While Heaven Dou City was shrouded in intrigue...
Above the azure sea...
A middle-aged man with sharp eyebrows, starry eyes, and a stubbled beard stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the vast ocean.
He tightly clutched a compass in his hand.
His eyelids twitched incessantly.
If anyone from the Spirit Hall were here, they would be shocked to discover that this scruffy-looking man was none other than Qian Daoliu.
As the leader of the Angel Family, Qian Daoliu had always been meticulous about his appearance. Yet now, his image was utterly disheveled.
The reason was simple—
He had been adrift at sea for two months.
The Sea God Island, which he could once reach from the coastline in just a month, now seemed to have vanished without a trace.
Not to mention, Bo Saixi, the woman Qian Daoliu longed for, was no longer on Sea God Island.
"Damn it!"
A rare flash of anger crossed Qian Daoliu's face as he crushed the compass in his hand into dust.
After two months of turbulent travel, he made a startling discovery—
He had returned to his starting point.
"There's faint magnetic interference here!" Qian Daoliu growled in frustration.
Over these two months, he had been unable to find the correct direction.
Qian Daoliu realized he had fallen into a trap—
He had relied too heavily on the compass.
Before setting out to find Sea God Island, he had purchased several compasses to ensure accuracy.
His reasoning was simple:
"These compasses couldn't all malfunction at once."
Thus, the direction indicated by the majority of them must be correct.
Yet, this common sense had led him astray.
"I remember last time, when I traveled with Tang Chen, we headed northwest."
Qian Daoliu struggled to recall his journey from a century ago.
But the memory was too distant, and his recollection had grown hazy.
He could barely even picture Bo Saixi's delicate face anymore.
He stood quietly atop the rippling waves, closing his brilliant golden eyes.
"During the day, it's hard to determine the sun's position at sea."
"But I can wait for nightfall—the stars never lie."
"In summer, the North Star points... south!"
"And Sea God Island lies to the northwest—meaning, to the right of the North Star!"
Fortunately, Qian Daoliu's analytical skills were sharp.
He recalibrated his bearings and used his immense spiritual power to recalculate the direction.
Now, all he had to do was wait for the North Star to appear before setting off again for Sea God Island.
Having found his path, Qian Daoliu couldn't help but recall Bo Saixi's blurred face.
A faint smile tugged at his lips as his mind wandered.
"I've wasted half my life... I hope I won't miss what comes next."
Night fell.
The starry sky above the sea gradually brightened.
Qian Daoliu spread his four-winged angelic wings and soared over the misty ocean.
A golden glow of spirit power enveloped his body, shielding him from the sea fog.
He looked up at the sky.
Guided by the North Star, he flew at full speed toward Sea God Island.
And so, day and night, he flew nonstop for five days before feeling the slightest fatigue.
After searching below for a while, he found a small reef to rest on.
"Judging by the distance, I should reach Sea God Island in about ten more days."
Qian Daoliu's mood was uplifted.
He summoned his Angel Sword and casually tossed it into the sea.
Then, using his spiritual power, he controlled the sword to hunt for delicious seafood.
As a 99th-ranked Title Douluo, Qian Daoliu could go over ten days without eating—
But only if he were in deep meditation.
After flying relentlessly, his spirit power was severely depleted.
If he didn't replenish his energy soon, exhaustion would overwhelm him.
"Hmm? Why do I sense someone nearby?"
While controlling the Angel Sword to search for seafood, Qian Daoliu suddenly frowned.
He stood up and intensified his spiritual detection.
Sure enough, about five li ahead, there was a significant spiritual presence.
Based on past experience, the other party's strength was roughly at the Spirit Douluo level.
"Who could that be?"
This puzzled Qian Daoliu.
After all, he was already hundreds of li deep into the ocean.
This area was far beyond human activity—
It was entirely the domain of sea spirit beasts.
If not for the Angel Spirit's supreme flying ability, even as a Title Douluo, he wouldn't have been able to venture this far without any tools.
With this in mind, Qian Daoliu cut his rest short.
He leaped into the air and reappeared above the sea, ready to investigate.
