Guang Ling stood before Qian Lingche and asked softly, "Xiao Che, have you really made up your mind?"
Qian Lingche gave a bitter smile, deep weariness showing in his eyes.
He raised his head and looked into Guang Ling's eyes. "Brother Ling, I feel so stifled and lonely in this city."
"Everything here makes me feel suffocated. It's as if invisible hands are wrapped around my throat every moment of every day, keeping me from breathing."
Guang Ling fell silent for a moment, a flicker of heartache in his eyes. He sighed. "But this is your home, after all. If you leave, can you really find the life you want?"
Qian Lingche only asked in return, "Did I ever really have a home? This place is just the cold Spirit Hall. There's no warmth, no family affection. Is this... really home?"
Guang Ling was taken aback by the question. He opened his mouth, but for a moment, he didn't know how to answer.
He looked at Qian Lingche, and the loneliness and helplessness in his eyes struck him with pain.
He crouched down and gently gathered Qian Lingche into his arms. "Let's go. Let's leave this place."
The next day, as dawn broke, the bells of Spirit Hall rang out without warning.
A little while later, Spirit Hall erupted into chaos. Everyone was discussing the news, shock and disbelief written all over their faces.
"Have you heard? His Highness Qian Lingche ordered Frost Snow Palace to secede from Spirit Hall as of today. From now on, they'll have nothing to do with each other!"
"How is that possible? His Highness Qian Lingche is the Young Master of Spirit Hall. How could he make such a decision?"
"Exactly! This is huge! Could something irreconcilable have happened between His Highness and His Holiness the Pope?"
Suddenly, a stern voice rang out from the direction of Pope Palace. "Qian Lingche, do you know what you're doing?"
Qian Lingche had already gathered his people and packed their things. He raised his head and looked toward Pope Palace. "Mother, I know exactly what I'm doing. I've made my decision, and I won't regret it."
When Pope Palace fell silent, Qian Lingche understood what she meant.
Earlier, Brother Ling had been unable to keep it from him any longer and had told him the whole truth about what happened back then.
His father, Qian Xunji, had wronged his mother. So to her, having him and his sister before her was like being constantly reminded of the suffering she had endured.
And so, she had become trapped in this city, never able to leave...
Mother... I've never hated you. I just didn't understand why you didn't love me.
But now I understand. I won't ask for anything anymore. I'll let myself go, and let you go.
I hope you can find happiness in the days ahead.
He looked up at the towering Pope Palace. There wasn't a trace of reluctance in his eyes, only release.
He turned to face the people behind him.
Guang Ling, Shi Yi, Ling Yuan, Ji Lin, and the maids of Frost Snow Palace all stood quietly behind him.
It was as if they were silently telling him: wherever he went, he wouldn't be alone.
The corners of Qian Lingche's mouth lifted into a faint smile. "Let's go."
After Qian Lingche left, the Worship Hall was thrown into an uproar as well.
Lion slammed a hand down on the table, and the entire hall seemed to tremble.
His voice was thick with undisguised anger. "Outrageous! Qian Lingche can leave if he wants, but he even took Fifth and Little Eight with him!"
"And that Ling Yuan by his side makes three Titled Douluo in all! This is downright lawless!"
Azure Luan looked at Lion helplessly. "Fourth, you can't blame him. Hasn't Qian Lingche been treated coldly his whole life?"
"Which of us ever truly cared about him? If I were in his shoes, I'd want to leave too."
Lion's expression shifted slightly at that. He opened his mouth, but for a moment, he had no answer.
Azure Luan continued, "Besides, Fifth and Little Eight chose to follow him of their own accord."
"And even if we haven't looked after that child all these years, and have left him to fend for himself, aren't you worried something might happen to him?"
As Azure Luan's words faded, a deathly silence settled over the Worship Hall. Everyone's eyes turned toward Qian Daoliu in unison.
After a long while, Qian Daoliu finally spoke. "Let it be. Let them go."
Hopefully, away from Spirit Hall and the place that had stifled him, the child could find some happiness...
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo watched Bibi Dong's shifting expression and exchanged a glance.
Chrysanthemum Douluo hesitated, then finally asked, "Your Holiness the Pope, are you... all right?"
Bibi Dong didn't answer. Her gaze remained fixed in the distance, as if she could see the resolute figure walking away through the palace walls.
Her fingers tapped unconsciously against the armrest, making a faint "tap, tap" sound, as if she were lost in thought.
Only after a moment did Bibi Dong slowly look away. "I'm fine."
Chrysanthemum Douluo hesitated, then stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Your Holiness the Pope, should we notify Salas? The Young Master is heading to the Heaven Dou Empire. It would be good for him to have someone looking out for him."
Bibi Dong fell silent for a moment, then said, "No need. Since Qian Lingche has chosen to leave Spirit Hall, let him face everything on his own."
"That's enough. This matter is settled. You may leave."
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo exchanged a glance, bowed respectfully, and then left the hall.
After stepping outside, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo walked side by side along Spirit Hall's corridor.
Chrysanthemum Douluo frowned, confusion in his voice. "Old Ghost, why do you think the Young Master left?"
Ghost Douluo sighed. "Let him go. Maybe he'll be better off away from here."
"With two Titled Douluo by his side, he shouldn't suffer much. Don't worry about it."
But no one knew that, after the two had left, Bibi Dong went alone to the secret chamber beneath Pope Palace.
A seductive voice edged with sarcasm rang out. "What is it, Bibi Dong? Does it hurt? Have you forgotten your hatred?"
Bibi Dong's body stiffened slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "My affairs are none of your concern."
The owner of the voice chuckled, a hint of mockery in her tone. "Is that so? But your precious son left Spirit Hall with three Titled Douluo."
"For something this serious, you're completely unmoved? That doesn't sound like you."
Bibi Dong slowly walked up to a vortex made of energy. "Rakshasa, if you're bored, why not think about how to deal with the Angel God instead of wasting your breath on things that don't matter?"
Rakshasa God laughed, unconcerned. "Bibi Dong, why are you so tense? I'm just curious. Why did your son choose to leave? Was it because you were so cold to him that you broke his heart?"
At that, Bibi Dong's gaze turned icy. "Rakshasa, if you say another word, you can keep this divine seat for yourself."
A hint of helplessness crept into Rakshasa God's voice. "Fine. If you don't want to talk about it, I won't say anything more."
"But Bibi Dong, don't forget: your hatred is your greatest driving force."
"If even that begins to waver, won't all your years of effort have been for nothing?"