Soul Land: The Killing Star Returns, Settling Accounts with Bibi Dong from the Start, Part 14

"Uncle, what exactly happened?" Qian Renxue immediately asked, looking at Qian Xun'an.

Qian Xun'an calmly replied, "I haven't gotten to the bottom of it yet. I only just returned a few days ago when I learned about this. All I know is that your father really was gravely wounded by Tang Hao back then.

"But he made it back to Spirit Hall. With our resources, we could have saved him as long as his injuries weren't fatal.

"Even if they were especially severe, we could at least have kept him alive.

"But your father died. The whole thing is incredibly suspicious. I looked into the records of his injuries from back then and discovered that they were all missing.

"So I'm even more certain that your father's death wasn't so simple!"

Hearing this, Qian Renxue immediately turned to Qian Daoliu and asked, "Grandpa, what exactly happened?"

Qian Daoliu sighed, then said, "I know no more about what happened back then than you do."

Qian Daoliu looked at Qian Xun'an. He knew he couldn't stop him.

For now, all he could do was keep the truth hidden as long as possible.

Qian Xun'an turned to Qian Renxue. "Xiao Xue, don't worry. I'll get to the bottom of what happened to my elder brother and clear his name!"

Qian Renxue looked at Qian Xun'an and nodded. "Mm-hmm."

Qian Xun'an looked at her and asked again, "By the way, Xiao Xue, what were you thinking? Why did you want to go undercover in the Heaven Dou Empire?"

Qian Renxue looked at Qian Xun'an, then replied, "For my mother."

"I don't know why, but Mother never liked me. I've always tried my hardest to be the best, hoping to win her favor.

"But she kept pushing me away.

"Later, I learned that Mother's wish was to unite the continent, so I wanted to help her. If I could take the Heaven Dou Empire without shedding blood, surely Mother would accept me."

Hearing Qian Renxue's reason, Qian Xun'an couldn't help shaking his head.

He then said, "Xiao Xue, do you realize how foolish your plan is?"

"I just checked your Soul Power, and you're only at the Soul Emperor realm. You've been suppressing it, haven't you?"

Qian Renxue looked at Qian Xun'an and nodded. "I have to pose as Xue Qinghe in the Heaven Dou Empire. Xue Qinghe doesn't have much talent, so I have to suppress my Soul Power."

Qian Xun'an shook his head again. "Xiao Xue, can't you see the nature of this world?

"It's survival of the fittest, where the strong prey on the weak. If you want something, you have to become stronger. Is it really worth wasting your youth and talent on a gamble with no guaranteed outcome?

"Father told me your talent was second only to mine. If you hadn't wasted it, you'd probably be a Soul Douluo by now, or even a Titled Douluo."

Qian Renxue looked at Qian Xun'an with a hurt expression and said, "I did it so Spirit Hall could unite the continent."

Qian Xun'an replied, "If Spirit Hall truly wants to unite the continent, I'm all we need. Xiao Xue, you don't have to go back."

Hearing this, Qian Renxue shook her head. "No, Uncle. My plan is only one step from completion. I really don't want to give up!"

"Do you know how dangerous it is to go deep into enemy territory alone?" Qian Xun'an asked, still looking at Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue replied, "I've already become Xue Qinghe. No one will discover who I really am.

"And I have two Titled Douluo protecting me. I'll take care of myself."

"Ah..." Qian Xun'an sighed. "All right, all right."

Qian Xun'an took a crystal-clear orb from inside his robes. A soft blue light shimmered from it.

He held the orb out to Qian Renxue and said, "I found this orb in a Water Dragon's cave in that other world years ago.

"It contains immensely powerful energy, yet it's very gentle. The Water Dragon used it to nourish her young, but I stole it.

"I've used it to cultivate all these years. It can help you consolidate your cultivation and speed up your training. I'll give it to you today."

Looking at the orb in Qian Xun'an's hand, Qian Renxue immediately said, "Uncle, how can I accept such a precious gift..."

Qian Xun'an looked at her. "Xiao Xue, you're my elder brother's only descendant, my niece, and the hope of Spirit Hall. If I'm not good to you, who should I be good to?

"Besides, I've already reached the peak of my cultivation. I have no use for the orb. It'll serve you better."

Qian Renxue looked at Qian Xun'an and said, "Then I'll accept it. Thank you, Uncle."

