Qingluan spoke in a matter-of-fact tone:
"Your Highness, I don't fully understand what the Grand Worship meant, but it should be related to a letter that came from the Clear Sky Sect. As for the contents of that letter, I am not aware."
"But the Grand Worship ordered me to bring you back with a very serious tone."
Qian Renxue's face showed hesitation as she gazed at the Prince's Mansion.
"I've worked so hard, spending so many years building my foundation here… am I just supposed to abandon everything so easily?"
"Wouldn't that mean my mission has completely failed?"
Qingluan sighed helplessly.
"Miss, you know better than anyone—none of us can defy the will of the Grand Worship. Since he ordered me to come, I must take you back with me."
"And you also know, the plan to seize the throne was never something the Grand Worship truly cared about. Back then, he only went along with your decision."
"But now, the mission he has guarded for countless years—it's finally time for you to fulfill it."
"This…" Qian Renxue bit her lip in difficulty.
Of course, she knew what her true mission was. Qian Daoliu had secluded himself for decades, guarding the legacy of the Angel God. Her destiny was to inherit the Angel God's divinity and lead the Spirit Hall to its peak.
But in Heaven Dou City, she had plotted and worked for so many years, and everything was finally moving according to her plan. She truly didn't want to abandon her painstaking efforts so easily.
"Miss, why don't you first follow Third Worship back to the Spirit Hall? With Elder She and me here, we can handle Emperor Xue Ye. If in the end you truly can't return, then you can only let go and focus on completing the Grand Worship's mission." Douluo of the Thorned Dolphin spoke to ease the tension.
"That's right. Your Highness, you should go meet the Grand Worship first. After all, what matter could be so important for him to personally summon you back?" Snake Lance Douluo also added.
Qian Renxue nodded slightly.
"You're right. I'll return for now. If I truly cannot make it back here, I will inform you. Uncle Qingluan, let's go."
Soon after, Qian Renxue and Qingluan Douluo departed Heaven Dou City overnight.
Outside, as news spread that the Clear Sky Sect had released word about seeking reconciliation with Spirit Hall, the entire continent erupted into a storm of speculation.
Everyone wondered what gave the Clear Sky Sect the confidence to propose peace to Spirit Hall.
After all, in the eyes of the world, the former Pope Qian Xunji had died at the hands of Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Sect.
"Hm! Why has she returned?"
Standing on the upper platform of the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong spotted Qian Renxue riding atop Qingluan's martial soul. Her expression instantly darkened with displeasure.
Seeing the two land before the Worship Hall, Bibi Dong immediately went over.
She had to understand clearly why Qian Daoliu had summoned Qian Renxue back.
"Third Worship, why did you bring her back without asking for this seat's opinion first?" Bibi Dong's voice was icy as she questioned.
"Pope, I am acting under the Grand Worship's orders." Qingluan's reply was calm, showing no sign of respect toward Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong ignored him and turned her sharp gaze on the uneasy Qian Renxue.
"What did your grandfather say to you that made you return at this time?"
"To tell the truth, I don't know either. I only know that Grandfather ordered Third Worship to fetch me." Qian Renxue replied coolly.
"Hmph. Then I'll ask Qian Daoliu myself what exactly he intends."
With a cold snort, Bibi Dong strode directly into the Worship Hall.
She pushed open the heavy doors with one palm and stepped into the vast and bright hall.
Five pairs of eyes immediately turned toward her.
Before anyone could speak, Bibi Dong demanded an answer from the man seated at the central throne.
"Grand Worship, shouldn't you explain this to me?" Bibi Dong stood firmly in the middle of the hall, her voice sharp.
"Brother, I actually felt a sharp, dangerous aura from the Pope just now…" Qian Jun Douluo whispered to Jiangmo Douluo through spiritual transmission.
"Mhm. She is indeed the strongest Pope in history, with twin martial souls. Her strength already surpasses us by far. Right now, only the Grand Worship can suppress her." Jiangmo replied in kind.
Meanwhile, Qian Renxue stepped forward to respectfully salute.
"Grandfather, your granddaughter greets you."
"Good, good. As long as you're back." A rare smile touched Qian Daoliu's face.
"Since your mother is also here, and everyone present is a member of Spirit Hall, there's no need to keep this matter hidden. Of course, I also hope that my suspicions are wrong."
He took a step forward, and his expression grew solemn.
"Perhaps you all didn't take the Clear Sky Sect's letter seriously. Truthfully, neither did I. But there is one exception—Tang Chen."
Bibi Dong immediately countered coldly:
"Tang Chen? With you here to keep him in check, what is there to fear? And to bring her back just for this? Isn't that an overreaction?"
Qian Daoliu remained calm.
"That's why I said—I hope I am wrong."
"Do you know why Tang Chen has been in seclusion for so many years? It is because of a vow: 'I will not return unless I become a god.' That was Tang Chen's promise as he pursued the inheritance of the Sea God."
"Although I do not believe he has already become a god, the fact that he has reemerged now means he has surely discovered a godly inheritance. After all these years, he must have already passed several trials. His strength very likely surpasses ours."
"If Tang Chen truly achieves godhood, we will be completely passive and defenseless. That is why it is time for Xue'er to accept the Angel God's divinity. Only once she becomes a true god can Spirit Hall remain safe."
Qian Daoliu's expression grew more and more grave.
"You, more than anyone, should understand the power of a god. Even if not the Clear Sky Sect, just a single small clan gaining a god's protection would be enough to threaten us. That is why I summoned Xue'er back."
"Your throne-seizing schemes before Xue'er's godhood are nothing but petty games. This time, I will not indulge you again."
Bibi Dong's eyes grew heavy. She hadn't expected Tang Chen to carry such a vow.
But she was still unwilling to back down.
"That's only your speculation. And besides, inheriting a godhood is not something that can be completed in a single month."
"Fine. I'll step back. If, on the day of our talks with the Clear Sky Sect, Tang Chen has not proven himself as you claim, then Xue'er must return to Heaven Dou City to continue her mission."
Qian Daoliu thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Agreed. But if Tang Chen truly appears and his strength surpasses ours, then Xue'er must stay and begin the divine trials."
Bibi Dong reluctantly accepted this compromise—because she was uncertain.
And Qian Daoliu compromised because he knew Xue'er had only just returned and wasn't mentally prepared for the Angel God's inheritance. Forcing her into the divine trials now would only guarantee failure.
With that, Bibi Dong left the Worship Hall and returned to her Pope's Palace.
"Xue'er, for now, stay here and rest well." Qian Daoliu told her.
"Yes, Grandfather." Qian Renxue nodded.
Both sides then fell silent, waiting for the day of negotiations with the Clear Sky Sect.
Half a month later, Lin Fan finally crossed mountains and rivers to reach a secluded and breathtaking place.
Here lay a forest, much smaller than the Sunset Forest.
But strangely enough, this forest was filled with Blue Silver Grass—so much that it even surpassed the Star Dou Great Forest.
Thus, this place was called the Blue Silver Forest.
At last, I've arrived. Lin Fan gazed at the scenery before him, astonished by its beauty.