Qian Daoliu's voice carried a suppressed anger, clearly displeased at Tang Chen's absence.
When he saw Tang Chen's golden hammer token, he had assumed Tang Chen himself would come. Now, in his heart, he felt as if he had been played.
But if Tang Chen truly intended to come, he would have done so long ago. He would not have entrusted Lin Fan to come in his place.
Facing Qian Daoliu's questioning, Lin Fan's expression sank.
"I know you gained fame long ago, having reached the realm of Limit Douluo early. But now, the younger generation rises to replace the old. I admit I am not as strong as Senior Tang Chen, but when it comes to negotiations, I am still qualified."
A flicker of cold light flashed in Qian Daoliu's eyes. He was clearly displeased with Lin Fan's response.
He slowly rose to his feet, releasing an invisible pressure that made the entire hall feel heavy.
"Younger generations replacing the old?" Qian Daoliu's voice was low and cold, laced with mockery.
"Young man, confidence is good. But arrogance will only bring humiliation. As a mere junior, where does your courage come from?"
Lin Fan felt the immense pressure radiating from Qian Daoliu, but immediately released his own aura to resist it.
His tone was steady, showing not the slightest fear.
"The Clear Sky Sect came here today with sincerity. If Spirit Hall insists on using power to suppress others, then this negotiation loses its meaning."
At his words, Qian Daoliu's eyes showed a hint of surprise. Clearly, he had not expected Lin Fan to remain so composed under his coercion.
With a cold snort, Qian Daoliu said disdainfully:
"Sincerity? The Clear Sky Sect's sincerity is to send a mere junior to brush things off? If Tang Chen truly meant to be sincere, he should have come himself!"
"Hahaha—" Lin Fan's sudden laughter made both Qian Daoliu and Bibi Dong frown.
"Qian Daoliu, of all people here, you understand Tang Chen the best. To tell you the truth, these past years Senior Tang Chen has been in the City of Slaughter.
Not long after I met him, he had already reached the half-god realm. Now, he is on Sea God Island.
If he knew you were making things difficult for his descendants, with his temper and power, do you think this negotiation would still be so strained?"
Lin Fan's laughter echoed through the hall, filled with mockery and confidence.
Qian Daoliu's expression changed visibly, his eyes flashing with shock and apprehension.
"Half-god?" His voice was low, filled with disbelief.
"Tang Chen… he achieved that?"
Lin Fan smiled faintly, meeting Qian Daoliu's eyes with deep meaning.
"If not for the fact that he is currently on Sea God Island and unable to leave, the one negotiating with you today would not be me."
Qian Daoliu fell silent for a moment, his gaze complicated.
Slowly, he sat back down, and the invisible pressure around him dissipated.
Clearly, Lin Fan's words had forced him to reassess the situation.
But even then, Qian Daoliu stubbornly said:
"Even so, Tang Hao killed my son, Qian Xunji. How can this matter be easily forgiven? If not for Tang Chen's face back then, the Clear Sky Sect would have ceased to exist long ago."
"Hmph!" At this moment, Bibi Dong coldly interjected:
"Lin Fan, even if Tang Chen has reached the half-god realm, so what?
A half-god is not a true god. Spirit Hall has experts as numerous as clouds—why would we fear one Tang Chen?"
"The terms of Spirit Hall will not change. Tang Hao killed the former Pope, bringing immense losses to Spirit Hall. He also deliberately sabotaged Spirit Hall during the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Tournament.
Tang Hao's actions have repeatedly challenged Spirit Hall's authority. As the Pope of Spirit Hall, my bottom line is this—Tang Hao must face Spirit Hall's judgment."
Lin Fan frowned slightly. He understood Bibi Dong's intentions well. She had never truly respected Spirit Hall. If she could antagonize Tang Chen and make him turn against Spirit Hall, that would suit her just fine.
Sigh… why stir up trouble at this time… Lin Fan thought helplessly.
At that moment, Tang Hao, unable to endure it any longer, roared:
"Qian Xunji pursued my wife, Ah Yin, for three whole days and nights! If not for his relentless persecution, why would I, Tang Hao, fight him to the death?"
His voice trembled with emotion, as if dragged back into that painful memory.
"Ah Yin sacrificed herself to protect me and our child—she turned into a spirit ring! This blood debt, and now you Spirit Hall want to distort the truth?"
"As for the tournament two years ago—it was your Spirit Hall that struck at my son, Tang San, first! As a father, should I not act?"
"Is it that I, Tang Hao, am too weak—or that your Spirit Hall bullies too much!"
His thunderous voice resounded throughout the hall, filled with undeniable conviction.
His eyes blazed like torches, staring straight at Bibi Dong and Qian Daoliu, as if pouring all his fury into them.
Bibi Dong ignored Tang Hao's furious glare and said coldly:
"Tang Hao, according to your words, are you not guilty of colluding with spirit beasts? Do you intend to lead spirit beasts in destroying the continent? Can you shoulder that responsibility?"
Her voice was icy sharp, like a blade stabbing straight at Tang Hao's heart.
At those words, Tang Hao's expression changed drastically. His eyes filled with shock and rage.
He stepped forward heavily, his voice booming like thunder:
"Bibi Dong! Do not slander me! I, Tang Hao, act with an open heart—when have I ever colluded with spirit beasts? You are framing me!"
Bibi Dong sneered with disdain.
"Framing? If not collusion with spirit beasts, then why would Spirit Hall hunt you? And yet you dare boast of righteousness?"
Tang Hao's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His eyes burned with fury, his voice low and trembling:
"Ah Yin was my wife—my son's mother! Yes, she was a spirit beast who had taken human form, but she never harmed anyone!
And you, Spirit Hall, under false charges, hunted her until she was forced to sacrifice herself! That blood debt—I, Tang Hao, will never forget!"
Bibi Dong laughed coldly, her tone mocking.
"Wife? A spirit beast in human form? Tang Hao, as a human, you dared to unite with a spirit beast. That itself defies the laws of heaven!
Humans and spirit beasts are mortal enemies. Your union with Ah Yin could only bring disaster to the continent. Spirit Hall's pursuit of her was to maintain peace and order!"
At her words, Tang Hao's fury reached its peak, his voice trembling with wrath:
"Peace? Bibi Dong, spare me your righteous facade! Spirit Hall hunted Ah Yin for one reason—her hundred-thousand-year spirit ring and spirit bone!
Your so-called justice is nothing but a mask for your greed!"
Bibi Dong sneered again:
"The world knows Spirit Hall exists to stand against spirit beasts. The threat may no longer be as it was a century ago, but it has not vanished.
Who can say you will not betray humanity one day for your so-called Ah Yin?
Spirit Hall, eliminating your spirit beast wife was justified."
"And yet, during the Continental Tournament, you rescued that hundred-thousand-year soul beast rabbit—just because she was your son's classmate?"
"Once, twice… at this point, I have every reason to suspect you've long sided with the spirit beasts."
You—you—pfft! Tang Hao, enraged to the extreme, spat out a mouthful of blood.