The Death God's Temple made its grand debut, its dark and imposing structure even more magnificent than the Elder Hall. Dark red lightning coiled around it, giving the temple an eerie yet majestic presence.
Xiao Hong, now transformed into a hundred-meter-tall behemoth, stood before the temple, its eyes gleaming as it paid solemn homage.
Then, Ye Hao descended from the sky and strode into the temple without hesitation.
Inside, grand architecture stretched before him—this was his second time entering. At the center of the hall stood a black, gold-engraved throne.
As Xiao Hong had once said, only the Death God was worthy of sitting upon it.
In the middle of the hall, a circular pedestal held a dark, ancient scythe embedded in the ground, with only two-thirds of its length exposed. The blade was firmly lodged, leaving only a black shaft at a forty-five-degree angle, covered in inscriptions and intricate patterns Ye Hao couldn't decipher.
Ye Hao approached, his right hand hovering just above the scythe—but at the last moment, he withdrew.
"No, the odds of pulling it out now are too low. I don't have an auxiliary-type soul master to assist me, unlike Tang San, who had Ning Rongrong's Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda in the original timeline. Even if I did, the current Ning Rongrong is just an ordinary person—the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda no longer exists in this world."
"No need to rush. I have a year to prepare. Steady cultivation is the key."
Ye Hao chose patience. Pulling out the Death Scythe was too difficult—he needed to be fully prepared.
After exploring the temple, he found it equipped with everything he needed. The air was filled with an invigorating energy, making it the perfect place for rapid soul power growth.
"No hurry. Stability is what matters most."
Ye Hao smiled and exited the temple, deciding not to retract it back into the Death God's Heart.
Now that he had completed the first six trials, the seventh was the true test—unlike anything before.
Thus, the Spirit Hall gained a new landmark: the Death God's Temple.
Only Ye Hao and Xiao Hong could enter; others couldn't even approach.
Among those affected, Bo Saixi was undoubtedly the most shocked.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the temple, her voice trembling.
"This sudden structure… it rivals even the Sea God's Temple in grandeur."
"Could it be…?"
The day's shocks had left her numb—first the founding of the Spirit Empire, then the Angel Nine Trials, and now this temple that matched the Sea God's divine abode.
"The rise of the Spirit Empire was no accident."
With a sigh, she returned to her room to recuperate, hoping to regain her strength and leave the Douluo Continent soon.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Meanwhile, Ye Hao began secluded cultivation inside the temple, sitting cross-legged before the Death Scythe, quietly tempering his soul power…
---
"Doggy, when will Daddy come out?"
Elsewhere in the Elder Hall, Xiao Hong lay comfortably on a bed while a little girl in a golden floral dress leaned against it.
With short golden hair and an adorable face, Qian Qiuyue—Ye Hao's daughter—nestled against Xiao Hong, who didn't mind at all. In fact, it shifted to make her more comfortable.
"Qiuyue, don't worry. Your dad is undergoing an important trial. He won't be out anytime soon. How about I keep you company in the meantime?" Xiao Hong grinned.
"No!"
Qian Qiuyue pouted. "Great-Grandpa and Mom are too busy, and now Grandma and Daddy are in seclusion. You're the only one left in the whole Spirit Hall. I'm so bored~"
Suddenly, her eyes sparkled. "Doggy, why don't you take me out to see the world? I've always wanted to explore!"
Xiao Hong immediately refused. "Absolutely not!"
As Ye Hao's daughter, the future Death God's beloved child, the sole princess of the Spirit Empire, and the Angel bloodline's heir, Qian Qiuyue was far too precious to risk.
"The outside world is dangerous, and your status is special. It's safer to stay here. But… I can take you for a walk around the Spirit Hall."
With that, Xiao Hong stretched and jumped off the bed, growing to five meters in length so Qiuyue could ride on its back.
The little girl carefully climbed on, and the two began their "patrol"—really just a stroll to keep her entertained.
Qian Renxue was undergoing the Angel Nine Trials under Qian Daoliu's supervision. Bibi Dong was in the Rakshasa Secret Manual, pushing for the final breakthrough. And Ye Hao remained in the Death God's Temple, attempting to "sync" with the Death Scythe.
"I heard from the disciples that someone from overseas came here—apparently, Daddy carried her back himself," Qiuyue suddenly said.
"Her name is Bo Saixi, the High Priest of Sea God Island. Why do you ask?" Xiao Hong raised an eyebrow, glancing back at her.
"Nothing, I was just curious. The world beyond the Douluo Continent… I really want to see it."
Her eyes shone with longing. Having grown up in the Spirit Hall, she had always heard stories of the outside world and yearned to experience it herself.
"Oh?" Xiao Hong chuckled. "Once you awaken your martial soul at six, I'll personally take you out to hunt soul beasts."
"Really?!"
