Inside the Worship Hall, Qian Daoliu stood before the window, gazing sorrowfully at the sky.
Azure Luan stood beside him. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke. "Big Brother, that child is pitiful too."
Qian Daoliu sighed. "I know. Though he was born into Spirit Hall, he's had no family by his side all these years. He grew up alone. He may seem strong on the outside, but deep down, he's lonely."
A flicker of confusion crossed Azure Luan's eyes. "Since you understand all that, then why..." Before he could finish, Qian Daoliu raised a hand to stop him.
"But only one person can inherit the Angel God Position. From the moment Xue'er was born, I knew she was the one I'd been waiting for."
"She is the heir personally chosen by the Angel God. This is the will of heaven, and it is inevitable."
Azure Luan fell silent for a moment, a complicated expression appearing in his eyes. He said softly, "But Lingche..."
Qian Daoliu sighed, his voice tinged with helplessness and guilt. "Lingche... He really is a good child. His talent is even greater than Xue'er's."
"But some things can never be had all at once. As the Grand Elder of the Angel God, I can only obey the Angel God without question."
"Xue'er is the only choice, and Lingche... I can only apologize to him."
He slowly turned to face Azure Luan, the heaviness in his voice impossible to hide. "In the end, I will give my life to the Angel God to open the Inheritance Passage. That is my duty as Grand Elder, and a responsibility I cannot escape."
Azure Luan paused, taken aback. "Big Brother..."
Qian Daoliu continued, his voice filled with deep remorse. "In this life, I've wronged that child... He should have had a better future, but destiny pushed him into this situation."
"I couldn't give him the care he deserved. All of this is my fault."
He paused, then looked toward the Angel God Statue. "I only hope that once Xue'er becomes a god, she can take her younger brother with her to the Divine Realm. That's the only way I can make it up to him."
Qian Lingche looked in surprise at Shi Yi, who had caught up from behind. "Brother Yi, what are you doing here?"
Shi Yi stepped forward and ruffled Qian Lingche's hair. "I was worried you'd have trouble hunting Soul Beasts, so I came to help."
Guang Ling crossed his arms and glanced at Shi Yi with an exasperated look. "We could've beaten them without you. It just would've taken longer."
Shi Yi turned to Guang Ling and raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. "Fifth Brother, that's not fair. I'm just helping you make faster progress so you don't waste time."
Qian Lingche helplessly removed Shi Yi's hand from his head. "Then thank you, Brother Yi."
Shi Yi withdrew his hand, still smiling. "What are you thanking me for? We're family. It's only right."
Qian Lingche looked at Lin Yuan, who was standing nearby. "Lin Yuan, this is the Eighth Elder. He's usually in closed-door cultivation, so you probably don't know him."
Lin Yuan looked at the young man who had helped them earlier in surprise, but still stepped forward and bowed. "Eighth Elder."
Qian Lingche said to Guang Ling and Shi Yi, "Brother Ling, Brother Yi, you should head back first. It's rare for me to get out, and I want to explore Heaven Dou City. I've never been there before."
At that, Guang Ling furrowed his brow slightly, his tone disapproving. "Heaven Dou City? It's a mixed bag, and it won't be safe for you to go alone."
Shi Yi nodded too. "Yeah. How about we go with you?"
Qian Lingche waved a hand. "Don't worry, Lin Yuan's here. She can protect me."
Then he added, "Besides, it wouldn't be a good time for Brother Yi to show his face, and it'd be bad if Brother Ling were recognized."
Guang Ling looked at him in confusion. "What, am I not fit to be seen?"
Shi Yi chuckled and patted Guang Ling on the shoulder. "Fifth Brother, you're an elder of Spirit Hall, and your status is special. If people from the Heaven Dou Empire recognize you, it could cause quite a stir."
Hearing this, Lin Yuan immediately straightened up. "Please rest assured, Elders. I'll protect the young master and won't let him come to any harm."
Guang Ling's gaze fell on Lin Yuan. After absorbing a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone, she had reached level 95.
He was still a little worried, but the boy had grown up, and it was time for him to go out and see the world. "Now that Lin Yuan has reached level 95, no one in the Heaven Dou Empire can threaten her. Dugu Bo may be a Titled Douluo too, but he's nowhere near as strong as she is."
Qian Lingche sidled up to Guang Ling and wrapped both arms around his, his tone ingratiating:
"Then, Brother Ling, sorry for the trouble, but could you arrange a coronation ceremony for Lin Yuan when we get back? How about a month from now?"
Guang Ling was at a loss with him acting like this and shook his head. "All right, all right. You little rascal, always finding things for me to do."
Qian Lingche smiled even more brightly, his eyes full of anticipation. "Thank you, Brother Ling! I knew you were the best!"
Guang Ling gave a soft snort, but the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
He took off the ring-shaped Storage Soul Tool on his hand and slipped it onto Qian Lingche's. "Here, some money, so you won't be short of it in Heaven Dou City. Remember, be careful, but don't be afraid of trouble."
Qian Lingche waved to Guang Ling and Shi Yi with a smile. "Thanks, Brother Ling! We're off!"
Guang Ling nodded. "Go on. If anyone gives you trouble out there, hit back. Don't be afraid of a little trouble."
Qian Lingche answered and said to Lin Yuan, "Let's go!"
Lin Yuan nodded, summoned her Martial Soul, and carried Qian Lingche through the air toward Heaven Dou City.
After Qian Lingche and Lin Yuan flew out of sight, Guang Ling and Shi Yi didn't return directly to Spirit Hall. Instead, they made another trip to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect before heading back toward Spirit Hall.
Chen Xin stood beside Ning Fengzhi. "Fengzhi, are you saying we should spend a few days in Heaven Dou City and keep an eye on that kid?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "As far as we know, he already has two Titled Douluo with him."
And that Titled Douluo you mentioned, the one even stronger than you, is probably with them too. Someone like that is well worth winning over."
At the mention of Shi Yi, Chen Xin nodded gravely. "That's true. That Titled Douluo gave me a powerful sense of oppression. Even I'm not confident I could beat him."
Ning Fengzhi picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Besides, that kid has another Titled Douluo protecting him. He should be fine."
"If we go, it'll show our goodwill. There's no reason to pass up an easy favor."
Chen Xin nodded in agreement. "That works. The kid is with Spirit Hall, after all. Since it's so close to us, if anything happens, our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could get dragged into it. Better to prepare for a rainy day."