Divine Mandate Decided, Affection Incomplete

Inside the Worship Hall at this moment, Qian Daoliu stood before the window, his gaze fixed on the sky with a sorrowful expression.

Azure Luan stood by his side, remaining silent for a moment before finally speaking, "Big Brother, that child is also quite pitiful."

Hearing this, Qian Daoliu sighed, "I know. Although he was born into Spirit Hall, he has had no family by his side all these years. He grew up alone; while he appears strong on the surface, he is ultimately lonely at heart."

A flicker of confusion crossed Azure Luan's eyes, "Since you are well aware of this, then why..." Before he could finish, Qian Daoliu raised a hand to interrupt him.

"But the Angel God Position can only be inherited by one person. From the moment Xue'er was born, I knew she was the one I had been waiting for."

"She is the successor personally chosen by the Angel God. This is heaven's will, and it is inevitable."

Azure Luan fell silent for a moment, a complex look appearing in his eyes as he whispered, "But Lingche, he..."

Qian Daoliu sighed, his voice tinged with helplessness and guilt, "Lingche... he is indeed a good child, with talent even superior to Xue'er's."

"But some things are destined to be irreconcilable. As the Grand Elder of the Angel God, I can only obey the Angel God unconditionally."

"Xue'er is the only choice, and as for Lingche... I can only apologize to him."

He slowly turned around to look at Azure Luan, his tone heavy with an irrepressible weight, "My life will eventually be offered to the Angel God to open the Inheritance Passage. This is my mission as the Grand Elder, and a responsibility I cannot escape."

Azure Luan was slightly startled, "Big Brother..."

Qian Daoliu continued, his voice filled with deep remorse, "In this life, I have failed that child... He should have had a better future, but fate has pushed him into such a predicament."

"I have been unable to give him the care he deserves; all of this is my fault."

He paused for a moment, looking toward the Angel God Statue, "I only hope that after Xue'er becomes a god in the future, she can take her younger brother to the God Realm together. This is the only compensation I can offer him."

Qian Lingche looked in surprise at Shi Yi, who had caught up from behind, "Brother Yi, why are you here?"

Shi Yi stepped forward and reached out to ruffle Qian Lingche's hair, "I was afraid you might have trouble hunting soul beasts, so I came to help."

Guang Ling, standing to the side with his arms crossed, glanced at Shi Yi with a speechless expression, "We could have managed without you; it just would have been a bit slower."

Shi Yi turned to look at Guang Ling, raising an eyebrow with a teasing tone, "Fifth Brother, that's not right of you. I'm just trying to help you speed things up 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, a smile still lingering on his lips, "No need for formalities. 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 is usually in seclusion for cultivation, so you probably don't know him."

Hearing this, Lin Yuan looked in surprise at the young man who had helped earlier, but she still stepped forward and bowed, "Eighth Elder."

Qian Lingche said to Guang Ling and Shi Yi, "Brother Ling, Brother Yi, you two should head back first. It's rare for me to be out, and I want to go play in Heaven Dou City. I've never been there before."

Hearing this, Guang Ling frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of disapproval, "Heaven Dou City? It's a place where all sorts of people mix; it's not safe for you to go alone."

Shi Yi also nodded, "That's right. How about we accompany you?"

Qian Lingche waved his hand, "Don't worry, Lin Yuan is with me. She can protect me well."

He then added, "Besides, it's not suitable for Brother Yi to show his face right now, and it wouldn't be good if you were recognized, Brother Ling."

Guang Ling looked at him, puzzled, "What, am I not fit to be seen?"

Shi Yi chuckled and patted Guang Ling on the shoulder, "Fifth Brother, you are an Elder of Spirit Hall with a special status. If you were recognized by people from the Heaven Dou Empire, it would likely cause quite a bit of trouble."

Lin Yuan, standing to the side, straightened her posture upon hearing this, "Please rest assured, Elders. I will definitely protect the Young Master and will never let him suffer any harm."

Guang Ling's gaze fell on Lin Yuan. Having absorbed a hundred thousand year soul ring and a hundred thousand year soul bone, she had already reached level 95.

Although he was still a bit worried, the child was grown up, and it was time for him to go out and see the world, "Since Lin Yuan has reached level 95, no one in the Heaven Dou Empire can threaten her. Although Dugu Bo is also a Title Douluo, his strength is still far inferior to hers."

Qian Lingche grinned and sidled up to Guang Ling, hugging his arm with a coaxing tone:

"Then, Brother Ling, after we get back, could you please help Lin Yuan prepare for a coronation ceremony? Let's set it for a month from now, how about that?"

Guang Ling felt somewhat helpless at his behavior and shook his head, "Fine, fine. You brat, you only know how to find work for me."

Qian Lingche smiled even more brightly, his eyes full of anticipation, "Thank you, Brother Ling! I knew you were the best!"

Guang Ling let out a soft huff, but the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

He took off the ring-shaped storage Soul Tool from his hand and placed it directly onto Qian Lingche's finger, "Here is some money, so you won't be without funds in Heaven Dou City. Remember, be careful and don't be afraid of trouble."

Qian Lingche waved at Guang Ling and Shi Yi with a smile, "Thank you, Brother Ling! We're off!"

Guang Ling nodded, "Go on. If you get bullied out there, hit them back. Don't fear the consequences."

Qian Lingche acknowledged him and said to Lin Yuan, "Let's go!"

Lin Yuan nodded, summoned her martial soul, and flew toward Heaven Dou City with Qian Lingche.

After Qian Lingche and Lin Yuan flew out of sight, Guang Ling and Shi Yi did not return directly to Spirit Hall, but instead made a trip to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect before heading in the direction of Spirit Hall.

Chen Xin stood beside Ning Fengzhi, "Fengzhi, as you suggested, shall we go to Heaven Dou City for a few days to keep an eye on that boy?"

Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly, his gaze thoughtful, "He already has two known Title Douluo by his side."

"And that Title Douluo you mentioned, who is even stronger than you, is likely with them as well. Such people are well worth us winning over."

Mentioning Shi Yi, Chen Xin nodded with a solemn expression, "Indeed. That Title Douluo gives me a very strong sense of oppression; even I am not confident I could defeat him."

Ning Fengzhi picked up his teacup and took a sip, "Besides, doesn't that boy have a Title Douluo protecting him? Nothing should go wrong."

"Our visit can be considered a gesture of goodwill. There's no harm in accepting a favor that can be gained so easily."

Chen Xin nodded in agreement, "That is true. After all, that boy is from Spirit Hall. If something happens so close to us, it will inevitably involve our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. It is better to take precautions."