Chapter 194: Chapter 194
**Chapter 194: The Breath Disappeared**
Xiao Wu, being gently caressed by A Yin and Liu Erlong, felt increasingly uneasy under their motherly gazes. Their affection made her shudder.
She stared at them, utterly confused, but what baffled her most was her mother's expression of gratitude toward the two women.
'What's going on with these two? Why are they looking at me like that?'
Unable to comprehend the situation, Xiao Wu decided to put the matter aside. She focused her mind and opened the latest content in her diary copy.
Zhao Ling's magnetic voice echoed in her ears as she read. But instead of clearing her confusion, it only deepened it.
She understood what "goddaughter" meant, but the term "daughter-in-law" was utterly foreign to her. Human terms are so complicated, Xiao Wu thought, still pondering its meaning.
Her confusion grew as she read Zhao Ling's claim that the two women in front of her were her "mothers" in some sense.
'I only have one mother,' Xiao Wu thought, sighing internally. 'Even if Long'er could be considered my adoptive mother, that makes two. But now Yin'er is also my mother? How does that even work?'
Resigned, she sighed again. 'Fine. Two more mothers it is. As long as they aren't too strict with me, I'll be fine.'
---
Bo Saixi and Bibi Dong also noticed the latest diary update. Since they weren't mentioned, they quickly skimmed through it and then closed their diary copies.
---
In the Parallel Universe
In the timeline of Peerless Tang Sect, a petite and adorable girl—eleven or twelve years old—with large, pale blue eyes, long lashes, and flowing pale blue hair, stood playfully amidst the mist.
Curious about the Douluo Continent, she had heard from her parents about the wonders of the mortal realm and decided to explore.
But as she descended, a strange white vortex appeared out of nowhere.
Startled, the girl tried to stop herself, but her momentum was too strong. Before she could react, the vortex seemed to come alive, swallowing her whole.
"Dad! Mom! Save me!!!" she managed to cry before vanishing into the vortex.
Moments later, the vortex disappeared, leaving the sky eerily calm, as though nothing had happened.
Back in the Douluo God Realm, Tang San—now a god—was enjoying a rare moment of peace with Xiao Wu, his wife.
Their daughter was particularly clingy, so they cherished the time they had to themselves while she napped. But as Tang San relaxed, his expression suddenly changed.
"What's wrong, Third Brother?" Xiao Wu asked, noticing his furrowed brow.
Tang San's face grew solemn. "Xiao Qi's aura—it's gone. It disappeared completely, as though she never existed."
"What?" Xiao Wu's heart dropped. She nearly fainted, but Tang San caught her around the waist, holding her steady.
"Don't worry," he said gently, trying to comfort her. "Maybe I sensed wrong. Xiao Qi will be fine. She has to be."
---
The Next Morning
After returning to Tiandou Imperial City, Zhao Ling decided it was time to confront the accusations against him.
Someone had attempted to assassinate Prince Xue Qinghe, and the blame had been pinned on him. Zhao Ling wasn't one to hide, and he was ready to clear his name.
To him, the titles of royal worshiper and foster father to the prince were mere formalities he never cared for. This incident gave him the perfect excuse to sever ties with the Tiandou royal family.
He planned to return the 5 million gold soul coins and the mansion gifted to him. After all, as a Titled Douluo, killing Xue Qinghe would be as effortless as squashing an ant. The allegations of using "despicable methods" were both laughable and insulting.
'If the Tiandou Empire doesn't want me, Zhao Ling, as their royal priest and the prince's foster father, I'll gladly walk away,' he thought coldly.
Zhao Ling rode a carriage straight to the Tiandou Imperial Palace. As he approached the gates, the guards stopped him.
Throwing back the curtain, Zhao Ling glared at them and said icily, "Move."
The guards immediately recognized him. They had seen him before, during the royal martial arts tournament, when he had sent Bone Douluo of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect flying with a single punch.
Though Zhao Ling was now under suspicion for the attempted assassination, the guards dared not defy him. Bowing slightly, they stepped aside and allowed him to pass.
Once inside the palace, Zhao Ling dismounted at the Imperial Stables and walked directly toward the Qinzheng Hall.
---
At the Qinzheng Hall
Emperor Xue Ye and his ministers were deep in discussion about recent events, the most pressing of which was the attempted assassination of Prince Xue Qinghe.
Despite Emperor Xue Ye's efforts to suppress the matter, the ministers were relentless. That very morning, over twenty ministers had signed a petition demanding a thorough investigation and the immediate dismissal of Zhao Ling as royal priest.
Both Emperor Xue Ye and Prince Xue Xing were frustrated. It was rare to find someone of Zhao Ling's caliber willing to serve the royal family. Yet these shortsighted ministers seemed intent on driving him away.
The emperor's anger simmered as he thought, 'These officials are blind. They should be protecting Zhao Ling, not pushing him out.'
As tension filled the hall, Zhao Ling's arrival would soon disrupt the proceedings.
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**(End of Chapter)**