"Brother Fan! I'm back!!!!"
Holding Chen Sixue's little hand, Tang San slowly approached the entrance to God Star Hall. His eyes were filled with joy and anticipation.
Tang San wore a flowing white robe. The wind stirred its hem, making him look all the more handsome and dashing.
Chen Sixue wore a long pink dress, her beauty as fresh and delicate as flowers blooming in spring.
As they entered God Star Hall, an air of solemn majesty washed over them. Mysterious light shimmered on the walls, and sumptuous carpets covered the floor. Everything seemed sacred and imposing. Tang San and Chen Sixue could not help being swept up in the atmosphere, and their steps grew light.
At the center of God Star Hall stood an enormous throne, upon which sat a commanding figure-Xu Fangyuan, the master of God Star Hall and the guardian of this world. A gratified smile appeared on his face when he saw Tang San and Chen Sixue arrive.
"Welcome back, Tang San."
Qian Fan also approached from a distance.
"You're finally back," Qian Fan said with a smile.
Tang San and Chen Sixue nodded to Qian Fan, then walked up to Xu Fangyuan.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Tang San bowed.
"Mm. Tang San, you took Chen Sixue to Atlantis this time. You must have gained quite a lot." Xu Fangyuan looked at Tang San, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes.
Tang San smiled faintly and briefly recounted what he and Chen Sixue had experienced along the way.
After listening, Xu Fangyuan nodded in satisfaction.
"Very good. Your efforts weren't wasted. However..." Xu Fangyuan's tone grew grave.
Xu Fangyuan glanced at Chen Sixue again, a hint of expectation in his eyes. He asked softly, "Did you find that person?" Tang San silently shook his head, helplessness and dejection showing on his face.
Qian Fan stepped forward and patted Tang San's shoulder. "It's all right, Little San. It's not as though we can't afford to raise a child. What does this little difficulty amount to?"
Tang San nodded slightly, agreeing with Qian Fan. He drew a deep breath and tried to pull himself together, though he still felt somewhat downhearted.
"All right, Tang San. Take little Chen Sixue for a look around the Imperial Palace first. Qian Fan and I have something to discuss."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Tang San nodded, then took Chen Sixue's hand and left God Star Hall.
"Xue'er, this is God Star Hall. It's also where I live." As they walked, Tang San introduced their surroundings to Chen Sixue.
Chen Sixue looked around curiously, awed by the grandeur and magnificence of God Star Hall. "It's so beautiful here..." she exclaimed sincerely.
Tang San smiled and led Chen Sixue onward. They passed through a garden and along a corridor before arriving at a palace.
"These are my sleeping quarters." Tang San pushed open the doors, revealing a spacious, luxurious room. Chen Sixue walked inside and examined the furnishings.
"Wow..." she could not help exclaiming.
"Do you like it here?" Tang San looked at Chen Sixue, his eyes full of tenderness.
"I do." Chen Sixue nodded, then turned and threw herself into Tang San's arms. "Thank you, Third Brother."
Tang San held Chen Sixue, an ache stirring in his heart.
He could not help recalling two small figures amid a mass of dandelions.
...Brother, if one day lots and lots of people wanted to kill me, and they were all people you couldn't defeat, what would you do...?
Xiao Wu, I'll definitely go back!
Elsewhere.
Xu Fangyuan led Qian Fan into the Inner Imperial Palace.
Xu Fangyuan stopped before a golden door carved with intricate runes. He gently pushed it open. Beyond it lay a mysterious, dimly lit room filled with dense spiritual energy.
"Qian Fan, I summoned you because it's time you learned certain things." Xu Fangyuan's voice was low and solemn.
Qian Fan's expression sharpened. "Please go ahead, Your Majesty."
Xu Fangyuan swept his arm, and an immensely powerful force surged from his body! It swept past like a torrent, gathering into an enormous projection in the air in the blink of an eye. The projection seemed almost tangible, radiating an aura that made the heart tremble.
