The Truth About His Birth

At that moment, the child who had been named Qian Renyu had just finished washing up. With Flame Hawk Douluo accompanying him, he was eating in the lounge.

The entire lounge was decorated in extravagant luxury. Its walls were built from white marble, its floors paved with crystal, and its chandeliers carved from gold. The lamps burned whale oil from a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

The dining table was made of rosewood, and the chairs of huanghuali. The tablecloth was woven by hand from fine silk, with golden trim embroidered along its edges.

There were crystal goblets, porcelain dishes, silver knives and forks, and ivory chopsticks. Four maids stood ready on either side to serve them.

Seeing all this, Qian Renyu couldn't help but sigh. "What a decadent society. But I like it."

The feast was incredibly lavish: steamed lamb, bear paws, deer tails, roast duck, roast chicken, roast goose, braised pork, braised duck, soy-braised chicken, cured meat, pine-flower eggs, pork tripe, air-dried meat, sausages...

For Qian Renyu, who had often gone hungry in the past, the feast before him was truly a sight to behold. Yet he barely touched his food.

He knew that he'd been lucky to have even plain meals before. More often, he'd had to make do with leftovers. If he suddenly ate so many rich, delicious dishes, his stomach wouldn't be able to take it.

Though his mouth watered and he badly wanted to eat, he still held himself back.

Flame Hawk Douluo looked at the child before him and saw that he had delicate features, handsome brows, bright eyes, a straight nose, and a square mouth. His sword-shaped brows, ingot-shaped ears, lantern-tassel teeth, fair neck, broad shoulders, slim waist, and fan-shaped figure made him exceptionally handsome.

Seeing that Qian Renyu wasn't eating much, Flame Hawk Douluo asked, "What's wrong? Is this food not to your liking? I can have them make you something else."

"No need to trouble them. This is already very good."

"It's just that I often went hungry before. If I suddenly eat food this rich, my stomach won't be able to handle it."

"I see." Flame Hawk Douluo looked at Qian Renyu in surprise. How could a four-year-old child know so much?

At that moment, Qian Renyu was also looking at Flame Hawk Douluo. So this is Flame Hawk Douluo from the anime. The image of his Eighth Soul Skill, [Hot-Blooded], involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

After taking in Flame Hawk Douluo's face and figure, he thought, Well, he really is hot-blooded.

Qian Renyu looked at Flame Hawk Douluo, and Flame Hawk Douluo looked at Qian Renyu. Neither said another word.

Qian Renyu was naturally a little introverted. He was warm and talkative with people he knew, but more reserved with strangers. On top of that, his experiences as a homeless beggar after crossing into this world had made him even more aloof.

As for Flame Hawk Douluo, Qian Renyu was just a child. The boy was very handsome, but what could he possibly talk about with a child?

As the two stared at each other in silence, a voice broke the awkwardness. "Flame Hawk, bring the child to the Worship Hall."

"Yes, Second Worship," Flame Hawk Douluo replied.

Then he turned to Qian Renyu. "Come on, little guy."

Led by Flame Hawk Douluo, Qian Renyu entered the Worship Hall once more.

Seated in the main seat at the center of the hall was Great Enshrined Qian Daoliu. On his left sat Second Worship Golden Crocodile Douluo, and on his right, Third Offering Azure Luan Douluo. Next on the left was Fourth Offering Mighty Lion Douluo, and next on the right was Fifth Offering Guangling Douluo. At the far ends sat a pair of twin brothers: the elder, Sixth Offering Qianjun Douluo, and the younger, Seventh Offering Xiangmo Douluo.

Looking at the seven enshrined elders in the Worship Hall, Qian Renyu thought:

These are the pillars that prop up Spirit Hall. As long as they're here, any foreign invader who dares to raise an army will be cut down.

Only these seven enshrined elders could truly let Spirit Hall weather any storm while remaining as steady as a rock.

Qian Daoliu looked at Qian Renyu and the more he looked, the more he felt the child resembled Qian Xunji as a boy. A kindly look appeared in his eyes. "Child, don't be afraid. You can make yourself at home here. No, this is your home."

"Child, you may not know your background yet. Your father was named Qian Xunji. He was the former Pope of Spirit Hall and my son. I'm your grandfather. Oh, you also have an older sister named Qian Renxue. She isn't home right now. If Xue'er knew she had a younger brother, she'd be very happy."

"Alas, you and your sister are both poor, unfortunate children. But you've had it even harder than your sister, my Xue'er."

"Oh, right. Xue'er, Yu'er—yes, Qian Renyu. That's the name I gave you. Do you like it? If you do, would you be happy to keep it? Grandfather..."

"Elder brother." Golden Crocodile Douluo called out to Qian Daoliu, who then realized that he'd gotten a little carried away. He composed himself, but didn't continue speaking. Instead, he looked at Golden Crocodile Douluo, signaling for him to take over.

"Child, we've learned all about your background. You are indeed the son of Qian Xunji, the former Pope of Spirit Hall. The old man who just spoke is your grandfather, Qian Daoliu."

"Qian Renyu is the name your grandfather gave you, based on the name your mother chose. Do you like it, child?"

Qian Renyu nodded, still looking confused.

"Child, you've suffered out there all these years. But everything's all right now. You're home."

"This world belongs to us men. Even if the sky falls, as long as these old bones of ours are still here, it won't come crashing down on you."

Seeing Qian Renyu's bewildered expression, Golden Crocodile Douluo knew that this was a lot for a four-year-old to take in. So he said, "Flame Hawk, take Yu'er to rest."

After Qian Renyu left, Qian Daoliu could no longer contain his excitement and burst into hearty laughter. "I, Qian Daoliu, am a level ninety-nine Peerless Douluo, hailed as invincible in the sky. But so what? I still lost my son in my old age. I thought helping my granddaughter become a god would be the best end I could hope for in this life. I never imagined I'd have another grandson. Heaven has been kind to me. So kind!"

"Heaven has eyes! Heaven has eyes! Heaven has eyes!"

"This is the first time in my life that I've ever truly felt grateful to heaven."

"I'm grateful that heaven has given these old bones another chance to be surrounded by my children and grandchildren."

Golden Crocodile Douluo, seated beside Qian Daoliu, noticed a few tears glistening in the corners of the usually unflappable Great Enshrined's eyes.

But then again, no matter how high his cultivation, Great Enshrined was still human—flesh and blood, with feelings of his own.