Hearing Chrysanthemum Douluo's voice, Ghost Douluo finally came back to himself and slowly raised his hand.
It was a hand with distinct knuckles, long and strong, no longer withered and terrifying in the slightest.
He stared at it in a daze, then, still unable to believe it, gently touched his cheek.
His fingers met warm, smooth skin.
Not the hideous visage he had taken on after awakening his Martial Soul as a child, following his death!
A scorching emotion erupted without warning from the deepest part of his long-frozen heart, crashing through every last bit of reason and restraint in an instant.
He jerked his head up and looked toward the lazy figure in the rocking chair.
Thud!
A muffled sound.
This Peak Douluo, whose cultivation had reached level ninety-six, had dropped to his knees without the slightest hesitation!
He said nothing.
He couldn't say anything.
He only pressed his forehead hard against the cold floor and remained completely still.
Behind him, everyone stopped breathing.
Their faces were filled with a horror and fervor beyond words!
They understood!
They finally understood!
What the senior had bestowed upon them had never been mere power!
It was... salvation!
Yet Lin Feng, seated in the rocking chair before Ghost Douluo, who was performing such a grand obeisance, did not even raise an eyelid.
As if the kneeling of a Peak Douluo—enough to shake the entire continent—was no more to him than flowers blooming and fading in the courtyard or clouds gathering and dispersing, not worth a laugh.
And yet, in everyone's eyes, this silent consent carried more authority than any Divine Oracle!
This was a god's mercy toward a believer.
It was the senior's... acknowledgment of his devotion!
At last, Chrysanthemum Douluo moved.
The coquettish allure on his face had vanished completely, leaving only a near-manic joy.
Step by step, he slowly walked up to Ghost Douluo.
The hand he reached out was no longer elegant, with its orchid fingers raised, but trembling violently with a quiver even he himself failed to notice.
"Old Ghost..."
Chrysanthemum Douluo's voice was so hoarse it was barely recognizable, thick with a nasal rasp.
He gently helped Ghost Douluo up from the cold floor.
Looking at that handsome face, so familiar yet so strange, restored to its original appearance, Chrysanthemum Douluo's eyes reddened too.
He took the precious handkerchief he always kept close from his robes and carefully wiped away the tears welling uncontrollably in the corners of Ghost Douluo's eyes.
What he wiped away wasn't merely tears.
It was... the curse that had plagued him all his life, and the despair of a darkness without end!
At last, Chrysanthemum Douluo managed a coquettish smile, more painful than a sob.
"Look at you, making such a fuss."
He chided him softly in his trademark shrill voice, though it was choked with barely restrained sobs.
"You're better-looking now, but somehow you cry even uglier."
At the sight of this, Maple Dye Pavilion fell into a sacred silence.
At last, Tuoba Xi, the oldest among them, was the first to react.
He slowly rose and solemnly straightened his robes. He did not approach and disturb them, but merely bowed deeply in their direction.
"Congratulations, Elder Ghost. My congratulations."
His voice carried undisguised emotion and reverence.
"Today, to witness Elder Ghost break through his inner demons and be reborn is truly a blessing for us all!"
Spirit Kite Douluo, Demon Bear Douluo, and the others immediately rose as well and bowed.
"Congratulations!"
This congratulation was no longer a mere courtesy between colleagues.
It was reverence for having witnessed a miracle, and, more than that, worship from the depths of their souls for the god in the rocking chair.
Chrysanthemum Douluo did not turn around. He remained entranced by Ghost Douluo's face.
He merely raised his other hand and casually waved it at everyone behind him.
The meaning was plain.
Quiet.
Don't disturb me and Old Ghost.
Everyone understood and tactfully kept silent.
Yet this rare moment of warmth was ruthlessly interrupted by a lazy, indifferent voice.
"Next."
Lin Feng could not even be bothered to raise an eyelid.
But in his heart, he had long since grown thoroughly impatient.
Have you two finished mooning over each other? Are you going to let the leeks draw their rewards or not? I'm still waiting for my points to come in!
This casually delivered remark made the hearts of every Titled Douluo present jolt!
As expected of the senior!
His state of mind had long since transcended mortal love and hate. In his eyes, we're so attached to worldly affairs. We truly are clinging to appearances!
Their admiration for Lin Feng reached a brand-new peak.
"Senior, this junior... this junior is ready!"
A voice as deep as a bear's growl rang out. Demon Bear Douluo's mountain-like frame advanced a cautious step, exuding an oppressive force.
His rugged face was full of simple, honest nerves as he placed a large bag of Gold Soul Coins heavily on the counter with a muffled thump.
[Consumption: 40000 Gold Soul Coins.] [System Evaluation: There's nothing in this bear's head but muscle. Simple, straightforward rewards suit him best.] [Random Reward: Double the power attribute of the Martial Soul!] [Host Reward: 4000 Gourmet Points.]
Seeing things finally return to the right track, Lin Feng nodded in satisfaction.
"Your reward is a doubling of your power attribute." He pointed a finger, and a faint golden light instantly sank into Demon Bear Douluo's brow.
Boom!!!
A terrifying power, pure to the extreme and savagely domineering, exploded within him like a volcano dormant for billions of years!
He could feel it clearly!
Every bone, every muscle fiber, even every cell in his body grew stronger beneath this divine power!
Demon Bear Douluo lowered his head in a daze and looked at his fist, as big as a cooking pot.
He simply clenched it gently.
"Crack! Crackle!"
The air was crushed in his grip, bursting with a string of ear-splitting booms!
He felt that he could now kill his former self with a single punch!
Thud!
This level-ninety-five Titled Douluo, renowned for his formidable body, dropped to one knee. The entire Maple Dye Pavilion trembled!
He pounded his right fist, powerful enough to split mountains and shatter rocks, against his chest, and roared with all his might, his voice shaking the heavens!
"Magic Bear thanks the senior for granting me a new life!"
"From this day onward, I will obey your every command, even if it costs me my life!"
Daring not to waste any more of the senior's time, he rose at once after performing this grand obeisance and respectfully retreated to one side.
While the shock had yet to subside, a tall, graceful figure moved forward with light, delicate steps.
It was Spirit Kite Douluo.
She gently stroked her still-flat, firm belly, which nevertheless felt a little distended, and a satisfied blush appeared on her face despite herself.
Delicious.
Truly delicious.
It had been so good that she had completely forgotten the dignity expected of a Titled Douluo, added another dish compared to yesterday, and eaten to her heart's content.
But now, in her phoenix eyes, blazing with golden Divine Flame, there was even more uncontrollable heat and competitiveness!
Elder Ghost had found salvation.
That fool Demon Bear had gained power.
What about me?
She took a deep breath, then held out a heavy bag of Gold Soul Coins in both hands and placed it respectfully on the counter.
"Senior."
She bowed slightly, her voice clear and pleasant, filled with boundless anticipation for the Divine Grace about to come.
"This junior is ready too."