"I was just giving an objective evaluation."
Qian Daoliu's words were sincere because, strictly speaking, Tang Chen's talent was slightly higher than his own. After all, Qian Daoliu's growth was heavily reliant on his god-level martial soul, the Seraphim, and the inheritance of the Spirit Hall.
And Tang Chen? Tang Chen only had a top-tier martial soul, the Clear Sky Hammer.
The Clear Sky Clan existed long before Tang Chen, but it was just an ordinary sect on the continent, with overall strength only slightly above average. It wasn't even qualified to be one of the Seven Great Sects. The current Clear Sky Clan was entirely the result of Tang Chen's personal efforts, hammering its way to becoming the number one sect in the world.
The Nine Absolutes of the Clear Sky were created by Tang Chen himself. The techniques of Ring Explosion and Great Sumeru Hammer were also his research. Other than providing Tang Chen with the Clear Sky Hammer and some early support, everything else the Clear Sky Clan had today was what Tang Chen had given back to the clan.
As a power-type soul master, Tang Chen not only had no flaws in his skills but also possessed an exceptionally high level of mastery.
Decades ago, when Qian Daoliu fought Tang Chen, his martial soul quality gave him an advantage. However, Tang Chen had the upper hand in terms of skill and realm.
For someone to elevate their techniques and abilities to a level comparable to the millennia-old swordsmanship heritage of the Angel lineage was practically defying the heavens.
Moreover, unlike Qian Daoliu and Bo Saixi, who reached level 99 by relying on divine trials, Tang Chen reached level 99 entirely through his abilities before seeking out a divine trial. While this was partly due to fortuitous encounters in his youth, it was ultimately a testament to Tang Chen's capabilities.
If, back then, Tang Chen had calmed down and taken the path of gathering faith to become a god, he genuinely could have achieved divinity. Even if he couldn't become a first-level god like the Angel God, Rakshasa God, or Sea God, becoming a top-tier second-level god would have been an easy feat.
Now, looking at Tang Chen, whose body was shattered inside and barely held together by divine power, like a porcelain doll full of cracks walking on the continent, Qian Daoliu couldn't help but feel sorrow for his old rival.
Tang Chen's talent and brilliance were so extraordinary, but in the end, he was targeted by an evil god and ended up in this state.
Although Qian Daoliu didn't know how Tang Chen had suddenly appeared here, he was certain that this was all part of the Asura God King's schemes. His old friend was now merely a pawn in the hands of that god, completely powerless to resist.
Qian Daoliu's sincere tone and regretful gaze deeply stung Tang Chen. At that moment, Tang Chen felt even more pain than when his body was being corroded by holy soul power. He clenched his fists tightly but then sighed helplessly as if all his strength had been drained. He loosened his hands, his eyes showing a hint of weariness.
"Qian Daoliu, you're someone I can trust. Tell me everything that happened over the years I've been gone. You're rigid, but your character is one of the few on this continent I can trust."
"If you still see me as a rival, as a friend, then tell me the truth about the conflict between the Clear Sky Clan and the Spirit Hall. I want to know how Qian Xunji died at Tang Hao's hands and what this so-called collusion with a 100,000-year soul beast is all about."
Tang Chen spoke earnestly. Besides his old rival, Qian Daoliu, he no longer knew whom he could trust.
Decades had passed, and even familial relationships could harbor countless conflicts. Tang Chen, with his vast experience, understood this better than anyone. Moreover, he was well aware of the arrogance of his clan members back when he left the sect.
To be blunt, they had swelled with pride to an unbearable level, to the point where even Tang Chen himself found them distasteful.
He was certain that if he returned to the Clear Sky Clan just like this, he would inevitably hear overwhelmingly one-sided rhetoric against the Spirit Hall.
"Here's the truth of the matter."
Qian Daoliu slowly recounted everything he knew, providing the most detailed, rigid, and impartial account of what had happened. He explained how Tang Hao fell in love with a 100,000-year soul beast that had taken human form, how the beast's aura was deliberately exposed to the Spirit Hall when it was pregnant, and how Qian Xunji, driven by greed, sought out the beast. Initially, Qian Xunji and Tang Hao negotiated, with Tang Hao taking the soul ring and Qian Xunji the soul bone. But the negotiations fell apart, leading to a fierce battle.
In the end, after the 100,000-year soul beast gave birth, it sacrificed itself for Tang Hao when the battle reached its climax. Tang Hao then used the Great Sumeru Hammer to critically wound Qian Xunji.
As an honest person, Qian Daoliu even mentioned that Qian Xunji did not die immediately but succumbed to internal issues within the Spirit Hall after returning. However, he didn't reveal the exact cause of Qian Xunji's death or who was responsible. He also admitted that he had pursued Tang Hao out of anger but ultimately failed to catch him.
Qian Daoliu went on to talk about how the four single-attribute clans were abandoned by the Clear Sky Clan, how the Clear Sky Clan sealed itself off, and how the Spirit Hall, following Qian Daoliu's orders, never set foot on Clear Sky Peak.
Toward the end, Qian Daoliu even mentioned how several elders of the Clear Sky Clan resorted to using blood sacrifices of their kin to enhance their strength, only to be caught while hunting for soul rings. After investigating their actions through special means, Qian Daoliu, enraged, struck them down with the Angelic Holy Sword outside Clear Sky Peak.
In short, Qian Daoliu told Tang Chen everything he could.
Listening to the events of the past years, Tang Chen remained silent, shutting his eyes in pain. After a long while, he reopened them, his gaze now filled with determination.
"I want to speak with Tang Hao alone and ask him some questions. I may take him away, but since I lost to you today, I swear I won't try to take him by force. I just want to talk to him."
Qian Daoliu closed his eyes in thought and secretly communicated with the remnants of the Angel God's spirit residing in the Angelic Holy Sword within him. After receiving permission, he reopened his eyes and nodded slowly.
"Very well."
The two half-gods walked side by side to the prison carriage. Their seemingly amiable demeanor left both Tang Hao and the Spirit Hall members deeply puzzled.
"Leave us. Tang Chen has something he wants to say to Tang Hao," Qian Daoliu said flatly, the golden light emanating from him confirming his identity beyond doubt.
Though full of curiosity, no one dared to defy Qian Daoliu's orders. The Spirit Hall soul masters released Tang Hao from the prison carriage and prepared to retreat to a distance with Qian Daoliu.
Watching this, Tang Hao burst into maniacal laughter.
"Hahaha! I knew it! Grandfather is invincible! That Qian Daoliu is no match for you!"
Hearing Tang Hao insult Qian Daoliu, Tang Chen's eyes narrowed. His soul power immediately pressed down on Tang Hao, turning the previously crazed man into a statue, his breathing and heartbeat nearly halted, leaving only his thoughts intact.
Under everyone's gaze, Tang Chen stepped toward Tang Hao's prison carriage and spoke in an open and steady voice.
"This time, I lost."
PS: It's like Roger and Garp's relationship here.