Hearing Chen Yi's understated but heavy words—"there is someone above"—Qian Daoliu's desperate eyes suddenly burned with unprecedented light, as if a drowning man had grasped his final lifeline.
Yes! Yes! It was no accident that the Body Sect could kill Tang Hao. There must have been a god behind Tang Hao; if not a direct inheritor, then at least a deep karmic connection.
But what was the outcome? Tang Hao died at the hands of Chen Yi and Wisdom Brain Douluo.
What did this mean? It meant that the existence behind Chen Yi was not afraid of the gods behind Tang Hao—perhaps was even more powerful.
At least, in that slaughter game, no god could intervene effectively.
Thinking of this, Qian Daoliu's heart, drenched in despair, suddenly beat forcefully again, and his blood boiled anew. He looked up, eyes burning, staring at Chen Yi, his voice trembling with disbelief but also feverish hope.
"You… are you truly prepared to anger the gods? Do you understand the risk?"
He had to be certain—this wasn't just Chen Yi's whim or a hollow promise for some benefit. This was about Xue'er's life and death, about whether the Angel bloodline could rise again from the ashes.
Chen Yi met Qian Daoliu's gaze, and his previously indifferent smile turned firm as he nodded slowly.
For Chen Yi, this decision was not impulsive, but deliberate. Spirit Hall, the villainous force that had stood in the protagonist's way, was to him an irreplaceable institution—and he, as a time traveler, had a broader perspective.
Setting aside positions and grievances, Spirit Hall's policy of "free martial soul awakening for civilians" was a groundbreaking achievement for the lower classes and soul masters of the whole continent, bringing real benefits to all beings.
After the original story, when Spirit Hall collapsed, who picked up the responsibility?
Shrek Academy? Tang Sect? Not at all! Shrek became a top elite academy, needing city nobles' recommendations for entry—a privilege little different from other aristocratic academies. Tang Sect had vanished entirely.
The next true "free martial soul awakening" across the continent would not come until the Douluo Federation era, twenty thousand years later.
The gap in between meant countless children with soul master talent were buried, countless life-changing opportunities lost. It was not just a waste of resources, but a deprivation of the continent's potential.
More importantly, Spirit Hall was currently the only organization with the complete, efficient, and widespread system for martial soul awakening and lower-level soul master training. The Body sect's awakening was unstable, taking in disciples passively, unable to handle mass selection or basic training.
Even if Chen Yi himself became a god in the future, to build a perfect system from scratch to manage the vast soul master population would take unimaginable time and effort, and unavoidably bring chaos.
Thus, from a practical and efficient standpoint, it was far wiser to preserve and "transform" the existing Spirit Hall than to destroy it and rebuild from the rubble.
Spirit Hall had many factions and flaws, but its framework and grassroots network were sound. More importantly, many within still held true ideals, serving the people and pursuing the light.
In a world ruled by power, cleansing the rotten factions was as hard as ever, but still easier than reconstructing a new organization likely to encounter the same issues.
Qian Daoliu saw the unwavering determination in Chen Yi's eyes, and the complex feelings he hadn't felt in a hundred years shattered his defenses. This powerhouse of the continent, the rank-99 Invincible Douluo, wept at this moment, his cloudy tears tracing down his cheeks.
The moment he learned the Divine Ancestor had fallen, that the enemy was another main god, his clan, Spirit Hall, even his life's mission, had seemed destined for despair and powerlessness. He doubted whether he would even be able to open the divine trials for Xue'er.
But now, the summit had shifted! A boy who had appeared out of nowhere and defied all logic, not only revealed the cruel truth, but also promised to stand up to the invincible enemy of the gods and offer aid.
It was not just hope—it was a miracle in despair.
"Good… good… good!"
Qian Daoliu choked out three "goods," wiping his tears with his sleeve, straightening his back with effort, and solemnly pledged—not only to Chen Yi, but to the core of the Body Sect like Chu Shanhe and the Grand Elder—
"Young Sect Master Chen Yi, Sect Master Chu, Wisdom Brain Douluo… Today's grace will be remembered by Qian Daoliu and the Five Worships, unforgettable for eternity!"
"From now on, as long as Spirit Hall still stands and my Angel clan draws breath, I will give my all to your sect's cause. This is my sacred duty!"
"This oath may be witnessed by heaven and earth, by gods and spirits alike!"
This was the gravest promise he could give as the core of Spirit Hall's highest authority—almost an alliance oath.
Chen Yi smiled gently, stifling a yawn.
"Seniors, it's all for mutual benefit and support."
He did not require Qian Daoliu's personal gratitude. What he needed was a stable, manageable Spirit Hall capable of strategic synergy with the Body Sect—a benefit to himself, his sect, and the entire continent's long-term development.
Chen Yi gazed into the distance, knowing he would eventually ascend to the Divine Realm. According to the information revealed by the Thunder God at the outset, there was indeed a god protector above him, and the Thunder God seemed to be on friendly terms with two of the God Kings on the Divine Council.
But ultimately, God Kings are God Kings, the rulers at the Divine Realm's apex. Once inside, it would be impossible to rely on those "above" for everything—such dependence would seem both incompetent and invite unnecessary suspicion or contempt.
"Besides," Chen Yi thought, recalling the depiction of the Divine Council in the original, "those two God Kings… their brains really are a bit… well, odd."
"Unfortunately, entrusting everything to them isn't practical. I'll have to rely on myself."
(Chen Yi didn't know what had happened in the Divine Realm.)
His thoughts churned, but his face betrayed nothing. The meeting afterward proceeded in a harmonious atmosphere as both sides engaged in honest discussions of concrete, possible areas of cooperation. Though details remained undecided, a new framework for dialogue based on mutual interest and trust was established.
This tumultuous, far-reaching meeting finally ended late at night, in a mood of camaraderie between host and guest.
..
Bonus chapter at 300 PS