The Arrival of Qian Daoliu

Upon hearing Qian Daoliu's words, both Qian Renxue and Tai Yi nodded.

At this moment, Qian Renxue recalled what Tai Yi had told her earlier regarding the history between Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong. She looked toward Qian Daoliu and asked, "Grandfather, Tai Yi just told me about what happened between my father and Bibi Dong."

Qian Renxue then recounted everything Tai Yi had said to Qian Daoliu.

She continued, "Is it really true?"

Hearing this, Qian Daoliu sighed deeply before speaking to Qian Renxue, "Xiao Xue, I never intended for you to know about this. I wanted your father to remain a perfect image in your heart. But now that you know, I can no longer hide it from you."

"What happened back then is exactly as Tai Yi described. When you were young, I thought I would stay out of their affairs. After all, you were innocent—you were Bibi Dong's child—so I didn't stop you from spending time with her. I assumed Bibi Dong had accepted you, but I never expected that she would harbor such resentment toward you to this very day."

"That is why, later on, I began to prevent you from seeking her out."

Having received confirmation, Qian Renxue simply replied, "I understand."

Qian Daoliu then turned his gaze toward Tai Yi and said, "Xiao Yi, I don't know where you obtained this information, but since you are aware of it, I hope you will protect Xiao Xue in the future and ensure she is never harmed again."

Tai Yi naturally nodded in response.

At the same time, Tai Yi sensed that Qian Daoliu's tone today was strange, almost as if he were making final arrangements.

Tai Yi realized that because of his own existence, Qian Renxue had begun the Angel Nine Trials ahead of schedule. In the original story, Qian Renxue's godhood trials required Qian Daoliu's sacrifice.

Combined with the fact that Qian Daoliu had mentioned preparing for the trials in Spirit City, Tai Yi guessed that Qian Daoliu must have realized that the moment Qian Renxue attained godhood would be the moment he met his end.

Thinking of this, Tai Yi reminded himself that since both he and Qian Renxue were heirs to divine positions, even if Qian Daoliu sacrificed himself for her, they could resurrect him once they ascended to the God Realm.

Therefore, when he gave his word to Qian Daoliu, he agreed readily, though he thought to himself: You want to just walk away? I'll resurrect you later and make you babysit our children.

Seeing Tai Yi nod, Qian Daoliu said nothing more. He had watched Tai Yi grow up, and as another inheritor of a divine position, Tai Yi was someone who could stay by Qian Renxue's side forever. Entrusting her to him gave Qian Daoliu peace of mind.

Qian Daoliu then concealed his presence, but before leaving, he said to the two, "I am going to join your Grandfather Golden Crocodile to protect you from the shadows. You should continue toward Soto City. This time, we will not only eliminate Tang Hao but also strike a blow against those factions that dare to move against our Spirit Hall."

Hearing this, Qian Renxue and Tai Yi said nothing further; they drove the carriage toward Soto City.

Since Soto City was a major city within the Heaven Dou Empire, and because Qian Renxue and Tai Yi were now aware of the plans made by Qian Daoliu and the others, they made no effort to hide their movements, traveling with a high profile.

Under these circumstances, the various factions preparing to assassinate them easily tracked their location.

After Zhu Lingtian and Dai Yu of the Star Luo Empire learned of their position and deduced they were heading for Soto City, they chose to set their ambush in the forest outside the city. In their minds, once they eliminated the pair, they would go to find Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.

Meanwhile, Ning Fengzhi sent messages to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect and the Heaven Dou Empire.

Yu Yuanzhen and Xue Ye both received the missives. Following the original plan, Yu Yuanzhen took Yu Luomian, while Xue Qinghe led four of the empire's Soul Douluo titled elders and over a dozen Soul Saints to rendezvous at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Once everyone had gathered, Ning Fengzhi spoke, "We now know the exact location of Qian Renxue and Tai Yi. What we need to do next is choose a place to eliminate them."

Hearing this, Yu Yuanzhen replied, "Anywhere will do. With our combined strength, we are certain to finish them off. You choose the location, Sect Master Ning. You are so clever; I trust you will pick a suitable spot."

Xue Qinghe added, "We feel the same. Anywhere is fine; we leave the decision to you, Teacher."

In Xue Qinghe's eyes, no matter where they chose, it would simply be the site of their own graves.

Ning Fengzhi nodded at their words. Sword Douluo, hearing this, quickly interjected, "Fengzhi, since their route leads to Soto City, let us choose to hunt them down just outside the city. Once we've dealt with them, we can visit that academy you mentioned to see Rongrong. It has been quite a long time since I last saw her."

Bone Douluo stepped forward as well, "The old sword is right. The forest outside Soto City is perfect. I, too, have not seen Rongrong in a long time."

Considering their words, Ning Fengzhi agreed that the forest outside Soto City was indeed a good place for an ambush. As a father, he naturally missed his precious daughter.

Ning Fengzhi said, "In that case, we shall choose the forest fifty miles outside Soto City. We will strike together and eliminate them."

Hearing this, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo nodded happily, already imagining their reunion with Ning Rongrong.

Yu Yuanzhen and Xue Qinghe had no objections and nodded as well.

Ning Fengzhi then announced, "Let us depart."

"Agreed."

The group left the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but as they departed, Ning Fengzhi felt an inexplicable sense of unease, as if some great event were about to unfold.

He took one last look at the three soul bones over eighty thousand years old he had prepared, along with a large sum of gold soul coins and precious cultivation resources, and recalled the instructions he had given to Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.

If things went wrong, they were to flee immediately and go to Spirit City to "exchange pleasantries" with Qian Daoliu.

Thinking of this, Ning Fengzhi felt his heart settle slightly.

However, Ning Fengzhi could never have imagined that Qian Daoliu, whom he thought was still in Spirit City, had already arrived at the side of Qian Renxue and Tai Yi to protect them.