Five kilometers was nothing to him—just a single breath's distance.
But the stranger wasn't foolish either.
Upon sensing an overwhelming spiritual force approaching, they immediately dove into the ocean to escape.
"Heh. Do you really think you can escape me, old man?"
Qian Daoliu smirked, his domineering voice echoing across ten li.
The fleeing figure suddenly froze.
Then, reluctantly, they emerged from the water.
As they surfaced, Qian Daoliu finally got a clear look—
A handsome, blue-haired young man with a refined aura.
The youth bowed courteously.
"This one is Tang Yin. My apologies for disturbing you, Your Excellency."
Hearing this polite apology, Qian Daoliu chuckled and sheathed his Angel Sword.
With his hands behind his back, he gracefully landed before the youth.
"You haven't disturbed me, but I am curious—why are you here?"
Qian Daoliu smiled amiably.
Yet, the Angel Sword in his hand flickered faintly, as if ready to strike at the slightest provocation.
The blue-haired youth sensed the danger.
A shadow of wariness flashed in his eyes, but he also knew this golden-haired man was not to be trifled with.
So he bowed again, maintaining his courtesy.
"I dare not lie to you, Your Excellency. I am returning from Sea God Island, heading back to the mainland."
"You came from Sea God Island?"
Qian Daoliu's eyes widened in surprise. He stepped forward eagerly.
"Did you undergo the Sea God's Trial?"
The young man's expression flickered with astonishment.
This middle-aged man clearly knew his stuff—he even knew about the Sea God's Trial.
"Indeed. I participated in the Sea God's Trial," the youth replied calmly.
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu finally retracted his Angel Sword.
The coldness on his face softened into admiration.
"Given your age, you must be under twenty-five. To earn the Sea God's favor at such a young age—you are truly exceptional."
"You flatter me, Your Excellency."
The youth summoned his spirit—an unremarkable Blue Silver Grass appeared in his palm.
"My spirit is just the most common Blue Silver Grass."
"Being noticed by the Sea God was merely a stroke of luck."
Seeing the Blue Silver Grass, Qian Daoliu's admiration only grew.
As everyone knew, Blue Silver Grass was the most useless spirit on the continent.
Even with innate full spirit power, such a spirit would rarely achieve greatness.
Yet this youth had reached the Spirit Douluo level with just Blue Silver Grass.
This wasn't just a testament to sheer willpower—
His early life must have been filled with extraordinary encounters.
A true child of destiny.
"Tang Yin, which sect on the mainland do you belong to?"
Qian Daoliu clasped his hands behind his back, smiling warmly.
For the first time in his life, he felt the urge to take a disciple.
Meeting Tang Yin in the vast ocean could only be fate.
A destined child encountering a 99th-ranked Title Douluo—
What greater fortune could there be?
"I am unaffiliated with any sect," Tang Yin replied with a bow.
Qian Daoliu's smile widened, and he burst into laughter.
In truth, he had already guessed as much.
After all, no sect on the continent was founded on the Blue Silver Grass spirit.
This Tang Yin, blessed by fate and favored by the Sea God, was destined for greatness.
Taking him as a disciple wouldn't tarnish the dignity of a Title Douluo.
Having made up his mind, Qian Daoliu's expression turned solemn.
"Would you be willing to become my disciple?"
Then, he raised his head proudly.
"Know this—the man before you is none other than the leader of the Angel Family, the High Priest of the Spirit Hall, the 99th-ranked Title Douluo—Qian Daoliu!"
"Qian Daoliu!"
The moment he heard the name, Tang Yin's hands clenched tightly, trembling slightly.
His teeth ground together in suppressed fury.
Qian Daoliu noticed, but he assumed it was excitement.
After all, in the current world, only three Title Douluos existed.
Wherever they went, they were revered!
Tang Yin's shock was only natural.
"Well? What is your answer?"
"I wish I could tear you to pieces!"
"To avenge my mother's death!"
'Tang Yin'—or rather, Tang San—felt his eyes burn with hatred.
His mother had died because of Qian Daoliu's son!
His father had been grievously wounded in that battle!