Qian Fan stared at the projection, surprise flashing in his eyes. It depicted ancient, mysterious ruins, with an enormous sacrificial altar faintly visible within.
"This is...?" Qian Fan asked in confusion.
Xu Fangyuan said gravely, "These ruins date back to ancient times and conceal a secret about the gods. And you, Qian Fan, are the key to unraveling that secret."
Qian Fan frowned. "Me? Why me?"
Xu Fangyuan smiled faintly. "Because a special bloodline flows through your veins, granting you a power unlike any other. Only you can activate the formation within the ruins and uncover the mystery of the gods."
Qian Fan fell silent for a moment, then said firmly, "In that case, I'm willing to shoulder this responsibility."
Xu Fangyuan nodded. "Very good. But the time hasn't come yet. With your current strength, going there would merely be throwing your life away."
Qian Fan cupped his hands. "I'm already prepared for that."
Xu Fangyuan continued, "Do you know where Chen Tianyi has gone?"
Qian Fan gritted his teeth. "I don't know, but I'll definitely find Brother Tianyi."
Xu Fangyuan patted Qian Fan's shoulder. "You won't be able to find him. I know where he is, but as the Domain Lord of the Seven Star Domain, I cannot interfere."
Confusion appeared on Qian Fan's face, and he pressed Xu Fangyuan about why he could not go find Chen Tianyi. Xu Fangyuan sighed and explained, "The Seven Star Domain has its own rules. If I intervened personally, it would inevitably put the other star domains on alert.
"Besides, during the great war ten thousand years ago, the Giant-Toothed Shark Chen family and my younger cousin Xu Weiran had already sown the seeds of a bitter feud.
"Then, two hundred years ago, Xu Weiran led troops without my permission and slaughtered the Giant-Toothed Shark Chen family.
"If Chen Tianyi kills Xu Weiran, I won't interfere!
"But
"the great war ten thousand years ago,
"you,
"Qian Fan,
"are the only power that can unlock it."
After hearing this, a trace of confusion flickered in Qian Fan's eyes. "Your Majesty, what exactly happened ten thousand years ago?"
Xu Fangyuan turned away, as though recalling something, and slowly said, "Ten thousand years ago, a war that shook heaven and earth broke out in the Seven Star Domain.
"That war nearly destroyed the entire world, plunging countless living beings into misery and ruin.
"In the end, the Heavenly Immortal powerhouses of that era sealed the Demon at an enormous cost, but they themselves were gravely wounded.
"That included Chen Dao and me, of course.
"In recent years,
"the power of the seal has grown weaker and weaker.
"The Demon could return at any moment."
"What should we do, then?" Qian Fan asked anxiously.
Xu Fangyuan gazed into the distance, his eyes deep and unfathomable. After a moment's thought, he said, "This matter requires careful consideration. What you must do now is improve your strength. Only by becoming strong enough can you face the challenges to come."
"By the way, Your Majesty, your strength has long since surpassed what it once was. Why don't you seal the Demon again, or even kill him?"
Xu Fangyuan shook his head, fear showing in his eyes. "Though my strength has increased greatly, even if I advanced another five minor realms, I still might not be able to defeat him...
"Back then, the demons' leader never even came in person. A mere general nearly brought my entire Seven Star Domain to ruin."
Meanwhile, sinister, cunning laughter rang out on distant Demon Island.
"Kekeke... My great king! At last, you've waited long enough for this perfect opportunity to break through to the Primordial Golden Immortal Realm!
"However, the core power of the Douluo Continent is something we must seize! Xu Fangyuan, Chen Dao, in just a few short years, we shall meet again! Kekeke..."
The cold laughter echoed endlessly across Demon Island, as though heralding the arrival of a storm that would shake heaven and earth.
"I, Davy Jones, will personally cut off Xu Fangyuan's head. Kekeke!"
As time passed, the Divine Realm of the Douluo Continent grew increasingly chaotic.
More and more gods kept dying inexplicably, without any sign of injury. It seemed more as though someone had possessed them, detonated their Divine Cores, then escaped.
Before you continue