"Your ancestor who achieved godhood really went to great lengths for you descendants.
"These six soul bones originally had their energies intertwined. Even if you only absorbed two or three, their energy intensity would significantly increase.
"This means that if she had left behind six complete ten-thousand-year soul bones, they would have been almost useless to your family.
"Before becoming a god, even with your aptitude, you could at most absorb two soul bones. You wouldn't be able to withstand the energy impact of three, let alone the others.
"In fact, absorbing two might even be challenging due to the traces of divine power in these bones.
"Moreover, if someone were to inherit the divine position, they would need to absorb the remaining four bones right after becoming a god, which would be an enormous burden.
"That's why the first Angel God cut off some of the energy in these bones and merged them into the torso bone using divine means."
Although Su Cheng called it a guess, he was quite certain.
In his true vision, he could see that the left arm bone in his hand lacked a small amount of energy.
In the torso bone inside the lead box, there were traces of disrupted soul bone energy.
Losing a small amount of energy would inevitably downgrade the five soul bones from the ten-thousand-year level.
For the torso bone, the extra uncoordinated energy also made it imperfect.
"But why absorb the torso bone first?" Qian Renxue still didn't understand. "Shouldn't I absorb the other bones first to let my body adjust to the energy?"
"No, you're wrong," Su Cheng shook his head.
"Since you're not inheriting the divine position, you must not let the divine power inside form a cycle. Otherwise, it will greatly affect the balance between your two souls, and your current strength isn't enough to resist this level of divine power.
"If you absorb the torso bone last, even if you completely digest the first five bones, it's hard to say if the divine power won't be reactivated.
"Because this torso bone is both the core and the hub of the Angelic God Set. With its energy as the link, it could potentially revive the other bones."
"I see," Qian Renxue nodded thoughtfully and then asked, "With my current strength, can I absorb this torso bone?"
"Once you're proficient in using your innate power and have fully mastered your techniques, and with proper preparation, it shouldn't be a problem. Moreover, when absorbing this bone, you might take the opportunity to greatly enhance your vital energy. Then you and your other self won't need to appear in 'spiritual form' anymore."
Su Cheng gazed at the torso bone in his hand. "As expected of the so-called 'divine armor,' it truly is extraordinary."
In his vision, the energy contained in this soul bone was ten times richer than the Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone he had absorbed.
"But before that, we need to do some other preparations."
"What kind?"
"Transform the left arm bone in your body."
"Transform it?!" Qian Renxue stared at Su Cheng in shock. "What do you mean by transform?"
"Completely integrate it into your body," Su Cheng explained without looking up from the soul bone in front of him. "Turn it into pure energy. There's no need to keep the soul bone itself."
"Isn't that a bit extreme..."
"There's nothing wrong with it; it's just a piece of bone. You can admit it to your grandfather later. If he has any objections, he can come to me."
Su Cheng exhaled lightly and looked up seriously. "Alright, take off your clothes."
"Huh?" Qian Renxue was stunned for a moment, and then her face flushed. She hesitated, "But it's still daytime..."
"Oh, if you prefer, we can do it at night, but it has nothing to do with that," Su Cheng said calmly. "I need to transform that soul bone, and if you don't take off your clothes, your precious soul-guided dress might not survive."
The energy contained in that soul bone was extremely strong.
Although it seemed that Qian Renxue had absorbed it, she hadn't truly fused with it.
It contained divine power.
When Su Cheng helped her transform the soul bone later, there would inevitably be energy overflow.
The divine fire within the bone was not something Qian Renxue could immediately control.
It would burn her clothes to ashes in an instant.
"Oh, okay," Qian Renxue's fingers trembled as they touched the collar of her dress.
Obviously, in matters like these, she was far less composed than her second personality.
She looked down, glancing at Su Cheng out of the corner of her eye, only to find him watching her intently without any attempt to avoid her gaze.
After hesitating for a moment, she gritted her teeth and unbuttoned the first button at her collar.
Despite her nervousness, she moved quickly.
The dress, though luxurious and complex in appearance, was actually a single piece, making it easy to remove.
"..."
And so, Su Cheng quietly watched.
After a while, when nothing happened, Qian Renxue couldn't help but ask, "Aren't we starting yet?!"
Her voice, laced with a hint of shyness, trembled slightly.
Although she was questioning him, there was no real authority in her tone.
But Su Cheng didn't delay any longer. He placed his left hand on her smooth, white back.
As his palm touched her skin, a large area of blush appeared, and Qian Renxue let out a soft moan from her red lips.
Realizing her lapse, her already flushed face grew even redder.
"Alright," Su Cheng's voice, barely suppressing laughter, came to her ear. "Don't let your mind wander. It might hurt a bit, so bear with it."
Qian Renxue bit her lip, feeling that he was clearly teasing her but had turned it around on her.
