Of course, there's one more thing.
Su Linfeng pressed on, his words sharp and unrelenting:
"All these years you've stayed holed up in that broken-down Worship Hall—have you ever cared about Spirit Hall? I don't know if it's because you don't want to, or because you can't!"
"Forget not caring about Spirit Hall. You don't even know what kind of scum your son really was!"
Qian Daoliu: "…"
The Worship Elders: "…"
Su Linfeng couldn't reveal his true identity.
He also couldn't let anyone suspect that a mature, calculating soul resided within him. So the reasons he gave sounded childish. Yet it was precisely these seemingly childish words that gradually calmed Qian Daoliu's grief-driven fury.
Under normal circumstances, Qian Daoliu wouldn't kill Bibi Dong. But in the throes of losing a son, even he wasn't immune to impulse. Coupled with Bibi Dong's unyielding character, the situation could easily spiral into disaster.
That was why Su Linfeng had no choice but to step forward—to douse the flames before everything burned out of control.
Though he hadn't spelled it out directly, his words struck from three angles: emotion, divine authority, and political power.
From emotion: Bibi Dong was Qian Renxue's mother. She carried the bloodline. As a grandfather, how could Qian Daoliu not care for his granddaughter's safety?
From divine authority: If Su Linfeng remembered correctly, Qian Daoliu had once sworn to the Angel God not to meddle in worldly disputes. Killing Bibi Dong now would be a direct violation of that vow, stripping him of his right to offer sacrifice—and that would jeopardize Qian Renxue's future divine inheritance.
And from political power: the reputation of Spirit Hall. The Angelic Clan was meant to be sacred and untouchable, sustained by the faith of the continent. If it became known that Qian Xunji had been slain by his own disciple, and his father avenged him by killing that disciple, the scandal could shatter not just Spirit Hall's influence but the very foundation of their divine faith.
On top of that, Spirit Hall's dominance was built on raw power. Without strategists, internal unity was fragile. Bibi Dong, however, had proven her ability—she controlled the Four Grand Branch Halls, and the four Platinum Bishops obeyed her absolutely.
If both the Pope and the Holy Maiden perished in succession, at best, Spirit Hall would be thrown into chaos. At worst, their grip over the entire Douluo Continent would crumble.
Bibi Dong could not be allowed to die.
In a few pointed words, Su Linfeng had wrapped Qian Daoliu's emotions, his divine duty, and Spirit Hall's hegemony all into chains. He had turned every unreasonable excuse into something utterly reasonable.
That was the reason.
And as for cursing Qian Xunji as "scum"—that was not just for Qian Daoliu's ears. That was Su Linfeng venting his own feelings, too.
"Grand Priest," Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke up, seeing Qian Daoliu fall silent. "Don't listen to this brat's nonsense. What does a little kid know? Xunji's death must be avenged."
"This little brat's mouth is sharp, I'll give him that," Demon-Slaying Douluo added. "But he's still only six. Childish words, childish temper."
Well, he was a child, wasn't he?
And weren't children supposed to be childish?
Su Linfeng ignored their commentary. Instead, he looked squarely at Qian Daoliu, his expression firm. He trusted that those who needed to understand would understand.
"Enough."
Qian Daoliu's cold snort cut through the air, silencing the six Worship Elders at once.
Though Qian Xunji's death had been his own doing, Qian Daoliu was still his father. The pain was real. The humiliation of being unable to avenge him was bitter. But he couldn't deny Bibi Dong's worth to Spirit Hall.
As the Angel God's Grand Priest, Qian Daoliu had lived his life with one mission: to safeguard Spirit Hall and preserve the Angelic inheritance. His loyalty to that cause even outweighed his own emotions.
And he was no fool. His strategic vision was deep. Even facing his son's death, he had to put Spirit Hall's future and the Angel God's inheritance first.
Not to mention—there was still Qian Renxue. And now, this little brat is standing before him.
After a long silence, Qian Daoliu's aura stabilized. His composure returned, and his eyes burned as he fixed them on Su Linfeng.
"Little one, are you my—"
"You guess."
Su Linfeng cut him off before he could finish. He knew exactly what Qian Daoliu wanted to ask, and he wasn't about to give a straight answer.
Neither admitting nor denying. Just enough to keep Qian Daoliu guessing—while protecting his own identity.
Pushing back against the Angelic Domain, Su Linfeng stepped forward.
One yellow, one purple—his two spirit rings rose and pulsed with light. The power of True Solar Flame mingled with Destruction's aura, erupting into the open.
"If you say I am, then I am. If you say I'm not, then I'm not. But if you dare to kill her, then one day, I will kill you!"
That aura—
The instant Su Linfeng unleashed his martial spirit, the six Worship Elders—and even Qian Daoliu—stared wide-eyed.
True Solar Flame!
The blazing golden sunfire that had appeared above Spirit City that day… it had been this boy awakening his spirit!
Suddenly, everything clicked.
Especially for Qian Daoliu. His gaze locked onto the violet aura interwoven with Su Linfeng's flames.
That wasn't ordinary spirit power.
That was divine essence.
At his level, Qian Daoliu understood what it meant.
Innate full spirit power, rank 20.
A mutated True Solar Flame martial spirit.
One yellow, one purple—rings beyond the norm.
And divine aura itself.
If this boy wasn't his grandson—if he wasn't of the Angelic bloodline—then who could he possibly be?
Qian Daoliu's heart shook. His emotions defied words. Only Su Linfeng's stubborn rejection left him with a pang of guilt. The first awakening, the celestial anomaly—it all lined up. But his attempt to kill Bibi Dong had driven a wedge too deep.
And now wasn't the time to confront her.
"Childish."
Though his heart churned, Qian Daoliu was still a level 99 Ultimate Douluo. The sight almost amused him.
"You think you can stand against me with only rank-20 spirit power?"
His tone was sharp, but in his eyes flickered a rare softness. After seeing the True Solar Flame, he was more convinced than ever—this boy was Angel Clan blood. Just like Qian Renxue.
Only, his martial spirit had mutated.
"Tell me," Qian Daoliu spoke again. "What's your name?"
"Su Linfeng."
"Su? Why not Qian?" His brows furrowed.
Without a second thought, Su Linfeng shot back:
"Because I don't want it. I don't like the surname Qian."
He was playing him.
Su Linfeng was deliberately acting childish.
And it worked—Qian Daoliu couldn't even muster anger. Behind him, Bibi Dong herself was left stunned.
Before Qian Daoliu could reply, Golden Crocodile Douluo barked, "You little bastard! How dare you speak to the Grand Priest like that—"
"Golden Crocodile."
Qian Daoliu silenced him with a raised hand. His gaze on Su Linfeng had completely changed.
A child, after all.
Not as obedient as Qian Renxue, but perhaps his temperament came from his environment—or from Bibi Dong's influence.
"Very well," Qian Daoliu said at last. "Then, Su Linfeng, it is. Tell me, would you like to come back with me to the Worship Hall?"
No.Su Linfeng refused instantly. I don't want to end up like my sister, locked in your Worship Hall for days on end. If not for that, would I have nearly starved to death?