"I disagree!"
The one speaking was none other than Chen Yi's father, Chen Zhen. His eyes were bloodshot as he stared in confusion at the three leaders seated above.
"Sect Master, I don't understand why we have to delay our emergence. You know how long we've waited for this day. We finally see a glimmer of hope, and now we're to postpone it? Sect Master, Elders—why?"
Chen Zhen's voice was full of pain and unwillingness. They had waited too long for this day. Success was almost within reach, yet they were told the day would be pushed back again—how could they accept that?
The others didn't speak, but their expressions and eyes were full of resistance. Clearly, they were all waiting for Chu Shanhe and the other two to give a reasonable explanation.
The First and Second Elders looked at these children they'd watched grow up, and a trace of reluctance flashed in their eyes. When Chu Shanhe had discussed this with them yesterday, they too were unwilling. Eight hundred years of waiting, all for this day—and now they had to wait again.
But they still needed to step up and calm the crowd. The Second Elder raised his hand to press the air, signaling Chen Zhen to quiet down.
"If the Sect Master made this decision, he naturally has his reasons. Just listen."
When he announced the news, Chu Shanhe had expected this reaction. As expected, even the usually steady Chen Zhen found it unacceptable.
Chu Shanhe sighed deeply and began explaining, "The reason is simple. The Spirit Hall—or rather, the Angel lineage—will never allow a new god to be born."
Everyone present had risen from humble beginnings and endured countless schemes. They were all shrewd to the core. With just one sentence, Chu Shanhe had led them to the key point.
Indeed—Spirit Hall worships a god, and that god even left behind an inheritance that overlooks the entire Douluo Continent. How could the followers of an old god possibly allow a new god to surpass the deity they worship?
Even Chen Zhen, who had been the first to sharply question Chu Shanhe, fell silent. The sect was giving up its perfect moment to reemerge for the sake of his son's safety. Thinking of this, a bitter ache surged in Chen Zhen's chest.
The First Elder followed, saying, "Compared to the appearance of a true god, whether our sect comes out now or later is less important. Do you understand?"
Everyone remained silent, clearly accepting this. When compared against a god, the Body Sect's emergence seemed insignificant.
"I object!"
Just as Chu Shanhe and the others were about to move to the next matter, a young yet firm voice shattered the silence in the hall.
Chen Zhen looked and saw his own brat objecting—and was instantly enraged. Did the boy not understand that this decision was for his safety?
"You snot-nosed brat, what do you know? Stand down!"
Chen Yi ignored Chen Zhen and instead looked up at Chu Shanhe and the others with emotion. At first, he too found the decision hard to believe, but the Sect Master's reasoning stirred a deep, sour ache in his heart.
Those who had never lived in the Body Sect could never imagine the allure of the words "re-emerge." It was a dream etched into their bones; from beginning to end, everyone cultivated desperately toward a single goal: for the Body Sect to re-emerge and shine across the continent!
One could say that the sect giving up its emergence for Chen Yi's safety was a price no less than giving up exterminating a mortal enemy—perhaps more so. How could he not be moved?
"Sect Master, this disciple opposes the decision to postpone the Body Sect's emergence."
The youth's straight-backed figure stood in the center of the hall, his still-boyish voice echoing in everyone's ears.
Chu Shanhe narrowed his eyes slightly. He knew Chen Yi was not immature of mind. Since he still objected after hearing the explanation, he must have his reasons. The only question was whether he truly had grounds—or just wanted to show off before the elders.
His finger tapped the tabletop unconsciously. With interest, Chu Shanhe asked, "Let's hear your reasons."
At this, the others also focused their attention on the youth, curious what high argument he could produce.
Under the gaze of so many strong figures, even Chen Yi felt a twinge of tension. But he still met Chu Shanhe's eyes and said:
"When I received my inheritance, my teacher mentioned he had vaguely sensed something."
At this, everyone sat up straighter—Chu Shanhe, the First and Second Elders, and the seniors unfamiliar with Chen Yi alike. There was only one person Chen Yi would call teacher—the Thunder God who had bestowed a divine inheritance.
Anything that deity personally mentioned could not be trivial. Their curiosity was fully piqued. The First Elder even wore his curiosity openly.
"What is it?"
Of course, the Thunder God had not told any secrets of the Douluo Continent. Chen Yi was simply borrowing the Thunder God's name to say what he intended to say.
