To others, this might have been a chance to see the wider world.
But to Tang Hao, it was the perfect chance for revenge.
He and Spirit Hall had long since become mortal enemies. There was no possibility of peace between them.
If Spirit Hall wanted to use this coronation to show the entire continent its strength,
then how could he resist adding a little excitement to the occasion?
Once Tang Hao made up his mind, he acted.
He slowly rose, but just as he was about to leave, he remembered that the holiday at Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy was approaching. Little San would soon be coming home to Holy Soul Village.
Whatever the outcome of this trip, Tang Hao could not return—at least, he could not openly appear before Little San again.
After a long silence, Tang Hao made his final decision.
From now on, unless it was necessary, he would not approach Tang San again.
He would stay in the shadows and quietly protect Little San.
That night, Tang Hao left Holy Soul Village without alerting anyone. Before he went, he even repaired the farm tools of several households.
He left a letter on the table at home. Beyond that, there was no farewell.
Tang San knew none of this. At Nuoding Academy, he studied and trained as usual, working at the Blacksmith Shop in his spare time for meager wages.
He had no idea that the father he knew for drinking and smithing had quietly left him, much less that Tang Hao was already on his way to Spirit Hall, the continent's greatest power.
Whether they would ever meet again after this parting, no one knew.
Several days later, in Spirit City.
As the coronation drew closer, Spirit City grew busier than ever.
Delegations, Soul Masters, and representatives of various powers from across the continent began arriving one after another.
The streets teemed with people and carriages.
Banners from different factions fluttered in the wind. Soul Masters from all over gathered in small groups, discussing recent events and the coming ceremony.
To ensure the ceremony went smoothly, Spirit City's defenses had been raised to the highest level.
Soul Masters in finely crafted armor patrolled the streets. The Angel Legion and other major forces had been deployed throughout the city.
Large numbers of Soul Masters guarded the gates, streets, palaces, and every important district.
Beneath the bustle, a tension hung in the air, like the eve of a great battle.
Spirit Hall had also temporarily booked several large hotel chains in Spirit City.
They would serve as lodgings for the delegations of the major powers.
With preparations complete, the continent's major powers began to arrive.
One of the first important delegations to reach Spirit City came from the Heaven Dou Empire.
Frankly, the Heaven Dou Empire had sent an impressive party—lavish, even.
At its head was Xue Qinghe, the empire's new crown prince, who had come to observe the ceremony in person.
Several figures of considerable standing traveled with the large delegation, including more than one Titled Douluo.
Among them were the Heaven Dou Empire's guest elder, Poison Douluo Dugu Bo, and his granddaughter, Dugu Yan.
Ning Fengzhi, sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, had also come with them.
Beside Ning Fengzhi stood a tall old man with a sharp, commanding presence.
He was Sword Douluo Chen Xin, one of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's two guardian Douluo, known by his single-character title.
Delegations from the Star Luo Empire, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, the Holy Dragon Sect, the Wind Sword Sect, the Fire Leopard Sect, and other major powers followed.
Everyone was looking forward to the coronation the next day.
That night, after darkness had fallen,
several figures climbed the slopes of the Angel Sacred Mountain.
A young woman walked quietly between two Titled Douluo who guarded her.
She looked no more than a teenager. Golden hair flowed down her back, seeming to glow pale gold in the moonlight.
She was tall, with long legs and a face so exquisitely beautiful it could take one's breath away.
Around ten minutes later, she finally reached the grand palace that symbolized Spirit Hall's supreme authority.
Inside the Worship Hall, the lamps cast a dim yellow light.
The great hall, usually filled with elders, seemed unusually empty tonight.
For tomorrow was Qian Juechen's coronation as Pope.
Everyone in Spirit Hall was busy preparing for it, and the elders were no exception.
Only one familiar, upright figure remained in the vast Worship Hall: Qian Daoliu, Spirit Hall's Grand Priest.
Qian Daoliu's feelings had been complicated these past few days.
Since he had handed power to Juechen, the young man had managed Spirit Hall with skill, both in his plans beyond its walls and in its internal affairs.
As always, Juechen had not disappointed him. He never failed to surprise him.
Qian Daoliu was naturally pleased to see the young man in whom he had placed such high hopes lead Spirit Hall from strength to strength.
Yet beneath that satisfaction lay an unavoidable bitterness.
A gulf seemed to have opened between them, one neither could bridge.
Today, though, those complicated feelings had eased somewhat. His beloved granddaughter, Qian Renxue—the most gifted of the Qian family's younger generation—was coming home.
Just then, a clear, pleasant voice rang out from beyond the hall.
A golden figure rushed inside like a swallow returning to its nest. Before Qian Daoliu could react, she threw herself into his arms.
"Grandpa!"
Qian Daoliu froze for a moment, then smiled warmly and held her steady.
"Heh, Xiao Xue, you're all grown up. How are you still so impatient?"
"Hmph!"
Qian Renxue gave a soft huff but showed no intention of leaving his embrace.
"Why scold me the moment I get back? No matter how old I get, you're still my grandpa." She was not angry. She lifted her head and smiled brightly once more.
"Besides, you're the person Xue'er is closest to."
"You little rascal..."
Hearing his granddaughter's sweet words, Qian Daoliu shook his head helplessly, unable to hide the affection in his eyes.
Who could fail to love a granddaughter so talented, so sweet, and so beautiful?
Qian Renxue was in high spirits too. She had shed every disguise.
Only now did she truly feel at ease.
Out in the world, she had to remain vigilant, conceal her identity, and wear a face that was not her own.
But here, back in the Worship Hall with the grandfather who loved her most, she needed none of those disguises.
She was simply his granddaughter, who loved to cling to him and sometimes acted spoiled. This was where she felt safest.
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