Qian Daoliu listened to Xu Tianran's earnest oath with an impassive expression, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
He did not respond, merely shifting his gaze to give Bo Saixi a subtle signal.
Bo Saixi understood at once. She slowly raised her hand and activated her Second Martial Soul—the Life Scepter.
Brilliant, gentle green divine light burst from the top of the scepter. A mighty, pure force of life swept through the entire Worship Hall, driving away the stagnant, frigid aura of death.
An endless stream of vitality poured into Xu Tianran's body, coursing through his damaged meridians and bones, washing away the Origin of Death and strange toxins that had taken root deep within him.
His pallid complexion visibly improved. His fading vitality quickly filled out, and strength gradually returned to his frail body. Even his completely ruined legs and the parts he kept hidden slowly mended under the nourishment of that life force, restoring their vitality.
After a long while, Bo Saixi slowly lowered the Life Scepter. Fine beads of sweat had formed at her temples; continuously pouring in such immense vitality had cost her a great deal of Soul Power.
Xu Tianran had now shed his sickly appearance and regained the handsome, dignified look of his former self.
He clearly felt sensation returning to his lower body, and his long-dormant physical functions fully awakening. Overcome with excitement, he threw back his head and roared.
"Ah!!!"
Ignoring how unfamiliar his body felt, he insisted on standing. He stumbled as he declined Kong Deming's support, then staggered to his knees and bowed deeply to Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi.
He even raised his right hand, holding four fingers to the sky, and swore to them, "Your Excellencies, from this day on, you are my parents reborn!"
As he spoke, Xu Tianran bowed his head to Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi four more times.
"Clang, clang, clang!"
Kong Deming watched Xu Tianran disregard his attempts to stop him and prostrate himself before Qian Daoliu. He, too, was overcome with indescribable emotion.
Of course, Qian Daoliu accepted it all as his due.
Then Qian Daoliu exchanged a glance with Bo Saixi before turning back to Xu Tianran and saying a few words.
"Xu Tianran, remember the oath you made today! I hope you keep your word. Otherwise..."
Before he could finish, an overbearing aura of Destruction erupted from within Qian Daoliu, instantly enveloping the entire Worship Hall.
The supreme pressure of Destruction crashed down upon them. Xu Tianran, who had only just recovered, stiffened all over as his blood and energy roiled. His body trembled slightly against his will.
Kong Deming, standing nearby, was even more shaken. His breathing suddenly grew labored, his back tensed, and his heart filled with overwhelming awe and dread.
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's represented Destruction.
Xu Tianran had already come to regard Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi as the pillars of the Sun Moon Empire.
With two mighty figures like them backing him, the Holy Spirit Cult, Shrek Academy, the Star Dou Great Forest, the Xingluo Empire, and every other force would have to step aside.
Xu Tianran began to plan more ambitiously for the future.
After giving Xu Tianran a warning and seeing that he had been cowed, Qian Daoliu withdrew his aura of Destruction.
He turned to Xu Tianran once more. "Xu Tianran, your injuries weren't caused by the Holy Spirit Cult's attack alone!"
"I suspect there are people around you who aren't loyal to you, and that they've been poisoning you in secret!"
"So, for now, you'll have to appear before the public in your crippled state!"
As soon as Qian Daoliu finished speaking, the joyful expression on Xu Tianran's face, bright moments before at his rebirth, instantly darkened.
A raging fury blazed in his eyes. He clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, and his presence suddenly became sharp and terrifying.
The joy of his new lease on life vanished without a trace. The thought of a treacherous spy lurking at his side, secretly poisoning and harming him, enraged him until his chest heaved violently.
Kong Deming was stunned by the news. With a look of shock, he hurried forward and urgently asked Qian Daoliu, "Brother Qian, are you saying someone has infiltrated the Emperor's inner circle?"
Qian Daoliu only nodded slightly. Even he didn't know who had poisoned Xu Tianran.
After all, he had been away from the Sun Moon Empire for a long time.
With that done, Qian Daoliu said no more.
He simply stood with Bo Saixi, quietly watching Xu Tianran and Kong Deming as they gradually calmed down.
At last, Xu Tianran regained his composure and made a determined effort to master his emotions. He addressed Qian Daoliu respectfully. "I'll do as Your Excellency says!"
Then Xu Tianran walked heavily back to the wheelchair that had accompanied him for so long.
He bent down and lowered himself heavily into the seat.
Kong Deming dutifully moved behind him.
