"An accidental exile, that's all," Tang Chen spoke up at the right moment. "Isn't your Spirit Hall's Angel Sacred Sword also in someone else's hands?"
"Not long ago, in the Slaughter City, I encountered a twin-tailed girl dressed in strange clothing who wielded the Angel Sacred Sword. Qian Daoliu, do you know who that person is?"
"Huh?"
A flicker of astonishment passed over Qian Daoliu's face before he spoke, as if remembering something, "Perhaps it was the Angel God, finding you, Tang Chen, displeasing, and sent someone to smash your venue."
"Who told you to always come to Spirit Hall to cause trouble."
"So, how is it? Was your venue smashed?"
Tang Chen: "..."
F*ck—
Since when did the rigid Qian Daoliu become so sharp-tongued.
My Slaughter City venue was indeed smashed, almost completely cleared out.
But what's it to you?
Don't think I don't know, the Angel Sacred Sword was in the hands of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect years ago.
Oh no, to be precise, it was in the hands of that Lord Nightmare.
Back then, my grandson Tang Xiao saw you get beaten so badly you even lost Spirit Hall's "face".
So, I came to ask if you actually know the identity of that twin-tailed girl.
Not for you to argue with me.
Qian Daoliu, you big smart guy, can't you understand what I mean?
Qian Daoliu was teasing Tang Chen, but Bibi Dong, standing to the side, lowered her head slightly, lost in thought.
Through previous investigations, both overt and covert, she had learned that Tang Chen's Slaughter City had been beaten, smashed, robbed, and burned.
But the specifics weren't very clear; it was said that even a Title Douluo had fallen.
And besides…
Yesterday, Bi Ji came to Spirit Hall and told them that Ning Rongrong had the Angel Sacred Sword.
When she killed the thousand-year Titan Giant Ape, the weapon she used was most likely the Angel Sacred Sword.
Not only did she possess the power to kill a thousand-year Titan Giant Ape, but she also had the ability to kill a Title Douluo under Tang Chen's watch and escape safely.
"Such strength…" Bibi Dong glanced with the corner of her eye towards the VIP room in the best viewing spot for the matches. That VIP room was occupied by people from the Glazed Academy.
Xiao Xue, can she really win?
After returning from the Star Dou Great Forest, it was certain that Qian Renxue's strength had improved compared to before.
But by how much exactly was still unknown to Bibi Dong.
Time was too tight, and she had been quite busy recently, with no chance to test Qian Renxue's current soul power level and strength.
"Ah, I hope nothing goes wrong?"
This 100,000-year soul bone was put out as bait to lure the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
But if it were truly lost, both the Pope's Hall and the Offering Hall would be deeply pained.
This wasn't just any 100,000-year soul bone.
It was a complete torso bone that had weathered one heavenly tribulation, nearly 200,000 years in cultivation, utterly undamaged—practically priceless.
In the time Bibi Dong was lost in thought, Qian Daoliu continued his exchange with the two opposite him.
"The Sea God's Heart you are looking for is not in Spirit Hall," Qian Daoliu's voice was flat.
"Qian Daoliu, I hope you will allow me to enter Spirit Hall to investigate," Bo Saixi spoke up.
"The message sent by Lord Sea God states that the last location where a fluctuation from the Sea God's Heart was detected is within the bounds of Spirit City."
"Hmph, the Sea God!" Qian Daoliu snorted dismissively. "Bo Saixi, do you still remember that this is Spirit Hall, which believes in the Angel God?"
"You, the High Priestess of the Sea God, why should I allow you to enter Spirit Hall to investigate?"
"Emotionally and logically, it's impossible."
"Can't you make an exception?" Bo Saixi's delicate brows slightly furrowed.
She originally thought Qian Daoliu would be more accommodating. She just wanted to go in and look, it was the Sea God's instruction, she didn't have many other thoughts.
"Bo Saixi, leaving aside the enmity between your Sea God Island and our Spirit Hall, just your current stance makes it impossible for me to let you enter Spirit Hall to investigate without any reservations."
"Bo Saixi, do you still think my relationship with Tang Chen is the same as it was decades ago?"
"My son died at the hands of Tang Hao, and the previous sect master of the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Chen's son, also committed suicide and sealed the mountain under Spirit Hall's pressure."
"Furthermore, Tang Hao has destroyed Spirit Hall branch halls multiple times. I've suppressed these matters."
"However, that doesn't mean they didn't happen."
"Besides, Tang Chen has come to Spirit Hall multiple times to provoke me. I can overlook that."
"However, I represent the Angel God's servant on earth."
"Tang Chen and I can never return to our past relationship."
"And you, Bo Saixi… do you remember what you said when Tang Chen and I first met you?"
