Be good, listen. You need to learn to move on your own, understand?

"Who knows how long that brat Xunji will be gone before he returns? He dumped this entire mess on us."

Golden Crocodile Douluo rubbed his brow. "Now everyone in Spirit City knows that the Saintess betrayed Spirit Hall after being bewitched by people from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. They're even clamoring to take revenge on the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect. What do you think, Big Brother?"

Qian Daoliu felt his head throb at the mere mention of it. He said helplessly, "We'll wait until Qian Xunji, that Pope, comes back before discussing it. That bastard... with things blown up this badly, wouldn't it be unreasonable if we didn't demand an explanation from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect?"

"Yes. Public sentiment is running so high. If we truly do nothing, the residents of Spirit City will be disappointed in Spirit Hall. And what will the other factions across the continent think of Spirit Hall?"

Azure Luan Douluo agreed, "It seems Xunji had already figured out how to demand an explanation from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect."

"That brat left us with a pile of messes, but he did think things through well enough. Suppress this matter for now. It isn't that we won't seek retribution; it's just that the Pope isn't here..." Qian Daoliu said.

"Should we tell the people below us that?" Lion Douluo asked doubtfully. "Wouldn't it be a little... if we directly say the Pope isn't here?"

"Say it. What's there not to say? Tell them Xunji was too deeply hurt and went away to clear his head. Let the other factions watch the joke if they want. Once Xunji returns, he'll settle every score, one by one!"

Qian Daoliu said, "He really knows how to find work for us old men. If he isn't back within a year, I'll break his damned legs..."

"Big Brother, when do you think that brat Xunji will let you hold a grandson or granddaughter?" Golden Crocodile Douluo suddenly asked.

"He's already fifty this year. Isn't it time he gave this some thought? With his looks, status, and cultivation, finding a talented Soul Master shouldn't be difficult, right?"

Qian Daoliu pondered slightly. "I was already over seventy when I had him. He's only fifty now, so there's no rush. Let nature take its course. I'll be happy if it happens early; it doesn't matter if it happens later."

"How about this, Big Brother? Once Xunji returns in a year, we'll help him arrange something?"

Golden Crocodile Douluo proposed.

"That works too. Do you have anyone in mind?" Qian Daoliu asked, sweeping his gaze across his old brothers.

"Doesn't Spirit Hall have a female Soul Master who is a Titled Douluo?" Azure Luan Douluo said. "If possible, I don't think she would refuse."

"Besides, Spirit Hall has so many Soul Masters, and quite a few talented female Soul Masters among them. When Xunji returns, he can take his time choosing."

"Mm, let's do that." Qian Daoliu nodded. "I was over seventy when I had Xunji, while Tang Chen's grandson is already over thirty. In a couple of years, he might even have a great-grandson."

"Xunji ought to hurry up too. That brat is practically useless when it comes to proper business. Who knows whether his grandchildren will amount to anything."

To be honest, he rather envied Tang Chen. Tang Chen had a son early, and his grandson was already so grown. In a couple of years, he would probably have a great-grandson too.

And Bo Saixi liked him... He truly could not understand why Bo Saixi liked a man with children instead of him.

Was it because Tang Chen had hope of becoming a god?

Ever since leaving that small town, Tang Xiao and Tang Hao had continued traveling across the continent, broadening their horizons and tempering their strength.

Over the past few days, Tang Hao's soul power had broken through to rank eighty, making him a Quasi-Soul Douluo. Once he obtained his eighth soul ring, he would become a true Soul Douluo!

At this moment, Tang Xiao and Tang Hao had arrived at the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest. The sky was gradually darkening.

They could only set up camp where they were and wait until daylight before entering the heart of the Star Dou Forest. The Star Dou Forest was extremely dangerous at night, when all kinds of powerful soul beasts emerged to hunt for food.

Before the campfire, Tang Hao clutched his chest. For some reason, every night brought a stabbing pain to his heart, as though the thing most important to him were being trampled by someone else.

The feeling was strongest at night and eased considerably during the day, though it never completely disappeared.

It happened at least twice a day, sometimes even three to five times. He did not know what was happening and had even thought he was ill.

It was not as if he had never sought out healing-type Soul Masters, but their conclusion was that his body was perfectly healthy and had no problems whatsoever.

"Hao, does it still hurt?" Tang Xiao looked at the pained Tang Hao with a worried expression.

His younger brother was the most gifted of Clear Sky Sect's new generation, as well as its next sect master. Nothing could happen to him.

"Mm..." Tang Hao's face was full of pain. "Big Brother, this feeling only started after A Yin left with Qian Xunji. Do you think it could be related to A Yin?"

Hearing this, Tang Xiao's face darkened. He said helplessly, "Hao, this is an illness of the heart. Your body is healthy..."

"Looks like that healing-type Soul Master was right. You suffered too great a blow, so whenever you think of that soul beast, your chest twists in pain."

"Hao, stop thinking about her. By now, she may have already become a soul ring and soul bone..."

Tang Hao nodded faintly and gritted his teeth through the pain. He was increasingly coming to understand just how important A Yin was to him, and how deeply he loved her.

Back then, he should have acted and protected A Yin as she escaped. Otherwise, how could A Yin have...

"Big Brother, if I were a Soul Douluo, would I be a match for Qian Xunji?" Tang Hao suddenly asked.

"Hao!" Tang Xiao rebuked. "What, do you still want to avenge A Yin? Stop being foolish, Hao!"

"Is Spirit Hall something we can afford to offend? You want to provoke Spirit Hall over a soul beast? What are you trying to do?!"

"That's not it, Big Brother!" Tang Hao hurriedly waved his hands. "I only want to confirm whether A Yin is really dead..."

"As long as I'm here, don't even think about it!" Tang Xiao said with a livid face. "If you appear before Qian Xunji again, there's no telling whether he'll attack you!"

"You and I both bear the heavy responsibility of revitalizing the sect. How can you become so pathetic over a soul beast?"

"Hao, have you forgotten the sect's expectations for you? Have you forgotten why they taught you the Clear Sky Secret Techniques?"

Those words struck Tang Hao like a bolt from the blue. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Big Brother, I haven't forgotten!"

"But A Yin is truly important to me. You don't know that feeling; you can't understand it! I want to see her just once!"

Slap...

Tang Xiao rose to his feet and slapped Tang Hao across the face, roaring furiously, "Idiot! Fool! Don't even think about it!"

Inside the inn.

Qian Xunji's gaze was languid. "I'm a little tired. Be good, listen. Climb on yourself, and move on your own..."

A Yin glared at him resentfully and gritted her teeth. "Bastard! Beast!"