"Who knows how long that boy Xunji will be gone? He's dumped the whole mess on us."
Golden Crocodile Douluo rubbed his temples. "Everyone in Spirit City knows the Holy Maiden betrayed Spirit Hall after being led astray by someone from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. They're even demanding revenge against the clan. What do you think, big brother?"
Just hearing about it gave Qian Daoliu a headache. He said helplessly, "Let's wait until Qian Xunji, our pope, returns. That bastard... With things this serious, we can hardly avoid demanding an explanation from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"Exactly. The public is in an uproar. If we do nothing, the residents of Spirit City will lose faith in Spirit Hall. And what will the other powers on the continent think of us?"
Azure Luan Douluo agreed. "It seems Xunji already had a plan to demand an explanation from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"That boy may have left us a pile of problems, but he did think this through. Keep a lid on it for now. We're not letting them off; the pope simply isn't here..." Qian Daoliu said.
"Is that what we tell the people below?" Mighty Lion Douluo asked, puzzled. "Should we really announce that the pope is gone...?"
"Yes. Why not? Tell them Xunji was hurt so deeply that he went away to clear his head. Let the other powers laugh if they want. Once Xunji returns, he'll settle every score!"
Qian Daoliu went on, "He certainly knows how to keep us old men busy. If he isn't back in a year, I'll break his legs..."
"Big brother, when do you think that boy Xunji will finally give you a grandchild?" Golden Crocodile Douluo asked out of the blue.
"He's already fifty. Isn't it time he thought about it? With his looks, status, and cultivation, finding a talented Soul Master shouldn't be hard."
Qian Daoliu considered this. "I was over seventy when I had him, and he's only fifty. There's no rush. Let fate take its course. I'd be happy if it happened soon, but later is fine too."
"How about this, big brother? When Xunji comes back in a year, we help him find someone?"
Golden Crocodile Douluo made the suggestion.
"That could work. Do you have anyone in mind?" Qian Daoliu asked, looking around at his old brothers.
"Don't we have a female Titled Douluo in Spirit Hall?" Azure Luan Douluo said. "If we asked, I doubt she'd refuse."
"And Spirit Hall has plenty of Soul Masters, including quite a few talented women. We could let Xunji take his time choosing when he gets back."
"All right, let's do that." Qian Daoliu nodded. "I was over seventy when Xunji was born. Tang Chen, on the other hand, already has grandsons in their thirties. In another couple of years, he might even have great-grandchildren."
"Xunji ought to hurry. That boy has neglected everything he should be doing, so I've given up on him. Maybe a grandson or granddaughter will amount to something."
To tell the truth, he envied Tang Chen. Tang Chen had had children early, and his grandsons were already grown. In a few years, he might even have great-grandchildren.
And Bo Saixi liked him, too... Qian Daoliu really couldn't understand why Bo Saixi preferred a man with children over him.
Was it only because Tang Chen had a chance of becoming a god?
Since leaving that small town, Tang Xiao and Tang Hao had continued traveling across the continent, broadening their horizons and honing their strength.
In the past few days, Tang Hao's Soul Power Level had reached level eighty, making him a Quasi-Soul Douluo. All he needed was an eighth Soul Ring to become a true Soul Douluo!
Now Tang Xiao and Tang Hao had reached the outskirts of Star Dou Forest, and the sky was growing dark.
They had no choice but to make camp and wait until daylight before heading into the heart of Star Dou Forest. At night, the forest was extremely dangerous. All kinds of powerful Soul Beasts emerged to hunt.
Beside the campfire, Tang Hao clutched his chest. He didn't know why, but every night a stabbing pain gripped his heart. It felt as though someone were trampling on the most precious thing in his life.
The feeling was strongest at night. It eased considerably during the day, but never vanished entirely.
It struck at least twice a day, sometimes three to five times. He had no idea what was wrong and had even begun to think he was ill.
He had consulted a healing-type Soul Master, but the answer was that he was perfectly healthy. There was nothing wrong with his body.
"Hao, does it still hurt?" Tang Xiao asked, watching his younger brother's face twist in pain.
His brother was the most talented of the Clear Sky Sect's new generation and its future leader. Nothing could be allowed to happen to him.
"Mm..." Tang Hao grimaced. "Big brother, this only started after Ah Yin left with Qian Xunji. Do you think it could have something to do with her?"
Tang Xiao's face darkened. He said helplessly, "Hao, this pain is in your heart. Your body is healthy..."
"It seems that healing-type Soul Master was right. You suffered such a terrible blow that your chest hurts whenever you think of that Soul Beast."
"Hao, stop thinking about her. By now, she may well have become a Soul Ring and a Soul Bone..."
Tang Hao nodded faintly and gritted his teeth against the pain. He was beginning to understand just how much Ah Yin meant to him, and how deeply he cared for her.
I should have fought to protect Ah Yin and helped her escape. Otherwise, she wouldn't have...
"Big brother, if I become a Soul Douluo, could I stand against Qian Xunji?" Tang Hao asked suddenly.
"Hao!" Tang Xiao snapped. "What, do you still want to avenge Ah Yin? Stop being a fool!"
"Can we afford to make an enemy of Spirit Hall? What are you thinking, provoking them over a Soul Beast?"
"No, big brother!" Tang Hao hurriedly waved his hands. "I only want to find out whether Ah Yin is really dead..."
"Not while I'm here!" Tang Xiao's face turned livid. "If you appear before Qian Xunji again, he may well attack you!"
"We both bear the responsibility of restoring the sect to greatness. How can you let a Soul Beast bring you to this?"
"Hao, have you forgotten what the sect expects of you? Have you forgotten why they taught you the Clear Sky Secret Techniques?"
The words struck Tang Hao like a bolt from the blue. He gritted his teeth. "Big brother, I haven't forgotten!"
"But Ah Yin truly matters to me. You don't know what it feels like. You can't understand! I just want to see her once!"
Smack!
Tang Xiao rose and slapped Tang Hao across the face. "Fool! Idiot! Don't even think about it!" he roared.
Inside the hotel.
Qian Xunji gave her a languid look. "I'm a little tired. Be good and listen. Come up here and move on your own..."
Ah Yin glared at him bitterly and clenched her teeth. "Bastard! You animal!"
Before you continue