Qiuyue knew just how powerful Xiao Hong was—even her great-grandfather treated it with caution. Apart from Ye Hao, Xiao Hong rarely interacted with others, though it occasionally chatted with Qian Daoliu.
But since Qiuyue's birth, Xiao Hong had changed completely.
She was the only one allowed to ride on its back.
---
"Who's there?"
Bo Saixi's eyes snapped open as she sensed someone approaching.
"Hello~"
A small golden head peeked through the doorframe—round, curious eyes staring at her.
"Little sister, who are you?"
Seeing that the intruder was just a child, Bo Saixi finally relaxed. Though Ye Hao had promised no disturbances, she remained vigilant—especially while still recovering.
"My name is Qian Qiuyue. Sister, you're so pretty! When I grow up, I want to be just like you. What's your name?" Qiuyue tilted her head curiously.
"Qian?"
Bo Saixi froze. A toddler wandering freely through the Spirit Hall? Breaking into her quarters? And most importantly—bearing the Qian surname?
"Little one, I'm old enough to be your great-grandmother," Bo Saixi replied with a wry smile. Being called "sister" by a child made her—a century-old woman—somewhat embarrassed.
"Oh really?" Qiuyue scratched her head. "Then... Great-Grandma, what's your name?"
Bo Saixi: "..."
Why does this feel wrong?
"I'm Bo Saixi. Since you're a Qian, how are you related to Qian Daoliu?"
She crouched down, gently patting Qiuyue's head.
"That's my great-grandfather! I'm Daddy's daughter," Qiuyue beamed, her dimples showing.
"Qian Daoliu is your great-grandfather... so you're Ye Hao's child?!"
Bo Saixi's mind blanked. So Qian Daoliu got the last laugh after all...
Unseen by them, Xiao Hong silently gave Qiuyue a thumbs-up. All their scheming had failed to push Qian Daoliu into action—yet this innocent child had accidentally outmaneuvered Bo Saixi in seconds.
Bo Saixi's face darkened as if she'd swallowed a fly.
"Friend lurking outside—aren't you tired of standing there?"
She glanced sharply at the doorway, having sensed Xiao Hong's presence earlier. The memory of it stomping the Deep Sea Demon Whale King still haunted her. With such power backing it, the Spirit Empire's dominance was inevitable.
Xiao Hong sauntered in with exaggerated swagger, sizing up Bo Saixi.
"How's your recovery?" it asked casually.
"No concern of yours. I'll be leaving in a few days," Bo Saixi replied coldly. She harbored no goodwill toward the creature that had facilitated her capture.
"Keh keh keh..." Xiao Hong's eerie chuckle filled the room.
Just then—
"Xiao Hong."
Ye Hao materialized without warning.
"Daddy!"
Qiuyue launched herself into his arms with a squeal.
"Missed me?"
"SO MUCH!"
Ye Hao smiled, then eyed Xiao Hong. "I couldn't find you after leaving seclusion. Why bring Qiuyue here?"
"It was her idea," Xiao Hong shrugged.
"Great-Grandma is nice!" Qiuyue interjected.
"Great-Grand...ma?" Ye Hao's eye twitched. Only Qiuyue could get away with such terms.
"Your daughter's delightful," Xiao Hong grinned. "Come, Qiuyue. Your daddy needs to talk with... Great-Grandma."
It emphasized the title with visible amusement.
As they left, Ye Hao finally chuckled.
"Something funny?" Bo Saixi glowered.
"Nothing," Ye Hao waved dismissively. "My daughter's young. Forgive any offense."
"Children speak innocently. I wouldn't hold it against her."
Bo Saixi's expression remained neutral, though she'd noted the girl's extraordinary potential—a twenty-level innate soul power, heir to the Six-Winged Angel lineage.
"How have you found your stay?" Ye Hao took a seat.
"Adequate."
"Tell me—did your Spirit Hall destroy the Clear Sky Sect?" Bo Saixi suddenly demanded.
"We did," Ye Hao confirmed.
"You're bold. Aren't you afraid of Tang Chen returning for vengeance?"
"Actually... I destroyed the Clear Sky Sect. And as for Tang Chen seeking revenge..." Ye Hao sipped his tea. "I'm afraid Tang Chen is already dead."
Bo Saixi's breath hitched.
"WHAT? TANG CHEN IS DEAD?!"
Her voice cracked with raw emotion, murderous aura flooding the room.
Tang Chen had vowed not to return until achieving godhood. For decades, she'd clung to that promise. Now, with his sect gone and his fate revealed, her composure shattered.
"How. Did. He. Die." Each word dripped with icy fury.
"Not by my hand," Ye Hao clarified.
At her unrelenting glare, he sighed.
"Very well. Tang Chen died in... the Slaughter City."
"Slaughter City?" Bo Saixi's brow furrowed. She remembered Tang Chen mentioning that accursed place.
"Who killed him?"
"It wasn't a person. Tang Chen was..."