Chapter 20: Chapter 20: The Youth's Competition
Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:
patreon.com/ZeroMoney
I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated.
******
In Heaven Dou City, within a five-star hotel, Qian Renxue sensed the aura of the Fallen Angel outside her door. She quickly opened it and threw herself into Qian Renhan's arms, asking, "Brother, where have you been for the past six days? Even Father couldn't find you!"
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, being the burial ground of the Ice and Fire Dragon Kings, possessed unique energy that blocked all forms of detection. Naturally, Qian Xunji was unable to sense Qian Renhan's presence.
"I was preparing a small gift for you," Qian Renhan replied, patting Qian Renxue's head. His calm tone carried a trace of affection.
"Qianhan, you—!" Qian Xunji studied Qian Renhan, his pupils narrowing.
In just six days, Qian Renhan's martial soul had grown significantly colder and darker. If the radiance of the Six-Winged Angel could barely match his darkness before, now it stood no chance.
With a flash of light from his soul tool, Qian Renhan tossed a storage pouch to Qian Xunji, saying indifferently, "Old man, the celestial herbs inside are yours to distribute as you please. I don't need them."
"What?! Celestial herbs?!" Qian Xunji exclaimed. The moment his spiritual power entered the storage pouch, he was overwhelmed by the sheer wealth it contained.
In the Elder Hall, Chrysanthemum Douluo had initially joined the Spirit Hall to use its resources to search for celestial herbs. Yet, after so many years, he hadn't found even a single leaf. He had pored over books on celestial herbs countless times, but now they seemed like a distant fantasy.
Outside the hotel, Snake Spear Douluo stared in disbelief. "What the—! Porcupinefish, what have you been doing? How did you break through two ranks in just a few days?!"
Porcupinefish Douluo grinned, flashing his teeth as he slung an arm around Snake Spear Douluo's shoulder. "She Long, you wouldn't believe it. The past six days have been nothing short of mind-blowing. I used to think that a Titled Douluo was the peak of this continent. And, well, it is the peak—but my perspective was way too narrow."
"Let me tell you..."
Porcupinefish Douluo recounted everything that had happened, leaving Snake Spear Douluo with red eyes filled with envy. Ten-thousand-year soul bones, celestial-grade herbs—these were priceless treasures. If only he had shamelessly clung to the young master's leg and begged to tag along earlier!
"She Long, the young master has already handed the celestial herbs over to Her Holiness, the Pope. Go and request one from her. If she refuses, I'll help you plead as well. With my current strength, I dare say I'm unrivaled below the Titled Douluo rank and can trade one life for another against those above it. I'm the continent's number one poison user now."
Porcupinefish Douluo patted Snake Spear Douluo's shoulder. He still had one celestial herb left—a dark-attribute herb that Qian Renhan had instructed him to deliver to Elder Ghost. As for why Qian Renhan didn't deliver it personally, his actions of hoarding all the dark and cold-attributed herbs provided enough explanation.
"Porcupinefish, you're a true brother!" Snake Spear Douluo said, deeply moved.
Inside one of the hotel rooms, Qian Renxue clung to Qian Renhan's arm, shaking it playfully. "Brother, what celestial herb did you bring me?"
"You..." Qian Renhan shook his head as his soul tool lit up, revealing two celestial herbs—one radiating a divine aura, the other exuding a fiery presence.
"The Holy Radiance Grass and the Radiant Golden Sun Grass. One has a divine attribute, and the other is fire-attribute. I chose them specifically for you. Go ahead and take them."
Qian Renhan handed the herbs to her. A person could only safely consume up to two celestial herbs; consuming more could cause harm. Since the flames of the Six-Winged Angel had yet to reach their peak, the Scorching Golden Sun Grass would enhance her fire attribute, while the Holy Radiance Grass would boost her divine attribute.
