Poseinan stood as straight as a pine, his clear eyes meeting Bibi Dong's furious gaze without a trace of fear.
"Bibi Dong, I have no right to interfere in what you've been through, but I know this much: life is short, and no child is born guilty. The grudges and feuds of the previous generation shouldn't be visited upon innocent children!"
"Qian Renxue is your daughter. That's a fact no one can change. No matter how much you hate her or try to avoid her, she's still the child you carried for ten months and gave birth to!"
With that, he stopped looking at Bibi Dong and turned toward the exit.
When he reached the door, he paused. Without looking back, he left her with a few powerful words that rang through the depths of the hall:
"And one more thing. Don't take your position as pope too seriously, and don't think your Rakshasa God Position is all that powerful."
"This world is far vaster than you can imagine. There are still countless things you've never seen, things beyond your imagination."
His words lingered in the air. Poseinan raised a hand, pushed open the heavy palace doors, and stepped out of the Pope Palace, his figure gradually disappearing into the sunlight beyond.
Inside the hall.
Bibi Dong stood rooted to the spot. The imposing aura that had held her rigid collapsed in an instant, the fury in her eyes replaced by overwhelming shock. Her thoughts churned, impossible to calm.
How did he know she had begun the Rakshasa God Trial?
The matter was shrouded in secrecy. She had never revealed a word of it to anyone; even Qian Daoliu, who had kept a close eye on her, likely knew nothing about it.
Just who was this boy who had appeared out of nowhere?
While Bibi Dong's mind raced with possibilities.
Gui Mei strode into the hall, a chill aura swirling around him. He came closer, his tone both ruthless and respectful. "His Holiness the Pope, that brat was far too brazen. Shall I go seize him at once and make an example of him?"
Before he could finish, Bibi Dong cut him off sharply. "Silence! Don't ever bring this up again!"
Gui Mei's heart jolted, and he quickly bowed his head. "Yes."
He was filled with confusion.
Given Bibi Dong's usual temperament, someone who challenged her authority like that—
She would have long since ordered their execution. Why was she acting so strangely today?
Could this boy named Poseinan have a powerful background that even Bibi Dong feared?
But in all the world, what background could possibly surpass Spirit Hall's?
Before Gui Mei could figure it out, Bibi Dong waved a hand, her tone leaving no room for defiance. "You may leave. Remember, don't lay a finger on him!"
"Yes, I will obey His Holiness the Pope's command!"
Gui Mei bowed and withdrew, full of questions but daring not to ask.
Poseinan had barely left the Pope Palace when an aged voice suddenly sounded in his ear:
"Boy, you've known Xue'er for less than a day, and you're already going to such lengths to help her?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Poseinan couldn't help cursing inwardly. Do you think I want to? You're the old geezer who refused to take me to Sea God Island.
But aloud, he said, "Sister Xue'er saved me, and she's my friend. I don't want to see her upset."
A long, wistful sigh came from the sky. "Sigh..."
"Very well. Though I swore a solemn oath many years ago never to set foot on Sea God Island again, today I'm willing to break it for you."
A flash of golden light suddenly appeared before Poseinan's eyes.
Qian Daoliu's towering figure appeared before him out of thin air. The aura of a level ninety-nine Peerless Douluo was restrained, yet he still carried an air of authority.
He lowered his head slightly, his gaze settling on Poseinan, his eyes brimming with undisguised admiration and approval.
Before, he had only looked after Poseinan a little out of consideration for his old friend Bo Saixi.
But now, he felt nothing but pure admiration for Poseinan.
He repaid kindness and valued loyalty.
That was the highest praise Qian Daoliu could give a young man.
Poseinan's eyes lit up with delight. "Really?"
Holy crap! A blessing in disguise!
Once he got to Sea God Island—
He'd be like a fish in the sea and a bird soaring through the sky, free of all restraint!
Qian Daoliu gave a slight nod. "Of course. I never lie."
"But..."
The smile vanished from Poseinan's face, and his lips drooped. I knew the old man wouldn't agree so easily.
Qian Daoliu's tone shifted, a hint of warmth in his eyes. "Xue'er will be finishing class soon. Are you sure you don't want to say goodbye to her before setting out for Sea God Island?"
At that, Poseinan couldn't help picturing Qian Renxue sobbing and clinging to his arm, refusing to let go. He shuddered and hurriedly shook his head, refusing without hesitation:
"Forget it. I hate those sentimental scenes when people part ways."
Qian Daoliu nodded to himself. "That's fine. If you leave quietly, Xue'er might not be too upset."
He agreed with Poseinan, too.
As the little girl's grandfather, he knew better than anyone just how lonely and isolated she was.
He often saw Qian Renxue sitting alone in her room, chatting with her dolls. It broke his heart.
"Since that's settled, shall we leave now?"
Qian Daoliu asked.
"Wait a moment."
Poseinan hurriedly spoke up. "I'll write a letter for Sister Xue'er. I hope you don't mind, Senior?"
Qian Daoliu naturally had no objections; in fact, he was glad to see it.
If Poseinan weren't Bo Saixi's son, he would have wanted to keep him in Spirit City to keep Qian Renxue company and help her truly feel happy.
Poseinan hurried back to his room in the Worship Hall and wrote a letter, placing it carefully in the most conspicuous spot on the desk.
After making sure everything was in order, he set out with Qian Daoliu.
Spirit City and Sea God Island lay tens of thousands of miles apart, but to Qian Daoliu, a level-ninety-nine Peerless Douluo standing at the pinnacle of the Douluo Continent—
That distance was crossed in the blink of an eye.
Qian Daoliu carried Poseinan, a brilliant golden halo swirling around them.
They became a streak of light, cutting across the sky and racing through the clouds.
The people below saw the dazzling glow and thought a shooting star had fallen from the heavens. They bowed their heads and made wishes.
Meanwhile.
Qian Renxue had finally made it to the end of class. After obediently bidding her teacher farewell, she wore an eager look on her little face.
She ran to the academy entrance and looked around.
But she never saw that familiar figure.
"What? He said he'd come pick me up."
Qian Renxue puffed out her cheeks, disappointment filling her eyes as she muttered, "That awful Poseinan actually dared to lie to me. Just wait till we get back—I'll teach you a lesson!"
With a bellyful of grievances.
She ran all the way to the Worship Hall.
But when she pushed open the door to the room, she found it empty. Poseinan was nowhere to be seen, and the grievance on her little face instantly turned to panic.
Had something happened to him?
Her heart uneasy, Qian Renxue caught sight of a letter on the desk from the corner of her eye.
There was no name on the envelope. Her heart tightened, and she hurried forward, opening it with trembling hands.