The Spirit Hall Main Hall!
Its former glory and solemnity are now gone, replaced by a shocking scene of devastation.
The meticulously constructed arena, once magnificent and imposing, is now shattered, with massive stones scattered everywhere and broken pillars lying across the ground.
Deep trenches crisscross the ground, as if the earth itself had been mercilessly torn apart.
The once splendid decorations and arrangements are now ruins, utterly broken.
Everywhere are the traces of the great battle; charred marks, like the claw marks of a demon, cover the walls and the ground.
Broken weapons and armor are scattered everywhere, gleaming with a cold and desperate light in the sunlight.
Blood, like a tragic painting, is wantonly smeared on this ruin.
Crimson blood pools into streams, flowing across the uneven ground, emitting a pungent, fishy stench.
In some places, the blood had dried, turning a dark black, adding to the eerie and terrifying atmosphere.
"Ah, my leg..."
"My hand, is there anyone who can help me..."
"Where are the healing-type Soul Masters?"
A group of wounded soldiers howled in agony, their voices mingling to form a mournful lament. Some were missing limbs, severed arms and legs scattered everywhere.
Some had wounds so deep they revealed bone, blood gushing out incessantly, staining the ground beneath them; others had contorted faces, tears and sweat mingling and streaming down their cheeks.
Their groans and cries echoed in the empty main hall, yet no one could offer them timely help or comfort.
The entire scene was like hell on earth, filled with despair and pain.
The six Grand Elders and numerous Title Douluos watched this scene with ashen faces, their eyes burning with anger and resentment.
Their gazes were filled with disbelief and a deep sense of defeat.
That Beast God Di Tian had actually managed to stop them all here single-handedly.
Among the six Grand Elders, the leader, Golden Crocodile Douluo, clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hands.
His once majestic face was now distorted with rage.
"This Di Tian is so troublesome!"
He said through gritted teeth.
Thousand-Pound Douluo and Demon-Slaying Douluo stood side by side, their faces equally gloomy.
Thousand-Pound Douluo snorted coldly, "If it weren't for him, those Beast Kings would have been left behind... This guy is simply too strong."
The Demon-Slaying Douluo stared grimly at the devastation before him, snarling, "At least a thousand Soul Masters from the Spirit Hall died in this battle! I swear I will not rest until this grudge is avenged!"
Many of the Spirit Hall's Guardian Douluos also looked dejected.
Some hung their heads, their faces filled with disappointment.
Others glared angrily, yet were utterly helpless.
They were all top experts of the Spirit Hall, usually so imposing, but now they had suffered a great loss before Di Tian, a blow to their pride.
"The strength of this Beast God is beyond our imagination," a Title Douluo said in a low voice.
"But the dignity of the Spirit Hall must not be trampled upon!" another Title Douluo roared.
However, no matter how angry or unwilling they were, the facts before them could not be changed.
Di Tian's immense strength stood like an insurmountable mountain before them.
Qian Daoliu also watched this scene with a grim expression, his dignified face now seemingly shrouded in frost.
His gaze was fixed on the chaotic battlefield, his eyes filled with boundless anger and regret.
He never imagined that his meticulously planned encirclement would allow Qian Renshang to escape.
Qian Renshang, the dark child prophesied by the angels, seemed to be a shadow that would forever haunt his heart.
"Damn it!"
Qian Daoliu gritted his teeth, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists, his knuckles turning white from the force.
He knew that if he missed this opportunity, killing Qian Renshang would be much more difficult.
And if Qian Renshang were to grow stronger, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Thinking of the potential carnage that might follow, Qian Daoliu's expression grew increasingly desperate.
He seemed to see the earth becoming barren under the erosion of dark forces, and people struggling in fear and pain.
"Could this be Heaven's punishment for the Spirit Hall?
Or punishment for my Qian family...?"
"Qian Renshang, you are the prophesied child of darkness.
For the safety of the entire continent, couldn't you sacrifice yourself?"
Qian Daoliu muttered to himself, filled with resentment towards his once beloved grandson.
He felt that the other's suicide was the best course of action, and that if he died, he, as the grandfather, would join him.
Wouldn't that be better?
This time, the loss was truly immense, a complete disaster...
"Angel God, what should I do now..."
He raised his head, gazing at the sky, seemingly seeking guidance from the angel in the darkness.
However, only endless silence answered him.
The surrounding Title Douluos and Elders were all silent, not daring to disturb Qian Daoliu, who was lost in thought.
They knew that this supreme expert of the Spirit Hall was currently under immense pressure.
After a long while, Qian Daoliu took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
"Pass on my order: track down Qian Renshang's whereabouts with all your might, at all costs!"
His voice was cold and firm, carrying an unyielding authority.
Everyone responded in unison, "Yes!"
No matter what, the pretense of civility had been completely broken, and Qian Daoliu had no choice but to resort to any means necessary.
Cough cough!
Just then, a weak voice came from the ruins.
A peerless figure with golden hair and blue eyes had stood up at some point, looking around blankly at everything.
Qian Renxue's delicate face was filled with confusion and bewilderment, her once clear blue eyes now brimming with incomprehension.
Her swan-like neck turned slightly, her gaze slowly sweeping over the ruins.
Her clothes were disheveled, a few strands of golden hair clinging to her fair cheeks, adding to her pitiful appearance.
Qian Renxue gently shook her head, seemingly trying to shake off the chaos in her mind.
"Hmm? Weren't we just in the competition? How did we end up like this?"
She murmured to herself, her voice trembling slightly.
She staggered, the rubble and debris nearly causing her to fall.
The surrounding blood and chaos filled her with nausea and fear.
Qian Renxue tried hard to recall the previous scene, but only vague fragments remained in her mind.
She tried to clear her thoughts, but found herself becoming increasingly confused.
Suddenly, she saw Qian Daoliu, his face ashen, not far away.
As if seeing a lifeline, she quickly walked towards him.
"Grandpa, what happened?"
(End of Chapter)
Read 30+ chapters ahead at Patreon
patreon.com/TaroYamato
patreon.com/TaroYamato