Soon.
The first day of the Soul Master Elite Tournament finals drew to a close, with no change in the outcome.
Because Blazing Fire Academy had withdrawn, Shrek Academy won without even taking the field.
Meanwhile, the newly formed Godwind Academy displayed overwhelming dominance, sweeping aside its opponents with ease and becoming the undisputed dark horse of the finals.
As for the Spirit Hall Team, they dealt a crushing blow to Heaven Dou Royal Academy in an even bloodier fashion.
In doing so, they showed the spectators and contestants from across the continent their dominance in the contest for the championship.
"No wonder the Spirit Hall Team could advance straight to the finals. They're terrifying."
"Yeah, it looks like they only have three core members. The rest are just there to fill out the numbers."
"What else did you expect? They're all rank-fifty Soul Kings. Do any other teams have anyone at rank fifty?"
Amid the endless chatter.
Everyone either looked forward to or actively prepared for the next day's matches.
That night.
Darkness blanketed the land, thick as ink.
The wind at the foot of Angel Holy Mountain carried a chill as two figures climbed, one behind the other.
Qian Renxue was no longer wearing her everyday crown prince attire. She had changed back into a snow-white dress, her long hair loose, the weariness of having just stepped out of the public eye still lingering around her brows and eyes.
Even so, it could not conceal her innate air of nobility and sanctity.
"Let's go, Young Mistress." Azure Luan Douluo said nothing more, merely stepping aside to lead the way.
Qian Renxue followed him up the steps.
Every step was steady, yet every step felt oppressively heavy.
The two continued onward like this.
Only after they had passed the mountainside's halfway point did Azure Luan Douluo speak. He knew the young mistress had many questions. "Young Mistress, a great deal has indeed happened in Spirit Hall while you were away."
Qian Renxue did not stop. "What happened?"
"The most important thing would be the former Supreme Pontiff's return."
At those words.
Qian Renxue halted and raised her head in disbelief. "You mean the Supreme Pontiff we saw today really was my great-grandfather, rather than someone with the same name?"
Azure Luan stopped and turned to look at her, his expression calm but certain. "Yes. The former Supreme Pontiff was resurrected under the Angel God's protection."
The mountain wind howled past, whipping Qian Renxue's long hair into disarray, but she seemed not to feel it, her entire body frozen in place.
"That's impossible." Her voice was so low that she could almost only hear it herself. "How can the dead come back to life?"
Qian Renxue remained silent for a long time.
But she knew it was the truth.
How could her grandfather have judged wrong? There could not possibly be anything amiss here.
"So Great-grandfather is in charge of Spirit Hall now?" Only after a long silence did Qian Renxue ask.
"Yes." Azure Luan nodded. "The first thing the former Supreme Pontiff did after his resurrection was announce Spirit Hall's return to its rightful line and depose Bibi Dong."
Qian Renxue's lips curled coldly.
At the name Bibi Dong, she paused for an instant before continuing, "Is she dead?"
"No." Azure Luan shook his head. "She is now confined in the deepest part of the Sacred Hall."
Qian Renxue said nothing.
She turned toward the Sacred Hall atop the mountain, which gleamed gold in the night, her gaze complicated.
She should have been happy.
Her great-grandfather had returned, order had been restored to Spirit Hall, and that madwoman Bibi Dong had finally been imprisoned.
Yet there was an inexplicable sense of loss in her heart.
She desperately wanted to ask.
Had her father really died at that woman Bibi Dong's hands?
After careful consideration.
Qian Renxue still felt it would be better to ask that imprisoned woman herself another day.
Taking a deep breath, Qian Renxue started up the steps again.
"Take me to see Grandfather and Great-grandfather."
When the Sacred Hall's great doors opened, Qian Renxue thought she was ready.
But when she saw the old man seated in the place of honor, his silver hair white as snow, her eyes still stung.
Qian Daoliu saw her too.
He set down the books he was sorting, the sternness in his gaze gradually softening.
"Xiao Xue."
Qian Renxue knelt.
"Grandfather."
Qian Daoliu stood, walked over to her, and bent down to help her up.
He studied her face, his gaze filled with tenderness and pain. "My dear granddaughter."
Qian Renxue pressed her lips together and said nothing.
Qian Daoliu sighed. "Thank you for all your hard work over the years."
"It wasn't hard." Qian Renxue shook her head and immediately threw her arms around Qian Daoliu, nestling against him and feeling the warmth of her grandfather's embrace.
Qian Daoliu patted her shoulder, his tone self-reproachful. "You won't have to work so hard anymore. It was all my fault."
At that, Qian Renxue looked up at him, a trace of astonishment appearing in her eyes.
But Qian Daoliu said no more, merely pointing the way. "Go on in. Your great-grandfather is waiting inside."
"Great-grandfather?"
Qian Renxue froze for a moment, then tugged at Qian Daoliu's hand in a coaxing manner. "Grandfather, aren't you coming in with me?"
Upon hearing that.
Qian Daoliu immediately pulled his hand free, his expression turning somewhat frightened, like a mouse spotting a cat.
Me, go in?
What a joke. What if that old geezer pulls out the Septwolves belt again?
At any rate, Qian Daoliu had figured it out.
Whenever he saw his elderly father, he would receive his routine scolding. He had already suffered that humiliation in front of the other worshippers.
If he embarrassed himself like that in front of Xiao Xue too, where would these old bones of his have left to hide?
So Qian Daoliu resisted in every way, firmly refusing. "Xiao Xue, go on in. I still have to sort the books, so I won't be joining you."
"Books? Grandfather, why would you be sorting those?"
Qian Renxue's beautiful eyes widened in disbelief.
For all these years, her grandfather had always been the sort who never visited a temple unless he needed something.
He never concerned himself with matters great or small.
Why would he suddenly do something as tedious as sorting books?
Qian Renxue could not understand.
Qian Daoliu slapped his forehead. "Oh dear, how did I let that slip? Oh well."
Since it had come to this.
Qian Daoliu could only tell Qian Renxue the truth, recounting how the old geezer had tormented him over the past few days.
After learning everything, Qian Renxue felt both amused and sorry for him. "Grandfather, so Great-grandfather really thinks so little of you."
"Ah."
Qian Daoliu sighed and waved his hand, utterly at a loss for words.
Then he reminded her, "Xiao Xue, don't be nervous. Your great-grandfather is quite gentle, really. He just makes an exception for your grandfather."
"Yes, Grandfather. I certainly won't be nervous."
Qian Renxue nodded.
They were all family, so why should she be nervous? Though the mystery of his resurrection still left her somewhat astonished, it would not affect the warmth between family members.
Afterward.
After exchanging a few more words with Qian Daoliu, Qian Renxue took another deep breath, mustered her courage, and walked deeper into the Worship Hall.
Along the way.
She recalled what she had seen and heard at the tournament that day.
A question could not help rising in her heart... why was this great-grandfather of hers so young?
Before you continue