Chapter 384: The Sudden Appearance of a Supreme Powerhouse
Jialing Pass
As a wave of holy power suddenly swept across the area, the powerful individuals within Jialing Pass were immediately alerted. In a flurry, beams of light shot skyward. At the forefront were six figures, each exuding an imposing aura as boundless as the ocean. These were the six elders of the Worship Hall.
However, the aura of the second elder seemed slightly unsteady, as though he had suffered severe injuries. Behind these six, four more figures floated in midair—Elder Chrysanthemum, Elder Ghost, Serpent Spear Douluo, and Porcupinefish Douluo. Yet, the renowned warriors wore grim expressions; both Serpent Spear and Porcupinefish Douluo looked drained, while Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo were ashen-faced.
"The young master has finally returned safely. It appears those reports were indeed true," the subduing Devil Douluo said excitedly.
Azure Luan Douluo exhaled deeply in relief. "Now the Grand Elder can finally rest easy."
Lion Douluo narrowed his eyes, a brief flash of cold intent glimmering before he, too, joined the others in a relieved smile. At the forefront, Golden Crocodile Douluo gave a slight nod and coughed softly, his expression unchanged.
While they exchanged these brief words, two gray shadows rose up from the Heaven Dou side. They were Tang Hao, master of the Clear Sky Clan, and the second elder of the clan. Since foiling the Spirit Hall's plot, Tang Hao had left his secluded place within the clan, aware that four Titled Douluo alone were insufficient to cover the vast territories of the Heaven Dou Empire. To support Tang San, he took the risk of leaving seclusion himself.
Upon seeing Qian Renxue unharmed, both Tang Hao and the second elder were momentarily stunned, exchanging surprised glances. Given the sheer scale of Tang San's search net across the Heaven Dou Empire, how had Qian Renxue managed to escape unscathed? Even they felt apprehensive about the tight security Tang San had established; they could hardly believe she had made it out.
Qian Renxue cast a calm glance at the six Worship Elders, her gaze lingering on the injured second elder for a moment. She nodded slightly in acknowledgment before turning to face Tang Hao and the second elder directly. Her expression remained cold and emotionless as she said, "Your Clear Sky Clan certainly chose an opportune time to act—not only thwarting our plans but securing a haven for yourselves in the process. But don't be too pleased with yourselves. Sooner or later, I will personally destroy your clan and erase the shame you've brought upon the Six-Winged Angel family."
"Enjoy your final days."
Her words caused a stir on the Heaven Dou side. Many soldiers looked up at her in shock, bewildered by her brazen confidence. Those among the ranks with spirit power, however, sensed impending disaster. Save for Heaven Dou's loyalists, many secretly began to look for escape routes, knowing the Six-Winged Angel Spirit was one of the continent's most powerful. The great Qian Daoliu himself, one of the Spirit Master world's Twin Peaks, bore this spirit.
Though her name was relatively unknown, it was clear that this young woman was Qian Daoliu's descendant. Her words, therefore, carried his authority. And behind her stood six mighty Titled Douluo, proof of Spirit Hall's strength. Even with the support of the Clear Sky Clan, the Heaven Dou Empire was vastly outmatched and seemed destined for destruction.
Tang Hao and the second elder's faces darkened, their icy gazes fixed on Qian Renxue.
"We have no desire to engage in a war of words with Spirit Hall's young generation," Tang Hao said coldly. "Victory or defeat will be decided on the battlefield."
"I couldn't agree more," Qian Renxue replied. She had planned to strike immediately, intending to take down these two Titled Douluo of the Clear Sky Clan. However, upon arriving at Jialing Pass, she noticed that Golden Crocodile and the other Titled Douluo bore injuries of varying severity. Suddenly, she sensed that the situation was more complex than it seemed. Behind her, Azure Luan Douluo and the other elders were gesturing for her to hold back, signaling that now was not the time to strike.
With a slight frown, Qian Renxue lowered the Angelic Sword in her hand, snorting coldly. "For now, I'll let you keep your heads. But don't get too comfortable."
With that, she activated her six wings, turning into a streak of light as she descended into Jialing Pass. The other ten figures followed, swiftly touching down as well.
Inside Jialing Pass's Central Council Hall
Qian Renxue sat in the central seat, while the six Worship Elders and the four elders of the Spirit Hall's main council took their places in two rows before her.
"Young master, we'd heard you were severely injured in the Heaven Dou Empire. But you look none the worse for wear," the subduing Devil Douluo remarked with a grin.
