Qian Daoliu's hands, hanging by his sides, trembled violently, his knuckles tightening slightly. The longing that had been suppressed in his heart for more than two years surged up instantly, and he almost instinctively wanted to step out and rush to greet his granddaughter.
However, he had only taken half an inch of step when his peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the smooth bronze mirror beside him, and he saw his reflection clearly.
The reflection in the mirror showed her with loose, disheveled hair, a few strands of white hair hanging messily across her forehead, and wearing only a plain-colored long robe with layers of wrinkles, showing none of the majesty one Great Enshrined Angel high priest.
"Oops."
Qian Daoliu clicked his tongue in frustration and stopped in his tracks.
"If I had known Xiao Xue would be returning today, I would have prepared everything in advance. But... I should still have enough time."
Before he finished speaking, Qian Daoliu's figure blurred, and he rushed back to his bedroom. Immediately, a rustling sound of rummaging through drawers and cabinets filled the room.
He crouched down, parted the pile of clothes at the deepest part of the wardrobe, and carefully pulled out the platinum-gold robe that was usually only taken out during the major sacrificial ceremonies of the Angel Clan.
The fabric was thick and soft, and the Angel pattern woven with gold thread shimmered with a warm glow in the dim light. Every feather pattern was meticulously embroidered.
His movements were almost reverent, as if afraid of tearing even the slightest edge, as he shook out the robe and quickly draped it over his body.
Then he opened the rosewood drawer and took out a bone comb.
Qian Daoliu faced the bronze mirror and slowly and carefully combed his full head of white hair, straightening each strand of his originally messy hair.
He raised his hand to smooth out the remaining wrinkles on his robe, then straightened his collar, until the person in the mirror looked dignified and neat, before letting out a long breath.
Just then, a soft knock came from outside the heavy wooden door.
Tap, tap, tap.
Each sound was softer than the last.
Grandpa, are you there? I'm home.
Qian Renxue's voice came through the door, trembling slightly, tinged with a unease that even she herself couldn't quite explain.
She stood outside the door, her fingertips clenched so tightly they turned white.
"Creak--"
The old wooden door slowly pushed open inwards.
Sunlight streamed through the crack in the door, falling on Qian Renxue's face.
Qian Daoliu stood quietly inside the door, his white-gold sacrificial robe accentuating his tall and straight figure. His white hair was neatly combed, and his golden eyes were fixed on her.
Their eyes met.
The air fell silent for a moment.
There was no noise, no small talk, only a silence that had lingered between them for two years. Qian Renxue's lips moved, but for a moment she didn't know what to say first.
Standing half a step behind her, Su Zui watched the two locked in a stalemate, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes. He quietly raised his right hand, his fingertips gently pressing against Qian Renxue's back, and subtly pushed her shoulder forward.
A gentle force came.
Qian Renxue staggered forward two steps, all the composure she had been maintaining shattered. Her nose stung, and she suddenly bent down and buried her face in Qian Daoliu's arms.
"Grandpa, I'm back..."
The final syllable had a strong nasal tone.
Qian Daoliu froze, then stretched out his thin but warm arms and hugged the girl in his arms tightly. He gently patted Qian Renxue's back, his chest trembled slightly, his nose felt sore and swollen, and his cloudy eyes quickly became moist.
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back..." he murmured repeatedly, his voice hoarse, "You're finally back. This time, please don't leave again, okay?"
Two years of longing and torment surged up at this moment. All the schemes of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family and the plans to infiltrate and seize the country became insignificant the moment he saw Qian Renxue standing safely in front of him.
He asks for nothing now but that his granddaughter stay safely in the Spirit Hall and never set foot in those dangerous places again.
If Heaven Dou remains a threat... so what? At worst, he, the Great Enshrined the Angels, will personally take action, flatten the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, and exterminate the entire Heaven Dou Imperial Family, leaving no survivors. He will crush all obstacles with force, saving himself the trouble of all scheming and maneuvering.
Su Zui didn't go forward to disturb them. He walked to the edge of the wooden bed on the inside of the room, casually sat down against the edge, and quietly watched the grandfather and grandson embracing, a faint smile on his lips. After the two had calmed down a bit, he slowly spoke, "Grandpa, it's been a long time. Look at your spirit, you're still the same as before. It seems that time has no intention of leaving any trace on you."
Qian Daoliu released Qian Renxue from his embrace, wiped his eyes, turned to look at Su Zui, waved his hand, and said with a hint of helplessness, "You brat, still so glib. Come here, let grandpa take a good look at you."
Su Zui did as instructed and stepped forward.
Qian Daoliu raised his withered hand and gently placed it on Su Zui's wrist. A vast and warm Soul Power, belonging to the Angel Origin, slowly entered Su Zui's body through his meridians, wandering along his eight extraordinary meridians and carefully examining his foundation.
At first, his expression was relatively calm, but when his Soul Power went a little deeper and touched the Invincible Sword Domain power hidden in Su Zui's body, his eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly.
The investigation lasted only a few breaths.
Qian Daoliu withdrew his hand, his gaze lingering on Su Zui's face for a moment before turning to Qian Renxue, whose eyes were still red. He looked her up and down twice, and the air in the hall seemed to freeze for a moment.
He remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, his tone revealing undisguised surprise. "You two... how did your Soul Power increase so rapidly? Xue'er, you've actually reached the level 80 Soul Douluo realm. Xiao Zui, you've reached the level 60 Soul Emperor too."
Su Zui smiled calmly, "It's a long story. We had many opportunities along the way. But don't worry, Grandpa, our foundation is very solid. We didn't try to force things, so there won't be any hidden dangers."
