The Hall of Offerings!
Inside the Angelic Temple, a solemn and dignified atmosphere prevailed.
An old man stood alone before the angel statue, his figure appearing somewhat forlorn.
The candlelight flickered in the hall, illuminating his desolate form.
He tilted his head slightly, gazing at the tall and sacred angel statue, his expression sorrowful, as if immersed in endless grief.
The wrinkles on his weathered face seemed even deeper, each crease telling a story of past hardships.
His eyes had lost their former sharpness and majesty, replaced by deep sorrow and helplessness.
His once upright posture was now slightly hunched, as if his spine had been bent by a heavy burden.
His hands clenched into fists, then helplessly loosened, as if the inner struggle left him at a loss.
"Why...why...that child has suffered so much, but how could it be him?"
"Why..."
Qian Daoliu's lips trembled slightly, as if he were murmuring to himself, or perhaps pouring out his inner pain to the angel statue.
His voice was weak and trembling, swallowed by the silent temple.
His magnificent robes, no longer dazzling, appeared somewhat dull in the dim atmosphere.
Strands of white hair stood out starkly in the candlelight, as if bearing witness to the devastating blow he had endured.
The entire Angel Temple was shrouded in a suffocating atmosphere.
Qian Daoliu stood there quietly, seemingly one with the desolate scene, lonely and pitiful.
Qian Jun Douluo and the other Spirit Hall elders stood quietly not far away, their gazes fixed on Qian Daoliu, their expressions filled with worry.
For some time now, Qian Daoliu had always stood before the angel statue in this state of contemplation, his expression sorrowful and his appearance forlorn.
Their hearts were filled with doubt and anxiety, yet they dared not approach to inquire rashly.
Qianjun Douluo frowned deeply, his eyes revealing profound concern.
The elders beside him also wore solemn expressions, exchanging glances, their only communication a sense of helplessness.
"Sigh... he's been like this ever since he returned from the Angel Temple.
What's wrong with Big Brother?"
"Who knows? Last time, Xiaoxue said the Angel God seemed to want to speak with Big Brother."
"Hiss... the Angel God contacted Big Brother?"
"But we don't know what he said, anyway, that's how it is now."
The elders could only discuss in hushed tones.
They knew Qian Daoliu's power and majesty, but now he seemed to have lost his soul, immersed in unspeakable pain.
That lonely figure made even Qianjun Douluo feel a pang of sorrow.
Qian Daoliu seemed very sad and struggling...
They tried to find clues from Qian Daoliu's occasional words, but to no avail.
He buried his worries deep inside, unwilling to reveal a single word to them.
"What happened that made the boss so depressed?
Should we just ask him directly..."
The straightforward Demon-Slaying Douluo couldn't help but whisper, but his voice was exceptionally clear in the silent temple.
The others quickly gestured for him to be quiet, afraid of disturbing Qian Daoliu.
They didn't know how much time had passed, as if time itself had stood still in this heavy atmosphere.
Qian Daoliu finally spoke, "Qian Jun, has anything major happened at the Spirit Hall?"
His voice was hoarse and low, filled with endless fatigue, breaking the long silence.
Qian Jun Douluo and the others were taken aback at first, then hurriedly stepped forward.
Qian Jun Douluo bowed slightly and respectfully replied, "Brother, everything at the Spirit Hall is currently stable, and nothing major has happened."
"The only major event is the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament.
This time, the finals are being held at our Spirit Hall's main hall."
"And recently, Xiao Xue made her debut in the tournament, and she actually reached the eighth ring!"
Speaking of Qian Renxue reaching the eighth ring, the elders felt both gratified and shocked.
After all, Xiao Xue, as the only descendant of the Elders, was their precious treasure.
Although she was a bit willful, Qian Renxue was still very good to her grandfathers.
They were naturally happy to see that Qian Renxue had reached the eighth ring.
"Xiaoxue is actually representing the Spirit Hall Academy in the competition?"
Qian Daoliu frowned slightly.
He was shocked that Qian Renxue had reached eight rings, because it seemed like the Angel God had given Qian Renxue a cheat code lately.
Passing the Sixth Exam in three months, eight rings now wasn't unusual!
What puzzled him was why Qian Renxue would represent the Spirit Hall Academy.
He knew Qian Renxue well... she generally wouldn't do anything without benefit.
"There's another important thing.
There's a silver-haired girl in this competition who's really amazing, I think her name is Gu Yuena... She also has eight rings, and her ring configuration is four black and four red!"
"Under 25 years old...that's truly astonishing."
Mentioning Gu Yuena, the elders sighed.
Truly, new talents emerge in every generation, each shining brightly for centuries.
They used to consider themselves geniuses, but now...they're utterly incomparable!
"The silver-haired girl...Gu Yuena!"
Upon hearing "silver-haired girl," Qian Daoliu froze, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
His thoughts instantly returned to the last time he saw that silver-haired girl; she was with Qian Renshang then. If nothing unexpected happened...this Gu Yuena was that girl, meaning Qian Renshang had also come to Wuhun City.
Thinking of this, Qian Daoliu's expression grew even more bitter.
He smiled bitterly, muttering to himself,
"Fate, fate..."
"Why...did you come back, child!"
His voice was filled with helplessness and sorrow, as if fate were cruelly mocking him.
Qianjun Douluo and the others exchanged bewildered glances, not understanding why the Grand Elder reacted this way.
They dared not ask questions rashly, standing silently to the side, the atmosphere growing increasingly heavy.
Qian Daoliu slowly closed his eyes, his face contorted with even greater pain, as if he were experiencing an intense internal struggle and torment.
However, his expression quickly shifted dramatically, as unpredictable as a changing storm.
His initial anguish gradually subsided, replaced by a serious expression, which finally turned icy and devoid of any emotion.
His gaze, sharp as lightning, swept over each of the assembled elders, and he declared in an unquestionable tone, "All elders, assemble at the finals venue on the day of the finals!"
Hearing this, everyone was puzzled. But facing the imposing Qian Daoliu, they dared not hesitate or question, and respectfully replied, "Yes!"
Qianjun Douluo slightly raised his head, trying to glean some clue from Qian Daoliu's expression, but seeing only icy indifference, he could only suppress his doubts.
The other worshippers also wore solemn expressions.
Although they didn't know the High Priest's intentions, they knew that something extremely important was about to happen.
In this heavy atmosphere, Qian Daoliu turned around and faced the angel statue again. His cold back sent a chill down everyone's spine.
(End of Chapter)
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