"Di Tian, are you questioning me?"
The Silver Dragon King's voice carried an eerie chill that sent shivers down the spine.
Di Tian trembled and hurriedly replied: "I wouldn't dare, I just have some doubts."
"Di Tian, you needn't concern yourself with this matter." The Silver Dragon King declared. "I still have use for Qian Daoliu. When the time comes, I shall visit the human world."
"If we don't change, one day soul beasts will face complete extinction."
"This... I understand." Since the Silver Dragon King had made her decision, he could only obey - after all, she was the soul beasts' supreme ruler!
While Di Tian conversed with the Silver Dragon King, Qian Daoliu - hailed as invincible in the skies - left the Great Star Dou Forest and returned to human settlements.
"How terrifying." Qian Daoliu's face showed traces of fear as he wiped blood from his lips.
If Di Tian alone had reminded him of battling Tang Chen - perhaps even stronger than Tang Chen, but still escapable - then what appeared afterward was something entirely different...
No, rather, within the Great Star Dou Forest...
There existed a god!
What shocked Qian Daoliu most were the words spoken by that indistinct, genderless silhouette:
"The Angel God has long fallen. How much longer can believers like you persist?"
"The God Realm won't spare you, just as they won't spare us soul beasts."
These two sentences contained earth-shattering implications, especially regarding the Angel God's demise.
Qian Daoliu knew perfectly well he'd been deliberately released.
Had that silhouette attacked, escape would've been impossible - he wouldn't have lasted a single exchange.
His thoughts were in turmoil, particularly about the Angel God's alleged death.
Absentmindedly, he returned to the local Spirit Hall branch.
"Grandfather, did you just go to the Great Star Dou Forest?" Seeing Qian Daoliu return, Qian Renxue rushed out anxiously.
This town bordered the forest. Sensing the familiar Seraphim aura clashing with pure darkness had worried her for Qian Daoliu's safety.
"Yes. I originally sought the Dark Devilgod Tiger, but the commotion drew out the forest's true ruler."
"It's my first time learning the Great Star Dou Forest harbors such terrifying existence." Qian Daoliu sighed deeply.
A god on Douluo Continent! He'd thought himself, Tang Chen and Bo Saixi were the world's pinnacle.
Never could have imagined this!
...
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Ning Fengzhi specially organized a welcoming ceremony for Lou Gao's group.
As support-type soul masters, the clan were regular clients of blacksmiths.
Ning Fengzhi and Lou Gao were already acquainted.
With Lou Gao joining, soul tool development would surely advance rapidly.
After settling Lou Gao's group.
Ning Fengzhi, the Sword Douluo and others returned to the conference hall.
Dugu Yan, tacitly acknowledged as Ning Rongrong's future guardian, remained to observe.
Ning Rongrong began recounting recent events.
Ning Fengzhi's trio listened quietly without excessive questioning.
After roughly half an hour, she finished summarizing everything.
Including previously mentioned matters like god trials told to Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan, she now shared with Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.
"So that's how it is." Sword Douluo marveled. "Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is insignificant before true powers?"
"So many 99th-ranked Title Douluos exist."
"Indeed." Bone Douluo sighed.
"Without Rongrong's words, I'd never have known Spirit Hall, the Great Star Dou Forest and Sea God Island housed so many powerhouses."
"Rongrong, what are your thoughts?" Ning Fengzhi withheld conclusions, studying his daughter. "Regarding future directions."
"Strengthening our clan to at least... rival 99th-ranked Title Douluos."
"Only then would we have room for choice."
"Although Spirit Hall has two god trial inheritors, tensions exist between them and the Worship Hall."
"We could establish partial cooperation with Spirit Hall regarding interests. As for fully aligning or independence, that can wait."
"Having met Qian Daoliu's granddaughter Qian Renxue, she likely wants to subjugate our clan."
"We might leverage this opportunity, since currently... we're powerless against Spirit Hall's might."
"There's one more thing I'm hesitant to mention." Ning Rongrong fell silent here.
Seeing her conflicted expression, Ning Fengzhi and others exchanged glances.
After a moment, Sword Douluo spoke: "Rongrong, speak your mind. After today's revelations, little could shock us further."
Ning Rongrong sighed. "Grandpa Sword, legend says your father Chen Jianjun died by Qian Daoliu's hand after losing a challenge. I..."
"Rongrong!" Ning Fengzhi interjected. "Don't broach such topics!"
"Fengzhi, let her continue." Sword Douluo waved him off, nodding to Ning Rongrong.
Taking a deep breath, she explained: "I need to confirm your stance for future preparations."
"Rongrong, do you want our clan to align with Spirit Hall?" Bone Douluo frowned.
"No." Ning Rongrong shook her head. "Excluding my special god trial, gods typically appear in pairs. Since Spirit Hall has two inheritors, their opposition must also have two."
"Meaning within decades, divine war is inevitable."
"Minor factions aside, major powers like ours can't remain neutral. Thus I wish to determine our clan's developmental path."
"If Grandpa Sword deems Spirit Hall unsuitable, we shouldn't entangle too deeply for easier withdrawal later. But if..."
She trailed off, but everyone present except Dugu Yan understood the implication.
After a long silence, Sword Douluo sighed: "Rongrong, don't mind my affairs. Truthfully, I harbor little hatred regarding my father's death."
"In my lifetime, I hope to surpass my father and defeat Qian Daoliu - whether lethally matters not."
Ultimately, his father had died challenging Qian Daoliu, not murdered unprovoked.
Moreover, Chen Jianjun had broken through to 98th rank during their duel, wishing to measure the true gap.
Then got mortally wounded in one strike.
Had Qian Daoliu truly wanted him dead, Chen Jianjun would never have returned home.
"I see..." Ning Rongrong relaxed. "Actually, our clan needn't commit so quickly. We can delay decisions."
"But certain matters require advance planning."
"Because..." She sighed heavily. "Father, there's something I haven't mentioned - your disciple Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince..."
"Is very likely Qian Renxue in disguise."