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"Grandfather, please tell me the truth, and stop treating me like a three-year-old." Qian Renxue could tell from her grandfather's shifting expression that something was wrong. She pressed on, "This is becoming my inner demon. I've gone through countless trials and undercover work in the Tian Dou Empire, all to gain her approval."
"But if her dislike for me stems from something else, no matter how hard I try, all I can do is stir a fleeting sense of pity..."
"My time as the emperor of Tian Dou made me grow a lot. On top of that, from my casual chats with Tang San, I've come to understand that a true Titled Douluo wouldn't just die from being gravely injured. The Haotian Hammer is powerful, but so is the Angel Spirit, and the Spirit Hall has plenty of healing Spirit Masters."
"So—"
"My father's death must have another secret... Was she the one who dealt the final blow?"
As Qian Renxue spoke, she began analyzing the situation and arrived at a shocking conclusion. She then considered her own identity...
"Stop it! Don't think about it anymore!" Qian Daoliu immediately interrupted, but it was too late. He had no means of erasing memories and could only close his eyes and nod helplessly. "Your deduction is correct. Your father was indeed killed by her, and in the most brutal manner—he was devoured, leaving no trace of his body."
"By the time I discovered it, it was too late... I originally planned to tell you after you had inherited the godhood, to spare you from the pain."
"I just didn't expect your mind to be this sharp."
Seeing her grandfather in agony, Qian Renxue was filled with a mix of emotions.
In the past, she might not have been able to accept it, but after serving as an emperor for a while, handling countless affairs, she had already seen similar tragic stories play out among the nobility—only now, it was happening to her.
Bibi Dong's reasons for killing her teacher and her hatred toward her were now clear—it was all because of her scumbag father!
Why did Qian Xunji do such a thing?
Qian Renxue didn't want to investigate, nor did she think it necessary.
The reason?
Bibi Dong was an orphan, and as her teacher, Qian Xunji played the role of a father figure, earning her utmost trust. No matter what mistakes a "daughter" makes, it doesn't justify insulting her dignity.
It was an act of pure depravity!
If the teacher and student had mutual affection, like Tang San and Guanyin, it might have been a beautiful story. But clearly, that wasn't the case between Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong.
Now, Qian Renxue found herself somewhat relieved that Bibi Dong hadn't strangled her in the cradle. Was it because Bibi Dong still felt some trace of a mother-daughter bond?
Or perhaps Tang San had persuaded her...
"Xue'er, now that you know the truth, why not return and focus on your cultivation? Take the God Trials," Qian Daoliu said, breaking her train of thought, with a look of anticipation. "Only by becoming a god can you control this world."
"But what about the previous Angel God?" Before coming here, Bibi Dong had warned her again, telling her not to become a god, as it would mean losing the ability to interfere in the affairs of the continent.
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu was momentarily stunned.
The previous Angel God, the first Angel God... How could he know where the predecessor had gone? He had never had any communication with the former Angel God. He only knew that the Angel God's inheritance would bestow divine trials, and that as long as he, the high priest of the Angel lineage, permitted it, others could also take the divine trials and become faithful followers of the Angel God.
"Did Bibi Dong tell you something?" Realizing Bibi Dong must have revealed some divine secrets, Qian Daoliu asked. Perhaps the god she had inherited had shared something with her.
"Gods cannot interfere with the mortal world, including matters of faith. Once it grows too large, the Divine Realm will intervene and enforce the laws. In severe cases, they'll even eliminate gods who excessively draw power from faith..." Qian Renxue relayed what Bibi Dong had told her. "Grandfather, you once told me a story about Sea God Island, where the followers of the Sea God live in peace and provide him with faith... The power of belief is immense. So why doesn't the Spirit Hall expand the faith of the Angel God and make the whole world his followers?"
"The ancestors left behind a commandment: unless one becomes a god, the angelic faith must not be spread widely..." Qian Daoliu's expression became grave as he realized the significance of those words.
If becoming a god meant being unable to intervene in the mortal realm, then Xue'er wouldn't be able to take Bibi Dong's position as the Supreme Pontiff, nor could she lead the empire to unify the continent and spread the glory of the angels.
But why was it possible for the Sea God?
That Sea God Island...
Yes!
Sea God Island!
The Sea God's faith was confined to that one island. On the mainland, only coastal cities, along with fishermen and sea spirit masters, had any faith in the Sea God. Most people had no idea the Sea God even existed!
Qian Daoliu now understood the warnings passed down by their ancestors. Through the "Divine Punishment Theory," it all made sense—the first Angel God had established the Spirit Hall across the continent and drew too much faith, which attracted the attention of the Divine Realm. The enforcers came down to punish him, killing the first Angel God, causing his descendants to erase that part of history completely.
"So, that's how it is?" Qian Renxue, learning of this ancestral commandment, believed about eighty percent of Bibi Dong's warning. A warmth also welled up in her heart—at least Bibi Dong still cared about her as her daughter.
"Xue'er, all of this is speculation, not fact. Increasing your strength is always a good thing," Qian Daoliu brought his thoughts back to the present, speaking seriously.
"As for taking the God Trials, I'll decide later. If my mother doesn't become a god, then neither will I," Qian Renxue said resolutely. "And I want to reach level 99 on my own, to catch up to Tang San."
"Tang San?" Qian Daoliu was startled, then quickly asked, "Has he already reached that level? How is that possible? He's still so young!"
That kid, despite his extraordinary combat prowess, was only nineteen this year, maybe twenty if counting by traditional years.
And now she was telling him that Tang San had already reached the pinnacle of spirit master cultivation?
Was reaching that level so easy?
"But that's the truth. I've seen him myself—he's already at level 99. And his spirit ring configuration is terrifying: eight gold and one chaos." Qian Renxue paused for a moment, then added, "Grandfather, perhaps this is also a message she wants me to pass to you. It's her way of declaring that she no longer fears you."
Qian Daoliu fell silent for a long time before asking, "Is there any other news I don't know about?"
"Are you aware that Spirit City is filled with Tang San's spirits?"
"Yes, I know. It enhances the concentration of energy within the city. Why? Is there more to it?"
"Tang San's spirit contains a starry world, something like a dream realm. Using the roots of the Blue Silver Emperor, he's created a Blue Silver Network. It allows people in the Spirit Hall to communicate over vast distances, transmitting both sound and images. Beyond that, it can even capture beings from alternate planes. So far, it has captured a spirit beast illusion realm. Killing the beasts there can increase the age of spirit rings, and there's even a chance to obtain spirit bones."
Seeing the shock in Qian Daoliu's eyes, Qian Renxue realized her grandfather was genuinely unaware of all this, prompting a sigh. "It seems that aside from you and a few other worshippers, everyone else has already sided with her."
Qian Daoliu's face darkened—it was terrifying to think that those under his command had quietly "betrayed" him and defected to Bibi Dong.
Even more shocking was how Tang San had managed to achieve such feats through his spirit...
But what shook Qian Daoliu the most was realizing that in the current Spirit Hall, he and his people were completely isolated! Bibi Dong and Tang San had essentially hollowed out their angelic faith.
The only remaining connection to his lineage was Qian Renxue.
(End of Chapter)