Golden Crocodile Douluo and Azure Luan Douluo arrived one after the other, their expressions grave as they surveyed the devastated landscape.
Neither of them spoke, both could clearly sense the terrifying level of power that had erupted here earlier.
Golden Crocodile Douluo's brows furrowed deeply, while Azure Luan Douluo clenched his fists silently. Even with their vast experience, the scene before them sent a chill down their spines.
Yet neither dared to disturb Qian Daoliu. At this moment, the usually calm High Priest of the Angel Clan looked like a man standing on the edge of collapse.
His spiritual sense continued probing the depths of the lake desperately, ignoring the chaotic currents that repeatedly disrupted his perception.
Suddenly—Qian Daoliu's eyes snapped open.
As if he had sensed something, his entire body trembled violently. Without a single word, he plunged into the lake.
Splash!
Water erupted upward as his golden figure disappeared beneath the dark surface.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly as Golden Crocodile Douluo and Azure Luan Douluo waited in tense silence above the lake. The wind howled across the ruined land, carrying the lingering scent of destruction.
Neither of them spoke, but the unease in their hearts grew heavier with each passing moment.
Finally—
The surface of the lake rippled and a figure slowly rose from the water.
Qian Daoliu's golden robe was drenched, clinging heavily to his body. In his arms, he carried a young girl.
Her long golden hair floated weakly in the water, glimmering faintly under the fading sunlight. Her face was pale, her delicate features unmoving.
It was Eve's body that looked exactly like Qian Renxue. Qian Daoliu held her carefully, as though afraid even the slightest movement might break her fragile form.
The world seemed to fall silent.
Qian Daoliu slowly raised a trembling hand and placed it near the girl's nose and he did not feel any breath.
For a long moment, Qian Daoliu stood there without moving.
Then—His shoulders trembled.
Moisture gathered in his aged eyes, blurring his vision. The hand holding the girl tightened slightly, as if he feared she would disappear if he loosened his grip.
For decades, he had carried himself with the dignity and composure of the Angel Clan's pillar.
But at this moment—he was only a grandfather and the child in his arms was no longer breathing.
"NO!!!"
A heart-rending cry tore from his throat.
The anguished roar echoed across the devastated land, shaking the forest and the mountains alike. It carried the grief of a man who had witnessed countless deaths in his life—
Yet could not accept the loss of the one person he had wanted to protect the most.
-----
Elder's Hall
It did not take long for Qian Daoliu to return to the Elder's Hall.
The sacred hall, usually filled with solemn dignity and divine radiance, felt unusually quiet today. The golden pillars that symbolized the authority of the Angel lineage stood tall as always, but the atmosphere had become heavy, almost suffocating.
At this moment, Qian Daoliu sat silently beside a golden coffin.
The coffin had been crafted from sacred angelic metal, its surface engraved with delicate patterns of feathers and halos. Faint golden light flowed along its carvings, as if the Angel God herself was watching over the one resting inside.
Within it lay "Qian Renxue."
Her long golden hair had been carefully arranged across her shoulders, shining softly like threads of sunlight. The ceremonial golden robes of the Angel lineage covered her slender figure, making her look like a princess bathed in divine light.
She looked less like a corpse and more like a sleeping beauty who would wake at any moment.
Qian Daoliu stared at her unmoving face for a long time.
Deep in his heart, he almost believed that if he simply waited long enough—
She might suddenly open her eyes, call him "Grandfather" again.But that was only his delusion. His granddaughter would never awaken again.
The old man's fingers trembled slightly as he gently brushed a strand of hair away from her forehead.
Then he slowly spoke, his voice was deep and hoarse.
"Mighty Lion."
Standing quietly nearby, Mighty Lion Douluo immediately stepped forward.
"Yes, Brother."
He had followed Qian Daoliu for decades and had rarely seen him like this. The usually unshakable High Priest now looked like a man who had aged many years in a single night.
Qian Daoliu wiped the moisture from his cheeks with the back of his hand. When he spoke again, his voice carried a heavy weight.
"Call the Pope."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"She needs to know.…Renxue is her daughter."
Mighty Lion Douluo's chest tightened.
Everyone in Elder's Hall knew the complicated relationship between Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue. Yet no matter how distant or cold their relationship had been—A mother still had the right to know that her daughter had died.
Mighty Lion Douluo bowed deeply.
"Yes."
He turned and walked toward the great gates of the Elder's Hall.
But his steps were unsteady, because he knew exactly what task he had just been given was to deliver the news of a daughter's death… to her mother.
Even someone as strong as him felt his legs grow heavy.Just as he reached the doorway—
Qian Daoliu spoke again.
"Golden Crocodile.....Azure Luan.....Flowing Feather."
Three figures immediately stepped forward.
Each of them was a pillar of Spirit Hall, legendary Super Douluo whose names alone could shake the continent.
"What are your orders?"
Qian Daoliu slowly raised his head.
The grief in his eyes had not disappeared, but something else had appeared within them now.
A burning fury that seemed capable to burn everything.
"Make preparations."
----
(Author notes: Chapter 53: Qian Daoliu will come to know some of the things Qian Renxue did ! but he will never be able to talk to her face to face)