Parting, Arriving at Spirit City

Upon hearing Elder Chrysanthemum's words, Lin Ze'an looked at his father's instantly pale face, and his heart tightened.

He turned to look at Elder Chrysanthemum and said, "Elder Chrysanthemum, can't my father come with me? He doesn't need to enter Spirit Hall; he could just find a place to live in Spirit City!"

Hearing this, Elder Chrysanthemum frowned slightly and began to ponder.

However, before Elder Chrysanthemum could answer, Lin Gang, standing to the side, took a deep breath as if he had made up his mind.

He reached out and patted his son's shoulder, forcing a seemingly relaxed smile onto his face: "Silly boy, you go. Dad won't be going to Spirit City."

Seeing the shock and confusion in Lin Ze'an's eyes, he shook his head: "Dad is used to this little village. Staying here means I can still keep your mother company."

"You go and cultivate with the Elders with peace of mind, become strong, and Dad will be here at home waiting for your return."

These words, while seemingly meant to comfort his son and get him out of a tight spot, were actually filled with heartache.

How could he not want to accompany his son?

But with his own meager cultivation, he was insignificant in a place like Spirit City.

Given his son's talent, he was destined to become a great figure, and he did not want to become a burden or a weakness for him.

Rather than going to a completely unfamiliar environment to live in fear and look to others for survival, it was better to stay in this familiar place. At least he could retain some dignity and a sense of purpose, letting his son know there was always a home to return to.

Lin Ze'an looked at his father's forced smile and instantly understood his intentions. His nose stung, and his eyes turned red.

Watching this scene, Elder Chrysanthemum was somewhat surprised by Lin Gang's tact. He nodded: "That is also fine. Rest assured, Spirit Hall will cultivate him with care."

Looking at his father's forced smile, how could Lin Ze'an not understand?

His father did not want to be a burden; he wanted to preserve a home for him to return to without any pressure.

His nose stung and his eyes turned red instantly, but he bit his lip hard, refusing to let the tears fall.

After all, this was his father in this life; they had lived together day and night, and he had been cared for with such devotion—how could there be no affection?

Lin Ze'an nodded heavily, his voice choked with emotion as he forced a smile: "Mm! Dad, wait for me! I will become very powerful, and then I will come home."

Having said that, he no longer hesitated, turned abruptly, and stopped looking at Lin Gang.

He kept his head down and walked quickly to the side of Elder Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo, saying in a voice that was barely audible: "Let's go."

Elder Chrysanthemum nodded in satisfaction and, together with Ghost Douluo, took Lin Ze'an and departed.

Lin Gang remained in that stiff, smiling posture.

It was only when he could no longer sense his son's presence that his straight spine suddenly slumped.

He slowly squatted down, buried his face in his knees, and his broad shoulders began to tremble violently.

One could only say that this was indeed a fantasy world; the speed of a Title Douluo was far beyond Lin Ze'an's imagination.

The village, rivers, and forests beneath his feet shrank and receded rapidly, while the biting gale was easily blocked by the soul power barriers of the two men.

Lin Ze'an only felt the wind whistling in his ears, and the scenery below blurred into a flow of colors.

This feeling of riding the clouds and mist made him momentarily forget the sorrow of parting, leaving only shock and a touch of dizziness.

Elder Chrysanthemum seemed to be in an excellent mood. As they sped along, he couldn't help but look at Lin Ze'an: "Kid, your martial soul is truly peculiar."

"I didn't ask in detail just now, but does your mother's martial soul have any special characteristics? She shouldn't be from an ordinary family, right?"

After all, the boy's father was just an ordinary four-ring Soul Sect, and his martial soul was nothing outstanding, so it must have been inherited from his mother.

Lin Ze'an was stunned at the question and whispered: "I don't know. I never met my mother. Dad only said she came from Spirit Hall."

Seeing his low spirits, Elder Chrysanthemum stopped questioning him and simply patted his shoulder: "No matter. Once we reach Spirit City, everything will become clear."

Just like that, after only a few days, the outline of an incredibly grand and majestic city gradually became clear on the horizon.

The closer they got, the more they could feel the immense pressure it exerted.

A massive statue of a six-winged angel seemed to stand within the city, and even from a great distance, one could feel the sacred and majestic aura it radiated.

"That is Spirit City." Elder Chrysanthemum's voice carried a hint of pride as he pointed to the giant city in the distance: "The holy land in the hearts of all soul masters on the continent, and the place where you will grow in the future."

Lin Ze'an widened his eyes, gazing at the city.

Although he came from an era of information explosion, seeing such a magnificent city in another world with his own eyes still left him deeply shocked.

Compared to this, the metropolis he lived in during his previous life seemed as small as a toy block.

Ghost Douluo spoke in a hoarse voice: "We will go directly to the Pope Palace to have an audience with Her Majesty the Pope."

"Of course." Elder Chrysanthemum nodded, and then several streaks of light swept directly over the city walls, speeding toward the most core, heavily guarded building in the center.

Just as Lin Ze'an was about to arrive at the Pope Palace, two young soul masters happened to be walking along a wide corridor below.

Leading them was a young girl, about fifteen or sixteen years old, who already possessed a budding grace. Her skin was as white as snow, her features were charming, and her eyes seemed to carry a natural, moving allure.

Beside her followed a cold-looking youth whose face bore a slight resemblance to hers.

It was none other than Pope Bibi Dong's personal disciple, Hu Liena, and her brother, Xie Yue.

Hu Liena seemed to be conversing with her brother when she suddenly sensed a powerful aura sweeping rapidly through the air, causing her to instinctively look up.

When she saw who was approaching, her charming face immediately took on a look of respect: "It is Elder Chrysanthemum and Elder Ghost."

Soon, her gaze was drawn to the boy between the two elders, who was enveloped in soul power, clearly much younger, and possessed a youthful face.

Is this the gifted child the teacher spoke of?

Hu Liena's delicate brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of curiosity flashing in her eyes.

Xie Yue, standing beside her, also stopped in his tracks, his cold, stern gaze likewise falling upon the unfamiliar child.

Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo clearly noticed the two below, but as they were on a mission, they merely gave a slight nod before flying past.

Lin Ze'an only caught a fleeting glimpse, thinking to himself: That is... Hu Liena and Xie Yue? The age gap seems a bit large, doesn't it?

As he pondered this, the group landed on the ground, and Lin Ze'an's attention was captured by the incredibly majestic, massive palace gates ahead.

Chrysanthemum Douluo whispered: "Stay close to us. Do not look around once we are inside, and do not speak out of turn before His Holiness the Pope."

With those words, he and Ghost Douluo led Lin Ze'an forward, stepping into the Pope Palace.