Lin Ze'an heard Chrysanthemum Douluo's words. Seeing his father's face turn deathly pale, his heart clenched.
He turned to Chrysanthemum Douluo and said, "Elder Chrysanthemum, can't my father come with me? He doesn't need to enter Spirit Hall. He can just find somewhere to live in Spirit City!"
At this, Chrysanthemum Douluo furrowed his brows and fell into thought.
Before he could answer, Lin Gang took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind.
He reached out and patted his son on the shoulder, forcing a seemingly carefree smile. "You silly boy, go on. I won't be going to Spirit City."
Seeing the confusion and disbelief in Lin Ze'an's eyes, he shook his head. "Your dad's used to this little village. If I stay here, I can still keep your mother company."
"Go with the elders and focus on cultivating. Grow strong. Your dad will be here at home waiting for you to come back."
On the surface, he was comforting his son and helping him out of a difficult spot, but his words were filled with heartache.
How could he not want to stay with his son?
But with his meager cultivation, he would be insignificant in a place like Spirit City.
With his son's talent, he was sure to become an important figure one day. He didn't want to become a burden or a weakness for him.
Rather than go somewhere completely unfamiliar and live in fear, dependent on others,
it was better to stay in this familiar place. At least he could keep some dignity and something to hope for, and let his son know he would always have a home to return to.
Seeing his father force a smile, Lin Ze'an immediately understood his intentions. His nose stung, and his eyes reddened.
Chrysanthemum Douluo watched the scene, somewhat surprised by Lin Gang's sense. He nodded. "That's for the best. Don't worry. Spirit Hall will do its utmost to cultivate him."
Seeing his father force a smile, how could Lin Ze'an fail to understand?
His father didn't want to become a burden. He wanted to preserve a home where Lin Ze'an could return without worry.
Lin Ze'an's nose stung, and his eyes instantly reddened, but he bit his lip hard and held back his tears.
After all, this was the father he'd had in this life. They had been together day and night, and Lin Gang had cared for him with all his heart. How could he feel nothing for him?
Lin Ze'an nodded firmly. His voice was choked with emotion as he managed a smile. "Mm! Dad, wait for me! I'll grow really strong, and then I'll come home."
With that, he didn't hesitate. He whirled around and didn't look at Lin Gang again.
Head lowered, he hurried over to Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, and said in a voice barely above a whisper, "Let's go."
Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded in satisfaction, then left with Ghost Douluo, taking Lin Ze'an with them.
Lin Gang remained frozen in that stiff pose, still smiling.
Only when he could no longer sense his son's presence did his straight back suddenly buckle.
He slowly crouched down and buried his face against his knees. His broad shoulders began to shake violently.
This really was a fantasy world. The speed of a Titled Douluo far surpassed anything Lin Ze'an had imagined.
The village, rivers, and forests beneath them rapidly shrank and slipped away. The biting gale was easily blocked by the two men's Soul Power barriers.
Lin Ze'an could only hear the wind roar in his ears. The scenery below blurred into a flowing smear of color.
The sensation of nearly soaring through the clouds made him forget the sadness of parting for a moment, leaving him with nothing but shock and a touch of dizziness.
Chrysanthemum Douluo seemed to be in an excellent mood. As he sped along, he couldn't help glancing at Lin Ze'an. "Boy, your Martial Soul is truly unusual."
"I didn't get the chance to ask earlier. Was there anything special about your mother's Martial Soul? She must not have come from an ordinary family, right?"
After all, the boy's father was only an ordinary Four-Ring Soul Ancestor, and his Martial Soul wasn't anything special. So it could only have been inherited from his mother, right?
Lin Ze'an was taken aback. He said softly, "I don't know. I've never met my mother. Dad only said she came from Spirit Hall."
Seeing that his mood had sunk, Chrysanthemum Douluo didn't press further. He only patted him on the shoulder. "No matter. Once we reach Spirit City, everything will become clear."
And so, after only a few days, the outline of a vast, magnificent city gradually came into view at the edge of the distant horizon.
The closer they got, the more they felt the immense pressure it exuded.
A gigantic statue of a Six-Winged Angel appeared to stand in the city. Even from a great distance, they could sense the sacred, imposing aura it gave off.
"That's Spirit City." Chrysanthemum Douluo's voice carried a hint of pride as he pointed at the distant city. "The holy land in the hearts of all the Soul Masters on the continent—and the place where you'll grow in the future."
Lin Ze'an's eyes widened as he gazed at the city.
Though he came from an age of information overload, seeing such a magnificent city from another world with his own eyes still left him deeply shaken.
By comparison, the city he'd lived in during his previous life seemed as tiny as a toy built from blocks.
Ghost Douluo spoke in his hoarse voice. "We'll head straight to Pope Palace and pay our respects to His Holiness the Pope."
"Of course." Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded. A few streaks of light then swept over the city walls and sped toward the central building, the most important and heavily guarded structure in the city.
Just as Lin Ze'an was about to arrive at Pope Palace, two young Soul Masters happened to be walking along a broad corridor below.
The one leading was a girl, around fifteen or sixteen years old. She already had the beginnings of a captivating figure, with skin as white as snow and a bewitching face. Her eyes seemed to hold a natural, alluring charm.
At her side walked a boy with a cool, stern air whose features bore some resemblance to hers.
They were none other than Hu Liena, the Pope Bibi Dong's personal disciple, and her elder brother, Xie Yue.
Hu Liena seemed to be talking with her brother when she suddenly sensed a powerful aura rushing through the sky. She instinctively looked up.
When she saw who it was, a respectful expression immediately appeared on her bewitching face. "Elder Chrysanthemum and Elder Ghost."
Soon, her gaze was drawn to the young boy between the two elders. He was wrapped in Soul Power, clearly much younger than them, and had a tender, youthful face.
Was this the exceptionally talented child her teacher had mentioned?
Hu Liena's delicate brows furrowed slightly, curiosity flashing in her eyes.
Beside her, Xie Yue also stopped. His cool gaze settled on the unfamiliar child.
The Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo had evidently noticed the pair below, but they were on a mission. They merely nodded at them before flying onward.
Lin Ze'an only caught a quick glimpse of them, thinking to himself, Are those... Hu Liena and Xie Yue? Is there really that much of an age gap between them?
As he wondered about it, the group landed. Lin Ze'an's attention was drawn to the enormous, imposing doors of the hall before them.
Chrysanthemum Douluo said quietly, "Stay close to us. Don't look around once we're inside, and don't speak out of turn in front of His Holiness the Pope."
With that, he and Ghost Douluo led Lin Ze'an forward and stepped into Pope Palace.
Before you continue