"Becoming a god, heh…"
"Your choice was clear. I, Qian Daoliu, am someone who can pick up and let go."
God's servants cannot become gods. When Bo Saixi said those words, Qian Daoliu understood in his heart.
"Qian Daoliu, Tang Chen is also a god's servant now," Bo Saixi's expression was somewhat unpleasant.
"Bo Saixi, this is not Sea God Island, and I am not so easily fooled."
Qian Daoliu glanced at Tang Chen, who remained silent, and Bo Saixi, who seemed to want to speak but stopped, saying,
"The Sea God's Heart is not in my Spirit Hall. If you two insist on forcing your way in to search."
"Then let's fight!"
Qian Daoliu flicked his sleeve, glanced at Bibi Dong who was staring dumbfounded,
"Bibi Dong, let's go."
Bibi Dong: "..."
Good grief, since when did Qian Daoliu become so domineering.
Well, in that case, I should give him some face.
After Qian Daoliu turned and left, Bibi Dong silently followed, staying just half a step behind, not "stealing his thunder."
Watching Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu leave.
Bo Saixi sighed: "He has changed, Qian Daoliu ah!"
"This is normal," Tang Chen responded. "Many things have happened to both sides. I told you long ago that wanting to enter Spirit Hall to investigate was highly unlikely."
"I didn't expect it either!" Bo Saixi said helplessly. "Your relationship was originally very good. Even considering Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect, it's only been a few decades."
"Indeed, time can wear away many things!"
Tang Chen did not answer, remaining silent for a long moment before speaking: "Since Qian Daoliu says the Sea God's Heart is not in his hands, it probably isn't. There's no need for him to lie to us about this."
"True," Bo Saixi nodded in agreement.
Qian Daoliu's character, even if changed by certain events, hadn't fundamentally altered too much.
"I remember the Sea God mentioned to me that the Sea God's Heart is also called the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, originally kept in the Heaven Dou Empire's national treasury."
"However, about half a year ago, the Heaven Dou treasury suffered a very serious theft."
"It's said the thief originated from the Balak Kingdom."
Although many treasures were recovered later, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud disappeared from then on.
Obviously, as the king of the Balak Kingdom, Xue Beng, wanting to ensure his legitimacy wasn't questioned, needed to obtain the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, this Heaven Dou national treasure.
"After this incident, the Heaven Dou Emperor, Xue Qinghe, was extremely angry," Tang Chen continued to explain. "He dispatched armies to intensify the offensive against the Balak Kingdom."
"However, not long after, because the Continental Elite Soul Master Grand Competition was about to be held, Bibi Dong personally intervened to halt the war between the Balak Kingdom and the Heaven Dou Empire, until now."
"So, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud is missing," Bo Saixi frowned.
Because it's missing, it appearing in Spirit Hall wouldn't be strange.
Those who obtain the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud are usually Soul Masters. Spirit Hall is the holy land for continent Soul Masters, and even Soul Master transactions, etc., are mostly concentrated in Spirit City.
So, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud changing hands multiple times, its whereabouts unknown, isn't strange.
"Ah, this makes finding it troublesome," Bo Saixi sighed.
Tang Chen looked up at the clock hanging on the giant sword.
"Time is almost up, I need to go back and teach Tang San some precautions."
"En, go ahead, I'll just watch here by myself," Bo Saixi nodded.
Given Qian Daoliu's personality, it's unlikely he would cause trouble for both sides under the current circumstances.
Although, this isn't her home ground.
She couldn't fight at full strength, but she is, after all, a 99th Rank Limit Douluo, and not afraid of Qian Daoliu.
If she can't win, can't she just leave?
After Tang Chen left, Bo Saixi silently turned to look at the spectators in the arena.
As the match time drew nearer, the expressions on the cheering crowd's faces grew increasingly excited.
After all, this was another match for the Spirit Hall team.
Suddenly, Bo Saixi's brow furrowed.
She flicked her finger, sending a water arrow flying straight towards the staircase.
The spot hit by the water arrow was empty.
Then, a hoarse, sharp, and somewhat feminine voice came from an unknown location.
"Jie jie jie jie~"
"As expected of the High Priestess of Sea God Island, you are more perceptive than Qian Daoliu and Tang Chen."
"Who are you!" Bo Saixi's expression changed slightly.
"You may address me as Evil God D. Farewell, pitiful god's servant."
The voice grew smaller and then disappeared. From beginning to end, Bo Saixi didn't know who this observer in the shadows was, nor how long he had been listening secretly.
But from the other party's words, he probably wasn't from Spirit Hall.
Probably no one from Spirit Hall would directly call Qian Daoliu by his name.
"Evil God… D?"