Bai had a big problem. It was clear that Renxue had become much stronger, already having achieved the Titled Douluo realm while he was only at rank 83. Not only that, but Bai could also sense her presence and power stronger at a fundamental level, more than simple soul cultivation. The normal taking into account that she had arrived at her strength while hiding herself, not be possible to train accordingly. Her power would have exploded within these years free of restrictions.
There was also the problem that Bai stood to lose. Even if he fought and won, he would need to face Spirit Hall's forces outside. He might have had it easy to enter due to them being busy with the trial, but the most probable was that they knew if something was wrong for Renxue and they would be fully prepared outside. Bai's actual strength wasn't enough.
After much thinking, even when it only was a second spent, Bai withdrew his swords "I want to make a deal, Renxue."
Renxue lifted an eyebrow but continued pointing her sword at Bai "What deal?"
"Both of us had a trial here. Surely for you would also be going down." Bai reasoned "Why tired ourselves fighting between us? The trial had an increase in difficulty due to both of us being here, why don't we work together to face it?"
"It can be negotiated." Renxue lowered her sword "We can work together to complete this trial. However, it would cost you my favor. I won't owe you anything after that."
"It's a win-win situation. Why it would setter our matters?" Asked Bai shamelessly, his worry completely hid, train to obtain the best deal.
"Bai, you won't able to trick me. I'm in a much higher position than you. I have an army outside that you won't be able to escape from." Renxue was already familiar with Bai thinking, even when he had changed somewhat these years, she had spent 10 years as his friend, even if it was a lie. She knew exactly the situation and where Bai wanted to go "I will help you this time. Even making sure that Spirit Hall retires and doesn't attack you. In return, all the ties of us will be cut, I won't owe you anything."
Bai stood thoughtful. He had passed a lot of years with Renxue as his best friend, even if she was lying, he could understand some of her character. She was talented and intelligent, moreover, she knew already him, so she wouldn't be tricked. She was someone who was very proud of herself, Bai knew that she would keep her words. Even when she was impersonating as Qinghe, she could be trusted except when she promised for Qinghe's family. It was a little childish like crossing the finger when promising.
After contemplating his option, Bai decided. He was lied by her for more than 10 years, but some part of him said that she could be trusted, that she was truly sincere when she made that promise and that she would keep it. And it wasn't like there was another possibility to escape alive. It would be great to keep the favor but not at the cost of his life.
"Okay." Bai accepted Renxue's offer "We will work together for now. After we finish our trials, all our ties would be cut."
Renxue nodded with a cold face, her holy sword dispersed "We have a deal. Let's go."
Both of them stepped forwards, crossing the door. On the other side, a long spiral staircase went down. The bottom was impossible to be seen. Both started going down, each one having something in their mind.
Renxue knew that Bai was a problem for her, which could greatly affect her future. Bai was one of her obsessions. Obsession could make one strive to greater strength, but at the same, they could become a mind demon, becoming one weakness.
Renxue had a total of three obsessions. Bai, Bibi Dong, and Qian Daoliu.
She hated her mother who never gave her an ounce of affection, only contempt came from her, it didn't matter how hard she worked for her. But at the final, Bibi Dong was her mother, she would force her mother to recognize her attaining a great height than her, not letting her any other option.
Qian Daoliu was her grandfather. It was the only person that showed her the warmth of family in her childhood and cared for her, guiding her while growing up, and Renxue loved him for it. She only had him while growing up, her father died when she was 4 years old, so she couldn't remember much from him, only a smile. She didn't know if it was a memory or a dream, but she remembered the white smiled of her father looking at her. Her grandfather had always told her that her father would be very proud of her. Her father had always been a sacred person in her mind, making her completely hate Tang Hao for killing him.
Yeah, her grandfather was one obsession, but it wasn't a bad one, he was incredibly strong, if something she would become his weakness rather than the other way around.
The last one was Bai. He was the most uncertain one and Renxue didn't know what to think about him. She had spent more than 10 years, the best and more important 10 years in the life of a girl impersonating as the prince of Heaven Dou Empire. All of it to be wasted due to the intrusion of Bai. If it hadn't been for him, she would have taken control of Heaven Dou Empire by now, having control over all the Douluo Continent. She should hate him for that, but Renxue couldn't put her mind to truly hate him.
Not only in these 10 years but in all her life, Bai was the only one that could be considered her friend. Even if she was lying about her identity, she treasured her friendship with Bai, thinking about it as a real one. In these years, her feeling for him grew even bigger, taking a part in her heart. She didn't know what truly was love, but her feeling for Bai would be the only ones that made her doubt that they were.
This made Bai, her greatest weakness. If she wanted to deal with her mental demon, she would need to take care of him. Her grandfather knew about it and proposed to take care of him for her. But, she quickly declined. She would deal with Bai herself, if not it would become an immortal demon in her mind.
Renxue clenched her hands and looked Bai at her side (After this trial. I will have kept my promise. All our ties would be broken. Next time...) She though decidedly (I will kill him myself!)