In the Pope's Hall of Spirit.
Chrysanthemum Douluo walked into the grand hall holding a letter. Bowing respectfully toward Bibi Dong, he said,
"Your Holiness, this is a personal letter from the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect."
Bibi Dong set aside the book in her hand, her expression calm.
"The Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect? That's unusual. Open it and read."
"Yes, Your Holiness." Chrysanthemum Douluo carefully opened the envelope and began reading out Tang Xiao's words, line by line.
"Former Clear Sky Douluo? Reconciliation within one month?
When Chrysanthemum Douluo finished the letter, Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed slightly. She muttered inwardly,
"Could it be… they've discovered that Qian Xunji died at my hands?"
"Yue Guan, is there anything else?" she asked, her face now serious.
"Replying to Your Holiness, that is the main content," Chrysanthemum Douluo said, handing the letter forward.
Bibi Dong glanced through it herself. The contents matched what Chrysanthemum Douluo reported. She then passed the letter to Hu Liena.
"Nana, what do you think?"
Hu Liena carefully read through the lines, then replied,
"Teacher, this disciple feels the Clear Sky Sect's offer of reconciliation seems sincere. But I don't understand—what qualifications does the Clear Sky Sect have to demand reconciliation from Spirit Hall? Could it really just be because of the former Clear Sky Douluo?"
Hu Liena had never seen Tang Chen in person. In fact, not even Bibi Dong had seen him more than once, over thirty years ago. It was normal for Hu Liena to be unsure of Tang Chen's strength.
"Yes. He alone has enough weight to stand before Spirit Hall." Bibi Dong's tone grew solemn.
"The former Clear Sky Douluo, Tang Chen, was one of the three Peerless Douluo, nicknamed 'Invincible on Land.' The last time I saw him, I was only a child, yet he was already a Rank 99 Peerless Douluo. After all these years in seclusion… for him to suddenly reappear now means his strength has advanced even further. Perhaps he has already surpassed the limits of Rank 99 Peerless Douluo. So this matter of reconciliation must not be taken lightly."
The mention of Tang Chen darkened Bibi Dong's expression. If this information were true, the balance of power across the continent could shift once again. Her own long-term plans might have to be delayed.
"So strong!" Hu Liena was stunned. By the time Tang Chen had already reached the pinnacle, she hadn't even been born yet. She had heard rumors about him, but time had eroded any sense of scale. Now, hearing her teacher's grave explanation, she realized she had underestimated the former Clear Sky Douluo.
Chrysanthemum Douluo then reminded,
"Your Holiness, the letter also says that if you do not believe it, the Grand Worship may examine it. On the envelope is a small hammer seal—supposedly the exclusive token of Tang Chen as First Elder of the Clear Sky Sect."
Bibi Dong nodded slightly. "Nana, return the envelope to Yue Guan."
"Yes." Hu Liena handed it back.
Chrysanthemum Douluo carried the envelope directly to the Worship Hall.
"Greetings, Grand Worship!" he saluted with utmost respect.
Surrounded by the silent figures of six other Worship Elders, Yue Guan felt immense pressure. He dared not show a hint of arrogance and spoke with rare solemnity.
On the central jade cushion, Qian Daoliu slowly opened his eyes. Though his gaze was calm, it was enough to make Chrysanthemum Douluo bow his head instinctively, unable to meet it.
"What is it?" Qian Daoliu asked lightly.
"Grand Worship, this subordinate has received a letter from the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect. The letter states that the Clear Sky Sect wishes to reconcile with Spirit Hall, and emphasizes that this comes from the will of the Peerless Douluo Tang Chen himself. The envelope bears a small hammer seal, which, they said, only you would recognize."
Yue Guan lowered his head and presented the envelope with both hands.
"Tang Chen… truly!" For the first time, Qian Daoliu's expression shifted.
"This subordinate would not dare speak recklessly. Her Holiness has already examined the letter herself."
Qian Daoliu accepted the envelope, opened it, and studied the small hammer seal at the bottom.
"That old fellow disappeared for so many years… For him to suddenly reappear, he must have had a breakthrough," Qian Daoliu murmured.
In truth, perhaps only Qian Daoliu understood the real reason Tang Chen vanished from the continent: because of a single promise—
'Unless I become a god, I will never return to the island.'
"Old friend… did you really find the inheritance of another god?" Qian Daoliu thought to himself.
Finally, he said aloud,
"You may leave. Tell the Pope we shall proceed as the Clear Sky Sect suggested. On the fifteenth of next month, the talks will be held in Spirit City."
"Yes, Grand Worship!" Chrysanthemum Douluo bowed and quickly departed.
Qian Daoliu then turned to Golden Crocodile Douluo.
"Golden Crocodile, Snow's spirit power should be nearing Spirit Sage, correct?"
"Yes. The Young Miss has already reached Rank 68, a Spirit Emperor," Golden Crocodile replied.
Qian Daoliu's eyes sharpened. "Qingluan, go to Heaven Dou City yourself. Bring Snow back at once. She must abandon her entanglements there."
A tall man in an ornate azure robe stepped forward and bowed.
"Yes, Grand Worship."
Golden Crocodile hesitated. "Grand Worship… the Young Miss has plotted for many years in Heaven Dou City. I fear she will not be willing to leave so suddenly."
"Hmph. Compared to a god's inheritance, what is a mere imperial throne worth?" Qian Daoliu's voice was cold.
"Tang Chen's sudden appearance means this era will witness the birth of new gods. For the future of Spirit Hall's legacy, Snow must return to the Worship Hall immediately."
Golden Crocodile dared not argue further.
Qingluan Douluo spoke coolly,
"Then I will depart at once, Grand Worship."
With Qian Daoliu's silent approval, he stepped outside, releasing his martial spirit—the Qingluan.
A crisp phoenix cry split the air as Qingluan Douluo transformed into a streak of azure light, soaring swiftly across the skies.
This was precisely why Qian Daoliu had chosen him—besides himself, only Qingluan Douluo possessed the ability to fly over long distances at such incredible speed.
From Spirit City, Bibi Dong sensed the direction of Qingluan Douluo's departure. Her brows furrowed.
"Why would Qian Daoliu send him in that direction…?"
Three days later, Qingluan Douluo arrived at Heaven Dou City, descending directly into the inner city from the skies.
That night, when only Qian Renxue and her two loyal protectors—Porcupinefish Douluo and Snake Spear Douluo—were present, a figure burst through the window.
"Who goes there!" Both men instantly stepped forward, wary and alert.
"It's me, Young Miss," Qingluan Douluo said calmly, pressing a finger to his lips for silence. With a wave of his hand, a layer of azure spirit power enveloped the room, sealing it off from outside perception.
"Greetings, Third Worship!" the two protectors saluted respectfully.
Seeing the intruder clearly, Qian Renxue returned to her true appearance and called softly,
"Uncle Qingluan, why have you suddenly come here?"
Qingluan Douluo's tone was cold and unyielding.
"Young Miss, I come under orders from the Grand Worship. You are to return with me immediately. This matter is not open to discussion."
Qian Renxue's face stiffened.
So serious? What happened that forced Grandfather to make such a resolute decision?