Leaving Spirit City

On this day, fifteen-year-old Tai Yi stood at the main entrance of the Elder Palace.

Tai Yi had come to inform Qian Daoliu that he intended to travel across the continent. The reason was simple: Tai Yi knew that the plot of the novel had officially begun, and that the little brat was about to leave Notting City for Shrek Academy.

Once that happened, Tang Hao would also be leaving the vicinity of Notting City. This meant Tai Yi could head to Soul Saint Village to take away the soul bone belonging to Tang San's biological mother. Although Tai Yi didn't care much for the soul bone itself, he certainly wasn't about to leave it for Tang San.

Another point was that Tai Yi was well aware he was currently at level sixty-five soul power. His sixth soul ring was already eighty thousand years old, so his seventh soul ring ought to be a one-hundred-thousand-year soul ring.

Therefore, Tai Yi planned to capture the little rabbit by Tang San's side. Even if he didn't end up using her as his seventh soul ring, he wouldn't leave her for Tang San either.

Furthermore, Tai Yi wanted to see if he could find two talented individuals to bring back, or perhaps recruit a few loyal followers.

Just then, the doors of the Elder Palace opened. Qian Daoliu spotted Tai Yi's arrival and asked, "Xiao Yi, you aren't cultivating today? What brings you to me?"

Hearing this, Tai Yi stated his intentions directly to Qian Daoliu. "Grandfather, I need to go out for a while. The God of Destruction told me there is an opportunity waiting for me out there, and I must go."

Nowadays, whenever Tai Yi needed an excuse for something unreasonable, he simply blamed it on the God of Destruction. It was as if the God of Destruction had said it himself.

Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu perked up and asked, "Another opportunity mentioned by the God of Destruction? Do you need me to accompany you this time?"

Tai Yi shook his head and refused immediately. "I can go by myself this time, Grandfather. I am a Soul Emperor now; I can handle the dangers outside. Besides, I am going to seek an opportunity, not to stir up trouble."

Qian Daoliu understood that the child had grown up and wanted to venture out into the world.

He nodded and said, "In that case, go ahead, Xiao Yi. But remember one thing: you must take care to protect yourself while you are out there."

Just then, a cold, clear voice rang out. "Xiao Yi, I want to go too. I'm coming with you."

Following the sound, a tall, beautiful girl with golden hair walked toward them.

This was none other than twenty-one-year-old Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue quickly reached Tai Yi's side and said to Qian Daoliu, "Grandfather, I want to go out with Xiao Yi as well."

Qian Daoliu looked at the young man and woman standing before him; they were a match made in heaven.

He reasoned that they would be together in the future anyway, so it made sense for them to travel together now. Besides, the first of Qian Renxue's Angel Nine Trials could not be completed solely through bitter cultivation within Spirit City.

Qian Daoliu said to Qian Renxue, "Since you both want to go, then go together. It will be good for you to look out for one another."

Only then did Qian Renxue nod in satisfaction. She turned to Tai Yi and said, "Let's go, Xiao Yi. Big Sister will take you out to explore the continent."

Tai Yi was speechless at Qian Renxue's words. He had intended to go alone, but now he would be bringing his future wife along.

However, upon reflection, he realized that traveling with his future wife wasn't such a bad thing.

Tai Yi replied to Qian Renxue, "Alright then, Xue'er, I'll take you with me."

As he spoke, Tai Yi patted Qian Renxue on the shoulder.

After doing so, Tai Yi took off running. Sensing his actions and words, Qian Renxue chased after him, shouting from behind, "Tai Yi, how many times do I have to tell you? Don't call me Xue'er!"

Qian Daoliu watched the scene, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile.

At that moment, Golden Crocodile Douluo appeared beside Qian Daoliu and remarked, "Big Brother, Xiao Xue and Xiao Yi's relationship is truly wonderful. One is a Soul Emperor and the other a Soul Saint, yet they still bicker just like they did when they were children."

Qian Daoliu replied, "Indeed. On the road ahead, only Xiao Yi can walk alongside Xiao Xue. They have been close since they were young, and it is good that they have kept that bond."

Golden Crocodile Douluo nodded, then asked, "Big Brother, are you really going to let Xiao Xue and Xiao Yi go out on their own?"

Qian Daoliu answered, "That is why you are here! Xiao Xue has begun her divine trials, and there are matters I cannot leave behind in Spirit City. I must entrust you with their protection. You must guard against not only the hostile forces outside Spirit Hall but also the hidden arrows from within our own ranks."

As he finished, Qian Daoliu's gaze shifted toward the direction of the Pope Palace.

Golden Crocodile Douluo assured him, "Big Brother, rest easy. With me following them to provide protection, I will not let anything happen to them. I would rather lose my own life than fail to see them return safely to Spirit City."

With that, Golden Crocodile Douluo said no more to Qian Daoliu and left the Elder Palace, following Qian Renxue and Tai Yi out of Spirit City.

He simply followed behind the two, protecting them from the shadows.

Qian Renxue and Tai Yi were naturally unaware of this; they sat in a carriage leaving Spirit City, still joking with one another.

Meanwhile, inside the Pope Palace, Bibi Dong had received word that the two had departed Spirit City. She also knew that Qian Daoliu remained in the Elder Palace, unlike in the past when he would have been by Tai Yi and Qian Renxue's side to protect them.

However, Bibi Dong was well aware that even if Qian Daoliu had not gone, Golden Crocodile Douluo had vanished from Spirit City, and it was highly likely he had gone to protect the pair.

Although Golden Crocodile Douluo was not a peerless level-99 Douluo like Qian Daoliu, his level-98 spirit power, combined with a 100,000-year spirit ring and his tyrannical Golden Crocodile King martial soul, made him one of the top powerhouses on the Douluo Continent.

Therefore, Bibi Dong was not foolish enough to send people directly to deal with Qian Renxue and Tai Yi.

The next second, she spoke, instructing Yue Guan and Gui Mei:

"The two of you are to follow them now. Then, secretly pass word to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect, and the two great empires. Inform them that Qian Renxue and Tai Yi have left Spirit City, but ensure they do not discover that you were the ones who sent the message."

"Once those people move to deal with the pair and are blocked by that old fellow Golden Crocodile, you will seize the opportunity to strike and eliminate Tai Yi. As for Qian Renxue, spare her life."