Qian Daoliu didn't reply immediately, but simply gazed silently at the man and woman before him. He looked intently, as if trying to etch their current appearance into his heart. After a moment, the old man suddenly chuckled softly, his laughter tinged with emotion.
"You two are far superior to me in my youth. Especially Xiao Zui..." Qian Daoliu's gaze fell on Su Zui, full of praise, "Fourteen years old, a level sixty Soul Emperor. Truly, new talents emerge in every generation, each leading the way for hundreds of years."
"This era will ultimately belong to you young people. Maybe in a few years, this old man will be able to rest easy and retire early."
Su Zui quickly shook his head, his tone sincere. "Grandpa, you can't say that. You're in good health; you could easily remain in charge of the Spirit Hall for another hundred years. Even after Xue'er and I reach godhood, the Spirit Hall will still need you to support it."
"You brat." Qian Daoliu raised his index finger, bent it, and gently flicked Su Zui's forehead.
His pressure was neither too light nor too heavy, carrying the unique intimacy of an elder. "You certainly have a lot of confidence in yourself."
Su Zui chuckled, revealing the vibrant spirit of a young man.
"Of course. Besides that, there's another piece of good news. I've found a way to resolve the hidden dangers in Xue'er's Martial Soul, and all the necessary materials have been collected. Let's get a good night's rest tonight, and tomorrow we'll begin repairing Xue'er's Martial Soul."
Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu frozen in place, his gaze fixed on Su Zui.
The expected scene of unbridled joy and tears of happiness did not occur. He was unusually calm, but beneath this calm was like a bottomless abyss lurking beneath a calm sea, suppressing emotions that were surging to the extreme.
After a long silence, he finally uttered softly, "Good... good, Xiao Zui, you're truly an extraordinary child."
He paused, his thoughts drifting a little further, then his voice softened. "That girl Rongrong often thinks about you. Once you've settled things here, go visit her at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect when you have some free time."
For the past two years, he had been alone in the Worship Hall, his days filled with loneliness and solitude. Ning Rongrong often came to keep him company under the guise of a visit, which helped to dispel much of his loneliness.
In Qian Daoliu's heart, Ning Rongrong is no different from his own granddaughter.
Two years ago, Xiao Zui stubbornly went to find Xiao Xue without considering Rongrong's feelings.
However, it's impossible to say who's right or wrong in this matter; it just goes to show that matters of the heart are the most difficult to handle.
Qian Daoliu a deep breath and looked at Su Zui and Qian Renxue again, his expression becoming more serious. "Grandpa is happy that the two of you have come together. But Xiao Zui, you are getting older, and you need to think things through carefully. Matters of the heart are the most complicated, so you should handle them well."
Su Zui paused slightly, then nodded solemnly. "I understand, Grandpa."
After listening, Qian Daoliu slowly turned around, his back to the two of them, his voice low and deep. "Xue'er, when you have time, go see your mother. She cares about you too. No one in this world loves you more than her."
Qian Renxue pursed her lips, nodded slightly, and remained silent.
The two bowed and took their leave, walking side by side out of the Worship Hall.
Dusk fell outside the palace, the setting sun painting the sky a dark orange-red. The evening breeze carried the scent of ancient pines from the palace, drifting gently in. No one spoke a word along the way.
Su Zui turned her head to look at her.
The girl's eyes had a faint red tinge at the corners.
Her mind was in complete turmoil.
She didn't know how to face Bibi Dong. There were too many unbridgeable barriers between mother and daughter. From childhood to adulthood, they had spent very little time together. Every time they met, they mostly had polite and distant conversations, with their words even containing hidden sharpness and probing each other.
Qian Renxue harbored a deep-seated resentment, a mixture of lingering hope and hidden bitterness.
Su Zui keenly noticed that her steps slowed and became hesitant, so he turned his head and lowered his voice. "Nervous?"
Qian Renxue gently shook her head, her voice extremely low, so that only the two of them could hear her. "I wouldn't say I'm nervous, it's just... I don't know what to say to her."
"No need to force conversation, just let things flow naturally."
Su Zui's voice was calm and steady, like a still pool of water, gently supporting her turbulent emotions, "I'll go with you."
But this time, Qian Renxue slowly shook her head.
She looked up at Su Zui, a deep sense of dependence flashing in her eyes, which she forcefully suppressed.
"Xiao Zui, could you wait for me outside? I want to ask her some questions alone."
Su Zui was silent for a moment, then frowned slightly. "Does it have to be today?"
"I've waited too long." Qian Renxue's voice trembled with a barely perceptible sob.
She gazed at him, her eyes glistening with a thin layer of tears.
"I want to ask her alone. Perhaps she's happy to be back safely today and will be willing to tell me the hidden truth."
Looking into her stubborn eyes, Su Zui ultimately gave up trying to dissuade her.
The two walked in silence toward the magnificent Pope Hall.
The Pope Hall's doors are heavy and tall, carved from a single piece of black rock, with intricate and Entanglement Angel patterns engraved on the surface, exuding an aura of majesty.
The guards of the Spirit Hall standing on both sides of the palace gate straightened up as soon as they saw the Holy Son Su Zui and the Holy Daughter Qian Renxue approaching. They immediately bowed and saluted, not daring to even breathe loudly.
Su Zui stopped on the wide white jade steps, sat down, and looked up at Qian Renxue: "I'll stay here and keep watch. If anything happens inside, just call me."
Qian Renxue took a deep breath, clenched her fists tightly, glanced at Su Zui one last time, and stepped alone into the dark and solemn Pope Palace.