Chapter 34

After Xue Qinghe returned to the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, she immediately began writing a letter.

She knew full well that this matter was far too serious to keep hidden.

Even if she did not report it, the news would reach Spirit Hall sooner or later. Better to come clean than be caught off guard; at least then they could make some preparations.

She began with her first encounter with Xuan Qing, describing every major event in considerable detail.

Xuan Qing's strength, the long spear that came with his Martial Soul, the whereabouts of Tang Hao's son Tang San, Zi JI's Soul Ring Configuration, and the news about the Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear King, a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast whose cultivation had surpassed one hundred thousand years.

She also described Xuan Qing's ability to predict fortune and misfortune and sense hostility.

She suspected that the Azure Dragon Martial Soul was absolutely no less powerful than the Six-Winged Angel—and might even be stronger.

Near the end, she hesitated.

Should she include the part where Xuan Qing had called her grandfather a complete idiot?

After thinking it over, she gritted her teeth and wrote it down exactly as it had happened, including the line—

If I were an ancestor of the Qian Family, I'd climb out of my coffin and drag him in with me. With an unfilial descendant like that, why are you keeping him around?

At the very end of the letter, Qian Renxue added a message.

"Grandpa, what on earth are you thinking? Your granddaughter hasn't even finished her mission, and that little boy has nearly scolded me into hanging myself."

"I wanted to argue back, but I don't even have a reason. You really should find something worthwhile to do."

"Snake Lance, deliver this letter to my grandfather. You must hand it to him personally. Don't let a third person handle it."

Snake Lance Douluo accepted the letter and bowed solemnly.

"Rest assured, Young Master. This subordinate understands."

He set out for Spirit City that very night. A Titled Douluo traveling at full speed could move remarkably fast.

By the next morning, he had reached Spirit City and headed straight for the Worship Hall.

Inside the Worship Hall, Qian Daoliu was praying beneath the Angel Statue. He looked to be in his thirties, but Peerless Douluo lived long lives—he was still in his prime.

"A letter from Xue'er?"

Snake Lance Douluo respectfully handed him the envelope.

"The young master ordered me to hand it to you personally. She said the matter was serious and asked you to give it your full attention."

Qian Daoliu took the letter and opened it. The more he read, the more grave his expression became, and the deeper his frown grew.

After finishing, he remained silent for a long while, then passed the letter to Golden Crocodile Douluo.

Golden Crocodile Douluo read it. His expression grew just as remarkable.

Then Azure Luan, Mighty Lion, Guang Ling, Thousand Jun, and Falling Devil each took turns reading it.

When they were done, a deathly silence fell over the hall. Every face wore the same expression—utterly strange.

How many years had it been?

This was the first person who had dared to point at Qian Daoliu and curse him to his face. And the worst part was, they couldn't refute a word.

What he'd said was all true. Qian Daoliu was the Great Enshrined of Spirit Hall, the one at its helm.

Spirit Hall bore the Qian name. No matter the reason, it was his responsibility.

But what had he been doing all these years?

Spirit Hall was divided from within, and he'd done nothing.

He'd let outside enemies run rampant, nurturing future threats.

He never left his home. Did it even make a difference whether he was there or not?

The expression on the youthful face of Guang Ling Douluo was extraordinarily complicated.

"Big brother! Th-this is real? That kid really said all that?"

Qian Daoliu nodded.

"It should be true. Xue'er wouldn't lie about something like this."

Mighty Lion Douluo furrowed his brow.

"So what do we do? Recruit the kid? A thirty-seventh-rank Soul Elder who isn't even ten, with a ten-thousand-year third ring—his talent is terrifying."

Azure Luan Douluo shook his head.

"That's unlikely. The force behind him is no weaker than ours, and may even be stronger. They can hunt Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts for their subordinates and cultivate a monster like him. Their strength is unfathomable."

A murderous glint flashed in Golden Crocodile Douluo's eyes.

"Then we strike first and cripple him. If we can't make such a genius our own, we can't leave him for someone else."

Guang Ling Douluo poured cold water on him.

"Second brother, don't take this as your little brother refusing to show you respect, but with his ability to predict fortune and misfortune, don't you think he'd sense you the moment you left Spirit City with murderous intent?"

Golden Crocodile Douluo fell silent, too. It was unpleasant to hear, but it was the truth.

Predicting fortune and misfortune... That ability was practically a cheat!

Going there with murderous intent would be the same as warning him in advance.

Qian Daoliu mused, "Guang Ling is right. If we go, we can't bring murderous intent with us. Otherwise, no matter how fast we are, we won't catch him if he runs."

Thousand Jun Douluo sighed.

"It'll take us time to get there. For a Super Douluo at rank ninety-seven, escaping would be child's play. Even if big brother burned through his Soul Power to rush over, he still wouldn't make it in time. As for the rest of us..."

He didn't finish, but his meaning was clear—there was no chance.

Falling Devil Douluo was more direct.

"If we go with murderous intent, he'll sense us in advance. If we don't, how are we supposed to kill him? Are we going to pay him a friendly visit?"

Uh...

The hall fell silent once more.

Was this the first time they'd encountered such a... peculiar situation?

Fight him? They certainly couldn't.

Kill him? They couldn't do that either.

Recruit him? Even less possible.

Aside from staring helplessly, it seemed they had no options at all.

Qian Daoliu finally made his decision.

"First, keep watch and build a good relationship with him. Within safe limits, try to get as much information out of him as possible. He knows a great deal, and that could be useful to us. As for the things he said about me..."

He paused, a complicated smile appearing on his face.

"He was right. I truly haven't fulfilled my responsibilities over the years. The division within Spirit Hall and our failure to eliminate our outside enemies are both my fault. It's time to set Spirit Hall in order."

His gaze sharpened, and his presence changed.

He was no longer the Qian Daoliu who stayed out of worldly affairs, but the decisive and ruthless Judgment Elder of old.

"Clean up the internal divisions. Kill the outside enemies who need killing—not one of them gets away. As for Tang Hao..."

"I promised Tang Chen I wouldn't set foot in the Clear Sky Sect, but I never said I wouldn't hunt Tang Hao. Send the order: pursue Tang Hao with all our strength. Dead or alive."

The Enshrined Douluos' spirits lifted. This was the big brother they knew.

Guang Ling Douluo smiled.

"We should've done this ages ago. Tang Hao has been getting away with too much for too long. This time, we'll make sure he's dead."

Azure Luan Douluo asked, "Should we inform Bibi Dong? After all, she's the Pope now."

Qian Daoliu hesitated only for a moment.

"Tell Bibi Dong to hunt down Tang Hao and his son Tang San with all her strength. If that good-for-nothing causes anything to go wrong..."

"I won't hesitate to kill her and bring Xue'er back to inherit the position of Pope. Even if Xue'er doesn't return, this former Pope isn't dead yet. Spirit Hall is not hers to rule alone."

He looked toward Golden Crocodile and Azure Luan.

"You two are in charge of this. Tell her that as long as I'm alive, Spirit Hall will remain Spirit Hall. It won't fall just because one person is gone."

Golden Crocodile and Azure Luan bowed solemnly.

"Yes! Rest assured, Great Enshrined. We'll inform her at once."

The two left the Worship Hall and headed for the Pope Palace.

The other Enshrined Douluos also dispersed.

Qian Daoliu picked up the letter and read it again, especially the part where Xuan Qing had cursed him.

He read it for a long time. At last, he smiled, his expression utterly at ease.

"Xuan Qing... What an interesting boy. Looks like I'll have to find a chance to meet you in person. I hope you won't disappoint me."