted roses were in full bloom, adding a touch of vitality to this small courtyard.

Qian Renxue stood under the veranda, watching Lu Jing as he packed his bags, the hem of her plain white dress gently fluttering in the breeze.

She was silent for a moment before finally asking, "About when will you be able to return from your trip to Sea God Island?"

Lu Jing stuffed the last piece of clothing into his bundle and looked up with a smile. "It's hard to say. The trials of the Sea God inheritance have too many variables; it could be as fast as a year or two, or as slow as five or six. But don't worry, as soon as we pass the trials, we will return as quickly as possible."

Whether in terms of talent or strength, Wang Donger was not the least bit inferior to Tang San; in fact, she was even stronger than him. Therefore, logically speaking, the time it would take for her to pass the trials should be significantly shorter than it was for Tang San.

Qian Renxue shook her head gently, a flicker of complexity crossing her eyes. "I'm not rushing you, it's just..."

She paused, ultimately leaving the sentence unfinished, and instead asked, "Has the God of Destruction told you the content of your first trial yet?"

"Not yet."

Lu Jing shrugged and said with great helplessness, "I don't know if that old guy is off canoodling with the Goddess of Life, but he hasn't released the first trial even after all this time."

He slung his bundle over his shoulder and turned his gaze to Xiao Wu, who was standing to the side.

The young girl was squatting on the ground, teasing a stray cat that had wandered into the yard from goodness knows where. Upon hearing this, she immediately looked up, her red eyes filled with reluctance.

Lu Jing walked over and ruffled her hair. "After we leave, you will stay with Sister Xue'er for the time being. Although she is from Spirit Hall, she promised me that she would keep you safe, so you don't need to worry."

He paused, then looked at Qian Renxue, his tone turning a bit more serious. "Xiao Wu is a hundred-thousand-year Soft Bones Rabbit that has taken human form; you should be able to tell that much. But I must warn you, there is no need to set your sights on her—you have no use for her."

Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Why would I have no use for her? A hundred-thousand-year spirit ring is a huge temptation for any Spirit Master."

"Because of your Spirit."

Lu Jing chuckled and explained nonchalantly, "You only have one Spirit, the Seraphim, and the upper limit for absorbing spirit rings is fixed. Normally, one must be at the Spirit Saint level to barely withstand a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, which means your last three spirit rings might reach the hundred-thousand-year level. But don't forget, when inheriting a Divinity, passing the trials rewards you with a god-bestowed spirit ring, the quality of which far exceeds an ordinary hundred-thousand-year spirit ring. Furthermore..."

He changed the subject. "There are two more fierce beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest that are over a hundred thousand years old: the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python. Their spirit rings are the ones most suitable for you."

Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes suddenly lit up. "Do you mean you're going to help me hunt them?"

"Hunt?"

Before Lu Jing could speak, Xiao Wu had already stood up abruptly, grabbing his sleeve, her red eyes filled with anxiety.

The Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python were her companions back in the Star Dou Great Forest. If Lu Jing were truly to take action, given his strength, those two would likely have no power to resist.

Seeing that she was about to cry from anxiety, Lu Jing helplessly patted the back of her hand and smiled. "Silly girl, who said anything about hunting them?"

He looked at Qian Renxue, a flicker of craftiness flashing in his eyes. "Let them offer themselves to you voluntarily, and after you become a god, use your Divine Power to resurrect them. Do you think they wouldn't be willing, given the temptation of becoming a god?"

Xiao Wu was stunned for a moment, the worry in her red eyes gradually fading, replaced by surprise.

That's right; if they could use the opportunity of the sacrifice to help Qian Renxue become a god and then be resurrected, wouldn't that be a stroke of good fortune for the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python?

Although hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beasts were strong, they could ultimately never escape the cycle of heavenly tribulations. Resurrection after one became a god was equivalent to giving them a chance to transcend the mundane.

Qian Renxue was also stunned in place, clearly not having expected Lu Jing to propose such a method.

She came back to her senses and couldn't help but ask, "But why would they believe me? If I just say I can become a god with empty words, they'll probably just think I'm crazy."

Lu Jing pursed his lips toward Xiao Wu and grinned. "Isn't there a ready-made negotiator right here?"

Xiao Wu suddenly realized and nodded vigorously. "I'll go talk to them! The two of them are like my younger brothers; as long as I explain the pros and cons clearly, they will definitely agree!"

Watching this scene unfold before her, Qian Renxue's heart suddenly felt much lighter.

She looked at Lu Jing, a rare, soft smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Alright, I understand. You can go with peace of mind; leave Xiao Wu to me, and I will never let her suffer the slightest grievance."

"Then many thanks."

Lu Jing tossed his bundle onto the carriage that had been prepared long ago, then turned to Wang Donger and the Snow Empress and said, "Let's go."

Wang Donger carried her own small bundle and followed quickly.

The Snow Empress was still wearing a plain white dress, walking slowly onto the carriage. Her ice-blue eyes swept over the three people in the courtyard, finally landing on Qian Renxue, carrying a hint of imperceptible scrutiny.

Lu Jing took one last look at Xiao Wu and waved. "We're leaving, take care of yourself."

"Mm! You all take care on the road!" Xiao Wu nodded vigorously, though her eyes were still red.

The carriage wheels turned, slowly driving out of the small courtyard and through the streets of Heaven Dou City.

The wheels rolled over the bluestone slabs, emitting a rhythmic sound, gradually leaving the prosperity and reluctance behind.

Inside the carriage, Wang Donger lifted the curtain and looked at the street scene flying by outside, suddenly asking, "Do you really think the Titan Giant Ape and the Sky Azure Bull Python will be willing to sacrifice themselves?"

Although they had sacrificed themselves in the original timeline, that was a sacrifice for Tang San, not for Qian Renxue.

"It's highly likely."

Lu Jing leaned against the wall of the carriage, closing his eyes to rest. "For a Spirit Beast, becoming a god is a dream that is far beyond reach. Sacrificing themselves to Qian Renxue is equivalent to gambling on a chance for rebirth; they won't miss it."

The Snow Empress sat opposite him, and upon hearing this, she spoke indifferently, "The human mind is indeed complex."

"This is called a win-win situation."

Lu Jing smiled and said, "Once Qian Renxue becomes a god, they can also ascend, just like Tian Meng and the Ice Empress."

The carriage gradually drove away from Heaven Dou City, heading towards Vast Sea City in the east.

The houses on both sides of the road became increasingly sparse, replaced by rolling fields and hills.

Sunlight spilled in through the carriage window, landing on the three of them, warm and tranquil.

Wang Donger gazed at the distant horizon, her heart filled with anticipation.

Sea God Island, that legendary sacred place—what kind of trials were hidden there, exactly?

Lu Jing seemed to sense her nervousness and patted the back of her hand. "Don't worry, with me and the Snow Empress here, we will definitely be able to help you pass the trials."

Although the Snow Empress did not speak, she nodded slightly, a flash of determination in her ice-blue eyes.

For her, this journey was not only to help Lu Jing, but also to witness the most mysterious place of inheritance in this Douluo Continent—perhaps, she could find the opportunity to break through her bottleneck there.