"Yes, indeed, young master. You wouldn't believe how worried the Grand Elder was," Azure Luan Douluo added with a smile.
The mention of her grandfather's concern warmed Qian Renxue's heart, and she nodded slightly, responding coolly, "Thank you, elders, for your concern. I'm sorry to have caused you worry."
Azure Luan Douluo waved a hand, changing the subject. "By the way, young master, you haven't told us yet how you managed to escape from the Heaven Dou Empire. And also, during the events at the Heaven Dou palace, that young man known as the 'Asura King' made quite a name for himself. Do you know where he is now?"
At the mention of "Asura King," every powerful figure in the council hall perked up with interest. It was said that this young man, at only the Spirit Emperor level, had managed to sever the arm of the Clear Sky Clan's fifth elder—a Titled Douluo. Such a remarkable feat was unheard of, and everyone was keen to meet this remarkable talent.
Meanwhile, Serpent Spear Douluo's face filled with anxiety, desperately wishing Qian Renxue would keep quiet. During the confrontation at the Heaven Dou palace, he had picked up clues from the Asura King's spear techniques and realized that the "Asura King" was none other than Dai Yao himself. Dai Yao had twin spirits!
This secret needed to be closely guarded; the fewer people who knew, the lower the risk of Dai Yao's exposure. But with so many senior figures present, Serpent Spear Douluo dared not speak up. Though his anxiety gnawed at him, he could do nothing.
Lion Douluo, on the other hand, looked completely unfazed, his eyes like a deep, unfathomable pool that gave no hint of his thoughts.
Qian Renxue's gaze shifted thoughtfully. She, too, knew that the Asura King was Dai Yao and had no intention of revealing his identity. "The Asura King helped me escape from the Heaven Dou Empire," she replied. "For the past month, he's been by my side, helping me. We traveled down the Canglan River, heading east to the ocean, then followed the coastline south. Once we reached land, I came to Jialing Pass, and he returned to Spirit City."
At her words, Lion Douluo sighed regretfully. "What a pity. I was hoping to see for myself who is stronger—this young genius or our own Dai Yao, acknowledged as the strongest among Spirit Hall's younger generation."
This sparked a lively debate among the other elders, with some even engaging in a serious discussion of the two youths' potential.
Qian Renxue cast a glance at Lion Douluo. If he knew that Dai Yao and the Asura King were one and the same, the elders would likely be utterly dumbfounded. At the thought, an unintentional smile crept across her face.
Serpent Spear Douluo, who had been watching her closely, was taken aback. Even after all this time by her side, he'd never seen Qian Renxue smile like that. Clenching his teeth, he quickly spoke up.
"Young master, please forgive Porcupinefish and me for abandoning you and escaping alone. We humbly ask for your pardon."
Qian Renxue gave them a measured look before responding in a serious tone, "You are not to blame. Preserving our forces was the right choice. The failure of the Heaven Dou coup lies with me. If I hadn't underestimated Tang San and the Clear Sky Clan, they wouldn't have had the chance to seize control of the Heaven Dou Empire."
She understood well that the choice Serpent Spear and Porcupinefish Douluo had made to leave Heaven Dou Empire had been the right one. But compared to Dai Yao, who had risked his life to bring her out of enemy territory, their decision felt lacking. Dai Yao had acted with no expectation of reward, and despite their complicated history, he had saved her selflessly.
And this was why she now trusted Dai Yao completely.
Qian Renxue's words made both Serpent Spear and Porcupinefish Douluo sigh in relief. Back in the Heaven Dou Empire, the two had abandoned Qian Renxue and fled on their own. If not for Azure Luan Douluo's intervention after the six Worship Elders arrived at Jialing Pass, Lion Douluo and Subduing Devil Douluo would have executed them on the spot.
Qian Renxue's gaze swept across those present, finally fixing on the elderly man seated at the first left position, who had remained silent throughout. The reason the Clear Sky Clan was able to emerge from seclusion rested squarely on his shoulders. Since the clan's reappearance, he had failed to relay any critical information to Spirit Hall. While Qian Renxue's arrogance contributed to the failure of the coup, the real reason lay with him.
Locking her eyes on the Second Elder, Qian Renxue slowly asked,
"Second Elder, ever since we were in Heaven Dou City, I have harbored one question. You were tasked with suppressing the Clear Sky Clan, and yet, they were able to join forces with Heaven Dou Empire without any forewarning to us. Can you explain that?"
Subduing Devil Douluo opened his mouth, ready to interject on Golden Crocodile Douluo's behalf, but the Second Elder held up a hand to stop him. After coughing a few times, he sighed and said,
"Seventh Elder, let me explain myself."
