"Grandpa, Grandpa!"
Hurrying to the Angel Temple, Qian Renxue had already forgotten all about etiquette. She called out loudly for Qian Daoliu.
Qian Daoliu had just returned with his son's body and had yet to come to terms with his grief when he heard his granddaughter's voice. On the way back, he had been wondering how to tell her what had happened. He hadn't expected her to learn the news so quickly.
"Xiao Xue, what brings you here?"
"Grandpa, did something happen to Father?"
Just as I thought, Qian Daoliu said to himself. Lin Beiya must have learned what happened through the Sacred Cloth and told his granddaughter.
There was no point hiding Qian Xunji's death from Qian Renxue now, but he still didn't intend to tell her the truth about how he had died.
"Xiao Xue, your father's injuries suddenly worsened. He has returned to the Angel God's embrace."
On hearing the confirmation, the Little Angel began to tremble all over. Tears streamed down her face as she shook her head and murmured:
"...No. No, that can't be. I visited Father yesterday, and he was fine."
"Grandpa, are you lying to me? Did Father go somewhere else to recuperate in seclusion?"
Looking at his granddaughter, her face streaked with tears, Qian Daoliu's eyes were full of pain. But that was the truth, and no one could deny it.
"Ah, Grandpa knows it's hard for you to accept this right away, but..."
"I don't believe you! You're lying!"
Qian Renxue didn't want to hear another word. She turned and ran out of the Angel Temple, passing Lin Beiya and Lei Ying without stopping to greet them.
Watching Qian Renxue run off, Lei Ying asked, confusion filling her eyes:
"What happened?"
"I lent my Sacred Cloth to the Pope to help him recover from his injuries. Now that it's returned on its own, that can only mean the Pope..."
"Huh? That can't be right. The Pope is powerful. Who could hurt him inside Spirit Hall?"
Lin Beiya shook his head, unwilling to explain too much to Lei Ying. There were many things he knew but couldn't say.
He was just a little worried that Qian Renxue might do something foolish in a fit of anger, like go ask Bibi Dong for the exact reason herself.
That wouldn't put her life in danger, but she would definitely get a beating.
Lin Beiya asked Shi Nuo to request leave for him from the academy, then spent several days standing guard outside Qian Renxue's residence.
Normally, Lin Beiya wouldn't have been able to get near Qian Renxue's residence. But Qian Daoliu now hoped someone might help his granddaughter emerge from her grief, so he didn't interfere with Lin Beiya's efforts.
For days, Qian Renxue kept herself locked in her room. No matter how often Lin Beiya knocked and brought her food, she never came out.
"Xiao Xue, tomorrow is His Holiness the Pope's funeral. You have to go."
"I know. See you tomorrow."
Qian Renxue's hoarse voice came through the door. Hearing that she was still willing to talk, Lin Beiya quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
After a night spent cultivating in peace, Lin Beiya dressed in black and returned to Qian Renxue's door.
This time, his knock didn't go unanswered. When she heard him call out, the door opened, and Qian Renxue, also dressed somberly, slowly stepped outside.
Aside from her reddened, swollen eyes, Lin Beiya couldn't see anything else amiss.
"Let's go. We'll see the Pope off."
"Mm."
The two crossed the garden and arrived at the Title Douluo Sacred Stele Group on the Back Mountain behind Douluo Hall. This was where the powerful Titled Douluos of Spirit Hall were buried.
Not every Titled Douluo affiliated with Spirit Hall could be buried in the Title Douluo Sacred Stele Group after death. They had to have made outstanding contributions to Spirit Hall during their lifetime.
As the Pope, Qian Xunji had also given Spirit Hall an heir in Qian Renxue, so he was worthy of resting here for eternity.
The stele group formed a circle, and in its center, people had already begun preparing Qian Xunji's funeral rites.
Qian Daoliu and several of the Worships from the Worship Hall were there. Every one of the old men looked solemn. They had watched Qian Xunji grow up, and now that they had outlived him, they were grieving too.
Lin Beiya looked around and saw that not many people had come to attend Qian Xunji's funeral. Including the seven Worships from Douluo Hall, there were only about a dozen of them. Still, Lin Beiya could put a name to every face.
Most surprising of all, Bibi Dong was there too. She had probably come to make an appearance because she was about to take the throne.
Perhaps it was just Lin Beiya's imagination, but Bibi Dong's gaze had fallen on him several times, leaving him at a loss.
When it seemed that everyone had arrived, the master of ceremonies immediately began the proceedings.
In short, he introduced the life of the Pope of Spirit Hall, exaggerated his many contributions, then invited everyone, with mournful expressions, to take one last look at Qian Xunji.
The deep-red coffin was slowly pushed inside, and Qian Renxue beside him burst into tears once more.
Lin Beiya and Lei Ying looked on, hearts aching, but there was nothing they could do to comfort her.
No one else urged the little princess to hurry. After all, this was her final chance to see him.
Only Bibi Dong watched the parting father and daughter from the side, her eyes full of scorn. Since Qian Daoliu had no intention of taking her life, she would continue with her revenge.
When the Little Angel had finished crying and slowly returned to Qian Daoliu's side, the funeral was more or less over. All that remained was to lay Qian Xunji to rest.
By pure chance, however, Qian Renxue turned and met Bibi Dong's eyes. The mockery in them was completely undisguised.
That was the last straw for Qian Renxue. She rushed past her grandfather and roared at Bibi Dong.
"Do you even have a heart? Even if you didn't love him, you shouldn't be gloating over your husband's death!"
"Hmph. Not only that, I want to celebrate."
"You..."
The conflict erupted without warning. Before the others could react, Qian Renxue had released her Martial Soul and charged at Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong snorted. Soul Power surged around her, and she sent Qian Renxue flying with ease. Fortunately, the Little Angel was surrounded by powerful figures. Golden Crocodile Douluo, the Second Worship, raised a hand and caught her safely in midair.
"Bibi Dong, you've gone too far!"
If Golden Crocodile had held back before because it was the funeral of his junior and he didn't want to start a fight, he no longer cared now that Bibi Dong had dared attack Qian Renxue. He stared at her with icy eyes as a crocodile's low, murderous roar sounded behind him.
The overwhelming pressure turned Bibi Dong, who was only a Soul Douluo, pale. She gritted her teeth, then turned away and ignored them.
"Hmph. That nauseating aura hasn't changed. You're just like your father."
Hearing her mother's contempt, the already heartbroken Little Angel turned deathly pale. But under Qian Daoliu's restraint, she couldn't move.
With that brief disturbance over, Qian Xunji's funeral proceeded smoothly. It wasn't until the coffin was sealed and everyone began filing out that Bibi Dong spoke again.
"The first day of next month is an auspicious day. This Pope's enthronement ceremony will be held then. I hope the Grand Pontiff will attend."
Qian Daoliu turned and swept her with an icy look. Then he turned away and continued on with Qian Renxue.
"I will."
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