A fierce glint flashed in Kong Deming's eyes, then disappeared beneath the surface.
Qian Daoliu swept his hand and lifted every seal.
The doors swung open, and Kong Deming pushed Xu Tianran back into view.
Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi followed behind them.
Ju Zi, Jing Hongchen, Ye Guyi, Qiangu Zhenyue, Qiangu Zhenxie, and the others had no idea what had happened inside.
But Ju Zi immediately noticed that something about Xu Tianran had changed.
She just couldn't say what it was.
Ju Zi naturally moved behind Xu Tianran's wheelchair, taking over from Kong Deming and placing her hands back on its handles.
At last, prompted by Kong Deming, someone said, "Your Majesty, the two Your Excellencies have traveled a long way and must be tired. Why don't we come back another day?"
Xu Tianran understood at once. He pretended to cough a few times, then said to Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi, "In that case, please rest, Your Excellencies. Tianran will take his leave."
With that, as Qian Daoliu and the others watched, Xu Tianran patted Ju Zi's jade-white hand where it rested on the wheelchair.
This time, Xu Tianran clearly felt the difference below his waist.
So he clutched Ju Zi's hand tightly and refused to let go.
Ju Zi naturally tried to pull her hand free when Xu Tianran grabbed it, but he held on tight.
With no choice, Ju Zi let him keep hold of her hand.
Then, under Qian Daoliu and the others' watchful eyes, Ju Zi pushed Xu Tianran away.
Kong Deming followed behind Xu Tianran as well.
After all, Qian Daoliu's warning that there might be a spy around Xu Tianran had truly frightened him.
He simply couldn't risk letting Xu Tianran venture out alone again.
Not long after Kong Deming and the others left, Qian Daoliu seemed to remember something.
He quickly sent a voice transmission to Kong Deming. "Brother Kong, your ninth-grade Defensive Soul Tools are quite good. Remember to prepare eight or ten for me!"
In the distance, Kong Deming nearly fell over when he heard Qian Daoliu's transmission.
"Elder Kong, what's wrong?"
"Teacher, what's wrong?"
Xu Tianran and Jing Hongchen both noticed Kong Deming acting strangely.
Kong Deming merely waved a hand. "It's nothing! Nothing!"
But he had already memorized Qian Daoliu's request.
Just as Kong Deming had managed to collect himself,
Qian Daoliu remembered something else and sent him another voice transmission. "By the way, Brother Kong, you're a tenth-grade Soul Engineer now too! When are you going to make me a tenth-grade Defensive Soul Tool?"
This nearly scared Kong Deming out of his wits.
He hurriedly composed himself, then fled Qian Daoliu's territory as fast as his feet could carry him.
Back where she stood, Ye Guyi heard the sound of Kong Deming's hasty retreat and couldn't help asking Qian Daoliu, "Grandfather, why is Teacher walking faster and faster?"
Qian Daoliu simply patted Ye Guyi on the head. "Maybe your teacher's eager to get home and prepare ninth-grade Defensive Soul Tools for you all!"
After seeing Xu Tianran, Kong Deming, and the others off,
Qian Daoliu dismissed everyone, then prepared to discuss life with Bo Saixi.
But who would have thought Bo Saixi would snuggle into Qian Daoliu's arms and stop him? "Qian Daoliu, you can't touch me for a while."
Qian Daoliu was confused. "Xixi, why? Did I do something wrong?"
Bo Saixi scolded him playfully. "Qian Daoliu, I'm pregnant!"
At that, Qian Daoliu nearly jumped up.
"What?!"
"I'm going to be a father!"
Compared with the laughter and merriment around Qian Daoliu, Xu Tianran's quarters in the imperial palace at Ming Capital were shrouded in gloom.
The moment Xu Tianran returned to the palace, his subordinates greeted him with terrible news.
A messenger hurriedly reported to Xu Tianran, who sat on his throne. "Report! The Star Luo Empire has joined forces with the Dou Ling Empire and is attacking our Sun Moon Empire on two fronts."
"The Star Luo Empire's army is facing our imperial forces in the Mingdou Mountain Range!"
Before the soldier could finish, another messenger arrived with a report. "Report! Unknown forces within the empire are wreaking havoc in major cities!"
News came in as well that cities across the former Heaven Dou Empire were being slaughtered by Evil Soul Masters.
Hearing this, Xu Tianran's joy at his new lease on life vanished completely. "Bastards!"
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