Chapter 10: Tang Ya's Sorrow
Lin Qinghan flew at lightning speed. At his current pace, he only needed half a day with two short rests before reaching the outskirts of Tiandou City.
From a distance, Lin Qinghan detected a group of spirit masters in military uniforms of the Heavenly Soul Empire. They were clearly on patrol.
He suddenly remembered this wasn't the Lin family's territory—flying was definitely prohibited. He quickly activated his spiritual projection to conceal himself.
With Lin Qinghan's current tangible spiritual power, even a Titled Douluo wouldn't be able to detect him—not even one who specialized in spiritual cultivation. Naturally, he avoided the patrols without issue.
Upon arriving at Tiandou City, Lin Qinghan turned on his spiritual standpoint to the maximum range and headed straight for the Tang Sect.
"I hope nothing has happened yet." For some reason, the closer he got to the Tang Sect, the more uneasy he felt.
However, as soon as the Tang Sect came within range of his spiritual detection, he felt a sense of relief upon seeing that the main gate's plaque was still intact.
Everything outside looked the same as the last time he visited. Nothing seemed amiss.
As he flew in, Lin Qinghan approached the Tang Sect directly. This time, without Tang Ya leading him, he entered through the main gate.
Previously, only the backyard had been unguarded. But now, even the few ordinary people who once guarded the main gate were gone. The entire place felt abandoned.
He knocked on the door, but strangely, no one answered. He pushed it open and stepped inside.
What greeted him was an empty front yard, with only the statue of Tang San still standing. The flowers and plants that had once surrounded it had withered.
The nearby buildings were clearly unoccupied. If not for their intact structures, Lin Qinghan might have thought this place was already a ruin.
He shrank his spiritual stance to cover the entire Tang Sect grounds and began a thorough search. Soon, he sensed Tang Ya's presence in the backyard and sighed in relief. With that, he retracted his spiritual stance and walked over.
He moved from the front yard to a remote courtyard in the back. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Tang Ya.
She was drawing water from a well. Though the bucket wasn't heavy for a soul master, it looked especially difficult for her. Her pretty face was weary—she clearly hadn't been doing well.
"Stop! Who are you?"
Startled by Lin Qinghan's sudden appearance, Tang Ya didn't recognize him—his height and appearance had changed drastically. Instinctively, she released her martial soul. A yellow soul ring emerged, followed by a dark purple thin blade in her hand.
"Sister Xiaoya, don't be nervous. It's me, Lin Qinghan." Seeing her reaction, Lin Qinghan felt distressed. Based on what he'd seen so far, something major must have happened to the Tang Sect.
"You're… Lin Qinghan?" Tang Ya had a deep impression of him. Even though his soul power and body had advanced rapidly over the past two years due to the ten-thousand-year soul ring, she still recognized him after the reminder.
"You came to see me." She put away her martial soul and hidden weapon, forcing a small smile.
"How did the Tang Sect become like this?" Lin Qinghan stepped forward, held Tang Ya's hand, and released his Thunder of Life. Emerald green lightning flowed gently from his hand into hers, soothing her fatigue.
Tang Ya felt a tingling sensation, then warmth spread through her entire body. She didn't let go of Lin Qinghan's hand.
When she heard his question, her pale face flushed and her eyes reddened.
"Some time ago, a sect called the Iron Blood Sect came to challenge us. My father didn't want to fight, but they said a weak sect like the Tang Sect didn't deserve such a good location."
"My father was forced to fight in the Spirit Arena. I didn't go with him. When he came back, he collapsed and became bedridden. Everyone in the sect left after they found out he was ill." By the end, Tang Ya's voice was nearly in tears.
Lin Qinghan felt a pang of guilt. It really was the Iron Blood Sect… I should've had Uncle Chen wipe them out two years ago. Then none of this would've happened.
"Don't be so sad. Take me to your father. Maybe I can help." He comforted her gently.
"Really? Come on!"
Tang Ya's eyes lit up with hope. She dropped the bucket and pulled Lin Qinghan inside in a hurry.
Inside, her father lay on a bed opposite the door, his chest rising and falling faintly.
There was an incense burner on the desk. The herbs inside hadn't finished burning, and a medicine stove nearby was still boiling. Clearly, Tang Ya had been trying everything to help.
Lin Qinghan approached the bedside, closed his eyes, and activated his spiritual standpoint to envelop the Tang Sect leader. At the same time, his bioelectric martial spirit extended across the man's body.
"Blood flow: normal. Breathing: normal. Heartbeat: normal. All organs functioning normally." After probing, Lin Qinghan realized the Tang Sect leader's vital signs were completely normal.
"Mental fluctuations: normal… Wait, that's not right." He suddenly opened his eyes.
"As a Soul Emperor, how can his mental fluctuations be the same as an ordinary person's?" He had found the issue. But seeing the hope in Tang Ya's eyes, he hesitated to say it.
After a moment's thought, he steeled himself.
"Your father's condition is very special. You need to be mentally prepared."
Tang Ya's hopeful gaze dimmed into emptiness. "Okay… I'm ready. Tell me."
"Your father's body is alive—but his brain is dead. Do you understand what that means?" Lin Qinghan couldn't bear to look into her eyes.
"So… my father is dead?" she asked, eyes pleading, as if begging him to deny it.
Lin Qinghan said nothing—just nodded. For a condition like brain death, not even his Life Thunder could help.
He held her tightly, trying to comfort her.
"Wuuu… Qinghan, I have no home!!"
Tang Ya buried her face in Lin Qinghan's chest and sobbed, soaking his clothes.
He gently stroked her head, but it was no use. She cried for a full quarter of an hour before exhaustion overtook her and she fell asleep in his arms.
"…It's okay to sleep a little." Lin Qinghan didn't move, keeping her close until evening, when she finally woke up.
"Do you have any other plans?" he asked quickly, seeing her eyes begin to redden again.
"I don't know… I have no family," she said softly, her eyes filled with sorrow and confusion.
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(End of Chapter 10)