Chapter 5: The Departure of the Sun
Qianjun Douluo lowered his voice as he spoke, concern written across his face.
"Great Priest, are you not going to stop him?"
Qian Daoliu simply smiled without answering at first.
Qianjun Douluo pressed further, "The Great Elder is exceptionally talented. The previous Pope invested heavily to bind him completely to the chariot of our Spirit Hall."
Finally, Qian Daoliu responded, his voice calm and composed.
"I know my student. Once he makes a decision, even ten oxen couldn't drag him back."
With those words, Qian Daoliu turned and slowly made his way toward the Douluo Hall. His broad figure, dignified and tall, seemed to gradually fade into the sacred silence of the hall's depths.
"But more importantly…" he continued, "he and the Pope were never a good match."
There was a pause before he added, "When Ji'er made that decision, I was against it from the beginning. Had he not insisted, had he not harbored those feelings for my student, I would never have approved of that marriage."
As he disappeared into the shadows of the hall, his voice still echoed outward like a divine judgment:
"How could that poor Pope ever be worthy of my student?"
"If one's virtue does not match their status, calamity follows."
"My student was born to be the sun in the sky—someone destined to be admired and looked up to by all."
"The Pope…"
"Just wait and see. She will regret everything."
A loud, carefree laugh erupted from the hall, resounding through the still air. Qianjun Douluo's expression turned complicated.
It had been years—so many years—since he'd last heard the Great Priest laugh like that. The last time he did…
…was also the last time something truly changed.
Just as Qianjun Douluo was about to take his leave, the laughter ceased, and a quiet voice echoed directly into his ears.
"If my student wishes to leave the Spirit Hall, do not stop him."
"He values friendship above all else. He has been favored by the Spirit Hall and would never betray us so easily."
A pause.
"Make arrangements for him to visit Heaven Dou City when the time is right. My granddaughter went to see him not long ago."
Qianjun Douluo was stunned for a moment. His eyes lit up with understanding and he responded quickly,
"I understand, Great Priest. That's an excellent idea."
Everyone in the upper echelons of Spirit Hall knew a bit of the Pope's shameful past. So when Qian Daoliu referred to Bibi Dong as a "pauper," Qianjun Douluo didn't react.
In truth, perhaps they all agreed.
The Pope Bibi Dong was unworthy of Qin Chuan—he who shone like the blazing sun.
And if someone had to be matched with Qin Chuan…
Then perhaps only Qian Renxue, the Great Priest's granddaughter, and possessor of a god-level spirit, was truly qualified.
The Bedroom That Held Warmth
Behind the Pope's Palace, in the private chambers.
Once, this room had been warm and lively—the Pope's bedroom, and the shared living space of Qin Chuan and Bibi Dong after their marriage.
In the past, no matter when she returned, the bedroom always welcomed her with the aroma of food. Qin Chuan would either be sitting or standing quietly, waiting for her with gentle eyes.
The candlelight would flicker across his slender figure, sometimes casting shadows as if he might vanish. But Bibi Dong had never worried.
She was confident—convinced that this man loved her deeply and would never leave.
But what she didn't understand was…
Some people are willing to warm even the coldest stone for over ten years.
But once that warmth is ignored, they can also die in a single moment, crumbling into dust.
Tonight was different.
Bibi Dong walked in like a zombie.
The bedroom was pitch black, cold, and lifeless.
She turned on the soul guide lamp. The flickering light filled the space—but brought no warmth.
The furnishings remained untouched, clean and orderly.
But the dining table was empty.
No figure stood before it anymore.
Bibi Dong stood at the threshold for a long, long time.
Her face pale. Her expression empty.
And in that moment, she finally realized—
That peaceful, harmonious life she once believed was mutual… was actually held together by Qin Chuan alone.
Now that he was gone…
Everything had left with him.
And she…
She no longer felt happy.
The lights were on late into the night.
And some hearts would stay sleepless till dawn.
The Earth-Shaking Rumor
The next day.
No one confirmed it.
No one questioned it.
But the rumor swept through the entire Spirit Hall like wildfire—
The Great Elder had asked for a divorce from the Pope.
Shock gripped the Spirit Hall.
One bold Titled Douluo elder even summoned the courage to ask the Pope directly—only to be viciously scolded in return.
That alone was enough to confirm the truth.
The entire Hall buzzed with speculation.
After all, both figures were of noble status. The drama only heightened their curiosity.
And everyone had seen how much Qin Chuan once adored the Pope.
So why would such a devoted man take the initiative to request a divorce?
Had the Pope crossed a line even he couldn't tolerate?
The quiet, good-natured man had finally been pushed too far?
Rumors flew like wildfire.
But regardless of the gossip, neither Qin Chuan nor Bibi Dong stepped forward to offer explanations.
And just as interest in the drama peaked…
An official decree was issued from the Pope's Hall:
The finals of the Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament are approaching. No one in Spirit Hall is to discuss the Pope's private matters. Any violators will be strictly punished.
Immediately, the Spirit Hall went quiet.
And in that silence—
Qin Chuan left.
Without ceremony. Without farewell.
He left behind the Spirit Hall's token of identity in the small hut he once called home.
Then, alone, he walked down Wuhun Mountain.
The World Moves On
The grand Spirit City lay at the foot of the sacred Wuhun Mountain. A holy land built to revere the spirit world.
The streets were bustling. Young soul masters from various academies of the two great empires roamed in energetic groups, preparing for the upcoming tournament.
Qin Chuan passed quietly among them.
Though he too was young, barely in his twenties, two lifetimes of experience and over a decade of marriage had aged his soul.
He didn't quite belong to this generation of youths anymore.
Still, he glanced around curiously.
"Hmm… Haven't seen Shrek Academy's yellow uniforms yet."
Even as he walked out of Spirit City's gates, he didn't spot them.
"Could they still be on the road?"
Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind.
Yesterday, if the timeline matched, that trash of a person had gone to visit the Pope in secret.
So the Shrek group must've only just departed.
That meant they'd likely arrive in Spirit City in three or four more days.
Just as he mused this, a familiar voice called out not far behind him—
"Hey! Isn't that Master?"
"What a surprise! What luck!"