"What's wrong?" Ye Tian asked, somewhat surprised.
Qian Renxue's reaction was a bit too intense.
"Nothing, I'm just amazed by your insight," Qian Renxue replied, giving Ye Tian a deep look before shaking her head. "I don't know the specific details, but Grandpa and Grandpa Golden Crocodile likely share the same thoughts as you."
"Oh?" Ye Tian frowned, a sense of foreboding immediately rising in his heart.
"Grandpa and Grandpa Golden Crocodile also suspect that someone is secretly helping Tang Hao," Qian Renxue said, staring intently at Ye Tian.
Ye Tian pressed further, "Then do the Grand Elders have any suspects?"
As he spoke, watching Qian Renxue's increasingly serious expression, any trace of hope in Ye Tian's heart vanished, and his mood gradually sank.
Qian Renxue's voice, heavy with gravity, reached his ears. "Grandpa suspects that behind Tang Hao is an expert above level one hundred—a legendary... deity! That's also why I was so eager to see you."
"A... deity?!" Jin Yue'er beside Qian Renxue was so shocked she couldn't close her mouth.
Of course, she had heard legends of gods. The Qian Family, to which Sister Xue belonged, was a legacy of the Angel God. She just never expected that the Hammer Douluo might also have a deity behind him.
"..." Ye Tian fell silent, his face filled only with solemnity, not a trace of surprise.
This alone once again astonished Qian Renxue. Ye Tian's reaction seemed to indicate he had already guessed the existence of that deity!
Worry appeared on Jin Yue'er's face. "Sister Xue, if there really is a deity-level expert behind that Hammer Douluo, wouldn't our Spirit Hall be in danger?"
"That's right," Qian Renxue sighed, equally troubled by this. Yet, she also felt a surge of fighting spirit. "But according to Grandpa, deities cannot directly interfere in the mortal world. At most, they can only intervene through their agents on the continent. That means... we are not without a chance of winning!"
As she spoke, Qian Renxue looked toward Ye Tian. He was far calmer than she had imagined, prompting her to ask, "Xiao Tian, what do you think?"
"Indeed, it's not without a chance," Ye Tian said with a helpless smile, nodding heavily.
He never wanted this to happen, but it had come to pass nonetheless.
Still, it didn't matter. He had long prepared himself for the worst.
Originally, he had been hesitating whether to start making plans. Now, it seemed he no longer needed to hesitate!
Even if the deity's original intention might have been simply to pass down the God Position earlier—perhaps because Tang Chen was lost in the Ninth Trial, and the deity saw potential in a Haotian Hammer Spirit Master inheriting the God Position, thus drawing Tang San over to become Tang Chen's descendant—and had no intention of harming the Spirit Hall...
But once someone is caught in the jianghu, how can they guarantee there will be no grudges or conflicts?
Even if the deity harbored no such thoughts, Tang San certainly would, and the deity's power would undoubtedly become an accomplice.
Moreover, this was just one of Ye Tian's conjectures. It was also possible that the other party was exactly what many suspected—a shameless being who wanted complete control over the authority of 'Judgment.'
Otherwise, why would He go to such lengths to resurrect Tang San? Not only did He find the God of Food and the Nine-colored Goddess, but He also personally intervened to conceal the commotion of Tang San's resurrection, deceiving the senses of the Rakshasa God, Bi Bi Dong.
One day in the upper realm, one year in the lower realm.
The excuse of being eager to pass down the God Position seemed utterly untenable.
With Tang San gone,
His lifespan was infinite; He could simply wait a little longer to find a suitable candidate.
Why risk violating the rules of the Divine Realm?
Not only did He openly cuckold the Sea Deity, but He also shamelessly resorted to trickery afterward.
The same went for the one on Sea God Island.
It was clearly a Sea Deity inheritance, yet He deliberately avoided Sea Spirit Masters, choosing instead a Soul Master from the mainland—and a Blue Silver Grass Spirit Master at that. Who knows if Blue Silver Grass would shrivel up and dry out after soaking in seawater for too long.
