Turbulent Winds and Surging Clouds

Qian Daoliu listened to Xu Tianran's earnest oath with a detached expression, offering no comment.

He did not respond, merely shifting his gaze to signal Bo Saixi, who stood at his side.

Bo Saixi understood his intent, slowly raising her hand to summon her second martial soul—the Life Scepter.

A brilliant, gentle emerald light erupted from the tip of the scepter, and a vast, pure life force instantly swept through the entire Offering Hall, dispelling the stagnant, icy aura of death within.

The immense vitality poured continuously into Xu Tianran's body, coursing through his damaged meridians and bones, scouring away the deep-seated roots of death and the insidious toxins.

His withered complexion improved visibly to the naked eye, his fading vitality rapidly replenished, and his frail body gradually regained its strength. Even his completely ruined legs and private areas slowly repaired themselves under the nourishment of this life force, glowing with renewed vigor.

After a long while, Bo Saixi slowly withdrew the Life Scepter, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead; the sustained infusion of such massive life force had drained a significant amount of her soul power.

Xu Tianran had now shed his sickly appearance, returning to his former handsome and imposing self.

He clearly sensed the return of sensation in his lower limbs and the long-lost recovery of his bodily functions, and he immediately let out an excited roar toward the heavens.

"Ah!!!"

Ignoring his body's unfamiliarity, he insisted on standing up. Stumbling, he declined Kong Deming's assistance, fell to his knees, and kowtowed heavily to Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi.

He did not forget to raise his right hand, four fingers pointing toward the sky, as he swore to the two of them: "Your Excellencies, from this day forward, you are my second parents!"

With that, Xu Tianran kowtowed four more times to Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi.

"Clang!"

Kong Deming watched as Xu Tianran insisted on prostrating himself before Qian Daoliu despite his attempts to stop him, his own eyes filled with indescribable excitement.

Naturally, Qian Daoliu accepted this as a matter of course.

Afterward, Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi exchanged a glance and spoke a few more words to Xu Tianran.

"Xu Tianran, remember your oath today! I hope you can keep your word, otherwise..."

Before he could finish, a tyrannical and peerless aura of destruction erupted from Qian Daoliu's body, instantly shrouding the entire Offering Hall.

The extreme pressure of destruction bore down heavily, causing the newly recovered Xu Tianran to stiffen, his blood surging as his body trembled uncontrollably.

Kong Deming, standing to the side, was even more shaken; his breath hitched, his spine went rigid, and a sense of extreme awe and terror welled up in his heart.

Both Xu Tianran and Kong Deming could feel that Qian Daoliu's words were no empty threat. If Bo Saixi's power represented rebirth, then Qian Daoliu at this moment represented destruction.

In his heart, Xu Tianran had already come to regard Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi as the heavens of the Sun Moon Empire.

With these two great gods present, forces like the Holy Spirit Cult, Shrek Academy, the Star Dou Great Forest, and the Xingluo Empire would all have to step aside.

Xu Tianran began to formulate further plans for the future.

Having intimidated Xu Tianran and seeing that he was sufficiently cowed, Qian Daoliu withdrew his aura of destruction.

He spoke to Xu Tianran once more: "Xu Tianran, your injuries are not as simple as a mere attack by the Holy Spirit Cult!"

"I suspect there are those around you who are disloyal, poisoning you in secret!"

"Therefore, you must continue to appear before the world in your crippled state for now!"

As soon as Qian Daoliu finished speaking, the face that had been joyful from its rebirth instantly turned gloomy.

A towering rage ignited in the depths of his eyes, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, and the aura around him suddenly became sharp and terrifying.

The joy of his recent rebirth vanished entirely. At the thought of a treacherous traitor hiding by his side and poisoning him in secret, his heart burned with fury, and his chest heaved violently.

Kong Deming, standing nearby, was shocked upon hearing this. With a look of astonishment, he hurriedly stepped forward and asked urgently in a low voice: "Brother Qian, are you saying that someone has infiltrated the Emperor's inner circle?"

Qian Daoliu merely nodded slightly; he did not know exactly who had poisoned Xu Tianran.

After all, he had been away from the Sun Moon Empire for a long time.

Having done this, Qian Daoliu said no more.

He simply accompanied Bo Saixi, watching quietly as Xu Tianran and Kong Deming gradually calmed down.

Finally, Xu Tianran regained his composure, struggling to restrain his emotions, and said respectfully to Qian Daoliu: "Everything shall be as Your Excellency commands!"

Afterward, Xu Tianran walked with heavy steps back to the wheelchair that had accompanied him for so long.

He turned and lowered his waist, sitting heavily back into the chair.

Kong Deming cooperated by moving behind him.

A fierce light flickered in Kong Deming's eyes before he hid it deep within.