After the three of them caught up a little longer, Qian Renxue bowed to Qian Xun'an and Qian Daoliu. "Uncle, Grandpa, I have to go back. I've been away too long. They'll get suspicious."

Qian Xun'an nodded. "All right. Go on."

Qian Renxue suddenly turned back. "By the way, Uncle, I heard you're in charge of this tournament."

Qian Xun'an nodded. "That's right."

Qian Renxue said, "Uncle, you have to be careful of Shrek Academy. It has a lot of talented people."

"Shrek Academy? I haven't heard much about it. Is it that strong?" Qian Xun'an asked.

Qian Renxue replied, "Shrek Academy has a man named Tang San. He has Twin Martial Souls and tremendous talent. He's also the son of Tang Hao, the enemy who killed my father."

"His son?" At this, Qian Xun'an narrowed his eyes.

"Uncle, you..."

A faint smile appeared on Qian Xun'an's lips. He replied, "I've been searching for Tang Hao for some time, but I haven't found anything.

"But if his son falls into my hands, Tang Hao will have to show himself eventually."

Qian Renxue nodded. "Please make sure you uncover the truth about what happened back then, Uncle. I want to know how Father died."

Qian Xun'an looked at Qian Renxue and slowly nodded. "Don't worry. I'll get to the bottom of it."

In truth, Qian Xun'an already had his suspicions.

But suspicion was only suspicion. Without solid evidence, he wouldn't tell Qian Renxue what he suspected.

"Then I'm off." Qian Renxue transformed in an instant, once again taking on the appearance of a man. He was Xue Qinghe, the identity Qian Renxue had assumed.

Qian Xun'an nodded. "All right. Be careful."

Then Qian Renxue turned and left the Worship Hall.

After Qian Renxue left, Qian Daoliu looked at Qian Xun'an and asked, "Xun'an, are you really going to investigate what happened back then to the very end?"

"Of course," Qian Xun'an said resolutely. "No matter how difficult it gets or who tries to stop me, I'll see it through.

"Father, that includes you!"

With that, Qian Xun'an turned and left as well.

Spirit Hall Academy.

Qian Xun'an came to Spirit Hall Academy with a Soul Douluo subordinate.

"Hall Master, are you going to choose the contestants yourself? I heard the academy has already picked them."

The Soul Douluo subordinate immediately asked.

Qian Xun'an calmly replied, "Xiao Xue told me Shrek Academy is formidable. If even she thinks so, I can't afford to take it lightly. This concerns Spirit Hall's honor, after all.

"Besides, Spirit Hall has grown weaker and weaker over the years. Even an idiot like Hu Liena can be chosen as Saintess, so naturally I don't trust the selection for the Soul Master Tournament."

The Soul Douluo replied, "Hall Master, there's something you don't know. Spirit Hall Academy isn't what it used to be."

"Oh?"

Qian Xun'an asked in puzzlement.

The Soul Douluo continued, "Most of Spirit Hall's students are the children of our Soul Masters. As Spirit Hall has grown stronger, the students at Spirit Hall Academy have become more and more arrogant. Many of them are lost in Spirit Hall's glory, and few truly devote themselves to cultivation."

"Also, I've heard that many of the Soul Master Tournament selections are based on connections!" the Soul Douluo continued.

"Based on connections?" Qian Xun'an frowned and asked.

The Soul Douluo nodded. "After all, anyone who gets to represent Spirit Hall in the tournament gains immense prestige and can rise to success in the future.

"So every student is desperate to get a spot on the team."

Hearing this, Qian Xun'an said calmly, "If this keeps up, they'll destroy Spirit Hall's reputation!"

As he spoke, Qian Xun'an continued walking forward.

From a distance, Qian Xun'an could already see Spirit Hall Academy.

All the teachers and students stood together. On the high platform, three people were walking toward them.

Those three were the Golden Generation, representing Spirit Hall in the Soul Master Tournament.

"Hall Master, should I go tell them you're here?" the Soul Douluo subordinate immediately asked.

Qian Xun'an shook his head. "Don't announce it yet. I want to see what Spirit Hall Academy is like these days."

The Soul Douluo subordinate immediately agreed.

As the three members of the Golden Generation approached,

the students below began cheering loudly.

"Oh my god, are those the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall? They're dazzling!"

"I heard His Holiness the Pope personally awarded them the Wuhun Hall Purple Record Medal. They set a record for Spirit Hall!"