Chen Yi was immediately surrounded by relatives and friends.
"Chen Yi! You're finally back! We haven't heard from you in so long!" Chu Shanhe's loud voice rang out first as he lightly patted Chen Yi's shoulder with his large fan-like hand.
"Yeah, Xiao Yi, where's Xue'er? Why didn't she come back with you?"
The most impatient was Mu Xi. Her beautiful eyes stared intently behind Chen Yi. Not seeing Qian Renxue, she immediately frowned.
"Is Sister Xue alright?" Ye Lingling's voice was gentle but filled with deep concern.
Mu Xi, Chen Zhen, Xie Xiaoqing, and others gathered around, bombarding him with questions. Everyone was worried about Chen Yi and Qian Renxue's safety.
Seeing so many people genuinely concerned and inquiring about him, a warm feeling welled up in Chen Yi's heart.
He showed an apologetic smile, but with too many questions coming at once, he could only respond here with "Sorry for making everyone worry" and there with "I'm fine."
Only when the Grand Elder slowly walked over did a gentle spiritual energy envelop the excited crowd, calming them slightly.
"Ask one at a time. If everyone speaks at once like this, even if he wants to answer, he won't know where to begin."
Once the Elder spoke, everyone realized they had been overly excited. They hurriedly smiled sheepishly and gradually dispersed, though their eyes remained fixed on Chen Yi, awaiting his answers.
Mu Xi, the gentlest and most caring toward the younger generation, stepped forward, took Chen Yi's arm, and asked again.
"Xiao Yi, where is Xue'er? Why didn't she come back with you?"
As she spoke, she could not help but glance behind him again, as if hoping Qian Renxue was simply hiding there.
Chen Yi gently patted his mother's hand to reassure her, then said, "Mother, Xue'er... is still in the Demon Realm."
"Still in the Demon Realm?!"
"Huh? She's alone?!"
"Chen Yi, how could you leave Xue'er alone in a place like that?!"
The moment these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall grew tense again. Shock and confusion appeared on everyone's faces.
Leaving Qian Renxue alone in the dangerous Demon Realm? That did not sound like something Chen Yi would do.
Could it be... that some unforeseen event had occurred, or some change had forced them to separate?
Seeing this, Chen Yi immediately raised his hand to signal everyone to calm down.
"It's not what you're thinking! Xue'er stayed in the Demon Realm not because she was forced or in danger, but because she encountered a very important opportunity!"
He then briefly summarized the events after entering the Demon Realm—only the parts he could share—including their encounters with demon spirits, the intense battles, and how they eventually reached an agreement.
Of course, he avoided mentioning the true identity of the demon spirits or the fusion of holy and evil for now.
This involved too many complex issues, especially secrets concerning the Angel Clan, and could not be made public.
Once everyone learned that Qian Renxue's stay in the Demon Realm was not misfortune but actually a great opportunity, their hearts finally settled, and joy appeared on their faces.
"That's wonderful! Sister Xue'er is truly blessed!" Dugu Yan clapped her hands and laughed.
"This is an extremely rare chance. It's good that she stayed behind to cultivate diligently," Ye Lingling said with a smile.
"However, that demonic plane is ultimately dangerous. Even with the seniors' help, she must still be careful."
Qian Daoliu spoke in a low voice, then turned his gaze to Chen Yi and asked casually, "How long until Xue'er returns?"
His expression appeared calm, but deep in his eyes lay unwavering expectation. The perceptive Chen Yi naturally understood what Qian Daoliu was thinking.
To fight powerful enemies, this former Grand Worship of the Spirit Hall had repeatedly used sacrificial secret techniques without hesitation, severely depleting his own life force.
Even with spiritual medicines provided by the Body Sect and continuous treatment from Ye Lingling's Nine-Hearted Begonia, they had only managed to slightly slow the deterioration of his condition, not fully restore it.
His remaining lifespan was already very short.
Qian Daoliu hoped Qian Renxue would return to the Douluo Continent as soon as possible so she could complete the Angel God's inheritance and formally ascend the throne before he completely exhausted his strength.
Only then could he pass away without worries and return to the side of the Angel God he had served all his life.
Chen Yi pondered for a moment but did not give a specific date. Instead, he looked at Qian Daoliu and said solemnly, "Elder, please rest assured. Xue'er's opportunity this time is extremely important. I will discuss the details with you privately later."
"But please believe that this is all for Xue'er's bright future. She will definitely return safely and become far stronger than you can imagine."
The moment he heard Chen Yi's solemn promise—especially the words "discuss the details privately"—a light of understanding flashed in Qian Daoliu's eyes.
He stared at Chen Yi, nodded slowly, and asked no further questions.
"Understood... Then I'll wait."
He understood that Chen Yi was not speaking formally and that some matters were indeed inappropriate to discuss publicly. Chen Yi's promise greatly eased his anxiety.
At that moment, Chen Yi's gaze swept across the entire crowd, and he suddenly noticed Shui Bing'er standing nearby. The aura emanating from her was clearly different from before.
"Bing'er, you... have already begun the Ice God's trials?"
Chen Yi asked with slight surprise. He had expected Shui Bing'er to qualify for inheriting the Ice God's legacy, but he had not expected her to progress so quickly. Moreover, judging from her aura, she had already passed multiple trials.
