Tang Chen Either Dies or Returns to Clear Sky Sect to Take Charge

Under the gaze of Qian Xunji, Sea Dragon Douluo slowly said, "First, Tang Chen... perhaps he truly found some opportunity to touch upon the divine path, and is currently hiding somewhere, in deep seclusion, attempting to break through to that ethereal realm of the gods."

Upon hearing this first possibility, Qian Xunji did not show surprise or doubt; instead, he nodded in deep agreement.

A complex sense of emotion crossed his handsome face as he said in a low voice:

"If anyone else were to say this, This Seat might scoff. Because gods... are simply too distant from the soul masters of Douluo Continent, so distant that they have long since become legends. Even for ancient powers like our Martial Soul Hall or your Sea God Island, which possess clear guidance for divine inheritance, before the appearance of Ye Qing, had a single god truly been born in all these long, arduous years?"

He paused, casting his gaze into the distance as if piercing through time and space to see that figure who once, by his own strength, made the entire continent tremble:

"But Tang Chen... is different."

There was a rare trace of admiration in Qian Xunji's voice, though behind that admiration lay an even deeper wariness:

"He had no divine guidance, no broad path paved by predecessors, and no support from a massive power like the ones behind you and me. Relying solely on his own talent—so brilliant it was despair-inducing—he stepped, footprint by footprint, to the peak of the ninety-ninth-level Peerless Douluo! He even self-created the Great Sumeru Hammer, Ring Detonation, and many other secret techniques of such terrifying power that they could be called divine skills!"

"In terms of pure talent and aptitude, I fear... even my father, Qian Daoliu, or your island's Grand Pontiff Bo Saixi, would fall a notch short."

Having said this, Qian Xunji withdrew his gaze and looked at Sea Dragon Douluo, stating with certainty:

"Therefore, I believe your conjecture. A person like him, with a heart higher than the heavens and ambitions set upon the firmament—after reaching the pinnacle of the mortal world, the only thing that could attract him and cause him to abandon his sect's foundation and vanish without a trace is, I fear, that legendary... path to godhood. With his talent and temperament, if there truly is such an opportunity in this world, he might... truly be one of the most likely people to grasp it."

One must know that the Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul was inherently inferior in quality to the Six-Winged Angel.

Yet, Tang Chen had actually managed to win by half a move despite his Martial Soul being of lesser quality than his opponent's.

Such talent and strength were truly worthy of the title of the number one person on Douluo Continent.

That was why, when Tang Chen was present, the Clear Sky Sect was the undisputed number one sect in the world.

Sea Dragon Douluo nodded slightly, expressing his agreement with Qian Xunji's analysis.

He then continued, his voice remaining indifferent:

"As for this second possibility... it is even simpler. I believe that with your wisdom, Pope, you must have already guessed it."

Hearing this, Qian Xunji narrowed his eyes, a sharp light flashing deep within his pupils.

He remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing a certain possibility, before slowly speaking in a voice that was almost a whisper, voicing the conjecture that many knew but none dared to easily assert:

"You mean... that he might have already met with misfortune while pursuing power, or failed in his attempt to breach the divine barrier, and thus... perished in some unknown corner?"

This conjecture was too bold and too heavy.

The fall of a ninety-ninth-level Peerless Douluo would have an impact sufficient to shake the entire landscape of the continent.

Had it not been for the special circumstances of today and the fact that someone of Sea Dragon Douluo's status had brought it up, Qian Xunji would never have easily spoken such a possibility aloud.

Sea Dragon Douluo nodded, acknowledging Qian Xunji's statement.

He leaned slightly closer to Qian Xunji, continuing in a deliberately lowered voice that only the two of them could hear:

"And this... is one of the reasons why my God Child, Ye Qing, insisted on not accepting any conditions from the Clear Sky Sect and demanded that I come today to claim the arms of Tang Hao and Tang Xiao."

Qian Xunji's heart skipped a beat, his gaze suddenly locking onto Sea Dragon Douluo's face.

Sea Dragon Douluo's voice was even softer, yet every word was clear:

"He... wants to use this opportunity to pressure the Clear Sky Sect and see if their final trump card, that 'Sea-Stabilizing Needle' Tang Chen... is truly dead or not."

"If Tang Chen is alive, hearing that his sect is in trouble and his descendants are being humiliated, given his temperament back then, he should appear regardless. At that time, whether we fight or negotiate, we would at least know his fate and have a bottom line."

"If Tang Chen is dead... then today serves to establish the prestige of Sea God Island and clear away some obstacles for any potential future changes."

"Boom--!"

Sea Dragon Douluo's words exploded in Qian Xunji's mind like a thunderclap!

The composure and calm on his face vanished instantly, his pupils contracting slightly from extreme shock.

When he looked at Sea Dragon Douluo again, his eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.

So that was it!

So that was it!

He had previously felt that Sea Dragon Douluo's actions today were too aggressive, even leaving no room for maneuver, as if it were not just about revenge and reclaiming treasures.

Only now did he fully understand that hidden behind this was such a profound scheme and probe!

And the one orchestrating all of this was that six-year-old child—Ye Qing!

Borrowing the combined pressure of Martial Soul Hall and Sea God Island, using the arms of Tang Hao and Tang Xiao as bait to force out the potentially hidden Tang Chen, or to confirm his death, thereby clearing the greatest uncertainty for Sea God Island's future layout on the continent...

This depth of thought, this courage, this grasp of the situation and human nature... how could this be the work of a six-year-old child?

This was even more cunning than an old fox who had spent years steeped in political intrigue!

Qian Xunji's breathing grew slightly rapid.

He finally understood completely why the Angel God and the Sea God would go to such shocking, status-defying, and crazy lengths to compete for Ye Qing!

This successor not only possessed the powerful Seraphim Martial Soul, but his cultivation talent was so high that even gods would covet it.

What was even more terrifying was his intellect and strategy, which far exceeded his age!

This was simply a perfect embryo of a successor, combining heaven-defying talent with monstrous wisdom!

If he were the Sea God or the Angel God, facing such a successor, he would likely spare no cost, even... resorting to unconventional means, just to bind him firmly to his own chariot!

"It seems... Sea God Island has truly struck gold this time..."

Qian Xunji muttered in a low voice, his tone incredibly complex.

There was shock, realization, and a trace of irrepressible fervor.

If such a brilliant and talented future deity could be closely tied to Martial Soul Hall, the benefits brought forth would be immeasurable!

No!

The matter of the marriage alliance with Sea God Island must be accelerated!

He could wait no longer!

If some other faction, or perhaps some woman with ill intentions, were to snatch the prize away using disgusting tactics first, wouldn't he, Qian Xunji, and Martial Soul Hall have nowhere to even go to cry?

Just as Qian Xunji's heart surged with excitement and his mind raced to calculate how to expedite the marriage alliance with Sea God Island, the battle ahead quietly underwent a change.