Pushing aside the chaotic thoughts in his mind, Huo Yuhao stood up and walked out of the quiet room.
"Yuhao, you've come out of seclusion?"
"Dean Yan." Huo Yuhao greeted him, then looked around but did not see Xuan Zi. "Where is Elder Xuan?"
"Elder Xuan had some urgent matters to attend to and temporarily left the academy. Before leaving, he entrusted me with watching over you."
"Dean Yan, what happened?" Although Xuan Zi often appeared unreliable, Huo Yuhao did not believe he would go back on his word to protect him during seclusion unless something significant had occurred.
"It's about the Holy Spirit Cult," Yan Shaozhe said, glancing at Huo Yuhao without concealing the matter.
As the two were speaking, Xuan Zi had already returned to the front of Sea God Pavilion and immediately noticed that Huo Yuhao had emerged from seclusion.
"Elder Xuan, you're back."
"Mm." Xuan Zi nodded, his gaze briefly shifting to Yan Shaozhe beside him.
After a moment of silence, he ultimately said nothing.
Although Yan Shaozhe was a descendant of Ye Xishui, he no longer had any connection to her. With Ye Xishui already gone, Xuan Zi chose to let her past fade completely.
"Elder Xuan, did things not go smoothly at Jialing Pass?" Yan Shaozhe asked, noticing the subtle change in Xuan Zi's expression.
"No. The matter at Jialing Pass has been resolved. Ye Xishui and Dragon Emperor Senior have passed away."
Considering Ye Xishui had once been Mu En's close friend in their youth, Xuan Zi deliberately chose a gentler phrasing.
"Without two Limit Douluo, the Holy Spirit Cult is now little more than a name."
With a sigh, Xuan Zi continued, "I will be entering long-term seclusion. During this period, the academy's affairs will depend on you."
"Yes." Yan Shaozhe nodded, then quickly realized something. "Elder Xuan, are you planning to break through to Limit Douluo?"
"Mm. My previous breakthrough failed, and after Elder Mu's passing, I lost the courage to attempt it again. I was afraid that if something happened to me, I wouldn't be able to protect the academy."
Xuan Zi raised his head. Beneath his somewhat disheveled hair, a faint glimmer flashed within his deep yellow eyes.
"Thinking back on it now, I truly forgot the resolve I had when I first began training. This time, I want to try again."
"Elder Xuan, please rest assured. We will take care of the academy."
"Good." Xuan Zi nodded, then turned to Huo Yuhao. "Yuhao, your seclusion this time must have brought you considerable gains, correct?"
"Yes, Elder Xuan." Huo Yuhao paused slightly. "The matter of the Sealing God Platform has been resolved."
Xuan Zi's eyes lit up. "Good. Very good."
He still did not know that the Sealing God Platform had contained not a one-hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast, but the Snow Empress with seven hundred thousand years of cultivation.
Otherwise, he would not have remained so calm.
"Elder Xuan," Huo Yuhao asked, "what is the difference between breaking through to Limit Douluo and breaking through to an ordinary Titled Douluo?"
Seeing the earnestness in Huo Yuhao's eyes, Xuan Zi smiled.
"With your current cultivation, it is indeed time to consider such matters. Since you're asking today, I'll take this opportunity to explain it to you properly."
---
God Realm.
A guest arrived at the Sea God's residence. He was a tall, blond man with a commanding presence.
"Xiao Wu, where is Tang San?"
Dai Mubai glanced around but did not see the Sea God. Xiao Wu stepped forward and replied, "Big Brother San is in seclusion."
Hearing this, Dai Mubai's tiger-like eyes widened slightly, revealing his distinctive double pupils.
"So the rumors are true. Tang San really stopped managing the God Realm and is self-punishing for ten years?"
"Mm." Xiao Wu nodded gently.
"What about the Douluo Continent?"
"Big Brother San said there is something related to the Forbidden Land of the Gods there, so he temporarily severed its connection to the God Realm."
"Is there no solution?"
Xiao Wu shook her head.
"No. I'm going to the God Realm Committee to demand a clear explanation."
"Boss Dai!" Xiao Wu called out.
Dai Mubai stopped and turned back.
"This was a decision made by the God Realm Committee."
"Hmph. Just because it's the God Realm Committee, they think they can do whatever they want?" Dai Mubai snorted. "They manage the God Realm for its betterment, not to indulge their selfish desires and act recklessly."
"What Tang San did was to protect the God Realm's safety. How can they punish him for that?"
"Even if I am only a second-rank deity, I will still go to the God Realm Committee and demand an explanation."
Before Xiao Wu could speak again, Dai Mubai's figure had already vanished into the distance.
---
Destruction Castle.
Dark clouds churned above the pitch-black Destruction Castle, purple lightning surging through the skies. Though the castle was always shrouded in thunder, today the lightning was especially violent.
"Just because Tang San said a few words, you agreed so easily?"
"Actually, the Sea God's actions were not entirely wrong," the God of Life replied calmly. "He also made concessions by handing over control of the God Realm Central Hub. That should be sufficient."
"Sufficient?" The God of Destruction's voice rose sharply. "Those two, Evil and Good, follow Tang San unquestioningly. Letting them control the Central Hub is no different from leaving it in Tang San's hands."
"The Sea God has clearly stated that the God Realm will soon face calamity. At such a time, allowing the Evil God to manage affairs is not a bad choice. I know you are also acting for the sake of the God Realm."
"Why not wait until this crisis passes? Once the God Realm stabilizes, I will certainly support you."
Despite his boiling anger, the God of Destruction could not lash out at the God of Life. After all, they were still husband and wife.
He let out a cold snort and sat back down upon the throne of Destruction Castle.
As he forcibly suppressed his rage, another thought surfaced.
Tang San's decision to sever a Mortal plane was clearly due to his apprehension toward a certain power within that world.
Whether he feared it would threaten his God Position, or feared its sheer might, it was undoubtedly a power strong enough to draw the Sea God's attention.
And that power was connected to the Forbidden Land of the Gods.
Just as the God of Destruction was contemplating this, a voice sounded from outside the castle.
"My Lord, the God of War requests an audience."
"The God of War?" The God of Destruction repeated slowly. "Why is he here?"
"Perhaps it's related to the Sea God," the God of Life said. "If you don't wish to see him, I can go in your place."
"No." The God of Destruction suddenly raised his hand. "If I remember correctly, the God of War is from the same plane as Tang San, isn't he?"
"Let him in."