A faint smile appeared on Shui Bing'er's usually cold and distant face as she nodded.
"Yes. Under the guidance of Teacher Snow Empress, the divine trials officially began several months ago. And now... I have passed the third trial."
Chen Yi understood. With direct guidance from the Snow Empress, combined with Shui Bing'er's own talent and effort, it was only natural that her progress was rapid.
Then his gaze fell on Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling. This time, he was truly surprised—because he could clearly sense unmistakable, authentic divine trial fluctuations emanating from both women.
"Yan'er, Lingling, you two... have also received divine inheritances?"
Surprise colored Chen Yi's voice.
Seeing Chen Yi's surprised expression, Mu Xi immediately smiled and explained, "Shortly after that great war, Yan'er caught the eye of a second-level god known as the Poison God and began the divine trials. As for Lingling..."
She looked at Ye Lingling, her eyes overflowing with tenderness.
"While operating large-scale free clinics, she received the blessing of a first-level god called the Fertility God and qualified for the divine trials."
"Poison God? Fertility God?" Chen Yi nodded in understanding.
That Dugu Yan had broken through the divine trials was within his expectations. Over the years, she had followed him and experienced many extraordinary events, building an extremely solid foundation. In terms of latent potential, she far surpassed the original protagonist group.
Since they were closely connected to him, it was only natural that the gods would favor them.
As for the Fertility God, while it was not explicitly mentioned in the original work, the divine realm was vast, and not all of the so-called Thirty-Six Great Gods had appeared.
Chen Yi was surprised to realize that Ye Lingling had actually gained the favor of a first-level god!
He focused his attention and sensed it carefully. Sure enough, deep within her aura, he faintly detected a familiar presence—the faint trace of extremely pure faith power.
Her large-scale provision of free medical care after the war, saving countless lives, had likely unintentionally gathered the power of faith, greatly strengthening her foundation and attracting the attention of the Fertility God.
Thinking of this, Chen Yi felt genuine joy for the two women. Both were his confidantes, and obtaining godhood versus entering the divine realm through assignment would have entirely different outcomes.
"However, this is only the beginning..." Chen Yi gazed intently at the Grand Elder and Seventh Aunt Xie Xiaoqing. One possessed god-level spiritual power and a solid foundation; the other had an extraordinary physique and limitless potential.
In Chen Yi's view, it was almost certain that they would attract the attention of powerful gods in the divine realm and receive their inheritances.
Those who had reached profound realms and those with exceptional abilities were almost guaranteed to catch the eye of powerful gods and be granted legacies. To Chen Yi, this was practically a foregone conclusion.
Perhaps some god was already observing them.
Considering that nearly everyone around him had the potential to reach the god level, Chen Yi's smile grew even brighter.
The Grand Elder had been quietly listening to everyone's conversation. Now his gaze turned to Chen Yi, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
"Xiao Yi, your return this time carries a profound aura. It is as vast as the sea—even this old man cannot fully see through your essence. Just what is your current strength?"
The moment these words were spoken, the previously lively atmosphere instantly fell silent. Everyone turned their eyes toward Chen Yi, filled with curiosity and anticipation.
They did not possess the terrifying spiritual power of the Grand Elder and could not sense it precisely, but they could feel that Chen Yi's aura had changed dramatically since he left—more restrained, yet even more unfathomable.
If even the Grand Elder admitted he could not see through it, just how terrifyingly powerful had Chen Yi become?
Chen Yi met the crowd's sharp gazes with a faint smile and spoke in a calm tone. Yet his words landed like a bombshell.
"By pure luck... I broke through to Level 100."
"Level 100?!"
"Good heavens! Level 100?!"
"Xiao Yi, you... became a god?!"
"Did you inherit Thunder God's throne?!"
After a short silence, the crowd gasped in disbelief.
Level 100!
It was the legendary realm in the Douluo Continent's soul master world—the boundary between mortal and god.
In nearly ten thousand years, aside from the first-generation gods who had already become legends, no one had ever been heard to reach this level.
Yet Chen Yi had achieved this groundbreaking feat in such a short time, without anyone noticing!
Chen Yi shook his head and explained, "I did not become a god, nor did I inherit my master's godhood. I merely gained some insights through battles with the demon spirits. Combined with the accumulation of my previous efforts, I was fortunate enough to break through the Level 100 barrier."
He spoke as if he had merely reached an ordinary level, but everyone understood that fighting a being at the demon spirit level carried indescribable danger.
Breaking through in battle meant that at that moment, Chen Yi had likely been pushed to his limits, teetering on the edge of life and death!
Thinking of this, tears of sorrow and lingering fear welled up in Mu Xi and Chen Zhen's eyes. Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Shui Bing'er, and the others also wore worried, pained expressions.
Chen Yi sensed the crowd's emotions and felt warmed by them, but he did not want the atmosphere to become too heavy. He quickly changed the subject, letting his gaze sweep through the crowd until it landed on Bibi Dong, who stood quietly a short distance away.
He stepped forward, nodded lightly to Bibi Dong, and said with a solemn expression, "Spider Empress, the reason I came here today... is that I have an important matter I must discuss with you."
"Me?" Bibi Dong frowned slightly, surprise appearing on her beautiful face.
What exactly did this son-in-law want from her?
…
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