"Teacher told me that, to his senses, in the central continent, Spirit Hall also produced a genius with innate rank 20 soul power—most likely the inheritor chosen by the Angel God worshiped by Spirit Hall."
"Impossible!"
"Innate rank 20 soul power that appears once in ten thousand years—and now there are two?!"
Chu Shanhe and the others were also shocked. Spirit Hall had hidden away an unparalleled genius. As expected of the most unfathomable power on the continent.
"The Angel God's inheritor? The Angel God has always only favored that god's own bloodline. This inheritor must come from the Angel lineage. I heard that three years ago, Qian Xunji had a granddaughter who supposedly died young. Could it be her?"
The First Elder, a brain-spirit martial soul user, quickly reasoned it out—the girl from back then hadn't died but had been hidden by Spirit Hall.
"That must be it. Damn, those people hide things deep. So strong, and still being secretive," the Second Elder said complicatedly. Good grief—you're already number one on the continent, and still this cryptic?
Chu Shanhe's face darkened quickly, solemn and grave.
"If that's the case, then we must not re-emerge. With two divine inheritors, two tigers cannot share a mountain—one must be wounded. Qian Daoliu absolutely will not permit your existence!"
If Chen Yi alone existed, Qian Daoliu might hesitate for fear of a god's wrath in the future. But with a divine inheritor within Spirit Hall as well, Qian Daoliu would surely clear all obstacles for his granddaughter!
Chu Shanhe's resolve to postpone their emergence grew ironclad. They could not re-emerge—at least not until Chen Yi reached Title Douluo.
Hearing the Sect Master's firm tone, Chen Yi wasn't surprised. Qian Daoliu might be a gentleman, but the Sect Master would never gamble the entire Body Sect and Chen Yi's life on the character of a gentleman.
"Sect Master, First Elder, Second Elder, and seniors present—please hear me out." Chen Yi raised his voice, interrupting the noisy discussion.
"Teacher also told me that for god-favored clans like the Angel lineage, their greatest purpose is to open the Ninth Trial."
"The Ninth Trial?"
Everyone murmured. The Sect Master had just said that a divine inheritance required completing nine trials. Why say the Angel lineage's very existence was for the final, Ninth Trial?
Chen Yi continued, "The Ninth Trial of a divine inheritance requires a massive amount of energy to activate. According to Teacher, opening the Ninth Trial requires roughly the sacrifice of a complete Limit Douluo!"
Chu Shanhe ignored the commotion and stared, stunned. After a long moment, he said:
"In other words, for the Angel lineage's long-awaited divine inheritor to truly succeed, Qian Daoliu must sacrifice himself."
"Exactly." Chen Yi replied firmly. "So we need not fear Qian Daoliu too much. He now fears death—he even fears injury. If he is not in peak condition, whether he can even open the Ninth Trial is in question."
"Perhaps three years ago, in the Clear Sky Sect incident, Qian Daoliu hesitated because he feared Tang Chen and feared an accident that would prevent the Ninth Trial from opening."
At this, others turned hopeful eyes toward Chu Shanhe. Did they still have a chance, then?
"No, you underestimate Spirit Hall's foundations," the First Elder abruptly shattered their hopes.
"Spirit Hall has ruled the continent for millennia not just because of Qian Daoliu, but also because they have far more strong experts than other powers realize. I can tell you this: even without Qian Daoliu, Spirit Hall has at least eight Title Douluo!"
This shocking number made everyone's pupils constrict. The total number of publicly known Title Douluo on the continent didn't exceed ten. Even counting hidden sects, the total shouldn't exceed fifteen.
In the past, no matter how strong Spirit Hall was, people estimated they had maybe five Title Douluo. But now the First Elder said at least eight—far too outrageous.
"Xiao Yi, how about we wait a few more years?" Sometimes, you have to bow your head under the eaves. And this wasn't even bowing—just a strategic withdrawal.
Chen Yi wasn't surprised by Spirit Hall's strength. As a transmigrator, he knew better than anyone how strong they were. Later, Spirit Hall would field seven worshipers, nine elders, plus the Pope Bibi Dong. Even if the current hall wasn't at that apex yet, they had at least thirteen Title Douluo!
Thinking of this, Chen Yi couldn't help sucking in a cold breath. That number really was something!
No wonder Spirit Hall later tried to found a nation and unify the continent. If I had that strength, I'd be crazier than they were.
"Sect Master, in fact, before Teacher left, he left me not only the divine trials, but also this!"
As he spoke, Chen Yi took a small booklet from his soul tool.