Qian Daoliu waved his hand, lifting all the seals.

The great doors opened, and Kong Deming pushed Xu Tianran back into the sight of the others.

Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi followed behind them.

Ju Zi, Jing Hongchen, Ye Guyi, Qian Gu Zhenyue, Qian Gu Zhenxie, and the others had no idea what had transpired inside.

But Ju Zi clearly sensed that something about Xu Tianran had changed.

Yet, she could not put her finger on what exactly was different.

Ju Zi walked naturally behind Xu Tianran's wheelchair, taking over for Elder Kong and placing her hands on the handles.

Finally, prompted by Elder Kong, he said, "Your Majesty, the two Crowned Ones have traveled a long distance and must be exhausted. Perhaps we should stop bothering them and return another day!"

Hearing this, Xu Tianran understood immediately. He feigned a few coughs and said to Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi, "Then please, Your Excellencies, take a rest. Tianran will take his leave now!"

With that said, under the watchful eyes of Qian Daoliu and the others, Xu Tianran patted the fair hand Ju Zi had resting on the wheelchair.

This time, Xu Tianran clearly sensed something unusual beneath him.

Consequently, Xu Tianran gripped Ju Zi's fair hand tightly, refusing to let go.

Ju Zi, caught by surprise, naturally tried to pull her hand away from Xu Tianran's grasp, but he held on firmly.

Helpless, Ju Zi had no choice but to let him hold it.

Then, under the gaze of Qian Daoliu and the others, Ju Zi pushed Xu Tianran away.

As for Elder Kong, he followed closely behind Xu Tianran.

After all, Qian Daoliu's remark about a potential mole in Xu Tianran's inner circle had truly shaken him.

Therefore, he dared not let Xu Tianran take any more risks alone.

Not long after Elder Kong and the others departed, Qian Daoliu seemed to recall something else.

He hurriedly sent a voice transmission to Elder Kong: "Brother Kong, that Tier 9 defensive soul tool of yours is quite good. Remember to prepare eight or ten of them for this brother!"

In the distance, Elder Kong heard the transmission and nearly tripped over his own feet.

"Elder Kong, what is wrong?"

"Teacher, what is wrong?"

Both Xu Tianran and Jing Hongchen noticed Elder Kong's sudden instability.

Elder Kong merely waved his hand and said, "It is nothing! Nothing at all!"

Yet, in his heart, he had already noted down Qian Daoliu's request.

Just as Elder Kong managed to compose himself, Qian Daoliu thought of something else and continued his transmission: "Oh, right, Brother Kong, you are a Tier 10 Soul Master now! When will you craft a Tier 10 defensive soul tool for me?"

This caught Elder Kong completely off guard.

He hurriedly steadied his emotions, picked up his pace, and fled from Qian Daoliu's territory as fast as his feet could carry him.

Back at the scene, Ye Guyi heard the sound of Elder Kong's frantic retreat and couldn't help but ask Qian Daoliu, "Ancestor, why is Teacher walking faster and faster?"

Hearing this, Qian Daoliu simply patted Ye Guyi's head and said, "Perhaps your teacher is busy rushing home to prepare Tier 9 defensive soul tools for you all!"

After seeing off Xu Tianran, Elder Kong, and the others, Qian Daoliu dismissed everyone else so that he and Bo Saixi could enjoy some private time.

Who would have thought that Bo Saixi would nestle into Qian Daoliu's arms and stop him, saying, "Qian Daoliu, you cannot touch me for some time to come!"

Qian Daoliu was puzzled. "Xixi, why? Is there something I did wrong?"

Bo Saixi gave him a playful, reproachful look. "Qian Daoliu, I am pregnant!"

Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu nearly jumped for joy.

"What!~"

"I am going to be a father!~"

Compared to the joy and laughter at Qian Daoliu's place, the atmosphere at the Ming Capital imperial palace where Xu Tianran resided was bleak and somber.

The moment Xu Tianran returned to the palace, he was met with dire news from his subordinates.

A messenger soldier knelt before Xu Tianran, who sat upon his high throne, and reported, "Report! The Star Luo Empire has joined forces with the Douling Empire and is attacking our Sun Moon Empire from two sides simultaneously."

"The Star Luo Empire's army is currently locked in a standoff with our imperial forces at the Mingdou Mountain Range!"

Before the soldier could finish, another messenger arrived with a report: "Report! An unidentified force is wreaking havoc across the major cities within the empire!"

Even more news arrived: "Cities within the former territory of the Tianhun Empire are being repeatedly slaughtered by Evil Soul Masters!"

Upon hearing this, the wonderful mood Xu Tianran had felt from his newfound vitality vanished instantly. "Scoundrels!"