"You're the best, Brother!" Qian Renxue stood on her tiptoes and kissed Qian Renhan on the cheek before excitedly taking the herbs. She sat on the bed, ready to consume them.
Qian Renhan hesitated briefly before reminding her, "You know how to take these herbs properly, right?"
"I know," Qian Renxue replied.
After consuming the herbs, she sat cross-legged to begin refining them. Qian Renhan left the room, closing the door tightly before sitting nearby. Consuming the Radient Golden Sun Grass would cause a surge in fire energy, likely burning her clothes. He wasn't a pervert, and he certainly wasn't interested in a little girl's body—especially since she was his sister.
At that moment, Qian Xunji approached him and said, "Child, I'm sorry about what happened that day..."
"There's no need to apologize," Qian Renhan replied flatly. "Since our views don't align, just don't interfere with me anymore. As for Xue'er, I'll leave her in your care." With that, he stood and walked back toward his room.
The next morning, Qian Xunji held Qian Renxue's hand, while Qian Renhan walked a short distance behind, deliberately keeping an arm's length away from Qian Xunji.
After absorbing the celestial herbs the previous day, Qian Renxue's martial soul evolved into the Six-Winged Seraph. The flames of her Angel Martial Soul were upgraded to the Ultimate Flame, and her three angelic attributes—flame, light, and divinity—each increased a level. Her divine attribute even surpassed the evil attribute level of Qian Renhan.
Qian Xunji spoke in a deep voice, "Xue'er, before we visit the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, I need to seal one rank of your soul power."
The battles at the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would inevitably expose the secret of the Angel Clan's martial soul having an innate soul power ten levels higher than other martial souls on the continent. Since some of her talent could be concealed, it was better to hide it.
Qian Renxue didn't question Qian Xunji's decision. "Alright, Father."
"I won't need that," Qian Renhan interjected.
Meeting Qian Xunji's questioning gaze, Qian Renhan explained. His first soul ring was already a thousand-year one, drawing attention wherever he went. Once people learned that his innate soul power and martial soul level surpassed Qian Renxue's, all eyes—and threats—would naturally focus on him.
Qian Xunji nodded slightly. He tapped a few points on Qian Renxue's body, sealing her soul power from level 20 to level 19. Afterward, the group of five headed toward the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan by flight.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was located in Thunderclap Canyon, not far from Heaven Dou City, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and the Clear Sky Clan. As the top three clans were closely allied against the Spirit Hall, they had established their territories nearby to provide quick support in case of an attack.
In front of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's gate, a temporary competition stage had been set up. On both sides of the stage were spectator stands.
Besides members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, representatives from the Clear Sky Clan, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, and even Heaven Dou Empire's Prince Xue Xing were present. Essentially, anyone of significance in the soul master world had gathered, including the Four Elemental Academies of Heaven Dou Empire. The Godwind Academy's headmaster brought Feng Xiaotian, who had just awakened his martial soul with innate full soul power and an air of arrogance. The Blazing Academy's headmaster arrived with Huo Wushuang and Huo Wu.
Before Tang Chen's era, the Spirit Hall was the undisputed ruler of the continent, unmatched by any other force. Qian Xunji, hailed as a once-in-a-generation genius, had broken through to the Titled Douluo rank at just fifty years old. Naturally, the debut of the current generation of the Qian family drew everyone's attention.
Sitting at the main seat was Yu Yuan Zhen's father, Yu Longchen. To his left sat Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, while Tang Xiao sat to his right.
Tang Xiao's father was gravely ill and nearing the end of his life, unable to travel far. As the second-highest-ranking soul master of the Clear Sky Clan with a soul power of level 89, Tang Xiao represented his clan at the event. He was accompanied by younger disciples of the Clear Sky Clan.
The Spirit Hall's goal of showcasing the younger generation of the Qian family's power wasn't limited to targeting the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan alone. The Clear Sky Clan was likely a target as well. Instead of passively waiting, they chose to confront the situation proactively.
(End of Chapter)