This was the first time Yang Podi called Qian Renxue "Xue'er" under normal circumstances. Even Qian Renxue had never seen such a serious expression on Yang Podi's face before.
Qian Renxue found it strange: "Why would you ask me such a question? The inherited martial soul of my Spirit Empire is the Six-Winged Angel. As the final inheritor of the Angel God, I represent the angels."
Yang Podi shook his head slightly: "In your eyes, is that all an angel is? Just the inheritance of bloodline and martial soul?"
Qian Renxue was indeed extremely intelligent, worthy of her innate twentieth-rank soul power talent. She immediately grasped Yang Podi's implication: "You're saying that with my current situation, I am fundamentally incapable of inheriting the Angel God?"
Yang Podi couldn't help but sigh: "Becoming a god is not that simple. Think about how the first-generation Angel God forged the Angel God position and how they ascended to godhood."
Qian Renxue pondered for a moment before speaking: "The first-generation Angel God, long, long ago, used the sacred sword in their hands to purge countless darkness and evil across the Douluo Continent, earning the faith of the people. Only then was the Angel God's divine position established, and only then did they become the faith of the soul master world."
Yang Podi nodded slightly: "That's true, but your understanding is still lacking, far from enough. Even if you do become a god with your current state, you would be the weakest among the gods, with the risk of falling. Moreover, without Angel God's power, without the power of faith, you will never reach the height of the first-generation Angel God."
Qian Renxue murmured, almost to herself: "The first-generation Angel God... What exactly are you trying to say? What do you know?"
Yang Podi let out a sigh: "For the first-generation Angel God to achieve divinity, it was definitely not just a matter of talent and strength. Since they were able to cleanse the world of darkness and evil, it means they must have slain countless enemies. Against any enemy, they would have been utterly ruthless, never showing mercy, unlike you now, so full of pride. You must understand, when facing a true enemy, only decisive courage and thorough elimination matter."
"The first-generation Angel God absolutely possessed extreme combat prowess, even resorting to ruthless means. Otherwise, why would the Angel God's inherited divine skill include an ability like Angel's Judgment? You may have learned this inherited soul skill, but how much have you truly comprehended? How much power can you actually unleash?"
Qian Renxue listened, falling into silent contemplation.
After an unknown period, she finally spoke again: "So this is why you think I'm inferior to Ye Lingling? Why you see me as a failure?"
Yang Podi looked at Qian Renxue's stunning face: "Not at all. Your circumstances and Lingling's are completely different, as are your approaches to handling things. Lingling is merely a healing soul master. She does not bear the kind of responsibility you do, nor does she hold such a high position."
"But you are different. Every action you take affects everything around you. Those Title Douluo by your side fight with all their might for you. Everyone in the Spirit Empire views you as their faith. But what have you done for them? Have you ever considered that every step in your cultivation and battle determines their survival?"
Qian Renxue's expression turned indifferent: "So what? They devote themselves to my Angel Clan, enjoy the glory my Angel Clan brings them naturally, they must bear the responsibility that comes with it."
Yang Podi sighed again: "That's where you are completely wrong. In your eyes, strength is everything. But have you ever considered those who cannot keep up with your strength? You have always resented Bibi Dong, yet whether it's the elders of the Spirit Hall, the new Seven Great Sects she recruited, or even the countless soul master followers of the Spirit Hall, these people are all willing to lay down their lives for Bibi Dong. They would gamble everything their clans and sects for her. Can you inspire that same level of loyalty?"
Qian Renxue's face darkened: "Are you saying I'm not as good as Bibi Dong? That my only shortcoming is that I am currently weaker than her?"
Yang Podi looked at Qian Renxue's stubborn face and shook his head again: "You're mistaken once more. Bibi Dong was not always as powerful as she is now. When she first ascended to the position of Supreme Pontiff, she wasn't even a Title Douluo. Yet, through her efforts alone, the Spirit Empire has grown over the past decades, surpassing the Upper Three Sects in strength and even nearing the unification of the continent. Could you have accomplished the same in her place?"
"No! If I were in her position, I would have done even better!" Qian Renxue interrupted Yang Podi without hesitation.
"Where does this blind confidence come from? You should observe Bibi Dong closely, understand what she has sacrificed to achieve her current power and status," Yang Podi nearly wanted to knock some sense into Qian Renxue.
Qian Renxue pouted slightly, feeling a surge of frustration. When it came to Bibi Dong, she had always been unconvinced always filled with hatred.
For some reason, Yang Podi suddenly felt uneasy: "What kind of person do you think I am? How do you think I attained my current strength? How well do you actually understand me?"
Qian Renxue thought carefully before replying: "I think you are an exceptionally hardworking person. You have a methodical approach and also incredible opportunities."
Yang Podi shook his head: "That's only the surface. Do you realize how much scheming I've done for my clan's rise? How many people I've plotted against?"
"Like when I exchanged the Immortal Herb with you for the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud do you know how much I truly gained from that deal? Do you understand the full potential of the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud? Do you comprehend just how much power it granted us?"
"Do you know how much patience and suffering I enured for my clan to achieve what it has today? How many insults and humiliations I've swallowed? Can you even begin to imagine?"
Qian Renxue fell silent. The rapid rise of the Breaking Clan over the years there was no way it had come without a price. She had always suspected that the true mastermind behind the breaking Clan was Yang Podi. Hearing his words now, she was beginning to understand.
Especially with the questions he had just posed Qian Renxue was left stunned. From beginning to end, aside from what she had personally seen and heard, aside from their recent interactions, she realized that she barely understood the man in front of her at all.
In fact, she felt that she couldn't see through him at all like a bottomless abyss.
Qian Renxue had engaged in numerous trades with Yang Podi. In a way, she had witnessed his rise firsthand. She had even played a role in pushing the Breaking Clan and the Defense Clan toward their current prominence within the Heavenly Academy. Though she had gained a lot from each transaction, she had never truly considered what she had actually given in return.