Gu Han had barely finished speaking when a voice, tinged with helplessness yet full of affection, came from outside the hall:
"All right, all right, you little rascal. All you can think about is going to see Xue'er?"
"You've been running wild out there for six years without coming back once. Now that you've finally returned, you don't even know to come see this old man first?"
As soon as the words fell, Qian Daoliu appeared in the great hall as if he had teleported there. He was still dressed in that simple gray robe, his face kindly as ever.
His gaze held a hint of reproach as he looked at Gu Han, but the delight and relief deep in his eyes were impossible to conceal.
Seeing Qian Daoliu, Gu Han's expression turned awkward. He quickly bowed again. "Grandpa, I..."
He had just started to defend himself when Qian Daoliu waved a hand and feigned anger.
"Enough. Spare me the act. Were you planning to placate Bibi Dong and then slip straight off to Heaven Dou City?" He had lived for over a century; how could Gu Han's little schemes possibly fool him?
Caught out, Gu Han even showed a rare flush. He rubbed his nose and grinned sheepishly.
"How could I, Grandpa? I was just about to visit the Worship Hall and see you after I finished seeing my teacher."
"Hmph, silver-tongued as ever." Qian Daoliu gave a soft snort, though his expression had clearly softened.
"Come on. Now that you're back, you should at least sit with me in the Worship Hall first. You can tell Grandpa all about what you've been through these past six years."
"As for Heaven Dou City, I'll certainly let you go."
Gu Han knew there was no escaping this, so he could only nod and agree. He gave Bibi Dong, seated on the throne, a rueful smile.
Bibi Dong gave a slight nod, signaling that he could go if he wished.
When they arrived at the imposing Worship Hall, the six-winged Angel Statue still radiated light.
Rather than taking the seat of honor, Qian Daoliu casually sat on a stone step to one side and patted the spot beside him, beckoning Gu Han to sit down too.
"Go on, tell me. What adventures have you had these past six years?"
"Your Soul Power has risen so quickly, and your foundation is still solid. You must have gone through quite a bit of hardship." Qian Daoliu spoke gently, like an ordinary grandfather showing concern for his grandchild.
Gu Han told him about some of the experiences he could share, leaving out the important secret of Xiao Wu's true identity.
When he mentioned meeting Sword Douluo Chen Xin at Shrek Academy and withstanding ten of his attacks, a trace of surprise flickered in Qian Daoliu's eyes.
"That boy Chen Xin actually wanted to take you as his disciple?" Qian Daoliu stroked his beard and laughed.
"His Seven Kill Sword is peerless in offense, and he certainly has a good eye. But you were right to refuse. Why should the Holy Son of Spirit Hall take someone else as his master? Your path is yours to choose. Walk whichever road you want."
Gu Han nodded repeatedly, looking as though he wanted to head to Heaven Dou City this very instant.
Then, as if remembering something, he took a seemingly ordinary wooden Peace Talisman from his Storage Soul Tool. Simple cloud patterns were carved into it, and it gave off a faint, calming fragrance.
"Grandpa, I carved this myself while traveling. I also infused it with a trace of my Soul Power. If I go away again, this Peace Talisman can stay with you."
"It isn't anything precious, but I hope it'll keep you safe and healthy."
Gu Han handed over the Peace Talisman, his voice utterly sincere. He really had made it in his spare time, without any help from the system.
Qian Daoliu looked at the Peace Talisman. Its craftsmanship was nothing remarkable, but he could feel the heartfelt care Gu Han had poured into it. He paused for a moment, then smiled warmly.
He reached out and took it, examined it carefully, then tucked it away in his robe with great care.
"Good, good. You're a thoughtful boy."
Qian Daoliu patted Gu Han on the shoulder, his eyes full of happiness and pride.
At his level, worldly possessions had long ceased to stir his heart. But this gift came from the pure affection of a younger generation, and that alone made it worth more than any treasure.
Gu Han spent a long while chatting with Qian Daoliu in the Worship Hall. He also answered the old man's questions in detail about his rapid growth in Soul Power. Only after answering everything did he take his leave.
Before leaving, he also visited Pope Hall and gave Bibi Dong another Peace Talisman, carved by his own hand.
Bibi Dong accepted the little wooden charm. In her violet eyes, which had shown no emotion for years, there seemed to be a faint trace of warmth.
She gently traced the patterns on the charm and nodded without saying much, but Gu Han could clearly feel her pride and pleasure.
At last, with the "permission" of Spirit Hall's two highest authorities, Gu Han wasted no time. He immediately set off at full speed toward Heaven Dou City.
With the speed of a Soul King, he needed only a few days of pushing ahead at full tilt before the grand outline of Heaven Dou City began to appear in the distance.
Six years had passed. At last, he could see Qian Renxue again.
Using Spirit Hall's special token, he entered the imperial palace unhindered. After a brief search, he made his way to Xue Qinghe's bedchambers.
He didn't ask the guards to announce him. Instead, he had only a servant guide him into the luxurious palace.
Soon, he reached the hall. A "young man" in ordinary clothes stood with his back to Gu Han, gazing out the window as if admiring the view.
The "young man" stood tall and carried himself with a gentle, refined air. Even from behind, his extraordinary bearing was plain to see.
Hearing footsteps, the "young man" slowly turned around.
What met Gu Han's eyes was a handsome face: that of the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, "Xue Qinghe."
Yet deep in those calm eyes, Gu Han caught a ripple the other was trying desperately to hide, along with a familiar feeling.
And Gu Han himself stood in the doorway, staring at a face made strange by its disguise.
For a moment, he forgot what he had meant to say. He could only stare blankly, as if trying to make up for all the longing of the past six years in a single glance.
Xue Qinghe looked at the unfamiliar young man standing in the doorway, steady in bearing but strange in appearance. His heart gave an unexpected leap, and a sense of familiarity and stirring from deep in his soul began to spread through him.
He furrowed his brow slightly and spoke with just the right measure of authority.
"Are you the one from Spirit Hall? May I ask why you requested an audience with me?"
Hearing the question, Gu Han was still wondering whether Qian Renxue no longer recognized him. But the next second, he suddenly understood and casually took off the Thousand-Change Mask.
When Qian Renxue saw Gu Han without the mask, her breath caught, and delight instantly shone in her eyes.
"Do you know who I am now?" Gu Han asked Qian Renxue softly.
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