For nearly twenty years, his father had lived in agony and torment!
All of this—was the Angel Family's doing!
And as Qian Xunji's father, Qian Daoliu was undeniably complicit!
Yet at the same time, Tang San knew—
He was no match for a 99th-ranked Title Douluo.
If he revealed his identity now, he would be killed instantly.
So, a plan formed in his mind.
If Qian Daoliu valued his talent so much…
Why not play along and become his disciple?
This way, he could infiltrate the Spirit Hall, gain insider knowledge, and even benefit from Qian Daoliu's resources.
Moreover, as a Title Douluo, Qian Daoliu might even help him complete the Sea God's Nine Trials.
After all, the trials never specified that external aid was forbidden.
To be honest, Tang San was already fuming.
Nine months ago, he had received the Sea God's summons and journeyed to Sea God Island.
For the first eight months, he couldn't even pass the first trial.
If not for the Sea God's occasional apparitions to encourage him, Tang San would have thought he'd been tricked.
Then, last month—
Something strange happened on Sea God Island.
The Sea God's chosen priestess, Bo Saixi, suddenly vanished without a trace.
And miraculously, Tang San passed the first trial.
The next four trials went suspiciously smoothly.
But the sixth trial was a different story.
He had to return to the mainland and add nine spirit rings to his second spirit.
The problem was—
Though he had twin spirits, and his cultivation was fast…
He was only an 83rd-ranked Spirit Douluo.
He was still far from becoming a Title Douluo.
Tang San didn't know what the Sea God was planning.
But since he'd already passed the fifth trial—
And even received a divine weapon, the Sea God's Trident—
He figured things would work out.
So without hesitation, he left Sea God Island to undertake the sixth trial.
To fully ring both spirits.
Yet, on his way back to the mainland, he had the misfortune of running into the Spirit Hall's Title Douluo—
Who now wanted to take him as a disciple.
Tang San sneered inwardly.
"I won't just refuse to be your disciple—I'll swindle you for all you're worth!"
"One day, I, Tang San, will lead the new Tang Sect to crush the Spirit Hall!"
He swore this silently.
Outwardly, however, he put on an ecstatic expression.
"Thank you, Elder!"
"Hmm? Still calling me 'Elder'?"
Qian Daoliu raised an eyebrow, prompting him to correct himself.
Suppressing his disgust, Tang San forced a grateful smile.
"Understood… Teacher!"
"Since this is our first meeting, I don't have a suitable gift on hand."
Qian Daoliu rummaged through his storage space before pulling out a lantern-like object.
"This is the Seven Treasure Glazed Lantern. It protects your spiritual power from external interference."
"Consider it your formal gift as my disciple."
"Thank you, Teacher."
Tang San bowed respectfully as he accepted it.
"Ah, there's one more thing."
Qian Daoliu seemed to remember something and asked after a pause:
"Did you see High Priest Bo Saixi on Sea God Island?"
"Of course."
Tang San nodded, though inwardly, he was startled.
This old man knew far too much—he even knew Bo Saixi.
He recalled that Bo Saixi was also a Title Douluo.
Were the world's three Title Douluos acquainted?
Tang San frowned.
He had long heard of the three legendary Title Douluos.
And he knew the third was his great-grandfather, Tang Chen.
But Tang Chen had vanished a century ago—
Leading to the decline of the Clear Sky Sect.
And indirectly causing his parents' tragedy.
Thus, Tang San held little affection for his great-grandfather.
"Wonderful!"
Qian Daoliu's face lit up with rare excitement.
"How is she now?"
Tang San hesitated before shaking his head.
"Though I've seen High Priest Bo Saixi, due to the trials, our interactions were few."
"A month ago, I learned she had left Sea God Island for the mainland."
"As for when she left or why, I have no idea."
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu smacked his forehead in frustration.
"She must have grown impatient and gone to find me!"
"Damn that compass! Ruined everything!"
"Come, disciple! We return to the mainland at once!"
Without waiting for Tang San's response, Qian Daoliu grabbed his hand.
His angelic wings unfurled as he soared back toward the continent!
(End of Chapter)