Qian Daoliu: Am I a Left-Behind Old Man Now?

The rare tenderness between mother and daughter in the bedroom last night, and Lin Xia's spirited performance on the training ground—these brief but precious images flashed through her mind.

Those who have lived in darkness for too long, once they have experienced the warmth of light, how could they be willing to let it slip away so easily?

Looking at her daughter's bright smile, at her disciple's innocent yet trusting eyes, and at the loneliness that would soon leave her alone once again in the empty hall...

A thought, like a tender sprout breaking through the soil, instantly grew wildly in her heart, becoming incredibly clear and intense!

Why... can't I go with them?

The idea exploded in Bibi Dong's mind like a thunderclap, bringing with it a sudden burst of joy and an unprecedented impulse.

Bibi Dong is no longer the Pope Ice Seal by responsibility and hatred. At this moment, she is simply a mother and teacher who wants to hold onto her daughter and disciples, and to hold onto this hard-won warmth!

Bibi Dong's gaze suddenly turned to Qian Daoliu. On her beautiful face, the usual coldness was replaced by an almost willful and determined light, and the corners of her lips even curled up into a smile that made Qian Daoliu feel a chill.

"The Grand Pontiff."

Bibi Dong spoke, her voice still clear and melodious, yet carrying an undeniable decisiveness that resonated clearly in the empty hall.

"Xue'er and Xiao Xia are both going to the Heaven Dou Empire..."

Bibi Dong's gaze swept over Qian Renxue and Lin Xia, her eyes gentle yet firm.

"They are still young, and their journey is long and they are in a foreign land. I... I am really worried about them."

Bibi Dong's tone carried a matter-of-fact concern, as if this were merely the most instinctive reaction of a mother and teacher.

Qian Daoliu frowned slightly; his intuition told him that this was not just a simple matter of "not being at ease."

Sure enough, Bibi Dong's next words completely stunned him.

Therefore, I decided--

Bibi Dong paused for a moment, as if announcing a major decision.

"I will personally escort them to the Heaven Dou Empire! Furthermore, once Xiao Xia reaches level 30, I will personally select and hunt for his third Soul Ring to ensure everything goes smoothly!"

Bibi Dong stared directly at Qian Daoliu, her eyes seeming to say something.

This is not a discussion, but a notification.

"As for the daily affairs of the Spirit Hall..."

Bibi Dong's tone became nonchalant, with a rare, almost "hands-off" casualness, and even a hint of cunning.

"I'll trouble you, Grand Pontiff, to take care of things for a while."

Before the words were even finished!

Without giving Qian Daoliu any chance to react, process, or even object, Bibi Dong suddenly unleashed a profound and powerful surge of Soul Power!

Buzz--!

A deep purple light instantly enveloped Qian Renxue and Lin Xia, who were centered on her!

"Mother?!"

Qian Renxue exclaimed in surprise, completely unprepared for her mother's "impulsive" reaction.

"Master?!"

Lin Xia was completely dumbfounded, feeling a gentle yet irresistible force enveloping her.

Qian Daoliu's pupils suddenly contracted, and he subconsciously took half a step forward, extending his hand.

"Bibi Dong! You..."

However, it was too late!

Just as Qian Daoliu's hand was about to touch the purple halo, the light suddenly contracted, like Bubble being popped, and vanished without a trace!

Along with those who disappeared, Pope Bibi Dong, Qian Renxue, and the Holy Son Lin Xia also vanished!

In the empty Worship Hall, only Qian Daoliu's outstretched hand remained frozen in mid-air, along with the expression on his face that was a mixture of astonishment, bewilderment, confusion, and a hint of amusement.

Time seemed to freeze for a few moments.

Qian Daoliu slowly withdrew his hand, his dignified face shifting in expression before finally letting out a long, extremely helpless sigh.

Looking around the palace, which had suddenly become incredibly quiet, his gaze swept over the spot where Lin Xia had just stood, then over where Bibi Dong had been, and finally settled on the Light-Gathering Furnace that still shone with divine light.

"This..."

Qian Daoliu his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but didn't know where to begin.

The Grand Pontiff of the Spirit Hall, a level 99 Peerless Douluo, and the High Priest of the Angel God, has actually been "abandoned" and become a left-behind old man?

And they're also responsible for handling the daily affairs of the entire Spirit Hall?

A sense of absurdity welled up inside me.

However, amidst this absurdity and helplessness, Qian Daoliu's tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed.

Qian Daoliu gaze seemed to Infiltrator the dome of the palace, and he saw the three figures moving through the clouds.

The granddaughter's face might still show surprise, the disciple might look bewildered, and Bibi Dong, who had been in charge of the Spirit Hall for many years...

Is there a long-lost, relaxed, or even... sly smile on her face at this moment?

A subtle, yet undeniably real, curve slowly spread across the corner of Qian Daoliu's dignified lips.

It wasn't displeasure, but rather a... relieved and comforting smile.

Qian Daoliu recalled the image of his granddaughter nestled beside her mother last night, the spirited way Lin Xia rode her Ivysaur, and the heartache in Bibi Dong's eyes as she wiped the blood from Lin Xia's face...

This cold palace, a symbol of power and strength, seems to have had its ice melted a little and been infused with the warmth of human life because of the bond between these few people.

"Well..."

Qian Daoliu sighed again. This time, there was no surprise in his sigh, only a resigned affection and a hidden warmth.

Qian Daoliu turned around and faced the furnace where holy light gathered again. He stood with his hands behind his back, his back still as upright as a mountain, but he no longer seemed so lonely.

"Never mind..."

A deep, resonant voice echoed softly in the empty hall, carrying a hint of indulgent laughter.

"This... doesn't seem so bad."

In the sky.

Qian Renxue was held tightly in Bibi Dong's arms, her cheek pressed against her mother's warm neck, her breath filled with her mother's cool and elegant fragrance.

This sudden, unreserved hug left her somewhat dazed, yet her heart felt as if it were being soaked in warm spring water, with warmth flowing continuously to every part of her body.

Qian Renxue clearly felt the firm strength coming from her mother's arm; it was an unquestionable protection and companionship.

"Mother..."

Qian Renxue murmured, her voice trembling slightly with disbelief.

She had imagined many scenarios of parting: her mother's silent agreement, her worried admonitions, or even a forceful insistence that she stay...

But what she never expected was that her mother would break all the constraints in such an almost "willful" way, taking the initiative to leave the core of the Spirit Hall's power and travel far away with her and her younger brother.

This resolute exception, this courage to relinquish Pope authority for her and her brother, deeply moved her, filling her with overwhelming emotion and sorrow.

Qian Renxue was reluctant to leave the embrace she had just found, which still carried the warmth of her mother's body. She never expected that her mother would make such a radical decision because of this reluctance to part.

This was a warmth she had never dared to dream of in the cold palace for the past ten years.