Slowly, he lifted his head to meet Qian Renxue's questioning gaze, his expression filled with pain.
"Young master, allowing the Clear Sky Clan to resurface was never my intention. I still remember that day vividly—I was cultivating at the Clear Sky Clan's mountain gate when a black-haired man suddenly appeared before me. The moment he appeared, he attacked. To my shock, I realized I was no match for him; he overpowered me entirely. I could barely even defend myself."
"In the end, he struck me down, and I fell from the mountain cliff, losing consciousness. I only regained consciousness shortly before now."
These words plunged the room into deep silence, even shocking Qian Renxue. Golden Crocodile Douluo was a Level 98 Super Douluo, and very few people possessed power greater than his. Aside from her grandfather, there were only Sea God Douluo Bo Saixi and the former Clear Sky Douluo Tang Chen.
"Could it have been Tang Chen?" Qian Renxue asked coldly.
Golden Crocodile Douluo shook his head, a trace of fear flashing across his face.
"No, it wasn't Tang Chen. I am older than Tang Chen and have seen him before; I am certain it was not him. While that man carried a similar imposing presence, Tang Chen's aura is fierce and unrestrained, attacking like a tempest without giving his opponent a chance to retaliate."
"But this man's presence was incredibly controlled and focused. When he struck, he did so with such weight and precision, leaving no openings, like a divine being incarnate."
The council hall fell into a profound silence at his words. Such an unfathomable figure, never before known, was a significant cause for Spirit Hall's concern.
If Dai Yao had been present, he would have recognized that the "black-haired man" in Golden Crocodile Douluo's story was, in fact, Di Tian, the Beast God from the heart of the Star Dou Forest.
Elder Ghost and Elder Chrysanthemum exchanged glances before stepping forward. "Young master, we also have something to report," Elder Chrysanthemum said.
Snapping out of her deep contemplation, Qian Renxue turned a cold gaze toward the two of them. "Speak."
The ones who had exterminated the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan were none other than the two standing before her. They had managed to obliterate the clan in mere days but had not bothered to come to her aid at Heaven Dou City, leaving Qian Renxue feeling betrayed. Nonetheless, she understood that as members of Bibi Dong's inner circle, Elder Chrysanthemum and Elder Ghost could not act against her will, so Qian Renxue did not hold them accountable.
Elder Chrysanthemum lowered his head, the usual sly tone gone, replaced by a more solemn one as he explained,
"After eliminating the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, we intended to proceed to Heaven Dou City to aid you, young master. However, along the way, we encountered the very black-haired man the Second Elder mentioned. With a single strike, he shattered our spirit fusion skill."
Even recalling the encounter, Elder Chrysanthemum shivered with unease.
"With just one strike, he shattered our combined technique, leaving us grievously injured. We thought it was the end for us, but to our surprise, he spared our lives. Looking back, it's clear he intended only to prevent us from coming to your aid."
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue's expression darkened.
She hadn't expected Spirit Hall's reinforcements to be thwarted for such a reason. Still, deep down, she knew that even if she had faced mortal danger, that "woman" would likely have stood by, watching impassively.
Yet there were strange inconsistencies. If the black-haired man had such tremendous power, why hadn't he simply come to Heaven Dou City and captured her directly? Why use such covert means to support Tang San and the Clear Sky Clan? And, above all, who was he? Why had she never heard of him before?
These unanswered questions swirled in Qian Renxue's mind, leaving her feeling frustrated and uneasy.
After a moment's silence, Qian Renxue raised her head and spoke,
"Second Elder, you should return to the Worship Hall as soon as possible to rest. You are the pillar of Spirit Hall, and we cannot afford to lose you. As for the black-haired man, I will report him to the Grand Elder upon my return. Only a Supreme Douluo can confront another Supreme Douluo."
She then turned to Elder Chrysanthemum, Elder Ghost, and the two elders Serpent Spear and Porcupinefish, adding,
"As for Elders Chrysanthemum and Ghost, along with Serpent Spear and Porcupinefish, you will accompany me back to Spirit Hall. The Pope awaits our report."
…
A short time later, Qian Renxue stood atop the city walls of Jialing Pass, gazing at the distant sight of the densely packed army of the Heaven Dou Empire. Her thoughts drifted to somewhere far away. On her usually cold face, there was now a hint of wistfulness.
"Time passes so slowly…"
Looking in the direction Dai Yao had departed, she let out a soft sigh.
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