With Ye Lingling's help, the elder stood. His legs were weak but held.
"I'm standing! Really standing!" Tears streamed as he tried to kneel. "Young lady, your kindness—I can't repay. Please accept my bow."
"No, sir—you're elder; bowing to me is too much," Ye Lingling helped him up. Healing legs was easy for her Nine-Hearted Begonia; no need for such gratitude.
"Lingling's right. And the one who should kneel isn't you," Gu Ran said, dragging a noble by the collar—the reckless driver.
"Kneel and apologize," Gu Ran flung him down.
The man, having tasted Gu Ran's might, dropped noble pride and kowtowed. "Sorry, elder. My fault. I'll compensate. Forgive me—I'll never return."
"Did you mind torture him to scare him?" Ye Lingling smiled beside Gu Ran.
Gu Ran nodded. "Yeah, these nobles are cowards. I didn't even act—just threats, and he fainted."
Healed and compensated, the elder forgave, as offending nobles was risky for commoners.
Gu Ran let the noble go, warning he'd check on the elder periodically. If they retaliated, he'd storm their home and tear them apart.
Now a Soul Sage, no minor noble dared offend Gu Ran—a potential future Titled Douluo.
Over years, they'd traveled widely, doing good and punishing evil. Folk called them "Punishing Evil Flying God Bone, Healing Savior Floating Begonia."
"Gu Ran, can such small acts achieve Xiao Tian's lofty goal? Without god trials, our levels lag— you're 74, I'm 72. Tianheng's group must be near 80."
Gu Ran smiled. "I don't know, but boss said everything starts small. My talent won't earn god favor or self-ascension. This path suits me. Boss loves freedom; when he explores farther, we'll protect this continent."
Tianlin's path for them: Douluo Continent's Plane Lord and Life Core.
Unlike other gods, these required world recognition—protecting and guiding the continent.
They were far from it, so Tianlin started them small. It demanded decades of perseverance.
Others like Ma Hongjun or Ning Rongrong might ascend in years via trials, but they needed decades or centuries.
Uniquely, these gods required recognition before ascension. Once widely acknowledged, Tianlin could initiate their trials.
Tianlin agreed to 99% of Ning Fengzhi's unification plan—the 1% was that the emperor wouldn't be him, but Gu Ran. Gu Ran would rule, govern wisely for prosperity, then become Plane Lord.
Tianlin himself disliked confinement to one continent. He promised Ning Rongrong tours of vast lands—even other worlds, for new sights.
…
In Spirit Hall, while Tianlin's group strived, Qian Renxue progressed too—reaching her sixth angel trial, faster with her grandfather's aid.
That's the benefit of a guide; Tianlin's Asura trial was solo.
But her sixth was tough—like Tianlin's, facing a Ultimate Douluo.
Persist one incense stick under grandpa's full attack. Unlimited attempts, one-year limit.
A Level 92 Titled Douluo couldn't last a moment against a Ultimate Douluo, even Qian Renxue found it impossible.
"Urgh!"
Qian Renxue fell from a holy light strike.
Defeated—her third failure, with incense only a third burned.
"Grandpa, sorry—I failed again," she said lowly.
Qian Daoliu descended. "It's fine. You've improved: first time, one move; second, quarter incense; now third. You're growing."
Qian Renxue self-mocked. "If it were Xiao Tian, he'd probably beat you, not just endure."
"From what you and Bibi Dong say, his strength rivals mine. But if you ascend first, you can turn the tables," Qian Daoliu encouraged.
"Impossible—Xiao Tian's so strong, and he started trials before me," Qian Renxue lacked confidence, knowing his talent.
Qian Daoliu didn't reply. Qian Renxue's edge: she could ascend without Level 99—complete trials, use her sacrifice for instant godhood.
Tianlin needed Level 99 post-trials, without a sacrificer like Qian Daoliu or Bo Saixi.
This gave her time, but Qian Daoliu kept it secret—knowing her ascension meant his death might make her refuse.