In any case, after the fall of the Spirit Empire,
He indeed monopolized the faith across land, sea, and air, and this lasted for tens of thousands of years.
They say actions speak louder than intentions.
Judging by this, it was truly shocking.
Therefore, Ye Tian believed,
No matter what,
Regardless of whether Qian Renxue's words were true or false, caution was never a mistake.
Only when everything was fully prepared,
Could they meet soldiers with soldiers and water with earth.
Hearing Ye Tian's words,
The gravity on Qian Renxue's face gradually melted away, transforming into a confident smile.
"If Xiao Tian says so, I can rest assured."
"Heh... Actually, Xue Er, there's no need for you to think so much right now. Gods are still too far away from us. Following the steps and improving our cultivation as quickly as possible is what truly matters."
Ye Tian smiled faintly.
Even if they truly had to stand against the gods, Ye Tian felt no fear at all. Instead, he felt a surge of excitement and anticipation—
And even a sense of motivation.
Otherwise, this world would be far too dull and simple.
After all, they wouldn't dare go too far.
Any scheming had to be done quietly—no loud disturbances allowed!
Otherwise, if the other gods in the Divine Realm found out, they would surely be displeased!
"Haha... I'll help too!"
Jin Yue'er giggled.
What Ye Tian said wasn't wrong at all.
The realm of gods was not only extremely distant from them but also remained far beyond the reach of even Titled Douluos.
Most Soul Masters had little concrete understanding of the power of gods.
Just like Jin Yue'er now,
Gods were merely a term with little tangible intimidation.
Until they truly appeared,
They held less intimidation than a single Peerless Douluo.
Wisteria Residence.
Hu Liena was staying in the attic, fiddling with a cage in her hands.
Her eyes were filled with curiosity.
She didn't even notice the sound of approaching footsteps.
It wasn't until Bi Bi Dong ascended to the second floor that her voice rang in Hu Liena's ears.
"Nana, what are you doing?"
"Ah!"
Hu Liena let out a startled cry.
She immediately turned to look,
Only upon seeing it was Bi Bi Dong did she pat her frightened little heart.
"It's just Teacher!"
As she spoke,
Hu Liena gazed curiously at the Saintess attire Bi Bi Dong wore,
Her eyes filled with admiration and envy.
"So beautiful..."
"I asked you, what are you doing?"
Bi Bi Dong chuckled, rolling her eyes in mock exasperation as she pressed further.
"Ah!"
Hu Liena let out a soft exclamation before picking up the birdcage on the table, turning around, and saying, "Teacher, Nana noticed this bird kept lingering and wouldn't leave. It even has something tied to its leg, so I caught it and brought it here for your judgment."
"A kite bird?"
Bi Bi Dong looked at the fiery red bird in the cage, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. She hadn't expected her letter to arrive so quickly.
"Huh? Teacher, do you recognize this bird?"
Hu Liena asked curiously.
"Yes, I do indeed know it."
Bi Bi Dong nodded briskly, eagerly stepping forward and extending her hands.
"Hand it over to me."
"By the way, where has that brat Ye Tian gone? I don't sense his presence in the room."
As she passed the birdcage to Bi Bi Dong, Hu Liena replied, "Senior Brother was called away by Sister Yue'er. They went to the Saint Soul Winery."
"Called away?"
Bi Bi Dong frowned slightly upon hearing this.
"Yes. Yan and the others will be coming later to take Nana over as well."
Hu Liena said excitedly, already unable to wait.
Suppressing her displeasure, Bi Bi Dong's brow smoothed as she nodded.
"Alright, you can head over later then. Also, tell him to come back early—I have something important to discuss with him."
"Mm-hmm, Nana will remember."
Hu Liena responded crisply, watching as Bi Bi Dong carried the birdcage into the room.