However, she had always been submissive to Su Cheng's behavior. She hummed softly and said nothing more.
Su Cheng was experienced in dissolving soul bones.
Although the melting of the Blue Silver Emperor right leg bone had been accidental, he had learned the principle behind it.
With his innate power now at hand, the process was naturally smooth.
His right hand rested on her smooth back while his left hand, fingers glowing with a transparent light, slid slowly down her shoulder, along her slender arm.
As this happened, the highly concentrated but gentle innate power gradually integrated into the golden bone.
Simultaneously, the left arm bone began to undergo a strange transformation under the constant infusion of innate power.
No longer looking like a bone, it gradually softened, eventually turning into a golden liquid that flowed within the arm bones.
But it wasn't over yet.
Soon, the golden liquid transformed into light patterns, covering her entire left arm, then left the arm and began circulating throughout her body.
"Mm..."
A clear, persistent pain washed over her like waves, making her frown and let out a soft moan through clenched teeth.
However, the warm hand on her back brought her inner peace, allowing her to endure.
After about a quarter of an hour—
"Boom!"
It was as if an explosion echoed in her mind.
The left arm bone completely disappeared.
Subsequently, golden flames of light ignited all over Qian Renxue's body.
After circulating throughout her body, they formed a thin layer of golden armor on her arm.
But in the next instant, it began to tremble violently before shattering and dissipating.
"No problem," Su Cheng said calmly. "The energy in this soul bone is still incomplete. Once you absorb the torso bone, it will be replenished. Moreover, this Angelic God Set shouldn't act on its own; it should center around you."
As the left arm bone fully dissolved, Qian Renxue's body seemed to undergo some wonderful changes.
Her figure appeared more voluptuous.
Her waist was slender yet resilient, exuding an unusual sense of strength. Her chest, high and firm, could no longer be fully covered by one hand.
The curves of her waist and hips were perfect, and her round hips flowed seamlessly into her long, white legs, which appeared smooth and transparent under the remaining golden light in the room.
Qian Renxue felt shy.
Although they had seen each other naked before, it was still daylight, and the intense gaze from across the room was too much.
"Ahem." In the silence, Su Cheng finally broke it.
"The divine attribute in this soul bone is too strong and might disrupt the energy balance within your body and soul. You need to intensify your training, fully digest and absorb these abilities, and gain complete control."
While Su Cheng and Qian Renxue were heading to the Elder Hall, Bibi Dong also brought Zhu Zhuqing to the Pope's Hall.
To Zhu Zhuqing's surprise, shortly after they entered the hall, Bibi Dong bluntly asked her, "You like Su Cheng, don't you?"
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated at first.
But after a moment, she nodded and admitted frankly, "Yes."
"You're honest." Bibi Dong's voice was extremely calm, betraying no emotion.
She continued, "But there's something you don't know: Qian Renxue is my daughter."
"?!" Zhu Zhuqing looked up suddenly, utterly shocked by this unexpected information.
This was different from what she had anticipated.
Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue didn't seem like mother and daughter at all.
Both were exceptional women, but apart from their astonishing talents, they had no other similarities—in appearance, temperament, spirit, or behavior.
Most importantly, their mutually antagonistic relationship was unmistakable.
And if the information was correct, Bibi Dong had been the Saintess of the Spirit Hall, the disciple of the former Pope, Qian Xunji.
"And Qian Renxue, if I'm not mistaken, should be the biological daughter of the former Pope."
"Is this true?" After a long pause, Zhu Zhuqing asked with a dry voice.
"Although I don't want to admit it, it is indeed a fact," Bibi Dong sighed softly.
If it had been before, she would never have revealed this identity to Zhu Zhuqing.
Not because she wanted to keep it from anyone specifically, but as a form of self-denial, pretending those events never happened by not mentioning them.
But after her journey through the Hell Road, she decided to face some things and strive for certain things.
"So... you want to persuade me to give up?" Zhu Zhuqing's voice was light, almost bewildered.
She hadn't expected this.
Everything was proceeding according to plan, yet suddenly, it was interrupted by a reason she never saw coming.
"No, you are mistaken."
In Zhu Zhuqing's surprised gaze, she heard Bibi Dong say, "On the contrary, I intend to bring you together. Qian Renxue and Su Cheng are not suitable for each other."
Bibi Dong walked up to her and patted her shoulder.
"You are a smart girl. You should be able to see that Qian Renxue's pride won't tolerate Su Cheng's indecisive feelings. So, if you manage to get into Su Cheng's bed, everything will develop in the direction you hope for."
"W-What?!" Zhu Zhuqing's face turned bright red in an instant.
She hadn't expected to hear such an outrageous suggestion from this high and mighty Pope.
"Is this surprising? You don't think Su Cheng is a paragon of virtue, do you?"
Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily speechless, still processing the unexpected turn of the conversation.