ALL NOVEL Chapter 2: The Fleeting Passage of Time
Qian Xunji listened quietly as Bibidong reported on the mission to eliminate the rogue soul master Yu Xiaogang, his expression calm.
As Bibidong finished her account, Qian Xunji suddenly asked, "Dong'er, what do you think of Ling Yi?"
"Master Ling?" Bibidong was momentarily stunned by the question, her beautiful face showing a hint of confusion.
About to turn thirty, Bibidong was still the revered and adored Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall. She had not yet experienced the darkness nor visited the City of Slaughter. Despite her years spent hunting rogue soul masters, before her esteemed teacher Qian Xunji, she still retained a touch of innocence and purity.
After a moment's silence, Bibidong spoke respectfully towards the authoritative Qian Xunji, "Master Ling may have come from humble beginnings, and his early talent was nothing to speak of, but to possess the power of a Spirit Douluo at under forty years of age, his speed of cultivation rivals that of Tang Hao from the Haotian Sect. Moreover, his research into spirit theories is unparalleled in millennia!"
"Additionally, Master Ling excels in public welfare and the economy, having developed a barren town into one of the continent's leading cities, comparable to Tian Dou City and Xing Luo City!"
Bibidong's eyes shone with an unmistakable brilliance as she spoke.
Qian Xunji, usually stern and aloof, remained unmoved by Bibidong's enthusiastic response.
Suddenly, Qian Xunji asked, "If we were to invite him to join our Spirit Hall, do you think he would accept?"
"Ah?" Bibidong raised a delicate hand to her lips, surprised as she looked at Qian Xunji.
"Hmm, no rush." Qian Xunji shook his head, contemplating as he spoke slowly, "I am planning to select a new site to rebuild the Spirit City. Once the new city is complete, you can invite him to the inauguration, and then... we'll discuss it."
……
Within the borders of the Star Luo Empire, at the Haotian Sect.
“Father, elder brother, I’m back—”
Tang Hao, with his hair tied back by a ribbon and short hair gently tousled, strode confidently into the main hall of the sect, nodding in greeting to his father, Tang Zhen, the 'Sky-Quaking Elder', and his elder brother, Tang Xiao, the 'Sky-Howling Elder'.
“Cough, cough—”
Tang Zhen coughed a few times before speaking to Tang Hao who had approached, nodding slightly, “So, how did it go? Was Yu Xiaogang successfully eliminated?”
“Reporting to Father~” Tang Hao replied respectfully, “Yu Xiaogang met his end on a lone mountain at the outskirts of the 'Mystery Canyon'.”
“Hmm~” Tang Zhen hummed softly, a peculiar glint flashing in his eyes. “Yu Yuanzhen, that old fox, is going to have a hard time this time~”
After a brief pause, Tang Zhen continued, “From now on, focus on your cultivation within the sect and strive to reach level ninety as soon as possible. When that happens, your elder brother and I will accompany you to 'Mystery Canyon'. We must surely help you capture a 100,000-year-old soul beast!”
“Hao’er~” Tang Zhen’s gaze bore earnestly into Tang Hao, “Your grandfather named you ‘Hao’ in hopes that you would inherit his title of 'Haotian Elder'. Don’t let me or your grandfather down—cough! Cough, cough, cough—!”
Possibly overwhelmed by his emotions, Tang Zhen started coughing violently as he spoke.
“Father!”
"Father!"
Tang Xiao and Tang Hao quickly approached, gathering beside their father Tang Zhen, looking at him with concern.
"Huff—huff—"
Tang Zhen's chest rose and fell like a bellows as he slowly regained his breath. He retrieved a jade bottle from the soul-guiding storage device at his waist, poured out two brown pills that gave off a strange fragrance, and tossed them into his mouth, closing his eyes as he swallowed.
After a moment, Tang Zhen reopened his eyes, the flush of pain from his earlier severe coughing having faded.
Seeing this, Tang Xiao first sighed in relief, and then spoke with concern, "Father, shouldn't we consider going to 'Lingyun City' again to see Master Ling for treatment?"
"Right," Tang Hao chimed in, "The pills crafted by the Yang family seem to be losing their effectiveness. We should go to 'Lingyun City' to find Master Ling..."
"No rush,"
Tang Zhen shook his head at his sons' advice, "That boy is decent in every way, except that he's too soft-hearted!"
"With his control over that unique environment in 'Lingyun City', everything happens right under his nose."
"However, his place is like a sieve, crawling with all kinds of people. If I go there too often, it won't be long before news of my condition reaches all power factions across the continent..."
"Unfortunately, only within the environment crafted by Master Ling in 'Lingyun City' can Father receive sufficient treatment," Tang Xiao said helplessly, "Otherwise, it would be wonderful to bring Master Ling to the [Haotian Sect] to treat you here..."
"Forget it," Tang Zhen waved his hand dismissively. "As long as you two brothers can uphold the name of our Clear Sky Sect, there will be something for me to account to your grandfather. Whether this injury is treated or not, it matters little..."
Lingyun City stood nestled at the edge of a branch of the Tianling Mountain Range.
Towers reaching a thousand meters high, the range stretched for nearly twenty miles, positioned between the Heavenly Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, and the Star Dou Forest.
In the backyard of the City Lord's Mansion, there was a small hut woven entirely from the countless strands of Blue Silver Grass.
Gently pushing away the delicate arms and legs lying across him, Ling Yi rose and donned a robe before stepping out of the hut.
With a few quick leaps, he reached the cliffside behind the mansion, relishing the winds sweeping in from the distant mountains and forests. His long hair and robes fluttered, imbuing him with a transcendent feeling.
'Almost forty years have passed—'
Ling Yi gazed up at the barely visible morning star, a melancholy sweeping over his heart.
Ordinarily, any such futile emotions would be swiftly extinguished by Ling Yi.
Yet now, he allowed his thoughts to wander freely, permitting them to gallop unchecked across his mind.
In this world of Douluo Continent, where he had inadvertently disrupted the original storyline like a butterfly fluttering its wings, his fortieth birthday was fast approaching.
Birthday is not the key; the key is this birthday, in Douluo Year 263.
'I wonder whether he will continue to be born, or if he will disappear from the current timeline like Qian Renxue?'
Ling Yi turned back to glance at the small house within the city lord's mansion, his gaze seemingly penetrating to see the figure with blue silver hair lying inside.
Turning back, Ling Yi looked at the rising sun in the eastern sky and softly said, "It's been nearly forty years now—"
As his voice fell, he closed his eyes. With a flicker of thought, barely perceptible light blue ripples emanated from Ling Yi.
All around, countless "Blue Silver Grass" swayed their leaves, echoing something unknown.
In an instant, everything within dozens of miles entered Ling Yi's mind.
Dozens of miles were not the limit, as the frequency like sun waves continued to extend outward.
Hundreds of miles... thousands... tens of thousands of miles—!!!
Finally, the ground beneath his feet transformed into a sphere, appearing in Ling Yi's mind and spirit.
His consciousness found itself in the endless dark, cold, chaotic void, overlooking a sphere with two-thirds of its area radiating a deep blue glow. Ling Yi's intent merged with the heavens:
'Whether you come or not, this world will ultimately be different because of me.'
“From this day forth, Douluo Continent heeds my words—Ling Yi!”
(End of Chapter)
