He hurriedly forced out a smile, crouched halfway in front of his grandfather, and took Golden Crocodile Douluo's hand, placing it on his own head.
Grandfather and grandson met each other's eyes, deep familial warmth flowing between them, their bond thicker than water.
Golden Crocodile Douluo's old eyes instantly reddened as he said with gratified emotion:
"Feng'er, you've truly grown up now."
"But Grandpa is already old. I'm afraid I won't be able to stay with you much longer..."
The old man's choked voice sounded especially stifling and sorrowful in the quiet courtyard.
Jin Lingfeng's eyes reddened as well. He suddenly realized that his grandfather had aged far more than before he left.
He quickly supported Golden Crocodile Douluo and comforted him with a smile:
"Grandpa, you're not old at all. You're still very young."
"You'll definitely live as long as heaven and be blessed like the Eastern Sea!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded emotionally, taking his grandson's hand as he said excitedly:
"Feng'er, you really know how to talk."
"Come on. Grandpa had someone make quite a few dishes you like. Have a few drinks with me tonight..."
"No problem, Grandpa. I'll drink with you to our hearts' content tonight. We won't go home until we're drunk!"
In the main hall, Jin Lingfeng kept toasting his grandfather, and the two drank to their hearts' content.
After a long while, a hint of drunkenness appeared in Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes. He spoke with pained indignation:
"Feng'er, Bibi Dong may be your future mother-in-law, but I'm your biological grandfather!"
"How could you help her raise all nine of her soul rings to Hundred Thousand Year level, yet not raise even one of mine?!"
Jin Lingfeng was extremely embarrassed and hurriedly smiled apologetically.
"Grandpa, I was negligent before. I'll punish myself with three cups!"
After downing three cups of wine, he continued:
"Grandpa, starting tomorrow, I'll help raise the age of your soul rings, all the way to Hundred Thousand Year level."
"Also, I'll help you refine your soul bones and raise their ages as well, all to Hundred Thousand Year level."
"Your grandson promises that whenever there are good things in the future, Grandpa will be the first person I think of..."
Golden Crocodile Douluo burst into hearty laughter, in an exceptionally good mood.
He reached out and patted his grandson's shoulder, speaking with a serious expression:
"Feng'er, that old bastard Qian Daoliu will definitely come looking for you to help raise the age of his soul rings and soul bones. You absolutely must not help him!"
"I, Golden Crocodile, have been suppressed by him for half my life. Once all my soul rings and soul bones reach Hundred Thousand Year level, I'll definitely teach him a good lesson!"
Golden Crocodile Douluo rambled on endlessly. Drunk as he was, he had already begun imagining himself beating Qian Daoliu into a miserable defeat.
Seeing his grandfather so happy for once, Jin Lingfeng naturally agreed. Grandfather and grandson continued drinking and chatting...
Late at night, Golden Crocodile Douluo was completely drunk, and Jin Lingfeng sent him back to rest.
As he returned to his room, the figure of a white-haired old man appeared before him. It was Qian Daoliu.
Before Jin Lingfeng could speak, Qian Daoliu's face turned solemn as he said in a low voice:
"Feng'er, your grandfather's body... something is wrong!"
In the courtyard, the young man's expression changed drastically upon hearing the white-haired old man's words. An indescribable pain welled up in his heart.
He recalled that when he had first seen his grandfather that evening, he had already felt that his grandfather had aged much more than before he left.
And he had spoken such desolate, sorrowful words...
Helplessness and sorrow appeared in Qian Daoliu's sharp eyes. Looking at the boy before him, he sighed:
"Feng'er, this began ten years ago."
"Your grandfather's old injuries relapsed. Even I could do nothing about them."
"About three months ago, his condition worsened again, but he still forced himself to endure it and told me that I absolutely could not tell you..."
At this point, Qian Daoliu turned around. A glimmering liquid swirled in his eyes, while his hands behind his back clenched tightly.
He and Golden Crocodile Douluo had fought for half their lives and competed for half their lives. Though they always exchanged a few barbs whenever they met, their relationship was as close as brothers...
"Grandpa, your grandson has failed you!"
"So your injuries were already this severe."
"But all these years, I never noticed. Grandpa, your grandson has failed you..."
Jin Lingfeng was overwhelmed with emotion, tears already streaming down his face.
Golden Crocodile Douluo had raised him with his own hands. His grandfather was the person he respected most in this world.
For a moment, the atmosphere around them became oppressive and sorrowful, leaving only muffled sobs echoing through the air...
Qian Daoliu secretly wiped away the tears at the corners of his eyes, then turned and placed a hand on the young man's shoulder, comforting him in a low voice:
"Feng'er, don't be too sad. You need to pull yourself together."
"As long as you can cultivate to Level 100, perhaps you may be able to heal Golden Crocodile's injuries."
"Your Primal Chaos Pearl Martial Soul is a God-tier Martial Soul even more powerful than the Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul. Perhaps it may even create a miracle..."
In an instant, Jin Lingfeng grew extremely excited, and light returned to his eyes!
"Grandpa Qian, thank you for telling me all this."
"I won't show it in front of Grandpa, so he won't become even sadder."
"From now on, I'll devote myself to cultivation and strive to reach Level 100 as soon as possible!"
Jin Lingfeng's gaze was firm, his tone steady.
At that moment, he seemed to have matured greatly.
Qian Daoliu smiled with relief, patting the young man's shoulder with his right hand as he said emotionally:
"Feng'er, you've truly grown up now."
"But don't put too much pressure on yourself. Grandpa Qian believes you will succeed."
At that moment, Qian Daoliu was no longer the lofty Great Priest of Spirit Hall, but a kind old grandfather watching a younger generation grow...
After a long while, Jin Lingfeng left.
Only Qian Daoliu's figure remained in the courtyard.
He hid the sorrow in his eyes, smiled bitterly, and called out to the darkness around him:
"Golden Crocodile, I know you're nearby. Come out."
The next moment, golden light flashed in the darkness, and the figure of a short old man walked out.
It was Golden Crocodile Douluo!
Where was even the slightest trace of drunkenness left on him? He glared furiously, his beard bristling:
"Qian Daoliu, you old bastard!"
"You actually told Feng'er about my condition!"
"I won't let you off!"
After approaching, Golden Crocodile Douluo threw an enraged punch into the other man's chest.
Qian Daoliu did not dodge and staggered back several steps.
Looking at this old friend of many years, he said bitterly:
"Golden Crocodile, if you're still upset about it..."
"Then hit me a few more times. I promise I won't fight back."
At once, the two centenarian old men locked eyes. After a brief silence, both smiled sincerely.
Most of Golden Crocodile Douluo's anger dissipated, but his mouth remained unforgiving:
"Tch, you old bastard. Since when did you become such a woman?"
"You're over a hundred, practically about to die, yet you're saying such mushy, disgusting things. Unbelievable."
After saying that, he turned to the side, pretending to hold his forehead with his right hand as he secretly wiped the corner of his eye...
Qian Daoliu saw this but did not expose him.
After decades of friendship, he knew that Golden Crocodile Douluo was simply stubborn, cared about appearances, and was thin-skinned.
"Come on, Golden Crocodile. Let's drink."
"Tonight, I'll drink with you until we've had our fill. We won't go home until we're drunk."
He walked over, wrapped an arm around Golden Crocodile Douluo's shoulders, and spoke with a smile.
Golden Crocodile Douluo looked at him with disdain.
"You old bastard, I knew you were up to no good. You want me to die early, don't you?"
"You know I'm injured, yet you still want me to drink!"
Qian Daoliu immediately let go of him, turned around, and walked away.
Before you continue