This day, Qian Renshang had an almost perfect day; it felt unreal, like a dream.
Di Tian invited him to stay for lunch, as did Xiong Jun, the Ten Thousand Demon King, and even the least noticeable Crimson King.
After a round of meals, Qian Renshang's stomach was practically round.
Not only that, he clearly felt their attitude towards him had become much kinder.
At noon, the sun blazed down, as if trying to bake the earth.
"Kid, can you swim?"
Xiong Jun, shirtless, shouted loudly to Qian Renshang.
Qian Renshang quickly shook his head, indicating he couldn't swim.
I can't," he said nervously.
"It's okay, I'll teach you!"
Xiong Jun enthusiastically pulled Qian Renshang into the water, letting him ride on his broad back.
Qian Renshang hugged Xiong Jun tightly, feeling the warmth and strength emanating from his body.
Lying on Xiong Jun's back, he savored this unique joy, his heart filled with happiness.
In the afternoon, the Crimson King summoned Qian Renshang again to go hunting.
Qian Renshang happily followed, running with them through the forests, chasing their prey.
Their laughter and chatter filled the air as they thoroughly enjoyed the hunt.
Afterwards, they enthusiastically built castles, constructing their own dream world with sand and stones.
Qian Renshang was completely absorbed, forgetting all his worries.
Meanwhile, the Demon King invited Qian Renshang to help with carpentry, building houses and renovating tree hollows.
Qian Renshang stared wide-eyed at the Demon King's incredible skill, utterly amazed.
The exquisite craftsmanship dazzled him; he was deeply impressed by the Demon King's artistry.
As night fell, Di Tian, who had always seemed aloof, surprisingly approached Qian Renshang.
"Little guy, would you like to experience the feeling of flying?"
Di Tian's voice held a barely perceptible gentleness.
"Yes!" Qian Renshang answered without hesitation.
"Alright, come on up."
Di Tian reached out a hand, gently supporting Qian Renshang's small body, then suddenly soared into the sky, directly out of the clouds.
Qian Renshang's eyes widened as his innocent gaze watched the view below gradually shrink until he was in the air.
He shouted excitedly, as if he had discovered a whole new world.
All around him were blue skies and white clouds, with colorful birds fluttering merrily.
"So this is what the sky looks like?"
Qian Renshang thought innocently, his heart filled with curiosity and surprise.
Even after returning to the little tree hollow where Gu Yuena had lowered her head, Qian Renshang lay on his bed, still feeling so unreal.
"Is this a dream? If so... I wish I could stay like this forever and never wake up."
Qian Renshang smiled, looking at the ceiling.
A silver-haired girl beside him yawned, glanced at Qian Renshang, and thought about everything that would happen next.
Gu Yuena deliberately spoke with a cold face.
"This isn't a dream..."
"But... why is everyone so kind to me? Is a child like me... worthy?"
"Why not?
You're kind and brave, and you treat everyone with all your might."
Hearing this, Gu Yuena couldn't hold back anymore. Her frostiness disappeared, replaced by a satisfied gentleness.
"Thank you... Sister Nana!"
"Why thank me? It's not my doing."
Qian Renshang stared at Gu Yuena with wide eyes, as if trying to etch her face into his mind.
Qian Renshang wasn't stupid; on the contrary, he was very clever.
He knew that Gu Yuena had a high status here at the time, and the reason for all this might be because of this girl.
Therefore, Qian Renshang wanted to remember her face firmly.
He would protect her and guard her in the future, even if it cost him his life, he would have no regrets!
...
The Spirit Hall! As the most powerful force on the continent, the Spirit Hall was in turmoil recently due to a major event: the current Pope of the Spirit Hall, Qian Xunji, had died!
This news struck like a thunderbolt, plunging the entire Spirit Hall into panic and chaos.
Amidst this chaos, some individuals with ulterior motives began to quietly emerge.
However, at this moment, an unassuming old man acted with lightning speed.
He appeared before one person after another who wanted to take advantage of the chaos within the Spirit Hall, eliminating them one by one.
He suppressed the rebellion with absolute power, allowing the Spirit Hall to gradually return to peace, awaiting the next transfer of power.
Spirit Hall, Pope's Tomb.
In this solemn and dignified place, an old man with a full head of white hair stood quietly.
His figure was slightly hunched, but his resolute spine remained straight.
His gaze was fixed on the tombstone before him, his eyes revealing endless sorrow and grief.
His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but could not utter a word.
His hands were clenched into fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, revealing the deep pain in his heart.
At that moment, time seemed to freeze.
Silence reigned all around, broken only by the rustling of leaves in the breeze.
The old man's figure appeared exceptionally lonely and desolate in this stillness.
He silently gazed at the tombstone, as if pouring out all his longing and sorrow to this silent monument.
Finally, he spoke.
"Xunji… I never thought you would still be gone in the end.
I told you that Bibi Dong was no good person, yet you insisted on pursuing her, and I couldn't dissuade you."
"Alas… what a tragedy!"
The old man was none other than Qian Daoliu, the Grand Elder of the Spirit Hall, hailed as the invincible one in the sky, and also Qian Xunji's father.
He had been tirelessly working for the Spirit Hall lately.
He had seen through Bibi Dong's ulterior motives towards Qian Xunji, but Qian Xunji wouldn't let him interfere.
His mistakes… he would bear them himself.
Ultimately, this was the outcome, and Qian Daoliu, who had always valued integrity, was at a loss for words.
"Fortunately, you still have two children, Xiao Shang and Xiao Xue.
Although they are still young, if I dedicate myself to their training, they should be able to quickly grasp the power of the Spirit Hall."
Qian Daoliu smiled, relieved that he still had two children alive, otherwise it would have been truly difficult.
Speaking of those two children, because of his promise to Bibi Dong for three years, Qian Daoliu hadn't interfered in any of the affairs during those three years, which was one of his ways of making amends for his guilt.
After all, Qian Xunji, as his son, had hurt Bibi Dong.
He had only heard from Qian Xunji that the two children were quite good, especially the boy, who was even more endearing.
"It's time to go see those two children; that's why I'm preparing to bring them back and train them."
Qian Daoliu had been incredibly busy with the Spirit Hall lately.
The three-year agreement had actually been due some time ago, but he hadn't gone, putting it off until now.
The thought of finally seeing his two adorable grandchildren soon had somewhat lessened the grief he felt over Qian Xunji's death.
Without the slightest hesitation,
Qian Daoliu headed straight for the Spirit Hall's palace.
(End of Chapter)
Read 30+ chapters ahead at Patreon
patreon.com/TaroYamato
patreon.com/TaroYamato