Letting Go of Yourself and Letting Go of You

Guang Ling stood before Qian Lingche and asked softly, "Little Che, have you truly thought this through?"

Qian Lingche gave a bitter smile, a trace of profound exhaustion showing in his eyes.

He raised his head and looked into Guang Ling's eyes: "Brother Ling, in this city, I feel so stifled, so alone."

"Everything here makes me feel suffocated, as if an invisible pair of hands is gripping my throat at every moment, leaving me unable to breathe."

Guang Ling was silent for a moment, a flicker of heartache flashing in his eyes, and he sighed: "But this is your home after all. If you leave, can you really find the life you want?"

Yet Qian Lingche only countered with a question: "Have I ever truly had a home? This is just the cold Spirit Hall; there is no warmth, no familial affection here. Is this... really a home?"

Guang Ling was stunned by the question, his mouth opening, but he found himself at a loss for how to answer.

He looked at Qian Lingche, the loneliness and helplessness revealed in those eyes causing his heart to ache.

He crouched down and gently pulled Qian Lingche into his arms: "Let's go, let's leave this place."

The next day, as the first light of dawn appeared, the bells of Spirit Hall suddenly tolled.

Before long, the entire Spirit Hall was in an uproar, everyone whispering amongst themselves, their faces etched with shock and disbelief.

"Have you heard? His Highness Qian Lingche has issued an order: from this day forth, the Frost Snow Palace severs all ties with Spirit Hall, and from here on, they shall have no further connection!"

"How can this be? His Highness Qian Lingche is the Young Master of Spirit Hall; how could he make such a decision?"

"Indeed, this is a monumental affair! Could it be that some irreconcilable conflict has arisen between His Highness and the Pope?"

Suddenly, from the direction of the Pope Palace, a majestic voice rang out: "Qian Lingche, do you know what you are doing?"

Qian Lingche had already finished packing with his people. He raised his head and looked toward the Pope Palace: "Mother, I am very clear. I have made my decision, and I will not regret it."

As the Pope Palace fell into silence, Qian Lingche understood her meaning.

Previously, Brother Ling had been unable to hide the truth and had told him everything that happened back then.

It was his own father, Qian Xunji, who had wronged his mother. Therefore, to her, the sight of him and his sister standing before her was a constant reminder of the suffering she had endured.

Because of this, she had been trapped in this city, unable to ever walk free...

Mother... I have never hated you; I just didn't understand why you didn't love me.

But now I understand. I will no longer ask for anything. I am letting myself go, and I am letting you go as well.

I hope that in the days to come, you can be happy.

He looked up at the towering Pope Palace, his eyes devoid of any lingering attachment, leaving only a sense of relief.

He turned to look at the people behind him.

Guang Ling, Shi Yi, Ling Yuan, Ji Lin, and the others, along with the handmaidens of the Frost Snow Palace, all stood quietly behind him.

They seemed to be telling him silently: no matter where he went, he would not be alone.

The corners of Qian Lingche's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a faint smile: "Let's go."

After Qian Lingche left, a massive commotion erupted within the Consecration Palace as well.

Lion slammed his hand onto the table, making the entire hall tremble.

His voice carried an unconcealable fury: "Insolent! If he, Qian Lingche, wanted to leave, so be it, but he actually took Old Five and Little Eight with him!"

"Adding that Ling Yuan by his side, he has taken away three Title Douluo in total! This is simply lawless!"

Qingluan looked at Lion with a helpless expression: "Old Four, you cannot blame him. Has Qian Lingche not suffered enough cold treatment since he was a child?"

"Among us, who has ever truly cared for him? Forget him; if it were me, I would want to leave as well."

Hearing this, Lion's expression shifted slightly; he opened his mouth, but found himself speechless.

Qingluan continued: "Besides, Old Five and Little Eight followed him of their own volition."

"Furthermore, even if we haven't looked after that child all these years, leaving him out there alone—are you not afraid something might happen to him?"

As Qingluan's words faded, the entire Consecration Palace fell into a deathly silence, and everyone's gaze turned instinctively toward Qian Daoliu.

After a long while, Qian Daoliu finally spoke slowly: "Enough, let them go."

I hope that by leaving Spirit Hall, by leaving this place that stifled him, that child can find some happiness...

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo watched Bibi Dong's inscrutable face and exchanged a glance.

Chrysanthemum Douluo hesitated for a moment before finally asking: "Your Holiness, are you... alright?"

Bibi Dong did not answer. Her gaze remained fixed on the distance, as if she could see that resolute, departing figure through the layers of palace walls.

Her fingers tapped unconsciously against the armrest of her throne, producing a faint "tap-tap" sound, as if she were deep in thought.

A moment later, Bibi Dong slowly withdrew her gaze: "I am fine."

Chrysanthemum Douluo hesitated, then stepped forward and asked in a low voice: "Your Holiness, should we notify Salas? It would be better for the Young Master to have some support while he is in the Heaven Dou Empire."

Bibi Dong remained silent for a moment upon hearing this, thinking it over before saying: "There is no need. Since Qian Lingche has chosen to sever ties with Spirit Hall, let him face everything on his own."

"Enough, let this matter end here. You may withdraw."

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo exchanged a glance, bowed respectfully, and then retreated from the great hall.

After stepping out of the palace gates, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo walked side by side along the long corridor of Spirit Hall.

Chrysanthemum Douluo furrowed his brows, his tone laced with confusion, "Old Ghost, why do you think the Young Master just left like that?"

Ghost Douluo sighed, "If he's gone, then he's gone. Perhaps he will live a better life away from here."

"With two titled elders by his side, he won't suffer any losses, so stop worrying about it."

Yet, no one knew that after the two had departed, Bibi Dong went alone to the secret chamber beneath the Pope Palace.

A seductive yet mocking voice drifted through the air, "What is it, Bibi Dong? Does your heart ache? Have you forgotten your hatred?"

Bibi Dong's body stiffened slightly, but she quickly regained her composure, "My affairs are not for you to manage."

The owner of that voice chuckled, her tone filled with playfulness, "Is that so? Yet your precious son has left Spirit Hall with three Titled Douluo in tow."

"Such a major event, and you remain indifferent? This hardly seems like your style."

Bibi Dong walked slowly toward a vortex formed of condensed energy, "Rakshasa, if you are bored, you would do better to think of how to deal with the Angel God rather than spouting such trivial nonsense here."

The Rakshasa God laughed, completely unbothered, "Bibi Dong, why must you be so tense? I am merely curious why your son chose to leave. Could it be that your coldness toward him chilled his heart?"

Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong's gaze turned abruptly icy, "Rakshasa, if you speak another word, you can take this godhood for yourself."

The Rakshasa God's tone held a hint of helplessness, "Fine, since you are unwilling to talk, I shall say no more."

"However, Bibi Dong, do not forget that your hatred is your greatest motivation."

"If even that were to waver, would all your efforts over these many years not be in vain?"