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As the sun set behind the mountains, the Pope's Palace, the Worship Hall, and the entire Spirit City below were all prepared for the following day.
The coffin of Qian Xunji had already been sealed with its lid.
Qian Renxue and Qian Renjue were diligently cleaning the area around the coffin.
They then knelt on the ground, waiting quietly.
As night fell, footsteps were heard outside.
Soon after, the voice of Golden Crocodile Douluo inquired.
"Big Brother, how did it go?"
There was no response.
Golden Crocodile Douluo continued, "Big Brother, Xiao Xue and Xiao Jue are inside."
The steady footsteps outside became hesitant and heavy.
A middle-aged man with golden hair and eyes entered the hall.
Qian Renxue and Qian Renjue turned to look at the somewhat weary figure.
They greeted in unison, "Grandpa!"
"Xiao Xue, Xiao Jue"
Qian Daoliu responded softly, his eyes filled with fatigue and guilt, as he slowly approached the two children.
He knelt in the center, opening his mouth but unable to speak.
Instead, he lifted his hand and gently stroked their heads.
Qian Renxue did not ask about the outcome, as she had already anticipated it.
Perhaps the God of Ashura's divine will had long resided within Tang Hao or Tang San.
Picking up the hand fan on the ground, Qian Renxue gently fanned Qian Daoliu.
Qian Renjue poured the brewed tea and handed it to Qian Daoliu.
"Grandpa, have some tea."
"…"
Looking at the two siblings before him, Qian Daoliu felt an inexplicable pain in his heart.
His hands trembled slightly.
Grasping the hot tea offered by Qian Renjue, the guilt in his eyes deepened.
He felt like a lump inside his throat that prevent him from speaking. But, he still forced himself to speak
"Xiao Xue, Xiao Jue, it's all Grandpa's fault. I'm sorry for letting you down."
"Grandpa, it's not your fault. It's not your fault."
Qian Renxue shook her head gently.
Qian Daoliu had already done more than enough, even willing to sacrifice his life in her past life.
It was she who felt she had let Qian Daoliu down.
Qian Renjue nodded slightly.
He comforted, "Sister is right. Grandpa, you've been tired for so long. You should rest."
"Heheh."
Qian Daoliu smiled wryly.
In the company of the siblings, he quietly drank the hot tea.
He did not know how long it had been since he had felt such helplessness.
Golden Crocodile Douluo approached slowly and respectfully asked, "Big Brother, should we seal the coffin now?"
"…"
Qian Daoliu paused his actions.
After a moment of contemplation, he said solemnly, "I will do it personally."
"Okay."
Golden Crocodile Douluo said nothing more and slowly exited the hall.
Qian Daoliu looked at Qian Xunji in the coffin.
His breathing became somewhat rushed.
"Xiao Xue, Xiao Jue, it's getting late. You should go rest."
"Got it, Grandpa."
Qian Renxue put down the fan and stood up slowly.
Qian Renjie pointed to the bells, rings, and blood-colored sugar beans on the ground.
He asked Qian Daoliu, "Grandpa, can Sister and I take these things?"
"Of course."
Qian Daoliu glanced at them and nodded earnestly.
It's good to have something to remember.
"Thank you, Grandpa."
Qian Renjue said as he removed the necklace from his neck.
Qian Renxue reached out to collect the items from the ground.
Qian Renjue hung the necklace with the Soul Absorbing Pearl around Qian Daoliu's neck.
"Grandpa, this was also left by Dad."
Qian Daoliu's heart skipped a beat.
He looked at the pearl with a golden halo on his chest with some confusion.
"Don't be too sad, Grandpa. Goodbye."
Qian Renxue waved at Qian Daoliu and, pulling Qian Renjue, left the hall.
"You are truly a failure, son."
Qian Daoliu's lips were twisted into a bitter smile.
He did not notice the incense that Qian Renxue had lit under the coffin.
It was made from the powder of the Soul Returning Flower.
---
On the way back to their residence.
Qian Renxue held Qian Renjue's hand.
She asked, "Jue, do you think Grandpa will succeed?"
"Definitely."
Qian Renjue nodded vigorously.
"If he doesn't, then no one else will."
Looking at the shooting stars in the night sky, he turned his gaze.
That was towards the direction of the Clear Sky Clan.
Qian Renjue's eyes held a trace of worry, his purple eyes seeming to see Bibi Dong wielding twin sickles, fighting recklessly.
In the days that followed, Qian Renjue had developed a new guess.
Perhaps, it was Qian Xunji himself who had given up the chance to live.
Otherwise, Qian Renjue could not understand why he did not use the [Phantom Sugar Candy].
---
In the Worship Hall.
There was no movement, only Qian Daoliu's steady breathing.
Qian Daoliu had his back against the coffin, sitting cross legged or appearing to be sleeping.
At some unknown point.
The Soul Absorbing Pearl with a golden halo on his chest began to flicker.
Thin wisps of white mist were slowly drawn into Qian Daoliu's body.
---
On a sunny morning.
It seemed like an ordinary day.
Qian Daoliu stood dazed in front of the Worship Hall, his mind somewhat dazed.
Before he could come to his senses, he felt a light blazing through his body..
"Dad."
Then, h voice he had always dreamed for several days rang in his ears for the first time.
Qian Daoliu quickly looked up.
The familiar figure stood at the top of the Worship Hall, radiant with light.
"Xunji!"
Qian Daoliu's eyes widened.
He questioned in disbelief, "You… are you still alive?"
Qian Xunji laughed heartily:
"Haha, Dad, are you getting senile? I'm already dead."
"Then, what is going on?!"
Qian Daoliu raised his hand to shield his eyes.
The intense heat from the divine light was impossible to be ignored.
Qian Xunji casually sat at the top, looking smug at his dad.
He did not intend to tell the truth, teasing, "Of course, it's because I missed you."
"You wretch! What nonsense are you spouting?"
Qian Daoliu's face darkened.
The suspicion that it might be an illusion vanished entirely.
Still as infuriating as ever!
"Tsk, can't you avoid scolding me?"
Qian Xunji shook his head helplessly.
He then waved his hand.
"Forget it, forget it. Scold me all you want. You won't have the chance to scold me again."
Swish!
Qian Xunji's figure flashed.
He appeared beside Qian Daoliu and held his shoulder.
With a serious face, he said:
"But let me make this clear first."
"If you scold me, you can't scold my children anymore."
Qian Daoliu looked at the vibrant face before him, his eyes reddening.
He snorted coldly.
"I can't wait to spoil them, why should i scold them?"
"Can't say for sure. You didn't scold me when I was young, but things changed when I grew up."
Qian Xunji released his grip, smiling and shaking his finger.
He then turned around and slowly walked towards the grass in front of the Worship Hall.
Qian Daoliu silently followed, watching his back.
Qian Xunji sat on the grass and patted the spot beside him.
He turned and smiled, "Old man, let's chat for a while since there's not much time."
As he finished speaking.
Qian Xunji looked up at the sun and lay comfortably on the grass.
He watched Qian Daoliu sit down beside him.
Smiling, he asked:
"Old man, do you think people can only see themselves clearly when they're dead?"
"How would I know!"
Qian Daoliu shook his head, clenching his fist.
"Haha, right. You've never died, so I have more experience in this."
Qian Xunji rested his head on his hands, laughing.
But soon, his expression grew serious again.
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